CHILDREN WITH CHARACTER. IN PROPOSING THIS PACK ARPBLGS WE
           DON'T PREVEND TEND TO BELIEVE OUR LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS WILL
           RERACE THE HARM ALREADY INFLICTED ON TOO MANY AMERICANS. NOR DO
           WE BELIEVE THESE LAWS WILL GUARD AGAINST ALL FUTURE THREATS OF
           YOUTH VIOLENCE. BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THE CONGRESS HAS AN
           OPPORTUNITY TO TODAY STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE OUR EXISTING LAWS,
           TO EMPOWER FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THIS
           CULTURAL VIRUS AS SEEN IN OUR YOUTH. OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO

           APPLY REASON AND TEMPERANCE TO THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE THIS
           COMING WEEK. HOLDING CLOSE THE DEARLY HELD PRINCIPLES OF LIFE
           AND LIBERTY WHICH ARE EXPRESSED IN OUR BILL OF RIGHTS. I AM
           HOPEFUL THAT THE SENATE WILL CORK TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS
           OBJECTIVE. NOID EA LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS -- NOW I'D LIKE TO
           SAY A FEW WORDS REGARDING OUR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS THAT WILL BE
           BEFORE THE SENATE THE FIRST PART OF THIS NEXT WEEK. IN THE
           AFTERMATH OF THE LITTLETON TRAGEDY, I PROPOSED THESE AMENDMENTS

           THAT WILL ALLOW CONGRESS TO GO ON RECORD WITH RESPECT TO A
           MEMORIAL OR MEMORIAL SERVICE THAT CONTAINS RELIGIOUS SPEECH.
           THE ALLARD AMENDMENTS DO NOT PUT CONGRESS ON RECORD WITH
           RESPECT TO THE KIND OF MEMORIAL THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE; THAT
           DECISION IS FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. THE ALLARD
           AMENDMENTS DO, HOWEVER, DECLARE THAT A FITTING MEMORIAL MAY
           CONTAIN RELIGIOUS SPEECH WITHOU VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION. AS
           YOU APPROACH ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, SIGNS ARE POSTED
           WHICH SAY "WELCOME TO ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, OUR NATION'S

           MOST SACRED SH RHINE. PLEASE CONDUCT YOURSELF WITH DIGNITY AND
           RESPECT AT ALL TIMES. THREES REMEMBER THAT THESE ARE HALLOWED
           GROUNDS." SIMILARLY, CONGRESS APPROPRIATES THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR
           CHAPLAINS WILL CONDUCT MEMORIAL SERVICE NOT ONLY AT ARLINGTON
           CEMETERY BUT WHEREVER THEY ARE NEEDED TO SERVE OUR DEPARTED MEN
           AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE RECOGNIZE
           THAT PAYING FOR CHAPLAINS TO CONDUCT MEMORIAL SERVICE IS NOT AN
           ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION BY THE GOVERNMENT BUT A DIGNIFIED AND

           PROPER GOVERNMENT FUNCTION FUNCTION. THE SUPREME COURT HAS
           NOTED THAT THE CHAPLAINYIES OF THE VARIOUS BRANCHES OF
           GOVERNMENT OF OUR CONSTITUTION. NO ONE COULD SERIOUSLY CONTEND
           THAT THE SIGNS IDENTIFYING ARLINGTON AS A HALLOWED GROUND ARE
           ESTABLISHMENTS OF RELIGION. SO TODAY I'M INTRODUCING AN
           AMENDMENT THAT STATE TAZ IT IS FITTING AND PROPER FOR A SCHOOL
           TO HOLD A MEMORIAL SERVICE WHEN THE STUDENT FOR A TEACHER IS
           KILLED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS AND IT IS FITTING AND PROPER TO
           INCLUDE RELIGIOUS REFERENCES, SONGS, AND READINGS IN SUCH A

