Monday, June 13, 2005

5:44 Senator Leahy in His Own Words Today, for the first time, the Senate is going to pass an anti-lynching resolution. I was in college during the civil rights battles of the 1950s and ’60s, and I remember how divided our country was. As a country, we felt the effects of racially based crimes for a long time, and I am pleased that the Senate will finally take this step to continue the healing process.   Although Vermont is one of four states with no reported lynchings, I see this resolution as an important national reminder about the need to prevent civil and human rights abuses from occurring in the future.   But this nonbinding resolution is not the only step the Senate should be taking. Congress is long overdue in passing substantive improvements for law enforcement, such as a stronger law against hate crimes, the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act and reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act.    On occassion, Senator Leahy will post his own thoughts about matters before the Senate. Today marks his first post from his office in Washington.   5:44:47 PM

2:29 Floor discussion on anti-lynching resolution The Senate reconvened at 2:00 PM. with Senator Harry Reid speaking on the importance of passing S. Res 39, the anti-lynching resolution. The Senate is expected to approve the legislation expressing remorse for not stopping a crime that took the lives of at least 4,700 people, mostly blacks, between 1882 and 1968.  The measure apologizes for this failure and expresses "most solemn regrets of the Senate to the descendants of victims of lynching." 2:30:35 PM

9:34 This Week's Senate Schedule The Senate reconvenes this afternoon to begin consideration of the nomination of Thomas Griffith to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the D.C. Circuit. A vote is expected to occur on this nomination tomorrow around 10:00.  In addition, this evening the Senate will consider the non-binding Anti-Lynching resolution, S.Res.39.  Tomorrow after the vote on Griffith’s nomination, the Senate will begin consideration of H.R.6, the Energy bill. Provisions concerning renewable energy mandates, climate change, and the commissioning of nuclear reactors are expected to be some of the more debated aspects of H.R.6. 9:34:33 AM