[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3660-S3662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Mrs. Fischer):
  S. 992. A bill to provide for offices on sexual assault prevention 
and response under the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, to require 
reports on additional offices and selection of sexual assault 
prevention and response personnel, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Armed Services.
  Ms. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, today, Senator Fischer and I, rise today 
to speak about the alarming crisis of sexual assault within our 
nation's military.
  Three particularly disturbing cases have arisen in recent weeks. 
First, an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel was arrested for sexual battery, 
and an Army first sergeant is alleged to have engaged in sexual 
misconduct at Fort Flood. Finally, the Army also relieved a lieutenant 
colonel from his post for a domestic dispute that violated a stalking 
protection order. What is most concerning is that all were responsible 
for either handling sexual assault cases or managing policies 
pertaining to military sexual assault.
  We have seen three incidents of this kind in a period of two weeks. 
The fact that the cases involved multiple services speaks volumes to 
the need to elevate all Sexual Assault Prevention Response, SAPR, jobs 
to the level of importance that they deserve. Given the challenge of 
addressing the sexual assault crisis, we need the best and brightest 
taking on these jobs in our military today.
  We should take steps to ensure that these jobs are on par with those 
that the military values most. This will address one of the primary 
factors at the heart of the issue--the need for cultural change in the 
military. It starts with increasing the value of Sexual Assault 
Prevention and Response positions and enforcing a rigorous application, 
intense record review and an interview process that screens applicants 
prior to selection for those duties.
  While we appreciate Secretary Hagel's efforts to ensure that 
candidates for these jobs are rescreened, retrained and recertified, 
the bigger issue is making sure that there is a robust process in place 
to get the highest caliber candidates into all Sexual Assault 
Prevention and Response jobs at the start. We firmly believe that 
changes to the military justice system are critical, but we also 
believe that changing military culture will require transforming the 
process by which we fill these positions. It will also require holding 
the leadership accountable for selecting those individuals.
  That is why, today, we are introducing legislation that will make the 
highest-level Sexual Assault Prevention and Response positions 
nominative ones.
  Nominative jobs, also referred to as ``high visibility,'' are given 
that designation because of the caliber of person needed to fill them. 
These are some of the most significant, challenging and highly desired 
positions in the military. Transitioning SAPR jobs to a nominative 
process enables direct leadership involvement from the commander, who 
would now hand-pick the person to fill the role. Furthermore, there is 
a level of prestige that comes with taking nominative jobs because they 
are recognized as premiere jobs within the organization. Applicants 
know up front that these jobs will be challenging and career-enhancing. 
As such, only the best of the best need apply.
  This crisis has reached a breaking point that requires more than the 
traditional process for filling military positions. We can no longer be 
comfortable placing the service member in a SAPR position solely based 
upon individual career paths and personal aspirations. As proven over 
the last several weeks, there are holes in that process. We need to 
enact a stringent application, record review and interview process that 
holds leaders accountable for SAPR job selection and increases the 
likelihood of getting the best possible applicants.
  There is a sense of urgency surrounding military sexual assault that 
requires answers now. Secretary Hagel was correct in saying, ``Sexual 
assault has no place in the United States military'' and that ``the 
American people, including our service members, should expect a culture 
of absolutely no tolerance for this deplorable behavior.'' We could not 
agree more, but we are also of the belief that the change in culture 
with respect to sexual assault will require more than education and 
awareness training. Our military needs to develop a culture that gives 
preeminence to jobs related to sexual assault prevention.
  We know that military leaders share our concerns and appreciate the 
leadership demonstrated thus far. We trust that they will also 
acknowledge the benefits of making SAPR jobs nominative positions. We 
hope my colleagues in the Senate will take up and pass this legislation 
as we attempt to address the scourge that is sexual assault in our 
military.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CORNYN:
  S. 993. A bill to authorize and request the President to award the 
Medal of Honor to James Megellas, formerly of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 
and currently of Colleyville, Texas, for acts of valor on January 28, 
1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II; to the Committee 
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, 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. 993

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION AND REQUEST FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF 
                   HONOR TO JAMES MEGELLAS FOR ACTS OF VALOR 
                   DURING BATTLE OF THE BULGE.