           SERVICE. MEMORIAL SERVICES HELP THE GRIEVING PROCESS OF
           STUDENTS AND FACULTY, BRING A SCHOOL TOGETHER IN THE FACE OF
           TRAGEDY AND MEET AND A NEED -- AND MEET A NEED DEEPLY FELT BY
           SO MANY TO SEE THEIR FRIEND GIVEN RECOGNITION IN A DIGNIFIED
           AND SOLEMN MANNER. MY AMENDMENT ALLOWS STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF
           A PUBLIC SCHOOL TO HOLD A MEMORIAL SERVICE WHICH INCLUDES
           PRAYER, REACHING THE SCRIPTURE OR THE PERFORMANCE OF RELIGIOUS
           MUSIC AT A MEMORIAL SERVICE THAT IS HELD ON THE CAMPUS OF A
           PUBLIC SCHOOL IN ORDER TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF ANY PERSON SLAIN

           ON THAT CAMPUS. AS A PART OF MY PROPOSED AMENDMENT, THERE IS
           HEA A SECTION THA LOUSE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MEMORIAL THAT
           INCLUDES RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS OR REFERENCE TO GOD ON SCHOOL
           PROPERTY. IN EITHER CASE IN A LAWSUIT IS BROUGHT FORTH, PARTIES
           ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THEIR OWN FEES AND COSTSANT ATTORNEY
           GENERAL IS AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE -- AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS
           AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE. THIS IS NOT THE EQUIVALENT OF A DAILY
           SCHOOL PRAYER. IT IS A SPECIFIC RESPONSE TO AN UNUSUAL

           CIRCUMSTANCE A CIRCUMSTANCE I HOPE WE WILL NOT HAVE TO REVISIT
           AGAIN. THE AMENDMENTS SPECIFICALLY MENTION THAT RELIGIOUS SONGS
           MAY BE HAD AT SUCH MEMORIAL WITHOUT VILINGTE THE CONSTITUTION.
           THE TWO FEDERAL APPEALS COURTS HAVE TAKEN UP THIS ISSUE AND
           HAVE RULED THAT SCHOOL CHOIRS MY SING RELIGIOUS MUSIC AND THE
           FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HELD THAT IT WAS CONSTITUTIONAL
           FOR A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR TO HAVE THE LORD BLESS YOU AND

           KEEP YOU AS ITS SIGNATORY SONG. IN THE SAME WAY, ERECTING A
           MEMORIAL THAT CONTAINS A QUOTE FROM SCRIPTURE FOR A RELIGIOUS
           SYMBOL FROM THE DESEASED'S RELIGIOUS TRADITION WOULD NOT
           VIOLATE THE CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION. IN ANY COMMUNITY
           VISITED BY SUCH A TRAGEDY, A PERSON WHO VIEWS SUCH A MEMORIAL
           WITH RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS OR REFERENCES THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO THE
           DECEASED WOULD CERTAINLY NOT SEE SOME SORT OF COVERT ATTEMPT TO
           ESTABLISH AN OFFICIAL RELIGION. RATHER, THEY WOULD SHE A

           FITTING AND PROPER MEMORIAL TO A DEPARTED FRIEND. I URGE MY
           COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT MY MODEST PROPOSAL. THIS LEGISLATION DOES
           TWO
           
           THINGS: IT REQUIRES THAT IF A SCHOOL HOLDS MEMORIAL SERVICES OR
           PUTS UP A MEMORIAL IN RESPONSE TO A KILLING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
           AND THE SCHOOL IS SUED, THEN ALL PARTIES WILL BEAR THEIR OWN
           COSTS AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. A SCHOOL THAT IS EXPERIENCED -- THAT
           HAS EXPERIENCED A TRAGEDY OF THIS KIND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY
           ABOUT SOMEONE BRINGING A SUIT AND WINNING THOUSANDS AND
           THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN ATTORNEYS' FEES JUST BECAUSE THE SCHOOL

