Floor Statements

Mr. President, I thank our distinguished colleague. He is a very active member of the Armed Services Committee. Indeed, he did make reference to our excellent trip of nine Senators into Iraq, 3 days in country. It was a very important mission, defining exactly what I tried to enumerate in my remarks earlier, our responsibility to the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. I thank the Senator.

Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. President, I rise today to commend the distinguished service and leadership of Colonel David L. Hansen, who has ably served for the past 2 years as the district engineer for the Norfolk District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

COL Hansen will soon assume new responsibilities as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Resource Management at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, VA.

As he moves on to these new challenges, I want to convey my personal appreciation and the gratitude of all Virginians for his many accomplishments, and commitment to fulfilling the mission of the Corps of Engineers to provide superior planning, engineering, construction and conservation of our valuable water resources. In his brief tenure as district engineer, COL Hansen led the Corps in effective disaster response to many communities, particularly the city of Franklin, in helping them rebuild from the devastating flooding of Hurricane Floyd. He led the Corps in proceeding with the modernization of Hampton Roads Harbor with his initiatives that have resulted in the construction of the 50-foot outbound channel so that Virginia remains competitive with the world's leading ports and is ready to serve the next generation of cargo vessels.

COL Hansen's hallmark has been in executing the Corps mission to protect and restore our environmental resources and he leaves us with a solid foundation to build upon in the years

ahead. Through his unwavering determination, Virginians will soon enjoy a free-flowing Rappahannock River for 106 miles from the Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The removal of the Embrey Dam at Fredericksburg has been a project that I am dedicated to completing, and COL Hansen's leadership has ensured that this will begin next February.

The Chesapeake 2000 Agreement renewed the Federal-State partnership to restore and improve the management of the living resources of the Chesapeake Bay. Immediately, COL Hansen took the goals of the agreement and put them into action. A central feature of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement that I am actively involved with is the tenfold increase in native oyster stocks over the next 10 years. To accomplish this, we have pursued an unprecedented effort to build three-dimensional oyster reefs in traditional oyster grounds throughout the bay. COL Hansen has taken up this challenge with unprecedented energy and commitment to coordinate Federal and State policymakers and scientists.

These are just a few examples of COL Hansen's leadership in working with private organizations, State and local governments and other Federal agencies to ensure the Corps responds effectively to natural disasters, water resource development, and environmental initiatives. He embodies the finest traditions of the Corps of Engineers and the principles of public service.

We thank him for his service to our Nation and Virginia, and wish him and his family every success in his new assignment.

Mr. President, I rise today to speak on behalf of the great capabilities that one of the institutions of my State can offer to our Nation in homeland security, and ask my distinguished colleague from Mississippi to consider it as he proceeds through the budget cycle. That institution, the Virginia Military Institute, has for over 163 years provided a unique environment to develop young men and women into citizen-soldiers--leaders with the broad skills necessary to keep America and its values secure regardless of the threats we may face.

In the wake of September 11, 2001, new challenges have arisen for our Nation, not only to our physical well-being but also to the social and moral fabric of our society. As in the past, VMI is responding to help safeguard our country, by preparing civilian, government, and corporate leaders to succeed on the new domestic battlefields of the 21st century. To do so, VMI and the Commonwealth of Virginia are undertaking the establishment of the Center for Preparedness and Homeland Security, which will bring together Federal, State, military, business, and community leaders to undertake research, and develop new policy and response mechanisms to secure our homeland. It will engage in educational curriculum development, training and outreach programs, and national conferences to disseminate policy best-practices as widely as possible. In addition, VMI has already been asked to join one of the handful of distinguished educational institutions compromising the National Domestic

Preparedness Consortium, one of this country's most important assets for training and policy development in the first-responder communities.

