[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 7] [Issue] [Pages 9604-9723] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov][[Page 9604]] SENATE--Monday, April 23, 2007 The Senate met at 2 p.m. and was called to order by the Honorable Jim Webb, a Senator from the State of Virginia. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today's prayer will be offered by the guest Chaplain, Pastor Sunday Adelaja from Kiev, Ukraine. ______ prayer The guest Chaplain offered the following prayer: O, Lord of creation, we acknowledge Your lordship today, Your sovereignty, love, and power. We ask that You will bless the United States of America in these days of great uncertainties. Bless the leaders of this great Nation with the wisdom needed to lead the Nation in the right direction. As leaders, we realize there are some things we want but do not need and some things we need but do not want. You have promised to meet our needs but not satisfy our greed. Help us to realize our decisions have a destiny, our choices have consequences, our path has a purpose, our faith has a foundation, our home has a hope, and this country has a cause. Acknowledging that as America goes, so goes our world, I ask for a sweeping, weeping, and reaping revival throughout this great Nation. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in America as it is in heaven. Help us to remember that America is great because America is good. If America ceases to be good, it will cease to be great. God of heaven, please help America to continue to be good. In Jesus' Name. Amen. ____________________ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Honorable Jim Webb, a Senator from the State of Virginia, led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ____________________ APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Byrd). The assistant legislative clerk read the following letter: U.S. Senate, President pro tempore, Washington, DC, April 23, 2007. To the Senate: Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable Jim Webb, a Senator from the State of Virginia, to perform the duties of the Chair. Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore. Mr. WEBB thereupon assumed the chair as Acting President pro tempore. ____________________ RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader is recognized. ____________________ SCHEDULE Mr. REID. Mr. President, today the time until 2:45 is equally divided, with the majority controlling the first portion of the time. Senator Casey is here and will be using that time to do a tribute. At 2:45 today, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 761, the competitiveness bill. While there are no rollcall votes today, I understand the managers are working on some amendments which could be offered today. Later this week, we expect to receive the supplemental conference report, and the Senate will act on that report prior to concluding business this week. ____________________ RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. ____________________ MORNING BUSINESS The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, there will now be a period for the transaction of morning business until 2:45 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak therein, with the first half controlled by the majority leader or his designee and the second half controlled by the minority leader or his designee. The Senator from Pennsylvania. (The remarks of Mr. Casey pertaining to the submission of S. Res. 166 are located in today's Record under ``Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions.'') Mr. CASEY. I yield the floor. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Wyoming. ____________________ IRAQ FUNDING Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I come to the floor to talk about an issue that seems to be the most pressing of any we have before us; that is, to fund our troops in Iraq. I came to the floor on the 64th day following the President's submission to the Congress of legislation for funding our troops in the field. I believed it was important that we urge Congress to complete its work on this legislation immediately. How could there be anything more pressing than making funding available for our troops? Certainly, the time is now. It is now day 77, and we still don't have a bill to send to the President. It is time we do so. In fact, the conference committee has not even met. Even though both houses of Congress have passed the measure, they have yet to come together between the Houses in order to do something. Our military leaders are people in the best position to prioritize the needs of our troops. They are the ones who know what needs to be done and what the timing is. They have left no doubt that this funding is urgently needed, without arbitrary deadlines or unrelated pork, both of which are in the bill. Unfortunately, there are a number of Members who want to call the shots and micromanage the execution of the war. I understand there are different views about the war. There are different views about what our role should be. But the fact is, we are there now. We have had a change in direction. We have some new ideas, new leadership. But we have the troops there. They need to be supported financially so they cannot only do their job, certainly, but protect themselves. If we don't get this funding to the troops, the first thing to be cut without this supplemental will be facilities maintenance throughout the services, particularly the Army. In addition, counseling programs for both troops and their families will have to be cut back. As to this idea that there is no hurry, that we can find the money somewhere else, Members need to be sure they