Exit the OECD Act of 2007

Mr. President, in a few short weeks, America will commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World. It is an event that I, along with many of my fellow Virginians and Americans, have looked upon with great anticipation.

Jamestown's anniversaries have always been major national patriotic events, and this year will be no different. Visitors and dignitaries from all over the world will converge on the site, where, in 1607, CAP John Smith and his motley crew of Englishmen first stepped ashore to begin life in the New World. Commemorating the Jamestown anniversary allows Americans to not only remember the bravery of Captain Smith's crew and the founding of America but also to celebrate the democratic ideals and institutions that trace their roots to that remarkable beginning. The rule of law, the entrepreneurial spirit, representative government, and cultural diversity all originated at Jamestown and all continue to have profound effects on America today.

To recognize the impact of Jamestown and to signal Congress's support for the 400th anniversary of its founding, I introduce today this resolution. It marks the importance of Jamestown to our Nation's history and recognizes its 400th anniversary as a seminal event for the American people. Furthermore, the resolution recognizes the critical role Native Americans played in the colony's survival, notes the democratic ideals first instilled at Jamestown, and reflects on the unique confluence of cultures that made Jamestown strong and successful. With this resolution, Congress has a chance to officially record for history its support for the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.

Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.

Mr. President, I am sorry to see that the majority leader has filled the tree on the global warming bill. There is no way we are going to move ahead on this legislation, as I have stated before on the floor, if we are not permitted to offer amendments.

I think there is general agreement, although there are still some dissenters, that we need to do something. We have the Warner-Lieberman bill. I think it has objectives which are not technologically obtainable, which are too difficult on the U.S. economy, and have joined with Senator Bingaman on alternative legislation.

I ask unanimous consent that the statement regarding a number of amendments which I had proposed to introduce be printed in the Record, one on emissions caps/targets, a second on a cost-containment safety- valve amendment, a third on an international competitiveness amendment, and a fourth on process gas emissions.

But there is no way to get 60 votes to impose cloture unless we find a way to allow Senators to offer their amendments.

Finally, I ask unanimous consent that the full text of a floor statement of mine on the New England Patriots videotaping of NFL football games be printed in the Congressional Record as if read in full on the Senate floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 172, which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Banking Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 172 and that the bill be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.