[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 70 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3239-S3241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following 
resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 463, S. Res. 
464, and S. Res. 465.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
Senate will proceed to consider the resolutions en bloc.


                              S. Res. 463

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a 
pretty common sense goal--getting more kids outside and engaged in the 
great outdoors.

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  In America today, I am sad to say that one in three children are 
overweight or obese. Kids between the ages of 8 and 18 spend an average 
of 7 and a half hours a day using some sort of entertainment media such 
as TVs, computers, video games, cell phones and movies. I believe this 
is a major reason why only \1/3\ of all children get the recommended 
level of physical activity every day, contributing to high obesity 
rates.
  The grave effects of childhood obesity on our children's quality of 
life are troubling, and the impacts on our economy distressing. But the 
effect on our national security is equally alarming. With current 
obesity rates, I have serious concerns that our military will have 
difficulty finding soldiers physically qualified to serve in the near 
future.
  A healthier Nation is a stronger Nation, and encouraging greater 
physical activity in America's youth by getting more kids outdoors will 
help stop this disturbing trend.
  That is why I am proud to submit a bipartisan resolution today which 
recognizes May 19, 2012, as the second annual National Kids to Parks 
Day. I led this effort last year, and was extremely pleased to see the 
many thousands of families that made it out to a national, State, or 
local park to enjoy the great outdoors.
  So far, over 70,000 people across the country have signed the pledge 
to get outside on National Kids to Parks Day.
  Enjoying the outdoors has been a lifelong passion for me. Growing up 
in the American southwest, my parents would take our family on frequent 
trips to the nearby parks and helped inspire me to become a mountain 
guide with Outward Bound. At Outward Bound I developed a strong love 
not just for being outdoors, but for sharing the outdoors with others.
  In Congress, I have similarly tried to ensure that open spaces in 
both urban and rural areas are preserved so that families in Colorado 
and across America have ample opportunity to get out and take advantage 
of our greatest natural resources, our parks, and open spaces.
  Preserving open spaces is critical to our ability to enjoy the 
outdoors, which is essential not just to public health but to our 
economy as well. In Colorado, a big part of our economy is dependent on 
having open spaces--from skiing to whitewater rafting, hiking, and 
mountain biking--protecting land for outdoor recreation keeps us and 
our economy healthy.
  In this same spirit, on Saturday families all across the Nation will 
get outside to celebrate National Kids to Parks Day and America's 
commitment to getting kids outdoors.
  Getting kids outdoors won't completely solve our childhood obesity 
problem, but it may help them get excited about being active and 
healthy outdoors. It may help inspire the next generation of American 
stewards to enjoy and protect our Nation's special places.
  I would like to thank Senator Bingaman, Senator Murkowski and Senator 
Portman for joining me in submitting this resolution.
  I would like to close by asking my colleagues to support my National 
Kids to Parks Day resolution.


                              S. Res. 464

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, today I wish to mark the 
70th anniversary of Ellsworth Air Force Base. For the past seven 
decades, my home State of South Dakota has had the distinct honor of 
being home to Ellsworth Air Force Base. This weekend, I will gather in 
Rapid City with Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz, 28th 
Bomb Wing Commander Colonel Mark Weatherington, Governor Dennis 
Daugaard, Senator John Thune, Congresswoman Kristi Noem, past and 
present Airmen, and proud South Dakotans to celebrate this anniversary.
  A lot has changed since the Rapid City Army Air Base opened in 1942. 
At the time, the base served as a training location for B 17 Flying 
Fortress crews and thousands of pilots, navigators, radio operators, 
and gunners trained there during World War II. Over the years, the base 
has adapted and grown to support new missions but a reminder of its 
early days remains in the PRIDE hangar. This historic building was 
completed in 1949 to house the RB 36 Peacemakers and later was home to 
the 44th Strategic Missile Wing and the 77th Bomb Squadron.
  The 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base has been home to such 
impressive aircraft as the B 17 Flying Fortress, B 29 Superfortress, 
the RB 36 Peacemaker, the B 52 Stratofortress, and, for the past 25 
years, the B 1B Lancer. All these planes have graced the skies of 
western South Dakota, offering South Dakotans a visual and audial 
reminder of the power of the United States Air Force. Ellsworth has 
played an important role in every major conflict since World War II, 
including flying over 6,000 combat sorties in support of Operation 
Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom. On 
March 20, 2011, history was made as the first ever B 1B combat sorties 
launched directly from the United States to strike targets overseas 
were launched at Ellsworth and hit targets in Libya. Ellsworth 
continues to evolve and as we reflect on the past, we also look to a 
bright future for the base, including the arrival later this year of 
the MQ 9 Reaper mission.
  Ellsworth Air Force Base is the largest employer in western South 
Dakota and has had a significant economic impact on our State. The 
impact of the base on our State goes beyond the economic, however; the 
base and its personnel are a part of the fabric of our state. Rapid 
City, Box Elder, and communities throughout the Black Hills have 
enjoyed a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with the base. 
This is something that, unfortunately, cannot be said at every military 
installation. This symbiotic relationship has displayed itself in 
numerous ways, such as in 1972 when base personnel assisted in the 
recovery and relief efforts when historic flooding struck Rapid City. 
When snowstorms crippled the region in 1949 and 1950, Ellsworth 
personnel airlifted food and hay bales to stranded ranchers and 
livestock. Today, personnel from Ellsworth contribute to many 
charitable efforts in the community, such as helping with the United 
Way's annual Day of Caring and the Children's Miracle Network.
  As I reflect on this anniversary, I'm reminded of all of the 
dedicated Airmen, past and present, that have served at Ellsworth Air 
Force Base. The Air Force is only as strong as its members, and 
Ellsworth has seen many talented, patriotic individuals over the past 
70 years. Many former Wing Commanders have gone on to serve in top 
positions in the Air Force, including as commanders of U.S. 
Transportation Command, Air Education and Training Command, and Air 
Force Global Strike Command.
  Mr. President, for the past 70 years Ellsworth Air Force Base has 
made significant contributions to the State of South Dakota and the 
security of the United States. I commend Ellsworth Air Force Base on 
this occasion and know that the base, and the brave men and women who 
serve there, will continue to make invaluable contributions for decades 
to come.


