Frank Lautenberg: “as we approach this weekend, I thought I would give some thought to what occasions this commemorative holiday and what I…”

“as we approach this weekend, I thought I would give some thought to what occasions this commemorative holiday and what I think about as we approach Memorial Day. I want to recall some of the incidents, the results of war and its consequences. It has been a historic week in the Senate. We averted a showdown that could have permanently damaged this institution and destroyed the unique American system of checks and balances that makes our Government the greatest in the history of the world. This was the topic of nonstop television coverage and a forest worth of newspaper articles. In short, the story about the Senate's procedure for approving judicial nominees totally dominated the news, but there was another story this week, a story that did not receive much attention. It was the story of at least 14 brave American soldiers who died in Iraq since Sunday. These deaths came as a wave of bombings and suicide attacks engulfed Baghdad and other cities. While we go about our business in the Senate, while other Americans go about their daily lives, the war in Iraq drags on. It has been a month since the Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari announced his new government, and during that time at least 620 people have been killed in Iraq, including 58 U.S. troops. During that time, it has been a painful recognition for families across America and across my State.…”