[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.''.
____________________