[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7073-S7077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Mr. Harkin):
  S. 1539. A bill to designate the post office located at 309 East Linn 
Street, Marshalltown, Iowa, as the ``Major Scott Nisely Post Office''; 
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill honoring 
and memorializing a fallen Iowa hero. Scott Nisely had served his 
country in Iraq just short of a year when, on September 30, 2006, he 
was killed in combat.
  Scott Nisely served his country in many capacities during his 
lifetime. He devoted his life to his family, church, and country and 
has positively affected numerous lives. Scott Nisely's military service 
includes about 25 years with the U.S. Marine Corps, starting as an ROTC 
student, then 12 years on active duty, almost 9 years in the Marine 
Corps Reserve during which he achieved the rank of major. Most 
recently, he took a significant decrease in rank to serve his country 
once again in the Iowa Army National Guard for about 4 years until he 
was killed in combat. His public service also includes 12 years with 
the U.S. Postal Service. In addition, Scott served his community by his 
participation in the First Baptist Church's music ministry as a 
drummer. He was a devoted father who walked his daughter down the aisle 
for her wedding right before his deployment to Iraq. The wedding had 
been moved up because Sarah, his daughter, wanted him in her wedding 
and was worried he wouldn't return home.
  In recognition of this devoted family man and public servant, the 
bill I am introducing with the support of my colleague from Iowa, 
Senator Harkin, would name the post office located at 309 East Linn 
Street in Marshalltown, IA, the Major Scott Nisely Post Office. The 
idea came from Scott's coworkers at the Marshalltown Post Office and it 
is indeed a fitting tribute. Representative Latham is introducing 
identical legislation in the House of Representatives today with the 
support of the other members of Iowa's House delegation. I am pleased 
to be able to propose this small token of recognition and gratitude for 
someone who has given so much to his country, and I urge its swift 
consideration.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I join with my senior colleague from 
Iowa, Senator Grassley, in introducing a bill to name the Marshalltown 
Post Office in honor of MAJ Scott Nisely, who was killed in action in 
Iraq on September 30, 2006.
  Major Nisely enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1981 and served in 
Operation Desert Storm. In 1994, he moved to Marshalltown, IA, with his 
family and worked at the Iowa Veterans Home as well as at the 
Marshalltown and Des Moines Post Offices. Because of his love for his 
country and the military, Major Nisely took a demotion to join the Iowa 
National Guard and was sent to Iraq in 2005.
  Major Nisely was a dedicated husband and father, beloved for his 
sense of humor and positive attitude. Having served in Operation Desert 
Storm, he was already a respected Marine veteran and a hero to his 
family and friends. But with our Armed Forces engaged in Iraq, he once 
again felt compelled to fight for his country. Major Nisely served in 
two wars, set a sterling example of selfless service to country, and 
paid the ultimate price while fighting in Iraq. I am proud to join my 
colleague in naming the post office in Marshalltown the Major Scott 
Nisely Post Office, in honor of this fallen hero.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. DOLE (for herself, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Burr, Mr. Durbin, 
        Mr. Vitter, and Mr. Allard):
  S. 1540. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide 
a tax credit for the transportation of food for charitable purposes; to 
the Committee on Finance.
  Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, today is the sixth National Hunger 
Awareness Day--a day to reflect on the fact that in this Nation alone 
more than 35 million people are experiencing hunger or are at risk for 
hunger. It is also a day to recognize the tremendous efforts of 
individuals who graciously give their time and resources to help those 
in need.
  Hunger is far too prevalent, but I think Washington Post columnist 
David Broder hit the nail on the head when he wrote: ``America has some 
problems that defy solution. This one does not. It just needs caring 
people and a caring government, working together.'' I agree, the battle 
to end hunger in our country is a campaign that cannot be won in months 
or even a few years, but it is a victory within reach. And I am 
motivated to do what I can to make a positive difference in this fight 
against hunger--both in the United States and beyond our borders.
  In America--the land of prosperity and plenty--some people have the 
misconception that hunger plagues only far-away, undeveloped nations. 
The reality is that hunger is a silent enemy lurking within 1 in 10 
U.S. households. In my home State of North Carolina alone, nearly 1 
million of our 8.8 million residents are struggling with food security 
issues. In recent years, once-thriving North Carolina towns have been 
economically crippled by the shuttering of textile mills and furniture 
factories. People have lost their jobs--and sometimes their ability to 
put food on the table. I know this scenario is not unique to North 
Carolina, as many American manufacturing jobs have moved overseas. 
While many folks are finding new employment, these days a steady income 
doesn't necessarily provide for three square meals a day.
  To help struggling families and individuals, our nation is blessed to 
have many faith-based and other nonprofit service organizations that 
work to fight hunger. Over the last year, I have toured a number of 
these organizations in my home State--such as MANNA FoodBank in 
Asheville, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, and 
Meals on Wheels of Senior Services in Winston-Salem. I also have 
visited the DC Central Kitchen here in Washington--just a few blocks 
from the Capitol. At each of these organizations, I am inspired by the 
dedicated staff and volunteers who have such a passion for helping 
others.
  Another hunger relief organization that I hold in the highest regard 
is the Society of St. Andrew, which gleans produce from farms and then 
packages, processes and transports excess food to feed hungry people 
across the country. When I think of gleaning, I often think of Ruth in 
the Old Testament. Her story takes place during a famine in Bethlehem, 
and Ruth gleaned so that her family could eat. In Biblical times, 
farmers were encouraged to leave crops in their fields for the poor and 
for travelers. It is a practice we should be utilizing much more 
extensively today--considering that in this country, 27 percent of all 
the food produced annually is lost at the retail, consumer, and food 
service levels. This means we are wasting about 3,044 pounds of good 
food every second.
  The Society of St. Andrew recently passed a milestone--saving and 
distributing a total of 500 million pounds of food since 1983. This 
translates into

