mr. isakson: thank you, madam chairman. mr. president, on certain occasions in the life of a public official, one is called upon to make difficult decisions and unpleasant ones. such is the case of the six members of the united states ethics committee today. but we recognize it's essential that the institution, this senate, that passes the laws that all our citizens must live under must also enforce those laws and rules of standard and conduct which we impose upon ourselves. it's a solemn responsibility, but it's important to the integrity and the future of this institution. the senate ethics committee looks upon itself as an advisory board and a source of information and counsel to our members. we ask members to come to us when there are questions about the potential ethical violation of a decision or even something that might in passing may seem to be trivial. our job is to make sure in our case that everybody that has a question gets an answer and no one unwillingly gets caught in an unethical situation. but it is also our r

mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the senator isakson be added as a con questioner -- as a conferee to the f.a.a. reauthorization bill. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid:. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the "help" committee be discharged from consideration and the senate now proceed to its consideration. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: senate resolution 158 congratulating the students, parents, teachers and administrators of charter schools across the united states and so forth. the presiding officer: without objection, the committee is discharged. mr. reid: i ask further -- the presiding officer: and the senate will proceed to the motion. mr. reid: i ask further the resolution be agreed to, the amendment to the preamble which is at the desk be agreed to, the preamble as amended be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in the record at the appropriate place. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous c

mr. isakson: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from georgia. mr. isakson: mr. president, i rise hon a point of personal privilege to commend the gentleman from georgia mr. keating hatcher. 25 years ago when i worked with my father, my father, among other things, was the past president of the georgia association of realtors. i remember one afternoon he came in my office and he said, son, we just hired someone today that's going to be special. hires name is keith hatcher. i want you to look him up the first time you get a chance. a week later i met keith. i was then a member of the georgia legislature. showed him around a little bit. he became the assistant to john coverage the hav venerable representative of the georgia realtors. i knew he was going to a great one and great one he has been. in his 25 years representing the georgia association and landowners and homeowners around our state, he's fought hard for limitations and curbs on the power of eminent domain, fought hard for lower taxes and transfer taxes, fought hard for landlord-tenant laws. he's worked da