Don Nickles

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Will the majority leader yield?

Mr. NICKLES. Then on the issue of cloture, some people are assuming if you vote no on cloture you are filibustering the bill. I disagree. Isn't it correct, if cloture were invoked, the amendment you are now offering would be nongermane?

Mr. NICKLES. It is just one farm organization, but it happens to be the largest farm organization in the country.

Mr. NICKLES. I want to maybe take issue with the comments that were made that Republicans have been conducting a filibuster on this bill. Will the Senator correct me, but haven't we had germane amendments every day we have been on this farm bill?

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms) and the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Murkowski) are necessarily absent. I further announce that if present and voting the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms) would vote ``no.''

Mr. NICKLES. Reserving the right to object.

Mr. NICKLES. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms), the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Murkowski), the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Lott), the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Voinovich), and the Senator from Texas (Mr. Gramm) are necessarily absent.

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Murkowski), the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms), the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Lott), and the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Brownback) are necessarily absent. I further announce that if present and voting the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms) would vote ``yea.''

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms), the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Murkowski), the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Lott), and the Senator from Texas (Mr. Gramm) are necessarily absent.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms) and the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Murkowski) are necessarily absent. I further announce that if present and voting the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms) would vote ``no.''

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Helms) and the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Murkowski) are necessarily absent.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I rise today to honor and pay respect to a great man who was also a great builder: a builder of pipelines, a builder of communities and a builder of dreams. Cuba Wadlington, Jr., president of Williams Gas Pipeline, died on Sunday, December 9, in Tulsa, OK. He was the quintessential pipeline executive. Over the last two decades, there was no one more driven to conceive and build interstate natural gas pipeline projects. The Kern River pipeline, his first, was the longest pipeline built in the 1990's and was the first interstate pipeline to be built into California. His vision also produced Gulfstream pipeline, the first line to connect Alabama and Florida by laying pipe on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. These projects are a part of the 28,000 miles gas pipeline system that is Williams'. Those who know Cuba also know that he had a passion for Alaska and his early and current work were focused on building a pipeline to bring natural gas from Alaska to the lower 48 States. However, Cuba had more than just a passion to bring new sources of gas supply to new customers in new States. He had compassion to build up people and the communities in which they lived. Most recently, he worked to raise $30 million for the United Way. A passionate golfer, Cuba was seen nationwide as he appeared in a television commercial with Tiger Woods championing the Woods Foundation through the Williams World Challenge, a PGA golf tournament raising money for children. He was also the chairman-elect of the United Way of America and on the boards of Up with People International, the Tulsa Philharmonic Society, the Nature Conservancy, the March of Dimes and on the Executive Committee of the Indian Nations Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Beyond communities and children, Cuba was also a champion of his employees. He was a leader in promoting diversity of ideas, cultures and backgrounds. He worked within Williams on its workforce initiatives and on opportunities to attract and advance minority talent. Cuba often stated his belief that ``to be a true leader you must have a vision for the future and be ruthlessly committed and focused on making that vision a reality. True leaders have the capacity to take a diverse group of employees from all levels and deploy strategies that optimize their capabilities. Leaders do not surround themselves with people in their own image, instead they surround themselves with a diverse and highly talented workforce.'' I find these great words to live by, from an outstanding leader whose many contributions will be greatly missed. Cuba was born in Arkansas, held degrees from Washington University and St. Louis University and served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. His service with Williams spanned 22 years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Ann, their two children and their three grandchildren. His positive contribution to numerous employees, countless friends and all Oklahomans is greatly appreciated.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Domenici), is necessarily absent.

Mr. NICKLES. Will the majority leader yield?

Mr. NICKLES. Under the agreement you are about to propound, we will have a cloture vote at 4 o'clock. I am assuming we will still consider agriculture-related amendments until 4 o'clock.

Mr. NICKLES. May we have an agreement that we will alternate? We only have 3 hours to do amendments. I don't know if cloture will be invoked, but if it is invoked, that will preclude a great number of amendments. May we have an understanding that we will alternate between Democrats and Republicans?

Mr. NICKLES. I am concerned if we get cloture, there are a lot of amendments that will fall. The Dorgan amendment happens to deal with payment limitations. I am concerned that it might fall. I have an amendment dealing with payment limitations. That is my concern. I am not a big fan of cloture, as I am sure the majority leader knows. But there may be others. I make mention of the Dorgan amendment because I am interested in that subject. If you include that, I would appreciate it.

Mr. NICKLES. I thank the majority leader. Unanimous Consent Agreement

Mr. NICKLES. Before the majority leader propounds a request, would you also amend that to include the Dorgan amendment to make sure it would be available, if cloture is invoked?

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Domenici) and the Senator from Utah (Mr. Bennett) are necessarily absent.

Mr. NICKLES. Fair enough.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. I announce that the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Domenici) is necessarily absent.

Mr. NICKLES

Mr. NICKLES. I appreciate it.

Mr. NICKLES. Senators want to get to the Defense authorization bill. There is no reason we cannot. I am sure it is not necessary to have a recorded vote. A voice vote is more than acceptable for the other two judges. I thank my friend and colleague and look forward to having a hearing on Mr. Estrada. Forty-nine Senators have requested a hearing on Mr. Estrada and on Mr. Roberts and other nominees for the circuit court. As soon as we get hearings, it would be much appreciated.