macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to objectand I will not object--I wonder if the distinguished majority leader would care to put all of the requests at one time. certainly those on which this side of the aisle requests 45 minutes. without singling out any one in particular?
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to objectand I shall not object to the requests en blocthe Democratic side of the aisle is prepared to enter into agreements on all the remaining nominees with the exception of Mr. Stockman. and to the extent that 45 minutes be allotted to this side of the aisle under the control of the ranking minority member. if the distinguished majority leaderI am sorry. I misstated myself by a slip of the tongue. I did not mean to make reference to Mr. Stockman. My reference to the lack of any intention to enter into any time agreement on this side with respect to a nominee was with respect to the nomination of the Secretary of Labor.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. if the distinguished majority leader were to add this proviso. that 30 minutes of the time allotted to the Democratic side of the aisle be under the control of Mr. PROXMIRE on each nominee. I have no objection.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. is it the intention of the majority leader to allow Senators to have a few minutes for routine morning business? I have a couple of statements I would like to make at this time.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I thank the distinguished majority leader. I thank him for his remarks with respect to the bit of a part that I played in having the inaugural ceremony conducted on the west side of the Capitol. l S309 I must confess that at that time I clearly had in mind the inauguration of a Democratic President. But. nevertheless. I think we did the right thing in having it on the west side. Mr. President. let me also add my coinmendations to those of the majority leader with respect to the work that Mr. HATFIELD has done and the class. poise. and dignity with which he carried out his responsibility today. I think that all Members of the Senate can be justly proud of Mr. HATFIELD.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. today is a day of hope in our country. Back in November we had our day of partisan contest. The winner of that election becomes much inre thin a victor of his party. le becomes the President of the United States. I congratulate President Ronald Wilson Reagan. I join with my fellow Democrats and with all Americans in wishing him an auspicious beginning. and a successful term of office. More than anyone. the President represent our country. When the President succeeds. so do all of us. Every American has a stake in the strength and the wisdom of our President. That is why today is a day of national hope. The United States has a new leader. and all Americans wish him Godspeed. Back in November and during the campaign there were negative comments about the state of our Nationboth sides criticized our policies and pointed to problems. Now it is time to leave behind the rhetoric of economic disaster and military weakness. Now is the time to look to our strengths. whiexa are ample and enduring. Now is the time to focus on our problems as challenges. with a sense of perspective. and with a sense of purpose. The spirit of this land is proud and resilient. We know that we as a people have an inner strength. and we want to use it for the good of the country. We know that we are prepared to work. to sacrifice. and to better this Nation. We welcome a fresh chapter in our history. The transition from President Carter to President Reagan is one of which we can be proud. There are few nations in the world capable of transferring power by the ballot. In many countries an event such as the one we have celebrated today would be accomplished not by respect for the rule of law and with dignity for both winner and loserbut rather by force of arms and tanks in the streets. We do live in a special country. We have a duty to preserve our system of representative democracy. President Carter had a contract with the American people until today. History will record that he was a President tenaclous for peace. He honored our country by working for the release of the American hostages in Iran right up to the last moment. We are proud of Jimmy Carter for this. Mr. Preaident. President Reagan stands before a nation of rlepubiljans and Democrats. a nation strong by Its ethnic. cultural. economic. and religious diversity. We owe him our support and our cooperation to strengthen America. Today is indeed a day of hope for all Americans.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. in the early days of the Roman Empire the ancient Latin poet Horace offered this advice and counsel: "The man who is tenacious of purpose in a rightful cause." he observed. "is not shaken from his firm resolve by the frenzy of his fellow citizens clamoring for what is wrong. or by the tyrants threatening countenance." I do not know whether President Cartei. Secretary of State Muskie. Deputy Secretary Christopher and others in the Car ter administration were aware of the Latin poets sage observation in their approach to gaining the release of the American hostages in Iran. But. at this juncture. it really does not matter. What does matter is that the hostages are free and they are free because President Carter was. in fact. "tenacious of purpose" and "not shaken from his firm resolve" to win their releaseand to win it in a dignified and honorable manner. The Nation owes President Carter and his advisers a debt of gratitude for their determined and unfailing efforts to bring the hostage ordeal to a successful conclusion. A lesser man. a lesser President could easily have decided to turn his back and slowly walk away. leaving it as a problem for his successor. To his credit. President Carter refused to do so and for that. we can all be thankful. History will so record. And history will also record that this was an issue on which all Americans were united. whether rich or poor. black or white. Democrat or Republican. It was a bipartisan issue and it was approached in just that fashion. Indeed. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the efforts of the incoming President. Mr. Reagan. and his advisers as well. Their efforts were supportive. constructive and forthright. Clearly. then. a lot of people deserve a lot of credit in writing the final act of the hostage drama. Congratulations to all of them. The drama is over and well it should be. With great fondness and affection we look forward to welcoming our fellow citizens home and we rejoice in the happiness of their families and friends. Mr. President. I thank the distinguished majority leader for his courtesy.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. and I will not object. I wonder if the distinguished majority leader will include in his request once he does proceed into executive session. that the first 15 minutes of executive session be allotted to Senator PROXMIRE without the time being charged against any nominee.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. there will be no objection on this side. May I ask the distinguished majority leader a question? I think this should be the point in time when we should have from him his feeling as to the program with respect to today and tomorrow as we take up nominations.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. will the Senator yield to me for the purpose of suggesting the absence of a quorum? Would the Senator wish to proceed first?
