[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 152 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S12940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FUNDING FOR UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, a provision of the Science, State, 
Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act conference 
report was intended to transfer certain funds. Unfortunately, an error 
in drafting made that transfer ineffective. It was clearly the intent 
of the conferees on that act to provide for the transfer of certain 
unobligated and unexpended balances to the University of Alaska. We 
will be taking steps to correct that error at the earliest possible 
opportunity.
  Before the Senate votes on this conference report, I want to take a 
moment to express my gratitude to Deb Fiddelke at the White House and 
Michael Allen at the National Security Council for their helpful input 
and insights into the State Department portion of this bill and the 
fiscal year 2006 foreign operations and related programs conference 
report. I appreciate the many courtesies they extend to my staff.
  Finally, Secretary Rice and the entire State Department should be 
aware of the outstanding job Cindy Chang performed in conveying the 
priorities of the Secretary--indeed, the President--regarding funding 
for the State Department and our foreign aid programs. My staff and I 
appreciate the solid working relationship that Cindy has developed with 
the State Department, Foreign Operations and Related Programs 
Subcommittee, and she remains vigilant in support of the President's 
foreign policy agenda.

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