The Standing Rules of the Senate are drafted to encourage vigorous public debate on our nation’s most important issues. Indeed, the U.S. Senate is often referred to as “the world’s greatest deliberative body.” The Rules allow any Senator to seek recognition from the Chair at any time and, absent a temporary agreement to the contrary, to speak without interruption so long as he or she wishes. Debating important questions before the Senate is one way a Senator can highlight an issue, advocate for a change in policy, or voice his or her opinion on pending legislation.
Senate debate occurs in public, and is televised on CSPAN and transcribed in the Congressional Record. For your convenience, I post transcripts of my Senate floor speeches on this site for your review. I hope you find them informative and useful. My web site also makes available information on my voting record and legislation that I have sponsored in the Senate.
 print |  email |
|
Sessions Praises Belk, Ala
I visited Belk in August and was inspired by their attitude and approach. They feel greatly blessed to obtain any assistance, and use it along with their own efforts to maximize the benefits to Belk. They have a Volunteer Fire Department with 15 active members that purchased a new fire truck in 2001 with a grant and have since purchased 2 additional pumper-service trucks.
In 2004, they built a fine new Community Center using a grant from the State of Alabama and a loan of $48,000. Holding a number of fundraising activities, including a gospel singing, silent, auction, golf tournament, and bluegrass festival, they have reduced that loan balance to $15,230. Every second Friday night they have a bluegrass festival at the center and volunteers donate food to be served in the kitchen. All revenues go to pay on the center's debt and everyone has a wonderful time.
In addition, in 2005 they constructed a community storm shelter using a small grant of $52,000 from FEMA. The design work was donated by a local contractor, and local tradesmen donated their time to do plumbing, electrical and water line work.
This past spring they built a new outdoor stage using donations from corporations and local businesses for the design and materials, and the labor of local volunteers for the construction.
This is the kind of volunteer effort, self-help, and love of community that I grew up knowing. It is still a common trait of small communities in Alabama, but, frankly, is being lost too often today. Belk has taken on the task of making their piece of America a better place to live. I would like to commend Mayor Ronald Waldrop, who sets the example, and every citizen who has volunteered their efforts to the greater good. I am truly honored to represent such people. They are men, women, and youth of faith, integrity, and hard work. Such are the people who have made America great.
|
|
|
||||||||||