J. Thurmond

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was agreed to.

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

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, we have no objection.

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

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

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 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. 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 urge the Senate adopt the amendment.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2747 (Purpose: To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to enter into multiyear contracts under certain aircraft procurement programs)

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Warner, I offer an amendment which authorizes the Navy to enter into charter agreements for up to 5 years for three vessels used in support of submarine rescue, escort and towing. I believe this amendment has been cleared by the other side.

Mr. THURMOND. The amendment has been cleared.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senators Coats and Glenn, I offer an amendment which would provide authority for the Department of Defense to enter into multiyear contracts for the T-45, E-2C, and AV-8B aircraft. I believe this amendment has been cleared by the other side.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senators Gramm and McCain, I offer an amendment which will protect the voting rights of the military personnel.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay it on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2777 (Purpose: To protect the voting rights of military personnel)

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay it on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2780 (Purpose: To authorize amounts for NATO common-funded budgets)

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise to introduce an amendment that would extend by five years the Department of Defense Laboratory Revitalization Demonstration Program. I am pleased to be joined by Senators Levin, Santorum, and Lieberman, in sponsoring this amendment. Senator Santorum, as the Chairman of the Acquisition and Technology Subcommittee, has been one of the strongest advocates for strengthening our Nation's defense research and development capabilities and I want to thank him for that leadership. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the original two-year Laboratory Revitalization Demonstration Program in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996. The purpose of the legislation was to afford the Secretary of Defense the flexibility to improve laboratory operations. The specific authority included: A raise in the minor construction threshold from $1.5 million to $3.0 million for projects that the Secretary concerned may carry out without specific authorization. A raise in the threshold for unspecified construction projects for which operations and maintenance funds may be used from $300,000 to $1.0 million. A raise in the threshold for minor military construction projects requiring prior approval by the Secretary concerned from $500,000 to $1.5 million. These authorities extended for a two-year period and will expire September 30, 1998, unless specifically renewed by Congress. The legislation also directed the Secretary to submit a report to the Congress regarding the program and specifically provide recommendations as to whether this authority should be extended to all DoD laboratories. On May 14, 1998, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, John Hamre, submitted the required report with the recommendation that the authority should be extended to all DoD owned laboratories and test centers for a five-year full demonstration program. Mr. President, the experience gained from the two-year demonstration has shown that this program works and that it should be expanded to all laboratories and test centers for a limited time period for further evaluation. Our amendment would support Dr. Hamre's recommendation. At the conclusion of the test the Secretary of Defense would be required to submit a report on the program along with a recommendation regarding the desirability of making the authority permanent. Mr. President, our amendment would not require any additional funds and would not impose any additional fiscal burden on the Department of Defense. It does hold out the possibility of improving the facilities that conduct the important research and tests on the Nation's military capabilities. I believe this amendment has been cleared by the other side. I urge the Senate adopt the amendment. THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the amendment is agreed to.

Mr. THURMOND. The amendment has been cleared.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I believe this amendment has been cleared by the other side.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, the amendment has been cleared.

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

Mr. THURMOND. I believe this amendment has been cleared by the other side.