Floor Statements

It is my understanding that following the first votes we will have our usual weekly conferences, is that true?

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that instead of 1 minute on each side between votes, there be 2 minutes on each side.

I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards) and the Senator from South

Dakota (Mr. Johnson) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards) and the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson), are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards) and the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards) and the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) are necessarily absent.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Connecticut, Mr. Dodd, be recognized for up to 30 minutes--we are in a period of morning business--and following that, the floor return to Senator Kyl.

I would say, no, he asked for 20 minutes.

Could we give him 25? Twenty minutes is fine. Twenty minutes is fine. Then the floor would return to Senator Kyl.

Mr. President, will my friend yield for a question?

Mr. President, we have people on both sides trying to determine what their schedules will be tonight. It is my understanding the Senator from Arizona would like to speak for an extended period of time or have someone on his side speak. We certainly think that is appropriate. We would, however, like to see what we can do to determine how much time would be used on each side. I ask my distinguished friend from Arizona, through the Chair, if he believes they can do their speeches in 2 hours.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that during this period for morning business, that I be in control of 2\1/2\ hours and that the majority be in control of 2\1/2\ hours, with the time starting from the time Senator Kyl starts his speech.

Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to note that as of yesterday, the priceless treasure we call Yellowstone National Park has been preserved and protected for 132 years.

Yellowstone was our first national park, and one visit there explains why.

It is home to majestic wildlife including bison, elk, wolves and grizzly bears.

It is the site of most of the world's geysers, including the famous Old Faithful.

And Yellowstone National Park offers breathtaking vistas at every turn, from raging rivers to soaring mountain peaks.

Before Yellowstone became a national park, the story of its discovery was scattered with myths and truths throughout the 19th century.

Explorers and trappers stumbled upon Yellowstone's incredible beauty, and returned home with descriptions that sounded like fiction to the American public.

It took nearly 80 years, and an official expedition sanctioned by the government in 1870, to sort out the myth about Yellowstone from the striking reality.

Shortly thereafter, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the law in 1872 establishing Yellowstone National Park ``as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.''

President Theodore Roosevelt, a great protector of the environment and treasures like Yellowstone, visited the park in 1903.

One hundred years ago this spring, he laid the cornerstone for the official gateway to the park. The gateway is still known as the Roosevelt Arch.

The American people's love of Yellowstone helped lead to the establishment of our National Park Service. Today the Park Service protects and preserves 83 million acres of natural treasures across our country.

The Park Service employees at Yellowstone have done a wonderful job of protecting the park's natural beauty, while providing opportunities for people to enjoy it.

For example, all of the large mammal species known to exist in Yellowstone before European Americans arrived have been restored to their natural habitats.

I recently had the good fortune, after many years, to once again visit Yellowstone National Park. I was only able to spend a couple of hours there, but it was a great experience.

I first went there shortly after my wife and I returned from law school in Washington. We traveled from Las Vegas on one of the first vacations we ever took.

I still look back with great awe at Old Faithful and the many other things we were able to see, the buffalos and other animals. So when I returned there, even though it was only for a few hours, the place I wanted to go visit again was Old Faithful.

Old Faithful spewed a few times during the time I was there. We took a walk through Geyser Park. We saw buffalo lying right near the geysers. The reason these great animals come and lie down near these spewing geysers is that, to a great extent, they keep the pests off themselves by doing so.

Even though I was there just a short time, it was wonderful again, after 25 years, to reflect back on my little children when they were tiny going there and visiting that park.

I am sure that millions of Americans also keep a special place in their hearts for Yellowstone and the memories it holds for them.

I hope our grandchildren's grandchildren's grandchildren will be able to enjoy the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, the way we do today.

No objection. We have already done the other paragraph.

It is my understanding we already have an order to go to S. 1637 at 10:30 in the morning.

Mr. President, I express my appreciation to my friend, the Senator from Arizona, for the dignified manner in which the debate was conducted today. We feel that certainly it has been fair. I now ask unanimous consent that on the Democratic side there be 5 minutes for Senator Reid from Nevada, 15 minutes for Senator Levin, 30 minutes for Senator Reed of Rhode Island, 30 minutes for Senator Graham of Florida, and 20 minutes for Senator Dayton.

