{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}
BOTH OF WHICH LEFT OUR STATE. THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY WE
WILL BE THE HOME OF THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS IN THE
NOT-TOO-DISTANT FUTURE, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, IT'S BEEN OUR MEN
AND WOMEN BASKETBALL TEAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL WHICH HAVE
CAPTURED THE ATTENTION OF EVERYONE IN OUR STATE AND I MIGHT SAY
AS WELL BEYOND THE BORDERS OF OUR STATE AS I THINK A GOOD PART
OF THE NATION WAS ROUTING FOR THIS NINE AND A HALF POINT
UNDERDOG ON THE NIGHT OF MARCH 29 AS THEY PREVAILED IN THIS
GREAT VICTORY. I WANT TO JUST MENTION A COUPLE OF PEOPLE, IF I
{14:30:37} (MR. DODD) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
CAN. FIRST OF ALL, JIM CALHOUN, THE COACH OF THE YUKON MEN'S
BASKETBALL TEAM. HAS A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL RECORD. HAS
CAPTURED N.I.T. TITLES, BEEN IN SWEET-16'S AND THE FINAL EIGHT,
IF YOU WILL AND NOW TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. NOT ONLY A
WONDERFUL KOVERNINGSE A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING WITH GREAT
DEDICATION TO HIS TEAM, HIS PLAYERS, HIS STATE. AS WELL AS HIS
COACHING STAFF, A WONDERFUL GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALSO
DEDICATED SO MUCH ENERGY AND TIME TO MAKING THIS A TEAM -- THIS
{14:31:13} (MR. DODD) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
TEAM THE SUCCESS THAT IT HAS BEEN. I WANT TO ALSO MENTION SOME
OF OUR PLAYERS HERE AGAIN. I LIST ALL OF THEM NEAR THIS
RESOLUTION, BUT I'D LIKE TO BEGINGY JUST MENTION AGO COUPLE OF
PLAYERS WHO MADE SUCH A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION. OUR SOPHOMORE
GUARD KHFMT ALEED ALAMEIN, A NATIVE OF MINNESOTA, DECIDED TO
MAKE THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HIS HOME STATE FOR
BASKETBALL PURPOSES AND HAS BEEN A SPARKPLUG FOR OUR TEAM, DONE
{14:31:47} (MR. DODD) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
A TREMENDOUS JOB AND, AS MANY RECALL, HE MADE TWO FREE-THROWS
IN THAT FINAL GAME WITH 5.2 SECONDS LEFT, WHICH ABSOLUTELY ICED
THE VICTORY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT. RICHARD HAM I
WILLTON HAS BECOME ONE OF THE GREAT PLAYERS IN COLLEGIATE
HISTORY, THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT, THE
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER IN THE BIG EAST TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR,
TRULY ONE OF THE GREAT, GREAT PLAIRX NOT ONLY AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF CONNECTICUT IN THE BIG EAST BUT ALSO THROUGHOUT THE NATION.
{14:32:20} (MR. DODD) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
OTHER PLAYERS -- RICKY MOORE, KEVIN FREEMAN, JAKE VOSCAL, ALL
CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY. RICKIE MOORE AND KEFEN FREEMAN
PROVED THAT DEFENSE IS VALUABLE, NOT JUST WHO CAN SCORE THE
MOST POINTS BUT WHO CAN BE GREAT DEFENSIVE PLAYERS. BOTH OF
THESE PLAYERS DID A TERRIFIC JOB IN PROVING THE VALUE OF THAT
ELEMENT TO THIS WONDERFUL, UNIQUE GAME THAT'S NOW PLAYED
WORLDWIDE. IT BEGAN IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, SOMETHING
THAT WE IN AMERICA TAKE PRIDE IN AS A SPORT THAT IS HOMEGROWN
{14:32:51} (MR. DODD) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
IN OUR COUNTRY. LASTLY, MR. PRESIDENT, THE FANS, THE STUDENT
BODY, THE ADMINISTRATION, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND FAITHFUL ALUMNI -- I HAPPEN TO HAVE
BEEN IN THAT STADIUM, MR. PRESIDENT, TO WATCH BOTH THE OHIO
STATE GAME ON THAT THURSDAY OR FRIDAY AND THEN THE FINAL GAME
ON SUNDAY. BOTH GREAT GAMES, I MIGHT ADD. I KNOW THE FORMER
GOVERNOR OF THAT STATE WOULD TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT
THE COACH OF YOUR TEAM WAS AN ASSISTANT COACH AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF CONNECTICUT, JIM O'BRIEN, A GREAT FRIEND OF MINE WHEN I WAS
{14:33:25} (MR. DODD) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
UP THERE. I SPENT SOME TIME WHEN HE WAS IN FLORIDA. HE WAS
ROUTING FOR CONNECTICUT, I CAN TELL YOU, ON THAT FINAL GAME. HE
WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN IN THAT FINAL GAME. BUT NOT
HAVING BEEN THERE HIMSELF, GIVEN HIS FORMER RELATIONSHIP WITTHE
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE HOW HE FELT A
SPECIAL AFFECTION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT TEAM. BUT,
AGAIN, MR. CHAIRMAN, AS I
BEGAN, LET ME END: THIS WAS A GREAT MOMENT FOR OUR STATE.
