Info on Lott's replacement from an RKBA perspective, just FYI

12/20/02 | Self

[Richard-SIA]

Lott is out, who is best on RKBA to replace him?

Here are some short biographies of the people that have announced they might run for senate majority leader, along with a few pertinent items I found on their sites.

They are followed by a couple of members who GOA would rate much higher on supporting our RKBA. So far, Enzi looks best to me!

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FRIST, William H., a Senator from Tennessee; born in Nashville, Tenn., on February 22, 1952; attended public and private schools in Nashville; graduated from Princeton University 1974; graduated from Harvard Medical School 1978; worked as a heart and lung transplant surgeon; director, heart and lung transplantation program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; author; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1994; reelected in 2000 for the term commencing January 3, 2001; chairman, National Republican Senatorial Committee (2001-).

Bibliography

Frist, William H. Transplant: A Heart Surgeon’s Account of the Life-and-Death Dramas of the New Medicine. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1989; Frist, William H. When Every Moment Counts: What You Need To Know About Bioterrorism From the Senate’s Only Doctor. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers Inc., 2002

Statement by Senator Bill Frist on Leadership Elections

Thursday, December 19, 2002

Press Release Of Senator Bill Frist, M.D.

“During the course of the day today, I have been approached by several of my colleagues in the Republican caucus. They said they would like to support me for Majority Leader of the United States Senate and asked if I would agree for them to call other colleagues to determine the viability of such an effort.

“I indicated to them that if it is clear that a majority of the Republican Caucus believes a change in leadership would benefit the institution of the United States Senate, I will likely step forward for that role.”

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Senator Frist voted in favor of S. 254, the most comprehensive juvenile justice legislation ever considered by the Senate. This bill provides almost $1 billion in prevention and enforcement funds to local and state authorities to fight juvenile crime. Among other provisions, the legislation empowers parents, the entertainment industry and the general public to limit children’s exposure to violence. The legislation also provides tougher penalties for repeat juvenile offenders and promotes safe and secure schools for American school children.

  During consideration of S. 254, Senator Frist offered an amendment which will allow local education authorities the flexibility to treat all students the same, regardless of status, when it comes to guns and bombs in schools.  Current disability law ties the hands of teachers and principals by giving special treatment to special education students when they violate zero tolerance gun laws. The Frist amendment, which closes this loophole, passed by an overwhelming 74-25 majority.

Senator Frist is a cosponsor of the Community Protection Act, which will exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers from state laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns. If passed, active and retired officers would be able to carry firearms when crossing through jurisdictions other than their own, thus putting thousands of additional law enforcement officers on the streets -- at no cost to the tax payers.

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Congress, Frist Push for Two More Firearms Prosecuter in Chattanooga

Tuesday, March 28, 2000

Press Release Of Senator Bill Frist, M.D.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – To improve enforcement of existing gun laws, U.S. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) today called on the U.S. Department of Justice to act quickly to assign two new firearms prosecutors for Chattanooga.

“The answer to reducing gun violence is not to simply pass new laws. Before we even consider new legislation, we must fully prosecute and uphold the laws currently on the books,” said Frist. “Assigning two new prosecutors to Chattanooga will help take criminals off the street and reduce violent crimes in the Hamilton County community. When our legal system becomes overburdened, law abiding citizens are put in jeopardy by the system’s inability to quickly prosecute offenders. Our goal must be to protect our communities with aggressive prosecution of violent offenders.”

Last year, the Senate and House approved $7.125 million to support the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) efforts to prosecute firearms offenders. Before using the money, the DOJ was required to submit a plan detailing how it would spend this money to reach communities with high incidences of firearms violations. The Senate provided DOJ with a number of criteria that to be used in determining which communities were most in need of additional support. Chattanooga was identified by the DOJ as one of those communities meeting the criteria.

If the plan is approved, Chattanooga’s United States Attorneys’ office will receive two additional attorneys to assist in firearms prosecutions and $75,000 to be used for paying overtime for state and local employees, training or contract employees to help expedite the prosecution of cases. If requested by Chattanooga, an additional $75,000 would be made available to support efforts to raise awareness of firearms laws and be a deterrent for potential offenders.

