quorum call:

quorum call:

quorum call:

mrs. hagan: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from north carolina is recognized. mrs. hagan: i ask that the quorum call be vitiated. officer without objection. mrs. hagan: i ask that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar number 500, senate 3386. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: calendar number 500, s. 3386, a bill to protect consumers from certain aggressive sales tactics on the internet.

the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mrs. hagan: i ask unanimous consent the committee-reported substitute amendment be considered, that a rockefeller-hutchison managers amendment, which is at the dervetion be agreed to, the committee substitute amendment, as amend, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, the the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be placed in the record at the appropriate place as if read. the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. hagan: mr. president, i understand that there are two bills at the desk and i ask for their first reading en bloc. the presiding officer: the clerk the read the titles for the fiemplets cleric a bill to provide collective bargaining rights for public safety

officers employed by states or their political subdivisions. s. 3992, a bill to authorize athe cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term united states residents and who entered the united states as children and for other purposes. mrs. hagan: now ask for a second reading en bloc and i object to my own request en bloc. the presiding officer: objection is heard. the bills will be for the second time on the next legislative day. mrs. hagan: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that when the senate complete completes is business today it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. on wednesday, december 1. that following the prayer and pledge, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the senate proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each, with the

republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the majority controlling the next 30 minutes, and finally, i ask that the senate recess from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. for the democratic caucus meeting. the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. hagan: mr. leader, if there is no further business to come before the senate, i ask that it adjourn under the previous order. the presiding officer: the the presiding officer: the

later in the morning and c-span3, the presidential debt commission holds a public hearing to propose their final deficit proposal. they make recommendations to reduce the national deficit. live coverage begins at 9:30 a.m. eastern. >> president president obama and leaders in congress want to work

out a compromise on tax cuts before year's end. we'll hear from congressional leaders and reporters. >> hello, everybody. by the way, for those of you who are curious, we're using this room because there's 100 volunteers decorating the white house. we are spending time in here. i just wrapped up a meeting with both parties. it was our first chance to get face to face since the election to talk about how we can best work together to move the country forward. it's no secret that we have had differences, that have led us to part ways on many issues in the past, but we are americans first, and we share a responsibility for the stewardship of our nation. the american people did not vote for gridlock. they didn't vote for unyielding partisanship. they are demanding cooperation

and progress. they will hold all of us, and i mean all of us accountable for it. i was honored by the fact there was broad recognition. i want to say it was a productive meeting. i thought that people came to it with a spirit of trying to work together, and i think it's a good start as we move forwardment i think everybody -- forward. i think everybody u understands we have to focus on their jobs, not ours. we have to accelerate the recovery and get americans back to work. they want us to confront the long term deficits that cloud our future. they want us to focus on their safety and security and not allow matters of urgent importance to get locked up in the politics of washington, so today we had the beginning of a new dialogue that i hope as well as most americans hope will breakthrough the noise and produce real gains.

as we all agreed, that should begin today because there's things we need to get done in the weeks before congress leaves town for the holidays. first, we should work to make sure the taxes will not go up by thousands of dollars on hard working middle class americans come january 1st, which would be disastrous for those families, but also could be crippling for the economy. there was broad agreement that we need to work to get that resolved before the end of the year. now, there's still differences about how to get there. republican leaders want to perm inaptly extend tax cuts not only to middle class families, but also to some of the wealthiest americans at the same time, and here we disagree. i believe, and the other democrats in the room believe that this would add an additional $700 billion to our debt in the next ten years, and

i continue to believe that it would be unwise and unfair particularly at a time when we are contemplating deep budget cuts that require broad sacrifice. having said that, we agreed that there must be some sensible commonground, so i appointed my treasury secretary, tim geithner, and my budget director, jack lou, to work with representatives of beth parties to breakthrough this log jam. i asked leaders to appoint members to help in this negotiation process. they agreed to do that. that process is beginning right away, and we expect to get some answers back over the next couple of days about how we can accomplish our key goal which is to make sure the economy continues to grow, and we are putting people back to work, and we also want to give the middle class the peace of mind of knowing their taxes will not be

raised come january 1st. i also urged both parties to move quickly to preserve a number of other tax breaks for individuals and businesses that are helping our recovery right now and that are set to expire at the end of the year. this includes a tax credit for college tuition, a tax credit for 95% -- a tax break for 95% of working families that i initiated at the beginning of my presidency and a tax cut for businesses that hire unemployed workers. we discussed a number of other issues as well including the importance of ratifying the new s.t.a.r.t. treaty to monitor rush sh's nuclear arsenal and strengthen our relationship with russia. i remind the room that this treaty is bedded for seven months now. it's gone through 18 hearings. it has support from senators of both parties. it has broad bipartisan support

from national security advisors and secretaries of defense and state from previous administration both democrat and republican, and it's absolutely essential to our national security. we need to get it done. we also talked about the work of the by partisan deficit reduction and the sacrifices required to get our house in order. we discussed working together to keep the government running in this year a fiscally responsible way, and we discussed unemployment insurance which expires today. i asked the congress act to extend this emergency relief without delay to folks who are facing tough times by no fault of their own. now, none of this is going to be easy, so we have two parties for a reason. there are real philosophical differences, deeply held principles to which each party

holds, and although the atmosphere in today's meeting was civil, there's no doubt that those differences are going to remain no matter how many meetings we have, and the truth is there's always going to be a political incentive against working together particularly in the current hyperpartisan climate. there are always those who argue the best strategy is to defeat your opposition than working with them, and frankly the notion of bipartisanship itself is caught up in this mentality. a lot of times coming out of the meetings both sides claim they want to work together, but paint the o poppet as unyielding and unwilling cooperate. both sides come to the table, read their talking points, go to the microphones to win the new cycle instead of solving problems, and it's another move in an old washington game, but i think there was recognition today that that's a game that we

can't afford, not in these times, and in a private meeting i had without staff, you know, without betraying any confidences, i was pleased to see several of my friends in the room say, let's try not to duplicate that. let's try not to work the washington spin cycle to suggest that somehow the other side is not being cooperative. i think there was a sincere effort on the part of everybody involved to actually commit to work together to try to deal with these problems, and they understand that these aren't times for us to be playing games. as i told the leaders at the beginning of the meeting, the next election is two years away, and there will be plenty of time for campaigning, but right now, we're facing some very serious challenges. we share an obligation to meet them, and that will require choosing the best of our ideas

over the worst of our politics, so that's the spirit in which i invited both parties here today. i'm happy with how the meeting went, and i told all the leadership that i look forward to holding additional meetings including at camp david. harry reed mentioned he's been in congress for 20 years and had never been to camp david, so i said we need to get them all up there sometime soon. i appreciate the presence today and conversation today. i think it will actually yield results before the end of the year, and i continue to continue this dialogue in the coming months. >> now we're hear senator republicans talking to reporters at the capitol.

>> the president with had a frank conversation and it's interesting both democrats and republicans and the president understood what the american people had to say on election day pretty clearly because the president and democrat leaders acknowledge that the american people want us to create jobs if it cuts pay. we -- the president did suggest that to unlock the tax disagreement that we have, that secretary of the treasury, of the director of omb would sit down with four of our members, one from each congress on the hill to begin a discussion to try to unlock this disagreement we have over extending all of the current rates. i think the republicans made the

point that stopping all of the looming taxes and cutting spending would create jobs and get the economy moving. working forward in the conversation in the white house over extending the current rates, and i remain optimistic. >> i only add that i thought it was useful and a frank discussion. we did have an opportunity to reiterate that it was the view of 100% of senate republicans and a number of senate democrats as well that the tax rates should not be -- in other words, we ought to treat all taxpayers the same. as john indicated, we will each designate someone to try to actually get the agreement. i think it was widespread agreement that the two most important things is decide how to fund the government for the next ten months and the tax issue in the senate. we were wrestling with a lot of

other matters with some level of encouragement but not at the same level of deciding everybody's tax rates. i hope we can sort of reach up on our priorities on the senate side and get them in line with these two big issues and hopefully wrap up the 111th congress. >> i would say on a number of accounts the president did recognize that the election meant that the people want to see results out of washington. i think you heard now in talks and processes put into place, hopefully we can see those results and take away the uncertainty around the tax cuts or rates that's there right now. i was encouraged by the president's remarks regarding his perhaps not reaching out enough to us in the last session, and that this meeting was the beginning of a series in which he hoped we can work

together in a different fashion for the benefit of the american people given the problems that we face. >> the meetings are rather conservative or optimistic. did they dial down the rhetoric on the president or is there a softer tone from the republicans? >> you make the point the american cared about government more since world war ii. it's not unusual. it's also important to remember that some of these periods with divided government it's quite productive. i think of the sect clinton administration with trade agreements. i think we agree there's no particular reason we can't agree and do things for the american people over the next two years.

>> the president made an important point that was mentioned. he hadn't spent as much time reaching out and talking to us, and he commended to do so. i think spending more time with the president will help us find commonground. there's a difference. there's a reason why we have democrats and republicans. we believe in different things about the appropriate role of the federal government of the having said that, the more time we spend together, we can find the commonground because the american people expect us to work on their behalf. >> do you see this to be more positive in the future? >> we had a nice meeting today. the question is can we find the commonground the american people expect us to find. >> i would say this too. it was pretty revealing that the leadership in the democratic side of the aisle in the house

right now is ready to go and get the job done. i think that somehow it's a difficulty in trying to help priorities come into being on the other side of the capitol, and, you know, i think all of us were here, and you know, the president, i think put his best foot forward saying we have to produce results. i do think and am hopeful that we can work together. [inaudible conversations] >> s.t.a.r.t. treaty or -- [inaudible] >> well, the s.t.a.r.t. treaty is a senate issue. there was discussion of it, and i know the president would like to go forward as soon as possible. i think the view of the senate is let's take care of the tax issue and fund the government for the next ten months, and if there's time left for other manners it's up to senator reed on whether we turn to other things.

