Floor Statements

Mr. President, I thank my colleague, and I acknowledge the Senator's help on that. It was a joint project by the two of us.

Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of Anthony J. ``Tony'' Zagami, who retired from the U.S. Government Printing Office, GPO, on January 3, 2007. Mr. Zagami has been a true public servant, having served over 40 years in Federal service and earned the distinction as the longest serving general counsel in the history of the GPO.

Mr. Zagami started his government service as a Senate page in the 1960s. He continued his service to Congress while working his way through college and law school. He received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland School of Business and Public Administration, and his juris doctor from the George Mason University School of Law.

After working 25 years in the Congress, he left to become the general counsel of the Government Printing Office in 1990. The GPO, among other things, is responsible for producing the Congressional Record. During his time at the GPO, he was instrumental in transforming it into the modern digital information processing organization that it is today.

Throughout his career, both in the Congress and at the GPO, Mr. Zagami was known for his dedication and commitment to public service and received numerous awards and recognitions for his achievements. As a tribute to his outstanding performance, the GPO named him General Counsel Emeritus--the first time such a title has been bestowed upon an individual in the GPO's 145-year history.

As he ends a distinguished career, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tony Zagami for his many years of public service to our Nation and wish him and his family the very best in all future endeavors.

Mr. President, I rise in support of the Lifespan Respite Care Act.

I have long been a major supporter of providing community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults with special needs. In fact, as the lead Republican sponsor of the Senate bill for several years, I am pleased that in previous years the bill has been approved by the HELP Committee twice and by the full Senate once.

This legislation was first brought to my attention by a number of Virginians suffering from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and by their family caregivers. The Lifespan Respite Care bill is important because diseases such as ALS, MS, Alzheimer's, cancer, and others afflict far too many Americans.

While substantial investments have been made to help find cures for these diseases, we all know that until cured, these diseases will continue to have a substantial effect on far more people than the individuals who are diagnosed with them. ALS, MS, Alzheimers, and other diseases all have a tremendous impact on the family and particularly on family members who, out of love and compassion, take care of their loved ones who are terminally ill.

Serving as a family caregiver, though, often results in substantial emotional, physical, and financial hardship. It can take a tremendous toll on the family. Respite care services can provide assistance.

Currently, the Federal Government does provide some respite care assistance to some family caregivers. However, these programs are directed primarily at lower-income populations and at family caregivers of older Americans. Thus, existing programs of respite care are insufficient to meet the need. This legislation is intended to fill the gap.

This important legislation will authorize competitive grants to Aging and Disability Resource Centers in collaboration with a public or private nonprofit State respite coalition to make quality respite available and accessible to family caregivers, regardless of age or disability.

In so doing, this bill will be a win-win-win for everybody involved. Patients will be able to receive care in the home from loving, caring family members rather than in a nursing home. Family members will be even further encouraged to serve as a family caregiver knowing that services will be available to assist them. And, finally, the Federal Government and our health care system will recognize fiscal savings as--more care will be given in the home by a family member rather than in the more costly nursing home setting. As we all know, given the aging baby boomer generation, the cost of Medicaid nursing home care is expected to be a primary reason of increased healthcare costs in the years to come. The Lifespan Respite Care bill is one step in the right direction towards controlling these costs.

I would like to thank Republican Congressman Mike Ferguson of New Jersey for his work and dedication to this cause. He has been a champion on this issue for years and recognizes its importance based on his very personal experience, as he witnessed his father serve as a family caregiver. I would also like to thank the National Respite Care Coalition and its Chair, Jill Kagan, who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Nation's family caregivers on this issue.

I also thank Senator Snowe, Senator Enzi, and Senator Gregg for their support. Finally, I thank Senator Clinton and her professional staff for partnering with me and my staff for the past 5 years on this important legislation.

Mr. President, rollcall vote No. 275 was in reference to Executive Calendar No. 924, the nomination of Kent Jordan to be a U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Third Circuit. I had to be necessarily absent from this vote so that I could attend and speak to an international conference in England sponsored by the Ditchley Foundation to discuss the steps required to eradicate worldwide terrorism. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted for cloture on the nomination.

Mr. President, I had to be necessarily absent from votes today so that I could attend and speak to an international conference in England sponsored by the Ditchley Foundation to discuss the steps required to eradicate worldwide terrorism. Had I been able to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the tax extenders package, I would have voted in favor of it.

