Floor Statements

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 70, S. 703.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the recess or adjournment, committees be authorized to report legislative and executive matters on April 24, 2003, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding any adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President of the Senate pro tempore, and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions, committees, boards, conferences, or interparliamentary conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that during this adjournment of the Senate, the majority leader, the assistant majority leader, or Senator Warner be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 38, which is at the desk.

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

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment under the provisions of S. Con. Res. 38, until 12:00 noon, Monday, April 28.

I further ask that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning hour be deemed to have expired, the Journal of the proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and that there then be a period of morning business until 1 p.m., with the time equally divided between the two leaders or their designees; provided that at 1 p.m. the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the nomination of Jeffrey Sutton to be a Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit as stipulated under the previous order.

Madam President, for the information of all Senators, when the Senate reconvenes on Monday, April 28, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 1 p.m.

Following morning business, the Senate will begin consideration of the nomination of Jeffrey Sutton. There will be no rollcall votes on Monday. The next rollcall vote will occur on Tuesday, April 29, at approximately 12 noon.

On behalf of the majority leader, I thank my colleagues for their hard work and cooperation over the past few weeks. We have completed action on the budget resolution, the war supplemental, the CARE act, the PROTECT Act, and a host of other important pieces of legislation, including a number of measures to assist our men and women in the Armed Forces. I wish all my colleagues a safe and restful Easter recess.

Madam President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment under the provisions of S. Con. Res. 38 following the remarks of Senator Byrd for up to 30 minutes. I further ask that if the House has not acted upon S. Con. Res. 38, then the Senate reconvene at 12 noon, Monday, April 14.

Mr. President, last week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed S. Res. 102, a resolution I introduced that pays tribute to the 129 officers, sailors and civilians who tragically lost their lives aboard the nuclear submarine, U.S.S. Thresher.

Today, on the 40th anniversary of the loss of the Thresher, I once again join with Senators Gregg, Snowe and Collins to introduce legislation which calls on the Secretary of the Army to erect a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the crew who were lost on the Thresher as well as other nuclear submariners lost at sea. Companion legislation is being introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Jeb Bradley.

As I stated last week, the U.S.S. Thresher was built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and commissioned in August of 1961 as the lead vessel in a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines. After putting to sea, she was subjected to more than a year of tests along the eastern coast of the United States. In late 1962, the Thresher returned to New England for an overhaul where she remained until the spring of 1963.

On April 9, 1963, the Thresher departed the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to conduct deep-diving exercises some 200 miles off the coast of New England. In the morning hours of April 10, 1963, after reaching her assigned depth, the U.S.S. Thresher, signaled her companion surface ship, the U.S.S. Skylark, that it was experiencing difficulties. Shortly thereafter, the crew of the Skylark realized that something had gone wrong as they heard the sound of the Thresher breaking apart.

The inquiry following the loss of the Thresher identified the probable cause of the accident as a failure in the piping which led to a subsequent loss of power and ultimately an inability to blow the ballast tanks which would have allowed the Thresher to rise. As a result of the inquiry, the Navy initiated key changes aimed at ensuring the safety of future submarines, and by extension, their crews. The safety of today's modern submarine fleet is a direct result of the lessons learned following the loss of the Thresher.

Those who have served aboard America's submarine fleet over the years have genuine appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifice made by the crew of the Thresher. While modern submariners admire and respect these heroes, their sacrifice is largely unknown to many Americans. That is why I believe a memorial on the hallowed ground of Arlington National Cemetery to the crew of the U.S.S. Thresher will allow the memory of these 129 brave individuals to be given the honor and respect they are due. In addition to paying tribute to the Thresher, the memorial would honor all nuclear submariners who have lost their lives at sea.

Mr. President, I am aware that there are space constraints at Arlington. However, the memorial we are calling for would encompass a limited area--approximately the size of two burial plots. This would allow for enough space to pay proper respect to these American heroes. The legislation we are introducing today urges the Army to locate and allocate such space.

I encourage my colleagues to join Senators Gregg, Snowe, Collins and me in honoring these individuals by supporting this measure, and I ask for its speedy consideration by the Senate.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that an editorial from the April 6th edition of Dover, New Hampshire's Foster's Sunday Citizen titled ``Build a Memorial to the Thresher'' be included in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.

Build a Memorial To Honor Thresher

As the most powerful military force ever to navigate the

seas, the invincibility of today's United States Navy is the

sum of myriad successes and tragic failures throughout its

history.

