[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 22 (Thursday, February 6, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S2044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         EXPLANATION OF ABSENCE

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Graham, I ask 
unanimous consent that a letter from Senator Graham to Senator Frist 
and myself be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                 Washington, DC, January 31, 2003.
     Hon. Bill Frist,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Tom Daschle,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Frist and Senator Daschle: The purpose of this 
     letter is to share with you and my colleagues a development 
     regarding my health.
       This morning at the National Naval Medical Center in 
     Bethesda, Maryland, I underwent successful surgery to replace 
     the aortic valve in my heart. My doctors advised me to have 
     this procedure now to correct a deteriorating condition that 
     could have led to permanent damage of my heart muscle.
       Accordingly, under Senate Rule VI(2), I will be necessarily 
     absent from the floor and committee activities until my 
     doctors clear me for a return to work. I ask that this letter 
     be inserted in the Congressional Record of this date to 
     explain my absence.
       Given the overall excellent state of my health, the doctors 
     tell me that I should have renewed vigor and energy following 
     a short hospitalization and recovery period.
       With the extremely competent medical care I am receiving, 
     as well as the loving support of my wife Adele and our 
     family, I am confident that my absence will be brief. I look 
     forward to rejoining you in the very near future to resume 
     work on the agenda that is so important to my state of 
     Florida, our nation and the world.
       Thank you for your good wishes, your understanding and your 
     support.
       With kind regards,
           Sincerely,
                                                       Bob Graham,
     U.S. Senator.

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