Trent Lott

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, January 30, 1997, immediately after the first rollcall vote to hold a business meeting to vote on pending items.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent on behalf of the Governmental Affairs Committee to meet on Thursday, January 30, at 10 a.m. for the purpose of continuing its organizational meeting and approval of the committee funding resolution.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, January 30, 1997 at 2:30 p.m. to conduct a business meeting to approve the committee's budget for the 105th Congress. The business meeting will be held in room 485 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, there will be no further rollcall votes this week. The Senate is expected to be in session into the afternoon for Senators to introduce legislation and to make statements. We have had indications that there are some Senators who intend to do that. The Senate may also be asked to clear a few routine Legislative and Executive Calendar items. We do have a few we think we will be able to get cleared and complete those this afternoon. Following the conclusion of today's session, it is anticipated that the Senate will be in recess tomorrow and a pro forma session on Monday. It is my understanding the Judiciary Committee will order reported today from their committee the constitutional amendment with respect to a balanced budget. Allowing for the 3-day requirement for minority members to submit their minority views, it is then expected the Judiciary Committee would be able to report the constitutional amendment to the Senate on Monday. If that is the case, and the report could be available by late afternoon on Monday, it would be my intention to turn to the constitutional amendment with respect to a balanced budget on Wednesday, February 5. I remind my colleagues, we will have the State of the Union Address by the President on Tuesday night, the 4th, and we expect to receive the President's budget submission on Thursday, February 6. So next week will be eventful. We will continue to work to clear nominations just from getting reports from various committees. It looks to me like there could be a minimum of two or three more Presidential nominations--I think all of them are Cabinet level--that may be available next week. We will try to work those into the schedule as soon as they are available, presumably Wednesday and Thursday, on those nominations and confirmations. I yield the floor, Mr. President, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate begin a period for the transaction of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. LOTT

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

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, for all Senators' information, the Senate will not be in session on Friday. There will be a pro forma session on Monday, which we just pointed out, at 9:30, with no business to be conducted. The Senate will be in session on Tuesday, and it is possible that following the weekly policy luncheons on Tuesday, the Senate may consider additional nominations that will come available. There are some that are moving and, hopefully, have been reported, and maybe will be ready by Tuesday. So Senators should expect the possibility of rollcall votes on Tuesday during the session. Members will be notified of the specific times we will have those votes scheduled. Under a previous consent, the Judiciary Committee will be able to file a report accompanying the balanced budget amendment on Monday. It is my hope we will then be able to begin consideration on that important constitutional amendment sometime during Wednesday's session of the Senate. I also would like to remind my colleagues that the President's State of the Union Address is scheduled at 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening. All Senators are asked to be in the Senate Chamber at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday so the Senate can proceed at 8:40 p.m. to the House of Representatives for the address. Mr. President, we do hope that we will have one or two Cabinet nominations ready next week. Again, it depends on whether or not they are reported by the committees and we get them filed and agree on a time, which all Senators agree to, and have a vote. It looks likes it will not occur before Wednesday or Thursday. We cannot make that announcement at this time. We will continue to work on that next week.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to draw my colleague's attention to the outstanding efforts and hard work of the men and women of the U.S. Maritime Administration. I want to offer my own heartfelt thanks to those individuals for their hard work and dedication in swiftly implementing the Maritime Security Act. The Maritime Security Act, which was approved by the Senate on September 24, and signed into law by the President on October 8 last year. It will ensure the continued viability of the U.S.-flag merchant marine. It will guarantee that there will be an adequate number of private-sector, U.S.-flag vessels on hand for the Department of Defense in times of war or national emergency. Our Nation will continue to support a base of maritime employment to provide trained, loyal U.S.- citizen merchant mariners to crew the Department of Defense's Ready Reserve fleet of sealift vessels. Quite simply, without this legislation the United States might have lost its merchant marine. Some of our Nation's most honored former military leaders let us know last year, in no uncertain terms, just how costly that would be. Our Armed Forces are counting on the U.S.-flag merchant marine to bring them the supplies they need to sustain their operations on hostile shores. If history has taught us one lesson, Mr. President, we should hold a deep appreciation for the importance of the U.S.-flag merchant marine to our Nation's security. That is why the outstanding efforts of the Maritime Administration deserves recognition. In the days following enactment of the Maritime Security Act, the staff of the Maritime Administration worked tirelessly to iron out the contracts between the Government and the individual U.S.-flag vessel operators. This is the backbone of the Maritime Security Program. At the same time, MARAD staff coordinated their efforts with the Department of Defense. This ensured that only the most modern and most militarily useful U.S.-flag vessels are chosen for the Maritime Security Program. These efforts will enhance our national defense capabilities. The first contracts were signed last month, just before the holidays. And, I am pleased to report to my colleagues that the final contracts were just recently signed. In just 4 months, the complete 47-ship Maritime Security Fleet has become a reality. We have MARAD to thank for taking our vision and translating it into a viable program. I want to recognize the Administrator of MARAD, Vice Adm. Albert J. Herberger. His firm leadership at the helm of his agency has been exemplary. Vice Admiral Herberger is widely respected in the maritime industry, and his abilities as a manager, a negotiator and an administrator, coupled with his extensive military experience, played a major role in implementing this legislation. The implementation of the Maritime Security Program also required the efforts of many MARAD employees. I want to take a moment to recognize several workers by name: Debra Aheron, Ray Barberesi, Murray Bloom, Joan Bondareff, Cher Brooks, Thomas Bryan, Jim Caponiti, Veronica Carver, Sharon Cassidy, Rhonda Davis, William Ebersold, John Graykowski, Steven Jackson, William Kurfehs, John Lesnick, Richard McDonnell, Jeffrey McMahon, Robert Patton, Carol Powell, John Swank, Kenneth Willis, and Joan Yim. To conclude, Mr. President, I would like to add that the Maritime Administration will continue to administer the Maritime Security Program throughout the 10-year life of the Maritime Security Act. Although the work from the good folks at MARAD is just the beginning, we should honor their efforts. They have done so much to ensure that the American flag will still fly in the world's sea lanes. American merchant mariners will be on the decks of those ships. And, our Armed Forces will have the necessary strategic sealift capability to project America's presence overseas. Thank you, MARAD.

