[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 83 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5714-S5715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              SENATE PAGES

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I do not know whether the distinguished 
occupant of the Chair has noticed, but we have 20 new pages as of 
today. Every year I say they can't get any better, but they do. They 
are fine young people who come here from all across the country. They 
work hard, as they will discover as the days go by and the temperature 
gets hot in the debate, and messages will be floating back and forth 
like Tennyson's brook.
  But I want you to know that here is one Senator who welcomes you. I 
am proud of you. I think you are going to enjoy your time in the 
Senate.
  Mr. President, I hear from the pages, former pages, of years ago, 
with some regularity. They send me pictures of their new babies. They 
send me pictures of themselves and in their wedding gowns. It is 
interesting to track all these young people as they have moved into 
maturity and have become good citizens. I even know of two who are 
serving in State legislatures now. So, tempus fugit.
  When I came on to the Senate floor from the cloakroom, I was told 
that the wrap-up material would be presented in about a minute. It will 
be here. And I am not going to suggest the absence of a quorum. So 
there.
  These young people are lucky, I might add, because there is no school 
in the summertime, is there? But the rest of the year, they start 
school at 6:15 in the morning. Classes begin then. And unless the 
Senate runs past--what is it?--10 o'clock in the evening--the 6:15 a.m. 
time is still in effect for the pages.
  So now I feel like I am back in television with producers standing in 
the background saying ``Stretch it. Stretch it.''
  I guess I may as well suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

[[Page S5715]]

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________