these are rockhampton akaka resident returning from the christmas -- rockhampton residents returningm the christmas day. there is a threat from crocodiles and a snake. it is a very australian flood occurred >> what can you do? it's not like you can put your hand up and stop it. it will come. floods come, they go. it is just the way this year is working up. we just seem to become an island. the waters around us completely. maybe one day we would see that fixed, but at the present time, residents prepare for it. that is life here in rockhampton. >> never before in queensland's history have all four of their major river systems flooded at the same time. even after the water ski, the state will be affected for months -- even after the waters peak. >> we have a businessman based in rockhampton. jhe joins us now. give us an update on the expected peak we are expected to see, by the fitzroy river. >> in the last 36 hours, the river has not done much. it is sitting around a 9.2, even though the tide has come in and out. i am not sure what we will see by 5:00 p.m., whether there will be appea

and here's a race you wouldn't think about -- hawaii, where daniel akaka has been a democratic senators. he's 86 years old. there was a popular republican governor there. that's a long shot that the republicans are carefully looking at right now. chris: wow. >> more on senators. one indication whether a senator might have presidential ambitions is when they come to washington, they keep a very low profile. and just focus on their state, who is doing exactly that? marco rubio. it is all about florida the next six months. chris: and they are meeting in florida. i think he's on the ticket. >> with michael steele out as chairman of the republican national committee, farsighted republican are looking for ways to increase the visibility of black republicans on the presidential campaign trail. look for republican big wigs to talk up the candidacy of retired businessman herman cane. he's black, very conservative, he's a radio talk show host and hee ecama republican darling in 1994 when he confronted bill clinton on national television. chris: what is he running for? >> over health care reform.

thank you, senator akaka for joining us this morning. i appreciate that. but this time when i opened to questions from the press if there are any questions. yes, please state -- wait for the microphone and say who you're with. do not jamie, northwest broadcasting. for president keel, in regards to each branch of government, judicial, legislative and executive, is very simple but necessary list for each one that you would like to have in terms of cooperation? something that indians would like to be looking for in the next coming year? >> well, i think in terms of the u.s. congress, indian issues are not partisan issues. we look forward to working with the new incoming congressional leaders, those who have been recently elected are just now joining congress. we look forward to coming with and visiting with them giving you not necessarily an education package, but talking to you about the importance of indian country, what our issues and concerns are, what our priorities are and how we can work together to make sure that we can continue to advance the interes

they are majority leader reid, senator akaka, boxer, mikulski and schumer. thank them all for their leadership and vision in the 1980's as to the importance of making this holiday a remembrance to dr. martin luther king. 20 years before its enactment in august of 1963 on the steps of the lincoln memorial, dr. king delivered his most well-known speech in which he called for racial equality and social justice for all americans. madam president, in honor of dr. king's holiday, i would ask unanimous consent to insert in the record a copy of that speech. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. cardin: thank you, madam president, with that i would yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. a senator: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from tennessee. a senator: thank you, madam president. i'd like to ask to vitiate the quorum call. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. corker: and i will speak for just a few moments on something that i think is the most important issue facing our country today and i can't think of a better

viewers are not shortchanged when he sign up for c-span senate and all they get is an occasional "akaka" or some other name being listed in the quorum call but actually hear the senate working for its money. we can do better. i know what's going to happen now. we are likely to recess for some period of time and an opportunity presents itself for the leaders on both sides to come together. there's room for us to reach agreement. we can say to the minority, you're going to get your chance for amendments. you always want that, you're going to get it. and we can say to our side, you're going to face some votes on amendments, like it or not, that's part of why we're here. we can have some real debate, we can have an investment in the cloture process that means that it's rule and personal and that those that believe in it are taking the time to make sure that the senate continues to function as a responsible part of our government. mr. president, at this point, i would yield the floor. a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from new mexico. mr. udall: mr. president, let

akaka: mr. president, i rise to speak in morning business. mr. president, this past friday marked the annual earned income tax credit awareness day. i rise today to recognize the success and importance of this vital tax benefit for hard-working americans. as our country continues its steady recovery from the worst economic conditions that hard-working american men and women have faced since the great depression, families need financial relief and many people need jobs. as we renew our efforts to promote job creation, increase access to credit for small businesses and restore confidence and stability to markets, we should not forget that we already have what one president once called, and i quote -- "the best antipoverty, the best pro-family, the best job creation measure to come out of congress." unquote. president reagan was talking about the earned income tax credit. since 1975, the eitc has helped to offset the impact of social security taxes for low and moderate income individuals. nearly 26 million taxpayers across the country received the e