Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order following the remarks of the Democratic leader, Senator Daschle.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 99, submitted earlier today by me.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, there is a joint resolution at the desk which was introduced earlier by Senator Coverdell and others, and I ask for its first reading.

Mr. LOTT. I now ask for its second reading and object to my own request.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Yes.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I now withdraw the motion.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 473 and send a cloture motion to the desk on the motion.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, this cloture vote will occur then on Thursday. I will work with the Democratic leader to set this vote, hopefully following the passage of the satellite loan guarantee bill, which I know the Senate is anxious to get completed. It was part of an agreement last year that we entered into with regard to the satellite bill that there was a need for a loan program to make sure that it actually worked, and so this bill will be on the floor. I am sure there are going to be some amendments that will be offered on that, but we would like to complete that and then go to this subsequent vote on Thursday. We will work through the timing of it. In the meantime, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule XXII be waived.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the importance of this weekend in my home State of Mississippi. On March 25th, Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) will rededicate and rename its football complex. Formerly known as Magnolia Stadium, the Rice-Totten Stadium will honor two of MVSU's great athletes and two ambassadors for the Itta Bena school. Jerry Rice is a legend--not only in Mississippi, but throughout the world. After completing an extraordinary career at Valley, Jerry went on to become the greatest professional wide receiver ever. During his time with the San Francisco 49ers, Jerry dazzled fans with his ability to make the impossible look easy, broke numerous NFL reception records, and led his team to multiple Super Bowl Championships. Willie Totten is one of collegiate athletics's greatest competitors. From 1983-1986 Willie led Valley to the top of Division I-AA football. He also raised the bar by which all college offenses are now judged. Today, almost every college football team utilizes a strong pass- oriented offense game plan, but that hasn't always been the case. Football fans have Willie to thank for showing us how exciting passing over 50 times a game can be. Following a solid career with the Buffalo Bills, Willie served the future of competitive athletics as a college and high school coach. I believe it's only fitting that MVSU recognize and honor Jerry Rice and Willie Totten for their accomplishments and achievements by naming Magnolia Stadium after them. Although I will not be able to attend the rededication ceremony, I wish MVSU, Jerry Rice, Willie Totten, their families, and those associated with the University they celebrate this occasion.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I congratulate Senator Lugar, the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, and Senator Roberts, on the bipartisan work that was done on this legislation. While it didn't get a 100- percent vote, I think they should be commended for keeping their commitment made last fall to get crop insurance to the floor. Senator Lugar, in his usual way, has worked very hard to bring all divergent views together. I thank the Senator for this important legislation.

Mr. LOTT. I am happy to yield to the Senator.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, let me add, thanks, too, to Senator Kerrey and others involved on the Democratic side of the aisle. It was truly a bipartisan effort. I think they should be congratulated. I hope when it comes out of conference it will have 100-percent support.