>> [inaudible] >> i think we're hopeful they'll begin meeting today. >> [inaudible] >> we believe mr. camp represents house republicans. >> [inaudible] >> i will announce that in the next hour or two. >> thank you. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] ..

and this is about five minutes. [inaudible conversations] >> as i told the caucus today, i've had the good fortune over

the years to serve with a lot of really good people the government. all local state now when the federal government. but i have rarely in my experience come across anyone like senator murray. she is such a tremendous help to me personally and to the caucus. she is efficient, she is someone when she speaks people listen to her, she's experienced, and really understandable to me why the people in the state of washington keep returning her to the senate of the united states. it is with this background that i introduced patty today to the caucus as the new chair of the democratic senatorial campaign. patty? >> i am very humbled to have the

support of my leader's, leadership and my entire caucus on taking on this very important task for democrats across the country. i know that this is not an easy task, but i'm not doing it because it is easy. i am doing it because it is a very tough time for many families and businesses and communities across this country, and they are looking to us here to fight hard for them to help them get back on their feet. and i know that with a strong democratic caucus here, that that's the agenda that we will put forward and that's why i'm doing this. i'm doing this because i believe we need to fight for our middle class americans to help them be strong again so their kids can have the education. they get the tax cuts they need. if we get people back to work again, and i know that my caucus stands with me and working hard to make that happen. i think that stands in stark contrast to the words of the

republican shortly after the election that their goal for the next two years was to defeat this president. i know what our goals are and that is to get our country moving again. and as chair of the dscc i will be working with candidates across this country to help fight to put america back on its feet. >> any questions? >> [inaudible] >> the report is common sense. it's no surprise to me. it's no surprise to the american people. it's been shown time and time again having gays in the military doesn't hurt the military. it improves the military. so the report that came out was not a surprise to me. i do, however, look forward to hearing what senator levin is

going to hear today and friday of this week. >> did anyone bring the gerry to the floor? >> pushing on it today. >> [inaudible] -- how will you move forward to devote to the floor? >> we've had a lot of discussions with the president including over the thanksgiving recess, and the president has made a decision. it was really a very good meeting. i don't know what my republican colleagues said publicly, but i'm sure they said publicly what they said privately. it was a very efficient, very, very productive meeting we had in the white house today. the president suggested that i, senator mcconnell, the speaker and leader boehner each appoint a person to start meeting with

tim geithner and larry summers. i think the meeting will start at four gloor 5:00 today. i haven't had the chance to firm the time. i'm going to ask senator baucus. the caucus knows that. and i would hope that this will allow the american people to say we are trying to work in good faith to come up with a bipartisan proposal. if we can't do that then we will come forward with what we believe is the best thing for the american people, and the number one goal that i have, i think everyone in our caucus has, and i know the president has come is protect the middle class. >> [inaudible] >> this is one of the times i wish i were king because it's something i believe and so very,

very strongly. i'm not kidding. i can't do it with signing a letter, and i'm going to continue working with my republican colleagues to see if there's a way we can get this done in the lame-duck. it's extremely important for job creation. >> [inaudible] >> pardon me? >> [inaudible] >> i'm so sorry. i can hear you. >> [inaudible] >> i'm not going to talk about procedurally what we are going to do now. i do know this, senator baucus knows this because he heard it from the caucus, and i know he believes this himself. the $250,000 middle class vote is extremely important. thanks, everyone. [inaudible conversations]

and number of senators are retiring at the end of this congressional term including senator chris dodd of connecticut, senator russ feingold and senator robert bennett of utah. some of the colleagues spoke on the senate floor about their experiences working with these centers. we will start with remarks from senator dodd. that's next on c-span2.

connecticut attorney general richard blumenthal won an open seat in november against republican linda mcmahon to be the state's new u.s. senator. he replaces chris dodd who is retiring. senator dodd spoke earlier on the senate floor about his time in the senate. we will also hear from senator dodd's colleagues. mr. blumenthal will be sworn in. in january. >> -- the speech you gave whenit you first arrived there after remarks you may have. i can't recall what my speech was even about 36 years ago in reprentative the house of representatives,hat except i do recall very vividly there was no one else in the chamber when i gave it. it was an empty hall, early oner colleague, johnny debt. for those old enough to remember johnnie from pennsylvania was rr sitting in the chair.pennsyania he wore dark glasses forever, even all during the day, and hee

said there patiently and listened to me as i gave my hand shaking speech in the house ofkn representatives.e house midway through the speech hemidu walked up to me as those who who envision the chamber of the house speaking frommb the well d walked up to me and said quietly so that was my speech in the senate and i am deeply honored s number of you have comepe outumf today so i am not speaking to a naim and teacher in the closingk remarks i have about my service in this remarkable chamber.ice n but for more than 200 years the unique american story is h unfolded here and the chamber oe the united states senate, acinag fascinating, inspiring, often, tumultuous tale of conflict and compromise reflected the a actential of ouwer still youngmr democracy and its occasional occ frustration. forf much of my life, the story has been respected with my own. ways that have been both sillyen

and humbling. as a 14-year-old boy, i sat on s the family gallery right here in this chamber watching my father as he a took office, the oath o2 office a few years later in wom 1962i sat with these young menes and women serving as a senate page. john f. keonnnedy was president, lyndon johnson presided overallf 18 years later in 80the fall ofr 1980, the people of connecticut gave me the honor of a lifetimee voice to their view is electing me to serve as their united states senator. for the past 30 years i'vedoneu' worked to sustain that trust and am proud of the work i've done but it is time for my story and it is this institution on a cherished so much to diverge. thus mr. president i rise to as give some of the victory remarkm i my surface of the united states senator told connecticutg comes to a close. he is common for the retiring nt senators to see the following: i will miss the people but not the

most work. i wil mr. president, you won't hear that from me. mr. shortly i will miss the work people of the united states senate but i will miss the workh as well.tnessed d par over the years i've both witness stand participated the greaten debates in this chamber, momente when the states of both partiesf hether together in this hall tot waive the great questions of thn time and while i wtsish there hd been more of those moments idebe will always remember the senate the dates on issues such as central america, the iraq war,c, campaign finance reform, irm litigation, healthcare and of course financial reform in thise congress. but when i am in connecticut i see the results as well as theoe work we did every day. i see workers coming on from their shift and the engine plants, the helicopter plantsf the lifeblood of a defense s manufacturing sector that is tha critical national security and h economic well-being ofom my homa state. i see communitiesri preparing fr high-speed rail and breaking centers.

i see the grants we pull up for holding cities and towns to tease the sustainable prote ecoi communities and promote economiw development.cause of t when my mom, and that parents tn because the family medical leave act don't have to choose betweeo keeping their jobs and takingld. care of their sick children.will as with elderly folks who no paying for their prescription drugs and paying for their cpni here's some who have been will o victimized on companies nohose longer subject to that of use,we and i meet young children as well after-school programs who blossomed academically in spite of difficult economic circumstances. as proud asad i am of the work t that have made the strongest kny possible over the last three, decades, i am keenly awarenot f particularly today that i did this alone., until the last congress with exceptions every major piece ofw legislation that all i offered

that became law including the ones i just mentioned had afrom republican co-sponsor as well as soo support from the democraticenats caucus, so to my democratic andl republican senate colleagues wh0 join me in these efforts over 3s years i say thank you thiso thaf afternoon.the i also want to thank the unsung heroes of this institution.stf. the senate staff, personal stafa it will be a previousy make t understatement to simply saywitt they make the change on time the flt them is no one would ever leave the station at all. s the staff, the professionals ofd both parties and the hundreds of the unknowns show up every day in this body to make the critical institution ofor democracy function without theml know senator could fulfill his or her obligation to thend american people. many of my personal staff andody committee staff are present inin the senate gallery today and l meter on or the many americansrr whose lives they have enriched for the burdens that the flight.