I had to be necessarily absent from votes today so that I could attend and speak to an international conference in England sponsored by the Ditchley Foundation to discuss the steps required to eradicate worldwide terrorism. Had I been able to vote on the motion to waive regarding the tax extenders package, I would have voted in favor of it.

I had to be necessarily absent from votes today so that I could attend and speak to an international conference in England sponsored by the Ditchley Foundation to discuss the steps required to eradicate worldwide terrorism. Had I been able to vote on the motion to waive regarding the tax extenders package, I would have voted in favor of it.

I had to be necessarily absent from votes today so that I could attend and speak to an international conference in England sponsored by the Ditchley Foundation to discuss the steps required to eradicate worldwide terrorism. Had I been able to vote on the tax extenders package, I would have voted in favor of it.

Mr. President, I speak in support of legislation that passed the Senate unanimously last evening to establish the CAPT John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

This House legislation, championed by my Virginia colleague, Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis, and supported by many in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, is the companion to S.2568, introduced by Senators Sarbanes, Allen, Mikulski, Carper, Biden, Santorum, Specter, and myself. It establishes the first all-water trail in the National Park Service trail system. This trail commemorates Captain John Smith's 2,300-mile voyages to explore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in 1607-1609, and will become an important component of our national ceremonies next year to mark the 400th anniversary of the establishment of Jamestown in 1607.

Events to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, will remind Americans that Jamestown was the birthplace of representative democracy, religious freedom, free enterprise, and as distinguished by the voyages of John Smith, the spirit of exploration. The cornerstone of this year-long commemoration is to tell the complete story of the convergence of three cultures at Jamestown between Europeans, Native Americans, and African Americans.

Central to understanding the first encounters between the English and Virginia native tribes, and the bounty of the bay that sustained the early settlers are John Smith's diaries. It is those diaries that give a first-hand account of the interaction of the English with Native American tribes throughout the bay during Smith's journeys. Captain Smith also wrote in vivid detail about the living resources of the bay, the abundance of shellfish, finfish, and other species, as his small group traveled in their 28-foot shallop.

Many people and organizations deserve credit for their work to advance the concept of a national water trail. Principal among these are Patrick Noonan, chairman emeritus of the Conservation Fund, and Gilbert Grosvenor, chairman of the board of the National Geographic Society. They had the vision to see that a new national trail to mark John Smith's travels of the Chesapeake bay would foster renewed interest in early colonial history, highlight the importance of geography and the bay's natural resources in sustaining life, broaden our understanding of the contributions of Native American tribes, stimulate heritage tourism, and expand educational efforts to restore the Bay's ecosystem.

The Conservation Fund and the National Geographic Society's steadfast support, and dedication of resources to this effort created a partnership that ensured our success. I speak on behalf of all Virginians, and lovers of the bay to say a warm and heartfelt thank you.

I also thank my colleagues for their support of this legislation, and extend my personal appreciation to my friend and colleague, Senator Sarbanes, for his leadership on this issue and for the many courtesies he has extended to me over the years. He has been an effective working partner over the years as we have worked on issues important to the Metropolitan Washington region.

As America prepares for the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, this new national trail will connect Americans to one of the earliest chapters of our heritage, allowing us to retrace the paddle strokes and footsteps of CAPT John Smith, to relive what he experienced some 400 years ago, and to give us a new avenue to enjoy and preserve the Bay.

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

Mr. President, I have had the privilege of being here for the 28th year beginning shortly. I calculated not long ago that I have served with 261 individuals. I am not about to try and review all of the many magnificent friendships I am privileged to have through these years. Indeed, if one looks at the rewards, of which there are many serving in this historic institution, the Senate, it is the personal bonds, the friendships that we so firmly cement and that will last a lifetime as a consequence of our duties of serving the United States of America and in our respective States.

We are called ``United States'' Senators. I often believe it is the first obligation, our Nation, the Republic for which it stands.

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss my absence today during rollcall vote No. 274. The vote was in reference to Executive Calendar No. 907, the nomination of Andrew von Eschenbach of Texas to be Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. I had to be necessarily absent from this vote so that I could attend and speak to an international conference in England sponsored by the Ditchley Foundation to discuss the steps required to eradicate worldwide terrorism.

Mr. President, I seek recognition today to congratulate national political correspondent and syndicated columnist David S. Broder on being awarded the U.S. Capitol Historical Society's 2006 Freedom Award.