Although no additional funding will be available for individual projects through this bill, I have been informed by the Appropriations committee that a new program will be established under the Office of Domestic Preparedness in FY04 for Emergency Training Grants, providing a sum of $60 million in peer-reviewed competitive grants to develop new capabilities for first-responders and disaster planning. I can offhand think of no educational program which would fit more appropriately into this mission area, and I will strongly encourage VMI to apply for a share of this funding. I would also ask my distinguished colleague from Mississippi to look at the valuable contributions VMI can make in this area and give every consideration appropriate to provide an opportunity for this great institution to secure reasonable resources.

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

Mr. President, I am deeply moved this morning, as are Senators all over America today--not only those who are present in the Senate, but so many who have gone on from the Senate to other careers-- about the loss of our distinguished colleague Senator Thurmond. I think it is coincidental, and indeed most fitting, that the Presiding Officer in the Chamber this morning is the son of the distinguished Senator from Rhode Island, Senator John Chafee.

I first met Senator Thurmond when I joined then the Secretary of the Navy, John Chafee, as his principal deputy and in later years to succeed him. Really, our first call was to come to the Senate to meet with Richard Russell, John Stennis, Strom Thurmond, John Tower, and Barry Goldwater. I remember our calls as the brand-new team of the Secretary of the Navy during the height of the war in Vietnam--at least one of the periods of great intensity--was in 1969. Senator Thurmond greeted us in his office in the same way that he greeted me throughout my 25 years in the Senate. Each of those years--except since his retirement in January that I shared with him, as did John Chafee and others--it was a learning experience every day you were with him.

I stop to think of the men and women of the Armed Forces today all across the world, engaged in fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, and guarding the outposts of freedom. They have not lost Strom Thurmond because they have the wealth of the memories of him. I don't know of any class of individual--perhaps other than his immediate family--for whom Senator Thurmond had a deeper or more abiding love and devotion than those in uniform.

This record last night covered briefly his distinguished military career, and I don't doubt others will address that. But we always remember that he was a judge in the State of South Carolina. By virtue of his age at that time--I think right on the brink of 40, give or take a year--he would not have been subjected to the draft. He would not, by virtue of his judicial position, have had to leave that position and go into the Armed Forces--other than by his own free will. He resigned his judicial post to go into the ranks of the U.S. Army, where he served with great distinction, going in on D-Day with the airborne assault divisions, landing, helping those who were wounded--that was his first call--and then marshaling the forces to mount the offensive against the German army, and going through those matters until victory in May of 1945.

When we walked into his office, two things always struck me. One was the portrait that was obviously painted in the period when he was Governor--straight, tall, and erect, eyes that were penetrating, eyes that reflected a tremendous inner confidence and conviction, but eyes that had a soft side, because he did have a soft side. He loved humor. He was very often the object of a lot of humor, including respectfully from this humble Senator. But what a tower of strength. I served with him these many years on the committee as really an aide-de-camp--yes, a fellow Senator, but I was happy to be ``general'' Strom Thurmond's aide-de-camp on many missions--missions that took me abroad on occasions when he was chairman, and missions from which I learned so much at the hand of the great master on the subject of national events. He was unwavering in his steadfast support of Presidents, be they Democrat or Republican, and unwavering in his resolve for the care of the men and women in uniform on active duty, their families, the retirees. And, oh, Mr. President, did he love the National Guard. There wasn't a bill that went through the Armed Services Committee and conference when he wouldn't tug on my shoulder and say let's beef up a little bit for the Guard and Reserve here. Remember, in times of crisis, they are among the first to respond.

That bit of wisdom has proven ever so true. Going back to the Balkans campaign, the Guard was actively engaged at all levels of that campaign. The Air Guard, for example, flew so many of the missions carrying food, medicine, and other supplies to the ravaged civilians and others in Sarajevo. I remember I joined one time in one of those missions. I remember it so well because the plane behind ours was shot down and lost--just to point up the risks that those Air Guard took on those missions.

