[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 95 (Thursday, July 20, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S7387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           NECESSARILY ABSENT

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, due to important family obligations, 
I was necessarily absent this evening during votes on the Agriculture, 
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
Appropriation bill for fiscal year 2001.
  Mr. President, were I present, I would have voted for Senator 
Wellstone's amendment, number 3919.
  Further, were I present, I would have voted for Senator Specter's 
amendment, number 3958. I am a cosponsor of the amendment. It corrects 
an inadvertent error in the 1997 Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act 
of 1997 that prevents Amtrak from leasing automobiles from the General 
Services Administration. The amendment will enable Amtrak to continue 
leasing such vehicles until 2003.
  Further, were I present, I would have voted to find Senator Durbin's 
amendment, number 3980, germane. I am a cosponsor of the amendment. The 
Agriculture Appropriation bill includes a rider that would block 
efforts to reform the hardrock mining industry, which has caused and 
continues to cause substantial environmental damage to public lands. 
Senator Durbin's amendment would have allowed needed reforms to 
proceed. I have submitted an additional statement on this issue into 
the Record.
  Finally, were I present, I would have voted for final passage of the 
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
Related Agencies Appropriation bill for fiscal year 2001.
 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I want to thank Senator Reid for 
requesting a leave of absence for me for the duration of this week. I 
am traveling home today to attend and speak at tomorrow's memorial 
service for Mr. Bernie Whitebear, of Seattle, Washington, who passed 
away at the age of 62 on Sunday, July 16, 2000.
  Earlier in the week, I did have a statement for the Congressional 
Record about Bernie Whitebear and his many contributions to Washington 
state. He was a special man to my constituents. He was a special man to 
me. Bernie helped me understand Native American cultures from the 
inside as a participant not as someone sitting on the sidelines. On 
many occasions, Bernie exposed me to the sense of community and respect 
that he was always so proud of. Washington state will miss this great 
man and clearly, it is appropriate for me to be with my constituents 
tomorrow to celebrate Bernie Whitebear.
  I thank my colleagues for their consideration and courtesies and I 
will have a longer statement next week to discuss Senate floor 
votes.

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