The Public Record
Patrick Leahy is a former United States Senator from Vermont, serving from 1975 until 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the longest-serving senator in Vermont's history and held significant leadership roles, including President pro tempore of the Senate. Throughout his tenure, Leahy was known for his work on issues such as civil liberties, health care, and environmental protection. He played a key role in various legislative efforts, including the Violence Against Women Act and initiatives to reform the criminal justice system.
I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on September 23, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. in order to conduct a hearing entitled ``Combating Human…
I applaud the senior Senator from Michigan for his persistence on this matter. He has brought the attention of the Senate to it time and time again, as well as that of the American public. Let us hope he is listened to. He should be.
as many of my current and even former staff can tell you, I am fond of saying that I, like other Senators, am merely a constitutional impediment to my staff. But I don't mind being just a constitutional impediment. Mine is one of the…
are we in morning business? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, the Senate is in morning business. ____________________
I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to retired BG Douglas Kinnard, a former University of Vermont professor and retired general officer who passed away on July 29 of this year at the age of 91. Long before I came to know General…
on September 12 I made a statement in this Chamber about the vote earlier that day by the board of directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation to approve a second compact for El Salvador. As I said then, that vote was expected, and…
I would like to bring to the attention of the Senate a notable family whose work has made a unique and meaningful contribution to the Vermont newspaper community and to our State. The Lynn family runs several Vermont newspapers, reporting…
I want to take a moment to speak about troubling actions by the Government of Bangladesh against the Grameen Bank. Founded in 1983 by Professor Mohammed Yunus, the Grameen Bank has been a model of the immense potential of microfinance for…
in 1940, Congress officially recognized the values inherent in United States citizenship by enacting legislation to designate a day of commemoration. At that time, the third Sunday in May was designated ``I Am an American Day.'' In 1952…
today, the Nation celebrates the 226th anniversary of the Constitution's signing. That moment was a decision to create a Federal Government with the power to address national problems. During the Constitutional Convention, the delegates…
on August 16, I had the honor of attending a naturalization ceremony at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum in Burlington, VT, conducted by the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, Christina Reiss. This…
two weeks ago, thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his historic ``I Have a Dream'' speech. That…
I am proud to recognize Andrew Whiteford of Richmond, VT, owner of Andy's Dandys, maker of all-natural dog treats. Marcelle and I had the pleasure of meeting Andrew and his mother Lucie Whiteford at the bicentennial celebration for…
I want to speak briefly about a recent development in Colombia of which many Senators may not be aware. Colombia is ranked as the second most biologically diverse country in the world. The variety of plant and animal life is staggering…
It is overall because of the quality of our judiciary that John Adams' vision that the United States be a Government of laws and not men still holds true today.
Congress has not comprehensively addressed judicial staffing levels since 1990, 23 years ago.
Overburdened judges almost by definition cannot provide the level of time and care and reflection they would like to for each case before them.
I ask unanimous consent for 30 additional seconds. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
each year fire destroys hundreds of vulnerable historic buildings that serve as the anchors of America's vibrant villages and downtowns. These fires leave gaping holes in Main Streets all across the country. All have destroyed property…
I am pleased to strongly support the nomination of Samantha Power to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and I commend President Obama for selecting her for this extremely important position. Born of Irish parents…
I believe we should act quickly on a number of judicial vacancies. Eleven of the twelve circuit and district nominees currently pending before the Senate were reported by voice vote. All Democrats, all Republicans on the Judiciary…
I request the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. There is a sufficient second. The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination of Raymond T…
The final rule ended lift-slab construction. It came 3 years after L'Ambiance Plaza, too late for those 28 people who died needlessly and tragically on that day.
Today we are here about delays in justice in the regulatory process that affect millions of Americans who depend on clean water and clean air, on safe products, who depend on enforcement of the law when they go to work or come home, use…
Politicians like Patrick Leahy