           DECIDES TO HOLD A MEMORIAL SERVICE OR PUT UP A MEMORIAL.
           SECOND, THIS LEGISLATION PERMITS BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE
           ATTORNEY GENERAL TO AID A SCHOOL IN DEFENDING AGAINST THESE
           SUITS. THIS IS ONE SMALL THING WE CAN DO TO HELP OUR SCHOOLS
           RESPOND IN A HUMANE, COMPASSIONATE, AND CONSTITUTIONAL WAY TO
           THE VIOLENCE THAT HAS BECOME SO TOO COMMON IN OUR SCHOOLS. IT
           IS THE PEOPLE -- IF THE PEOPLE OF COLORADO BELIEVE THAT
           RELIGIOUS SPEECH IS NECESSARY TO MEMORIALIZE THE HEROISM AND

           TRAGEDY AT COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL, THEN LET THEM EXPRESS
           THEMSELVES WITH THE MOST PROFOUND AND DURABLE EXPRESSIONS OF
           THE HUMAN HEART. LET US PASS THIS AMENDMENT TODAY -- OR THIS
           NEXT WEEK, HOPING AN OCCASION FOR ITS USE MAY NEVER HAPPEN
           AGAIN. I YIELD THE FLOOR.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM NEVADA IS
           RECOGNIZED.
           

           MR. REID: WOULD THE CHAIR EXPLAIN TO THE SENATOR WHAT THE
           PARLIAMENTARY STATUS IS IN THE SENATE TODAY.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE QUESTION BEFORE THE SENATE IS TO
           PROCEED ON S. 96, THE Y2K LEGISLATION.
           

           MR. REID: I WOULD ASK CONSENT THAT WE BE ALLOWED TO OFFER
           AMENDMENTS TO S. 254, THE BILL THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON ALL
           WEEK.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE OBJECTION?
           
           

           A SENATOR: MR. PRESIDENT, I OBJECT.
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: AN OBJECTION IS HEARD. MR. REID: MR.
           PRESIDENT?
           
           

           THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM NEVADA.
           

           MR. REID: I REALLY THINK THAT'S UNFORTUNATE. WE HAVE WORKED ALL
           WEEK TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I'VE WORKED PERSONALLY WITH
           SENATOR DORGAN TRYING TO WHITTLE DOWN THESE AMENDMENTS. I'VE
           WORKED MANY HOURS THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. WE HAVE NOW ON OUR
           SIDE AND ON THE MAJORITY'S SIDE WORKED ON THE AMENDMENTS TO --
           WORKED DOWN THE TEEMTZ A FAIRLY GOOD NUMBER. I FOR THE LIFE OF
           ME CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN'T PROCEED WORKING ALL DAY TODAY
           OFFERING AMENDMENTS. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE WAITING TO OFFER

           AMENDMENTS. I HAVE AN AMENDMENT HERE THAT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO
           OFFER. WE HAVE SENATORS WHO WOULD TALK INTO THE NIGHT OFFERING
           AMENDMENTS. THERE'S NO EFFORT ON HALF OF THE MINORITY TO DELAY
           THIS MATTER. WE'VE WORKED VERY HARD TO EVEN GET TIME LIMITS ON
           OUR AMENDMENTS. WE COULD COMPLETE THIS LEGISLATION VERY
           QUICKLY. I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK THROUGH SOME OF THE
           AMENDMENTS THAT THE MAJORITY HAS LOCKED IN UNDER THE PREVIOUS

           UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT. WE COULD WORK TODAY, ALL DAY
           MONDAY AND THEN TUESDAY THERE WOULDN'T BE MUCH LEFT TO DO. I
           THINK IT IS TREMENDOUSLY UNFORTUNATE THAT WE'RE UNABLE TO
           PROCEED ON THIS. AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY, MR. PRESIDENT, JUST FOR
           A COUPLE REASONS. WHEN I CAME HOME LAST NIGHT, I WORKED LATE ON
           THE EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL -- I GOT HOME
           
