[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 130 (Thursday, September 30, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            STATE OF SOCIETY

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Kansas for the 
remarks he made earlier and his commitment to revitalizing the moral 
fiber of this Nation.
  I think the polls he showed that the American people consider the 
threat of decline in values as the greatest threat facing our country 
are correct. If we lose our commitment to honesty, truth, discipline, 
hard work, and faith, if we lose those values, our Nation could be 
jeopardized. I thank the Senator from Kansas for raising those points 
because in many ways they transcend all the other issues we are facing.
  I know Senator Brownback, the Presiding Officer tonight, was watching 
closely Sunday night when we had the ``Touched By An Angel'' show. They 
talked about a Senator who was given a challenge to go out to Sudan and 
see for themselves what it was like. The show could have been done 
about the Presiding Officer tonight because Senator Brownback did that 
months ago. He personally went to Sudan and observed the terrible 
conditions there. He observed men being abused and killed. He observed 
women being taken into slavery and abused sexually--being bought and 
sold nearly into the 21st century. He was appalled by it. He has come 
back here and done something about that.
  I know Dr. Bill Frist, another Member of this body, had been there 
himself, to this poor, dangerous country, and helped serve with medical 
skills he possesses.
  I just want to say congratulations to you, and thank you for that. I 
think that film could well have been written about either of you. You 
felt a calling to respond to the less fortunate and have done so. I 
believe something good is going to come out of that.
  Thank you, Mr. President.

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