Now, today, in Operation Iraqi freedom, worldwide against terrorism, once again the Guard and Reserve are in the forefront--a Guard and Reserve that have benefited through the many years of Strom Thurmond being a Senator and receiving a fair allocation of equipment and money, often in competition with the regular forces.

But Strom Thurmond was there with his watchful eye on the Armed Services Committee to ensure that degree of fairness for the Guard and Reserve. He rose to the rank of major general. I mentioned his portrait as you walked in. Then, in a very discreet way, there was a large frame that contained all of his many decorations. He rarely talked about them. As a matter of fact, only after one tried to elicit facts from him would he share facts about the combat of war and what he received in World War II, and the other recognitions by our Government and other governments for his contribution to freedom worldwide.

So I say to my dear friend--really a big brother--I thank him for all he has done for the world, for the Nation, for this humble Senator and, I daresay, many others of my comtemporaries, as we came along in this institution on the learning curve that was often at the hands of Strom Thurmond.

My final thoughts are with his family, his wife and children, all of whom I have known throughout these years, and with whom I have had the privilege so often to be photographed, from little sizes all the way up, as we do through the years with our colleagues. But I know the Presiding Officer's father, were he here today, would join in the most fervent and heartfelt expressions with regard to our comrad, our colleague, our dear friend, Strom Thurmond.

Mr. President, this morning we had another meeting organized by the majority leader, in consultation with the Democratic leader, with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff, General Pace, together with representatives from the intelligence agencies.

This is the third time Secretary Rumsfeld has been to the Senate this week. He has been in close consultation with the Senate during these perilous days for our Armed Forces around the world, and most particularly in Iraq. Our discussions, by necessity, were largely related to classified matters and were behind closed doors.

I do share with my colleagues two thoughts. I sensed by those colleagues--quite of number--who joined us this morning a heartfelt concern for the men and women of the Armed Forces who, around the clock, 7 days, 7 nights, are in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan, most particularly, and we share in the bereavement of their families for those who are lost from time to time.

Steadfast this Nation must remain in its resolve to bring to a conclusion the hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan, such that the peoples of those two countries can themselves create a government free of oppression and persecution to enable them to have a very large measure of freedoms, freedoms we enjoy in the form of democracy, beginning with speech, privacy, and a sense of security in their homes, in their workplaces, and in the nation.

This is a long and courageous struggle worldwide, headed by, if I may say most respectfully, a very strong and courageous President of the United States, George Bush, and those principal deputies and many others right

down to the privates, sailors, airmen, and marines who are making possible this freedom throughout the world.

We will stay the course. We will meet every challenge. We shall not waiver in the mission of this country. I just pray and hope the American people have a complete and full understanding of the risks they are taking and the absolutely essential requirement that this Nation continue its leadership and succeed.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations on today's Executive Calendar: Calendar No. 248, the nomination of LTG John P. Abizaid to be General; and Calendar Nos. 254 through 277, and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, the Army, and the Navy.

I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed, en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate then return to legislative session.

Mr. President, just a day or so ago the Armed Services Committee, as is its responsibility, held a nearly 4-hour hearing on the nomination of General Abizaid, U.S. Army, for appointment to the grade of full general. Within days, a change of command will take place such that he will succeed General Franks as the Commander of the U.S. Central Command. I think General Franks has performed his duties with extraordinary professionalism, courage, and conviction, and his strength of mind and knowledge were an inspiration to all members of the Armed Forces who served in his command throughout the ongoing operations in Afghanistan and the ongoing operations in Iraq.

I have come to know General Franks quite well. He is a lovely individual--he has his soft side--a marvelous husband, and he has a wife who has given him enormous support throughout his long and distinguished career in the Army.

We are fortunate now to have an individual whom General Franks encouraged the President and the Secretary of Defense to have succeed him, and that is General Abizaid.