[[Page S7074]]

more than 1.5 billion servings. Already this year, the organization has 
provided more than 5.5 million pounds of produce. Amazingly, it only 
costs about 2 cents a serving to glean and deliver this food to those 
in need. And all of this work is done by the hands of tens of thousands 
of volunteers and a very small staff. I have gleaned in North Carolina 
fields with my friends at the Society of St. Andrew, and they are truly 
a remarkable group.
  Like any humanitarian endeavor, the gleaning system works because of 
cooperative efforts. Private organizations and individuals are doing a 
great job--but with very limited resources. One of the single largest 
concerns for gleaners is transportation--how to actually get food to 
those in need. To help address this problem, I am proud to reintroduce 
today the Hunger Relief Trucking Tax Credit Act, which would change the 
Tax Code to give transportation companies tax incentives for 
volunteering trucks to transfer gleaned food. Specifically, my bill 
would create a 25-cent tax credit for each mile that food is 
transported for hunger relief efforts by a donated truck and driver.
  This bill would provide a little extra encouragement for trucking 
companies to donate space in their vehicles to help more food reach 
more hungry people. I am grateful to my colleagues, Senators Lincoln, 
Burr, Durbin, Vitter and Allard, for joining this effort, and I welcome 
the support of relief organizations like the Society of St. Andrew, the 
American Trucking Association, and America's Second Harvest.
  In addition, Senators Lautenberg, Lincoln, and I plan to soon 
reintroduce the Food Employment Empowerment and Development Program 
Act, or the FEED Act. The idea behind this legislation is simple: 
combine food rescue with job training, thus teaching unemployed and 
homeless adults the skills needed to work in the food service industry.
  With support from the FEED Act, community kitchens will receive much-
needed resources to help collect rescued food and provide 2 million 
meals each year to the hungry. Successful FEED Act-type programs 
already exist. For example, in Charlotte, NC, the Community Culinary 
School recruits students from social service agencies, homeless 
shelters, halfway houses and work release programs. And just around the 
comer from here, 25 students recently began training in the DC Central 
Kitchen's 68th culinary job training class. This is a model program, 
which began in 1990, and it is always a great privilege to visit the 
kitchen and meet with the individuals who have faced adversity but are 
now on track for a career in the food service industry.
  We also must do more to help America's 12 million hungry children get 
on the right track. As a result of hunger, these children have higher 
levels of chronic illness, depression, and behavior problems. This is a 
travesty that can and must be prevented, and school feeding programs 
provide a critical means to this end. The National School Lunch Program 
feeds 30 million children in more than 100,000 schools each day. While 
reduced price meals are available to students whose family income is 
below 130 percent of the poverty level, State and local school board 
members have informed me that many families struggle to even pay this 
fee. In too many cases, this is creating an insurmountable barrier to 
participation.
  That is why I am a strong supporter of eliminating the reduced price 
fee for these families and harmonizing the free income guideline with 
the WIC income guideline, which is 185 percent of poverty. In 2004, we 
succeeded in having a five-State pilot program authorized, and since 
then, a number of colleagues have joined me in urging funding for the 
program. I am very proud that the fiscal year 2008 Senate budget 
resolution finally includes the funds, and I will continue to push this 
during the appropriations process--because expanding the free lunch 
program has great potential to alleviate hunger for millions of 
children and help them succeed in school.
  School feeding programs also offer tremendous opportunity to reach 
some of the 400 million chronically hungry children across the globe. 
Earlier this year, Senator Dick Durbin and I introduced a bill to 
