J. Thurmond

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 23, 1998 at 9:30 a.m. in room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building to hold a hearing on: ``S. 2148, Religious Liberty Protection Act of 1998.''

Mr. THURMOND. 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 Tuesday, June 23, for purposes of conducting a full committee hearing which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. The purpose of this oversight hearing is to consider the issue of independence of Puerto Rico.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet on Tuesday, June 23, 1998, at 9:30 a.m. in open session, to consider the nominations of General Richard B. Myers, USAF, to be commander-in-chief, United States Space Command; Vice Admiral Richard W. Mies, USN, to be commander-in- chief, United States Strategic Command; and Lieutenant General Charles T. Robertson, Jr., USAF, to be commander-in-chief, United States Transportation Command and Commander, Air Mobility Command.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 23, 1998, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a business meeting.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure be granted permission to conduct a hearing Tuesday, June 23, 9:30 a.m., Hearing Room (SD- 406), on the Administration's 1998 Water Resources Development Act, S. 2131; fiscal year 1999 budget request for the Army Corps of Engineers; and related matters.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2945 (Purpose: To clarify the recipient of payments to Vietnamese operatives captured and interned by North Vietnam)

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, it has been cleared on this side.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Hutchison, I offer an amendment which would require a report on the options for the reduction of infrastructure costs at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. Mr. President, I believe this amendment has been cleared by the other side.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. MTMC'S Reengineering Program

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Grams of Minnesota, I offer an amendment that would require service secretaries to present a U.S. flag to each retiring service member. I believe the amendment has been cleared by the other side.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2948 (Purpose: To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the presentation of a United States flag to members of the Armed Forces being released from active duty for retirement)

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Kyl, I call up amendment No. 2921, which would require a visual examination of all documents released by the National Archives to ensure that such documents do not contain restricted data or formerly restricted data. Mr. President, I believe this amendment has been cleared by the other side.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I urge the Senate to adopt the amendment.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. amendment No. 2944 (Purpose: To provide for payments to certain survivors of captured and interned Vietnamese operatives who were unmarried and childless at death)

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2946 (Purpose: To extend the authorization and authorization of appropriations for the construction of an automated 100-meter baffled multi-purpose range at the National Guard Training Site in Jefferson City, Missouri)

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

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to mark a special date in the lives of two of my friends, Clement and Jessie Stone, who celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this past weekend. Mr. Stone is well known to people throughout the world as a successful executive, a generous philanthropist, and for his writings on topics related to business, management, and positive thinking. Millions of people have read his inspirational books, and his insightful advice on the above topics has changed countless lives for the better. Few people are as well known, well read, or well regarded, as Clement Stone and he can truly be proud of all that he has accomplished in his rich and long life. Despite his considerable wealth, his many awards and recognitions, and his international fame, I am certain that the one thing Clement Stone values and treasures more than anything else in life is his marriage to his high school sweetheart, a union that has lasted three- quarters of one century. It is almost unheard of for two people to be married for 75-years, but Jessie and Clement have not only done so, but I am told that their affection and regard for one another has not waned one bit since they exchanged vows on June 16, 1923. Without question, they are an inspiration to one and all. As Clement and Jessie mark this auspicious milestone in their lives and their marriage, they will be doing so with friends and family, including a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. I join all of them in wishing the Stones a happy anniversary and many more years of health and happiness.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. I would like for Members who have any amendments to offer to come down and offer these amendments. We have got to push this bill. This is a vital bill. It concerns every citizen in this country. This defense bill is very, very important, and we do not want to be delayed in carrying it on and on. Let's act promptly and show the world that we stand for a strong defense. I yield the floor.

Mr. THURMOND. Do we anticipate being back at 12 o'clock tomorrow?

Mr. THURMOND. As I understand, we are due back on this bill at 12 o'clock tomorrow. Is that correct?

Mr. THURMOND

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