and can never think you enough. i only hope that your time will be as fulfilling as my time with you. of course, i go and enormous debt of gratitude to the people of connecticut whose confidence, patience and spirit has given my life and its work deep meaning.u as rich as our common languagehe is, words cannot become close to capturing of the depth of my stf affection for and the appreciation of the people of the state of connecticut. for almost four decades, the cha firms in the house of erusted representatives, the firms in i this chamber have interested equally burr on your behalf andd i think you for that honor. and my parents long sincence, deceased put their guidance,le v inspiration and example have never departed. this the last 30 years our status isa occupied by my father during the 12 years he served in thisn chamber. his character and conviction have been a constant reminder of what it means to be a united

states senator.es i want to thank my siblings and s enthusiastic supportto tim, particularly during the rough patches from time to time we all need a safe harbor of families,d and to jackie and christina whoe supported and inspired me everye day to be more than i could ever say in these moments come january i will have more time to say to you more often to you and to my young ladies i love you ca more than a life. as my career comes to a close, and chapter in the senate half history when they gather in january nearly half of the members will be in the first serve.hours even though i can spend hours recalling a lifetime of new yesterday, this new senate andy the nation must confront theg

uncertain tomorrows so along thy personal memories or to revisite the video highlights of my senate service i would like tosf take these short moments to sene offer a few thoughts to those who will ride the next chapter. carried our electoral system is a mess. financial interest along with cr the bulk of little transparencyr the basic principles underlyinge representative democracy and of the results of the political system that the federal level gos completely dysfunctional.ksa those who are elected to the mut senate just a few weeks ago last already begun the work oftion ss raising money for the reelectior newly elected senators willr, learn that there everyven legislative maneuver, publicrats utterance and even some of theie private deliberations will be part of a 24/7 media industry

over analysis and conflict over consensus. this explosion of new mediaand s brings with it its own benefit s and its drawbacks, and it is occurring simultaneously as theo presence of the traditionalatio media, outlets in the nation are declining.coss are crowd so while congress is crowded with hand-held video and cellphone cameras there is anfou declining role for the newspapers, radio and network ta journalists planting the routinn deliberation to takegs place in the subcommittee hearings.,1 case in point, ten years ago hed 11 o or 12 reporters in connecticut covered our doing t delegations of legislative activities. today there is only one doingan, the same i work. the meanwhile, the intensee polarization has raised the ery vote stakes in every debate and on every vote, making it difficulty to lose with grace, or nearly impossible to compromise without cause.cians p america's distrust of politicians provide compelling oor the senators to distrust t each other.d d

h this very institution anddy engage in the policy-making s process. these changes have already had their effect on the senate.ating the purpose of insulating one half of the national legislaturn been degrading. cam and while i stparongly favor, reforming the campaign finance n system,g revitalizing andournals rehabilitating our jotiurnalistc traditions and restoring citizens the fin government and policy, i know their to their se wishes won't make it so. i have heard some people suggest that the senate as we know it simply cannot function in such a highly charged political ke it environment that we could changm the senate rules to make it more efficient, more responsive to more like therity can house of representatives where the majority can he essentially the end of the minority to its will.ra iti appreciate the frustrations that many have with the slowd in pace of the legislative process, and i certainly share some of ma colleagues and retrieved it hisd

use and abuse of the filibuster thusly can understand the temptation to change the rules that make the senate so unique and simultaneously so terriblymy frustrating. but whether such temptation is motivated by the desire to speep up the legislative process, or point your political expediency, i believe such changes would be uwise when 100 senators are but -- weak 100 senators rather, are what temporary stewards of thend weak american institution, prin. founded upon universal principles.pl the senate was desyigned to bef sake of ael variety, but because the framers believed the senate could and shhould be the venue d which the state's would liftcha. america to meet its unique staf challenges. s a center center from the state of connecticut and the long-distance history i take special pride in the role of the two connecticut yankees and wasr establishment of this free body. it was roger sherman and olivere ellsworth, delegates from87, whd

connecticut with the constitutional convention in 1787 who proposed the idea of a bicameral national legislature.u the connecticut compromise as is came to be known was designed to ensure that no matter which blew political wind blew or how hard the dust, there would be a place, the one place for a free voice to be heard. the history of this young democracy, the framers decided,t should not be written solely iny majority. and the nation founded in the way, there should be one institution that would always provide a space where dissent would value and respect. a though we would act as one and e should, the framers believeddebe that our political debate shoul always reflect that in our beliefs and in our aspirations,, we are in fact many. not onl in short, our founders would but ensure we have legislated, but e

just as importantly, with how wh legislate.leard that now, in my years here i've learned that the appreciation ob theat senate's role in our. national debate is an acquired taste, therefore to my fellow senators, who have never servedg a day ine the minority, i wouldr urge you to pause in your senats enthusiasm to change senate rules. ority, these in the min who have clearly abused theeatot rules of the senate to delay ort defeat almost any senatening decision, know that you will be equally responsible for a underlining unique values of thr united states senate. might aign a value and would argue that which you might find of the obs political motivation driving your obstruction and so, in thes what will determine whether thew institution works or not hasram' always determined the framers highest hope justified cynics ir not the senate rule or the calendar or the media.

it is, rather, each of the 100 c centers that work together, t living up to the incredible wit honor that comes with the titlei and the awesome responsibility that comes with this office. politics today see the reward only passion of independence, it not to liberation a compromiseoa as well. and it's become commonplace tocn hear o candidates of this bloody campaign on how they are going to washington to shake things up may i politely suggest that yo are seeking reelection to theio wrong office.thunited s the united states senate does not work that way, nor can it or should it.mayors governo mayors,rs governors, presidents, and sometimes by the sheer forcs of their w nill. but there has never been a center soapers wages, so charismatic, so clever or so brilliant that they can make aei significant difference while refusing to work with other bo dembers of this body. m presi simply put, mr. president,

senators cannot ultimately bet effective alone. as i noted earlier, the last year's and in a single piece oflican legislation that i've evere, noe passed without a republicanoriee partner. of course, none of theasse haver come easily.litics the notion that partisan politics is a new phenomenon or that partisan politics serve no useful purpose is just flat wrong. from the moment of our foundingn america has been engaged in the internal and often pitched irtisan debate. in fact, it is at the core of our strength as a democracy and our success as a nation, political bipartisanship is aro. goal, not a process. you don't begin the the date only doe partisanship. you arrived there and you can dr only do so when the the term an, partisan create incentive and thus by partisanship.re in the and the difference a between the partisan brawl and u the passion and ultimatelyn productive the dates rest on thf personal relationships between those of us who served.egislati

the legislative body that operates on the unanimousonsenta consent ass we do cannot functii almost the numbers of this body trust each other inclusive.that there is no hope of building thr trust unless there is a will to treat each other with respect and stability and to invest the time it takes to create that trust and strengthen those personal bond. no matter how obnoxious the rhec colleagues rhetoric or how to erroneous we believe -- find their beliefs, you need them. and despite what some insist yoy do flow in justice to your id ot the local statements when you seek the common ground. your you do no injustice for your political beliefs when you take the time to get to know those who don't share them. s i have served with several hundred senators on their every partisan configuration- imaginable. republican presidents, democratic presidents, divideddd government, one-party rule and as odd as it may sound in the

politicalou environment the last three decades i have served ihar cannot recall a single senatei colleague, democrat or republican, with whom i could not work. time but then that is why the ta framers gave us the term so that members could build the social path necessary to make this bod. function. and in our c aonstitution, eachf us are given a six year term, ce but only each member can decide how to use those years and as one senator as possible here i e urge each of my the time to use those well. to e and i pledge to those of you why tenure herree will be so much mu rewarding. more importantly, you will be cc indicating the confidence the framers placed in each persons e take the oath of office as the united states senator of holding the trust of those threet centuries. i share the confidence that she

isger sherman, oliver ellsworthh and the framers placed in this e body, but i am not blind. of i know the senate today and theg view of many is not functioning as well as it can or should. i urge you to look around. this limit is difficult not only to this body but to the nation n it serves, and in the end, whati hitters most in america is onlyt what happens within the walls of the chamber, but rather, theand consequences of our decisions across the nation and are not the world. our economy is struggling as ofo us know.ardshi real hardship in our country. u the obviousne unemployment, homh problemsures and tensions are the obvious problems people are, facing. w face challeng meanwhile, we face challenges of debt, immigration, nuclearoing n proliferation, ongoing conflict, and iraq and afghanistan and sok much more. all of these challenges make the internal procedural conflict we face as senators somehow small.

history calls us, each of us, tg lift our our eyes and focus on r the comment dillinger and common purpose.s by regaining its footing, this institution in the senate cans n help this nation to regain confidence and restore the essential sense of optimism.ocus we must re again that focus, and most importantly, we need our tt confidence back. we need to feel the same optimism thonat sustained the centuries. nation for more than twoot centuries.ve. naive. naive. i aware of the conventionalredis wisdom that predicts a gridlock in co bngress, but i know both i these leaders, democratic and republican leaders, and i know ambe the sitting members between the well, and my confidence is not an shaken. why? because we have been there before. this isn't new. the country has recovered in the past from economic turmoil.her we have come together to heal rstand deep divides in the nation and the senate is led by finding iti

way through and hostile political divisions. we have proven time and timee ad again that the senate is faithful a fleeting effect. the wisdom of the dreamers whoro created these rules and set thee high standards we must meet. otr after all, no other legislativeo body grants so much power to a each member, nor does any other legislative body ask so much of. each member. just as the senate rules and power each member to act like a statesmanship from each of us.us but these rules are merely required from us the kind of cos leadership that our constituenth need from us, that history calli on us to provide in difficult times such as the ones we are tf encountering. maturity in a time of caviness,f call minute time of anchor and leadership in a time of what uncertainty, that is what theted nation asks of the united states senate and that is what this office demands of each reserve

here., over the past two centuries from 1900 men and women have shared the privilege of serving in this body. graed each of us has been granted butm a temporary fleeting moment inut which to indulge either on orl political ambition and, se t ideological agenda andoe and m alternative. constructive markhammy nation's history. e my moment is now at an end, but to those whose moments are notml yet over and to those whose moments will soon begin, i wish you much more than good fortuneu i wish you wisdom, i wish for you courage, for each of you that one day when you reflect tu back on your moment that he will know that you have lived up to the tremendous responsibility of being a uniteded states senator. st. paul the time of my departure has come, i fought tht good fight, finished the race t and kept the faith.so it i and so mr. president, it is with

great pride and depue of the incredible gratitude to all of you here today that the unitedae states senator of yield the floor. thank you. [applause] [applause] [applause]

