E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 112 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 158 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012 No. 30 Senate The Senate met at 2 p.m. and was appoint the Honorable RICHARD BLUMEN- lost a friend and mentor. William called to order by the Honorable RICH- THAL, a Senator from the State of Con- Raggio was the longest serving State ARD BLUMENTHAL, a Senator from the necticut, to perform the duties of the Chair. senator in Nevada’s history. He died State of Connecticut. DANIEL K. INOUYE, President pro tempore. last week while traveling in Australia. My heart is with his wife Dale, whom I Mr. BLUMENTHAL thereupon as- PRAYER spoke with, children Leslie and Tracy sumed the chair as Acting President The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- and, of course, my thoughts go to pro tempore. fered the following prayer: Mark, the son Bill lost in 2004, six Today I will read George Washing- f grandchildren, and they have a great- ton’s ‘‘Prayer for the United States of RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY grandchild. America,’’ exactly as it appears in the LEADER I hope it is some small comfort to chapel at Valley Forge. know that all of Nevada mourns the Almighty God: We make our earnest pray- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- pore. The majority leader is recog- loss of this very effective and fine Ne- er that Thou wilt keep the United States in vada citizen. Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline nized. He was a second-generation Nevadan the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit f of subordination and obedience to the gov- born and raised in Reno, NV. Senator ernment, and entertain a brotherly affection ORDER OF BUSINESS Randolph Townsend said, ‘‘Bill was and love for one another and for their fellow Mr. REID. Mr. President, following part of the fabric of the city.’’ That is citizens of the United States at large. And fi- leader remarks, Senator SHAHEEN will true. He lived to serve. nally that Thou wilt most graciously be be recognized to deliver Washington’s In addition to his four decades of pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love Farewell Address. This is the 150th an- service in the State legislature, he vol- mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of niversary of that tradition, and we are unteered to serve in the Armed Forces mind which were the characteristics of the very pleased that Senator SHAHEEN is during World War II. He enlisted in the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and going to do this. No one could be more Navy at age 17, but the war ended be- without a humble imitation of whose exam- exemplary of his service than she. fore he graduated from officer training ple in these things, we can never hope to be f school. a happy Nation. Grant our supplication, we When he finished his service, he at- SCHEDULE beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. tended the University of Nevada, and Amen. Mr. REID. Mr. President, following then went to law school in California. f the address, the Senate will be in But he continued to serve in the U.S. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE morning business until 4:30 p.m. today. Marine Corps as a United States Navy At 4:30 p.m., the Senate will proceed The Honorable RICHARD BLUMENTHAL Reservist. to executive session to consider the He was the district attorney of led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: nomination of Margo Brodie to be Washoe County, which is the Reno I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States District Judge for the metropolitan area, for 18 years, includ- United States of America, and to the Repub- Eastern District of New York. At 5:30 lic for which it stands, one nation under God, ing 3 terms before he became a State p.m., the Senate will vote on confirma- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. legislator. He was president of the Na- tion of the Brodie nomination. f I ask unanimous consent that fol- tional DAs Association. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING lowing the vote and resumption of leg- He rooted out corruption wherever he PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE islative session, the Senate be in a pe- served. There was nothing more cor- riod of morning business for up to 1 rupt, in his mind, and the minds of all The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Nevadans, than an illegal brothel. That clerk will please read a communication hour, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators PRYOR illegal brothel went on by virtue of Joe to the Senate from the President pro Conforte being able to pass out money tempore (Mr. INOUYE). and ALEXANDER or their designees. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- to people for a long time. Bill Raggio, The legislative clerk read the fol- as DA, picked a fight with him, and lowing letter: pore. Without objection, it is so or- dered. that fight is legend. Bill got the last U.S. SENATE, word. Conforte spent 22 months in pris- f PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, on for trying to bribe Bill Raggio. And Washington, DC, February 27, 2012. REMEMBERING SENATOR RAGGIO To the Senate: in 1965, Bill Raggio, to get the last Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, Mr. REID. Mr. President, last week word, had the local authorities declare of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby Nevada lost a great statesman and I that facility a nuisance and burn it ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. S1029 . VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:03 May 20, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD12\RECFILES\S27FE2.REC S27FE2 bjneal on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE S1030 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 27, 2012 down. He was there watching the fire helped root out organized crime in Northern Saddened by the passing of Senator Bill as it destroyed that place. Nevada.—Former U.S. Sen. Paul Laxalt, R Raggio. A true statesman. My thoughts & It wasn’t until 1972 that Bill brought Nevada. prayers are with his family.—Nevada Sen. his integrity and dedication to the Ruben Kihuen, D Las Vegas, via Twitter. Bill was a true public servant and his sole State House as a member of the Nevada agenda was simply to make Nevada a better Feels odd to tweet about Bill Raggio but State Senate. So for 38 years, there place. He has left an unmatched political odd not to. He was my friend and a mentor. wasn’t a piece of legislation that footprint upon our state, and the citizens A great loss 4 Nev but, oh what a life he passed the Nevada legislature that will reap the rewards of this gifted and de- lived!—Nevada Assemblywoman Debbie didn’t have his imprint on it in some cent gentleman for many years to come.—Lt. Smith, D Reno, via Twitter. Gov. Brian Krolicki, R Nevada. way. He worked to help pass thousands For those of us in higher education, indeed of different pieces of legislation. He Sen. Raggio was an icon, a consummate the whole education community, we pause to was an expert in the process. Nobody statesman and one of the most knowledge- thank this man who came from humble im- knew how to craft a budget better than able and pragmatic legislators ever to serve migrant roots and rose to great power, in Bill Raggio. the people of Nevada. His absence from the part by public education. He never forgot the He was a Republican who believed Legislature with his retirement was keenly contribution of education to his life. We have government should be ‘‘lean but not felt. His passing on Thursday ends a chapter lost a member of our family today—indeed, mean.’’ He was never afraid to work in Nevada history.—Nevada Supreme Court our patriarch and champion.—Board of Re- gents, Nevada System of Higher Education. with Democratic members, even Chief Justice Nancy Saitta. though he was Republican leader for The passing of Bill Raggio is a tragic loss Raggio was a champion for our Airport Au- several terms. Here is what he said re- for Nevadans. For those of us in the law en- thority and he had the vision to create a cently: I think the present leadership forcement community, we fondly recall and transportation entity that plays a vital role of the Republican Party is a little too continue to tell stories about Bill standing in the economy of our region. He was also a radical and has been taken over by up to perpetrators to ensure a safe commu- wonderful mentor to me and I will miss his what I think is a radical element. nity. Bill will always be remembered for his sage advice and wise counsel. The legacy of impassioned service and dedication.—Nevada his forward thinking will be felt in our com- He went on to say in an interview, munity for years to come.—Krys Bart, presi- after he decided to retire: state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. dent and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Au- The party has to reshape itself, or it won’t thority. win general elections down the road. Bill Raggio was the type of elected official That is Bill Raggio, speaking as we I strive to become.