excellence and it is an event that meant a lot to the employees and the first time that i met with twu and the union that represents the operators with something that was very important and would like to see it come back and we have begun the discussionwise them about bringing that back and we are looking at a probably a different way of doing it. but we are working through your secretary, and through the communication direct and her working with the union to bring that event back to really we can nice the employees in accord with all four of the plan and recognize them and as you know is the number one goal of our plan and, just want to let you know that that is happening and it is a good thing for the employees and a good thing for the agency and we will keep you posted as we develop that. and then, finally, just want to remind folks that sunday streets is happening this sunday in the dog patch and the bay view, and we are especially pleased to be rolling out in conjunction with the mayor's office on disability and the department of aging and adult services as well as the bay and out

it was an affirmation to me of the tum iewlt twus seas through which our ship of state has sailed more than 200 years. we have had many brilliant and inspired people at the helm and trimming the sails along the way. we've had personalities ranging from mediocre to malevolent but our system of government has survived them all. serious challenges lie ahead but any honest reckoning of your history and our prospects well note we have confronted and survived more daunting challenges than we now face. this is a durable, resilient system of government, designed to withstand the foibles of men, including yours truly. madam president, it is an honor of a lifetime just to be here in this storied institution, more than i could have ever hoped for. my modest hope going forward is that my contributions will in some small way honor the senate's storied past and help it realize its full potential as the world's most deliberative body. thank you. i yield the floor. a senator: mm president? the presiding officer: the senator from connecticut. a senator: are we in a quorum call? the presiding officer: w