understand that finding it somewhere else takes it away from someone else who has earned it, either through service or families of service people. More and more troops and their families are seeking counseling, and reducing funding at this critical time certainly needs to be avoided. Failing to act immediately will have real-life impacts on military personnel. I should think we could come to that understanding. I don't know quite what the timing is seeking to do--apparently, impress on the President the points of view being made on the other side of the aisle or whatever. But he has made it clear what he is going to do. We know that. We know we have to go there and get it vetoed, come back [[Page 9605]] and find something that is acceptable. All that takes time. All the time we spend puts more risk on the military and their families. I believe failing to enact this legislation very soon will have real- life impacts on our military personnel. I can't find much reason for that. If we can't take care of our troops' mental health and see that they aren't living in dilapidated barracks, we will have a hard time ensuring they are able to fight when the Nation calls. I hope we can continue to remember what giving these people are doing, what they are sacrificing. We need, of course, to support them. It is very simple. If our troops don't have the training to deploy, then our soldiers and sailors overseas cannot come home, and that is kind of the situation we are increasingly in now. At this point the only priority should be funding our troops in the field. Even though we have other work to do, certainly if we look at priorities, what could be more important than dealing with the needs of our troops overseas. I don't know if James Baker would have been any clearer when we reiterated that the Iraq Study Group report does not set timetables or deadlines for the troop withdrawal. James Baker said: The [Iraq Study Group] report does not set timetables or deadlines for the removal of troops, as contemplated by the supplemental spending bill the House and the Senate passed. In fact, the report specifically opposes that approach. As many military and political leaders told us, an arbitrary deadline would allow the enemy to wait us out and strengthen the positions of extremists over moderates. Several months ago the President indicated he would establish a new direction in Iraq. General Petraeus is back in Washington today to report on the counterinsurgency plan. Certainly, it isn't doing everything we want it to yet. It hasn't achieved success yet. But it is moving in the right direction. We have a change in people. We have a change in leadership. We have a change in the plan. It has only been 3 months since we installed the general and only 60 percent of the troops are in place he had wanted and suggested were necessary. Despite these modest improvements, the other side wants to pack up and admit defeat. They are also claiming the war is lost, and that is unfortunate, especially when our troops hear those comments. In any event, I hope this Congress does what is responsible and sends the President a bill. Our troops deserve to know Congress will provide them with the funding they need to succeed. I wanted to talk on that issue. It is one of the most important we have. I look forward to proceeding with what will be before us on the floor now, education. Sharpening up our competitiveness is very important. I am hopeful we can assure Members that this program with this money and additional spending will have some impact. As we look at it, we have lots of programs that are designed to strengthen education, yet we don't have a very good measurement of whether those dollars are causing things to happen that we hoped they would. I look forward to that. I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, may I inquire how much time remains in morning business on our side? The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Nine minutes. Mr. CORNYN. I thank the Chair. ____________________ EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, for the past several weeks, there has been a lot of debate and discussion about the emergency supplemental appropriations bill that has been pending now before Congress for more than 2 months. Completion of this emergency supplemental is critical for our troops serving on the front lines and for their families here at home. The President has requested, and Congress should be prepared to send immediately to the White House, a clean bill that meets our obligations to the troops. This legislation should not be used as a vehicle to pass billions of dollars of unrelated Federal spending or impose artificial deadlines on our commanders in the field. We have to move forward with this important military funding legislation because our troops deserve nothing less. I want to highlight a few of the items that are included in this supplemental appropriations bill so our colleagues can appreciate how essential it is to get these funds to our troops as soon as possible. This funding will ensure that our forces who are engaged in operations overseas have the very best force protection equipment available, as well as the most effective weaponry, communications gear, munitions, and other essential items. For example, high priority items in the supplemental for our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan include: funding for body armor and other personal protection items; aircraft survivability components, radios, night vision equipment, armored vehicles, and high mobility, multipurpose vehicle Fragmentation Kits; funding for Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Systems, at $2.4 billion. Yes, that