[inaudible conversations] herger [inaudible conversations]

in all the conversations [inaudible conversations] >> mr. president? >> the majority leader. the majority leader is recognized. >> mr. president, i have on many occasions spoken of my affection of my friend, chris dodd.

the presiding officer was there and i indicated that very few oy people have had the opportunity and the challenges in a single congress as chris dodd house. he found himself chairman of the banking committee in a time when the country was collapsing and the banks were collapsing. and yet, he led the way to working with the republican so-d president look to do this so ban called t.a.r.p., something comee on on a bipartisan basis and my there was never a better example in my entire government courier of the more cooperative group of senators, democrats and wng republicans, house and senate working together to create something as that we needed. and then we have, of course,-- many other issues beneath wall e street reform, and then to complicate his life thand to ad,

to the challenges in his life, e the best and a man could everen has was kristoff's best friend ted kennedy and he was strickene very ill. senator dodd knew he wouldn't be ve back to the senate.ple kn veryew few people knew that, but he knew that. and he, in effect, was chairingg two major committees of the same time, the health committee andm, the banking committee.he did i a and he did it in a way that is so commendable, so exemplary. so i have so much, i repeat, affection for chris dodd and myo ability i'm not capable ofdeepll expressing how deeply i feelman. about this good man.i did i will have more to say leader,, but i did want to take this i dt

allow the republican leader to t make his remarks to allow his colleague from the state of connecticut to speak following the two leaders of that is okay. i would ask consent followingows senator mcconnell's remarks that senator lieberman could beficert >> without objection. the republican leader. >> like most members of the body, i am really at a loss ford words, mr. president. but i think we just had an i opportunity to hear one of the most important speeches in the a history of the senate. out about our beginnings, about ours traditions, about what is uniquy about this institution, which really makes it different from any other legislative body inane the world. hascs t and i have heard many people discussed that over the years. l but never anyone so cogently point out why the uniqueness ofo this institution is so importane

to our country as the senior senator from connecticut has done it today. of senato and so will we had a huge numbeo of senators on the floor, i'm going to n strongly recommend tk those who were not here have an opportunity to take a look at his remarks, because i think they were enormously important and significant contribution to this institution and to its future. and on a personal basis, i want to say to my good friend from to connecticut how much i'm going to miss him. wonderful personality, able to talk to anybody, really uniquele effective individual, and so we did a do to the senior senatorit from connecticut and hope our f. paths will cross again in thea : future. pre >> mr. president? >> pitcher from connecticut.

>> odd thank the chair. for 22 years it has been a hav blessing for me toe have served m states senate as my colleague from connecticut, has my dear friend, legislative partner. anybody in this chamber will. and i think when we listen to mn the words he spoke to just a few moments ago and hall full of wisdom they were, we know howwew much we are going to miss him md how much we should consider what has made him not only our n goodd friend, but a truly great senator. chris mentioned sherman and ellsworth, whose pictures are up out i in the reception area just offre yhe senate, who crafted the real senate compromise creating the senate.s i think chris dodd, who is the 54th senator from the state of

connecticut and our history to this institution, that sherman e and ellsworth created in the connecticut compromise and made it work to the great benefit of the people of connecticut and ople o the people of america. chris dodd was born to a legacy, an honorable legacy of public service, which he watched as so many of us did in connecticut, and of course learn from his j. father, senator thomas dodd. i could tell a lot about senatoe dodd, senior. he was a prosecutor of the marone bird trials, remarkably principled skillful prosecutor. became a member of the united s states senate.secutor. i will tell you that as a young. man in connecticut, me, growing up thinking about a political career when i heard senator tom

somewher dodd wase somewhere within thed range of where i lived or went to school, i went to listen to a him speak.ic he was a classic orator, aniplem extraordinarily principled man who had a great career in the and as w senate. know from and as we know from the years we serve with crisp, theics characteristics that i described of his father were taken and put to extraordinary good use here in the senate. chris's words were very important, and as senator studied by all the fuss and anybody thinking about coming tl the senate. we all talk about this being an age of hyper partisanship. but i think that misses theis point because as crist said, he is a partisan in the best sense of the word comegys a principal partisan. he is passionate about what heae believes in. but he knows that we come to a

point when partisanship ends ane you've got to get something done enough to send you here.over and over and over again, any of us on both sides of the aisle who have watched chris work a bill know how persistent, howry open, how anxious he was to try to find common ground, yes, then this is our work as the art ofo possible. the somebody once said to me the futility of the failure to's compromise. there if you have a goal, a principled goal you know that you can the goal if you can buildbu enos support in this chamber, and t time and time again, chris doddd did d that.ther reaso the other reason i think he didt

it is because of the truth that e he spoke in his remarks, which is that beyond the great debates here and the headlines and the sniping back-and-forth, the t w senate after rall is 100 people who go to work in the same plac. every day.ngs and your ability to get things s done here as is true and in offices and factories all over america and other places of wor, work, and your ability to getngd things done here is affected ine great measure by the trust, and your colleagues have in you andt even the extent to which theyd i like t you. and i think by those standards, chris dodd has been a totallyaut trustworthy as we will talk when we go up in the connecticutn wlitics the word has been hisps bond and his personality has won each of us as we've gone through the labor that we go through

here. than chris dodd served long career in the united states senator than i any senator from connecticut. so on this day i hope he will hl forgive me a bit of my hyperbole i would guess as a matter of friendship and faith that he's t probably accomplished more than anycc other senator in the histy of the state of connecticut, and he has done it because he cares, about people and when he takes something on, he simply does not i just want to tell you oneis mt story. in 1989, chris met a woman named eva at her church in connecticut. she told him her daughter had c. been born with a rare brainen disease and was fighting for her life in the intensive care unitn employer for time off to be with his wife and critically sick infant he was told to go homeere

and never come back leaving ancl family without income or healthl insurance.at the the story all too common at the time is just the kind of injustice that has repeatedly moved chris dodd to action. he offered offered the family medical leave act.ore, as i said before on the made compromise is that made itge acceptable to a large number ofu people he stuck with it through two presidential vetoes and then finally sought signed into law e by president clinton in 1993.he today, the records will show that more than 50 million tak t people, 50 million people have been able to take time w off frm work to care for a loved one or give birth to a child without fear of losing their jobs. that is a lifetime achievementh and is only one of many such dod achievements that chris dodd has

had here in the united states senate. of senator reid talked about theate last session of his career extraordinary accomplishment.shr health care reform, wall streetb reform, built iran sanctions bil which came out of the banking committee which is in my opinion of the strongest bill we've eveh past and hope to avoid to taketa military action against iran.agt this is just the kind of record shat chris has built up. thi up until this time i have beense serious and when you talk about chris dodd, it would be wrong tl be totally serious because one is the things we are going to miss here is that a booming laugh and the extraordinary sense of humor. i have had many great laughs with colleagues here and i'veage probably been too many as i think about it but i have neverr laughed louder or more than i te have over the years with chrisps dodd, and i perhaps it's not fl, totally appropriate on the senate floor but just i have two

of his comments on about me that i want to share, in an versus the comedian this year or ther former comedian, a lawyer withao only chris dodd have told an t audience here in washington he e felt enough time had passed in m my career that he could revealje the joe lieberman actually hadbn not been born jewish but was born a baptist and free is the baptist, and then when i got ino into politics and saw how many eve ensler would have to go to on friday night or saturday i converted to judaism. [laughter] and then chris says and you know, i'm thinking of convertinj to judaism myself, but only fort the weekend. [laughter] another quick quip as my know, colleagues in the senate know it is an honor to walk a state colleague down the center of oil

here in the senate to be sworn in for a new term. w the first time i did thate we were or minn orman as we always, have, and chris turned to me and said you know, joe, there are y people who are worried that you may be the only person that will ever walk down in all i always. [laughter] welcome unfortunately that was not true because chris andad jackie got married and have had these two wonderful daughters ge greece and christina who have provided so much joy and satisfaction and hopefulness tou chris. i'm going to miss you personally, but all i speak for myself and speak for aboutn anybody in this chamber in se clo saying that we feel so close to you that we know our friendship

will go on and i would say that chris dodd leaves anareer extraordinary senate career having achieved a record of results that has benefited the people o america and on cold days -- oniy told police that he has a w wonderful family he lookse h forward to spending time with and has so many great years ahead of and including i hope and believe times he will again be of service to our country. cs god bless you, chris, and your family. i heal the floor. [applause] >> the senator from illinois.

