[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 10 (Thursday, February 3, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE WEEK IN THE SENATE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, after the first complete week that we have 
been in session, looking back over the last several days, we have had a 
productive week. Today, we confirmed Judge Alberto Gonzales as U.S. 
Attorney General. I talked to him a few moments ago. As we heard from 
so many, Judge Gonzales is an outstanding choice to lead the Justice 
Department. In that phone call, I had the opportunity to congratulate 
him and to express my optimistic anticipation of working with him in 
what I know will be a very productive and important several years.
  From very humble beginnings in Humble, TX, he has climbed to those 
highest peaks, in Government and law. As friend and fellow Texan Henry 
Cisneros attests, Judge Gonzales has a personal story that allows him 
to understand the realities so many Americans face in their everyday 
lives.
  A former Texas Supreme Court Justice, over the last 4 years as White 
House Counsel to the President, Judge Gonzales is eminently qualified 
to be our Nation's top law enforcement officer.
  Candid and thoughtful and always a straight shooter, for him the law 
is the law--exactly what is needed for this high post. I am confident 
he will serve with distinction and with honor. I applaud his 
confirmation.
  In addition to confirming Judge Gonzales, we passed the Family 
Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005 this week. It didn't get a lot 
of fanfare, but this new legislation is another very important tool to 
help families protect their children from violent and explicit movie 
content. We have the V-chip, and we have television ratings. Now 
parents will have even more ways to stop inappropriate images from 
coming into and flooding their homes.
  As Senator Hatch, the lead sponsor of this bill, says, parents, not 
Hollywood, should decide what kids see today.
  The bill also provides a uniform Federal law to help crack down on 
international piracy, which is a huge problem in a creative industry.
  I mention that, in part, because I am from a part of the country in 
Tennessee that has a rich music tradition, extending from the Grand Ole 
Opry to the Country Music Hall of Fame. From Elvis Presley to Johnny 
Cash, throughout Tennessee, artists and musicians have shaped popular 
music the world over.
  Their contributions deserve to be celebrated. But they also deserve 
to be protected. That is what this legislation does. The legislation 
will help stop the Internet theft that threatens this creative industry 
and, indeed, the creative arts more broadly.
  I thank Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator John 
Cornyn, who is occupying the Chair, and Senator Dianne Feinstein for 
their hard work on this important issue.

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