[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16941-S16942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I think it is important that I take just 
a moment to describe something I guess I never thought I would have to 
do, but I suppose it is important to set the record straight.
  Somewhat baffling to me has been a debate over the public airwaves 
and in the press about what actually happened on the way to Israel. Did 
the President come back and talk to the leadership? Did he express his 
desire to work with the Republican leadership in an effort to resolve 
our outstanding differences? Senator Dole, Speaker Gingrich, Minority 
Leader Gephardt, myself, and others were on the airplane. The four of 
us were in a room that allowed us, I think, to safely say we know 
exactly what happened.
  There is a contrast here that is very interesting to me. In my view, 
Senator Dole, our majority leader, has taken the high road in this 
whole debate and has made it very clear that he is not going to become 
involved in it. I applaud him for taking that position. At least, as I 
understand it, that is his position. I have not heard him make any 
public comment on it. Unfortunately, the Speaker, for whatever reason, 
has chosen to make this an issue.
  I can recall at least a half dozen occasions the President, during 
that very brief trip, both coming and going, came back and talked to 
us, expressed a desire to work together to find ways in which to 
resolve our difficulties with the debt limit, with the continuing 
resolution, with reconciliation. He expressed a desire to get together. 
He made the effort to suggest that whenever there was an understanding 
about what the consensus was with regard to the debt limit and the 
continuing resolution, we would be ready to go to work.
  I do not know what else he could have done, frankly. No one has ever 
faulted the President for not being gregarious. He demonstrated that 
quality in spades on his way over and on the way back. I think he could 
probably tell you from memory what books each one of us were reading. 
He checked them all out, asked about them.
  So, Mr. President, I think it is a silly debate. I hope we get it 
behind us. We have much more important things to talk about. But I do 
think it is important to set the record straight for fear that somebody 
out there might have thought that during this entire trip there was no 
dialog, no discussion, no discourse on what we ought to do, no 
opportunities to talk about what we have attempted to do here today.
  There was a great deal of opportunity. And the hallways work both 
ways. I do not recall the Speaker making any effort to go to the head 
of the plane. If he was so concerned, if he wanted to speak with the 
President, I did not see any guard saying the Speaker is not allowed up 
into the front section of the airplane.
  But, again, it is silly. The issue is, can we put aside our 
differences and begin working in a meaningful way to accomplish what we 
know we must against very difficult deadlines?
  So I hope in good faith we can do that. We made an effort at that 
today, and I know we will again on Monday. I know the President cares 
deeply about using every opportunity he has available to him to ensure 
that the dialog is there, the opportunities for discussion are there, 
and the opportunities to resolve these outstanding differences be 
created whenever possible. He did that on the airplane going over. He 
did that on the airplane going back. He will do it again next week. He 
will do it whenever the situation arises.
  With that, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The leader should understand that we are under a unanimous consent 
order to adjourn.
  Mr. DOLE. I ask unanimous-consent that following my statement, we do 
that.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, this Saturday, November 11, America will 
celebrate Veterans Day--the day we set aside to honor the men and women 
who defend our country and preserve our peace and freedom.
  Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day. It was first 
celebrated in 1919, to mark the end of a war that was to have ended all 
wars.
  Two years later, the remains of four unknown American soldiers were 
brought to a town square in a small French town. An American sergeant 
placed a bouquet of white roses on one of the caskets, designating the 
American Unknown Soldier of World War I.
  The casket was brought across the Atlantic, and our Nation laid this 
hero to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921.
  Seventy-four years have now passed since that ceremony, and in that 
time, thanks in part to the efforts of the citizens of Emporia, KS, 
Armistice Day became Veterans Day.
  That change became necessary because, as we all know, the First World 
War did not end all wars. Today, caskets bearing the remains of other 
Unknown Soldiers who fought in World War II, in Korea, and in Vietnam, 
now rest in Arlington alongside countless other American heroes.
  Mr. President, in the early days of World War II, Gen. George 
Marshall 

[[Page S 16942]]
was asked whether or not America had a secret weapon. And the General 
said, ``Just the best darned kids in the world.''
  Those words were true then, and they have remained true throughout 
this century. America has succeeded and democracy and freedom have 
flourished only because the best darned kids in the world were willing 
to risk their life for their country.
  On Saturday, I hope all Americans will pause to remember those who 
stood boldly in harm's way, defending freedom and liberty around the 
world.
  As we remember those who served in the conflicts of yesterday, let us 
not forget the men and women who fill the ranks of our Armed Forces 
today. They share with the veterans of past conflicts the same values 
of duty, courage, and sacrifice.
  Today's All-Volunteer Force--Active and Reserve--stands ready to 
defend our individual freedoms and our national ideals. At the same 
time, they are asked to take on new, additional missions around the 
world. As always, they complete each new mission with professionalism 
and excellence. They give us all reason to be proud.
  Mr. President, veterans know better than anyone else the price of 
freedom, for they have suffered the scars of war. On this Veterans Day, 
we can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won 
for us. That is our duty. They have never let America down. We will not 
let them down.

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