[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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