>> mr. president, i want to joie my colleagues here in thearture departure of one of our best of senator chris dodd. i i first saw his father, though i didn't meet him, when i was a student entering for senator paul douglas of illinois, who to had an office that was next dooi to your fathers. senat and i saw senator tom dodd leaving the office and was certainly aware of the great contribution he made it to america. lat but little did i know some 60cae years later when i would be ahof candidate for the u.s. house ofo representatives, his son would come to decatur illinois to do a and even for me in my campaign e that was a smashing success, the biggest turnout ever i'm sure senator dodd believes it might have been because his presidence and also because it was a 1 dollar chicken dinner and peopls came from miles around, but i was happy to advertise them as the star talent at that event.is christopher john todd, the fifth and sixth children, was born in 1944 with a call thin skin

his head. the doctor who delivered him oft his mother that with this sign y of good luck this baby might collect to the president toeplid truth is one of the grace and tom dodd were ardent new dealer is a new america what it is dependent on one leader forever, not even fdr.augh they knew when they talk to an children they have an obligation and our own time to try to moveo america closer to a more perfec, union. thomas dodd, senator dodd's tim. father, sought to fulfill that obligation in his time. f.b.i. he chose tom dillinger as an fbi agent, prosecuted criminals and rnment kkk members, government lawyersh served in both the house and foe senate. 'ss son, chris, followed hisfatr father's example.to s found him sway to serve americay serving as a peace corps volunteer in the dominican the republic where he lived for two years in a mountaintop village in a house with a tin roof and a

no laughing delete the water or telephone. he started a maternity hospital, family planning program, youth th clubs and schools.irst those were the first installments of what would become for chris dodd a lifetime of work protecting women andlece children worldwide. he was elected to the senate inf 1980 at the right age of 36 weet he was both a jaundiced personit ever elected in connecticut and history to the senate andt longest serving as has been cle said. early on his colleagues recognized his talent and named him one of the three most effective senators and he's let never let up his efforts to help america and connecticut. he's a passionate particulateast economic justice, for civil a constitutional and human rights and for america's role as a lear moral leader in the world he's a and the children's caucus, the sponsor has senator lieberman 1 mentioned in 1993 the family ant medical leave act which wasons f helped countless millions ofvede americans to leave his achievedn more the last two years the mose

achieving long careers peewit the chairman of the senate banking committee led ethe fight for most important wall streetet reform since the great depression.the sta he picknded up the fallen standr from his friend, ted kennedy and helped lead the fight ted aays kennedy always dreamed of forref affordable health care for allan americans. that achievement alone chris dodd earned a place in history.s chris dodd has come as a jinan o'neill might say the map ofnd teland on his face but he has the promise of america written s in his heart.his workn the his work in the senate has mader the promise real for millions o. americans. in his office in the office building, an office oncepied b occupied by his father, the portraits of to thomases, thomad dodd, sir thomas moore. i listen to chris's speech a moment ago and was reminded of s list thomas wrote in his masterwork utopia he said if you can't completely eradicate wrong ideas or deal with the and the n

voice as effectively as youely u would wish that is no reason turning back on public life altogether. you wouldn't abandon asia been n control the wind.nt 30 years in the senate even whes he had his first head wind,als t chris dodd kept fixed on thegred ideals that make america great and good in doing so he is in the senate, connecticut and america a better place. i'm proud to serve with him and call him a friend and i thank hm him for his efforts that brougho me to the house of representatives so many yearsi m ago. thank you for the service in thd senate and to his wonderful family, jackie, a great friend o andse your two daughters, greece and christine who might seem ass swimmers in the same pool, good health and good luck to the whole family for many moree chapters in their lives and bode yield the floor. [applause]o

>> mr. president i rise to pay tribute to my dear friend and colleague and in the real sensei i can testify from the experience last two years of thi theses remarkable contribution f the country. i don't believe any otherator senator could have navigated thk treacherous waters but of the dodd-frank bill. it was like watching a great conductor conducting a complicated piece of music, knowing when to pause, let temps to pics cool, knowing when to pick up the tempo, knowing when to come to the finalno conclusi. it was a virtue of performance a in keeping with a courier per country meeting to connecticut d but the most remarkable tribute that i have ever heard about this wonderful man was in a very

unusual place by a person who honestly probably doesn't know who he is. it was may 24, 2010. a i was visiting a wounded soldier at the walter reed army a member of a eighth parachute regiment of the 82nd airborne 18 division. he had beenhe wounded arounded fondahar by a iain ied. fortunately, he was under recovery. we joked for a moment, talkedot, about his experiences, and then i turned to his mother who was sitting their watching her son,l her life like a slow recovery, ery i said how are you doing? v and she said to me very simply, i am doing fine. eaee, i was able to takel l family medical leave and be with

now, she probably doesn't know who you are or what you did, bur she along with 50 million other americans were by the hospital bed of a wounded son or a sick child or ailing parents, and to that, to me, is the greatest tribute to what you have done. there is a great line recall about franklin roosevelt windins its way through washington. and the man was sobbing and a reporter rushed up to him. you are so effective. and ?id you know the president? pret he said no, i never knew the president, but he knew me.nd chris dodd knew the people of cuecti connecticut and the people oftas the united states, and in everym moment he served them with integrity and diligence and

honor. and chris, you y and your famils and i say this because your mother is from arroyo island,e god bless her. [laughter]your and your beloved sister, so as a an adopted son for violent,slan, thank you for your service to the nation. [applause] >> the senator from rhodessocia island. estimate may i associate myself with his remarks of my my distinguished senior senator and reemphasize our pride in the context that chairman senator dodd, our friend chris dodd has. with marland?? i yield the floor. >> the senator from new jersey. oant t >> mr. president, i just want to

take a couple of minutes to salute the service the one great united states senator chris dd. dodd. chris and i have served together more than 25 years, and when i s arrived here i was not one of pl the youngest people at thatsomee time, but chris was someone who from other walks of life and ird turned to him and might be your friend who sused to occupy this seat for advice and counsel. bue sometimes counseling was merelys a device, but we were younger then, and chris dodd have that r incredibleso personality that gs

things done that presents a leadership position on issues sd and has -- showed incredible patience in the way that he walh dealt with financial reform, with health care, but never as i saw did chris leave the people who disagreed with him with o anger, with a feeling o bangerter -- anchor, and chris comes from a distinguished havin family. a this author having occupied here for a dozen years and nowr senator chris dodd to have decided to leave the senate. it was a decision that he made that i totally disagreed with.h.

you that you because chris, when i left after 18 years of service i had three terms in by decided i had enough. on me on me and i came back after a br two-year absence, missing being here may be more than it missede me, but i remember as i made my outgoing visits or my decision making visits that chris invit d me to his office, ted kennedy, i and a colleague we had at thatl time now deceased put a wonderful, wonderful human chr being, and they sat with me andd tris's office and he tried to talk me out of leaving.said, n i said no, it's a decision i've made and i began to have but dys

then the decision was casting oe the people wanted to run for o e job so i left with lots ofs andi regrets and i was away from hery for a period of time when in tee 2001 by left in the year of 9/11 and the beginning of the recession and the imminence of war and all those things.f so i tried to play turnaround hrth chris and i talked to chric about leaving and i said chris,o don't leave. don't do it. reins, it doesn't mean taking place. i don't think that's possible. chris dodd will have left an impression here of decency and honesty and fun and respect.

all -- both sides of the aisle, one of the few times that we all agree. and so i say to chris and jackie and his little girls that we wish you well. our friendship will endure way past our time serving together. give iur time serving together. and chris, follow my example. y. give it a couple years then getd back here. thanks, very, very much for your wonderful service. we love you and will miss you, but will always think of that. [applause] >> mr. president. >> the senator from new york. >> i to rise. i'll speak loosely in honor of my friend and our colleague, the senior senator from connecticut.

and i watched him from the day i came here.se we knew each other little bit when i was in the house. the he left the house to go to the senate, but with many of thehoue same friends when i came to thet house. abilities. you know, for those of us who have served to your -- i've onls theno joys and difficulties of a legislating here in the senate. we know it'snd not easy but weth know how satisfying it is. there are very few who reach the acme of how to do it and who and would devote their to it. gue t and i guess they are given a ifs title -- i don't know if it's official. it's probably not-, but they are the men and women of the senate. we have had to leave us in thear last year. senator robert byrd and senator ted kennedy. there were truly men of theitle senate. and it's not a title bestowed easily or lightly or frequently.

chris that is the name of the senate in the category of ted kennedy and robert byrd in terms of his abilities to get things done, his ability craftsman, ofe somebody who is able to combinem idealism intact to kennedy, of wi with them and i think i vie mentioned before a totally different viewpoint and get them to compromise and be on his site and be part of the effort that he is leading. he's a man of the senate, whoor senate. think e i will miss him personally for the guidance and friendship and i think every one of us will. chris, good luck, godspeed. >> wisconsin senator wes feinberg is also retiring from the senate. he was defeated by republican businessman, ron johnson. earlier senator feingold a three term democrat was praised by his republican colleague, senator john mccain on the senate

floor. mr. johnson will be sworn in january 3rd. >> if i could say a few wordsied about a friend and colleague whom i will miss very much when he leaves the senate after we adjourn. senator russ feingold. and i can't thank him for his service without mentioning the outstanding work of his capable staff, mary urbach as chief of c staff, some dislike her as dir policy director, bob schiff, chief counsel and paul weinberger, legislative to writd your. loyal and outstanding team. without intending it as a commentary on his successor, i o have to confess -- i think the senate will be a much poorer place without russ feingold and ll it.er i know them in my next term, i of will experience fewer occasions of o inspiration because of the departure of russ feingold, a pt

man whose courage and dedication to the principles that guided m. his senate service often inspired me.ngol i will also miss the daily experience of russ feingold's friendship and the qualities that distinguish his friendship, his thoughtfulness, kindness, humor and loyalty. i have treasured that friendship served together. and while friendship doesn't end with a senate career, i will sorely miss his presence here. i will miss seeing him everyith day. i will miss traveling within.its i will miss the daily reminder of what a blessing it is to have a true friend in washington. see our first encounter with one aro another within the senate debate in which we argued about an aircraft carrier, somewhat heatedly if memory serves.oo rest of the united states navy had one too many. e i felt we didn't have enough.

