Frank Murkowski

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. I agree completely and I look forward to continuing our efforts. I particularly appreciate the Senator's understanding the need to allow Alaskans access to the North Slope gas reserves. As in the Nation, my State needs abundant and dependable gas supplies to fuel the growth of our economy over the next three decades.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. The Senator from Wisconsin is correct. This legislation is not intended to prevent enforcement of such prohibitions.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. The Senator from Wisconsin is correct. This legislation is not intended to eliminate any covenant requirements.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Again, my colleague from Wisconsin is correct, however, the land containing such parcel is not designated as such in the draft forest plan identified by the Forest Service as the preferred alternative.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. My colleague from Wisconsin is correct, and I am sure my colleague shares my concern that the Secretary of Agriculture has not met the requirement of section 704 of ANILCA that he report to the President and Congress within three years his recommendation as to the suitability and nonsuitability of such lands for wilderness designation. I would also note that the submission of these applications by the CAC pre-dated enactment of ANILCA.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. My colleague from Wisconsin is correct.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that an oversight hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, December 12, 2000 at 9:30 a.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. The title of this hearing is ``Natural Gas Markets: One Year After the National Petroleum Council's Gas Report.'' Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, 364 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-6150. For further information, please call Trici Heninger or Bryan Hannegan at (202) 224-7932.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, congratulations are in order for a ``Royal'' Alaskan on my staff. Staff Assistant Ivette Fernandez was recently crowned Miss Alaska USA 2001 at the state pageant held in Anchorage. Ivette was judged in the interview, swimsuit, and evening gown competitions. Along with the title of Miss Alaska USA, Ivette also was honored with the Miss Congeniality title. Born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, Ivette is the daughter of Antonio and Gloria Fernandez of Fairbanks. She is a graduate of Lathrop High School in Fairbanks and attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks before transferring to The George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, DC. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from GWU in the fall of 1999. Her future plans include attending law school and working in International Affairs. As the new Miss Alaska USA, Ivette will represent Alaska in the Miss USA pageant which will be held in early February in Gary, Indiana. Ivette will compete for the title of Miss USA with other young women from 49 states and the District of Columbia. Upon winning the Miss Alaska USA title, Ivette won scholarship and wardrobe money, a free trip to the national pageant, and other generous prizes, as well as her crown and sash. However, this is not her first time wearing a crown. In April 1999, Ivette represented Alaska as our Cherry Blossom Princess for the National Cherry Blossom Festival here in Washington, DC. My wife Nancy and I have known Ivette for many years. We are very proud of her and her accomplishments, and we know that she will represent Alaska with poise and distinction. Ivette is a pleasure to be around and a great asset to my office staff. Mr. President, my staff and I want to wish Ivette the best of luck when she competes in the Miss USA pageant this coming February, and we again extend our congratulations to her on winning her title.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I note that the Energy Committee is contemplating a hearing on Tuesday on the spiraling price increases associated with natural gas. We are seeing a situation in existence now where we have terminated trading, for a portion of yesterday at least, in natural gas. I am told that natural gas was selling for about $2.16 per thousand cubic feet about 9 months ago. Last month it was $5.40; $7 last week. Yesterday it hit a high of $8.80. We really have a crisis developing in this country, not only from the standpoint of the adequacy of our natural gas supplies to meet our electric generation requirements but home heating as well, inasmuch as 50 percent of the homes in the United States are heated by gas. I thank my colleague from Washington, Senator Murray, for the time she allotted me. I wish the Chair a good day and my good friend from Washington as well. I yield the floor.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise to honor a truly great Alaskan, a close personal friend, Elmer Rasmuson, who passed away last Saturday at the age of 91. Alaska is a far better place as a consequence of his life of public service, his achievements in business, and his personal philanthropy. Elmer was born in Yakutat, Alaska in 1909, not long after the Klondike gold rush. His life spanned Alaska's modern history, history that he had a significant hand in shaping. Elmer served Alaskans in both the public and private realms. He was a successful banker who put together Alaska's first system of statewide branch banking. That wasn't any easy thing to do in a wild, far-flung territory like Alaska with four time zones, but he succeeded in doing a tremendous job with tremendous imagination and perseverance. Along the way, Elmer amassed a personal fortune, which he had, in recent years, used to benefit libraries, museums, and universities in our State. This legacy will live on, as it was Elmer's wish that his personal fortune continue to benefit Alaska long after his death. Elmer also enjoyed a distinguished record of public service. He served on the University of Alaska Board of Regents for nearly twenty years; and he was the mayor of Anchorage from 1964-1967--including the difficult period of time encompassing the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964 and the rebuilding of Alaska's largest city. Elmer also had a keen interest and expertise in fisheries issues. He served on the International North Pacific Fisheries Commission from 1969 to 1984; he served as the first Chairman of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. He was instrumental in the creation of the 200-mile fisheries limit, and in rebuilding the State's salmon runs after years of federal neglect. Elmer brought this knowledge of fisheries management to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, a position that President Ronald Reagan appointed him to fill in 1988. He served in that position with great distinction, to the benefit of Alaska and the entire Nation. We will long remember the benefits from his legacy of continuing philanthropy. Elmer hired me back in 1959, my first job in banking. I worked for him as a branch manager at one of the small offices in Anchorage and later throughout offices in southeastern Alaska. We remained close friends through the 40 years that followed. His son Ed and his wife Cathy have shared many memories and good times with both Nancy and me. Elmer's commitment to Alaska was evident in many ways. In the private sector, he was willing to take risks, commit capital to budding enterprises in Alaska. In the public realm, he gave of his time and fortune. Just last year, Elmer and his wife Mary Louise donated $40 million to the Rasmuson Foundation so the foundation can provide grants to education and social service nonprofit organizations. He also gave another $50 million to the Anchorage Museum of History which Elmer helped start. In fact, on his 90th birthday he gave away $90 million. He also donated the largest single donation to the University of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks. It is important to add that Elmer was generous in many other ways other than his wealth. He gave his time and effort to civic groups, including the Boy Scouts. There is a saying that the true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit. That is the true test of generosity. By that measure, Elmer Rasmuson was an extraordinary individual in his generosity. Alaskans will remember him for generations to come. They, as Nancy and I, will miss him greatly.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, the Senator from the State of Washington has been kind enough to allow me a few moments to make a statement on behalf of an outstanding Alaskan who passed away a few days ago. With her permission, I ask unanimous consent that she be recognized at the conclusion of my remarks, and I thank her for her graciousness.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I know all Members are interested in the schedule today, and the leader has asked me to notify all Senators that the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 1:45 today. Following morning business, the Senate will resume postcloture debate on the bankruptcy conference report. Under the previous order, Senator Grassley, Senator Hatch, Senator Leahy, and Senator Wellstone will each have 30 minutes for debate prior to a 3:45 p.m. vote on final passage. A vote on a continuing resolution is also expected during today's session. Senators will be notified as that vote is scheduled. I thank my colleagues for their attention.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. The time will be equally divided between the two sides. I thank the Chair and I trust that meets the requests of all interested Senators.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. It is my understanding that will be off of their time.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, in view of the request of the minority, I ask unanimous consent that following the 15 minutes allotted to Senator Lott or his designee, there be an additional period for morning business until 4:15, with the time equally divided between the two leaders or their designees.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. I thank the Chair.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. On behalf of the majority leader, I ask unanimous consent that following the 15 minutes allotted to Senator Harkin, Senator Lott or his designee be recognized for up to 15 minutes.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, on behalf of the majority leader, I yield 5 minutes to the Senator from Missouri.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. I must say the cooperation on the unanimous consent leads this Senator from Alaska to dream a little bit about some of the bills that he would like to pass by unanimous consent such as the ANWR issue and university lands, but I guess Senate tradition dictates otherwise so it is back to reality, Mr. President.

