Mark Dayton: “I have come to the floor to join with the distinguished assistant Democratic leader in his conscientious and continuing…”

“I have come to the floor to join with the distinguished assistant Democratic leader in his conscientious and continuing concern for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I have seen the Senator from Illinois on the floor day after day, raising these questions, addressing these concerns. I understand tomorrow the Senator is going to New Orleans to tour the area personally, with Senate leadership, to see what needs to be done there to address the human suffering. I hear in his voice, and know from his longstanding commitment to the people of Illinois, the depth of his own heartfelt concern for their problems and his passion for their suffering and to do what we can, what we must, to address those problems. I look forward to hearing from the Senator next week, after his return from New Orleans and that area, as to what we can do more effectively--all of us as leaders in the Senate, all of us working together, all of us as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, not as partisans but as patriots--on behalf of all the people in need. I share his concern. What prompted me to come to the floor is I heard the Senator speaking about some of the difficulties in getting some of the necessary information in order to perform our responsibilities as Senators.…”