[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                SCHEDULE

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, on behalf of the majority leader, I 
announce the schedule for the day. This morning, there will be a period 
of morning business for up to 2 hours. The first 60 minutes will be 
under the control of Senator Alexander and Senator Murkowski, and the 
final 60 minutes will be under the control of the Democratic leader or 
his designee.
  Upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate will resume the 
consideration of the nomination of Miguel Estrada to be a circuit judge 
for the DC Circuit Court. Also, today the Senate will recess from the 
hours of 12:30 to 2:15 for the weekly party caucuses.
  As a reminder, Senators who desire to speak on the nomination are 
asked to do so during today's session.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. REID. While the acting majority leader is in the Chamber, I say 
through him to the majority leader that I certainly am appreciative 
of--and I think I speak for the entire Senate--his setting aside time 
for Senators to give their maiden speeches. Some may think this is a 
waste of time. From personal experience, when I gave my first speech on 
the Senate floor, presiding was David Pryor, and listening in his 
office was Chuck Grassley. My speech was on the Taxpayers' Bill of 
Rights, which I worked on my entire time in the House of 
Representatives. The subcommittee chairman did not like the legislation 
and would not do anything on it. To make a long story short, Senator 
Pryor sent me a note and said he liked my speech and liked the 
legislation I was talking about. Senator Grassley also contacted me 
that day. They were both senior members of the Finance Committee, and 
as a result of their support I was able to get that legislation passed, 
which was landmark legislation, putting the taxpayer on a more equal 
footing with the tax collector.
  I say to Senator Alexander and others who will give their maiden 
speeches: People listen. These speeches really are meaningful.
  I look forward to Senator Alexander's speech. In fact, I will be 
joining with him in the legislation he is going to introduce.

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