PEOPLE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS TEAM AND
OUR UNIVERSITY. AND SENATOR LIEBERMAN AND I WANTED TO TAKE A
MOMENT OUT OF SENATE BUSINESS TO RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENT
{14:33:58} (MR. DODD) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
OF THESE FINE YOUNG MEN, THE FINE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR
UNIVERSITY AND THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE TO WHO SO FAITHFULLY
SUPPORTED THEM THROUGHOUT THESE MANY YEARS. WITH THAT I YIELD
TO MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE AND EQUALLY FERVENT CHAMPION AND
FAN OF THE YUKON HUSKIES.
{14:34:17 NSP} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. LEIBERMAN: HERE, HERE. YOU THIS. MR. PRESIDENT?
{14:34:23 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR CONNECTICUT.
{14:34:26 NSP} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. LEIBERMAN: I AM PROUD TO JOIN WITH MY COLLEAGUE IN
INTRODUCING THIS RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING WHAT WAS TRULY ONE OF
THE MOST THRILLING AND UPLIFTING MOMENTS IN THE MODERN HOFER
OUR STATE. AND I DO NOT SAY THAT LIGHTLY. THE NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEN'S BASKETBALL
TEAM. I SYMPATHY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS ACHIEVEMENT -- I THINK
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS ACHIEVEMENT MEANS TO OUR RELATIVELY
SMALL STATE, MY COLLEAGUES HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS YUKON
TEAM HAS MEANT FOR THE LAST DECADE TO THE PEOPLE OF
CONNECTICUT. I DON'T THINK THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY
{14:34:57} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THAT HAVE A MORE RAB BID FOLLOWING THAN OUR HUSKIES, FROM THEIR
HOME BASE IN STORIES CLEAR ACROSS THE STATE TO STANFORD, FROM
STONINGTON IN THE EAST TO SALISBURY IN THE NORTH WERXFT EVERY
BASKETBALL SEASON, THE PEOPLE OF CONNECTICUT ARE GRIPPED WITH A
DELIRIUM KNOWN AFFECTIONATELY AS HUSKY MAIN YARX WHICH MAIRXFRY
DAY OF THE SEASON SEEM LIKE MARCH MADNESS IN CONNECTICUT. THE
INTEREST IS SO INTENSE THAT THE HUSKIES HAILING FROM THE
{14:35:33} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THIRD-SMALLEST STATE IN AMERICA TRAVEL WITH THE LARGEST
CONCONTINUE GENERALS OF REPORTERS IN ALL OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL
REFERRED TO SIMPLY AS "THE HORDE." NOW, MR. PRESIDENT, OVER THE
LAST DECADE, HUSKY MANIA HAS BEEN HEIGHTENED BY THE ENORMOUS
SUCCESS OF OUR GREAT COACH, JIM CALHOUN, AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
LOU PERKINS. YUKON HAS COME TO NAITSED THE BIG EAST WINNING SIX
REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIPS, DISTINGUISHING ITSELF IN NCAA
{14:36:07} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
TOURNAMENT PLAY, ADVANCEING TO THE ELITE THREE DIFFERENT TIMES.
