Tuesday, June 08, 2004

5:40 Senator Nelson on the Challenger and President Reagan Senator Nelson is sharing his memories of the life of Ronald Reagan.  He is recalling the day that the space shuttle Challenger was lost.  Senator Nelson is a former astronaut and he said how the emotions of Americans were so raw after the explosion of the space shuttle.  He noted that at a time of grieving there can only be one person that bring the nation together, and that it is the President.  5:38:26 PM

4:34 Senator Nickles on the Life of President Reagan Senator Nickles is speaking about the life of Ronald Reagan and how he has many fond memories of his Presidency and life.  The Senator said that he as Chairman of the Budget Committee, is someone that really enjoys tax policy.  He noted that President Reagan reduced the maximum tax rate from 70% to 28% and that this is a remarkable accomplishment.  Senator Nickles also remembered how President Reagan came to help the Senator campaign in 1986 and how the people in Oklahoma loved the President and the speech he gave.  The Senator concluded by offering his condolences to the Reagan family and thanking them for sharing the President with all of us.  4:34:46 PM

3:55 Senator Dorgan on the Life of President Reagan Recalling the life of President Reagan, Senator Dorgan recalled the President's good looks, how he was a great story teller, and had substance and wit.  He noted that the President loved to regale people with stories and that during his presidential innauguration, it was a cloudy day, but as the President began to speak the clouds began to part, and he announced that planes were leaving the tarmac in Iran with the hostages.  Senator Dorgan recalled that President Reagan believed in an 11th Commandment, thou shall not speak ill of someone in your own party.  He noted that the civility that existed in politics when President Reagan served, is now gone.  3:55:24 PM

3:36 Senator Kyl on President Reagan Senator Kyl of Arizona is speaking on the accomplishments of the Reagan Administration.  He said that the Administration was successfull of promoting democracy around the world.  Senator Kyl continued to recall how opponents of the President disagreed with his peace through military strength approach.  He said that the President taught us lessons that serve us well now in the post September 11th world and with the war on terror.  3:36:16 PM

3:25 Senator Stevens on the Life of President Reagan Senator Stevens is offering some of his memories about the life of Ronald Reagan.  He is recalling the speech where President Reagan demaded that the Berlin Wall be torn down, and how Senator Stevens will never forget that day.  Senator Stevens also recalled a visit that President Reagan made to Fairbanks, Alaska to meet Pope Paul II and how the President threatened to recite the poetry of famous Alaskan poets.  3:26:09 PM

12:30 Senate Stands in Recess The Senate has recessed until 2:15 for the weekly policy lunches. 12:33:59 PM

12:10 Senator Daschle on President Reagan Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota is saying that President Reagan served as the face of American optimism and confidence and is thanking him for his service to our country. 12:10:33 PM

11:41 Senator Domenici on President Reagan Saying that the initial relationship with President Reagan was slightly tumultuous, Senator Pete Domenici is talking about how they went on to have a close professional relationship. He is concluding with saying that he wished he had a chance to get to know President Reagan better and on a more personal level. 11:42:00 AM

11:31 Senator Reid on President Reagan Senator Harry Reid is talking about the close friendship between President Reagan and former Seantor Paul Laxalt of Nevada and is mentioning President Reagan's quote "It is morning in America." Concluding with saying that he has been spoken out about term limits, Senator Reid is reading a handwritten note that President Reagan gave him thanking him for his work on repealing the 22nd Amendment. 11:31:51 AM

10:30 Senator Boxer on President Reagan Beginning with saying that President Reagan taught her the "art of disagreeing without being disagreeable", Senator Barbara Boxer of California is paying tribute to the late President Reagan. She is speaking about the great friendship that President Reagan shared with the Speaker at the time, Tip O'Neill, even though they were on opposite sides of many policy issues. Senator Boxer is now talking about Alzheimer's Disease and how it affects a person.  10:33:41 AM

10:16 Senator Snowe on President Reagan Claiming that it was a period of self doubt for our country when President Reagan took office, Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine is saying that President Reagan's legacy will be that he brought about the end of the Cold War. 10:17:22 AM

10:07 Senator Gregg on President Reagan Reminding listeners of the state of the country at the time President Reagan took office, Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire is speaking about how President Reagan epitomized the future by working to strengthen our national defense, reduce the burden of the government, and increase confidence in govnerment. 10:09:50 AM

9:59 Senator Hutchison on Dr. Meador Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas is speaking in honor of Dr. Meador, who is the guest chaplain in the Senate today. 9:59:46 AM

9:54 Senators Frist and Daschle on the Senate Schedule Majority Leader Bill Frist is asking that the Senate recess at 3:00 tomorrow until Monday to accommodate the ceremonies surrounding the late President Reagan. Senator Tom Daschle joined Senator Frist on the floor to ask for clarification. 9:55:22 AM

9:45 Senate Reconvenes The Senate convenes this morning at 9:45 for a period of morning business during which senators will pay tribute to President Ronald Reagan. The Senate will adjourn at 12:30 for the weekly policy lunches. In the afternoon, a vote is expected regarding a resolution honoring the life of the late President Reagan. 9:28:00 AM