I ask unanimous consent if I may depart from the bill to speak as if in morning business regarding our distinguished colleague, Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. (The remarks…

I again thank my long-time friend, the ranking member of this committee. We shall now be available for amendments. The bill is open for amendment. I intend to remain here for a while this evening. I think there is a strong likelihood that…

this article embraces the comments of many dear friends of the Senator, and I say with some humility, a few of my own comments as well. I think back to reminisce on the 28 years that I have been privileged to have represented the…

to accommodate Members, we will be on the bill for some period of time. I will be joined by the distinguished ranking member, Mr. Levin, shortly after 5 o'clock today. In the meantime, we are open for statements. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The…

before the Senator parts the floor, I say thank you for your kind remarks. Yes, I do graciously and willingly step down. It is the rules of our caucus, and I respect that. But it has been a marvelous opportunity for me to have this 6…

the matters with regard to this bill are concluded for tonight. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan is recognized. (The remarks of Mr. Levin are printed in today's Record under ``Morning Business.'')

That having been done, I ask unanimous consent for privileges of the floor for Mark Brunner, a military fellow in my office, for the duration of this bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

I wish to comment on the F-22. It is a magnificent aircraft. It is absolutely essential for our inventory of weapons. Stop to think that any use of our Armed Forces, wherever they may be in the world, is dependent on air superiority. The…

Again, I thank the leadership. I am very anxious, as are all members of the Armed Services Committee from both sides of the aisle, and my esteemed ranking member, Senator Levin, to begin this bill on Monday. It is our hope that we can…

I wonder if I might ask if we could extend the time over here for a few minutes, maybe 5 minutes, to make a brief statement on this issue.

I rise today with respect to S.J. Res. 1. When considering proposed amendments to the United States Constitution, I first look back to history. In the summer of 1787, 55 individuals gathered in Philadelphia to write our Constitution. It…

has the motion to reconsider and the motion to table been stated? The PRESIDING OFFICER. It has not.

the hour is late. I humbly thank the dear Lord for the strength and wisdom He has given me, for the support and the friendship of--I calculated--the 241 Senators I have served with during this time, and for a family that has stood by me…

I rise today to share with our colleagues remarks I have made recently at the Atlantic Council, the Council on Foreign Relations, and other forums regarding a role NATO should consider by joining others seeking to achieve a diplomatic…

at this time I seek the concurrence of the Presiding Officer to speak about 12 to 14 minutes regarding General Hayden. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________

we want to accommodate colloques. If the request is to be asked and granted by the Chair, then I suggest the morning business hour for the Republican side be extended 10 minutes to accommodate that. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there…

I rise today, once again, in support of health care liability reform. I have long been a major supporter of reforming our medical malpractice laws in an effort to stem the astronomical increases in health care costs. In fact, in the 108th…

last evening, as most of us had departed with the understanding that the floor was about to close, our colleague from Illinois, Senator Durbin, the distinguished whip of the Democratic Party, came over and proceeded to give what I felt was…

I understand from the managers that amendment No. 3621 has been agreed to on both sides. First, let me describe this amendment. Mr. President, today we are holding expectations that a new unity in government in Iraq will soon be completed…

I wish to bring up a second amendment. It relates to the Carrier John F. Kennedy. I ask I be permitted here momentarily to have this amendment called up. The department of defense has submitted its report to the Congress on the Quadrennial…

My understanding is the amendment was introduced by myself, I think 2 days ago. There was some debate at that time. I know of no opposition to it. Therefore, I ask the pending amendment be laid aside and that the Senate consider this…

it is a wonderful privilege for me to introduce to our colleagues Rev. Frank Wade, who most recently is the rector at St. Alban's Church. I want to say upfront that this great pastor married me and my wife Jeanne some 2 years ago. It was a…

I ask if I might have the privilege of introducing the visiting pastor who gave the morning prayer before the Senator from Oklahoma speaks.

the U.S. Navy today very proudly has 12 aircraft carriers on active service. That is a figure that was acted upon by this body and the other body and enacted into law, instructing the Commander in Chief, the President, and the Secretary of…

I thank my long-time friend and good colleague for his thoughtful remarks, and I assure you, I offer the same long-term feelings for you. But in this instance, I come back to the simple proposition that there is not a one of us who has not…