these tragic incidents involving students bringing guns to school have taught us that we must proceed on two tracks. Government's first responsibility is to protect our citizens, particularly our young people, from violence. The only way…

for our nation's economy, transportation is literally where the rubber hits the road. There are few things more important to my home State of Oregon or to the country's economy than how well we build and maintain our transportation system…

I thank the Chair. As Senator Smith has said, the people of Oregon are grieving this morning. Our hearts are out to them. This is a time when all of us from Springfield, OR, to Springfield, MA, have to take a few moments out from our daily…

it is hard to imagine a greater threat to international stability than the rogue nation of Iran coming into possession of weapons of mass destruction. There are three important reasons why the Iran missile proliferation act should be…

the international provisions of the tobacco legislation have been the subject of many hours of discussion and negotiation. The current provisions serve as a strong platform that I hope this body will continue to build upon in the years to…

I believe that stronger look-back penalties provide a powerful tool to actually change the course of history and hold the tobacco companies accountable when they pursue youthful customers. A brief review of the history indicates that the…

I rise tonight to take this opportunity to discuss why I believe it is so important that the U.S. Senate pass strong legislation to protect our children from the tobacco companies that are preying on them. I got my real start in public…

I voted for S. 1723 because I am convinced that some high technology companies are facing critical labor shortages, which is in turn hampering growth in this important economic sector of Oregon's economy. It is critically important…

we had a thoughtful discussion on the floor of the Senate earlier today with Senator McCain and Senator Dorgan especially with respect to the high-tech issues that will be coming up over the course of this week. In a sense, it is ironic…

I commend our colleague from Illinois, Mr. Durbin, for standing up for the rights of patients in health maintenance organizations. This is an issue of enormous importance, and I think it is clear the Senate ought to be spending time…

today we confirmed an outstanding lawyer, a knowledgeable and diligent servant of justice and great judicial nominee from my State of Oregon. It was a great honor to present to the Senate the name of Mr. Garr ``Mike'' King to be a United…

In Oregon and across America, people are starting to think that ``affordable housing'' is the biggest oxymoron since ``jumbo shrimp''. Decent houses have become unaffordable for many working moderate-income families. Mr. President, today I…

someone once said that the only thing which truly lives forever is a Government program in Washington, DC. I am introducing legislation today to rein in the growth of those big Government programs and to require the Congress to stop…

another way to describe this amendment, which deals with the transportation and environmental review process that is central to getting these projects on line and dealing with our transportation issues, is the ``do-it-right-once''…

the amendment that was agreed to by the Environment Committee with respect to funding for these critical transportation programs for our country really ought to be called the ``Truth In Transportation Funding Act'' because it ensures that…

we now have a seemingly permanent political campaign in America. We have an election the first Tuesday in November, people sleep in on Wednesday, and it starts all over again on Thursday. The money chase simply does not stop. I came to the…

Let me also join in the remarks expressed by my colleague, Senator Smith, with respect to our colleague from Wyoming. I know he is sincere in his views. I will talk about what Judge Aiken faced with respect to that Dye case. Judge Aiken…

I would finally say to the chairman that with respect to this matter of courtesy, I and Senator Grassley have no concern about that. Of course the hold, if we are talking about a few days or a few hours as a courtesy, is not what is at…

In significant ways, the promotion of adoption, safety, and support for abused and neglected children represents an important step forward in Federal policy for child welfare. It parallels Oregon's best interest of the child bill in its…

the reauthorization of the Family Preservation and Support Act is important to families who are at risk or in crisis. One notable service now specifically mentioned in the act is the care provided by a crisis nursery. Crisis nurseries…

I think the relief nursery is a needed member of the community, providing invaluable services to children who need them most. Crisis nurseries work because they provide intensive, personalized, and long-term services to families with…

If the majority leader can spend another minute--these are thoughtful points that you raise, and I appreciate the courtesy--the reason for acting now is this is the season when senior Members say that the abuses are greatest. At the end of…

Mr. President, certainly, if you walk down the main streets of this country and ask our citizens what a hold is in the U.S. Senate, you are certainly not going to find many Americans who are familiar with this practice. But the fact of the…

in 1992, Congress enacted the Federal Facilities Compliance Act, which requires Federal facilities to obey key environmental laws including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and State hazardous waste laws. However, subsequent…

I am proposing that an amendment be accepted by the Senate that would modestly change one of a Senator's most extensive powers, the power to secretly block a measure or matter from coming to the Senate floor. Does the Senator believe that…