Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, we thank you for your comments.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, there is an order at the desk.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the Senate, the Senate has met almost exclusively as a Court of Impeachment since January 7, 1999, to consider the articles of impeachment against the President of the United States. The Senate meets today to conclude this trial by voting on the articles of impeachment, thereby, fulfilling its obligation under the Constitution. I believe we are ready to proceed to the votes on the articles. And I yield the floor.

Mr. LOTT. Will Senators return to their desks? Managers, thank you for joining us. Would Senators stand, and the gallery, as the Chief Justice enters the Chamber, please.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. Order Of Procedure

Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent that the Court of Impeachment stand in adjournment until 9:30 tomorrow morning, the Senate then immediately proceed to closed session. I ask unanimous consent the Senate now resume legislative session in order to conduct some housekeeping business.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume open session.

Mr. LOTT. This morning the Senate will resume final deliberations in closed session. Our best guess, at this time, leaves approximately 37 Senators still intending to speak. It is possible that we could conclude and have the final votes this afternoon or late this evening, but I don't think that is going to be possible at this time. When we do approach that point, I would like to do it in an orderly fashion, that Members and those who are interested will be given notice. We have some business we would have to conclude, also, after all the deliberations have been complete. I will confer throughout the day with Senator Daschle to see how it is going, and as soon as we can see clearly when we would want to actually move to the final vote, we will notify all the Senators. We will also take a lunch break sometime today between 12 and 12:30, and we will have, of course, some breaks throughout the day to take some refreshments. I yield the floor to allow the Chief Justice to close the session.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I move that this resolution be adopted by the Senate.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I send a resolution to the desk regarding the taking of pictures in the Senate Chamber during the impeachment vote and ask unanimous consent the resolution be considered agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, this month is the centennial anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, Mississippi. The First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport has a rich history serving the Lord and the Gulfport community. It was organized on February 17, 1899 by the New Orleans Presbytery. On January 30, 1904, the original frame church building was dedicated and a year later, Reverend F.L. McFadden was installed as the church's first Pastor. Reverend H.A. Jones was installed in December 1909 and served until his death in January 1915. Reverend A.C. Armond ministered to the church until World War I. Dr. Charles Newman followed, faithfully conducting worship for fourteen years. Reverend J.N. Brown served the Presbyterian Church during the Great Depression, World War II, and the Korean Conflict. Installed in 1954, Dr. Richard L. Summers led the ministry until September 1986. It was during Dr. Summer's thirty-two year tenure that the present church at 1214 24th Avenue was dedicated and a number of important programs were instituted such as a week-day kindergarten. The congregation joined the Presbyterian Church of America in 1982 and was received in May 1983 by Grace Presbytery, P.C.A, at the First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg. In July 1987, Reverend Danny Levi was installed, serving through December 1991. Reverend William R. Lyle was ordained in January 1991 and served as an Assistant Pastor until December 1992. The First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport is now blessed to have Reverend Marshall D. Connor, a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the Reformed Theological Seminary, as its current Pastor. The father of seven children and the grandfather of two, Reverend Conner and his wife Linda have served the church since March 1993. As the First Presbyterian Church reaches this significant milestone, it is appropriate to look back and reflect on the many lives touched by this institution. The thousands of worshipers who have achieved spiritual fulfilment. The children who received a strong religious education based on devotion to faith, family, and freedom and the biblical principles of integrity, conviction, and moral fiber. The sons and daughters who entered into the sacred bond of matrimony. The many devoted followers who regularly attended Sunday service, and who, in the Christian tradition, sought and received redemption. And the friends and family members who prayed for their loved ones and those in need. The First Presbyterian Church has remained a center for community life and spiritual well-being for a century. This history will serve as a beacon for Gulfport as our nation moves forward into the next millennium. For one hundred years, and with nine ministers, this congregation has stood as a strong testament to its glorious teachings. I am proud and honored to commemorate this historic achievement. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, Mississippi, and to wish the church and its many followers a joyous centennial anniversary.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Presiding Officer be authorized to appoint a committee of Senators, three upon the recommendation of the majority leader and three upon the recommendation of the minority leader, to escort the Chief Justice out of the Senate Chamber at the conclusion of the Court of Impeachment.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Therefore, now I ask unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until the hour of 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, if Senator Feinstein offers her motion to suspend the rules in order to attempt to consider a censure resolution, and immediately following the reading of the motion by the clerk, Senator Gramm of Texas be recognized to offer a motion to postpone the Feinstein motion indefinitely. I further ask that immediately following the reporting of the Gramm motion by the clerk, the Senate proceed to a vote on the Gramm motion, immediately, all without any intervening debate or action. I further ask that following the vote, if two-thirds of the Senate fail to defeat the motion to postpone, then the motion to suspend is withdrawn and that no further motions relative to censure be in order prior to this week's adjournment of the Senate. I finally ask that following that vote there be up to 2 hours of morning business to be equally divided between the two leaders or their designees. And before the Chair puts the question on the unanimous consent request, I just want to advise my colleagues on both sides, this has been cleared on both sides of the aisle, by the sponsor, Senator Feinstein, and by Senator Gramm on the other side. I believe this is a fair way, all things considered, to deal with this matter.

Mr. LOTT

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

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, in a few moments, the Senate will resume the closed session in order to allow Members to continue to deliberate the two articles of impeachment. Members are reminded that the motion adopted yesterday allows for a Record to be printed on the day of the vote on the articles which could contain Senators' final statements if they choose to have them printed. Also, Senator Daschle was just noting that while Senators have been careful not to comment on the discussion in closed session, we still should use a lot of discretion in going out and talking to the media about the details of what is happening here. I don't think there have been any violations, but use a lot of discretion. I would prefer we not even talk about which Senator spoke or how many spoke. I think we need to be careful in doing that. I expect the Senate will be in session until approximately 6. We will confer with the Senators, the leadership, and the Chief Justice, and see how the discussions are going, and the speeches, how many are being made. Perhaps we would wrap it up before that. It would just depend on how much endurance we have today. We will have a break from 12 until about 1:15, one hour and 15 minutes for lunch to allow the Chief Justice some time to return to the Supreme Court and then come back. I expect the Senate to convene again tomorrow at 10 a.m. in order to try to conclude the debate and vote on the articles if at all possible by 5 o'clock on Thursday. If we are still having speeches, if we can't do it, we would certainly just go over until Friday, but I think we need to talk about that goal of 5 o'clock on Thursday.

Mr. LOTT. I will be glad to yield.

Mr. LOTT. My count is we have about 70 Members here and I'm sure we will have a full complement here momentarily, so we can lock the doors and give a few more Senators a little more time to get here. Would the Senator from Alaska like to speak?

Mr. LOTT. The day of the vote, which means it would come out, I guess, the next day. So if we vote on Thursday--if we vote on Friday, then it would be available, I guess, Saturday morning. If we vote Thursday night, it would be available in the Record Friday morning.

Mr. LOTT. I will be glad to yield.

Mr. LOTT. If the Senators choose. Mr. Chief Justice, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LOTT. Yes, Mr. Chief Justice, and then suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate return to open session.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. Chief Justice, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 11. I further ask that upon reconvening on Thursday and immediately following the prayer, the majority leader be recognized to make a brief statement with respect to the Senate schedule. I further ask unanimous consent that following the majority leader's comments, the Senate resume final deliberations in closed session on the articles of impeachment.