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

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I wish to comment at this time about one of the most effective and respected Senators in this Chamber. He can be ferocious in trying to get his work done, but he always winds up doing it with a smile on his face. He quite often acts as a typical trial lawyer making his case against the opposing counsel or pleading his case to the jury. Of course, we enjoy referring to him sometimes as the ``Tasmanian devil.'' When he comes to the Senate floor wearing his Tasmanian devil tie, look out; he is ready to do the people's business in quick order. For more than 30 years, the Alaskan of the Year Committee has named an Alaskan of the year who has significantly affected the character and the development of the 49th State. Thus, it is no surprise that in 1974 Senator Stevens, along with the newspaper publisher, was named ``Alaskan of the Year.'' Recently, the Alaskan of the Year Committee set out to name the Alaskan of the Century. I inquired of the Senator from Alaska, which century? The past century for past favors or the present century for expected ones? With the usual sense of humor, he deferred to maybe the past century. Mr. President, 88 names of great Alaskans appeared on the first ballot. The second ballot contained 12; the third ballot contained 3. On the final ballot, Alaska's senior Senator, who has served so well in this body, Ted Stevens, was named ``Alaskan of the Century.'' What a great honor. On Saturday night, in Anchorage, AK, surrounded by family and friends, this great honor, Alaskan of the Century, will be conferred on Senator Stevens. Senator Stevens has had a role in every significant event in Alaska for the last half century, whether it be as a youth working for Alaskan statehood or his mastery in crafting and shepherding through Congress the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, landmark legislation for which there is no other precedent. It would take all day to list the great many things Senator Stevens has accomplished during his 31 years serving in the Senate, and even longer to list all of his friends. Mr. President, not only is Ted Stevens a great Senator and a great Alaskan, he is, above all, a loyal friend to all who know him. Even in the heat of battle, when it gets tough around here, in the next minute or the next hour, he is lovingly trying to do something to help his previous opponent, whether it be in the leadership of his own party or across the aisle in the other party. His 6 children and 10 grandchildren, and his wife, Catherine, who is special in her own way, know for sure that Senator Ted Stevens, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, senior Senator for the 49th State, is indeed worthy of the honor he will receive this week as Alaskan of the Century. His service in the military, his service in that State, his service of bringing that State into the Union, his service as a Senator, and his service as chairman of the Appropriations Committee is truly unique. I offer my personal congratulations. I know I speak for all of my colleagues in applauding Ted Stevens. I don't know how in the world we would even pick a Mississippian of the century. There have been so many great ones in this past century, but in Alaska, it is obvious: The man for that job and for that honor is Ted Stevens. Thank you, Ted, for what you do for your country and for your State. We are proud. I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I did want to propound a unanimous consent request with regard to how to proceed on the crop insurance legislation, which is the legislation that is next in order for consideration. I understand there have been discussions throughout the day to work out an agreement on that. I wish to make sure Senator Daschle has had a chance to personally review it. After consultation with the Democratic leader, I believe we are very close to getting an agreement. We believe we can work this out and be able to proceed this afternoon. Based on that assurance, I will withhold that request at this time. I would like for us to continue to work and see if we can get it worked out as soon as possible so we can begin to have debate and go forward with amendments. We are thinking in terms of maybe six or so amendments and then final passage. We will work on that more and will return to that shortly. I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I understand that H.R. 3081 is at the desk. I ask for its first reading.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I now ask for its second reading and object to my own request.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the exemplary service and career of an outstanding naval officer, Captain Louis V. Marchette, upon his retirement from the Navy at the conclusion of more than 24 years of commissioned service. Throughout his distinguished career, Captain Marchette has truly epitomized the Navy core values of honor, courage, and commitment. It is my privilege to commend him for a superb career of service he has provided the Navy and our great Nation. Captain Marchette was born in Ogden, Utah and grew up in a Marine Corps family. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, he was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy in 1976. Captain Marchette began his career as a line officer but soon found his true calling and transferred to the staff corps as a Civil Engineer Corps officer. His first assignment was with the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FORTY, homeported in Port Hueneme, California. In subsequent assignments, Captain Marchette was given some of the most challenging assignments the Navy Civil Engineer Corps had to offer. As a junior officer, he served as Staff Civil Engineer, Naval Technical Training Center Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida; Assistant Public Works Officer, Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, and; Resident Officer in Charge of Construction, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. In recognition of his exemplary performance and construction engineering expertise, he was then assigned as Operations Officer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR, homeported in Gulfport, Mississippi. In this assignment, he directed contingency construction and military operations throughout Japan, Korea, the Caribbean, and Central America. He followed this tour with assignment as the Civil Engineer Corps Lieutenant Commander Assignment and Placement Officer, Bureau of Naval Personnel, his only tour within the ``Beltway.'' At this juncture, Captain Marchette had developed a truly outstanding reputation as a naval officer and engineer and he was rewarded with a variety of leadership opportunities to include, Public Works Officer, Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; Commanding Officer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE, homeported in Gulfport, Mississippi, and; Chief Staff Officer, 20th Naval Construction Regiment, Gulfport, Mississippi. On October 30, 1997, Captain Marchette took command of Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Mississippi, assuming the dual responsibility of Commanding Officer, 20th Naval Construction Regiment, the pinnacle of a most outstanding career. In this capacity, Captain Marchette has spearheaded development of a world class mobilization complex capable of mobilizing Seabees for deployment anywhere in the world within 48 hours. Selfless commitment, exceptional technical prowess, and extraordinary accomplishment have been the hallmarks of this most outstanding professional. Whether restoring order for the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the aftermath of hurricanes, responding to military contingencies throughout the world, or maneuvering through periods of severe budget constraints, he provided unparalleled leadership, innovative concepts, and overall brilliant managerial insight in accomplishment of the Navy and our Nation's objectives. Under his dynamic leadership the Naval Construction Force has experienced dramatic improvements in comprehensive readiness, training attainment, mobilization, and manpower/equipment resourcing. In short, Atlantic Fleet Seabees are now better trained and better equipped to accomplish the mission as a direct result of Captain Marchette's efforts. Captain Marchette holds a Master of Science degree in engineering from the University of Florida. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Louisiana and a member of the Louisiana Society of Professional Engineers and the Society of American Military Engineers. He is a Seabee Combat Warfare Officer whose personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service medals, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation medal, and Navy Humanitarian Service medal. Captain Marchette's visionary leadership, exceptionally creative problem solving skills, and uncommon dedication have created a legacy of achievement and excellence. Having spent half his 24-year career in the great State of Mississippi, Captain Marchette and his lovely wife, Fran, are true Mississippians who have brought great honor and praise to our State. Captain Marchette will retire on July 1, 2000 after 24 years of dedicated commissioned service. On behalf of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I wish Captain Marchette fair winds and following seas. Congratulations on completion of an outstanding and successful career.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, objection was heard. If Senator Kennedy would like to be recognized, I am glad to yield to him.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to H.R. 3081, the House minimum wage bill now at the desk, and that one amendment be agreed to, which is the text of the previously passed Domenici amendment No. 2547 now in the form of a substitute relative to the minimum wage, the bill then be advanced to third reading and passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table. I further ask unanimous consent that the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House, and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate. I further ask unanimous consent that with respect to the bankruptcy bill, the Secretary of the Senate be directed to instruct the enrolling clerk to strike the Domenici amendment language just described above, all other parameters of the previous agreement be in order, and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees.