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has played as big a part--if

not bigger--in the Navy's evolution as any other entity. The

yard and the residents of our region can be proud of

contributions made here over more than two centuries to the

evolution of our national defense at sea.

That is why it is important for us to preserve the memory

of the USS Thresher and her crew, all of whom perished on

April 10, 1963, in the deep ocean.

The preservation of that memory was the reason why people

gathered at the shipyard on Saturday. They wanted to remember

the boat and her crew--96 sailors, 16 officers and 17

employees of the shipyard.

Besides the New Hampshire and Maine congressional

delegations, many in attendance were relatives of those who

perished and whose sacrifice resulted in monumental changes

to the way submarines after 1963 were constructed for the

U.S. Navy.

As a result, it is entirely appropriate for the delegation

to call for the construction of a memorial to the USS

Thresher and her crew at Arlington National Cemetery. Given

the magnitude of the Thresher's contributions to submarine

safety during the past 40 years, it is difficult not to

support such a project.

As a result of their sacrifice, the SubSafe program was

created. Regulations on hull integrity and pressure-related

components for submarines were strengthened. The sinking of

the Thresher has resulted in the lives of countless

submariners being saved because of safety improvement to the

vessels they worked on.

Since the Thresher, not one submarine has been lost under

similar circumstances.

The USS Thresher was the harbinger of the awesome attack

submarines we have today to protect our shores and interests

abroad. The debt we owe to the crew and civilians who

accepted--on our nation's behalf--the hazards of living and

working under water cannot be repaid.

Building a memorial to preserve their memory and

contributions is the best we are able to do.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there now be a period of morning business until 2:30 p.m. today, with Senators to speak for up to 10 minutes each and the time equally divided in the usual form. Further, I ask unanimous consent that at 2:30 the Senate stand in recess until 3:30 today.

That is correct.

I am sorry; I didn't hear the question.

I am, indeed.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at the 3:30 p.m. today, the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 31 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration, provided that there be 1 hour of debate on the resolution equally divided between the majority leader and the minority leader or their designees, with no amendments or motions in order to the resolution, that the only amendment in order be a Lieberman amendment to the preamble which is at the desk, and that upon the use or yielding back of the time, the Senate proceed to a vote on the resolution. I further ask unanimous consent that following the adoption of the resolution, the amendment to the preamble be agreed to, the preamble, as amended, be agreed to, and all of the above mentioned occur without any intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 10 a.m. on transportation and border security.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on Wednesday, April 9 at 10 a.m. to consider Comprehensive Energy Legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet on Wednesday, April 9 at 9:30 a.m. to conduct a business meeting to mark up legislative bills, nominations, and a resolution.

The meeting will be held in SD 406.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 10 a.m., to hear testimony on the 2003 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. to hold a Business Meeting.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing on Trafficking in Women and Children in East Asia and Beyond: A Review of U.S. Policy.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at 3 p.m. to hold a hearing on Africa Nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at 4:30 p.m. to hold a hearing on Europe Nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing entitled ``Investing in Homeland Security, Challenges on the Front Line.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Affairs be authorized to met on Wednesda, April 9, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing entitled ``Investing in Homeland Security, Challenges on the Front Line.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet in Executive Session during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2003.

The following agenda will be considered:

Agenda

S. 754, The Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act.

Any nominees that have been cleared for action.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 10 a.m. in Room 485 of the Hart Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on S. 285, to authorize the integration and consolidation of alcohol and substance abuse programs and services provided by Indian tribal governments, and for other purposes; S. 558, a bill to elevate the Director of the Indian Health Service to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Health, and for other purposes; and S. 555, to establish the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate for a roundtable entitled ``SBA Re-Authorization: Non-Credit Programs'' and other matters on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, beginning at 9 a.m. in room 428A of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in open session and possibly closed session, to receive testimony on the U.S. Special Operations Command in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2004.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support of the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 2:30 p.m., in open session to receive testimony on the readiness of the military services to conduct current operations and execute contingency plans in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2004.

Mr. President, I am pleased that the Senate has taken action to pass S. 380, the Postal Pension Liability Act.

I would like to thank my colleagues on the Governmental Affairs Committee for their effort in getting this bill passed, particularly Senator Collins and Senator Lieberman, chairman and ranking member, respectively, as well as Senator Stevens and Senator Carper, who have provided tremendous leadership in getting this bill through the Senate.

