Senate Proceeding on Nov 6th, 2009 :: 1:35:55 to 1:44:20
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1:35:54 to 1:36:16( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: quorum call: a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from rhode mr. reed: would ask unanimous consent to dispense with calling of the quorum. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reed: thank you, mr. president. mr. president, i come to the floor today, as so many of my colleagues have, to reflect on an

1:35:55 to 1:44:20( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jack Reed

1:36:17 to 1:36:38( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: took place at fort hood, texas, yesterday. it is almost inconceivable that such an event could take place. as we sort through the motives and the rationale, which may take weeks, i think we obviously have to extend our deepest sincerest condolences to the family of these men and women. they were there because they

1:36:39 to 1:37:00( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: wanted to serve their country. they were there because they were willing in the service to this nation. tragically and inexplicably, it happened on a post in the united states, not in a faraway land. this is a moment i think we all

1:37:01 to 1:37:23( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: have to stop and not only to extend our warmest conlences to the families, but als to reflect on the service and sacrifice of all the troops, their continued willingness to serve, to expose themselves to risk, to leave their behind; all of this creates the

1:37:24 to 1:37:46( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: pressure, the tension, the burden of soldiering in this present moment in our history. we owe them more than we can repay them. at this moment i sply want to express the deepest condolences to the familie and also to those soldiers who came to the

1:37:47 to 1:38:08( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: aid of their comrades, who exposed themselves in a dangerous manner to try to get people to safety, to try to provide first aid to the wounded. they continue to be our heroes, and they always will be. and, mr. president, i would now like to speak construction bill before us.

1:38:09 to 1:38:30( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: i want to commend, colleague, senator johnson and senator hutchison for their great work. i had the privilege for a short time to act as the acting chairman of the subcommittee and work very closely with both senator johnson, my chairman, and senator hutchison, the ranking member. they are both very committed and dedicated colleagues, and they have done a

1:38:31 to 1:38:53( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: this bill provides $134 billion for military construction and increases programs approximately $429 million over the president's request. the bill provides a total of $109 billion for the v.a., increases funding for medical

1:38:54 to 1:39:14( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: care by $4.2 billion over last year's funding. for the fir includes an advance appropriations for the v.a.'s medical programs to ensure stable and uninterrupted funding. and this bill also provides funding to combat homelessness amongeterans. and this is a priority of both

1:39:15 to 1:39:39( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: secretary gates, secretary shinseki and also admiral mullen, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. the bill includes $3.2 billion for health care, support service and housing assistance for homeless veterans. and i hope, again, the senate will act before veterans day to pass this measure. it would be, i think, a fitting

1:39:40 to 1:40:01( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: tribute to our veterans who honor -- and i think we have the chance early next week to honor them indeed. now, the following remarks be separated from my previous remarks. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reed: mr. president, i have been very fortunate in my life. one of the great opportunities

1:40:02 to 1:40:22( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: that i received from senator john opastore of rhode island was the opportunity to attend west point. at west point it was not just a great education and the opportunity to serve the but the most important opportunity i had was to meet an extraordinary group of my colleagues and classmates who have served this nation with great distinction now for over

1:40:23 to 1:40:43( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: 30 years. recently some of have retired. general bill chiefs of our special operations, someone whose heroism and courage would be well renowned if it could be revealed. but becae of his special

1:40:44 to 1:41:05( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: operations missions, much of what he's done will be classified for many years. general mike maples, who is the head of the defense intelligence agency, two valued friends and classmates who have retired. and in a few days another of my classmates will join that distinguished roster, and that's

1:41:06 to 1:41:27( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: lieutenant general tom metz. tom metz is someone who personifies the values of duty-honoring country. who spent his entire life a service to the nation. he joined the army as an enlisted man in 1966. he went to the army, west point preparatory joined the class in the summer

1:41:28 to 1:41:48( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: of 1971. even then, back in the late 1960's, it was quite obvious tom metz was going to be a leader in our army, was going great responsibilities. it was a funk should be of his -- function of his skill, but most importantly a function of his character, his commitment

1:41:49 to 1:42:11( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: to those that he led and to the nation that he chose to tom metz' career has been an extraordinary one. the ranks to hold command at

1:42:12 to 1:42:32( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: every level, platoon, company battalion. he concluded his command responsibilities as the commander of the multinational corps in operation iraqi freedom. there, he led our forces from january 2004 to february 2005. at a difcult moment, he provided the leadership and the

1:42:33 to 1:42:58( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: example that our forces needed. his previous assignments included the assistance division commander of the fourth district division where he was able to begin the technological improvement of our army by introducing new digital technology for our army forces. he served in staff positions of great responsibility.

1:43:00 to 1:43:20( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: presently he is the head of the joint improvised device defeat organization. the department of defense choice one of the most capable and caring indiduals to lead our toefrt defeat these -- effort to

1:43:21 to 1:43:42( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: defeat these devices. tom will conclude a distinguished career. he was symbol sterd, supported and -- he was bolstered and supported by his wife and family. they too deserve our great commendation and respect. i am extraordinarily proud of his service as a classmate, as a

1:43:43 to 1:44:06( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: friend, as someone who admires his character, his courage, and his unstinting commitment to the soldiers he led and the nation he served. i thank him for this great service. mr. president, i would yield the floor, and i absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the

1:44:07 to 1:44:12( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: clerk will call the roll.