Mr. LOTT. Would Senator Feingold like to speak?

Mr. LOTT. The bankruptcy bill?

Mr. LOTT. I ask the Senator to check into that and see if we can work through that point. I understand there are some Senators on that side of the aisle who do wish to go through that whole process again on bankruptcy. That would be an important part of working out this whole maze of procedural questions. Did Senator Wellstone wish to comment?

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, if I may just comment one second more before I propound the UC request, with regard to Senator Daschle's comments, we do have a good, strong, bipartisan bankruptcy bill that we have passed. We also did have a debate and discussion on the minimum wage issue and the tax provisions. I didn't choose the debate and the amendments to occur on this bill, but I knew it was going to come up and it should come up at some point. So it was offered to the bankruptcy bill. We had a good debate. We had a vote. The interesting thing about the minimum wage, I think the parameters are pretty clear. We have the Senate-passed version, the $1 increase over 3 years, and the House version, that increase over a shorter period of time, only maybe a year or so. Then in the Senate provision, we have some small business tax offsets, a relatively small package. The House has a bigger package on the tax offsets. I think the parameters of the discussion on minimum wage are all represented in the two bills that have been passed. We can get conferees from the appropriate committees, and they can look at the minimum wage increase, and over what period of time, and the small business tax offsets or other tax provisions, and have a good conference and be able to get a result. I hope we can do that without delay.