it was, i'm sorry to admit, not a very considered welcome on my part to a new colleague, whom i would soon have many reasonsadmy admire. discour but tote refuse credit, he didne let my discourtesy stand in the way of working together on issues where we were in g agreement. and to my good fortune, hefrienp didn't let it stand in the way of our friendship either.tical we are different parties and our political views are often opposed. we've had many debates on many issues. but where we agreed on wastefuld spending, ethics reform, issue campaign finance reform and a other issues, it was a privilege to fight alongside and notei againsngt russ feingold. we don't often hear any more congress whos of distinguish themselves by having the courage of their convictions , who wish their theonal interests for what they believe is in they public man

interest. i've seen many examples ofy it f here, but the cynicism of our time, among the political class andnd the media and the voters them as probable fries or at best exceptions that prove the n rule. in his time in the senate, russ feingold, and every day and in every way, had the courage ofs, and now i am quite a few years older than rest and have served in this body longer than he has, i confess i have always felt he was my superior and that cardinal sergio.in 199 we were both up for reelectionrd in 1998. russ had a difficult one. oppos as many of our colleagues willhe remember, russ anaya posts ofns money.o the limited corporate and labor

donations toar political parties that we believe wereit compromising the integrityy of e and we were' opp a nuisance on e subject. russ' opponent in 1998 withoutae spinning him on television in the race became tighter. teey reached a point where mostc observers, democrats and t republicans expected him to it lose. the democratic party pleadedt with rest and let them and spend soft money on his behalf. russ refused. he risked his seat, which i vies mporta because his convictions were more importantnt to him than ant personal success. i think he is one the most met admirable people i've ever met in my life.ogether we've had a lot of experiences together. we fought together forth many things, important things. and we fought many times on hond opposite sides. we've been onhe it together and scorn together. we've traveled abroad together.i

we couldn't be further apart in our views on the wars in iraq and the, but we traveled there together as well to gain and knowledge that can form our views and challenge them. we listen to each other, debated each other, defended each otherd joachim commiserated together. in my every with russ feingoldad in agreement and disagreement, ones, in heated arguments and the relaxed conversation of pubc friends, it was an exemplary public server, a gentleman, good company and irreplaceable friend, a kind man, a man to bee admired. i can't do justice in these coml remarks to all addresses many qualities are expressed his completely how much i think this institution benefited from a

service here and how much i've benefited from knowing. don't i let the eloquence. repla. 't think he is replaceable. we would all do well to do his example in our minds as we serve our constituents and our country and convictions. we couldn't have a better role model. i have every expect tatian we re will remainmain good friends lor after we have both ended their s senate careers. but i will miss him here, everyi day. try and i will try harder to become half public servant that he is.s because his friendship is an honor and honors come with responsibilities. god bless you. >> utah senator robert bennett was defeated in the republican state primary convention last spring by attorney mike leigh. earlier, senator bennett's

colleague lauren hodge spoke on the senate floor about senator bennett, who was elected to the mr. lee will be sworn inesident. january 3rd.nd >> i rise today to recognize the retirement and the departure of riend, bob bennett. joint bob bennett -- senator bennett y and i have jointly represented the state of utah for many years. we are close. during that time we were together as partners andgood collaborators, but most of allgr is good friends. bob's presence in the senate is going to be sorely missed. senator bennett is a lot of things. he is honest, he's thoughtful, he's knowledgeable. is a f but more than anything else, senator bennett is a fighter for the people of utah.ing bob has served with unwavering devotion to our state, its people and its interest in theie interest.been forem

throughout his 18 years in the s senate, state of utah has beenno foremost in bob's got theour nao monopoly you've made a single decision that he didn't believe is in the best interest of our state and of our nation. senator bennett is the son of francis and will send bennett. allemember, wallace f. bennett we should alh remember was also a great u.s. senator from utah who served four terms before country and between 1951 in 1974. i think that's accurate. rob is also the grandson of hubert j. grant. pas after attending east high school in salt lake city, but graduated from the university of utah, where you select the studental n body president had obtained a 1959.ging his further political job was managing his father's 1962 successful reelection campaign.a bob then spent several years working as a mormon chaplain in the utah army national guard congressional liaison at thetrsi

u.s.on department of transportation. after his time at the transportation department, senator bennett moved on to a successful career in public relations. for over a decade, he presided t over some of the most successfuf and high-profile public relations organizations in the country. he became well-known for his hard work, his leadership re promise. this has solidified in 1894 whed bob was named ceo of the international institute, which is known as franklin covey. franklin covey is no one of the premier personal effectiveness firms in the world.roducts and the products and services provided by b the company in fat literally millions of people every year. but when bob join the company, it had only four employees. grew to over 1000. by the time he left to run for r

the senate, the company was listed on the new york stock exchange. an it was at that time an already d thriving corporation, a worldus leader in its industry, thanks in no small part to bob's leadership. for his efforts, bob was named inc. magazines entrepreneur of the year for the rocky mountlece region. bob was elected to the senate in 1992 after a hotly contested republican primary in a hard-fought general election.ine his father, once again, the great senator wallace f. bennete live just lnoong enough to see s son win an election and served in the senate for almost a full year. i know that must've been a great source of pride for the senior senator bennett and his family.i over his 18 years in the senate, but has continued to demonstrate sound judgment and strongnsidera leadership. republican senators have considered him a trusted resource when it comes to strategy and policy. tho

he is been a consistent resource for those who seek thoughtful answers to difficultli political questions. for these reasons, among othersf bob has served on the leadershir teams of our current minority pe leader, senator mcconnell, as was his predecessor, senator bill frist. while he is more well-known for his quiet, contemplative bennets demeanor, senator bennett has always been an upstanding orders he comes off into the four tole, discuss various issues that nevi links, really reading from those that have almost never skippingn a beat. his contributions to our debaten here in the senate have always been very valuable. and i think people on both sides of the aisle will acknowledge type of advocacy that he is sen. brought to the floor of the senate.ut, always courteous, always well thought out, always reasonable n right.

few senators that have senator bennett commitment to the benef people. every single person in the state of utah has benefited from the work of senator bennett.one cant one cannot ride on a train or i drive on a freeway in utah orsef avail themselves of so manyttrie other assets and attributes in utah without seeing the results of senator benn iett's service n the senate. due t our state has seen a lot of o growth in urrecent years, due to the expansion of our population. and the fact that more and moree companies have recognized that utah is a great place to do to k business.pace utah's infrastructure has, for the most part, been able to keep pace with the growth and fromwok large measure to the work of miw senator bennett. i will miss working with senato, bennett to help the people of our state, but i will miss hims more as a friend. and

mr. president, bob and hise wonder woeful wife, joyce, a tremendous help to them over these years, they have been married for 48 years. a they have six children and 20 te grandchildren. i know that every one of them id proud for the great service but is rendered to the u.s. senate and they should be. mym friend, senator bennett.cesl and i'm certain that bubble be successful in any endeavor he chooses in the future upon he leaving the senate.hooses in wise counselor.s a he is a truly honest man. he cares for the people he represented for everybody iny pe this country many people throughout the world. he lives his religious beliefs. other than family, i can't compliment anybody any more than

that. he lives his religion. the mos he's etxemplary. he peisop one of the most thougl people i've ever known. his i value his friendship and iave value his advice.her. and i validate over these years and we've serve together. he's always been a serious and a productive leader, who also has a tremendously great sense of humor. after all -- after all is said and done, he is a grandfather, husband and friend, just to mention a few.oses bob will be successful in whatever he chooses to do. a he's a good man and i personally will miss him. i think everybody in the senate will miss him. everybody and i believe it's safe to say that everybody in utah will misw him asel well.ore some more than others, but nevertheless if they look at hin record and a look at the things

that d he's done for our state d forur our people, they are going to thank god that bob bennett was a senator for 18 solid thank years. f i personally think the father in heaven for having him here as a partner to me, as a friend and as somebody i can rely on and il could counselor with on some of these very, very shaking the important matters that have come before our united states senate. as such a great opinion of bob bennett. cannot think he is known -- thybe not so today, how great that opinion has been.him as a i think the world of sin. wish i love them as a human being and i wish him the very best, he and his family. with that, i yield the floor. >> today the founder of wiki links and secretary of state clinton should resign over some of the information found in the

leaked state department documents. we'll hear from the state department next on c-span 2. after that, federal communications commission goes to reallocate spectrum, controlled by television stations in order to provide more mobile broadband service. then an interview with former president, jimmy carter. but >> the state department took questions on the leak of state department documents by wiki

links on whether secretary of state clinton should resign over it. this briefing is 45 minutes. >> sorry to be late. good afternoon and welcome to the department of state. the secretary, as you may know, has arrived in boston on a, kazakhstan and i think has this morning hundred town hall event with about 580 representatives and also had a meet and greet with women leaders and kazakhstan, prior to starting the formal proceedings of the osce. just a few other things to mention before taking your questions. tomorrow, here in washington we will host the fifth round of talks with russia, regarding an

agreement -- a legally binding agreement covering adoptions between the united states and russia. obviously, this is a process that has been undertaken between our two sides, based on an agreement between president obama in the dead of. officials have met four times in washington and moscow to negotiate this agreement that provides better safeguards for children, families and the adoption process between the two countries. and we will anticipate that these talks tomorrow will be with officials on both sides, reviewing the final text so there can be assigning in the near future. [inaudible] >> -- this'll be concluded tomorrow? >> we expect it will be concluded, with a formal agreement will not be signed. >> ouest assign a? or who would sign? >> i think that's to be

