[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11824-S11825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        STILL TIME TO PASS BILLS

  Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, as we can all see from the conversation 
that has been going on here for the last hour, we still have additional 
business pending before the Senate. We certainly must pass the FAA 
bill, and I am hopeful we can do so, while resolving the one 
controversial area that remains. We heard the Senator from Alaska, 
Senator Stevens, say the House is out of session, implying that they 
couldn't act if the legislation was stripped of the controversial 
piece. We heard the Senator from Illinois say, ``Untrue, the House is 
still there, they

[[Page S11825]]

could take action.'' We need to find out the truth, we need to find out 
the answer, and we need to move forward.
  Madam President, we have a wonderful opportunity yet remaining in the 
waning hours to pass the Presidio parks bill. After much dedicated work 
on both sides of the aisle over in the House and with the 
administration on Friday and Saturday, the House passed a Presidio 
parks bill with many important parts for this country in it. There is 
only one body that has to act on this bill, and that is the U.S. 
Senate. If we can all agree, we can pass, by unanimous consent, this 
Presidio parks bill.
  As I understand it, it includes many wonderful projects all over this 
country. It would be an environmental gift for the people of this 
country, and I can tell you that my leader, Senator Daschle, expressed 
to me his great interest in seeing us do it, and from the remarks of 
the majority leader, Senator Lott, I feel very optimistic that we can.
  From the East to the West, the North and the South, there are parts 
in this bill that I think we all want. Does everybody get everything he 
or she might want? Of course not. It is never possible. The Presidio 
parks bill is one of great compromise, even on the issue that I care so 
much about.
  On the Presidio itself, we had to compromise. So I don't think any 
Member can say it is a perfect bill. There may be something in there 
you don't love, and there may be something not included in there you 
want included, but I think we do have an opportunity to do something 
for the American people and go home and be extremely proud. The 
Presidio Park will become a jewel of the National Park System, and the 
legislation encompasses a wonderful idea that really was brought to the 
table from the Pennsylvania Avenue Corporation when we remodeled and 
rejuvenated Pennsylvania Avenue, and it is a board of trustees totally 
nonprofit with experts in real estate and experts in historic 
preservation sitting on it and overseeing it.
  Congresswoman Pelosi has worked so hard on this--I used to represent 
the Presidio when I was in the House--as well as Congressman George 
Miller, Senator Feinstein, Senator Murkowski, and Senator Chafee and 
many others. I do hope that we can pass the parks bill by unanimous 
consent, but I have asked my leader to keep us here, because I do 
believe if we had to vote on a cloture motion, we could carry that 
cloture vote, and we would overwhelmingly pass this parks bill.

  Madam President, I hope we can do it quickly, but, if not, I hope we 
will stay here and work for the American people, resolve the FAA 
problem, resolve this parks bill, pass this continuing resolution and 
go home feeling proud that we have a safer Nation, we have a stronger 
Nation, and we have a more beautiful Nation.
  Thank you very much. I now yield to my friend.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota is recognized.
  Mr. CONRAD. I thank the Chair.

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