[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6875-S6876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NOMINATION OF JAMES HORMEL

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, it has been--I am trying to remember 
now--almost a year since James Hormel was voted out of Foreign 
Relations Committee by a 16-2 vote. I have said this a number of times 
on the floor of the Senate, and I want to keep saying it.
  James Hormel, I think, is eminently qualified to be Ambassador to 
Luxembourg. He has a very, very, very distinguished record as an 
educator, as a businessman, as a philanthropist, and as somebody who 
has given to many, many communities in our country. I see no reason 
whatsoever why we do not have an up-or-down vote on this on the floor 
of the U.S. Senate.
  Mr. President, I have said it to colleagues directly. I don't say it 
indirectly. I want to make terribly sure that the reason Mr. James 
Hormel's nomination has not been brought to the floor is not because of 
discrimination against him because of his sexual orientation. I hope 
that is not the case, but I do believe that we need to have an honest 
discussion about this nomination. We need to have a full-scale debate, 
and we need to have an up-or-down vote.
  I think we should judge people by the content of their character. I 
think we should judge people by their vision and by their leadership 
ability. It is my fervent hope that the majority leader will bring this 
nomination to the floor. I have said that I am looking for a vehicle--
we have things kind of snarled up here right now--on which to bring an 
amendment out that in one way or another will put an even sharper focus 
on this question.

[[Page S6876]]

  I do intend to speak out and I intend to use whatever leverage I have 
as a Senator to continue to push on this question. If Senators have 
reasons for objecting to Mr. Hormel's nomination, let them come out 
here and speak. Let us have an honest debate. If, God forbid, there are 
objections to him based upon his sexual orientation, then I think the 
U.S. Senate needs to look at itself in the mirror, because I think we 
can do better than that.
  I yield the floor and reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. President, 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. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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