determined. >> what are the main safeguards they've instituted? >> i'll tell you what, will someone down to provide a briefing wednesday if finalized the text between two sides. more transparency between the two sides would be among those considerations. turning to a couple of election situations, the united states congratulates moldova for connecting with international observers have deemed to be transparent and impartial parliamentary campaign election that met most international standards and reflected the will of the people of moldova. the n-november 20 represents another step forward on moldova's democratic path of those other people work together to form a government and elect a president in order to address the priority preforms facing the country. we are also conscious of the fact that there was voting on

sunday and cote d'ivoire and that the conclusion of the briefing, you'll see a statement by secretary clinton, the votes are being tabulated as we speak. but the secretaries statement does follow. cote d'ivoire's elections are an opportunity for the nation to emerge from years of crisis, return to the community of democracies and build a successful and prosperous future for all ivorians. the united states called on all of oran leaders to act responsibly and peacefully to become a leader of cote d'ivoire. both candidates signed on november 27, committing to respect the peaceful process. we strongly urge the candidates to allow the tallying and reporting of results to proceed unhindered and to honor the results when they are announced. the hard work of democracy does not end when the votes are tallied and the winners

announced contenders in the daily effort to find common ground, governed responsibility and strengthen the rule of law and democratic institutions. the united states will continue to stand with the people of cote d'ivoire and support their aspirations as they move forward together. finally, we have consulted with -- we've been watching the situation in the middle east and consulted to make sure that, you know, statements made in recent days were for them before we were commenting. by regarding a claim by a senior palestinian official, the western wall is an islamic luck. we strongly condemn these comments and fully reject them as factually incorrect, insensitive and highly provocative. we have repeatedly raised with the palestinian authority

leadership, the need to consistently come back all forms of delegitimization of israel, including denying historic jewish connections to the land. as the united states has long maintained the status of jerusalem, must be resolved in final status negotiations between the parties. we recognize that jerusalem is a deeply important issue to israelis and palestinians, to jews, to muslims and christians everywhere. we believe it is possible to reach an outcome that both realizes the aspirations of all parties for jerusalem and safeguards that stature for the future. >> before moving on, p.j., imap, if if you recognize that jerusalem -- the status of jerusalem is so important, why are you so noncommittal when asked to the other day about the israeli approval of the jewish construction, a jewish housing in east jerusalem? >> i was only noncommittal and a

sense before commenting to affirm that we had an fight raised her concerns with the israeli government as we have in the past. we have raised our concerns with the israeli government as we've said many times. you know, this jerusalem -- in all of its dimensions, you know, must be part of a negotiated settlement. but i would be cautious that there is not necessarily the equivalence, you know, kind of statements that we heard the other day, we think deserve strong combination. >> i agree they're sensibly no equivalent between some guy mouthing off in giving his opinion and actual bricks and mortar going up in an area that's disputed. i mean, the equivalent -- do come out and denounce the statement, which is more -- simply words, and it took a question from a reporter to get you to say anything about the actual, physical, on the ground

construction there. i don't understand your equivalence or idea. one seems to be much more serious than another. >> we agree, but i think we have a different view as to what that equivalent is. what we are saying, again, to all five is that they both have responsibilities here. both have to take the responsibility to create, you know, conditions for negotiations to resume. and when you have a senior palestinian official who denies the historic connection at the jewish people feel to the western wall, we have an obligation to speak out at the same time. we do recognize that rather than changing facts on the ground, we want to see the parties return to negotiations.

return to negotiations. return to negotiations. to express our concern to both sides, when appropriate, the inflammatory remarks on the one hand and actions on the ground on the otherhand, both of the potential to undermine a return to negotiations. >> is that one is more serious than the other. which one is more serious? >> i'm just saying the united states -- the united states condemns the words of a senior palestinian official the other day. we have raised our concerns with the palestinians directly, but we thought it was appropriate to make clear that these kinds of inflammatory remarks are uncalled for. they're uncalled for any day, but they're uncalled for particularly at a sensitive time in the process. we have raised our concerns with the israeli government, but only recently, but successfully gone back many months about

developments on the ground and many to come combat negotiations. both sides have responsibilities here, but we thought that these particular words were inflammatory. they called upon the palestinians for a long time to avoid these kinds of statements that are not conducive to getting the parties into a negotiation to a final agreement. >> we all know that diplomatic language is very important. by which you condemn the approval for new construction of east jerusalem by israel and yet you come out and you -- the >> we have expressed our concerns to the israeli government. we've done in the past, we've done it recently and we will be doing it up further meetings we held that the israelis in the coming days. he israelis understand our position very well. [inaudible] >> -- as to what constitutes a tolerable palestinian state? because it seems than netanyahu's mind, a palestinian state is demilitarized.

so it should not -- according to wikileaks. [inaudible] had a clear definition as to what constitutes a viable palestinian state? >> we share the goal of the palestinian authority that there needs to be a palestinian state and the borders of that state need to be viable. that has been our position, but that's why we're encouraging the parties to resume negotiations because after the negotiation, you cannot get, you know, to a viable state would recognize international borders. it is only one way to do this and this is through the direct negotiation may continue to encourage both sides to resume as soon as possible. >> but after 19 years of direct negotiations, you must have -- he must have a picture of what is viability should look like.

>> well, there's been a lot of work done here. i think we have a broad understanding of what this might look like, but ultimately this is by the two sides have to sit down into a negotiation. palestinians have their views. the israelis have their views. the united states and others we've done a lot of work on this. there have been negotiations in the past that enable us -- will inform the negotiations should we get parties back together again. you know, through this negotiation, that's how you got it to a viable palestinian state. if there are no negotiations, them or not going to see a palestinian state emerge. >> one last question related -- can i just had one last on this? >> all right. all right. i tried. >> in the state of hebron, which

is home to 220,000 palestinians and 600 settlers, there is an area called the martyr streak, but is completely closed to palestinians. are you or the situation like this? is this something you had raised the israeli government to sort of relate the hardship of the palestinians and hebron? >> that's one of the reasons why we have been the strong supporters of building institutions of the palestinian authority. and through this institutions and web dramatic changes on the ground that are occurring, you know, we can see the israelis, you know, adaptive posture. we continue to talk to, you know, both sides about how to improve the situation on the ground as one means among several of continuing to build the necessary public support, you know, so readers can have

confidence that they can enter a negotiations and have the proper, you know, political support through those negotiations and didn't get to an agreement. so we have conversations with the israelis and palestinians, both sides and how we can adapt the situation in the west bank. >> i just wonder, why do you feel strongly that you have, from this podium, you have to condemn the senior palestinian officials, concerned that on the israeli side you have foreign minister who publicly -- officially advocating the transfer of the palestinians, denied the right to exist, et cetera? i'm just wondering it a double standard here or what you think you have to condemn one side more than the other? or why is the language very important? >> well, tell you that there've been times where senior israeli officials have spoken in ways that do not reflect the policies of the government and the government has made clear that

to disassociate itself from the statements. we have talked to palestinians about these words and we just felt that, you know, it was appropriate for us to make clear positioned. >> palestinians haven't disassociated themselves? >> all refer to the palestinians to describe how they feel. [inaudible] >> are you sure -- >> week -- >> do not reflect the palestinian authority position? or are you concerned that they do? >> we have talked to the palestinians that link on many occasions about the impact of controversial statements that we think have the potential to incite conflict with the region. >> at the same time, you don't

see they are completely opposed in territory that you yourself say is disputed and earlier this year are calling for a freeze all construction? you don't see this as inflammatory? >> i mean, as i said, we have expressed -- not -- as i said, we have expressed our concerns with the israelis about this project. we've done so directly. we expect to have further conversations with them. and as we say, both sides have responsibilities here. we're in a period where we are looking for both sides to assume responsibility, create the necessary conditions that allow negotiations to resume. and both sides have these responsibilities to take them seriously. >> one side is in public and what is more concerned to be

discussed in private. >> guys, if you go back a number of months, we have not hesitated to express their concerns publicly and privately about what is happening in east jerusalem. >> fair enough. can we go to wikileaks? that might be an easier subject. [laughter] >> this is a hobson's choice to be sure. >> actually, the one main question i have about this is what if anything has a state department done in the last week or so to prevent recurrence of wikileaks like this? have you started transmitting your cables, your correspondence, differently? >> well, there is an interagency review, both, you know, narrowly focused and more broadly focused as we come you know, talked about yesterday, there are, broadly speaking, you know, some policy issues that will have to

be reviewed in light of what has happened so we can properly balance the need to know, the need to share. but the overriding need to protect classified information. we have made some internal adjustments to -- and are classified, you know, database that contains the state department documents. i'm not going to go into great detail from the podium, but to the extent that one of the issues raised here was this question of who should have access to state department documents across the government. we have made some adjustments and temporarily narrowed the access to these documents as we and others work through the

implications of this leak and make sure that we have taken the appropriate steps so that we will not happen. >> when you mean narrowed, and human insider other agencies, or both? >> well, we have -- this is an interagency process. it's about the state department. we are revealing, you know, our internal controls because, you know, -- >> let me put it this way -- >> we want to make sure that our documents are adequately protected and that we have the ability to detect, if anything like this occurs in the future. but you know, i'm constrained in what i can say here because

