[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE MEDICAL CONDITION OF SENATOR HELMS

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. President, I want to report to my colleagues. As 
probably all are aware, our friend and colleague, Senator Jesse Helms, 
had heart surgery recently. We have all been monitoring his progress 
very carefully and closely. I have been speaking with those in his 
office and his staff who are working so hard and so diligently to keep 
up Senator Helms' operation here in the Senate and back in North 
Carolina while he is recovering from his heart surgery.
  The most recent report as of today is that Senator Helms is 
progressing. He is progressing in the manner in which his physicians 
would have expected.
  Senator Frist, along with others, has been watching and monitoring 
his care and recovery very carefully. I am told by members of Senator 
Helms' staff that his progress is exactly as anticipated. They are 
feeling optimistic. The doctors are feeling optimistic. Hopefully, 
before too long, we will have Senator Helms back with us.
  We also want Senator Helms, his wife Dot, whom we all love and adore, 
and the members of his family, plus the members of his staff who are so 
devoted to him, to know that all of us, all his friends, all his 
colleagues, are thinking about him constantly. He is in our prayers 
daily. We will continue to pray for his rapid recovery.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Stabenow). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.




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