reauthorize the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and 
Child Nutrition Program. This program was named for my husband Senator 
Bob Dole and his good friend Senator George McGovern--both of whom 
remain tremendous advocates for this and other child nutrition 
initiatives.
  As with the U.S. school lunch program, the McGovern-Dole program 
helps attract children to schools. The nutritious meals provided help 
keep them alert and focused so they can learn and nourished so they can 
grow and mature. First authorized in 2002, the program provides for 
donations of U.S. agricultural products and financial and technical 
assistance for school food programs and maternal and child nutrition 
projects in low-income countries that are committed to universal 
education. In 2005 alone, the McGovern-Dole program distributed 120,000 
metric tons of U.S. food commodities, including wheat, wheat flour, 
corn, rice, dry beans, and vegetable oils, to schools that run feeding 
programs in the world's poorest countries. In addition to Federal 
funding, outside donors have provided approximately $1 billion to 
complement the McGovern-Dole program, making this initiative a 
successful public-private partnership.
  McGovern-Dole has a proven track record of reducing hunger among 
school-age children and improving literacy and primary education 
enrollment in areas where conflict, hunger, poverty and HIV/AIDS are 
prevalent. School meals, teacher training, and related support have 
helped boost school enrollment and academic performance. These positive 
results are especially true among girls, including those who live where 
girls are commonly mistreated and marginalized.
  Throughout my career in public service, I have seen the faces of 
hunger so many times. During my time at the American Red Cross, I 
witnessed hunger and starvation in war-torn Rwanda and famine-stricken 
Somalia. In Baidoa, I came upon a little boy lying under a sack. I 
thought he was dead, but as his brother sat him up, I could see that he 
was severely malnourished. I asked for camel's milk to feed him, and as 
I raised the cup to his mouth, I put my arm around his back. The 
feeling of the little bones almost piercing through his flesh is 
something I will never forget. That is when the horror of starvation 
becomes real--when you can touch it.
  In Deuteronomy 15:7, the Bible tells us, ``If there is among you a 
poor man, one of your brethren, in any of your towns within your land 
which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart or 
shut your hand against your poor brother.''
  I implore friends on both sides of the aisle--and the people of this 
great country--to join in this mission, this grassroots network of 
compassion that transcends political ideology and provides hope and 
security not only for those in need today but for future generations. 
Let us stand and fight as one in this mission to end hunger.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. CLINTON:
  S. 1542. A bill to establish State infrastructure banks for 
education, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Investing 
for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2007, an act that is critical in bringing 
our Nation's schools into the 21st century. If passed, this legislation 
would provide States with an economical way to fund school 
construction. Please allow me to express my thanks to my friend, 
Senator Harkin, for joining my efforts in the Senate, as well as to 
Representative Tauscher for his leadership in the House and his 
introduction of the companion bill.
  The American Society of Civil Engineers gave our Nation's school 
buildings a D in their last report card, with 75 percent of facilities 
deemed inadequate for education. Yet our children attend these schools 
every day.
  When students attend rundown schools, their well-being and ability to 
learn is threatened. In 2004, in Washingtonville, NY, the roof over a 
classroom, in the 44-year-old Taft Elementary, collapsed. Had the 
collapse occurred just 32 days later, 15 children and 2 teachers could 
have been seriously injured or even killed.
  This past January, New York's Manhasset School District issued a 
report describing the condition of its