Improvised Explosive Device Defeat System is the very type of technology we need to protect our troops from the type of weapon that has been more responsible than virtually any other for injuring our soldiers. In the supplemental, more than $5 billion in funding is designed for the ongoing surge of U.S. forces to support General Petraeus's revised strategy in Baghdad. Nearly $4 billion in funding is to accelerate the transition of two Army brigade combat teams and establish a new Marine Corps regimental combat team. Nearly $2 billion is to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps to build combat capability, and lengthen the time soldiers and marines have between deployments. There is some very important equipment our troops are being denied while we linger in passing this important supplemental. As I mentioned a moment ago, IEDs, or improvised explosive devices, continue to strike our troops during ambushes, and IEDs are responsible for a substantial number of the casualties. The Marines and the Army have responded to enemy tactics with the acquisition of substantial numbers of up-armored HMMWVs and advanced armor kits for other vehicles. But the Army and Marines must continue to develop and field a mine-resistant ambush protected, MRAP, combat vehicle fleet capable of sustained operations on an IED-heavy battlefield. A type of the so-called MRAP is depicted on this chart I have in the Chamber. I believe this particular one shown here is known as the Cougar. What is distinctive about this vehicle, which is so important to get to our troops, is it represents a change in technology, with a V-shaped hull underlying this vehicle, which actually will disperse the energy from an improvised explosive device away from the troops located inside the vehicle. I had occasion to visit a manufacturing facility located in Sealy, TX, owned by Armor Holdings, which is constructing these very same vehicles, which are the subject of some of the funds contained in the supplemental. The President's fiscal year 2007 supplemental request asked for $1.83 billion for mine-resistant ambush protected, or MRAP, vehicles like this one shown in the picture. In addition, Senator Biden offered an amendment, which passed the Senate 98 to 0, that provided an additional $1.5 billion in funding for these critical MRAP vehicles. The total MRAP funding in the supplemental is now almost $4 billion. From what I saw in Sealy at the Armor Holdings facility, and from what I have heard from our troops, this is exactly the kind of equipment they need but which is now being delayed as [[Page 9606]] Congress continues to debate this supplemental appropriations bill. The mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle is an armored combat vehicle capable of providing superior protection to our warfighters against these kinds of IEDs. According to Marine Corps BG John Allen, Deputy Commander of Coalition Forces in Anbar Province, in more than 300 attacks since last year, no marines have died while riding in a new fortified MRAP armed vehicle. There has been an average of less than one injured marine per attack on the vehicles, while attacks on other types of vehicles caused more than two casualties per attack, including deaths, according to Brigadier General Allen. Our deployed servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve this latest class of armored protection to protect them against the ever- present IED threat, and they do not need funding for this important vehicle to be held up. Let me close by highlighting the effect of delayed supplemental funding on our military. The Army announced on April 16 that because of the lack of passage of this supplemental, it will materially slow spending to various places. In order to stretch the money it has, the Army will tell commanders to slow spending in certain areas so war-related activities and support to families can continue. The Department of Defense will also request that Congress approve the temporary reprogramming of $1.6 billion from Navy and Air Force pay accounts to the Army's operating account. Beginning in mid-April--about this time--the Army has begun to slow the purchase of repair parts and other supplies, relying instead on existing inventory to keep equipment operational. Priority will be given to repair and refurbishment of immediately needed war-fighting equipment, while training and other nonmission critical equipment repair will be deferred. In addition, the purchase of day-to-day supplies with governmental charge cards will be restricted, nonessential travel will be postponed or canceled, and shipment of equipment and supplies will be restricted or deferred altogether, unless needed immediately for war efforts. The Army has added it will also delay the repair of facilities and environmental programs unless the work is for safety or health reasons, or has effects on family support. These actions carry significant consequences, including substantial disruption to installation functions, decreasing efficiency, and potentially further degrading the readiness of nondeployed units. These decisions may actually add to the Army's costs over time. Just as importantly, as Army Deputy Budget Director William Campbell said in the New York Times: Frankly, what I worry about is that second- or third-order effect that might affect a soldier or a soldier's safety or his ability to do a mission. Mr. Campbell said: As we put these brakes on, I do worry about the impact that we don't know about, that someone will take some action trying to do the right thing, but it will have a negative impact on the ability of a soldier to do his or her job. The New York Times also reported that unless the budget standoff is resolved by the end of June, Pentagon officials have warned that units preparing to go to Iraq may not have enough money to undertake all of their required training. It should go without saying, but apparently it needs to be said again, our troops need this funding, and they need it soon. Without it, it is simply a fact that our troops will be put at increased risk. We have been ready for weeks to work in good faith to pass a clean supplemental funding bill the President can sign as soon as possible. But every day we do not fund our troops is a day their ability to fight this war is weakened and they are exposed to additional danger. Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ CONCLUSION OF MORNING BUSINESS The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Morning business is closed. ____________________ AMERICA COMPETES ACT The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 761, which the clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 761) to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy. Amendment No. 904 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk on behalf of myself and Senator Alexander. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from New Mexico [Mr. Bingaman], for himself and Mr. Alexander, proposes an amendment numbered 904. Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To strike the NIST working capital fund provision) On page 44, beginning with line 16 strike through line 2 on page 45. On page 45, line 3, strike ``(d)'' and insert ``(c)''. On page 47, line 8, strike ``(e)'' and insert ``(d)''. On page 47, line 21, strike ``(f)'' and insert ``(e)''. Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, at this point I will yield the floor. I know my colleague from Tennessee wishes to speak about a variety of issues, and then there is another amendment which we also will be sending to the desk for Senator Inouye, who will be here fairly shortly, related to provisions that have come from the Commerce Committee. Mr. President, I yield the floor. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, we have Senator Inouye here, who has played a major role in the development of this legislation, and I believe we will have a little later Senator Stevens, who is right behind me now, and Senator Domenici after that. So I am going to let the two distinguished chairs of the Commerce Committee speak. Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, technological innovation is the lifeblood of U.S. economic growth and well-being. To achieve growth and success, the United States must continue to support the two critical components necessary during the early stages of the innovation ecosystem: education and basic research. A pipeline of well-educated secondary school students feeds into the college ranks, which in turn feeds into the graduate schools. Graduate students engage in challenging and cutting edge research led by principal investigators that often are funded by Federal grants. Many times the students and scientists will make a breakthrough discovery of innovation and attempt to commercialize it. If successful, they will have created the next great generation, great American company that sells the next great product, employing thousands of people and driving this economy's economic growth further. The United States has the luxury of claiming many of the world's top scientific minds. These leading scientists either emigrate to the United States because we provide some of the best facilities and resources or they are home grown, having excelled through the U.S. educational system to reach the top echelons of their respective disciplines. However, this premier standing we have enjoyed in the past is in serious jeopardy. As a result, many believe our economic prosperity is at risk. Today the Senate has a unique opportunity to respond to the Nation's defining economic challenge in the 21st century, and that is how to remain strong [[Page 9607]] and competitive in the face of the emerging challenges from India, China, and the rest of the world. We have examined the expert reports and today the Senate is considering S. 761, the America COMPETES Act. S. 761 is a bipartisan product of several committees including: the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee; the Energy Committee; and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. As chairman of the Commerce Committee, which was instrumental in developing Divisions A and D of the bill, I encourage my colleagues to support S. 761. Many point out that the United States' declining scientific prowess is palpable. They cite, for example, the country's dismal proficiency scores: less than one-third of U.S. fourth-graders performed at or above a level deemed ``proficient'' and about one-fifth of eighth- graders lacked the competency to perform basic math computations. U.S. 15-year-olds ranked 22 out of 28 Organization for Economic Co-Operation Development, OECD, countries tested in mathematics. This is a troubling statistic. In math and science education our country is losing ground to the likes of Germany, China, and Japan. In the United States, only 32 percent graduate with college degrees in science and engineering, while 36 percent of German undergraduates receive degrees in science and engineering. In China it is 59 percent, and in Japan, 66 percent of undergraduates receive science and engineering degrees. In 2004, China graduated over 600,000 engineers; India, 350,000; and the United States, less than 70,000. These statistics are alarming and will have dire consequences as the U.S. talent pipeline begins to dry up. To respond, the America COMPETES Act emphasizes science, education, and technology