Mr. President, there has been some conversation today about statements made by people running for President on the Democratic side. Today, we had the person who appears to be the frontrunner for the nomination at this time, Senator Kerry of Massachusetts, who came and spoke before the Senate. He did an extremely good job of articulating his feelings of the legislation pending before the Senate. At the same time, he also outlined in a very brief fashion those things he thought were wrong, in his view, as far as what was going on in America today.

I want the majority to know as the election proceeds toward November, we in the Senate are going to do everything within our power to protect our nominee. By that I mean anything that is said outside this Capitol or inside this Capitol that reflects upon our nominee we are going to be on this floor defending him.

We believe the issues are on our side, that they favor us, and we want this campaign to be on the issues.

What has transpired during this Presidential primary season has been extremely important and good for the American people because the Democratic candidates running for President have been able to place their views on the record, and the American people have accepted what they have said about what is wrong with this country.

There have been debates--I do not know the number of them but a significant number of debates--where the American people have been able to hear how those seeking the Democratic nomination feel about our country. I want again to say whoever our nominee is, that person is going to get all the protection that is needed in the Senate. There will be nothing said that is negative toward our candidate that will not be responded to.

We feel we have had a primary season conducted with dignity and we are going to do everything we can to make sure the final months of this campaign are conducted with dignity as far as the Democratic nominee is concerned.

Mr. President, if anybody wants to use part of their time, they have to get permission from Senator Feinstein. She is here to use her hour. Senator Reed will be the designee for Senator McCain. We have the offer of the amendment by Senator Bingaman for an hour, and then we will vote.

Madam President, I will not object to this. But everybody within the sound of my voice should understand these times will not be changed tomorrow. We are working under very tight time deadlines. For anybody who wants an extra minute here or there, or to have a vote later, there will be objection and that will not happen.

I announce that the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Akaka), the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Biden), the Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer), the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Corzine), the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards), the Senator from Florida (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry), and the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Lautenberg) are necessarily absent.

I further announce that if present and voting, the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Biden) and the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) would each vote ``yea''.

Is this the 2-month extension?

Will the Senator yield for a question?

Will the Senator from Michigan yield?

Mr. President, we have a situation we have to address. We know Senator Lautenberg is coming to the floor to offer an amendment, but that can't be done unless Senator Levin sets his amendment aside. If Senator Levin sets his amendment aside, he loses his rights to maybe have a vote. I certainly have no problem whatsoever with the Senator from Vermont speaking for 10 minutes since that is my understanding. Senator Levin would get the floor again. But I think for Senator Lautenberg, he should understand that he may not be able to offer his amendment today, as it is my understanding from my conversations with the Senator from Michigan, he is not going to allow his amendment to be set aside.

We could certainly do it that way.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Vermont be allowed to speak as in morning business for up to 10 minutes and, following that, the Senator from Michigan would reclaim his right to the floor. He would be recognized after that.

What we should do is have it go back to the Senator from Michigan, and then we will try to do something that will get us out of here today.

Mr. President, I know under the order, Senator Levin is to have the floor. I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to propound a unanimous consent request and that he have the floor following that.

Mr. President, the Senator from Michigan says he will complete his statement in 10 minutes. The Senator from New Jersey has two amendments he wishes to offer, 10 minutes on each amendment, for a total of 20 minutes. I will propound a unanimous consent request in just a second, but I want everyone to know what is going on. That will take a half hour. Following that, I ask that there be a time to go to morning business. There will be no more amendments offered today, and we would go to morning business and Senator Levin's amendment would be the amendment that would recur following the two amendments of the Senator from New Jersey.

I will propound that in the form of a unanimous consent request unless someone at this stage believes there is anything inappropriate with it. I know Senator Byrd has been waiting. He asked yesterday to come and speak, but we didn't know it would take as long. I tell the Senator from West Virginia, it will be approximately a half hour before we get to morning business.

Yes.

Mr. President, I tell the distinguished senior Senator from West Virginia, it would be a little bit after 1 o'clock, thereabouts. Then we have Senator Conrad who wishes to speak for 45 minutes and Senator Harkin who wishes to speak for a half hour. I am not going to set the order, but I ask that Senator Byrd be recognized initially in morning business.

