Floor Statements

Mr. President, the Senate community is losing a longtime and valued employee. After 18 years of loyal and distinguished service, Marty Berman is retiring from the Senate Recording Studio. Marty played an integral part in the television broadcast of the Senate's proceedings and in helping facilitate the audio and video needs of Senators and their staffs.

His service to his country really started 45 years ago. Marty served faithfully, enlisting twice in a military career that began when he was 17 and lasted 6 years, from 1961 to 1967. Before leaving the military, he was a communications specialist with duty in Vietnam.

Marty brought extensive television experience to his job at SRS. In the private sector he worked at Satellite News Network, CNN, and finally at CBS. His work for Charles Kuralt and ``CBS Sunday Morning'' was nominated for an Emmy. A 13-minute long story he had photographed was aired, which is the television equivalent of a long book.

His career at the recording studio began in 1988 where he quickly came to specialize in audio operations. However, his contributions were not only technical. He also had just the right personal touch with Senators. It isn't always easy to get up in front of TV cameras and lights to speak, even for Senators, but Marty had the ability to put any Senator at ease. When floor directing, he spoke to each Senator easily and with warmth, and they trusted him. He was never intimidated, but he was always respectful.

Marty can be a bit feisty, but his bark is much worse than his bite. To those who have gotten to know him, he is warm and caring, too.

Marty ended where he had started, working the Senate television shift. In 18 years he braved many long days and late nights through the Senate's always unpredictable schedule. Throughout his time at the studio, Marty could always be counted on to be at his post. That included his work as chief STV audio operator where for most days during his shift he started up in the audio booth, assuring that the Senators could always be heard in the Chamber and on television.

Marty is the father of 3 grown children: Tracy, Eric, and Alex. The 3 have been the pride of his life and have become responsible and caring adults. He is also the proud grandfather of two. His marriage to Darlene has brought him much happiness. Both share the same three hobbies: antique collecting, antique collecting, and more antique collecting. Their home is a somewhat cluttered but fascinating museum of American Western and American Indian artifacts, pottery, Big Little Books, and just about anything else you can think of. Last, but not least, there are four others who hold a place in his heart. They are Hoover the yellow lab, Clarence the bassett hound, Crystal, the cat, and Birdie the cockatiel. Birdie likes to lay back and listen to the blues with Marty and Darlene and can even whistle Colonel Bogey's March from ``Bridge on the River Kwai.''

Marty's unique personality, loyalty, and dedication will be missed. We all join to wish Marty the best as he begins this next adventure in his life and know he will enjoy the newfound time for family, friends, pets, and antique collecting.

(for himself and Mr. Reid) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

S. Res. 555

Whereas, the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of

the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

has been conducting an investigation into the use of offshore

tax havens for abusive tax shelters;

Whereas, the Subcommittee has received a number of requests

from law enforcement officials and regulatory agencies, for

access to records of the Subcommittee's investigation;

Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United

States and Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no

evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate

can, by administrative or judicial process, be taken from

such control or possession but by permission of the Senate;

Whereas, when it appears that evidence under the control or

in the possession of the Senate is needed for the promotion

of justice, the Senate will take such action as will promote

the ends of justice consistent with the privileges of the

Senate: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of

the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee

on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, acting

jointly, are authorized to provide to law enforcement

officials, regulatory agencies, and other entities or

individuals duly authorized by federal, state, or foreign

governments, records of the Subcommittee's investigation into

the use of offshore tax havens for abusive tax shelters.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on August 3, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. to receive testimony on Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Global War on Terrorism.

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 Thursday, August 3, 2006, at 10 a.m.

The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony on S. 2589, to enhance the management and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high- level radioactive waste, to ensure protection of public health and safety, to ensure the territorial integrity and security of the repository at Yucca Mountain, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Thursday, August 3, 2006, at 10:30 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hear testimony on ``Kick-Off for Tax Reform: Tackling the Tax Code''.

Mr. President, I ak unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to MEET DURING THE SESSIOn of the Senate on Thursday, August 3, 2006, at 11 a.m. to hold a hearing on nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, August 3, 2006, at

2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing on nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security be authorized to meet on Thursday, August 3, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. for a hearing regarding ``Financial Management at the Department of Defense.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on August 3, 2006, at 10 a.m. to hold a closed briefing.

Mr. President, I am requesting unaimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on National Ocean Policy Study be able to hold a hearing on the State of the Oceans 2006 on August 3, 2006 at 10 a.m.

Mr. President, after a few more moments of gathering papers, in 10 or 15 minutes, we will likely be closing. We are working on some of the final nominations and the nomination process.

Before we leave for the August recess, I will take a moment to reflect on the Senate's tremendous productivity over the last month. We can all be very proud of the progress we made in this Senate over the last 4 weeks. We have had several agenda items.

First, we worked hard to secure our homeland, to secure America's homeland. Specifically, we passed, this month, both the Homeland Security appropriations bill, the spending bill, as well as the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2006 which strengthens the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the so-called

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5, the Senate proceed to executive session and proceed to the immediate consideration of Executive Calendar No. 819, Kimberly Ann Moore, to be U.S. circuit judge, with 1 hour of debate equally divided, to be followed by a vote on confirmation at 5:30 p.m., with no intervening action or debate. Finally, I ask unanimous consent that following that vote the President be immediately notified of the Senate's previous action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 472, S. 3534.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Enzi amendment at the desk be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a 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.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 436, S. 1899.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment at the desk be agreed to, the committee-reported amendment, as amended, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a 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.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 559, S. 2068.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a 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.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3858 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the amendment at the desk be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 540, S. 2694.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendment be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the title amendment be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendment be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 554, which was submitted earlier today.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 555, which was submitted earlier today.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 553, S. Res. 468.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3836, introduced earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a 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.