           AROUND 9:30 OR 10:00 LAST NIGHT -- AND LOOKED THROUGH MY MAIL,

           I WAS SURPRISED TO GET A LETTER FROM A LONGTIME FRIEND. AS SOME
           OF MY FRIENDS KNOW, I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SEARCH
           SEARCHLIGHT, NEVADA, A VERY SMALL TOWN. THERE AREN'T A LOT OF
           PEOPLE FROM SEARCHLIGHT. BUT I GOT A LETTER FROM SOMEONE WHO
           WAS RAISED IN SEARCHLIGHT JUST LIKE ME, SOMEWHAT ORDINARILY
           THAN I AM, BUT SOMEONE I HAVE KNOWN LITERALLY ALL MY LIFE. I
           CAN REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY, I HAD MOVED FROM
           SEARCHLIGHT TO HENDERSON, NEVADA, WHERE THERE WAS A HIGH SCHOOL
           AND WAS LIVING WITH AN AUNT. AND EARLY ONE MORNING WE'RE ALL

           AWAKENED BECAUSE ONE OF MY ANKH UNCLES FROM SEARCHLIGHT CAME TO
           GIVES THE VERY BAD NEWS THAT HIS STEPDAUGHTER HAD BEEN SHOT
           WHILE WORKING AT ONE OF THE HOTELS IN LAS VEGAS BY THIS CRAZED
           MAN WHO SHOT HER FOR NO REASON. HE DIDN'T KNOW HER. SHE WAS
           VERY, VERY ATTRACTIVE, AND THIS MAN WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD A
           PISTOL SHOT HER. AND I WANT TO READ TO THE SENATE MUCH OF WHAT
           IS IN THE LETTER IS PERSONAL IN NAIRX NOT THAT THIS ISN'T A

           PERSONAL NAIRX BUT THE OTHER RELATES TO OUR FAMILY. BUT LET ME
           READ A PARAGRAPH THAT SHE CLOSED THIS LETTER WITH. "HOPE YOU
           CAN FEEL FREE TO SUPPORT ALL LEGISLATION IN KNOCKING DOWN THE
           STRONG GUN LOBBY. I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY SHOOT THE CROTCH OUT
           OF MOSES, ALSO KNOWN AS CHARLESTON HESTON. I HAVE 46 YEARS OF
           ANGER BUILT UP ON THIS ISSUE." SHE IS A PARAPLEGIC. "I KNOW IT

           CAN BE POLITICAL SUICIDE TO GO UP AGAINST THEM, BUT THEY ARE
           ROT TONIGHT CORE AND SELFISH IN THEIR INTERESTS. WHILE I HAVE
           THE BEST FED FRIENDS AND HAVE MANAGED TO LIVE -- (HAVE NOT
           REALLY HAD A LIFE) -- I DARE THEM TO FOLLOW KNEE IN MY
           WHEELCHAIR TRACKS." SHE CLOSES BY SAYING, "STAY WELL, SWEET
           BOY." TALKING TO ME. MR. PRESIDENT, THIS LEGISLATION THAT WE'RE
           ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE NEEDS TO BE RESOFMTED PEOPLE MAY DISAGREE

           WITH MY FRIEND FROM SEARCHLIGHT, NOW LIVING IN LAS VEGAS,
           JEANIE MCCAUL, WHO HAS SPENT 46 YEARS IN A WHEELCHAIR AS A
           RESULT OF BEING SHOT BY SOMEBODY WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD A GUN
           MANY. BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DEBATING HERE IN THESE CHAMBERS. WE
           SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER AMENDMENTS. THERE'S NO
           REASON IN THE WORLD THAT WE SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OFFER THE
           AMENDMENTS. WE HAVE 30-PLUS AMENDMENTS ON THIS SIDE. WE COULD
           GET RID OF, BY TUESDAY, I BET WE COULD GET RID OF 25 OF THEM,
           LEAVING TUESDAY JUST A HANDFUL OF AMENDMENTS TO WORK ON. I ALSO

           NOT ONLY INDICATE WHAT WAS WRITTEN BY MY FRIEND, JEANIE MCCAUL,
           A BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL WOMAN WHO SHORTLY AFTER SHE WAS INJURED
           BY THIS CRAZED MAN WAS DIVORCED AND HAS RAISED THIS LITTLE BOY
           BY HERSELF. IN ADDITION, MR. PRESIDENT, TO THE LETTER FROM

           JEANIE, I RECEIVED ANOTHER LETTER -- ANOTHER LETTER FROM A MAN
           WHO IS COMPLAININGING BECAUSE HE FELT IT WAS SOMEWHAT IMPROPER
           -- HE LIVES IN LAS VEGAS -- I'M SORRY, HE LIVES IN RENO.
           