THE ONE THING THAT WAS MISSING WAS A TRIP TO THE FABLED FINAL
FOUR AND A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND THAT DREAM WAS REALIZED ON
MARCH 29 WITH THE VICTORY OVER THE DUKE BLUE DEVILS IN WHAT HAS
TO HAVE BEEN NOT JUST FOR CONNECTICUT FANS BUT FOR BASKETBALL
FANS OVER THE COUNTRY, ONE OF THE GREAT GAMES IN THE RECENT
HISTORY OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL. THE HUSKIES' THRILLING VICTORY
{14:36:38} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
TOUCHED OFF A JOYOUS CELEBRATION IN OUR STATE WHICH IS NORMALLY
KNOWN AS THE LAND OF STEADY HABITS. AN EXHILARATION WHICH I
EXPERIENCED LITERALLY FIRST FIRSTHAND THAT NIGHT, I COULDN'T GO
TO FLORIDA TO SEE THE GAME, BUT I DID THE NEXT BEST THING -- I
WENT TO COACH'S BAR AND GRILL IN HART HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT,
WHICH IS PARTIAL OWNED BY COACH CALHOUN AND LET ME JUST SAY TO
THE PRESIDENT AND MY COLLEAGUES ON THE FLOOR, I WAS BY FAR THE
SENIOR CITIZEN IN THE BAR THAT NIGHT. IT SEEMED LIKE ABOUT HALF
{14:37:11} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
OF THE STATE'S UNDER-30 POPULATION WAS THERE AND THE FERVOR WAS
INTENSE, THE JOY EXTREME WHEN THE GAME WAS OVER. LET ME SAY
THAT WE ARE PROUD OF THIS VICTORY, BUT WE ARE PEA REALLY ALSO
PROUD OF THE VALUES THAT ARE PART OF IT. THE TEAMWORK, THE
SACRIFICE, THE SPORTSMANSHIP, THE DETERMINATION AND THE DIGNITY
THIS TEAM AND ITS COACH SHOWED IN SCRAPPING AND HUSTLING THEIR
WAY TO THE PINNACLE OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL. THE CHARACTER OF
{14:37:47} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THIS YUKON TEAM IS AN APT REFLECTION OF THEIR GREAT COACH, JIM
CALHOUN, WHO IS A GREAT COACH BECAUSE HE'S GREAT MAN, A MAN OF
INDOMITABLE SPIRIT AND TREMENDOUS VALUES AND A GREAT PURSUIT OF
EXCELLENCE. I'M THRILLED THAT COACH CALHOUN IS FINALLY GETTING
HIS DUE AS ONE OF THE NATION'S GREAT COACHES. FOR NOW I'M
GRATEFUL THAT -- FOR THE WONDERFUL GIFT THAT JIM AND HIS
PLAYERS HAVE GIVEN THE PEOPLE OF CONNECTICUT, FOR THE WAY THEY
{14:38:21} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
BROUGHT SUCH A DIVERSE STATE TOGETHER, REAFFIRMED OUR SENSE OF
COMMUNITY, FOR LIVING UP TO OUR HIGHEST IDEALS OF SPORT, AND,
IF YOU WILL ALLOW ME A PUN IN THE NAME OF THE HUSKIES, FOR
SHOWING THAT EVERY DOG DOES INDEED HAVE THEIR DAY. NOW, MR.
PRESIDENT, IF I MAY CLOSE SOMEWHAT UNUSUALLY, AT COACH'S BAR
AND GRILL, ON THE NIGHT OF THE GAME, ONE OF THE YOUNG MEN THERE
AT A CRITICAL MOME IN THE FIRST HALF TURNED TO ME AND ASKED IF
I WOULD LEAD THE YUKON CHEER AND I DID THAT. I WAS CRITICIZED
{14:38:57} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE THEY SAID MY "N "N'S" WERE NOT TOO GOOD.
BUT AS THE GAME WENT ON, I WAS CALLED ON REPEATEDLY TO LEAD
THIS CHEER AND OF COURSE WE IN COACH'S BAR AND GRILL FEEL THAT
THAT MADE THE MARGIN OF DIFFERENCE IN THE VICTORY THAT OCCURRED
IN FLORIDA THAT NIGHT. SO IF YOU'LL ALLOW ME, MR. PRESIDENT,
{14:39:30} (MR. LEIBERMAN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
"Y-U-C-O-N-N- YUKON. I YIELD THE FLOOR.
{14:39:36 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE RESOLUTION AND
{14:39:37 NSP} (A SENATOR) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PREAMBLE ARE AGREED TO. A SENATOR: MR. PRESIDENT?
{14:39:43 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: YES, THE SENATOR FROM GEORGIA.
{14:39:47 NSP} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. COVERDELL: I CONGRATULATE THE SENATORS FROM CONNECTICUT. I
DID SEE THE GAME AND BOTH TEAMS -- MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME
EXPLAIN FOR A MOMENT WHERE WE ARE HERE. WE HAVE, BY UNANIMOUS
CONSENT, ONE HOUR EQUALLY DIVIDED ON S. 767. S. 767 IS
COSPONSORED BY SENATORS LEVIN, ROTH, TORRICELLI, ABRAHAM,
{14:40:17} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
CLELAND, MCCAIN, ALLARD, HELMS, COLLINS, BROWNBACK, FRIST,
JOHNSON, HAGEL, BRYAN, DEWINE, AND GRAMS. NOW, SENATE BILL 767
IS IDENTICAL TO THE LEGISLATION THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE
HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND WHICH WILL BE HERE LATER
{14:40:54} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THIS AFTERNOON AT ABOUT 4:00. WHEN THAT GETS HERE, WE WILL VOTE
ON THE HOUSE VERSION RATHER THAN THE SUBSTITUTE THAT I'VE JUST
DESCRIBED BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN AN OBJECTION ON THE OTHER SIDE.
