[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6068]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          NATIONAL DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION AWARD DINNER

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, last night Senator John Warner, chairman 
of the Armed Services Committee, was the recipient of the James 
Forrestal Memorial Award at a gathering of 900 distinguished leading 
individuals involved in the industrial and military affairs of this 
Nation. It was awarded last night in Washington. The Forrestal award 
has been given since 1954 to distinguished Americans who most 
effectively applied Secretary Forrestal's ideas of a close working 
relationship between the Government and the requirements of a strong 
national defense. Other recipients were George Bush, Sam Nunn, Scoop 
Jackson, John Tower, Barry Goldwater, John Stennis and, I believe, our 
Presiding Officer, the distinguished Senator from Alaska, Ted Stevens.
  The award is given to a citizen of the United States who may be from 
the military services, government, or industry. Senator Warner was 
honored last night with the Forrestal award for his distinguished 
public service relating to national security and national defense in a 
wide range of responsibilities. All of us in the Senate know that 
Senator Warner was a former Navy enlisted man in World War II, 
enlisting as a 17-year-old, then serving again in Korea as a marine 
officer. I have heard him say he has gone through two basic trainings, 
both Navy and Marine.
  Later, during the cold war era, John served his Nation as Secretary 
of the Navy. His service to the Nation in this body began in 1978, and 
he has been on the Senate Armed Services Committee ever since, a total 
of 21 years. I know that John enjoyed being honored by 900 of his 
friends and companions who provide the equipment our soldiers and 
sailors, marines and airmen use every day to maintain a strong national 
defense.
  John's public thanks to those in industry and in the services is an 
expression of thanks from all of us in Congress. I associate myself 
with his remarks that he made so eloquently last evening.
  There is no one in this body who cares more about the men and women 
in uniform, our military retirees, and our veterans than John Warner. 
There is no one more committed to the defense of this Nation. The 
markup of our committee's bill for defense will be undertaken next 
week, and the debate on this floor will show, without question, the 
depth of Senator John Warner's commitment to the Nation.
  We owe men such as John Warner our gratitude for leading us in times 
of turmoil. There have been many in history who have provided this kind 
of essential leadership. We are part of John's team. As a member of the 
Armed Services Committee, I am proud of him, his leadership and his 
friendship. Congratulations, John, on being the recipient of the year 
2000 James Forrestal Memorial Award.
  I have the honor of serving with Senator Warner on the Armed Services 
Committee. He is a gentleman's gentleman, a patriot's patriot. He is 
proud of being able to preside this year over a budget that produced 
the first real increase in defense spending in 15 years, a 4.8-percent 
pay raise for our men and women in uniform. It was a real 
accomplishment.
  I have been honored to serve with him. I share with this body my 
pride in his being selected for this prestigious award.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that after the 
Senator from Alabama deals with the procedural matters I be recognized 
for 5 minutes and then Senator Feinstein be recognized following me for 
15 minutes as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Reserving the right to object. I ask unanimous consent 
that I be allowed to follow Senator Feinstein.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.

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