Senate Proceeding on Apr 3rd, 2008 :: 4:36:45 to 4:56:45
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4:35:26 to 4:36:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Edward Kennedy

4:36:29 to 4:36:45( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: offered on this bill are amendments relating to housing? are you aware of it, they said, no deal. is the senator aware that senator durbin has offered an amendmentt approximately 10:00 this morning,

4:36:45 to 4:36:59( Edit History Discussion )

Harry Reid: there have been four speakers, not long speeches. we're not voting because of the speeches. because they are gone. is the senator aware that i said, ok, then let's -- you won't let us vote on this, how

4:36:59 to 4:37:17( Edit History Discussion )

Harry Reid: about voting on a resolution offered by the senatoren from mass that's's in honors the lives of 4,000 americans who have been killed in iraq? are you a aware that we couldn't get a vote on that? mr.

4:37:17 to 4:37:32( Edit History Discussion )

Harry Reid: kennedy: well, it's difficult to believe, mr. leader, we had our moment which those of us who were there in the rotunda listened to our leader who spoke so well, so movingly, as well as the other

4:37:32 to 4:37:49( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: leaders, both republicans an democrats, to honor just last week the anniversary of the war. and now in the last few days we have another moment of special significance, and that is the 4,000 --

4:37:32 to 4:42:35( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Edward Kennedy

4:37:49 to 4:38:03( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: 4,000. this is just with regards to iraq that have been lost, 500 more in terms of afghanistan. and, as the senator and i -- i was grateful to him, very grateful to him, and of our colleagues, and

4:38:03 to 4:38:19( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: i'm sure on the other side as well, thought i would be useful to memorialize in the congressional record the names of these extraordinary men and women honoring both their name, their hometown, their rank

4:38:19 to 4:38:35( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: and their service. and that we could include that in the -- in the record at this time. we're trying to do itto at an appropriate time because we've been reminded about the loss of the 4,000. not as

4:38:35 to 4:38:49( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: an add on to some otherot kind of action here, but to give the respect and the dignity and the honor to these individuals and do so by having a roll call vote to indicate and send the special message

4:38:49 to 4:39:03( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: to their families and to their friends and to the communities that honor their service. why is it that we cannot wait -- cannot get an agreement on that? the good senator -- i'm not going to insult

4:39:03 to 4:39:19( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: his intelligence, i've read him the resolutions, maybe eight lines long, and it's basically honoring words of -- words of honor for these extraordinary men and women, a tribute to their valor. why

4:39:19 to 4:39:32( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: is it that we can't have a -- a time when we can bring the membership together to -- to honor those names? what is the possible -- somewhere the republican leader to try and explain to the american people

4:39:32 to 4:39:46( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: why we can't have that -- usually around here we have -- they're going to object to it, at least they indicate why they're goiteng to object to it. where are they? why don't they take the floor?

4:39:46 to 4:40:02( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: where is this? where are they? why can't they give us an explanation to the american people? this tragically -- this tragically -- look at these pages, mr. leader, on each one of these pages, 15 names.

4:40:02 to 4:40:19( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: look at this these naidges are here. -- pages that are here. look at this file of papers. 15 names, each and every one of those were their home addresses on them. and we ought to be able to take the

4:40:19 to 4:40:39( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: few moments, those that want to speak, to be able to express themselves and to pass this resolution and include it in the record at this time -- this time where we have paused, as a nation, out of respect

4:40:39 to 4:40:58( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: for the loss of some had 4,000 americans. so, mr. leader, i thank you for all that you have done and -- on this. and since i have the floor, i'll just take a few moments -- obviously for the senator

4:40:58 to 4:41:15( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: from illinois whose amendment is pending, i'll obviously withhold any -- any time that he thinks he can get action. mr. president, this is a resolution which will be -- we'll be. it has honoring

4:41:15 to 4:41:32( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: the sacrifice the united states armed forces who have been killed in iraq and gans, whereas 4,009, that is as of this morning, 4,009 of the united states armed forces have lost their lives in support

4:41:32 to 4:41:46( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: of iraqi freedom, 470 members of the united states have lost their lives. these sacrifices these men and women made for our country. the sacrifices of the fallen are in keeping with the highest traditions

4:41:46 to 4:42:06( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: of the united states army, navy, marine corps, air force an coast guard. whereas the families and loved ones have sacrificed as well, we honor them in commemorating the memory of those that lost their

4:42:06 to 4:42:19( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: lives. and it continues. whereas the following 4,009 members the united states have lost and it starts off with corporate adad and it continues. mr. reid: mr. president? the presid ing officer: the

4:42:19 to 4:42:35( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: majority leader? mr. reid: would my friend yield to make a u nanimous consent request? progress in this body is sometimes very hard to come by. but progress has been made. i appreciate senator kennedy

4:42:35 to 4:42:46( Edit History Discussion )

Harry Reid: coming to the floor and as those of us who have such an affection and love for him, once and a while he raises his voice. as a result of raising his voice, i ask unanimous consent that at 2:45 p.m.

