Daniel Akaka: “we commend our majority leader for his diligent efforts to secure the agreement of other Senators so that the Senate…”

“we commend our majority leader for his diligent efforts to secure the agreement of other Senators so that the Senate could proceed to consideration of this measure that is so important to the citizens of Hawaii. I know that Senator Inouye joins me in expressing our deep appreciation for our leader's action in laying down a cloture petition prior to the August recess when unanimous consent could not be achieved. However, when the Senate reconvened in September, the tragic devastation of Hurricane Katrina clearly demanded the Congress's immediate action, and thus, Senator Inouye and I agreed to the proposal of the minority and the majority leader, that the cloture petition be vitiated. As we now approach the end of the first session of the 109th Congress--with pressing matters requiring the Nation's attention once again moving the Senate's consideration of S. 147 to the sidelines--we seek the guidance of the majority leader as to when our Leader anticipates that this measure may be brought before the Senate.”