[[Page S7075]]

only high school. The 72-year-old building has exceeded its life 
expectancy, with a roof ``beyond the stages of patching and repairing'' 
and in need of replacement. Last school year, part of the ceiling 
collapsed in one of the stairwells.
  Buildings like this one, in use beyond their life expectancy, are 
dangerous and don't meet the demands of the 21st century. The lack of 
adequate school buildings hampers today's most promising and innovative 
efforts to boost student achievement. Many older school buildings are 
in a dangerous state of disrepair and have seriously outdated 
facilities. Many do not even have the proper wiring for computer 
networks. While we work to give students the academic tools they need 
to compete in the 21st century, we must also upgrade school facilities 
to give students a learning environment conducive to success. This is 
why we included a new provision in this legislation creating healthy 
high-performance schools guidelines to direct schools during renovation 
and construction in order to create schools that will foster the 
development of children.
  According to the National Education Association, repairs and 
modernization nationwide will cost $322 billion. Last year, over $20 
billion was spent nationwide on school construction. At that rate, it 
will take more than 16 years to modernize school buildings, when 
today's kindergartners could be graduating from college. Clearly, 
school construction is costly, but a price cannot be put on the value 
of our children's education and well-being. We must use innovative 
methods in providing funding for schools to make these essential 
renovations.
  That is why I am introducing this bill. At the center of this bill is 
the creation of State infrastructure banks, which would improve 
financing for school construction. This financing mechanism was 
pioneered by the Reagan administration, which used it to help local 
communities fund water treatment and clean water facilities. The 
Clinton administration also used State infrastructure banks to help 
States finance transportation projects.
  State infrastructure banks have been successful in financing public 
projects at a low cost to taxpayers. They would offer school districts 
flexible options of loan and credit enhancement assistance, such as 
low-interest loans, bond-financing security, loan guarantees, and 
credit support for financing projects, which result in lower interest 
rates. State infrastructure banks would not strain the Federal Treasury 
or the American taxpayer. After initial funding, they would require no 
ongoing Federal appropriations. As loans are repaid, funds would be 
replenished, and banks could make new loans available.
  Passage of this bill would help provide immediate aid to the neediest 
schools and help local communities fund affordable construction far 
into the future. This modest proposal is one step in the school 
construction solution. We must continue to move forward in this 
Congress by creating an academic setting that will prepare our students 
for the 21st century workplace. I ask my colleagues to join me and 
Senator Harkin in supporting this critical piece of legislation.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. BINGAMAN:
  S. 1543. A bill to establish a national geothermal initiative to 
encourage increased production of energy from geothermal resources, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be able to introduce the 
National Geothermal Initiative Act of 2007, along with my cosponsors, 
Senators Reid, Murkowski, Stevens, Salazar, Tester, and Snowe. This 
bipartisan bill establishes a national goal where at least 20 percent 
of the total electrical energy production in the United States should 
be from geothermal resources by 2030. Under the National Geothermal 
Initiative, the national goal will be accomplished by establishing and 
carrying out new programs for geothermal research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application. This act also extends an 
ongoing study being conducted by the United States Geological Survey to 
characterize the complete geothermal resource base for use in future 
geothermal energy development. Finally, the act will provide 
international market support for geothermal energy development. It is 
critical with ever increasing energy demands that new energy solutions 
are continually developed and explored. With continued research, 
development, demonstration, and deployment of new technologies, 
geothermal energy holds great promise as a growing renewable energy 
source.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection the text was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1543

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Geothermal 
     Initiative Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) domestic geothermal resources have the potential to 
     provide vast amounts of clean, renewable, and reliable energy 
     to the United States;
       (2) Federal policies and programs are critical to achieving 
     the potential of those resources;
       (3) Federal tax policies should be modified to 
     appropriately support the longer lead-times of geothermal 
     facilities and address the high risks of geothermal 
     exploration and development;
       (4) sustained and expanded research programs are needed--
       (A) to support the goal of increased energy production from 
     geothermal resources; and
       (B) to develop the technologies that will enable commercial 
     production of energy from more geothermal resources;
       (5) a comprehensive national resource assessment is needed 
     to support policymakers and industry needs;
       (6) a national exploration and development technology and 
     information center should be established to support the 
     achievement of increased geothermal energy production; and
       (7) implementation and completion of geothermal and other 
     renewable initiatives on public land in the United States is 
     critical, consistent with the principles and requirements of 
     the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 
     1701 et seq.) and other applicable law.