“It’s my hope that once House Appropriators have approved this plan, the Department of Justice will move quickly to implement it and send Chattanooga and other communities the assistance they need,” added Frist.

Senate appropriators have already approved the DOJ’s proposal; House appropriators are expected to act soon to approve the plan as well.

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NICKLES, Donald Lee, a Senator from Oklahoma; born in Ponca City, Kay County, Okla., December 6, 1948; attended the public schools; graduated, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., 1971; served in the National Guard 1970-1976; businessman; member, Oklahoma senate 1979-1980; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1980 for the term commencing January 3, 1981; reelected in 1986, 1992, and again in 1998 for the term ending January 3, 2005; chairman, National Republican Senatorial Committee (One Hundred First Congress), Republican Policy Committee (1991 to 1996); Republican whip, 1996—.

Press Release for Senator Nickles

STATEMENT: Sen. Lott's Statement and Sen. Frist's Candidacy for Majority Leader

Friday, December 20, 2002

"This has been a challenging time for the Senate and for our Party. Senator Lott showed courage and selflessness today.

"I was one of many who encouraged Bill Frist to run for Majority Leader and I support him 100 percent. He will provide the leadership necessary to bring Senate Republicans together and move us forward. I look forward to working with him to enact the President's agenda of freedom and opportunity for all Americans."

Press Release for Senator Nickles

STATEMENT: Passage of the Homeland Security Bill

Wednesday, November 20, 2002

“I am pleased an agreement was reached and Congress was able to pass a Homeland Security Bill this year. I agree with President Bush that this bill is critical in a post-September 11th world. A Department of Homeland Security will improve coordination and integration among agencies charged with protecting the American people.”

Press Release for Senator Nickles

STATEMENT: Use of Yucca Mountain Site as Permanent Nuclear Waste Depository

Tuesday, July 9, 2002

“Today’s Senate action was the responsible thing to do. Americans get 20 percent of their power from nuclear sources, and will continue to in the foreseeable future. The byproducts of this energy production must be dealt with in a safe manner. In fact, the federal government by law must designate a central and permanent site for nuclear waste storage. Isolating and centralizing waste in a single, secure and remote location is safer than leaving it scattered in more than one hundred sites across the country, many of which are in heavily populated areas.

“I understand that many Oklahomans are concerned about transporting nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain. I want to emphasize first that no routes have been finalized, and second that stringent guidelines regulate both the routes and the transportation containers to achieve the highest level of safety. These regulations have yielded a good safety record for nearly 40 years.”

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A rated! ENZI, Michael B., a Senator from Wyoming; born in Bremerton, Wash., February 1, 1944; attended public schools of Thermopolis, Wyo. and Sheridan, Wyo.; graduated, Sheridan High School 1962; received degree in accounting, George Washington University 1966; M.B.A. in retail marketing from the University of Denver 1968; owned and operated family shoe stores in Gillette and Sheridan, Wyo., and Miles City, Mont.; Certified Professional in Human Resources, 1993-present; Mayor of Gillette 1975-1982; member, Wyoming house of representatives 1987-1991; Wyoming state senate 1991-1996; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1996 and reelected in 2002 for the term ending January 3, 2009.

Enzi compliments Lott for decision, backs Frist

Washington, D.C. B U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., issued the following statement regarding leadership of the Republican party in the U.S. Senate. Senator Lott has served his state and our country for decades and he's done a lot of good.  The Senate, controlled by Democrats, passed the Homeland Security bill before adjourning this year in large part because of the leadership of Trent Lott. Trent is a fighter and I know his decision to step down as Republican leader was incredibly hard, but by stepping aside today he has shown real leadership and courage.  He has put the interests of the country and the party ahead of himself. Senator Lott and his family are going through an extremely difficult time right now and my prayers go out to them. I now look forward to working with who I hope will be the new leader, Sen. Bill Frist.  I've worked closely with Sen. Frist in our capacities on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.  He's demonstrated his ability to lead and shown himself to be effective for the party. He helped deliver a Republican majority as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Sen. Frist is intelligent, experienced, capable and highly competent.  He has my complete confidence and support for the Republican leader position.  He is the best candidate to lead us forward and help us put in place the legislative policies that will mean a better America. Others being talked about as leader already have leadership positions and are essential parts of the team in their current capacities.  I look forward to working with the whole team as we move forward for Wyoming, the West and the United States.