As my colleagues may know, the U.S. Postal Service, USPS, is required to pay into the Civil Service Retirement System, CSRS, an amount that equals the full cost of its obligation to CSRS. While the Postal Service has done so, the money it has placed into this account has earned interest at a higher rate than previously thought. Thus, the Office of Personnel Management estimated in November that the pension obligations for the USPS totaled $5 billion and not a previously estimated $32 billion.

This bill would correct the formula that overpays the Postal Service's obligation to the civil service retirement fund. In addition, this bill would stabilize postage rates through 2006 and help the Postal Service to pay down some of its debt. Stable postage rates will help keep shipping costs down as well as the indirect cost of all consumer goods.

Without this bill, the U.S. Postal Service would continue to overfund its contribution to the Civil Service Retirement System fund. If it had not been evaluated and corrected, the overpayment could have reached tens of billions of dollars in the decades ahead.

Mr. President, as a cosponsor of S. 380, I am pleased with the bipartisan manner in which the Senate has acted to pass this much- needed ill. This spirit of cooperation is truly in the best interest of the American people.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent I be allowed to speak as in morning business, with the time allotted against the time for the nomination.

Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, this legislation pays tribute to the 129 officers, sailors, and civilians who lost their lives aboard the USS Thresher 40 years ago next week.

The loss of these brave individuals was a tragedy for the U.S. submarine service, for the Navy, and the Nation. Yet out of this tragedy, the Navy was able to learn important lessons about submarine safety and acted to correct design and construction concerns that existed on other subs, and prevent engineering and design flaws on future submarines. These measures have served to benefit our Navy ever since.

Built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and commissioned in August of 1961, the USS Thresher was the lead ship in a new class of nuclear- powered attack submarines.

In the fall of 1961 and throughout 1962, the Thresher was put through its paces along the eastern seaboard to test its new technological and weapons advancements. Once these tests were completed, the Thresher returned to New England for an overhaul where she remained until the spring of 1963.

On April 9, 1963, the Thresher departed the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to conduct deep sea diving exercises some 200 miles off the coast of New England. In the morning hours of April 10, 1963, after reaching her assigned depth, the USS Thresher, signaled her companion surface ship, the USS Skylark, that it was experiencing difficulties. Shortly thereafter, the crew of the Skylark realized that something had gone very wrong as they heard the sound of the Thresher breaking apart.

In the investigation that followed this terrible accident, the conclusion was reached that the Thresher in all likelihood had sunk due to a failure in its piping, a subsequent loss of power, and an inability to blow the ballast tanks which would have allowed the sub to rise. To this day, the remains of the Thresher rest some 8,500 feet below the ocean's surface.

As a result of the Thresher incident, the Navy initiated two significant changes to enhance submarine safety. The first of these was the SUBSAFE program, which ensured that every submarine in the fleet and every future submarine built had to pass a rigorous testing program on hull integrity systems as well as pressure-related parts. No sub would go into service without a 100-percent certification.

Second, this tragedy inspired the Navy to encourage a new ocean engineering discipline within a handful of prestigious educational institutions. Today, engineers in this discipline are trained to design and implement systems that can withstand the rigors of a lifetime's use in ocean waters.

Today, I join with Senators Gregg, Snowe and Collins to submit this resolution to honor the naval and civilian crew of the USS Thresher.

This resolution will provide Senate recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Thresher incident--April 10--and pay tribute to her valiant crew. The resolution also calls on the Senate to express its deep gratitude to all American submariners who are on ``eternal patrol.''

Next week, on the 40th anniversary of the Thresher accident, Senators Gregg, Snowe, Collins and I will submit another resolution that will call on the Secretary of the Army to erect a modest memorial at Arlington National

Cemetery to honor the men and women who were lost on the Thresher as well as other nuclear submariners lost at sea.

The memorial would be designed not to detract in any way from the solemn nature of Arlington. In fact, I believe it would provide visitors a place of reflection where they can pay their respects to all of these brave individuals.

Our Nation's submarine force is often referred to as the ``silent service.'' They are the original stealth fighters, and, as such, submarines and their crews have proven to be a critical component of our Nation's defense. It is only fitting that we pay tribute to those who risk their lives for us as well as those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I encourage my colleagues to join Senators Gregg, Snowe, Collins and me in honoring these individuals by supporting both of these measures. And I ask for their speedy consideration by the Senate.

The 129 men of the USS Thresher who lost their lives deserve our recognition and our gratitude. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the names of these men--the 16 officers, 96 crew and 17 civilian technicians aboard the Thresher be printed in the Record.