                              S. Res. 465

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I am submitting a 
resolution concerning water in the State of Colorado. This resolution 
recognizes the importance of water to the State of Colorado and the 
contributions of many of the organizations that have innovated and 
cooperated over the past century to develop, protect and conserve this 
scarce resource. I want to thank my colleague from Colorado Senator 
Bennet for cosponsoring the resolution.
  In the arid West, water is our most precious natural resource. It is 
woven into our history as a source of life, a source of recreation and 
even economic growth. But as a limited resource, it is also a source of 
conflict. As the old saying in the West goes, whiskey is for drinking 
and water is for fighting.
  However, I rise today to highlight not our disagreements but our 
cooperation. Generations of Coloradans have joined together and worked 
hard to solve Colorado's water challenges, because a resource as 
valuable as water must ultimately unite us.
  The year 2012 is a particularly significant year for water in 
Colorado, as it marks numerous anniversaries that have had an enormous 
impact on how water is managed in my state.
  It is the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Rio Grande 
Reservoir, 90th anniversary of the Colorado River Compact of 1922, 75th 
anniversary of

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the creation of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, 75th anniversary 
of the creation of the Colorado River Water Conservation District, 75th 
anniversary of the creation of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy 
District and the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, 50th anniversary of the 
Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, 10th anniversary of the Colorado Foundation 
for Water Education and 10th anniversary of the Lower Arkansas Valley 
Water Conservancy District.
  In fact, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has designated 2012 as 
the Year of Water in Colorado.
  I am proud of efforts underway in the state to raise awareness about 
the importance of water. For example, a statewide celebration named 
Colorado Water 2012 will help to engage and educate Coloradans about 
past achievements and highlight the challenges we face in the future 
management of water. Colorado Water 2012 will continue throughout the 
year, and I look forward to participating in the education and 
engagement of our citizens.
  I hope that this resolution can in some small way add to the 
appreciation of water issues in the United States Senate and to efforts 
underway in Colorado.
  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolutions be 
agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and 
any statements related to the resolutions be printed in the Record at 
the appropriate place as if read.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolutions were agreed to.
  The preambles were agreed to.
  The resolutions, with their preambles, read as follows:

                              S. Res. 463

     (Designating May 19, 2012, as ``National Kids to Parks Day'')

       Whereas the second annual National Kids to Parks Day will 
     be celebrated on May 19, 2012;
       Whereas the goal of National Kids to Parks Day is to 
     empower young people and encourage families to get outdoors 
     and visit the parks of the United States;
       Whereas, on National Kids to Parks Day, individuals from 
     rural and urban areas of the United States can be 
     reintroduced to the splendid National Parks and State and 
     neighborhood parks that are located in their communities;
       Whereas communities across the United States offer a 
     variety of natural resources and public land, often with free 
     access, to individuals seeking outdoor recreation;
       Whereas the people of the United States should encourage 
     young people to lead a more active lifestyle, as too many 
     young people in the United States are overweight or obese;
       Whereas National Kids to Parks Day is an opportunity for 
     families to take a break from their busy lives and come 
     together for a day of wholesome fun; and
       Whereas National Kids to Parks Day aims to broaden the 
     appreciation of young people for nature and the outdoors: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 19, 2012, as ``National Kids to Parks 
     Day'';
       (2) recognizes the importance of outdoor recreation and the 
     preservation of open spaces to the health of the young people 
     of the United States; and
       (3) calls on the people of the United States to observe the 
     day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

                              S. Res. 464

    (Commemorating the 70th anniversary of Ellsworth Air Force Base)