This award, presented annually by the Capitol Historical Society since 1993, recognizes and honors individuals and organizations that have advanced greater public understanding and appreciation for freedom as represented by the U.S. Capitol and Congress.

Following the presentation of the award to Mr. Broder, retiring Architect of the Capitol Alan M. Hantman's official portrait was also unveiled. Both of these men made brief statements. I ask unanimous consent to print in the Record the following thoughtful remarks.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a member of my staff, Jason Christopher Lee, who has been recalled to active Federal service as a member of the United States Army Reserve and will deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Jason joined my staff in February 2005, where he has done a tremendous job serving Virginians out of my Norfolk office. In addition, Jason is attending college at Old Dominion University, where he is maintaining an excellent grade point average while studying communications.

I believe much of Jason's success is due to his distinguished service in the U.S. Army, where he has attained the rank of corporal and is responsible for leading fellow soldiers into battle. This is not the first time Jason has answered the call of duty in support of our country. He has previously served in both Kosovo and Iraq, where he earned the Army Commendation Medal and was recognized as an outstanding soldier. Indeed, Jason was originally scheduled to be discharged from the Army prior to his Iraq tour, but he answered his country's call to arms and was deployed to some of the most dangerous locations in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. Following this period, Jason was honorably discharged from the Army and was placed in the inactive reserve.

Though generals and admirals may be the public face of this war, it is servicemembers, such as Jason, who fill the ranks of our formations, who carry out our Nation's policy on the deadly streets of Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. They do not complain about the hazardous conditions they face, but go on with the knowledge that this Nation relies on them to fulfill their duty under all conditions. We owe them all a tremendous debt of gratitude for their selfless service.

Jason, I salute your courage and your unending personal sacrifice on behalf of this country. I join your family and friends in wishing you a swift and safe return.

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

Mr. President, I am going to initiate our discussion this morning on this important nomination. My distinguished ranking member, Senator Levin, will soon join me.

I urge all Senators to seek an opportunity, if they so desire, to address this very important nomination not just to the executive branch but, indeed, the Nation and, indeed, the world. All eyes are on this nominating process and this extraordinary candidate who stepped forward to offer his services and the wisdom of our President in finding, selecting, and convincing this outstanding American to, once again, serve the Nation--and, indeed, I think the whole world--in this important post.

I want to acknowledge the fact that yesterday, with the strong support of the distinguished ranking member, Senator Levin, the Armed Services Committee, in I believe a very commendable way and a very thorough way, held extensive hearings on Dr. Gates, with probably close to 60 hours in public and another close to 2 hours or less maybe in executive session. We thoroughly examined and cross-examined this nominee. He exhibited those extraordinary qualities that he has had throughout his public life--candor, patience, clear and concise answers, no equivocation, no effort to dodge any response which he felt would contribute to the Record. I commend this distinguished nominee.

Then I have to say, with a great sense of pride, on behalf of the committee--not myself or Senator Levin but on behalf of the committee-- the vote was unanimous, even though, in the course of that deliberation there were varying opinions of the members of our committee which I respect--those varying opinions on what has happened and what is happening today in Iraq and in Afghanistan and other troubled parts of the world and what our course of action should be for the future.

The committee came together and, I am proud to say, unanimously adopted the recommendations of the chair to have this nomination go forward to the Senate.

It is interesting. One of the strongest proponents in the course of that deliberation was our distinguished and revered colleague, Senator Byrd. He has been a member of the committee for many years. I asked Senator Byrd if he would like to place before the committee the nomination of Robert Gates. He did so. I seconded it and then followed all members of the committee voting ``aye.''

Senator Levin and his staff and all members of the committee--and, indeed, my staff--were very helpful in the preparation of the very important steps that must be taken for this nomination. We didn't cut any corners. We didn't rush. We did what I say was a very competent job, consistent with the finest traditions of the advice-and-consent role which is especially entrusted to the Senate.

In the brief period since the President announced his intent to nominate Dr. Gates on November 8, and recognizing the importance of this nomination to our national security, we have worked together to compile a thorough record on which the committee and the full Senate can rely with confidence.

Doctor Gates has a long and distinguished record of accomplishments and service to his community and to the Nation. He completed his undergraduate studies at the College of William & Mary in the Commonwealth of Virginia, receiving the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, which is awarded to graduating seniors who have distinguished themselves in service to others and to the community.

