Pete Domenici: “first let me say that I believe the Senate has done itself proud with reference to the debate and participation of our…”

“first let me say that I believe the Senate has done itself proud with reference to the debate and participation of our Members in this series of debates and discussions regarding this treaty. When you add to it the closed session we had today, I think every Senator has had an ample opportunity to thoroughly understand this situation. I believe when the day ends and you have heard all of that, the overwhelming majority of the U.S. Senators are going to vote to ratify this treaty. I believe they are going to do that not because it is perfect, but because the world is better off and we are better off if we have this treaty than if we don't. Having said that, while the world has set about to perfect chemical weapons, there is nothing new about this. In fact, I can remember, as a very small boy, a great uncle who was a totally disabled American veteran. He was an Italian immigrant taken into the First World War. He served in the U.S. Army, and he was the victim of mustard gas.”