General Abizaid will have as his responsibility the Central Command which extends from Africa right up to the European sector where it abuts with General Jones's role as the Chief of U.S. Forces in that area. He served as General Franks's principal deputy in the planning and execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The committee, in the course of the hearings, was very complimentary of both General Franks and General Abizaid and their staff and particularly the men and women in the Armed Forces who executed their plans, especially in the historic, stunning, 17-day advance to Baghdad that led to the overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime.

We all recognized throughout that hearing, as we did this morning in our briefings with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and GEN Peter Pace, that this operation is continuing in terms of the risks to the men and women in the Armed Forces every hour of the day. They are courageously facing those risks, and we must stay the course in this situation.

General Abizaid, throughout his hearing, repeatedly said he is prepared to pick up the responsibilities of General Franks and stay that course and bring, from the military perspective, the fastest possible conclusion to the hostilities, such that Ambassador Bremer, working in parallel with CENTCOM, can reestablish a form of government under the control of the Iraqi people, and to bring to the Iraqi people the basic necessities of life, be it electricity, sewage, or otherwise.

Now, the most challenging phase of the military operation, as we said in the course of the hearings, really once the major combat was secured, was finally bringing the situation under control to provide a sense of security throughout Iraq, and that is being done. We are making progress.

He assured us that progress is being made and that he has the experience to carry it forward with his long distinguished career in the Army. He has been a part of the Central Command officer corps on four occasions in his career. So he does have extraordinary background, a unique background, to take on this responsible post.

He was joined by his lovely wife Kathleen in the course of the confirmation proceedings. He was so respectful to his wife, which the record reflects. They have three children, all of whom are of adult age now, who are actively working one way or another in the cause of freedom in various parts of the world.

He also brings experience with regard to joint duty, joint responsibilities. That means the combined efforts of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, and such other areas of military participation.

I want to pay tribute to the civilians in the Department of Defense. They, too, are present throughout Iraq and accepting a very high level of risk in supporting the troops in their missions.

His prior assignments were as Director of the Joint Staff, Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J-5, on the Joint Staff, and a participant in joint operations in Kosovo and Bosnia, and in northern Iraq following Operation Desert Storm. He was integral in that situation. All of this eminently qualifies him for the challenges of commanding general of the U.S. Central Command.

He brings a unique perspective to this post. He is truly an expert and a student in this region. He is currently serving his fifth tour of duty in the Middle East. He is fluent in Arabic and has a proud--and I underline this, a proud--family heritage closely tied to the cultures of this region of the world.

He is the son of a man who served this Nation as an enlisted man in the U.S. Navy in World War II. So he comes from a family with longstanding service to this Nation.

I had the joy of talking with his wife, and we reminisced about how her father was a medical doctor, serving in the combat zones of France in World War I, as did my father serve as a doctor in the Fifth Division in the trenches in France in World War I.

That concludes my remarks with regard to General Abizaid. I am pleased this morning that the Senate has confirmed him and we will shortly notify the President.

Nomination of Mark E. Ferguson III

Mr. President, I acknowledge that, as a body, we have just promoted Captain of the U.S. Navy Mark Ferguson to the rank of admiral. He will receive that promotion in due course. I hope to be present.

Many Senators know Mark Ferguson. Perhaps their first recollection of him as a young officer is he was an aide-de-camp to the NATO Supreme Allied Commander. In that capacity, he made many visits to the offices of Senators, and on the occasions when General Clark was hosting congressional delegations in the NATO command area, this wonderful naval officer was integral in making the arrangements. He is a marvelous family man, what we call a black-shoe naval officer, which means he is proud of the shoes he has worn on the decks of all types of surface vessels throughout his career. He is a sailor's sailor and brings to this new post a marvelous background of achievement. We wish him and his family well in his new post as a young frocked admiral, which will take place during the course of this summer.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that on Tuesday, July 8, the time determined by the majority leader, after consultation with the Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of Calendar No. 227, the nomination of David Campbell to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Arizona, provided that the Senate then proceed to a vote on the confirmation of the nomination with no intervening action or debate. I further ask consent that following the vote, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time determined by the majority leader, after consultation with the Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of Calendar No. 88, the nomination of Victor Wolski to be a judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Further, I ask that the same order apply to Calendar No. 132, the nomination of Bruce Kasold to be a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Mr. President, I understand that S. 11 is at the desk and is due for its second reading.

