so we decided to meet in the old senate chamber and begin with danny akaka to open up with prayer, and ask a little bird to give us historic perspective of what we were about to do and then open it up with discussion to figure out how the proceed. we didn't know how to go forward and i can't remember exactly the order, but phil gramm got up and gave an impassioned pitch of course to move forward with the impeachment to get to remove him from office i'm sure. and then ted kennedy got up and gave an impassioned etch spspee then when we listened to it, it then connie mack said, great. t we have a deal, and it is the gram/kennedy agreement, and we went to the gallery and had a joint conference and then we said, what was the agreement? and then we have to figure out that we have to put it in writing so we put in the conference room, and i guess kennedy was in the room, and i put slade gordon in there and there were a few others that were thoughtful members that they put on paper and went forward, but amp not sure to this day what we agreed to at that moment. do you remember that? >> i remem

-- curious at this point to end the hearing, secretary panetta, that you are contemplating what danny akaka said to you and wondering about your career choice, but we do appreciate your service and indeed the service of all of you. general dempsey, i want to bring up with you an issue that really troubles me. since may of 2007, afghan security forces have killed 70 americans and allied troops and wounded many more. over 100 more. in 45 separate attacks. and one of those killed was a maine soldier, private first class buddy mclean. i'm so disturbed by the frequency of these attacks. it raises questions about our vetting process. it raises concerns among our troops when they are risking their lives to train and assist these afghan troops only to have some of them turn on them and kill them. it's my understanding that a central command red team report concluded that there was a crisis of distrust that permeated both the afghan national security troops that we are training and our own troops as well. so here they are being sent out on joint missions. they are training side by side. but they don

i've not known anyone, alabama or elsewhere, who has better lived his life in the spirit of than danny akakae the senate and our government a better place. we're also joined by our colleague, dr. tom coburn, who passionately represent it is people of oklahoma and will give us a reading from the scripture. [applause] and if you know tom, you know that his faith impacts his life, and we all know that. next i have the honor and privilege of introducing my wife, mrs. mary sessions, partner for 42 years who's enabled me -- [laughter] enabled me to be able to serve and be has provided us with three children and five grandchildren. [applause] so we are very grateful once again to welcome the first lady of the united states, michelle obama. [applause] none of us can even imagine the burdens you carry as the spouse of the leader of our nation. we thank you and pray for you and honor your work on behalf of the health of our nation's children and all americans. [applause] >> mr. president, did you hear the little thing about the national championship? [laughter] you know, this year it's alabama, last y