J. Exon: “I just want to compliment my very dear friend and colleague from Oregon for the excellent remarks that he has just made.…”

“I just want to compliment my very dear friend and colleague from Oregon for the excellent remarks that he has just made. It puts in perspective so dramatically and so honestly and in such a straightforward manner the heart and soul of the Exon-Hatfield amendment, which is to follow on the Exon-Hatfield amendment of 3 years ago that we were joined in by the then-majority leader, George Mitchell. I think maybe we were somewhat surprised when we won that vote. But I think it was a giant leap forward in facing up to the realities of the situation that confront us. So I thank my friend and colleague, a man of great wisdom and experience, for outlining in a very articulate fashion his views as to why the Exon-Hatfield amendment should be adopted, and also backing that up with his vast experience. When he was talking about those dark days of World War II when important decisions were being made, I was at Clark Field in the Philippines, which had just been taken during that particular period of time. And I know also--not to the extent that I believe my friend from Oregon did--but we knew full well what was being planned. We knew the sacrifices that were going to have to be made. And when the Senator from Oregon said his life was probably saved by that action, I think that is very much on point.”