[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S7984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       DESIGNATING SENATOR PRYOR AS ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I had the good fortune in the Senate of 
serving with David Pryor, the Senator from Arkansas. He was a member of 
the Finance Committee and other very responsible positions, including 
the Ethics Committee. He was, I believe, what the stereotype of a 
Senator should be. He worked hard and he is very smart. He was so easy 
to get along with. I do not think I have ever served with a better 
legislator in my life than David Pryor.
  Unfortunately for Arkansas and our country, he was taken ill. He had 
a very severe heart attack and decided not to run for reelection. He is 
doing well. He is healthy. I talk to him on occasion. Whenever I go to 
Arkansas, I see him. But what a wonderful man to know.
  The reason I mention that, fortunately for the people of Arkansas, 
his son Mark has replaced him. Mark has all the same characteristics as 
his dad. He is a man with a lot of humility. He works very hard. He 
knows the legislative process. He was attorney general of the State of 
Arkansas. He is an outstanding lawyer.
  There were a lot of reasons we were able to complete that most 
significant legislation last night, the Consumer Product Safety 
Modernization Act. But it is the most sweeping improvement of the law 
that has taken place since the law was passed some 40 years ago. It was 
done under the direction of Senator Inouye. But Senator Inouye gives 
credit to Mark Pryor who worked so hard to arrive at the solution he 
did, which was a piece of legislation that passed overwhelmingly in 
this body.
  So, Mr. President, with that brief background, I ask unanimous 
consent that Senator Pryor be designated as Acting President pro 
tempore of the Senate for the purpose of signing the conference report 
to accompany H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________