MISSION STATEMENT

Statement of Principle

We have been given a sacred trust to work for our families, grandparents and grandchildren. We will respect the wisdom of those before and the future of those to follow. We will discharge this trust through our legislative policy, our constituent services and the way we treat each other, guided by these three principles:

Doing What Is Right Doing Our Best Treating Others as They Wish to be Treated

Statement of Purpose

In all that we do our purpose will be to allow the family to be strengthened by keeping more of what they earn, assuring jobs and their future with sound financial policies; restoring common sense to law and regulation; and, to promote decision-making at the level closest to the people-our communities, counties, school districts and most importantly our homes.

3. S.906 : A bill to provide for protection of gun owner privacy and ownership rights, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Enzi, Michael B. Committees: Senate Judiciary Latest Major Action: 5/17/2001 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

15. S.2604 : A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Federal Government to assume all costs relating to implementation of and compliance with that Act. Sponsor: Sen Enzi, Michael B. Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works Latest Major Action: 6/10/2002 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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INHOFE, James Mountain, a Representative and a Senator from Oklahoma; born in Des Moines, Iowa, November 17, 1934; attended public schools in Tulsa, Okla.; B.A., University of Tulsa 1973; served in the U.S. Army 1955-1956; president, Quaker Life Insurance Company; member, Oklahoma State house of representatives 1967-1969; State senate 1969-1977; unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Oklahoma 1974, and for the U. S. House of Representatives 1976; mayor of Tulsa 1978-1984; elected as a Republican to the One Hundredth and to the three succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1987 to November 15, 1994, when he resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate in the November 8, 1994, special election to the unexpired portion of the term ending January 3, 1997, left vacant by the resignation of David L. Boren; took the oath of office on November 17, 1994; reelected for a full term in 1996 and again in 2002 for the term ending January 3, 2009.

INHOFE REACTS TO LOTT RESIGNATION

Friday, December 20, 2002

In 1994, I was one of Trent Lott’s earliest supporters in his original race to become Republican Leader, which he won by one vote.

I continue to have deep respect and admiration for Trent Lott. He is a man of unquestioned integrity and I applaud him for his magnanimous gesture in stepping down for the good of the party at this time.

Unfortunately, circumstances led me to become increasingly concerned that Senator Lott was not going to be able to be the most effective leader for the Republican Party. While there are many other qualified individuals who could serve as leader, I decided last night to give my support to Sen. Bill Frist.

He was willing to step forward and I applaud him for accepting the call of his colleagues to take on this important role. Since we were elected together, I have come to admire his growing leadership skills, his conscientious approach to serious issues, and his dedication to sound conservative policies. In addition, Sen. Frist and I share a common interest in and have traveled frequently to Africa for mission-work and to develop friendships that can benefit our countries on both continents. I will urge my colleagues to join in support of Sen. Frist.

INHOFE LAUDS SENATE VOTE ON ARMING PILOTS

Inhofe-Backed Measure Added to Homeland Security Bill

Friday, September 6, 2002

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the Senate’s only commercially licensed pilot, lauded yesterday’s 86-7 Senate vote to pass legislation allowing commercial airline pilots to arm themselves, a policy the President now endorses as well.

“I am pleased that the Senate has given our airline pilots the means to protect lives,” Inhofe said. “Pilots are responsible for every life onboard their planes and giving them the means to protect those lives is extremely important.”

The measure, which was originally a stand-alone bill that Inhofe co-sponsored, would allow trained pilots to voluntarily carry and use firearms in their cockpits. It passed the Senate yesterday evening as an amendment to the Homeland Security bill currently pending on the Senate floor. The Senate is expected to debate that bill for much of the next two weeks.