On behalf of the majority leader, I object to further proceedings on the measure.

That would be under rule 14?

Now, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period for morning business to be determined by the leadership. It is hoped during that period of time that Senators can make themselves available to speak with respect on our late colleague Senator Strom Thurmond.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I report favorably the following nomination list which was printed in the Record on the date indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that this nomination lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. President, I come to the floor this morning to pay tribute to a very talented, kind and generous member of our Senate family, Janine Johnson. Sadly, at the far too young age of 37, Janine passed away. For the past 13 years, Janine served as Assistant Counsel in the Senate's Office of Legislative Counsel. Some of us were privileged to work with her directly and benefit from her skill and keen intellect.

While many of us over the years have recognized the well-deserved contributions of our staff in our personal offices or on committees, we all know that we depend highly on the exceptional professional judgment and tireless efforts of the staff in the Senate Legislative Counsel's office. While Janine did not work for an individual Senator or Committee, it is without question that Janine was devoted to the institution of the Senate, skilled in the intricacies of the law, and served the Senate with distinction.

Janine was the primary Legislative Counsel for many issues under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Environment and Public Works. It was during my tenure as Chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee that my staff and I were privileged to work with Janine. She was our counsel for the development of the National Highway System Act of 1995, and later on the landmark Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, commonly referred to as TEA-21. Also, during my chairmanship, Janine guided us on the development of several Water Resource Development Acts, that were enacted on a biennial cycle.

It was during those long days and weeks in working in committee, on the Senate floor and later in conference on TEA-21 that we witnessed the exceptional skill, thoroughness and professionalism that Janine brought to every issue. The surface transportation bill expired in the fall of 1997. The Congress passed a 6-month extension bill and we came back in early 1998 to renew our efforts on a full 6-year reauthorization bill. Janine was there with the committee every step of the way.

The staff recollections of Janine's contributions to the development of TEA-21 are unmistakable. I hear of her deep commitment to the law, to turning vague concepts into statute, and faithfully executing the views of the committee and Senator's agreements on complex policy issues. Most importantly, I hear staff use heartfelt words

to describe Janine's grace, her delicate nature, her respect for her colleagues, her genuine kindness, and her commitment to the work at hand. I'm told that on many occasions when staff completed work for the night, usually past midnight, and left sections for Janine to draft that often her work was on their desks by 9:00 the next morning. She was always willing to stay long past when the Metro closed, as long as she had a ride home.

We, in the committee, relied heavily on Janine's legal abilities, her legislative drafting precision and we were fortunate to have her as a star on our team--although for far too short a time.

Janine's academic achievements are superior, graduating with high honors from Harvard Law School in 1986 and then clerking for the Honorable Cecil Poole on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. With her exceptional qualifications, I'm confident that she would have been successful in any career path she chose. Fortunately, for us, she came to the Senate and for 13 years we have all been more successful because of her.

The poet Albert Pike has said:

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we

have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

Janine has certainly touched many of us in lasting ways. The Senate is grateful for her service and we share our condolences with her friends and family.

Will the Senator yield?

I thank the Senator. Let me just say that I associate myself with the remarks of Senator Allen. Three years ago, during debate over this same bill, I stood on the floor of the Senate and fought this battle. I hope that we are not doing this again a few years down the road. I understand that despite the best efforts of counterparts in the House, Congressmen Wolf, Davis, Moran and Delegate Norton, the House of Representatives has unfortunately approved an FAA reauthorization bill that would increase flights at Reagan National by 12 slots beyond the perimeter and 8 slots within the perimeter. I thank my colleague from Virginia and join him in agreeing to work with the Commerce Committee chairman and ranking member to see that this issue is resolved once and for all at Reagan National Airport. I yield back to my friend from Virginia.