       Whereas on January 2, 1942, the War Department established 
     Rapid City Army Air Base in South Dakota as a training 
     location for B 17 Flying Fortress crews;
       Whereas thousands of pilots, navigators, radio operators, 
     and gunners were trained at Rapid City Army Air Base and went 
     on to support the allied efforts in World War II;
       Whereas on June 13, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower 
     visited the base and dedicated it in memory of Brigadier 
     General Richard E. Ellsworth;
       Whereas during the Cold War, Ellsworth Air Force Base 
     maintained 2 legs of the strategic triad, strategic 
     bombardment, and intercontinental ballistic missiles, earning 
     the title ``The Showplace of Strategic Air Command'';
       Whereas 2012 marks the 25th year of the B 1B Lancer mission 
     at Ellsworth Air Force Base;
       Whereas in 1999, B 1Bs from Ellsworth Air Force Base flew 
     over 100 combat missions in support of NATO forces in 
     Operation Allied Force in Kosovo;
       Whereas Ellsworth Air Force Base has played a crucial role 
     in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, 
     and Operation Enduring Freedom, deploying over 10,000 
     personnel and flying over 6,000 combat sorties in those 
     operations;
       Whereas the first ever B 1B global strike mission launched 
     from the United States came from Ellsworth Air Force Base on 
     March 30, 2011, striking targets in Libya before refueling, 
     rearming, and hitting additional targets in Libya on the 
     return;
       Whereas, for 70 years, Ellsworth Air Force Base has served 
     as an integral part of the defense strategy of the United 
     States and served as the proud home to thousands of bomber 
     pilots, navigators, radio operators, gunners, missile launch 
     control facility personnel, and aircraft and missile 
     maintenance personnel;
       Whereas, the personnel from Ellsworth Air Force Base have a 
     history of compiling some of the highest marks in competitive 
     readiness and maintenance exercises and competitions;
       Whereas, for the past 65 years, Ellsworth Air Force Base 
     has--
         (1) been home to the 28th Bomb Wing and some of the most 
     impressive aircraft in the United States, including the B 17 
     Flying Fortress, the B 29 Superfortress, the RB 36 
     Peacemaker, the B 52 Stratofortress, the KC 135 Stratotanker, 
     KC 97 Stratofreighter and the B 1B Lancer; and
         (2) for parts of 4 decades, served as an important cog in 
     the missile defense system of the United States, featuring 
     the Titan and Minuteman missile systems;
       Whereas Ellsworth Air Force Base continues to evolve and is 
     preparing to welcome the MQ 9 Reaper mission later in 2012; 
     and
       Whereas, Ellsworth Air Force Base and the communities of 
     Rapid City and Box Elder, South Dakota have and will continue 
     to enjoy a long standing, mutually beneficial relationship: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the contributions of Ellsworth Air Force 
     Base to the security of the United States;
       (2) commemorates 70 years of excellence and service by 
     Ellsworth Air Force Base to the United States; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to recognize 
     and honor the dedicated and exemplary service of the airmen 
     and their families, past and present, stationed at Ellsworth 
     Air Force Base.

                              S. Res. 465

(Recognizing that the Governor of the State of Colorado has proclaimed 
                     2012 as the ``Year of Water'')

       Whereas water is a precious and limited natural resource;
       Whereas a clean and sustainable water supply is essential 
     to the high quality of life enjoyed by Coloradans;
       Whereas a clean and sustainable water supply is essential 
     to the success of all aspects of the economy of the State of 
     Colorado, including the agricultural, municipal, industrial, 
     and recreational economies;
       Whereas as a headwaters State, the health of the water in 
     the State of Colorado has a direct impact on neighboring 
     States;
       Whereas the population of the State of Colorado is 
     predicted to double by 2050;
       Whereas educating the public about limited water resources 
     will be critical in meeting the increasing demands placed on 
     water in the future;
       Whereas 2012 marks the--
       (1) 100th anniversary of the construction of the Rio Grande 
     Reservoir;
       (2) 90th anniversary of the Colorado River Compact of 1922;
       (3) 75th anniversary of the creation of the Colorado Water 
     Conservation Board;
       (4) 75th anniversary of the creation of the Colorado River 
     Water Conservation District;
       (5) 75th anniversary of the creation of the Northern 
     Colorado Water Conservancy District and the Colorado-Big 
     Thompson Project;
       (6) 50th anniversary of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, 
     administered by the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy 
     District;
       (7) 10th anniversary of the Colorado Foundation for Water 
     Education; and
       (8) 10th anniversary of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water 
     Conservancy District; and
       Whereas the Governor of the State of Colorado has 
     proclaimed 2012 as the ``Year of Water'' in the State of 
     Colorado: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes that the Governor of 
     the State of Colorado has proclaimed 2012 as the ``Year of 
     Water'' in the State of Colorado.

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