The Public Record
At the close of the 108th Congress, we say farewell to Senator Peter G. Fitzgerald who is leaving us after one term. The former congressional intern, commercial banking attorney, and Illinois State Senator was elected to the U.S. Senate in…
when the 109th Congress convenes in January, 2005, this Chamber and our Nation will, unfortunately, be without the services of Senator John B. Breaux. This will truly be a loss to the Senate and to our Nation. With the retirement of…
the Bible tells us that ``unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.'' When Bob Graham came to the United States Senate, ``much'' was expected from him because much had been given. He came to the Senate from a wealthy…
I thank Chairman Thad Cochran, the House chairman, Harold Rogers, Representative Martin Sabo, Representative David Obey, and all of the House and Senate conferees for their hard work on this important legislation. We all share the goal of…
In the dead of night, the leadership intervened in the conference to jam an additional $11.6 billion funding package onto that bill. The Senators who served on that conference committee didn't know what hit them. This disaster supplemental…
And the Senator from Alaska might be in the same position one day, and I may be. The blame here should be placed in a manner on the whole Senate and particularly, I have to say, the leadership of the Senate. The Republican leadership is in…
may I say to my friend, the distinguished Senator from Alaska, who is the President pro tempore and the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, this man has, throughout the year, sought to keep the Senate on schedule and to not only have…
I now read from the Ten Commandments, again King James Version of the Holy Bible, Exodus 20, verses 8 through 10. Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath…
Mr. President, in my office hangs the Ten Commandments. We have heard a lot about the Ten Commandments in recent years. I believe in the Ten Commandments. I believe we ought to respect those commandments, one of which says: Remember the…
I don't see why we can't have the vote today, or if not today, move it over until Monday. That could be done. The majority leader can easily do this, no question about it. I could do it when I was majority leader. I respect the majority…
On Wednesday, October 6, the Senate Armed Services Committee received testimony from the top CIA weapons inspector in Iraq. The report of Charles Duelfer explains in precise detail the facts that the American people have long ago realized…
West Virginians have a long and proud record of service to the U.S. military. General Stonewall Jackson, one of the greatest military minds of his time, hailed from present day West Virginia. Chuck Yeager, the World War II ace and the…
we must not take control of public moneys from the elected representatives of the people and give it to an unelected bureaucrat. The Byrd-Stevens-Inouye-Warner amendment gives the director the flexibility to transfer personnel and…
Why not take more time? What is all the rush? Why not take time? That is all I am asking for is take time. The distinguished Senator has offered to sit down with the distinguished Senator from North Dakota. Why do we not take time and try…
the article explores how senior administration officials, including President Bush and Vice President Cheney, ``repeatedly failed to fully disclose the contrary views of America's leading nuclear scientists'' when asserting in 2002 that…
in a few hours the Senate will vote on the Byrd-Stevens-Inouye-Warner amendment. That amendment's purpose is to ensure that the new national intelligence authority is held accountable to the people's representatives in the Congress. Let me…
Walt Whitman said: A man is a great thing upon the Earth, and through eternity--but every jot of greatness of man is unfolded out of woman. So let me pay tribute to our Presiding Officer at this moment. Madam President, I have the utmost…
What an impressive bipartisan array of national security experts pleading with Congress not to rush these reforms. The list is a list of stars from both sides of the aisle, as it were: David Boren, Bill Bradley, Frank Carlucci, William…
In 2001, we witnessed the failure of our Government to utilize its intelligence capabilities to protect our Nation against a terrorist attack. For too long, the Congress has deferred to the executive branch on intelligence matters…
Mr. President, I take the floor on a point of personal privilege on behalf of the people of West Virginia. Growing up, we all heard the legend--which was probably mythical--of young George Washington. As the story goes, his father, after…
Plato began ``Book Three'' of The Republic by posing the following question: Have we come here looking for genuine discourse or fool's gold? It is hard to believe Senators are here today looking for genuine discourse. The legislation…
earlier today at the United Nations the President of the United States painted a pretty picture of the occupation of Iraq. But the President's picture was far from reality. The reality is the situation facing our soldiers, the very limited…
every event memorable enough to be recorded becomes a part of history. But some events define and shape history with the force of plate tectonics, moving the world onto a new path. On September 17, 1787, just such an event occurred when…
the Senate has before it a $32 billion homeland security appropriations bill. Chairman Cochran has put together a fair and balanced bill. Regrettably, the allocation that is available for homeland security programs is simply inadequate…
I begin my words today by reading from the 33rd verse of the 18th chapter of the Second Book of Samuel, the King James version of the Holy Bible. And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he…
Politicians like Cord Byrd
