boozman: mr. pr? the presiding officer: the senator arkansas. mr. boozman: thank you, mr. president. yesterday congress passed yet another short-term continuing resolution. while this avoids a shutdown, it's far from ideal. certainly a shutdown is not good governing. i think that all of us can agree on that much. i'd remind my colleagues, though, particularly those on the other side of the aisle, that continuing resolutions are hardly better. while the american people demand that we get our financial house in order, washington continues to pass stopgap after stopgap funding bills. instead of tackling this challenge head on, these short-term extensions continue current funding lesms -- levels and prevent us from stopping waste, fraud and abuse with taxpayer dollars. there is another option. we don't have to choose between a continuing resolution and a shutdown. the third choice is the right choice. and that choice is for this chamber to follow regular order and pass all 12 appropriations bills. we've done our work at the appropriations committee, for the first time in six y

mr. boozman: thank you, mr. president. the rare blend of sole tide environment and availability of water makes arkansas an ideal location for rice to thrive and grow, making arkansas the nation's largest producer of rice. last year, production in the natural state accounted for more than 50% of total rice produced in the country. farmers in more than half of arkansas' counties grow rice. 96% of those are family owned and operated. as the number-one producer of this crop, arkansas has a unique role in the industry. that's why i'm proud to recognize the 25th anniversary of national rice month. i'm also proud to promote policies that enable our farmers to manage risk and ensure that high-quality u.s. rice remains a staple on tables throughout the globe. this industry is not only contributing to a nutritious and balanced diet, it's also an economic engine for arkansas, mississippi, louisiana, missouri, california and texas all produce rice. nationwide, this industry accounts for 125,000 jobs and contributes -- that helps. and

mr. boozman: yes. mr.hatch: i graduated from high school in 1952 and i was the captain of the high school basketball team, and i followed this crispus attucks team. it was fantastic. and almost every player -- mr. boozman: extraordinary people. hatch they were extraordinary. they inspired -- mr. hatch: they were extraordinary. they inspired all of us, especially the way they conducted themselves and carried through. what a bunch of great, great athletes. mr. boozman: i'm so honored, to the leader of the senate, our speak pro tempore -- president pro tempore, for you to speak of our fine young men that way. every citizen of indiana is grateful, and they were an extraordinary group. i met them when i'm back home and as fine a people as they were when they were young, they're even more extraordinary for our state and country. mr. hatch: thank you. they were all winners. i'll tell you that. mr. boozman: thank you. thank you, mr. president. mr. coons: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that dan codare, a le