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the Senator is entitled to be heard. Those here who do not wish to listen to him should retire to the cloakroom.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the decisions by the Senate today and tomorrow and. if necessary. the next day on the nominees will havp an impact upon the next 4 years of the administration and an impact on the country. It is the constitutional role of the Senate to advise and consent to nominations. I therefore feel that it would be appropriate to suggest the absence of a quorum and make it a live quorum.
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I reserve the right to object. but I shall not. I just want to make sure that the time that is being utilized by the orders propounded by the distinguished majority leader not come out of time that has been allotted to any nomination and the orders aforementioned be as in legislative session. Would that be helpful?
Date: 1981-01-20
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I thank the majority leader. I feel that there should be a live quorum before the Senate proceeds on tomorrow to discuss nonilnations. this being a most important role of the Senate under the Constitution to advise and consent to nominations. and so. therefore. I thank the majority lead.. er. I suggest that the cloakrooms alert Senators that there could very possibly be a rolleall vote in connection with having the Sergeant at Arms instructed to request the attendance of Senators. I am not saying that there will be. but certainly there is always that possibility when a live quorum ensues.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I suggest the absence of a quorum. May I say. this will be a live quorum call. The Senates role to advise and consent is very important. and the Senates action will have an important impact on the history of this country. I believe the RECORD should show that this is a live quorum.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee could not be more gracious. I deeply appreciate what he has said. I have no doubt but that the Foreign Relations Committee. under the leadership of Mr. PERCY and Mr. PELL. Will carefully and thoroughly go into all matters and will be very protective of the prerogatives of the third branch which. in fact. is the first branch. the peoples branch. as it appears first in the Constitution. But I have said what I have said. I have indicated that. regardless of my personal feelings on the nomination. I have no doubt but that it will be overwhelmingly confirmed this afternoon and that I will extend to the utmost my own understanding and cooperation to Mr. Haig as he proceeds in his onerous duties as Secretary of State. That cooperation I owe not only to him but to my country. He shall have it. the President of the United States shall have it. That does not mean we will always agree. but it does mean that I will attempt to. the best I can. serve the best interests of the United States and to work with the Secretary and the President and the majority party in developing and implementing the foreign policy in such a way as to be most beneficial to the United States. I have merely for the record stated my own personal concerns. I have been found wrong before in my judgment. As I indicated this morning. I was found wrong in my perceptions of what the Constitution requires in connection with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I fervently hope I am wrong again. I think that is about all I can say.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I applaud General Haig for asking to be put under oath. I think he should have been put under oath. If I were there at the hearing in his stead. If the committee had not asked me to be put under oath. I would likewise have asked to be under oath. I think it was appropriate that he did it. and I think the committee should have done it. I think General Haig is to be commended for his recognition of that fact.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. in view of my remarks yesterday heralding the release of the American hostages. I welcome the resolution now before the Senate. and I am grateful for the opportunity to join in cosponsoring It. To say that the release of the hostages is a joyous event is to say the obvious. But that is just what it is. and I am very pleased that the Senate speaks forcefully. unequivocally. and officially. Similarly. I am also pleased that the Senate is prepared. by formal resolution. to recognize the tenacity. the determination. and the resoluteness displayed day after day by the U.S. negotiators. Being fully aware of our heightened frustration over the agony of the hostage issue. it is extremelr difficult to imagine the sense of frustration that the negotators themselves confronted on a daily basis. But they overcame their frustration. and they overcame it effectively. And their extraordinary efforts must not go unnoticed. And finally. I am pleased that this resolution recognizes the assistance of the Government of Algeria in helping to secure the release of our hostages. Our relations with Algeria are certainly strengthened by this shared effort. As an Islamic nation. Algeria was in a favorable position to help facilitate productive negotiations. The American people are grateful that Algeria chose to do so. I hope. Mr. President. that this resolution will receive the unanimous support of the Senate.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I wish to ask the majority leader for the information of the Senate. if I may have order in the Senate. what the program will be for the remainder of the day. how many rolleall votes he expects for the remainder of the day. and what the program is for tomorrow and for Friday if he can so state at this time.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. on behalf of Mr. INOUYE I ask unanimous consent that a star print be made for 8. 123.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I send to the desk a resolution which I have cleared with the majority leader and I ask that it be immediately considered.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. if no Senator seeks recognition I will proceed with my statement on the United States Senate. after which. under the order. the Chair will recess the Senate over until tomorrow.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I thank the distinguished majority leader. Mr. President. I take it that no other Senator seeks recognition. If a Senator does seek recognition for the purpose of wishing to make a statement during morning business while I have the floor. I will yield to him for that purpose only.
