[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SWEARING IN OF SENATORS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, let me begin by thanking the 
distinguished majority leader for his comments and welcoming him to the 
105th Congress, as we welcome all of the newly elected Members to this 
prestigious body. As the Senator also noted, we have a number of former 
colleagues who have now reached the height of ``citizen,'' and we 
welcome them in their new positions as well. The families are here. We 
all note their presence and recognize what an important day and a 
memorable day it is for not only the Senators-elect, but for the 
families as well.
  We begin this session with much hope and good will. And I think the 
remarks just made by the majority leader concerning Senator Landrieu 
are reflective of that. I would like to believe that the administration 
of the oath of Senator-elect Landrieu will not prejudice in any way the 
Senate's constitutional power to judge the Louisiana election. Neither 
will the pendency of Mr. Jenkins' petition diminish in any way the 
effect of the oath that will now be administered to Senator-elect 
Landrieu.
  Just as in recent cases of Senators Coverdell, Packwood, and 
Feinstein, all Senators sworn in today are Senators in every sense of 
the word. Those were the sentiments of leaders in those instances, and 
I believe they are just as appropriate today.
  I yield the floor, and I thank the distinguished majority leader.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I think we are ready to proceed.

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