Patrick Leahy

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I know we have Senators who have talked about bringing amendments to the floor. I know the distinguished majority leader is trying to get a finite list and a time to vote on them. I hope that can be done. I hope Senators who have amendments will bring them up, debate them, and vote them up or down so we can get on with this bill. If you are a person whose home has been devastated or your children's school has been destroyed in this storm or your business is only a pile of rubble--those people really find it pretty difficult to see us, whether it is the U.S. Senate or the other body, standing around saying we may have amendments, we may not have amendments, we may have something that is not germane to what we have here but we want to make a message amendment. They are saying: We are Americans--we are Americans and we are suffering. Do something for us, just as this body always has. Whether the disaster has been in the Midwest, the West, the Northeast, the Southeast, or the South, we have come together for our fellow Americans. Time is running out, and we should get moving. I urge Senators, bring your amendments. If you really think they have merit, if you really think they have anything to do with this disaster relief, if you really think they are going to be able to help, bring them in and let's vote them up, vote them down. But let's not just sit here thinking that maybe we can wait longer. We get paid our salaries. I don't know of any Senator who has lost his or her home, certainly not his or her business. They are still here, and they still get paid every couple of weeks. That is not the case for hundreds of thousands of people. Let's start acting to take care of them. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that upon the completion of the distinguished Senator's remarks the Senate stand in recess subject to the call of the Chair.

Mr. LEAHY. Would the Senator yield for a question?

Mr. LEAHY. It is my understanding that the Senator is not going to seek action on it now, it is simply to file it?

Mr. LEAHY. I thank my distinguished colleague. We have shared this colloquy on two different occasions. I thank the Senator.

Mr. LEAHY. I am only going to make a short unanimous consent request, if I could.

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, is the substitute now pending?

Mr. LEAHY. I am pleased to work with Senator Lautenberg on this issue. New Jersey, New York, and other States throughout the region were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. In particular, flood-prone areas and the coastline experienced severe damage. That is why the Supplemental Appropriations bill includes funding and language to improve damaged projects, construct new projects to prevent future damage, and to authorize projects in the study phase for construction, provided that the Corps of Engineers determines doing so would cost- effectively reduce flood and storm damage risks.

Mr. LEAHY. Yes. The language does not intend for the Corps of Engineers to disqualify studies under consideration for construction authorization based on increased costs and decreased economic benefits as a result of Hurricane Sandy. In addition, the term ``cost- effectiveness'' does not refer to the benefit to cost ratio typically used by the Corps of Engineers.

Mr. LEAHY. Yes. The Corps is directed to submit a report to the Committee on Appropriations on its proposed process for determining cost-effectiveness, in accordance with the aforementioned intentions, no later than 45 days following enactment of this Act. Great Lakes Dredging Funding

Mr. LEAHY. Yes, that is correct. The Supplemental Appropriations bill includes some funding related to natural disasters other than Hurricane Sandy.

Mr. LEAHY. The bill does not define ``natural disaster,'' but the near record water level lows in the Great Lakes caused by drought and unusually warm weather leading to increased evaporation are certainly contributing to significant drought-like consequences at Great Lakes ports and harbors.

Mr. LEAHY. Yes. The funding is tied to estimates of natural disaster damages relayed to Congress by the Corps, however, the funding is not earmarked to specific projects. The Corps utilizes this funding to restore essential project functions based on the Corps' priority of the damages. In that context, Great Lakes ports and harbors would be eligible for the funding.

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased the Senate will agree to S. Res. 618, a resolution observing the 100th birthday of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, and commemorating her legacy. It is hard to believe that 57 years have passed since Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a public bus, a heroic act for a young woman from Tuskegee, AL, who joined so many in the fight for civil rights. I am proud of the progress this country has made toward equality for all, in large part thanks to the work and inspiration of leaders like Rosa Parks, although we as a Nation have more work to do. Rosa's brave act of defiance inspired a city-wide boycott and national movement, and she remains an important symbol of the civil rights movement to this day. Her legacy reminds Vermonters and Americans all over the country that one brave voice or action can shine a light on injustice and challenge society to accept nothing less than freedom and equality for all mankind. In 2006 I was proud to work to reauthorize one of the most important civil rights laws in our history and to have that voting rights legislation bare Rosa Parks' name. Unfortunately, some are trying to overturn that protective and important law despite the continuing threat to the right to vote. As we commemorate her birth 100 years ago, I hope we can all agree that threats to civil rights are not a relic of the past. To honor Rosa Parks' memory, we must continue to fight to ensure that all Americans can vote and have their vote counted. I thank Senator Levin for submitting this resolution and am proud to join him in commemorating the legacy of Rosa Parks.

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today is the first day since Hawaii became a State that it is not represented by Dan Inouye, either as a House Member or as Senator. As I look at my dear friend's desk with the traditional white flowers, I can't tell you how much it pains me. He was one of the greatest Members of this body ever to have served and a dear friend to so many of us. He was perhaps the best role model for public service any American could ask for. Senator Inouye's story is one of great passion for his people, commitment to his calling of public service, and dedication to finding a better way forward for all Americans, a true patriot. A soldier in World War II, a veteran of the Armed Forces, he fought for the freedom of the Nation he so loved and believed in. The Nation finally recognized that, making him a recipient of our Congressional Medal of Honor. As a representative of Hawaii, he dedicated his career to establishing and solidifying a place for his State in Washington so generations of Hawaiians to come might know the benefits of what he did not have, Federal support for such important causes such as higher education, transportation, health care, and security. His advocacy was never in vain, and the people of Hawaii benefited immensely from his service. But I think his efforts to bring people together is unmatched. The grace with which he conducted his work should inspire all of us, as it does me. He was the man who could reach out to both sides of the aisle, make friends and make peace. He poured his heart and soul into the Senate. He was first and foremost a person of the Senate, and we all felt his passion and concern for the work of this body. There is no doubt he is going to be greatly missed in these halls. He was a mentor. He was a friend. We traveled together. Our wives were friends. The reason I didn't speak last night, I opened my desk and looked again--the desk I have now, this seat, I inherited from Dan Inouye--and his name is inscribed in it. As the distinguished Acting President pro tempore knows, we inscribe our names in our desks, and Dan Inouye's is there. When I looked at that last night I was overcome with emotion and so I did not speak then. I realize I am delaying things a couple of minutes here, but when I think of my friend and I think of his name, I remember he said he wanted to be remembered as having represented his people and all Americans honestly and to the best of his ability. He filled that. He filled that. We all know he gave his everything to the Senate, and his legacy is for us to continue the work he has done. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, what is the parliamentary situation?

Mr. LEAHY. I thank the distinguished Presiding Officer. I assume that we are going back and forth.

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, first, I wish to join my thoughts on those of the two Senators from Connecticut and the Senator who just spoke, Senator Blumenthal. He and I talked this weekend during these terrible times, and I told him the Judiciary Committee and the Department of Justice, on behalf of all the victims, were standing by to help them in any way they can.

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I am seeing the distinguished Senators from Arizona and others who may wish to speak in morning business. May I suggest that we close morning business, go back on the bill, and then if somebody wishes to speak, as many do, for our departed colleague, they can always ask consent to go back as in morning business. I would request that morning business be closed and we go back to H.R. 1.

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. LEAHY

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am going to speak briefly in just a moment, but in the meantime I will suggest the absence of a quorum. I will call it off very quickly. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.