He then went on to receive a master's degree in history from Indiana University in 1966, and later, a Ph.D. in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University in 1974. I would like to note that in recent years Dr. Gates, among various distinguished academic posts, served as a trustee of the endowment fund for the College of William and Mary, which in 1998 conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

Doctor Gates joined the CIA in 1966, but he served on active duty in the Air Force from 1967 through 1969 assigned to the Strategic Air Command. He rejoined the CIA upon his release from active duty and spent over 26 years as an intelligence professional, including a period of nearly 9 years assigned to the National Security Council.

Doctor Gates served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989, and, subsequently, as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser from January 20, 1989 until November 6, 1991, for President George H. W. Bush. Dr. Gates was nominated by President George H. W. Bush, to be the 15th Director of the CIA in June 1991. Dr. Gates is the only person who has ever risen from the ranks to become the Director of Central Intelligence.

Doctor Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal on two occasions, and three times received the CIA's highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.

In September and October 1991, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence under the leadership of Senator David Boren conducted hearings on Dr. Gates's nomination to be the Director of Central Intelligence. The Committee on Intelligence took the testimony of some 21 witnesses, compiled a record of over 2,500 pages of testimony, and favorably reported Dr. Gate's nomination to the full Senate.

During the Senate floor debate on Dr. Gates' nomination, on November 4, 1991, I complimented Senator Boren on the thoroughness of his committee's work.

I stated, at that time, I had the privilege--and Dr. Gates was very thoughtful yesterday to indicate that--to introduce him to the Intelligence Committee for that hearing. In the context of that introduction and then on the floor of the Senate, this paragraph summarizes my own personal views of this extraordinary nominee.

I said:

Bob Gates is a very thoughtful man, an honest man, an

experienced official, a good analyst, a non-nonsense manager,

and a man with a vision of the future direction of the role

of U.S. intelligence.

I reiterate those comments in the context of this nomination again today.

On November 5, 1991, Dr. Gates was confirmed by the Senate

and served with distinction throughout the remainder of

former President Bush's term.

Yesterday, at our hearing on this nomination, Senator Boren

and our former leader, Senator Robert Dole, testified in

support of Dr. Gates's nomination and urged a new spirit of

bipartisanship as we wrestle with the problems of national

security we, as a Nation, face today.

I ask unanimous consent that Senator Boren's statement and such statement as we hopefully will get from Senator Dole be printed in the Record following my remarks.

Mr. President, I will quote Senator Boren's remarks of yesterday. Senator Boren stated:

During the 6 years that I chaired the Senate Intelligence

Committee, I watched Dr. Gates effectively work to build a

consensus on sensitive issues.

Democrats and Republicans had equal seats at the table. During these 6 years, in no small part because of his bipartisanship spirit and his respect for the oversight and policymaking role of Congress, our committee had only a tiny handful of rollcall votes and none of them was close. We simply worked with each other and with the executive branch, often represented by Dr. Gates, until a consensus was reached.

I believe I am the only current Member of the Senate who was a member of that committee at that time. All have retired from this institution. I remember those days quite well. It was a warming experience to see yesterday. I know full well he won the hearts and minds of all. He is noted for his ability to cross the aisle and work out consensus opinions, reach decisions which are always, in his judgment and the judgment of others, in the best interests of our country. This demonstrates Dr. Gates' qualification for the position of Secretary of Defense. It gives us a clear indication of how he will lead.

I ask unanimous consent to have printed a letter in support of the nomination received from a former chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, with whom I was ranking member for many years, the Honorable Sam Nunn of Georgia.

Since leaving the CIA in 1993, Dr. Gates served in a variety of academic capacities and as the interim dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University from 1999 to 2001. On August 1, 2002, he became the 22nd president of Texas A&M, the Nation's seventh largest university.

He referred to his work with that university with a great deal of compassion and sentiment yesterday. He said in a very respectful way that it is going to be difficult to leave that university, but he felt the call of the Nation, the call of the President, had to take priority.

At the hearing yesterday, Dr. Gates was questioned about his past service, about his reasons for returning to Government, and about his views on Iraq, Iran, North Korea, and the tremendous challenges that face the United States today. He acquitted himself remarkably well.

Senator Levin and I have been here together for 28 years. My good friend, who will soon follow me, would agree it was one of the more extraordinary nomination hearings we have had in the many years we have served on the Committee on Armed Services, and he was given to unanimous support of each and every member attending that hearing yesterday. I think we had 100-percent attendance except a member attending a funeral.

