Senator Hatch: (3:09 p.m.)

• Spoke on music copyright law.
  • "The name of the bill which passed this body by unanimous vote last week is the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act. As the Senate was considering the bill, my good friend from Tennessee, Senator Alexander, asked to rename the bill in my honor. I was touched by this kind gesture from my good friend, by the willingness of my colleagues to agree to this suggestion. Also, it wasn't necessary, though. But we're also adding to the bill the name of retiring House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, in recognition of all he has done to get get this bill across the finish line and to improve our nation's copyright laws."

 

Senator Alexander: (3:31 p.m.)

• Spoke on music copyright law.
  • "Well, the Tennessee Waltz sold 5 million copies. It became the most recorded song ever by a female artist. It is in many ways the mag magna carta of country music. How did that happen? What is the mystery that causes a waltz that just kicked around for a long time to have a few words placed on it by two songwriters driving from Memphis to Nashville to suddenly five million copies? None of us really knows. It is just a magnificent form of art. All over my state of Tennessee there are thousands and thousands and thousands of teachers, taxi drivers, waitresses, people thinking of songs, getting together, writing songs, writing - hoping to have the next number one hit."

 

Senator Duckworth: (3:49 p.m.)

• Spoke in tribute to John Abrams.
  • "I'm here to honor the life of Johnny Abrams, a father, husband, soldier, friend, and to so many a hero. He passed away last month at the age of 71 after spending more than half of his life in the United States Army. Rising from the son of a general to become himself a four-star general, John Abrams embodied the spirit of selflessness, of sacrifice that our military is known for. He spent his life fighting to defend the freedoms that we all too often take for granted. He was wounded in battle, returned to duty, then wounded again, but he refused to let any injury deter him."