[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1923]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--A BILL HONORING PAUL D. COVERDELL

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of a bill at the desk which 
honors Senator Paul D. Coverdell by naming the Peace Corps headquarters 
after our former colleague. I further ask unanimous consent that the 
bill be read the third time, passed, and the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cochran). Is there objection?
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, reserving the right to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator reserves the right to object.
  Mr REID. As the majority leader has indicated, a significant amount 
of time has been spent on this matter. I remember as if it was 
yesterday Senator Lott coming on the floor and making the announcement. 
It was a sad day in the history of this Senate, in the history of the 
State of Georgia, and certainly our country.
  Those of us who knew Senator Coverdell know how closely he was 
associated with the majority leader and how he loved this institution. 
What the leader has said is very true. I worked with Senator Miller, 
Senator Gramm, and Senator DeWine to come up with something that is 
appropriate. We think we have done that.
  I do, though, have to object for one of the other Members of the 
Senate. It is something which is procedural in nature. I am confident 
we can work this out. I ask that the leader be understanding and that 
this matter be brought up after we get back from our next recess. I am 
confident in that period of time we will take care of the kinks. I 
would rather we do it that way than pass pieces of it.
  I talked with Senator Gramm and Senator Miller, and we agreed to do 
it all at once rather than piecemeal.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada objects.
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, while I feel the objection is certainly 
unfortunate, I know that Senator Reid wants to find a way to work 
through the problem that may exist. I will be glad to work with him and 
Senator Miller.
  Senator Miller has been very generous with his time and very 
committed to this process. I talked with him a couple of times--just 
yesterday--to try to work through this. It is my expectation we will be 
able to clear this bill and take it up for consideration. It really is 
noncontroversial, and I believe it should be passed by unanimous 
consent.
  I hope Members who do have a problem, or if there is a procedural 
problem, will find a way to work through it so we can honor this noble 
and respected Member. I invite Senator Reid and any others to comment 
on the process, and if they have any remedy they can suggest, I am 
anxious to hear from them. I know effort is already underway to do 
that, and I know they will continue.
  It will be my intent to file cloture on this matter if it is 
necessary prior to the recess of the Senate this week. I hope and 
expect we will not have to do that, but because of the requirements of 
S. Res. 8, if I have to file cloture, I will have to wait the requisite 
12 hours now before filing the cloture on an amendable item, so I will 
have to begin the process.
  Rather than leave it in that vein, I prefer we talk and we work this 
out and find a way to get it cleared and agreed to tomorrow before we 
leave for the Presidents Day recess.
  Mr. REID. I appreciate the leader's comments. I would appreciate very 
much the leader not filing cloture. We do not need that or want that on 
this piece of legislation.
  Mr. LOTT. I understand that.

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