Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Before we conclude then, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. 1566 introduced earlier today by Senator Thurmond.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill appear at the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read the third time, and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements be placed at the appropriate place in the Record. The bill (H.R. 2979) was read the third time, and passed.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. I further ask unanimous consent that following the ascertaining of a quorum, the Senate proceed to a period of morning business not to extend beyond of hour of 2 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. LOTT. With that, Mr. President, when the Senate completes its business today, it will stand in adjournment sine die under the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 68. The Senate will reconvene under provisions of Senate Joint Resolution 39 at the hour of 12 noon on Tuesday, January 27. I ask unanimous consent that on Tuesday, January 27, immediately following the prayer, the routine requests through the morning hour be granted and that I immediately be recognized to suggest the absence of a quorum for the Senate to ascertain that a quorum is present and the Members are prepared to begin the 2d session of the 105th Congress.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would like to take just a moment to thank the two assistant leaders for their work. A lot of nights they are here and bring everything to a conclusion. I really enjoy working with the Senator from Oklahoma. He has been a great assistant majority leader, and he has done yeoman work today in making it possible for us to bring this session to a conclusion. Also, the Senator from Kentucky. I appreciate very much the way he pitches in late at night and covers for the Democratic leader and does it always with a smile. We appreciate that very much.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I thank Senator Daschle for his comments.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I now call up Senate Resolution 156, which is at the desk.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I want to thank Senator Daschle for his comments and the accuracy of the years of service. I note that the President pro tempore is working now as we are commending him. He is diligently tending to his duties as the real leader of the Senate. I want to note also that throughout the year, whether we have come in early or the middle of the day, whatever it might be, he was unfailingly waiting at the door, ready to call the Senate to order, and a couple times instructed the younger Member--the majority leader--that I was cutting it mighty close and we needed to start right on time. We were supposed to start at 9 or 9:30, and he expected me to be present and accounted for. But I want to join Senator Daschle in expressing my admiration and great appreciation to Senator Thurmond, for the tremendous job he does for his people in South Carolina and what a credit he is to the Senate and what a great job he does for our country. Mr. THURMOND addressed the Chair.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would like to note at this point in the Record that on occasion we do make use of the Vice President's office across the hall. He is unfailingly cooperative in making it available to Senators on both sides of the aisle. And it has been a pleasure working with the Vice President in his role in presiding over the Senate this year.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to Senate Resolution 157 introduced earlier today.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, this resolution concerns a criminal prosecution brought against Ronald Blackley, the former chief of staff of former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy. The Independent Counsel, who is bringing this prosecution, seeks evidence from the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry concerning representations made to the Committee about Mr. Blackley during the Committee's consideration of the nomination of Secretary Espy in January 1993. This resolution would authorize the testimony of employees and former employees of the Committee from whom testimony may be required, with representation by the Senate Legal Counsel.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be deemed read the third time, and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements related to the bill appear at this point in the Record.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. 1559, introduced earlier today by Senators Mack and Graham.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I now call up House Concurrent Resolution 194 which is at the desk.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be considered agreed to, and that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I call up House Joint Resolution 103, which is at the desk.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent, as in executive session, that all nominations received in the Senate during the 105th Congress, 1st session, remain in status quo, notwithstanding the sine die adjournment of the Senate, with the following exceptions: Bill Lann Lee and Executive Calendar No. 370. I further ask unanimous consent that all provisions of rule XXXI, paragraph 6, of the Standing Rules of the Senate remain in effect, notwithstanding the previous agreement.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be placed at the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the title amendment be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be placed at the appropriate place in the record.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee substitute, as amended, be agreed to.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be agreed to, the bill be considered read a third time and passed, as amended; that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statements relating to the bill appear at the appropriate place in the Record.