     SEC. 3. NATIONAL GOAL.

       Congress declares that it shall be a national goal to 
     achieve 20 percent of total electrical energy production in 
     the United States from geothermal resources by not later than 
     2030.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Initiative.--The term ``Initiative'' means the national 
     geothermal initiative established by section 5(a).
       (2) National goal.--The term ``national goal'' means the 
     national goal of increased energy production from geothermal 
     resources described in section 3.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.

     SEC. 5. NATIONAL GEOTHERMAL INITIATIVE.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a national 
     geothermal initiative under which the Federal Government 
     shall seek to achieve the national goal.
       (b) Federal Support and Coordination.--In carrying out the 
     Initiative, each Federal agency shall give priority to 
     programs and efforts necessary to support achievement of the 
     national goal to the extent consistent with applicable law.
       (c) Energy and Interior Goals.--
       (1) In general.--In carrying out the Initiative, the 
     Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior shall establish 
     and carry out policies and programs--
       (A) to characterize the complete geothermal resource base 
     (including engineered geothermal systems) of the United 
     States by not later than 2010;
       (B) to sustain an annual growth rate in the use of 
     geothermal power, heat, and heat pump applications of at 
     least 10 percent;
       (C) to demonstrate state-of-the-art energy production from 
     the full range of geothermal resources in the United States;
       (D) to achieve new power or commercial heat production from 
     geothermal resources in at least 25 States; and
       (E) to develop the tools and techniques to construct an 
     engineered geothermal system power plant.
       (2) Report to congress.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, and every 3 years thereafter, 
     the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior shall jointly 
     submit to the appropriate Committees of Congress a report 
     that describes--
       (A) the proposed plan to achieve the goals described in 
     paragraph (1); and
       (B) a description of the progress during the period covered 
     by the report toward achieving those goals.
       (d) Geothermal Research, Development, Demonstration, and 
     Commercial Application.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program of 
     geothermal research, development, demonstration, outreach and 
     education, and commercial application to support the 
     achievement of the national goal.
       (2) Requirements of program.--In carrying out the 
     geothermal research program

[[Page S7076]]

     described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
       (A) prioritize funding for the discovery and 
     characterization of geothermal resources;
       (B) expand funding for cost-shared drilling;
       (C)(i) establish, at a national laboratory or university 
     research center selected by the Secretary, a national 
     geothermal exploration research and information center;
       (ii) support development and application of new exploration 
     and development technologies through the center; and
       (iii) in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, 
     disseminate geological and geophysical data to support 
     geothermal exploration activities through the center.
       (D) support cooperative programs with and among States, 
     including with the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, 
     the Intermountain West Geothermal Consortium, and other 
     similar State and regional initiatives, to expand knowledge 
     of the geothermal resource base of the United States and 
     potential applications of that resource base;
       (E) improve and advance high-temperature and high-pressure 
     drilling, completion, and instrumentation technologies 
     benefiting geothermal well construction;
       (F) demonstrate geothermal applications in settings that, 
     as of the date of enactment of this Act, are noncommercial;
       (G) research, develop, and demonstrate engineered 
     geothermal systems techniques for commercial application of 
     the technologies, including advances in--
       (i) reservoir stimulation;
       (ii) reservoir characterization, monitoring, and modeling;
       (iii) stress mapping;
       (iv) tracer development;
       (v) 3-dimensional tomography; and
       (vi) understanding seismic effects of deep drilling and 
     reservoir engineering; and
       (H) support the development and application of the full 
     range of geothermal technologies and applications.
       (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this 
     subsection--
       (A) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
       (B) $110,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 
     2012; and
       (C) for fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter 
     through fiscal year 2030, such sums as are necessary.
       (e) Geothermal Assessment, Exploration Information, and 
     Priority Activities.--
       (1) Interior.--In carrying out the Initiative, the 
     Secretary of the Interior--
       (A) acting through the Director of the United States 
     Geological Survey, shall, not later than 2010--
       (i) conduct and complete a comprehensive nationwide 
     geothermal resource assessment that examines the full range 
     of geothermal resources in the United States; and
       (ii) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
     report describing the results of the assessment; and
       (B) in planning and leasing, shall consider the national 
     goal established under this Act.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry 
     out this subsection--
       (A) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
       (B) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 to 2012; and
       (C) for fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter 
     through fiscal year 2030, such sums as are necessary.