I commend the President on his decision to nominate Dr. Gates. I am confident he will, indeed, be absolutely fearless in providing expert advice, professional advice, his own innermost personal feelings about the complex issues that face our Nation and, indeed, the world.

For his fellow Cabinet members and to the Congress, he will be an extraordinary new addition, subject to the confirmation of this Senate, to our illustrious role of public servants.

I have served under three Secretaries of Defense when I was privileged to be Secretary of the Navy. Together with Carl Levin, we have worked with nine other Secretaries of Defense since that period of time we have been in the Senate.

I conclude on another note which I think is very meaningful. Senator Levin and I met with the Iraq Survey Group this morning. I mention that because this volume represents their report. Five very able Republicans, five very able Democrats, drawn from the private sector, now all in the private sector, most all of whom have distinguished public service careers of varying types--it is all a matter of public record--worked on this report as a contribution to the security of this country.

I had a small role with Frank Wolf and others in helping get the Iraq Survey Group constituted and launched.

They did a very fine job for America, indeed, the free world, in reaching a consensus, in reaching a unanimous opinion on a series of issues.

The debate on Iraq, the debate on Afghanistan, the debate on our security matters should always reign in this Chamber with voices which have different views. How well we know the difficulty, particularly in this most controversial war, the difficulty of reaching a consensus.

I am proud to say our committee--which has among its members a strong diversity of viewpoints about the conflicts for which our men and women of the Armed Forces are courageously carrying the torch for freedom-- reached a consensus, unanimously supporting Bob Gates.

I mention those two important chapters--temporary chapters--in the history of this institution because I fervently believe we must try and work in the Congress with the President to reach a consensus on the way ahead in Iraq. All have to give up a little bit of some of our fixed views which we have tenaciously held for these years of this conflict, a conflict now that has gone on longer than World War II. In the spirit of trying to reach that consensus, we owe that obligation to the men and women in the Armed Forces who have given so much, who have lost life and limb, who today are on the front lines--whether in Iraq or Afghanistan.

That is why, throughout this nomination process, I have stressed the need to try to reach a consensus. The nominee himself likewise mentioned he hopes to work with a mandate from the Congress and the President which is derived in a bipartisan way, a consensus opinion.

As I look upon the current situation, we have now the Iraq Study Group Report. The President, very wisely, some 2 months ago, directed every person in his administration who has some responsibility in their portfolios with regard to national security, and most specifically the implementation of our Armed Forces overseas and our foreign policy, to sit down and search their minds to come up with ideas and concepts as to how this Nation must move forward in the weeks and the months to come in Iraq--move forward in such a way that we can achieve a stable government, a government in Iraq that can provide the security for its Nation, a quality of life for its people, and a nation that, hopefully, will join other nations in the free world as a strong working ally in the war against terrorism.

This is the first chapter. The next chapter will be the report, presumably within the executive branch.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs--I spoke with him by phone this morning--is working among his peer group and particularly those combatant officers and men who have served in Iraq, served in Afghanistan, to draw together their views. His work will not necessarily be completed in a finite report. To the contrary, his work must go on every day, every week, to make assessments from the battlefields, make assessments internally from the men and women in uniform, and perhaps some of the counterparts and the civilians who worked so closely with our men and women in the Department of Defense throughout the world.

He will be making a contribution to the President as our President works through deliberations that, no doubt, were comparable to decisions Lincoln had to make in that critical period he served as President.

I remember being with our President in his office quietly one day. I believe it was Memorial Day a year ago. When he pointed to Lincoln, he said he often reflects on the pressures that were upon that great President and how he guided this Nation such that we are the United States, all 50 States of America today are one solid, surviving, strong Republic. Also, as Ben Franklin said when he emerged from the Constitutional Convention and was asked, what did they do at the Constitutional Convention of 1789? He wiped his brow and said, we have given you a republic, if you can keep it.

Part of keeping that Republic is keeping faith in the men and women of our Armed Forces as we ask them to take on these burdens. Therefore, it is my hope that after our distinguished President studies carefully the contributions of the Iraq group, of his own internal assessment, indeed, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that he will come to his own conclusions. But before he makes them public, I hope he consults in a bipartisan way with the leadership of this institution in a private forum and then thereafter at the time of his own selection in an announcement to the public.

In that way I hope we can have a consensus, we can show our bipartisanship in strength. We keep our commitment to the men and women of the Armed Forces that this Government, this executive branch, can work as a team on their behalf as we ask them to take the enormous risks of carrying the torch of freedom wherever they are in the world.