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that if between today and November 14 the Senate receives from the House of Representatives continuing resolutions funding the Government for 1 day at a time, the individual resolutions be agreed to and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table. I further ask that if the House of Representatives passes a continuing resolution that contains language other than the funding of the Federal Government for 1 day, the Senate automatically reconvene 2 hours after receipt of the papers in the Senate and it be pending in the Senate following the granting of the routine convening requests. I further ask unanimous consent that if the House of Representatives does not pass S. Con. Res. 160, the Senate reconvene on Monday, November 6, at 11 a.m. for a pro forma session only; that immediately following the convening on Monday, the Senate immediately stand in recess until 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, for a pro forma session only. I ask consent that following the convening on Thursday, the Senate stand in recess until 11 a.m. on Monday, November 13, for a pro forma session only. I ask consent sent that following the convening on Monday, the Senate automatically stand in recess until 12 noon on Tuesday, November 14, 2000, as provided in the previous order.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, seeing no other Members here and no one seeking recognition, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess under the provisions of S. Con. Res. 160.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I would announce that if the House of Representatives does not pass S. Con. Res. 160, the adjournment resolution, then the Senate reconvenes for three pro forma sessions between now and November 14. If the House passes clean continuing resolutions each day, those resolutions will be passed upon arrival in the Senate. Also, as a reminder to all Senators, the weekly party caucuses will occur on Tuesday, November 14. Therefore, the Senate will be in recess between the hours of 12:30 and 2:15 p.m.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, in the closing script, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it recess until the hour of 12 noon on Tuesday, November 14 under the provisions of S. Con. Res. 160.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. On behalf of the leader, I wish to announce that today the Senate will immediately proceed to an adjournment resolution calling for a conditional adjournment of the Congress; that is, a 1-day continuing resolution and a consent governing the next few Senate session days. The session is expected to last only a few minutes and obviously no votes will occur. However, Members are reminded that a rollcall vote is expected to occur the first day back, on November 14. Senators will be notified as to the exact time of the vote via the hotline system.

Mr. MURKOWSKI

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a resolution I send to the desk calling for a conditional adjournment of the Congress, the concurrent resolution be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, all without any intervening action or debate.