as we serve in a class of Senators, we have several roles. We wear several hats. Probably the most important one is to represent the people who elected us, and that is our constituents back home in our home States. That has been for me a…

I rise to pay tribute to one who is known as Mr. Budget of the Senate. When I stepped up to the position of majority leader 4 years ago, my first priority was to hire a staff of capable advisers. When I stepped up, it happened very…

I say hello to her as I come to the office every morning. And I say goodbye to her after I have closed the Senate each evening. The "her" is Ramona Lessen, my gatekeeper, my jailer, a distinguished member of my staff. Twelve years ago, I…

I wish to briefly comment on health care policy which we have been able to accomplish over the last several years. As most people know, for 20 years before I entered politics, I devoted my life to healing and to helping people one-on-one…

while the chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee is on the floor, I want to say congratulations, through the Chair, to her for a tremendous success on the Postal Accountability and Enforcement Act which will be passed shortly. It…

I rise to pay tribute to Emily Reynolds, our magnificent Secretary of the Senate. Abraham Lincoln once said, ``I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me, and I didn't have the heart to let him down.'' Looking back at…

I wish to pause for a moment to pay respect to one man, Eric Ueland, my chief of staff. Tucked away in a corner of Eric Ueland's office is a well-worn copy of the book ``Master of the Senate.'' This comes as no surprise to those of us who…

Much has been said over the course of today about the scope of the FDA, the importance of having an FDA Commissioner, a permanent FDA Commissioner, and we will realize that shortly. Earlier this year we celebrated the 100th anniversary of…

After 33 years of service to the U.S. Senate, Linda Sebold has decided to retire. Linda began her Senate career with the Office of the Secretary of the Senate back in August of 1973, and until this day Linda remains totally dedicated to…

about 2 months ago, late Sunday afternoon, when no one was around, I came into this Chamber to carry out a time-honored tradition, nearly as old as the institution itself. I came over to this desk and I opened the drawer and the tradition…

Whereas William Wilberforce, born August 25, 1759, used his position as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons to stop the slave trade in Great Britain, proclaiming, ``I [will] never rest until I have effected [slavery's]…

a few days ago, an extraordinary Tennessean, Dolly Parton, received one of the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors. As a singer, a songwriter, an actress, a television producer, and an entrepreneur, she has emerged as one of the preeminent cultural…

for 12 years, I have served the people of Tennessee as a U.S. Senator. Before I joined this body, I spent 20 years practicing medicine--as a transplant surgeon. But I spent even more time--nearly 30 years--getting the education necessary…

Since 2003, Bill Pickle has served this body with enormous distinction. As the Senate's Sergeant at Arms, he has helped us and he has protected us. Now, as he departs, I wish to thank him, recognize him, and honor him. For over 3 years, he…

as I depart this body, I would like to extend a heartfelt personal thank you to Chaplain Barry Black. From comforting staff and Members in the wake of tragic deaths to leading erudite Bible study groups, to opening the Senate each morning…

as the Democratic leader has so eloquently described, it is hard to imagine the smiles and the charm of Mary Miller Arnold will no longer grace the Senate. I have had the opportunity to talk to her daughter Mary Elizabeth several times…

there is a very common question I been asked over the last several days: During your 4-year tenure as majority leader, what has been the most constitutionally challenging issue confronting the Senate? I didn't have to think very long. I…

I hope everyone has had a good Thanksgiving recess--enjoyable, relaxing. We have a busy few days ahead of us as we have our final week for the 109th Congress, and there are a number of priorities we need to address. We have the Gates…

I do want to add my congratulations to the managers, Senators Warner and Levin. They have done a tremendous job on the Defense authorization bill, a very important bill. We had several pauses over the course of today that we were able to…

I know my distinguished Democratic colleague agrees with me about the need to enact this United States- India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act. Therefore, once again, I am disappointed that this Senate is prevented from passing this…

It is interesting, when you are around here at 2:30 in the morning... It is very important as we all work together to make the country a safer, healthier, and stronger place.

Last week, immigration agents arrested 120 illegal workers at a worksite in Colorado within 1 mile of global surveillance and a missile early-warning facility. Most likely, they came to America to find jobs. But if any had sinister…

for more than 50 years, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has served as a force for stability, security, and peace in Europe. It remains the foundation of security on the Continent and the cornerstone of U.S. engagement in Europe…

We have this promise of a new relationship between our Nation and India, which is the world's largest democracy, and it is a relationship President Bush has begun to construct. That can only grow if Congress delivers on the commitment the…