A BIT PERPLEXING, BUT WE'VE HAD AN OBJECTION. WE DON'T WANT
INTERNAL DIFFERENCES TO IN ANY WAY FOR ONE MOMENT DELAY THE
INTENT OF THIS BILL, AND I THINK EVERYBODY WILL UNDERSTAND THAT
IN A MOMENT. SO, WE'LL JUST SIMPLY -- WE'RE JUST SIMPLY SETTING
{14:41:27} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE OBJECTION ASIDE AND WE'LL ACCEPT THE HOUSE VERSION. I'M
SURE IT'LL BE AN OVERWHELMING VOTE. MR. PRESIDENT, AT THIS
TIME, I WOULD ASK THE CLERK TO REPORT THE BILL BY TITLE.
{14:41:42 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CLERK WILL REPORT.
{14:41:47 NSP} (THE CLERK) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE CLERK: CALENDER NO. 90, S. 767, A COMBIL TO AMEND THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1996 TO PROVIDE A TWO-MONTH EXTENSION
FOR THE FILING AFTER TAX RETURN FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE INN
FORMED SERVICE ON A TOUR OFDUIT OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES FOR A
PERIOD WHICH INCLUDES THE NORMAL DUE DATE.
{14:42:08 NSP} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. COVERDELL: I'M GOING TO ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE
REMARKS BY SENATOR LEVIN BE ADDED INTO THE RECORD.
{14:42:14 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.
{14:42:19 NSP} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. COVERDELL: MR. PRESIDENT, I RISE TODAY TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES
TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT WILL HELP OUR MEN AND WOMEN SERVING
IN OPERATION ALLIED FORCE. AND I MIGHT POINT OUT, PART OF THE
REASON WE'RE ACCEPTING THIS HOUSE VERSION DUE TO THIS SKIRMISH
ON THE SENATE FLOOR YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, IS BECAUSE WE ONLY
HAVE SOME 12 HOURS LEFT. THIS IS APRIL 15. AND THESE FAMILIES
{14:42:50} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
NEEDED TO GET THIS MESSAGE, FRANKLY, YESTERDAY, BUT TODAY I'M
CONFIDENT THAT THIS RELIEF, THIS COMFORT THAT WE ARE OFFERING
TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINE TODAY IN KOSOVO,
THIS WILL TO BE OF ENORMOUS COMFORT AND ASSISTANCE TO 0 THEIR
SPOUSES AND TO THEIR FAMILIES. IN SHORT, THE LEGISLATION DOES
THREE THINGS, AND I MIGHT POINT OUT THAT THE SENATE SUBSTITUTE
WAS IDENTICAL IN LANGUAGE TO THE HOUSE VERSION THAT WILL BE
{14:43:25} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
SCOMG HERE LATER THIS AFTERNOON. ON WHICH WE WILL VOTE. THE
LEGISLATION DOES THREE THINGS. FIRST, IT EXEMPTS ALL UNITED
STATES TROOPS SERVING IN THE YUGOSLAV THEATRE OF OPERATIONS
FROM BEING TAXED ON THEIR HAZARDOUS DUTY PAY. THAT'S THE PAY --
THE ADDITIONAL PAY THEY RECEIVE OVER THEIR REGULAR PAY FOR
BEING IN A HAZARDOUS OPERATION. THAT WILL NOT BE TAXED WHEN
THIS PASSES. THE DANGER PAY THAT YOU RECEIVE ON THE PERIPHERAL
{14:43:58} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
OF THE COMBAT THEATRE WILL NOT BE TAXED. SECOND, IT GRANTS OUR
TROOPS A 180-DAY FILING EXTENSION FOR THEIR 1998 INCOME TAX
RETURN. THE 180 DAYS BEGINS WHEN THEY RETURN FROM DUTY IN THE
COMBAT ZONE. THIRD, IT EXEMPTS OUR TROOPS FROM THE 3% EXCISE
TAX LEVIED ON LONG-DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALLS TO REDUCE SOMEWHAT
THE BURDEN OF THE LONG-DISTANCE CALLS HOME WHENEVER THEY HAVE A
{14:44:41} (MR. COVERDELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
CHANCE TO DO THAT. SEVERAL DAYS AGO THE PRESIDENT SIGNED AN
EXECUTIVE ORDER DECLARING YUGOSLAVIA AND CERTAIN AREAS
SURROUNDING IT A COMBAT ZONE. THIS DECLARATION IN TURN PROVIDES
TROOPS SERVING IN THE ZONE CERTAIN TAX BREAKS, WHICH THIS
LEGISLATION WILL CODIFY,
{END: 1999/04/15 TIME: 14-45 , Thu. 106TH SENATE, FIRST SESSION}
{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}