Bill Nelson: “I want to follow my remarks of a few minutes ago about Black History Month with an underlining of my concern of what is…”

“I want to follow my remarks of a few minutes ago about Black History Month with an underlining of my concern of what is happening in the Florida Legislature as we speak, which is meeting in the capital city of Tallahassee. It is almost ironic that at the very time the Senate is considering an election reform bill, of which for that legislation we are having discussions, negotiations, and awaiting agreements to finally come forth so we do not have to come to the Chamber to break a filibuster to pass it--and it is legislation that is going to get wide support once we get to final passage--but it is almost ironic what has happened in the Florida Legislature since we started this legislation 2 rac{1}{2} weeks ago when I spoke in this Chamber in favor of the legislation. At that time, I took to the floor complimenting the Florida Legislature. In the State of Florida, we went through a grueling experience in the Presidential election of 2000. We saw so many ballots that were not counted. We saw clear voter intent that was not followed. There was confusion over the ballots. There was confusion in the construction of the ballot, how it fit together. There was the famous butterfly ballot.…”