Mr. LOTT

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

Mr. LOTT

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

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, when the First Congress convened in 1789, one of the more pressing problems for the Senate was its inability to keep a majority of Members in the Capitol long enough to establish a quorum, organize, and begin the business of Government. In response, the Senate established the Office of Doorkeeper. As the first officer of the Senate, the Doorkeeper's primary responsibilities were to keep Senators in and, as proceedings were held in closed session for the first 6 years, keep everyone else out. In 1795, the Senate began holding open sessions which required the opening of public galleries. And, once again, it fell to the Doorkeepers to maintain decorum and enforce the rules of the Senate. Mr. President, as I speak here today, and every day that the Senate is in session, there are more than a score of Doorkeepers, both on the floor of the Senate and dutifully standing post in the galleries. The Senate is grateful for the dedication and service of the ranks of the members of the Office of the Doorkeeper. In particular, I want to commend the service of three individuals who have given a cumulative service of nearly 70 years to the U.S. Senate. On behalf of the Senate I want to thank Messrs. Richard Gibbons, Arthur Curran, and Donn Larson. Regrettably, I am informed that each will retire at the end of this month. Arthur Patrick Curran has faithfully served the U.S. Senate as a Doorkeeper for the past 21 years. Initially appointed by Vice President Nelson Rockefeller in 1975, 6 years later he was promoted to Superintendent of Doorkeepers and has served in that capacity until his retirement in January 1997. In addition to his normal post at the Senate Chamber, Mr. Curran has performed his duties in numerous high profile Senate hearings, joint sessions, and Presidential inaugurations. Mr. Curran, a native of Washington, DC, has strong links to New England and a keen interest in politics. In fact with his tall stature, bow tie, and stately appearance, he is often confused for being a Senator. On several occasions, as visitors have left the gallery, they have congratulated him for his fine speech. Donn Larson, Deputy Superintendent of Doorkeepers, is also retiring after many years of dedicated service to the U.S. Senate. Donn started his career with the Senate under an appointment from Senator Milton Young (R-ND) in 1959. From 1961 to 1968, he worked in the Republican Cloakroom, assisting the Secretary to the Minority. From 1969 to 1977, Donn worked in the Federal Government. He served with the State Department Inspector General for Foreign Assistance, as well as with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. In 1977, Donn returned to the U.S. Senate, and in 1981 assumed the position of Deputy Superintendent of Doorkeepers. Richard Gibbons began service with the office of Doorkeeper in the 94th Congress--1977. For a number of years, he served as the press liaison for the Doorkeeper's Office. During the 103d Congress, Richard was assigned to work solely on the Senate floor, assisting Members of the Senate. Each of us have known these men over the years for their tireless efforts in maintaining decorum of the Chamber and galleries and assisting Members on the floor of the Senate. Countless letters of appreciation have been written by our constituents thanking these men for there kindness and courtesies. On the occasion of their retirement from Federal service, I want to extend the very best wishes of the U.S. Senate and a grateful Nation.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 36 presented earlier today by myself and Senator Daschle.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on January 29, 1997, at 9:30 a.m. on pending committee business.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Special Committee on Aging be authorized to meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 1997, for the purpose of a business meeting.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 29, 1997, at 2 p.m. to hold a closed hearing on intelligence matters.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs would like to request unanimous consent to hold a hearing on Persian Gulf War illnesses. The hearing will be held on January 29, 1997, at 11:15 a.m., in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Small Business be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate for its organizational meeting for the 105th Congress on Wednesday, January 29, 1997, which will begin at 9:30 a.m., in room 428A of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Labor and Human Resources be authorized to meet for a hearing on the Reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 29, 1997, at 10 a.m.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent on behalf of the Governmental Affairs Committee to meet on Wednesday, January 29, at 10 a.m. for its organizational meeting for the purpose of electing subcommittee chairs, amending the committee rules, and approving of the committee funding resolution.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 29, 1997, at 10 a.m. to hold a hearing.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the full Committee on Finance be permitted to meet to conduct a hearing on Wednesday, January 29, 1997, beginning at 10 a.m. in room 215 Dirksen.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be granted permission to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 29, 1997, for purposes of conducting a full committee business meeting which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to consider pending calendar business.

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on January 29, 1997, immediately following the 9:30 a.m. business meeting on the nomination of Rodney Slater to be Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

Mr. LOTT

Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until the hour of 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 30. I further ask unanimous consent that immediately following the prayer, the routine requests through the morning hour be granted and the Senate then proceed to executive session as under the previous order.