John Warner

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet on Wednesday, November 12, at 9:15 a.m., to conduct a business meeting to consider S. 1072, a bill to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes, and the nomination of Rixio E. Medina to be a member of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. The hearing will take place in SD-406 (Hearing Room).

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on Wednesday, November 12, 2003, at 10 a.m., on ``Judicial Nominations,'' in the Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226. Witness List Panel I: Senators. Panel II: Judith C. Herrera to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico; F. Dennis Saylor to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; and Sandra L. Townes to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. Panel III: Domingo S. Herraiz to be Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance United States Department of Justice.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Securities and Investment of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 12, 2003, at 2 p.m., to conduct a hearing on ``The Financial Accounting Standards Board and Small Business Growth.''

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise to join my colleagues on this magnificent day which we set aside for the veterans of all of our wars. As I was presiding at the time we took a moment of silence, I reflected back to 1918 when the guns fell silent at 11 o'clock across the trenches in Europe. There was a young doctor there who had been wounded, who had been decorated, but he was still at his post in the trenches when that hour arrived. That was my father. I read a poem in his honor and in honor of all veterans which reflects my understanding and my deep belief and gratitude to veterans. It is called ``In Flanders Fields'': In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row. That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. I wear one of those poppies on this Veterans Day. It is issued by the veterans organizations all across America in reverence to those who have gone before us to make it possible today to exercise free speech. My distinguished colleague, Senator Stevens, my friend of these 25 years in the Senate, just mentioned that there are five of us who are here who served in World War II. My record pales against his record, Senator Hollings, Senator Inouye, and others. But I was privileged as a very young 17-year-old to volunteer and take up my responsibilities, as did all in my generation in those days. Yet the heavy lifting, the heavy work, the heavy losses had been done that went before us, and in 1945, when I was simply in a training command, the war ended. I say that only because had it not been for what the U.S. military has done for me in these 58 years that I have been privileged to be associated, I would not be here in the Senate. That is why I labor with others, primarily those on the Armed Services Committee, to do what we can for today's veterans and, most importantly, for those who are still in uniform and those who will follow in uniform in the generations to come, together with their families. I speak in gratitude from my heart to all the veterans and, indeed, for what the military did for this humble soul to make it possible through the GI bill twice. I received it once for World War II and once for brief service again in Korea. Again, my heart is filled with gratitude, and it is such a magnificent day to rise and reflect. Back in World War II, I remember on our block, when our neighbors were lost in battle, a gold star went on their door to remind all of the sacrifices of that family. And on the other doors were a little decal which said: We proudly have our son in the Army, the Navy, the Air Corps, the Marines, the Coast Guard. Those were days when there was absolute sacrifice all across the Nation. Today, this Nation again is united. We stand strong behind our men and women of the Armed Forces, as it should be. So by the grace of God, by the sacrifices of all who have gone before us, we stand humbly today and express our gratitude to them and their families. I ask unanimous consent that a list of United States service personnel casualties be printed in the Record.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I express my appreciation to the distinguished Senator from Minnesota for his work on our committee throughout the year. He volunteered to travel to Iraq with our CODEL, and he is ready to pick up the burdens at any time he is requested. I thank him also for the respectful way in which he referred to our former colleague whose seat he proudly holds today.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, if the Senator will yield, it certainly was his leadership on those issues, the CTR, the expansion. Truly, I joined you, and felt strongly about them. We were steadfast when the four of us finally got into the conference and settled those points.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I thank my colleague. I take note that Peter Levine is here and he has been referred to on our side as the damage control expert, and he is very effective in these areas. I must inquire of my distinguished colleague, was the long hand of David Lyles felt in this program, the former staff director of Senator Levin for these many years? I somehow see the fine hand of David Lyles.

Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I inquire of my colleague from Delaware, how much time does he desire?

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I appreciate the expressions of the distinguished assistant minority leader. But he is so accurate about the veterans groups. They are all experienced lobbyists. Somehow I don't look upon them exactly as lobbyists. They are by and large all veterans. They very conscientiously reflect what is felt by Americans in their hearts with regard to veterans. They translate that feeling into legislation. This was a long, long trail across rough terrain over many years. But I must say to my good friend from Nevada that had it not been for his steadfast and always unheralded leadership we would not be here tonight with this provision in this bill. I thank the Senator.

Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I certainly want to accommodate our colleague from Delaware. He has been a stalwart on defense. He was a naval aviator when I was privileged to be Secretary of the Navy. I am happy to accommodate him, I say to my Senator from Michigan.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I will simply add to my colleague's accurate description that there was some mention you didn't particularly like the way it was written in conference. In fact, it was not. It was provisions adopted by the House. There were just a few words of modification in the conference.

Mr. WARNER. I think we see the distinguished leader wishing to comment. Before we close out on that UC----

Mr. WARNER. On this side, the Senator from North Carolina will soon be in the Chamber to take up a position in the queue.

Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I compliment the Senator from the Lone Star State, Texas, who rightfully can take pride in his services on the Armed Services Committee. He was most eloquent on behalf of the men and women of the Armed Forces, and indeed I appreciate his comments. I thank the Senator. I believe we are under an order to proceed to the Senator from Illinois.

Mr. WARNER. Absolutely.

Mr. WARNER. Then I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Texas have 10 minutes and the Senator from Illinois have 10 minutes, and that is to be followed by the Senator from Colorado for 10 minutes.

Mr. WARNER. Madam President, he has offered to clarify the record. I believe at this time if we go from side to side, would that be agreeable to the Senator from Illinois? Could I inquire of the Senator from Texas the amount of time he desires to speak.

Mr. WARNER. We may have differences of views, but it is important.

Mr. WARNER. Madam President, first, may I say to the Senator that he has been working with me on a rather serious problem in the military regarding a helicopter. I commend him on taking those initiatives.

Mr. WARNER. Ten minutes.

Mr. WARNER. I listened to the ranking member, the Senator from Vermont. The ranking member said that the committee decided thus and so. I don't recall an action having been taken by the committee on which I am privileged to serve with my distinguished colleague.

Mr. WARNER. I thank my friend.

Mr. WARNER. I thank my colleague. I know of an additional Senator, the Senator from North Carolina, who I believe will be coming over very shortly. That will be three Senators we know of desiring to make remarks. I thank my colleague.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there be a period for morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. WARNER

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? Senator Stevens told me he would be back here at about 6:30.