Exhibit 1

Statement of David L. Boren, President, the University of Oklahoma, Former U.S. Senator (Oklahoma), Before the U.S. Senate Armed Services

Committee, December 5, 2006

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, thank you for

allowing me the privilege of joining with my colleague

Senator Bob Dole to formally present Dr. Robert M. Gates, the

President's nominee for Secretary of Defense. I sincerely

believe that at this critical moment, Dr. Gates is the best

possible choice for this position.

In my entire adult lifetime, our country has never been

faced with more dangerous challenges. With only 6% of the

world's population, we face economic growth in other nations

and regions which are likely to bring them into economic

parity with the United States in a relatively short time and

military parity as well if they decide to use their resources

for that purpose. We are militarily spread thin in areas of

the world where serious threats exist, and there are no easy

options for extracting ourselves from our military

involvement in Iraq.

At the end of WorId War II and the beginning of the Cold

War, we also faced threats that could have overwhelmed us.

How we responded then provides us with an excellent guide for

the present.

First, we brought together people of exceptional talent,

like Bob Gates, to serve us without regard to political party

affiliation.

Second, leaders like President Truman, a Democrat, and

Senator Vandenburg, a Republican, adopted a truly bipartisan

blueprint that provided us with a consistent policy for over

40 years without regard to which party controlled the White

House or the Congress.

Third, we did not bear all the burdens of leadership by

ourselves. We formed strong alliances and partnerships based

upon mutual respect. We struck the right balance between

diplomacy, dialogue, and military strength. We made sure that

we were always strong enough to act alone if we had to do so,

but we were wise enough to avoid that situation.

We must do exactly the same thing now. Partisan

polarization, if allowed to continue, will destroy our

economic, military, social and moral influence in the world

and ultimately the fabric of our country.

During his 26 years of service at the Central Intelligence

Agency and at the National Security Council, Bob Gates

demonstrated his sincere commitment to bipartisanship. He

served as Deputy Director and Director of the C.I.A. under

Republican presidents with Democratic majorities in both

houses of Congress.

During the six years that I chaired the Senate Intelligence

Committee, I watched him effectively work to build a

consensus on sensitive issues. Democrats and Republicans had

equal seats at the table. During these six years, in no small

part because of his bipartisan spirit and his respect for the

oversight and policy making role of Congress, our committee

had only a tiny handful of roll call votes and none of them

was close. We simply worked with each other and with the

Executive Branch often represented by Dr. Gates until a

consensus was reached.

I came to respect Bob Gates as a realist who faced up to

the facts and adjusted to changing situations. He rejected

inflexible ideological positions and worked hard to fashion

practical solutions. We badly need those qualities right now.

More recently, as a fellow university president, I have

watched with admiration his leadership n bringing faculty

members, students and alumni together to increase the

strength and diversity of Texas A&M where he serves as

president.

Bob Gates knows how to lead large and complex

organizations. He will hit the ground running as Secretary of

Defense at a moment when we have no time to waste.

I am here today not only because I believe that Bob Gates

has exceptional ability, but also because I have confidence

in his personal integrity and his sincere desire to serve our

country.

It was my responsibility to chair the hearings which

resulted in his confirmation to serve as Director of the

Central Intelligence Agency. His nomination came to our

committee on June 24, 1991. Our scrutiny of this nominee was

not completed until October 18th of that year. All questions

which were raised, even those of doubtful credibility were

vigorously pursued.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I am deeply touched by my colleague's comments. We have stood toe to toe on this floor. How many times have we walked right out here and looked each other in the eye, and sometimes with a great deal of ferocity disagreed on matters? But I suppose if you ever asked Members of the Senate what their greatest reward for service in the Senate would be, certainly high among those rewards is the personal association with Members.

I have calculated, I say to the Senator, in the time we have been here these 28 years there have been 241 different Senators we have come to know and shared the work of this great institution. We have shared it with them. But you have been very special, a good friend. We do not always agree, but that is all right. That is one of the foundations of this country. But I do hope perhaps together we can work on forging this consensus which I feel so strongly about, and you feel so strongly about, because this is one of the most unusual chapters of the history of America.

I say to the Senator, you mentioned my association with the men and women of the Armed Forces. I was privileged to serve as a 17- or 18- year-old sailor in the last year of World War II and later in the Marines during the Korean conflict. I mention that only because my military active duty is of no great consequence. I just did what millions of others have done--no great valorous contribution, but I did my duty. But I got to know those people and what it is that inspires a young person to volunteer.