there is an ongoing investigation. to the extent that their are a number of networks that feed into this database, we have made some adjustments. and that has narrowed, you know, for the time being those who have access to state department cables across the government. >> okay, so it is correct that there are people now who, two weeks ago, had access to cables outside the government and now do not have it, is that correct? >> that is likely, yes. >> and it is also the case that there's some people and said the department who do not have access to these cables? >> inside the department -- i mean, i'm not sure that there's a change in access, but we have made -- we are going back over our internal procedures to make sure that, should some of them be at risk in the future, that we would be able to detect and

stop it before it happens. >> is that correct that there are people outside this department, and other agencies that would've had access to materials to which they now to not have access to? can you not say yes there are people outside the department without access to now don't? and mean, if you can't say that -- >> began, i'm reluctant to get into great detail in this briefing. >> this is not great detail. >> the first of all, there is value in sharing information across the government to make sure that we have the benefit of the perspective of other agencies and they have the benefit of our perspective, you

know, because we do have an integrated national security strategy. the state department works at the defense department, works closely with the national security staff. works closely with other agencies of government. so there is value in sharing. one of the issues that this incident has brought to light is the real question as to who and how many have the need to have this kind of access to a database that has a broad array of state department documents. we have -- we have temporarily, you know, severed the connection between this database of unclassified network. we've done so, you know, as this broad government review is ongoing, both for ourselves and others, you know, steps are being made to correct weaknesses in the system that has become

evident because of this leak. and at the point where we believe the appropriate steps have been taken. then we'll reevaluate whether to reconnect this one network to the state department database. >> is that one network idea t. -- the charge sheet that has been released against mr. manning, specifically charges and gore accuses him of having gotten access to more than 150,000 state department cables? was that network the classified network? >> i don't want to say more. >> to know what it was? >> we've made these adjustments in the past. [inaudible] >> specifically with wikileaks, there are some leaked documents in their that has been referred

to other's lifestyle, cinema, et cetera. do you know, as the secretary going to be addressing a with him, with any other leaders there? and also, how presumably, but other leaders how does complicate the trip? >> well come the timing is exquisite. look, she has had a number of conversations with her counterpart, you know, prior to the trip. i have no doubt that this issue will come up in the various interactions that she has, you know, within the osce meeting. we're not going to talk about specific classified documents.

do you know, she will, reassure them in private, much as she did yesterday in public and commit that we will do everything we can to sustain the close cooperation and collaboration and engagement we have with a variety of countries around the world. you know, we're not going to let wikileaks undermine the global cooperation that is vitally important to resolving regional and global security challenges. >> one more on that. in the blogosphere very few people who are now saying the secretary should resign over wikileaks. and they're saying that only -- >> why would that be? >> well, i'm getting to that. one would be because the fact these are leaked, but importantly they are zeroing in on the united nations and not

directive, which apparently came from the secretary, telling diplomats to collect -- >> again, let me be clear on that. i've touched on that another let me be as clear as i can. the secretary has said it, ambassador rice has said it. i have said it. diplomats are diplomats. that is their job. diplomats are not intelligence assets. i'm elected to talk about any particular document, but, you know, just because -- as i said, by tradition, any document that leaves the department of state has the secretary of state's name on it. she is responsible, but she was not the author of god particular document. and you know, the content of that came from outside the department of state.

we are -- diplomats have a difficult job. it is useful for them to know, you know, what is of interest across the government. but this doesn't change the day-to-day duties of any diplomats anywhere. >> just one clarification. again, if you look at those -- the articles that are being written, it's been described as not only information, but it diametric data. in fact, one of the articles i read said dna. it was detailed as that. >> look, jill, their entities where their government government, that has certain responsibilities. it is one thing for that community to provide a wish list across the government that helps

people understand what is useful it takes a leap of faith to say that fundamentally changes the day-to-day responsibilities of the diplomats. it doesn't. our diplomats are diplomats. our diplomats are not intelligence assets. they can collect information. they collect information that is useful. we shared across the government as we've been talking about with respect to documents generated by the department of state. but please do not infer from one document that this fundamentally changes the role. nothing has changed based on a document that has been issued through the department, you know, for a number of years. >> he said the contents of documents documents came from outside, did you say that?

>> i did. >> what does that mean? >> again, i'm not going to talk about a particular document. look, guys -- guys, i've set on going to say about this. >> one more clarification. you mentioned a wish list. in other words, are you saying that asserted agency issued a wish list of what diplomats should collect and that those diplomats are free to do as much or as little as possible and collecting that information? >> diplomats are diplomats and their job is to interact with people, gather information, gain a perspective of events around the world and report those findings in a way that helps inform our policies and inform our actions. they are not intelligence assets. it can be useful for a diplomat

to understand from washington, you have a diplomat out anyplace in the world. hey, there are issues that are of particular interest to the united states government. you come across information that might be irrelevant to these issues, let us know. that is something the diplomats do every day. but one particular cable does not turn a diplomat into an intelligence asset. >> he said diplomats are diplomats. we talk about dna data, you want to know how many officials are flying and they've created details. can you release that knowledge after 9/11 they blurred the lines -- >> no, i will specifically reject that idea. nothing in the role of a diplomat at the state department

changed because of any one document for any one event. what we do here at the state department, we've done at the same way for a number of years. and our role in helping to formulate and execute the foreign policy of the united states did not change on 9/11. >> on a dna basis, nothing changed? >> again, nothing in any document that is allegedly in the tranche of wikileaks or the accession of wikileaks changed the role of any diplomats anywhere in the world. [inaudible] describe them as wet? >> this information was stolen?

>> while -- at the information -- the passing of classified information to someone to have it is a crime. >> my question is, why shouldn't mr. assange be pursued as a burglar, as a bandit? you issue an arrest warrant and say he burglarized and we bring him to task? >> the attorney general said yesterday, there is an ongoing investigation regarding anyone who has been potentially implicated by the situation. >> just to be clear, the clarity that were taken about someone who is neither a u.s. citizen or u.s. resident, what are the legal ramifications of that? >> again, i'll defer to department of justice. >> if i could just bring a mother point, that the previous administration found a way to do with non-us residents who would consider to be connecting crimes.

it was called guantánamo. i mean, if any action going to be taken that could involve the type of extralegal process? >> no. >> wait, hold on. are you except in the between something -- >> no, no, no. the question proposed to me was this administration complementing any extrajudicial action to resolve the situation? and the answer is no. >> and it would not in any case -- >> and income each assassinate question i responded to it. now he's got another question, i'll be happy to respond to it. stearic again, wikileaks. a specific country, turkey, that it was not on your list of announcements, but today almost every single nationwide turkish newspaper had headlines about wikileaks and how it goes to touch prime ministers and ministers and all that. and turkish foreign minister actually yesterday was in washington and refer wikileaks

of a dual language of another country, these are called. and he openly referred to the united states. my question is could you please walk us through how the u.s. -- the united states is going to be able to overcome this huge leaks -- this huge scandal and how we are going to reset again relations and countries like turkey? now the people of turkey even that much more questions than a couple days before. >> well, but any -- but the start of coming back to a point made earlier. there are rules that diplomats play in the world. it is the responsibility of our diplomats stationed around the world to interact with governments, to interact with civil society, to analyze defense in various countries and report to the state department

and to other agencies as part of the formulation and execution of the foreign policy of the united states. diplomats of other countries to the very same thing. fundamental to the system of cooperation among countries and interaction among countries is trust and confidentiality. i think first and foremost, everyone understands who is responsible for the release of these documents. it is an individual within the united states government who is under investigation. and more broadly, it is the wikileaks organization that is chosen to release these documents to others who are not authorized to have them. so you know, we recognize that there is -- this is a serious

situation. we're going to do everything possible to minimize the impact of this. we are committed to continuing to engage countries around the world, whether it's turkey, other countries. our relationships are still guided by national interest and mutual interests. our relationships are guided by mutual respect and to the extent that the trust inherent in this engagement has been compromised. we will work as hard as we can to rebuild distressed. >> you mentioned trust and confidentiality. and it looks like both of the principles of diplomacy, if i may, have been damaged fundamentally have been damaged. so basically your principles have been damaged, and raskin are you going to able -- do you have any concrete -- >> well, if i can beg to differ. again, you know, i'm not going

to comment on any particular cable. but if you look at what has emerged, you see a handful of things. first you see the broad sweep of united states foreign policy. you see the commitment of the united states working collaboratively with other countries to try to resolve the urgent issues of the world that impact our people and impact other people around the world. you see diplomats, records of diplomats who are doing the hard work of diplomacy and are committed to advance our interests and the interest of the world at large, consistent with laws consistent with our values. we are proud of the work done here at the department of state. we are proud of the work done higher diplomats around the world. they're not going to change what we do, you know, because of

this. but we are committed to, as they talked about earlier, we will learn from what has happened here. we will do whatever we have to do to protect confidential information. that is essential to the functioning of any organization, whether it's a government or a private entity. all governments, all entities have secrets. they have proprietary information that is vitally important to their functioning. ours has been compromised. we are going to aggressively investigate that and we will hold accountable those responsible. doesn't change the relationships we have with individual countries. we're committed to engage. we're committed to the friendships and alliances that we have. we'll continue to work with countries around the world on, you know, shared challenges. and that will be the message that secretary clinton delivers

to world leaders at the usc. the show. >> on iran -- >> hold on, one more. >> have you sum up his character and motives? >> well, i believe he has been described as an anarchist. his actions seem to substantiate that. >> iran has agreed to come to the p-5+1, and would argue bringing to this meeting? >> well, i don't want to get ahead if lady ashton. i believe there will be a statement out of the e.u. and will be for comments until that announcement. >> have you agreed on genea