       (a) Authorization.--The President is authorized and 
     requested to award the Medal of Honor under section 3741 of 
     title 10, United States Code, to James Megellas, formerly of 
     Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and currently of Colleyville, Texas, 
     for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).
       (b) Action Described.--The acts of valor referred to in 
     subsection (a) are the actions of James Megellas on January 
     28, 1945, in Herresbach, Belgium, during the Battle of the 
     Bulge, during World War II, when, as a first lieutenant in 
     the 82d Airborne Division, he led a surprise and devastating 
     attack on a much larger advancing enemy force, killing and 
     capturing a large number and causing others to flee, single-
     handedly destroying an attacking German Mark V tank with two 
     hand-held grenades, and then leading his men in clearing and 
     seizing Herresbach.
       (c) Waiver of Time Limitations.--The award under subsection 
     (a) may be made without regard to the time limitations 
     specified in section 3744(b) of title 10, United States Code, 
     or any other time limitation established by law or regulation 
     with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who 
     served in the Army.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. BOOZMAN (for himself and Mr. Donnelly):
  S. 995. A bill to authorize the National Desert Storm Memorial 
Association to establish the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield 
Memorial as a commemorative work in the District of Columbia, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, there is currently no national memorial 
dedicated to the valor and sacrifices made by those members of our 
Armed Forces who honorably fought, and in some cases made the ultimate 
sacrifice, in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. For this 
reason, I am joining with Senator Joe Donnelly to introduce the 
National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial Act.'' This 
legislation will authorize the establishment of a National Desert Storm 
and Desert Shield Memorial to honor the service and sacrifice of those 
who fought in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.

[[Page S3661]]

  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 995

       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 Desert Storm and 
     Desert Shield War Memorial Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Association.--The term ``Association'' means the 
     National Desert Storm Memorial Association, a corporation 
     that is--
       (A) organized under the laws of the State of Arkansas; and
       (B)(i) described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986; and
       (ii) exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code.
       (2) Memorial.--The term ``memorial'' means the National 
     Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial authorized to be 
     established under section 3.

     SEC. 3. NATIONAL DESERT STORM AND DESERT SHIELD MEMORIAL.

       (a) Authorization To Establish Commemorative Work.--The 
     Association may establish the National Desert Storm and 
     Desert Shield Memorial as a commemorative work, on Federal 
     land in the District of Columbia to commemorate and honor the 
     members of the Armed Forces that served on active duty in 
     support of Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield.
       (b) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works 
     Act.--The establishment of the memorial under this section 
     shall be in accordance with chapter 89 of title 40, United 
     States Code (commonly known as the ``Commemorative Works 
     Act'').
       (c) Use of Federal Funds Prohibited.--
       (1) In general.--Federal funds may not be used to pay any 
     expense of the establishment of the memorial under this 
     section.
       (2) Responsibility of association.--The Association shall 
     be solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, 
     and payment of the expenses of, the establishment of the 
     memorial.
       (d) Deposit of Excess Funds.--If, on payment of all 
     expenses for the establishment of the memorial (including the 
     maintenance and preservation amount required by section 
     8906(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code), or on expiration 
     of the authority for the memorial under section 8903(e) of 
     title 40, United States Code, there remains a balance of 
     funds received for the establishment of the memorial, the 
     Association shall transmit the amount of the balance to the 
     Secretary of the Interior for deposit in the account provided 
     for in section 8906(b)(3) of title 40, United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself, Mr. Cardin, and Ms. Stabenow):
  S. 997. A bill to establish the Social Work Reinvestment Commission 
to provide independent counsel to Congress and the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services on policy issues associated with recruitment, 
retention, research, and reinvestment in the profession of social work, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Dorothy I. 
Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act. As a 
social worker, I understand the critical role social workers have in 
the overall care of our population. Social workers can be found in 
every facet of community life--in hospitals, mental health clinics, 
senior centers, schools, and private agencies that serve individuals 
and families in need. They play a crucial role combating the social 
problems facing our nation and are essential providers in our health 
care system. Yet, there are not enough social workers to meet these 
needs.
  The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work 
Reinvestment Act provides research grants to social workers to train 
the next generation of social workers; creates a Social Work 
Reinvestment Commission; authorizes workplace improvement grants to 
identify workplace safety issues and workforce shortage challenges that 
need to be addressed to improve the services social workers provide in 
our communities; and makes grants available to community based programs 
of excellence to identify, test, and replicate effective social work 
interventions. I am honored to introduce this bill named after two 
social visionaries, Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young. Dorothy 
Height was a pioneer of the civil rights movement. Like me, she began 
her career as a case worker and continued to fight for social justice. 
Whitney Young, another trailblazer of the civil rights movement, also 
began his career transforming our social landscape as a social worker. 
He helped create President Johnson's War on Poverty and served as 
President of the National Association of Social Workers.
  I believe that social work is full of great opportunities, both to 
serve and to lead. Social work is about puffing our values into action. 
Social workers are among our best and brightest, our most committed and 
compassionate. They are at the frontlines of providing care, often 
putting themselves in dangerous and violent situations. Social workers 
have the ability to provide psychological, emotional, and social 
support. Quite simply, the ability to change lives. As a social worker, 
I have been on the frontlines of helping people cope with issues in 
their everyday lives. I started off fighting for abused children, 
making sure they were placed in safe homes. I will continue to fight 
every day for our children, seniors, military personnel, and families 
on the floor of the United States Senate.
  The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work 
Reinvestment Act is supported by the National Association of Social 
Workers. I thank Senators Stabenow and Cardin for co-sponsoring this 
bill.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Blunt, Mr. 
        Roberts, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Risch, Mr. Coats, Mr. Graham, Mr. 
        Wicker, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Isakson, Mr. 
        Hoeven, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Vitter):
  S. 1001. A bill to impose sanctions with respect to the Government of 
Iran; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, 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. 1001

       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 ``Iran Export Embargo Act''.