I will be happy to yield.

I say to my friend from Rhode Island, Senator Reed, who is in the Chamber, we are still in the process of trying to work out definite times on Monday so that he, Senator Feinstein, and those who are speaking in opposition--which will take a total of 3 to 4 hours-- will have time on Monday.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Levin be recognized for up to 10 minutes to complete debate on his amendment; following that, that his amendment be set aside temporarily and that Senator Lautenberg be recognized to offer two amendments and that Senator Lautenberg be able to speak for a total of 20 minutes on his two amendments; following that, the amendment of the Senator from Michigan would recur; and that following that, we go to a period for the transaction of morning business, and that Senator Byrd be recognized.

Mr. President, I want to say on behalf of the minority leader that we certainly thank Senator McCain and Senator Lieberman for their persistence in accomplishing something that is important.

I extend my appreciation to the majority leader for his patience. His job is a difficult job. He has 99 of us to put up with. Even though we are the most reasonable people in the world most of the time, once in a while it happens that we are not, and that makes his life more difficult. Having been involved in working with leaders for a while now, I appreciate his patience. It is an admirable quality.

Having worked with the very patient Senator Lieberman since he came to the Senate, I have such great admiration for him. I am personally disappointed that it didn't work out better for him on the campaign trail. But we are really happy to have him back. He is such a great addition to the Senate.

My friend from Arizona is one peg ahead of me in seniority. I am No. 1778 and he is No. 1777 as far as the number of Senators coming here. Senator McCain is a unique individual. Every day, serving with him is an experience. The vast majority of those experiences are extremely good.

(Laughter.)

I serve as the ranking member of Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee and I, like Chairman Bond, also serve on the Transportation/Treasury Appropriations Subcommittee. In both of those capacities, I want to commit myself to getting this important technical correction enacted into law at the earliest possible date.

Mr. President, in 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson designated the second week of February as ``Negro History Week,'' an opportunity for America to recognize the achievements and contributions made by African Americans.

As a result of promoting our Nation's history of diversity, and advancing tolerance and civil rights, this week was extended into a month in 1976.

Today, Black History Month serves as more than just a reminder of African American culture. It serves as a reminder of how far America has come in the areas of tolerance, civil rights, and diversity and far we have yet to go.

Black History Month conjures up familiar heroes for all of us: Rosa Parks and her legendary defiance; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his historic leadership; Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and his equitable judgment.

There are also inventors and physicians who may be less familiar to some of us: Granville Woods, who was granted more than 60 patents for inventions including steam-driven engines and a telephone transmitter; and Dr. Charles Drew, a medical professor at Howard University who, among other things, developed a way to extend the storage life of blood from two days to 1 week.

Interestingly, Elijah McCoy, the developer of the locomotive lubricator, is responsible for one of the most familiar expressions in the English language. Mr. McCoy, in an attempt to promote his product, coined a catchy slogan to remind railroad engineers that his original invention was the best: ``The Real McCoy.''

These are just some of our national heroes and heroines who achieved social, political, economic, and scientific goals. By reaching their own goals, they also contributed their strength and innovation to the collective American thought.

While the southern United States is the birthplace of many significant achievements in African American history, there are also accomplishments of note in western States, including my native Nevada.

Among the African American men and women who hailed from or made significant contributions to Nevada, there are a few pioneers I want to introduce to you.

At a time when black people were not invited to participate in the political process or the business world, there was a group of ranchers in Nevada who thought differently.

Ben Palmer, who was noted as ``one of the heaviest taxpayers in Douglas County,'' was a hugely successful rancher and businessman.

This may seem commonplace today. But at the time when he was prospering, blacks couldn't even vote, serve on a jury, testify against whites, send their children to public school, or marry whites.

Mr. Palmer lived in Carson Valley, NE, which is not only one of the most beautiful parts of the State, but also served as an early route for the migration to California.

It didn't take long for him and his sister to deduce that, by establishing

ranches, they could turn a profit by providing care for weary travelers and their livestock.

Since there was no Federal authority over much of the land at that time, ranchers used to just claim a spot of land and water rights; then they would start to sell grazing rights to emigrants and cut grass to provide feed during the winter.

