Arlen Specter: “I very much appreciate those very generous remarks by Senator Harkin, and I appreciate even more his cooperation and…”

“I very much appreciate those very generous remarks by Senator Harkin, and I appreciate even more his cooperation and leadership on this important subcommittee, working with health and education, the two major capital assets of Americans, and labor and related agencies. It is an important bill, and I think we have crafted it about as well as you can, given the limitations of the resources. There is a lot more I could say, but Senator Byrd is waiting to speak, so I will just reference the appointment of conferees. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate insist on its amendments to H.R. 3010, request a conference with the House of Representatives on the disagreeing votes thereon, and that the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate. There being no objection, the Presiding Officer appointed Mr. Specter, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Craig, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Stevens, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Reid, Mr. Kohl, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Byrd conferees on the part of the Senate.”