as the keystones of a comprehensive American competitiveness agenda. We considered programs in several agencies. Within the Department of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, is charged with promoting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. The bill would continue NIST on a 10-year doubling path and promote high-risk, high-reward research within the agency. Also within the Department of Commerce. the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, conducts significant basic atmospheric and oceanographic research, including climate change research. Its management decisions and operational programs rely on a strong scientific and technical underpinning. Some have argued that the ocean truly is the last frontier on Earth, and ocean research and technology may have broad impacts on improving health and understanding our environment. Toward this end, our committee included modest provisions on NOAA research and education, which we hope to strengthen during the course of debate on S. 761. The bill also includes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the administration's competitiveness agenda. Like the oceans, space captivates the minds of our young people and can help attract them into a lifelong study of science. America COMPETES continues the Senate's commitment to doubling the funding of the National Science Foundation. The Foundation is the Nation's premier investment in undirected, basic science. The bulk of its funding is distributed as competitive grants. The bill includes provisions to ensure all States, including small States like Hawaii, can share in important research funding. After all, good ideas know no boundaries. In order to be strong, we will need the ideas and leadership of researchers and entrepreneurs in every corner of the Nation. I was pleased to work with my colleagues on the HELP Committee to develop the NSF education provisions. I am proud to have included programs to encourage women to have careers in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. In recent years, we have passed legislation affecting interagency research in nanotechnology, information technology, computer security, climate change, oceans and human health, earthquake research, wind research, and aeronautics research. The America COMPETES Act provides for a Science Summit to encourage interactivity and knowledge sharing between science, scientists, and industry. I would like to end by noting that technology and innovation pervade many policy problems that the Commerce Committee and the Congress face. Changes in telecommunications policy are being driven by innovation. In particular, low broadband penetration is cited as a factor in the loss of competitiveness in many U.S. regions. Also, our transportation infrastructure would benefit from increased investment and deployment of new technologies, such as investment in technologies that can increase energy independence. To succeed in a whole host of arenas, we need scientific discoveries and a technologically savvy workforce. If enacted, the America COMPETES Act can provide the first step for this country to get back into the global race. Many countries are looking to overtake us to claim technological and economic superiority. While we continue to lead, we cannot take this lead for granted. I fully support what we are trying to accomplish with the America COMPETES Act and I look forward to working with my colleagues towards its final passage. Mr. President, working with Senators Stevens, Hutchison, other committee members, and members of other committees, we have developed a small package of amendments to the Commerce Committee sections of the bill. We took an expansive view of American competitiveness and wanted to ensure that the research agencies in our Government and jurisdiction could fully participate in interagency programs to address innovation and competitiveness. This amendment is just the provisions regarding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to align them with those addressing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I hope we can agree to even stronger provisions to promote ocean education. The oceans, like outer space, hold such a lure for young people and can draw them into a lifelong study in key fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These students may someday invent products that keep our Nation economically competitive. The amendment also strikes a provision related to the sale of standard reference materials by the National Institute of Standards and Technology that could have resulted in a million dollars of direct spending. With this amendment, the bill contains no direct spending. The amendment adjusts the authorization levels for the National Science Foundation, so that the increase will not fluctuate but will be a consistent 15 percent annually. As amended, the fiscal year 2008 level for NSF is $300 million over the President's requested level, reflecting the $302 million in new education programs authorized in the bill. In addition, the amendment changes the authorized funding level for NSF's education and human resources programs to $1.05 billion in fiscal year 2008, and for the experimental program for competitive research, to $125 million in fiscal year 2008. These programs would grow annually from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2011 at the same rate that NSF overall funding grows. Finally, there are a series of technical changes to the bill that, first, add mathematics and engineering and technology in the Science Summit in section 1101; second, change the goal for increasing participation in two NSF fellowship and traineeship programs to a 4- year goal, matching the pendency of the authorizations in the bill; and third, on behalf of Senator Hutchison, we make a clarifying change to section 4006 regarding NSF priorities. Mr. President, I appreciate all of my colleagues' help in improving the Commerce Committee section and look forward to adopting this modest agreement and amendment so that we can begin to debate S. 761 in earnest. I yield the floor. [[Page 9608]] The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Tennessee is recognized. