J. Thurmond

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I urge that the Senate adopt this amendment.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2769 (Purpose: To authorize the conveyance of certain water rights and related rights at Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado, for purposes of acquiring certain perpetual contracts for water)

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Mack, I offer an amendment which would amend the Military Construction Act of 1979 to authorize an additional conveyance, at fair market value, of 4 acres at Eglin Air Force Base to the Air Force Enlisted Men's Widows and Dependents Home Foundation, Inc.

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

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senators Allard and Campbell, I offer an amendment that would replace an erratic water supply at Rocky Mountain Arsenal with a constant water supply, satisfy the Army's obligation to provide water to a community impacted by RMA contamination, provide for a permanent water supply for the Refuge, reduce operating costs associated with water access, and provide for needed water storage facilities.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2768 (Purpose: To expand certain land conveyance authority, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida)

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

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

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I urge that the Senate adopt this amendment.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2765 (Purpose: To add home school diploma recipients to the pilot program for treating GED recipients as high school graduates for enlistment purposes)

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

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, it has been agreed to. THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the amendment is agreed to.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 2743 (Purpose: To make technical amendments relating to military construction projects)

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Coverdell, I offer an amendment that would add home schooling graduates to a pilot program in which they would be permitted to enlist in the military services as if they possessed a high school diploma.

Mr. THURMOND. I urge that the Senate adopt this amendment.

Mr. THURMOND. 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. 2763 (Purpose: To enhance the fiscal position of the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies for meeting the increasing responsibilities designated for the Center by the Secretary of Defense)

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

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, on behalf of Senators Gorton and Murray, I offer an amendment which would authorize the Secretary of Energy to enter into cost-sharing partnerships to operate the Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response training facility in Richland, WA.

Mr. THURMOND. I urge the Senate to 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. 2449 (Purpose: To authorize the transfer of naval vessels to certain foreign countries)

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

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

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. I just take this opportunity to thank Senator Levin and the Members of the minority for their fine cooperation and working with us on this defense bill. Senator Levin is always ready to cooperate, and he renders this country a great service.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I want to commend the able Senator from West Virginia for the remarks he just made. He has told us about that great State that has so many places named for other places in this country, so many places. He has told us about his history and the hardships he underwent and he has overcome. We are very proud of him. I consider him a man of integrity, ability and dedication. All that he has done in this body is a credit to him. I have never heard unfavorable remarks about Senator Byrd. Everything I have heard and learned about him has been good. And after hearing his talk this morning, I am convinced that all the experience he has in his life has influenced him throughout his entire career, which is quite remarkable. He has brought out so many instances of how other States are connected with his State; his State is intertwined with so many different places. Incidentally, in West Virginia there is a town or community named Thurmond. I don't know whether the Senator is familiar with it or not. He did not mention that, but I mention it to show that South Carolina has a connection with West Virginia, and we are very proud of the connection that we have with the Senator and his State. Again, I wish the Senator long life and much happiness and continued success in all of his undertakings.