[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 129 (Monday, October 1, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S9954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THANKING SENATOR BYRD

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, before Senator Byrd leaves the Chamber, 
I also want to thank him for his service to the Senate and the country. 
I am annoyed with myself for not having thought that we should have as 
a part of the Record the difference between the language that came from 
the White House and the resolution that we passed. It is so important 
that that be part of the Record.
  I say to my colleague that up until about 1 o'clock in the morning, I 
did not think I could support it. I thought it was too broad, too open 
ended. I think Senator Levin did say this, but while you were busy on 
that appropriations bill, Senator Levin was one of the key Senators--
along with staff--who really did yeomen's work to try to have that 
resolution focus on the September 11 attacks. It was entirely different 
wording.
  But I thank you, Senator Byrd, for what you have done today in this 
Senate Chamber.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, will the Senator yield, just very quickly?
  Mr. WELLSTONE. I am happy to yield.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.
  Mr. BYRD. I thank the Senator for his observations. I would be remiss 
if I did not likewise express my gratitude to Senator Levin and to 
Senator Biden and to other Senators who worked together to modify that 
language and to greatly improve the language over what it was when it 
was sent from the White House to the Senate.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. I thank the Senator.
  I also say to my colleague, I believe Senator Kerry from 
Massachusetts, and also the majority leader, Senator Daschle--all of 
them----
  Mr. BYRD. Yes, absolutely.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Did yeomen work.

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