By the 1870's, Palmer had established himself as a prosperous cattleman. It was reported in the Carson Valley News that he had driven 1,500 head of cattle from Seattle to Carson Valley to replenish his herd. He also introduced fine horses into the Valley, pioneering locally with the Bonner breed.

Despite the legal restrictions facing African Americans during this time, Palmer was so highly regarded that he was invited to register to vote in the Mottsville precinct before the 15th Amendment to the Constitution was passed.

It is recorded that in 1876 and 1878, he was selected to be a member of a Douglas County grand jury, and was named to the panel of trial jurors for that year's term of the District Court.

When the residents of Carson Valley launched a short-lived political organization, the National Greenback and Workingmen's Party, a county central committee was selected and Ben Palmer was one of the committee members representing the Mottsville precinct.

He couldn't read or write, but that didn't stop him; he wasn't supposed to vote or serve on a jury, but he did anyway; the color of his skin was supposed to prevent him from participating in the political process, but he pressed ahead.

It is no wonder that his obituary in the Record-Courier said that, ``He met success in every meaning of the word and leaves one of the finest farms in Carson Valley as a monument. He bore a man's part in the battle of life, bore it bravely, gently and without ostentation. He believed in the right and practiced the right always.''

Treasure Hill and Virginia City are two other areas of Nevada where African Americans overcame restrictions to find success.

The mining prospects in Nevada and other parts of the West attracted people from all races and walks of life in search of gold.

Black people came to Nevada in hopes of securing mining jobs and finding prosperity for themselves. Unfortunately, most mines would not hire blacks, as some whites quipped that they would be too ignorant to tell one rock from another.

This discriminatory perspective may explain why there were only six black people recorded as official miners in Nevada in 1870. Another reason for their widespread absence from the mining industry may be their exclusion from unions.

Despite these obstacles, African Americans had considerable success mining in Treasure Hill in eastern Nevada from 1868 to 1870, noted as ``probably the shortest, most intense mining rush in the history of the West.''

In April 1869, a group of black miners, headed by William Hall and J.C. Mortimer, announced their discovery of a rich mining ledge in Treasure Hill and vowed that they would ``supply (their) colored brethren of the low countries with mines as good as any a white man dare own.''

Messrs. Hall and Mortimer incorporated the Elevator Mining Company of Treasure Hill, White Pine, and planned to issue 6,000 shares of stock at $100 each.

Treasure Hill was an economic advance for blacks and the area was home to several wealthy families: Samuel Wilcox, Daniel W. Cherry, John Maxwell, Sanford Venery, and Joseph Anderson.

After fires and poor prospects drove many residents out, Treasure Hill was left with only one black resident and only eight black residents in White Pine County.

Another mining district, the Comstock Mining District, was founded in 1859 and was once considered to be one of the richest gold and silver discoveries in history.

Blacks who had come to Virginia City in hopes of securing jobs in the industry would face discrimination; however, when their mettle was tested, most were resolute to become business owners. Although there is no documentation of a particular neighborhood or area where they lived, there is a scant record of the number of businesses they owned and operated.

One of the most successful businesses in Virginia City was the Boston Saloon. In 1864, William A.G. Brown founded the Boston Saloon only a year after arriving from Massachusetts and initially working as a bootblack and street polisher.

The Boston Saloon catered to the Comstock black population and served as a place to socialize and exchange information about business opportunities.

Archeologists and historians discovered the site of the Boston Saloon in 1997 and quickly determined that uncovering the history behind the specific characteristics of the saloon and its patrons would help reveal an important chapter of African American history in the early west.

Ranchers, frontiersmen, miners, business owners--all success stories during a time when success was discouraged or denied by ignorance and discrimination.

These are just a handful of the African Americans who made important contributions toward the early establishment of Nevada and the early West. Countless others have gone unnoticed or uncelebrated.

I commend Dr. Elmer Rusco of Reno for his tireless leadership in attempting to chronicle the contributions of African Americans in Nevada. It is due to his scholarship that much of Nevada's black history is preserved and presented.

I am honored to share these nuggets of Nevada history on behalf of the African Americans who helped establish the great Silver State, and in honor of Black History Month.

I wonder, with the easy week the majority leader has had this week, could you tell us what we will do after we finish the gun liability legislation?