     SEC. 2. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE 
                   GOVERNMENT OF IRAN.

       The Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (22 
     U.S.C. 8801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
     1245 the following:

     ``SEC. 1245A. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE 
                   GOVERNMENT OF IRAN.

       ``(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       ``(1) The Government of Iran stands in violation of the 
     United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted 
     at Paris December 10, 1948, by denying its citizens basic 
     freedoms, including the freedoms of expression, religion, and 
     peaceful assembly and movement, and for flagrantly abusing 
     the rights of minorities and women.
       ``(2) The Government of Iran remains the leading state 
     sponsor of terrorism in the world. That Government's 
     sponsorship of terrorism includes recent involvement in a 
     terrorist attack in Bulgaria, a plot to blow up a cafe in 
     Washington, D.C., a plot to assassinate United States 
     officials in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and attempted 
     terrorist attacks in Canada and the Republic of Georgia.
       ``(3) The Government of Iran stands in violation of United 
     Nations Security Council Resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 
     (2007), 1803 (2008), and 1929 (2010) by refusing to suspend 
     proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities, including all 
     enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and work on 
     all heavy water-related projects.
       ``(4) The Government of Iran continues to develop ballistic 
     missiles capable of threatening the interests and allies of 
     the United States.
       ``(5) The Government of Iran stands in violation of United 
     Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) by its 
     continued transfer of arms to terrorist groups in southern 
     Lebanon.
       ``(6) The Government of Iran continues to provide arms to 
     terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip.
       ``(7) The Government of Iran continues to support the 
     Government of Syria in carrying out human rights abuses and 
     crimes against humanity against the people of Syria.
       ``(b) Blocking of Property.--On and after the date that is 
     60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     President shall block and prohibit all transactions in all 
     property and interests in property of a person described in 
     subsection (f) if such property and interests in property are 
     in the United States, come within the United States, or are 
     or come within the possession or control of a United States 
     person.
       ``(c) Facilitation of Certain Transactions.--The President 
     shall prohibit the opening, and prohibit or impose strict 
     conditions on the maintaining, in the United States of a 
     correspondent account or a payable-through account by a 
     foreign financial

[[Page S3662]]

     institution that the President determines has knowingly, on 
     or after the date that is 60 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, conducted or facilitated a significant 
     transaction with respect to the importation, sale, or 
     transfer of goods or services from Iran on behalf of a person 
     described in subsection (f).
       ``(d) Importation, Sale, or Transfer of Goods and Services 
     From Iran.--The President shall impose sanctions pursuant to 
     the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 
     1701 et seq.) with respect to a person if the President 
     determines that the person knowingly, on or after the date 
     that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     imports, purchases, or transfers goods or services from a 
     person described in subsection (f).
       ``(e) Insurance and Reinsurance.--
       ``(1) In general.--The President shall impose sanctions 
     pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 
     (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) with respect to a person if the 
     President determines that the person knowingly, on or after 
     the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, provides underwriting services or insurance or 
     reinsurance to a person described in subsection (f).
       ``(2) Exception for underwriters and insurance providers 
     exercising due diligence.--The President may not impose 
     sanctions under paragraph (1) with respect to a person that 
     provides underwriting services or insurance or reinsurance if 
     the President determines that the person has exercised due 
     diligence in establishing and enforcing official policies, 
     procedures, and controls to ensure that the person does not 
     underwrite or enter into a contract to provide insurance or 
     reinsurance for a person described in subsection (f).
       ``(f) Persons Described.--A person described in this 
     subsection is any of the following:
       ``(1) The state and the Government of Iran, or any 
     political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of that 
     Government, including the Central Bank of Iran.
       ``(2) Any person owned or controlled, directly or 
     indirectly, by that Government.
       ``(3) Any person acting or purporting to act, directly or 
     indirectly, for or on behalf of that Government.
       ``(4) Any other person determined by the President to be 
     described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
       ``(g) Rule of Construction.--A person described in 
     subsection (f) is subject to sanctions under this section 
     without regard to whether the name of the person is published 
     in the Federal Register or incorporated into the list of 
     specially designated nationals and blocked persons maintained 
     by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of 
     the Treasury.
       ``(h) Applicability to Exports of Crude Oil From Iran.--
     Subsections (c) and (d) shall apply with respect to the 
     exportation, importation, sale, or transfer of crude oil from 
     Iran on and after the date that is 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.''.

                          ____________________