as i listen to this debate, i go back to the comments that secretary eagleburger made. if you read it, it becomes clear. [laughter] >> i might add one other thing. causes beyond the 58 convention, in the pirate's right to board state vessels, the observation that enables us to deal with some is powerful, and something that we used to a great defect. it does not impede our ability, it enhances our ability to deal with practical at-sea elements. you went on with what to do after we catch them, and that has been addressed. >> i will move from behind a pillar. thank you. my name is philip saunders. i made in in canada. -- i am 8 been in canada. i want to reflect on our experience. we actually signed the convention in the 1982 and rapidly proceeded to ratify the vote 20 years later. [laughter] >> after debates that replicated some of what has happened here, it has not taken on the overtly political, left-right tone. there was a lot of talk about the things we stood to lose if we ratified, rather than the benefits. we stayed outside for quite some time. things like the abilit

bush administration and officials like secretary lawrence eagleburger in helping eastern europe country transition from communist -- to transition from communist authoritarianism to western capitalist democracies after the fall of the berlin wall and the collapse of the soviet union. although what happened a long time ago, i am especially proud of the losing fight that i helped wage with congressmen henry royce and mo udall to prevent the passage of the fiscally irresponsible reagan budgets, which at a time of devastating inflation cut taxes at the same time the defense budget was being doubled, all paid for with borrowed money, more than tripling the long-term budget deficit picture. the ob-year old-royce alternative budget was a progressive alternative to the budget of both parties, which spent less, borrowed less, and produced smaller deficits than either the democratic or republican base bills, and won the support of a majority of democrats. at the time our actions were hugely unpopular. about 70% of the voters in my district supported reagan's budget, but time has proven us right.