The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE WEEK IN THE SENATE” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S993 on Feb. 3, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE WEEK IN THE SENATE
Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, after the first complete week that we have been in session, looking back over the last several days, we have had a productive week. Today, we confirmed Judge Alberto Gonzales as U.S. Attorney General. I talked to him a few moments ago. As we heard from so many, Judge Gonzales is an outstanding choice to lead the Justice Department. In that phone call, I had the opportunity to congratulate him and to express my optimistic anticipation of working with him in what I know will be a very productive and important several years.
From very humble beginnings in Humble, TX, he has climbed to those highest peaks, in Government and law. As friend and fellow Texan Henry Cisneros attests, Judge Gonzales has a personal story that allows him to understand the realities so many Americans face in their everyday lives.
A former Texas Supreme Court Justice, over the last 4 years as White House Counsel to the President, Judge Gonzales is eminently qualified to be our Nation's top law enforcement officer.
Candid and thoughtful and always a straight shooter, for him the law is the law--exactly what is needed for this high post. I am confident he will serve with distinction and with honor. I applaud his confirmation.
In addition to confirming Judge Gonzales, we passed the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005 this week. It didn't get a lot of fanfare, but this new legislation is another very important tool to help families protect their children from violent and explicit movie content. We have the V-chip, and we have television ratings. Now parents will have even more ways to stop inappropriate images from coming into and flooding their homes.
As Senator Hatch, the lead sponsor of this bill, says, parents, not Hollywood, should decide what kids see today.
The bill also provides a uniform Federal law to help crack down on international piracy, which is a huge problem in a creative industry.
I mention that, in part, because I am from a part of the country in Tennessee that has a rich music tradition, extending from the Grand Ole Opry to the Country Music Hall of Fame. From Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash, throughout Tennessee, artists and musicians have shaped popular music the world over.
Their contributions deserve to be celebrated. But they also deserve to be protected. That is what this legislation does. The legislation will help stop the Internet theft that threatens this creative industry and, indeed, the creative arts more broadly.
I thank Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator John Cornyn, who is occupying the Chair, and Senator Dianne Feinstein for their hard work on this important issue.
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