Then my work as Secretary of the Navy in the final years of that turbulent period in Vietnam, we emerged with the All-Volunteer Force, which is

the most extraordinary military force in the world today. Nothing comparable.

If you look back in military history, there used to be not only conscripts, but they used to go out and lock them up. It is noted in the Navy, they would go back and hijack innocent civilians and put them onboard ships, and the Navy would keep them there for 2 years. They never got off the ships. But today we have this All-Volunteer Force. And decisions in the military are made around the dinner table--we say, the families--and therefore they are a vital part of it.

So I am so proud to work with you and the members of the committee. And I say to the Senator, you are going to do a fine job as chairman. You had that briefly for a while, and now you have it again. We are there to support you in your capacity as chairman and do everything we can.

I hope one of the earliest challenges out of the box, as we say, in January 2007--just weeks away, surprisingly--will be that we can work on a consensus in the supporting of our President and supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces as we chart the future direction for Iraq and other conflicts.

I mentioned the report of the Baker commission, I say to Senator Levin. I am just looking through it. We were both in there this morning. But they said the following on the first page:

Our country deserves a debate that prizes substance over

rhetoric, and a policy that is adequately funded and

sustainable. The President and Congress must work together.

Our leaders must be candid and forthright with the American

people in order to win their support.

The reason I urged the President to come and visit privately with the leadership of the Congress before his final decisions was a reflection of the mandate of the people in this most recent election. I believe they spoke very loudly. This war was heavily influencing the judgment they made when they went to those polling places.

This report stresses the need for that public support. The young men and women who go out and take these burdens on want to feel that every American citizen is behind them as they perform their duties.

Further, this report says, on the next page:

What we recommend in this report demands a tremendous

amount of political will and cooperation by the executive and

legislative branches of the U.S. Government.

It demands skillful implementation. It demands unity of

effort by government agencies, and its success depends on the

unity of the American people in a time of political

polarization. Americans can and must enjoy the right of

robust debate within a democracy. Yet, U.S. foreign policy is

doomed to fail--as is any course of action in Iraq--if it is

not supported by a broad, sustained consensus. The aim of our

report is to move our country toward such a consensus.

We have had two chapters. We have had this and the vote of the committee yesterday. I do not wish to predict the vote that will take place, but in my heart of hearts, I think there will be a strong consensus when, hopefully, the vote on Mr. Gates is taken in the Senate.

I thank my colleague for his strong effort to make all of this possible.

I believe our colleague from Texas wishes to address the Senate.

Madam President, from the depth of my heart, I express my appreciation to the Senator and others who have reflected those sentiments.

Madam President, I thank our colleague for his distinguished participation on our committee for these many years. He was with us all day yesterday in regard to the hearing. The Senator's questions were very pointed. I am delighted to hear of his support.

At this time, I think the Senator from Texas is ready.

Absolutely. Now would be the time to do it.

I wish to inquire of the Presiding Officer, is there not an order to stand in recess at 12:30?

I hope at that time we can make a unanimous consent to take such time as the Senator needs.

Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I say to our distinguished colleague from Colorado that I had the privilege of being with the distinguished ranking member, Senator Levin, Senator Biden, Senator Lugar, Senator Lieberman--a group of us at the White House--Senator Rockefeller, Senator Roberts, counseling with the President on these various issues. It was an extraordinary meeting. I have had the privilege throughout my 28 years in the Senate to be in that Cabinet Room many times, but this was a very historic moment. The President listened very carefully to the perspectives and views of Members of the Senate, and we had an equal number from the House of Representatives. I am encouraged for the future. I am looking forward to our President assessing all of the options related to Iraq. I commended the Baker-Hamilton report during the course of our meeting. We talked about his interim study. We talked about the Pentagon input and the input of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. I am optimistic that our President is going to carefully consider all options. But we must wait and see as he, under the Constitution, has to make that final decision with regard to such changes that we may have in our policy.

I thank the Senator.

Mr. President, I have to say that I think, colleagues, we must maintain the 5 o'clock voting time. A lot of Senators rearranged their schedule. I was unaware because I happened to be away from the floor.

I yield the floor. I thank the courtesy of the Chair.

Mr. President, I see no other Senators seeking recognition, so I think we may as well--the standing order is the vote begins at 5 o'clock?

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

I thank the Presiding Officer.

Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. President, at this time, I congratulate and express my gratitude to the extraordinary staff of the Armed Services Committee. My distinguished colleague, the senior Senator from Michigan, and I have been together 28 years on this committee and have worked with this staff, almost all of them, throughout my 6-year tenure and many prior thereto when Senator Levin was chairman of the committee.

I want today's Record to reflect our appreciation and that of many Members of this Chamber who worked with the distinguished staff. I ask unanimous consent to print in the Record the chronological history of that staff, who were of great assistance to Senator Levin and me as we prepared for this important nomination and held the hearing yesterday.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay special tribute to GEN James Logan Jones, USMC, who is concluding his extraordinary career in the Marine Corps with his retirement as Commander, United States European Command and as the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO.

For 5 decades, Jim Jones and his family have faithfully served our Nation in peace and war. From 1965, when he led a platoon in the jungles of Vietnam, to 1999, when he became the 32nd Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and subsequently led the Corps through 9/11 and the ensuing, turbulent years of the global war on terrorism, to the present day as he ensures that NATO--the world's preeminent security alliance--is ready for the 21st century, Jim Jones is the embodiment of what a modern American military leader should be--warrior, statesman, visionary.

My long association with General Jones began in 1972 when I was privileged to take the oath of office as Secretary of the Navy at the historic Marine Barracks in our Nation's Capital. Years before, in the winter of 1951 to 1952, I served in Korea, as a young Marine Corps ground officer with the 1st Marine Air Wing. That modest service, coupled with many years of reserve duty thereafter, prompted me to select the Marine Barracks when I became the first Secretary in history to be sworn in on those grounds. Ten years later, I learned that one of the Marine captains who commanded a company of marines that marched at the ceremony that day was CPT Jim Jones. Years later, we were reunited when he was specially selected to come to the Senate to serve as a Marine Corps liaison officer. Our first trip, with Senator John Tower, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee in the early 1980s, was to go to Lebanon to inspect the tragic site where the U.S. Marine barracks were blown up by suicidal terrorists.

Jim's service in the Corps is a lasting memory for me, and many other Members, to name a few: Senators Hagel, Inouye, Levin, Lugar, McCain, Roberts, Stevens, Burns, and Thomas, because of his professionalism and dedication to the Senate's constitutional obligation ``to raise and support armies,'' and ``to provide and maintain a navy.''

As the years passed on, I have observed with great admiration as Jim Jones applied his talents and abilities to the numerous opportunities and challenges he faced--from Vietnam to the halls of the Pentagon and Senate, to the deserts of the Middle East, to Eastern Europe and Africa. Our Nation has produced such a courageous, skilled and dynamic officer in Jim Jones.

Among his most challenging assignments was his last where he led the most aggressive transformation efforts in NATO's history--including a comprehensive headquarters realignment, developing NATO's global military capabilities, creating the NATO Response Force, bringing new members into NATO's military structure, and embracing the concept and practice of out-of-area missions for NATO. Under his guidance, NATO now has 30,000 troops deployed in locations across the globe and is leading the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

Unlike his predecessors, Jim Jones would travel to any geographic location in his area of responsibility to personally brief traveling Members of Congress--using charts galore.

As a steadfast, life-long supporter of NATO for its unparalleled success in achieving peace through steadfast resolve, I was privileged to watch General Jones provide extraordinary leadership of NATO's military forces as NATO expanded its membership and began to embrace of out-of-area missions. I share his view that: ``NATO has been, and needs to remain, a great Alliance: great Alliances do great things. It is possible, even probable, that NATO's most important days and most important missions lie ahead in the future.'' Thanks in no small measure to General Jones' contributions, I am confident that NATO is and will be always ready for those challenges.

For the years they have shared with him the burdens and joys of arduous public service, it is also important that we publicly thank his wife Diane, and their children, James, Jennifer, Kevin, and Greg. They, too, have sacrificed much for their country. How proud they are, and we are, that their son Greg is an active duty captain in the Marine Corps today. In keeping with the finest traditions of the Marine Corps throughout its 229-year history, General Jones and his family are grateful for their opportunity to serve, and our Nation is equally grateful for their contributions.

As GEN Jim Jones prepares to ``hang up'' his Marine Corps sword, our Armed Forces, the Congress, and our Nation owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his many years of commitment and service to this country.

General, sir, in the immortal words of the Navy-Marine Corps team, may you have fair winds and following seas as you embark on your next endeavor. Semper Fidelis.