Mr President, I rise today to express my concern about the horrific violence which has erupted over the past few days in the Middle East. The world is distressed to see the images on T.V. of today's suicide bombing in Jerusalem and the attacks in Gaza. Condolences are extended to all of those who continue to pay the price of this intolerable seemingly uncontrollable cycle of violence in the Middle East.

This human suffering must be brought to an end. Once again I take the floor of the Senate to call on both sides both Israel and the Palestinians to take the initiative to invite NATO forces to undertake a peacekeeping role and to help provide a measure of stability needed to allow the ``road map'' process to maintain a momentum forward.

President Bush is to be commended for his personal commitment to bring the Israelis and the Palestinians together on a path toward peace. Last week, President Bush, joining with world leaders, gave new impetus to the Middle East peace process. He met with the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers at Aqaba, Jordan, where these two leaders agreed to begin to implement the early steps of the ``road map'' to peace.

In Aqaba, both sides agreed to a step-by-step process whereby each takes positive steps and makes some concessions to achieve the stated goal of an Israeli and a Palestinian state, living side-by-side in peace.

Unfortunately, there are third parties, such as Hamas and other radical groups, that are making every effort to continue the violence and disrupt the path to peace. These groups must not be permitted to hijack the peace process.

How can others help the Palestinian leadership gain control of the security situation on its side?

The Israeli and Palestinian leaders should be urged first to fulfill their commitments to establish and help to enforce a cease-fire; and, second, to ask the North Atlantic Council to consider sending a peacekeeping contingent as soon as practical.

I have spoken before on this subject here on the Senate floor, and have written to President Bush, about my idea concerning how NATO might play a useful role in the quest for Middle East peace. I ask that my letter to President Bush and his reply be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I spoke today with the press about the idea that NATO, if requested, might provide a peacekeeping force to support a cease-fire previously agreed to by the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. NATO peacekeepers would have to be invited by both governments, and in no way should be viewed as a challenge to either side's sovereignty. The acceptance of this offer would have to be coupled with a commitment by Israel and the Palestinian Authority to cooperate in every way possible to permit the peacekeeping mission to succeed.

I fully recognize that this would not be a risk-free operation for the participating NATO forces, some of which could be American. But I nonetheless believe that the offer of peacekeepers from NATO would have many benefits.

First, it would demonstrate a strong international commitment to peace in the Middle East. By their presence, NATO peacekeepers might give hope to people on both sides that violence will be curtailed.

Second, it would offer the prospect of a peacekeeping force that is ready to go, today. It is highly capable, rapidly deployable, and has a proven record of success with peacekeeping in the Balkans.

Third, a NATO peacekeeping force is likely to be acceptable to both parties, given the traditional European associations with the Palestinian people and the traditional United States associations with the people of Israel.

Fourth, it would be a worthy post-Cold War mission for NATO in a region where NATO member countries have legitimate national security interests. In 1999, NATO adopted a new Strategic

Concept that envisioned NATO operations, including peacekeeping operations, taking place outside of Europe.

There will be many detractors to the idea of sending NATO peacekeepers to the Middle East to help implement a cease-fire. There is, I acknowledge, a historical record of outside forces being unsuccessful in security mission in this area. But I invite the debate, first and foremost among the NATO members themselves.

I think we can all agree on the imperative of redoubling our efforts to keep Israel and the Palestinians moving on the road to peace, and of offering an alternative that may break the tragic cycle of violence. This is the responsibility not only of the United States, but indeed, of the entire international community.

Progress on Middle East peace would help us to continue the gains we have made in Iraq to spread peace in the Middle East and to address the underlying causes that have given rise to terrorist groups like al- Qaeda.