Watson Coleman

I would like to address two provisions in the underlying bill that were the subject of much debate, much discussion during our hearings on the 9/11 Commission recommendations. One of them had to do with the recommendation as to whether the…

I find it so stunning that folks can continue to be so negative. America has come such a long way from the attacks of 9/11 that took a trillion dollars out of this economy, and the corporate fraud generated from Enron and WorldCom, and…

over 200 year ago, it was written: The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt. Mr. Jefferson…

I stand with him and others on both sides of the aisle in asking the question, Are we doing all that we should be doing in the Sudan? Genocide is occurring. We can have debate about the legal definition of genocide, but for the folks who…

today I have introduced the Veterans Benefits Outreach Act. Caring for our veterans is a commitment that supersedes politics. The President and Congress are united in our promise to provide veterans with access to quality care and…

I will talk about good economic news, the optimism that my friend and colleague from Arizona has discussed. I have always been a believer in looking at the cup half full rather than half empty. This cup is pretty full right now and is…

the recommendation of the Armed Services Committee is a proper, cautious, moderate increase. That is what we are talking about. The numbers are not that great, but the message is significant. The message is significant. What we have is a…

I share that sense of humility that has been so eloquently expressed by my friend from Oklahoma, to be able to stand on this Senate floor and to thank God for Ronald Reagan, for what he gave us and what we learned from him. I must admit to…

I rise today to talk about continued progress for the American economy, especially back home in Minnesota. I have been coming down to the Senate floor now from time to time to talk about how the policies of President Bush and a Republican…

I rise today to honor Manuel Rodriguez Gomez, MD, Emeritus Professor of Pediatric Neurology at Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota, for his lifetime of education and as one of the first physicians in the United States to champion…

Every day, more than 1.2 million children will struggle to hear their teacher's voice. Every day, more than 26 million adults will miss important pieces of conversations. Every day, more than 10 million older Americans will consider early…

the Mississippi River is a national treasure and this legislation authorizes programs that will help restore water quality and rehabilitate wildlife and wildlife habitat on the river. The annual operation of the Upper Mississippi River…

I want to spend time talking about the Defense authorization bill. Before I do, I want to respond to this question, are we better off? I think it is a good question. But the question has to be phrased: Are we better off today than we were…

about 6, 7 months ago, I rose on the floor of the Senate to talk about some good economic news. We have gone through very difficult economic times in this country--a recession that began before President Bush got elected. There was a…

the world has witnessed something in the last few weeks about the treatment of prisoners in Iraq that does not represent what America is all about. It doesn't represent our cause. It doesn't represent our mission. It doesn't represent our…

I happen to be a very strong supporter of trade. I understand that if one does not trade, they do not grow and the economy does not grow. In the end, I have always believed the best thing we can do as public officials, moms and dads, is…

I maintain that what we are trying to do in this amendment is to simply strengthen what we have seen over 2 years has not been working. Fewer than 5 percent of eligible TAA workers are using the existing tax credit. That is not what we…

I do want to talk briefly about the economy and perhaps from the same perspective. I begin my remarks on the progress of the American economy with an observation of H.L. Mencken in 1921. He said: The whole aim of practical politics is to…

I am pleased we are able to include Senator Snowe's TAA for communities bill and Senator Allen's Homestead Act that will protect dislocated workers' mortgages and their homes. Those are also included. I think it adds to the broad…

Actually, earlier this year, I was able to join with my friend, Senator Baucus, the ranking member of the Finance Committee, in introducing legislation to extend trade adjustment assistance to American service sector workers. I call that…

it has been a great winter when it comes to Minnesota athletics. Last week I had the privilege to congratulate and recognize the achievements of the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities women's hockey and basketball teams. Today, I switch…

We had great news: 308,000 new jobs were created in March. Yet my colleagues from across the aisle say, Great news, but; they talk about all the celebration, but; and all the spinning, but. But there is no spinning about 308,000 jobs. The…

I believe--I know my colleague from Ohio feels the same way, and we have to be very candid, we have to be very blunt--that the reality is that the effect of the Murray amendment, if it were to pass, would simply kill the underlying bill…

I would like to spend the little time remaining to talk about the economy. I was mayor of St. Paul, MN, for 8 years, and I learned as mayor that the best welfare program is a job; the best housing program is a job. Access to health care…

this week is National Peace Corps Week. It is with great pleasure that I send my congratulations to the Peace Corps volunteers serving throughout the world as we celebrate the Peace Corps' 43 years of service. Forty-three years ago…