     SEC. 6. INTERMOUNTAIN WEST GEOTHERMAL CONSORTIUM.

       Section 237 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     15874) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
       ``(1) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 
     2013; and
       ``(2) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 
     2014 through 2020.''.

     SEC. 7. INTERNATIONAL MARKET SUPPORT FOR GEOTHERMAL ENERGY 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) United States Agency for International Development.--
     The United States Agency for International Development, in 
     coordination with other appropriate Federal and multilateral 
     agencies, shall support international and regional 
     development to promote the use of geothermal resources, 
     including (as appropriate) the African Rift Geothermal 
     Development Facility.
       (b) United States Trade and Development Agency.--The United 
     States Trade and Development Agency shall support the 
     Initiative by--
       (1) encouraging participation by United States firms in 
     actions taken to carry out subsection (a); and
       (2) providing grants and other financial support for 
     feasibility and resource assessment studies.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out 
     this section.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. GREGG (for himself and Mrs. Clinton):
  S. 1544. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to 
improve the quality and efficiency of health care, to provide the 
public with information on provider and supplier performance, and to 
enhance the education and awareness of consumers for evaluating health 
care services through the development and release of reports based on 
Medicare enrollment, claims, survey, and assessment data; to the 
Committee on Finance.
  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, the United States spends more on health 
care as a percentage of GDP than any other industrialized country and 
costs continue to rise. However, there is significant variation in the 
quality of health care consumers receive. Are we getting a good deal? 
The Medicare Quality Enhancement Act, which I have introduced today 
with Senator Clinton, seeks to improve U.S. health care by providing 
qualified private-sector organizations access to Medicare data for the 
development and release of reports on the quality, cost, efficiency and 
effectiveness of our health care system.
  Consumer groups, employers, insurance companies, labor unions and 
others have repeatedly requested access to Medicare data to improve the 
quality of the health care provided to their members, employees and 
beneficiaries and to help control the ever-rising costs of health care. 
While there remains legal debate over whether this data can be 
released, the Medicare Quality Enhancement Act ensures that the data 
collected by Medicare and paid for by the taxpayer can be utilized by 
qualified organizations to measure quality and control costs while 
protecting beneficiary privacy.
  The Medicare Quality Enhancement Act of 2007: requires CMS to provide 
Medicare enrollment, claims, survey and assessment data to private 
sector Medicare Quality Reporting Organizations, MQROs, to develop 
reports to measure health care quality for the public; mandates the 
protection of beneficiary privacy; empowers consumer groups, providers, 
employers, insurance plans, labor unions and others to request reports 
from MQROs; and provides for the public release of all reports.
  Attempts are already being made by employers and insurance companies 
to measure quality. However, with limited amounts of privately held 
data, their analysis is not broad enough to provide the most accurate 
results. However, MQROs will have access to Medicare data and be 
authorized to aggregate both private and public data, providing a 
significantly more robust assessment of both quality and efficiency 
while requiring the complete protection of beneficiary health 
information.
  In order for America's health care system to improve, we need to know 
more and understand the quality of the care we are purchasing. The time 
has come for the health care community to compete on quality, value and 
cost, and not be rewarded simply for volume of care provided.
  The Medicare Quality Enhancement Act ensures that the public will 
finally have the tools necessary to make informed health care decisions 
for themselves and their families.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. MURKOWSKI:
  S. 1552. A bill to authorize the Administrator of General Services to 
convey a parcel of real property to the Alaska Railroad Corporation; to 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill that will 
authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of 
real property to the Alaska Railroad Corporation. This parcel of land 
is used by GSA for a fleet management center at 2nd and Christensen 
avenue in downtown Anchorage. The site is approximately 78,000 sq. feet 
and is surrounded on two sides by Alaska Railroad property. This 
property was owned by the Alaska Railroad during the period of Federal 
ownership and was leased to the General Services administration. At the 
time the railroad was transferred from Federal to State ownership, the 
parcel of land where the fleet center is located was successfully 
obtained by GSA for its motor pool function due to its close proximity 
to downtown Anchorage and other Federal agencies.
  This parcel of land is a key transportation component for the 
redevelopment of Ship Creek. Allowing the Alaska Railroad to get the 
property back, either through a land exchange or fair market purchase, 
will allow the Railroad to make additional improvements in the area. 
GSA has indicated a desire