Date: 1981-01-21
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the offices of Legislative Counsel of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. originally referred to collectively as the Legislative Drafting Service. were created by an Act of Congress approved February 24. 1919. "to assist in drafting public bills and resolutions or amendments thereto on the request of any committee of either House of the Congress" (40 Stat. 1141). The establishment of the service as an agency of the Congress followed a twoyear demonstration. to committees of the Congress. of the value of specially trained legislative draftsmen in formulating technically effective legislative measures. The demonstration was conducted through the services of a skilled draftsman. Middleton Beaman. furnished by the Legislative Drafting Research Fund of Columbia University (29 Col. L. Rev. 379. 385386). The Act of February 24. 1919. provided for the appointment of two draftsmen "without reference to political affiliations and solely on the ground of fitness to perform the duties of the office" (40 Stat. 1141). One was to be appointed by the President of the Senate. and one by the Speaker of the House. The men first appointed to those positions were Thomas I. Parkinson. in the Senate. and Mr. Beaman in the House. Both previously had been engaged with Professor Joseph P. Chamberlain of Columbia University in research to develop improved techniques in the drafting of statutes (29 Col. L. Rev. 381).
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: WILLIAM J. COYNE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. on January 17. 1981. the Pittsburgh City Council adopted resolution No. 34. which calls upoin the Congress of the United States to designate the birthdate of the Reverend Martin Luther King. Jr.. as a national holiday. This resolution. was introduced by the Honorable William Russell Robinson. a member of the city council. Mr. Speaker. as a member of the city council I supported this resolution and I want to include the resolution at this point in the REcoRD:
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the distinguished majority leader has very lucidly laid out the program with respect to the nominations. I should be happy to contact my colleagues on this side of the aisle through the Cloak Room and see if there are any objections to the schedule as proposed by the majority leader and will be getting back to him as soon as I can.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. following the debate on the nomination of Mr. William French Smith to be At. torney General and between that time and the 4:30 p.m. beginning of votes in the event the schedule Is agreed to as proposed by the majorit7 leader. what other nominees. then. would we expect to be debated on and which we would then be prepared to vote on at 4:30 p.m. In sequence?
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Very well. I will have my colleagues on this side of the aisle contacted. and once I can feel that I have an adequate response I will be back in touch with the majority leader.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. In yesterdays RECORD at page 8409. where the Senate proceeded to consider Senate Resolution 28. the resolution relating to the release of the American hostaEes held captive in Iran. my name is not Included In the list of sponsors of the resolution. Not only was I one of the original sponsors of the resolution. but I also addressed the Senate with respect to the hostages when the matter was being considered and I urged the Senate to unanimously support the resolution. My remarks appear on the same page of the RECORD. I ask unanimous consent that the permanent RECoan be corrected to include my name as one of the sponsors of Senate Resolution 28.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. I suggest the abscence of a quorum. and I ask unanimous consent that the time for the quorum not be charged against either side.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. reserving the right to object. as I understand it. the distinguished Senator from Oregon is asking unanimous consent that the resolution be held at the desk pending further disposition today?
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. on behalf of Mr. BIDEN. I suggest the absence of a quorum. It will. of course. be charged against the time of
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. I thank the distinguished majority leader and I thank the distinguished chairman. Madam President. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. .YRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. I am informed by Mr. BIDEN that he has no objection to the request that has been made and that he seeks no more time. Therefore. I again thank the distinguished majority leader and the distinguished chairman of the committee. I yield back any remaining time.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. will the Senator yield for a parliamentary incutiry? I ask that the time not be charged against anybody. Is the Senator from Wisconsin protected in the control of 30 minutes. as. was agreed to in the beginning?
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I hope the Senator will be protected in that because that was part of the original agreement. Of course. when we entered into the agreeiment that the vote would occur at 9:15 It was felt there would be a full hour and that Mr. PROXMIRE would be protected In having his 30 minutes.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I will ask unanimous consent that I may insert my statement in the record. I would ask that the Senator yield the 5 minutes to Mr. PROXMIRE.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I take the floor while we have a good attendance at the moment to ask the maJority leader what the program is for the remainder of the evening and tomorrow and Monday and Tuesday.
Date: 1981-01-22
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

M. President. I send to the desk a resolution and I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. as in legislative session.