           "DEAR SENATOR REID: I'M WRITING IN REGARDS TO THE ENCLOSED
           NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP THAT WAS MAILED TO MY
           13-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. I'M NOT A GUN ADVOCATE AND HAVE NEVER
           VOICED AN OPINION AND I CERTAINLY BELIEVE IN OUR CONSTITUTION

           AND THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. BUT I AM ASTONISHED THAT THE
           MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION IS ADDRESSED TO MY 13-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.
           AS WE STRIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE
           SAFE FOR OUR CHILDREN, ONE OF THE BIGGEST FEARS THAT SPRAIRNTSZ
           IS A GUN AT SCHOOL. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN OUR PARTICULAR
           SCHOOL AROUND FROM A VERY VIOLENT AND NON NONACADEMYIC-ORIENTED
           INSTITUTION TO ONE THAT WE ARE ALL VERY PROUD AND WHERE THE
           STUDENTS ARE DOING EXTREMELY IS WELL. I AM ABSOLUTELY AMAZED
           THAT THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION WOULD HAVE THE AUDACITY TO
           MAIL MEMBERSHIP ALY DIGSZE CHILDREN. AT SOME POINT, I BELIEVE

           THIS MUST BE PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. WILL MY
           YOUNGEST 11-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER BE CONNECTED -- I MEAN, CONTACTED
           NEXT WITH ANOTHER OUTRAGEOUS SUGGESTION THAT IS ONLY SUPPORTING
           VIOLENCE?" SIGNED BY DAVID BRODY, A REGISTERED VOTER -- THAT'S
           HOW HE LISTS HIS SIFMGT RENO, NEVADA. MR. PRESIDENT, JEANIE
           MCXRFMT AUL, DAVID BRODY. WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS
           LEGISLATION. I SEE THE MAJORITY LEADER AND I CERTAINLY WANT TO
           YIELD THE FLOOR TO THE MAJORITY LEADER. MR. LEADER, WHAT I HAVE

           SAID HERE IS THAT WE WANT -- WE HAVE SOME AMENDMENTS -- WE HAVE
           SOME PEOPLE STANDING FWOI OFFER AMENDMENTS AND WE REALLY WOULD
           LIKE TO DO THAT. AND ONE OF THE SENATORS ON THE MAJORITY
           OBJECTED TO THE OFFERING OF AN AMENDMENT. BUT AS I SAID -- MR.
           LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT?
           
           

           MR. REID: YES, I WILL JUST BE VERY BREEFMT AS I SAID, WE WANT
           TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THESE. WE HAVE 30-PLUS AMENDMENTS. I
           THINK WE CAN GET RID OF -- IN THE 20'S OF THESE AMENDMENTS BY
           TUESDAY MORNING. IF WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER THESE
           AMENDMENTS TODAY AND MONDAY.
           

           MR. LOTT: MR. PRESIDENT, IF I COULD RESPOND, FIRST OF ALL,
           SENATOR HATCH AND SENATOR LEAHY, THE MANAGERS OF THE BILL, ARE
           NOT ON THE FLOOR AT THIS TIME, AND I ASSUME THEY'RE STILL IN
           THE AREA, AND I'VE GOT A CALL INTO SENATOR HATCH SO THAT HE'LL
           COME BACK. AND WE CAN, YOU KNOW, DISCUSS HOW WE MIGHT PROCEED.
           AND SEE WHAT AMENDMENTS WE ARE AI TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE YOU CAN
           CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND, IT'S HARD TO HAVE THE DEBATE GO FORWARD
           WITHOUT THE MANAGERS
{END: 1999/05/14 TIME: 12-15 , Fri.  106TH SENATE, FIRST SESSION}