[[Page S7077]]

to move from its present location to a location closer to the military 
bases in Anchorage as most of their business has become the management 
of a motor pool for the bases.
  As consideration for the property, the administrator shall require 
the AKRR Corporation to either convey a replacement facility to GSA or 
pay the fair market value of the property based on the highest and best 
use as determined by an independent appraisal commissioned by the 
administrator and paid for by the Alaska Railroad Corporation. All 
proceeds derived from any payment for the property shall be deposited 
in the Federal buildings fund.
  The GSA supports this legislation to expedite their move from the 
present location to one that will allow them to better serve the 
military bases.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1552

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF GSA FLEET MANAGEMENT CENTER TO 
                   ALASKA RAILROAD CORPORATION.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the requirements of this 
     section, the Administrator of General Services shall convey, 
     not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, by quitclaim deed, to the Alaska Railroad Corporation, 
     an entity of the State of Alaska (in this section referred to 
     as the ``Corporation''), all right, title, and interest of 
     the United States in and to the parcel of real property 
     described in subsection (b), known as the GSA Fleet 
     Management Center.
       (b) GSA Fleet Management Center.--The parcel to be conveyed 
     under subsection (a) is the parcel located at the 
     intersection of 2nd Avenue and Christensen Avenue in 
     Anchorage, Alaska, consisting of approximately 78,000 square 
     feet of land and the improvements thereon.
       (c) Consideration.--
       (1) In general.--As consideration for the parcel to be 
     conveyed under subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
     require the Corporation to--
       (A) convey replacement property in accordance with 
     paragraph (2); or
       (B) pay the purchase price for the parcel in accordance 
     with paragraph (3).
       (2) Replacement property.--If the Administrator requires 
     the Corporation to provide consideration under paragraph 
     (1)(A), the Corporation shall--
       (A) convey, and pay the cost of conveying, to the United 
     States, acting by and through the Administrator, fee simple 
     title to real property, including a building, that the 
     Administrator determines to be suitable as a replacement 
     facility for the parcel to be conveyed under subsection (a); 
     and
       (B) provide such other consideration as the Administrator 
     and the Corporation may agree, including payment of the costs 
     of relocating the occupants vacating the parcel to be 
     conveyed under subsection (a).
       (3) Purchase price.--If the Administrator requires the 
     Corporation to provide consideration under paragraph (1)(B), 
     the Corporation shall pay to the Administrator the fair 
     market value of the parcel to be conveyed under subsection 
     (a) based on its highest and best use as determined by an 
     independent appraisal commissioned by the Administrator and 
     paid for by the Corporation.
       (d) Appraisal.--In the case of an appraisal under 
     subsection (c)(3)--
       (1) the appraisal shall be performed by an appraiser 
     mutually acceptable to the Administrator and the Corporation; 
     and
       (2) the assumptions, scope of work, and other terms and 
     conditions related to the appraisal assignment shall be 
     mutually acceptable to the Administrator and the Corporation.
       (e) Proceeds.--
       (1) Deposit.--Any proceeds received under subsection (c) 
     shall be paid into the Federal Buildings Fund established 
     under section 592 of title 40, United States Code.
       (2) Expenditure.--Amounts paid into the Federal Buildings 
     Fund under paragraph (1) shall be available to the 
     Administrator upon deposit for expenditure for any lawful 
     purpose consistent with existing authorities granted to the 
     Administrator; except that the Administrator shall provide to 
     the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works of the Senate 30 days advance written notice of 
     any expenditure of the proceeds.
       (f) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Administrator may 
     require such additional terms and conditions to the 
     conveyance under subsection (a) as the Administrator 
     considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
     States.
       (g) Description of Property and Survey.--The exact acreage 
     and legal description of the parcels to be conveyed under 
     subsections (a) and (c)(2) shall be determined by surveys 
     satisfactory to the Administrator and the Corporation.

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