4:42:46 to 4:42:59( Edit History Discussion )

Harry Reid: today the senate proceed to vote on the adoption of resolution number -- could i have the presiding officer give me the number of the resolution. 501, a resolution honoring the sacrifice of the members

4:42:59 to 4:43:10( Edit History Discussion )

Harry Reid: of the united states armed forces who have been -- have been killed in iraq and afghanistan that upon adoption of the resolution, the the preamble be agreed to, with no intervening action or debate.

4:43:10 to 4:43:35( Edit History Discussion )

Harry Reid: i would ask consenton that be the order of the senate. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. mr. reid: i appreciate my friend for yielding. mr. kennedy: i thank

4:43:35 to 4:43:56( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: the leader for his leadership making this all possible. mr. president, the war in iraq has deeply divided our country, but whatever our views about the war -- whatever our views about the war, we know

4:43:35 to 4:49:22( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Edward Kennedy

4:43:56 to 4:44:12( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: that our soldiers are serving globally under -- nobly under far too difficult circumstances. the war continues to impose an enormous human toll on our soldiers and family. our men and women in uniform

4:44:12 to 4:44:29( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: served with great courage and honor for five years, last week during the recess of congress, we've reached a sad milestone, the loss of 4,000 service men and women in support of operation iraqi freedom.

4:44:29 to 4:44:46( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: an additional 2340u service -- 30,000 service men and women have been wounded and we have lost nearly 500 service men and women in support of operation enduring freedom in afghanistan. this loss

4:44:46 to 4:45:04( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: of life is deeply distressing and the impact of the wars in iraq and afghanistan continues to be devastating to families and communities around our nation. we honor their service and we pray that god's

4:45:04 to 4:45:21( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: grace an mussy may -- mercy may ease the anguish of those they left behind. it fitting, therefore, that today we honor and remember the courageous men and women who gave their last great devotion

4:45:21 to 4:45:35( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: in these wars from leksington, concorde and guessiesburg from vietnam to iraq and afghanistan today, these heroes are part of a long line of courageous patriots who stood their ground with uncommon valor

4:45:35 to 4:45:49( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: and sacrificed for all of us.~ since the terrorist attack by al qaeda on september 11, millions of americans have proud proudly and voluntarily defended our country and our constitution by serving

4:45:49 to 4:46:05( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: in our armed forces, our reserves, and our national guard. their devotion to duty is beyond question and their valor is prove en. they volunteered to serve and help us meet the immense challenge

4:46:05 to 4:46:18( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: that we face. they knew the vast danger to life and live and were well aware that at any moment they might make the ultimate samifies samifies. and as of today, 4,496 have made that sacrifice in iraq

4:46:18 to 4:46:36( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: and afghanistan. they were all patriots. they put themselves in harm's way to protect us all. and because of their dedication and sacrifice, we continue to en enjoy the freedoms we cherish in i

4:46:36 to 4:46:47( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: our democracyr. each of these men and women has a poignant story to tell. just as poignant are the fond memories of their loved ones here at home. i know something of that feeling feeling. i was 12

4:46:47 to 4:47:05( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: years old when my mother became a gold star mother mother. it still seems like only yesterday when that knock on our door came in 1944 and we learned that my oldest brother joe had been lost in world

4:47:05 to 4:47:19( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: war ii. i know there's no easy way to mend these broken hearts, no way to lift the almost unbearable burden from the families and friends of those we lost. we mourn the loss of these heroes. we

4:47:19 to 4:47:35( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: honor their sacrifice and extend our deepest condolences to their families. words cannot ease the grief of losing a loved one, but i hope that the families may find some comfort in the words of abraham

4:47:35 to 4:47:56( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: lincoln in that famous letter he sent to a bereeve ed mother during the civil war. "dear madam," he wrote, "i feel so weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from

4:47:56 to 4:48:10( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: the grief of a loss so overwhelming. but i cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the republic they died to save. i pray that our heavenly father may asage the

4:48:10 to 4:48:23( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: aing wirve your be bereevement and leave you only the cherished member memory of the loved and the lost and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar

4:48:23 to 4:48:40( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: of freedom." the consequences of the decision decisions that we make here in congress profoundly affect our military, their families, and the communities that they have left. we have an obligation to

4:48:40 to 4:48:53( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: our soldiers to make sense ible decisions that will not place them needlessly in harm's way. it's fitting that we now pause to recognize, remember, and honor those who have lost their lives far from home

4:48:53 to 4:49:08( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: for our grateful nation in iraq and afghanistan. the presiding officer: the the senator from illinois. mr. durbin: mr. president, i want to thank my colleague from massachusetts. i've been a senator for

4:49:08 to 4:49:22( Edit History Discussion )

Edward Kennedy: a number of years and have visited iraq and afghanistan on three separate occasions, and i try my best to meet with as many of our soldiers as possible. but, of course, i focus on those from illinois.

4:49:22 to 4:49:39( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: i sit and eat lunch with them, talk about the cubs and the white sox and the bears and the bulls and the news back home. and the thing that haunts me -- and i want to thank the senator from massachusetts

4:49:22 to 4:58:28( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Richard Durbin

4:49:39 to 4:49:51( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: for reminding me. the thing that haunts me are the frequent conversations where they say "does anybody know we're still here? does anybody back home know what we're going through?" it really is heartbreaking

4:49:51 to 4:50:03( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: to think that these men and women are risking their lives every day while we go about our savings secure, normal daily rue routine and how little focus we put on this war and the men and women who

4:50:03 to 4:50:16( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: are fighting it for us us, and particularly those who have given their lives. we've lost almost 150 soldiers in illinois. i took an inspiration from the senator from massachusetts and said, i'm

4:50:16 to 4:50:28( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: going to send a little note to every family that loses a soldier in illinois. i thought, after a year or two, that task would be completed. but after five years it's not. sadly, we're still losing

4:50:28 to 4:50:42( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: lives in our state and every other state. and the fact at you would take the time to come to the floor today just as a solemn reminder of what this means to us, should mean to us, and what it means to

4:50:42 to 4:50:56( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: these families is something that i deeply, deeply appreciate. last week or so, "the new york times" had a front-page story talking about the lives that had been lost just last year with color photographs

4:50:56 to 4:51:12( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: of all the soldiers and sailors and airmen and marines who were among the casualty ies. and six or eight personal stories of their lives. and it really -- i took the time to read it carefully, to

4:51:12 to 4:51:22( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: try to absorb what was happening to these men and women and to their families. you know, i can speak, i think, for the senator from massachusetts. we've cast between us thousands of votes on the floor of the senate

4:51:22 to 4:51:35( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: -- myself in the house of representatives as well. ick not think of another -- i cannot think of another vote more profound and more important than the vote to authorization the invasion of iraq in

4:51:35 to 4:51:50( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: october of 2002. senator kennedy and i joined 21 of our colleagues in vote ing against that authorization to go to war. at the time it wasn't the most popular vote, but it turned out to be the right

4:51:50 to 4:52:01( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: vote, not to take anything away from these brave men and women who have given so much for our country. but this war may be the most fatal foreign policy mistake of the mod modern era and we continue

4:52:01 to 4:52:15( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: to pay for it every day in american lives and blood and treasure and in our reputation and safety in the world. the fact that you would take some time, even a brief period of time, today to remind

4:52:15 to 4:52:28( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: us is something that should be done and i'm glad is being done. i know that this will receive an overwhelming, unanimous vote of support, as it should. we all want to be on record. but i hope that

4:52:28 to 4:52:43( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: also the next time this matter comes up for a debate about the policy on this war in iraq that some of our colleagues who want to just continue this indefinitely, for years and years and years, will

4:52:43 to 4:52:57( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: reflect on how many more american lives will be sacrificed if that happens. that is the sad reality of where we are. the senator could not, because his stack of papers would be dramatically larger, include

4:52:57 to 4:53:11( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: the names of all those who have been seriously wounded or injured in this war. they deserve our thanks and our recognition as well. many of them will carry scars for a lifetime. some are very visible

4:53:11 to 4:53:25( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: scars and some not visible. and they are struggle ing with lives, face ing blindness, burns, and amputations, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. i visit these veterans' hospital

4:53:25 to 4:53:39( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: hospitals and see these veterans of past wars who are still paying the price today, alive -- maybe barely alive, but paying the price for their service. and i hope that beyond a resolution, we'll have

4:53:39 to 4:53:49( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: a resolve to make sure that we keep our word to these veterans, that when they come whom, they will receive the best medical care, they will receive our help to begin to go to school. when i read

4:53:49 to 4:54:02( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: about the percentage percentage, half of the people homeless in america are veterans veterans. when i read that the un unemployment rate among return returning veterans is so high, it is a grim reminder

4:54:02 to 4:54:42( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Durbin: that those who have given the most often receive the least when they come home. so i thank the senator from massachusetts, and i hope that i can add my name along with many others as a cosponsor