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, before the Senator from Alaska speaks and while the Senator from Hawaii will be here for a while longer, I wanted to call attention to their leadership on this bill and their sense of urgency about the importance of it in the Commerce Committee. I wanted to relate specifically an event a year ago, in August, in Beijing, China, which I related on the floor when the bill was introduced. I think it puts into perspective why so many Senators on both sides of the aisle have worked on that, why the bill is being introduced by both the Democratic and Republican leaders, and why it came directly to the floor and is ready for action. Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye took a group of Senators to China. They were especially well received--this Congressional Medal of Honor winner and this Flying Tiger pilot who flew the first cargo plane into Beijing toward the end of World War II. As a result, we spent an hour with President Hu and another hour with the No. 2 man, Vice Premier Wu. We talked about all of the things one would expect in that discussion: North Korea, Iran, and Iraq. But the subject, I recall, about which both of those leaders of China were most animated was the subject we are discussing on the floor today: How is China going to increase its brainpower advantage so it can create more jobs? President Hu told us that he had done what we are doing today but in the Chinese way. He had, a month earlier, gone to the Great Hall of the People in China and assembled their national academy of science and engineering of China and established a 15-year goal for innovation and declared they would spend a certain amount in research and investment. That was the way they were going to raise their standard of living to compete with the United States. We see that with the recruitment of Chinese-born scholars who were educated in the United States and are going back to China to create even better universities there. We saw, under the sponsorship of these two Senators, that the two top leaders of that country understand very well America's brainpower advantage, which has been the greatest source of this remarkably high standard of living we have, and the fact that we produce 30 percent of all of the money in the world for just 5 percent of the people. I wanted to acknowledge their leadership and put into perspective that visit just last year in China. Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I agree wholeheartedly with my friend. We should not take the Chinese goal lightly. They mean business. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Alaska is recognized. Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I strongly support S. 761, which Senator Inouye just discussed. This is the America COMPETES Act. Fifty-six Senators, including members of both parties' leadership and several committee chairmen, are cosponsors of this important legislation. When it was first brought to my attention last year, I tried to see if we could organize a joint committee of the Congress to act on this subject because I believe it is extremely important. Having read the Augustine report, I knew we had to move as quickly as possible. That was not possible last year, but I believe it is this year. Many reports have revealed the serious competitive challenges we face. In 2003, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, compared 15-year-old students living in 40 industrialized nations. For America, the results were very dire. Our students placed 16th in reading, 23rd in science, and 29th in math. Carl Sagan said it best when he wrote this: We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology. Another report I mentioned before, the Augustine report, entitled ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm,'' contains the findings of the Commission chaired by Norman Augustine, the retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin. This study also paints an alarming picture of America's ability to compete in the 21st century. Economists informed Commission members that ``about half of the U.S. economic growth since World War II has been the result of technological innovation.'' But Commission members also discovered that our young people now spend more time watching television than they do in school or studying for school. They determined that hiring one engineer in America now carries the same cost as hiring eight engineers in India. They reported that 38 percent of the scientists and engineers with doctorates in our country were born abroad. If those young men and women choose to live and work in other countries, America will face a severe shortage of talented workers. If we are to maintain our competitive edge, we must improve the education our students receive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We must equip our teachers with the tools and resources they need, and we must encourage those who study in America to stay in America. This legislation we are now considering is a tremendous step forward in these efforts. S. 761 seeks to ensure our Nation remains the global leader in innovation. It would increase Federal investment in basic research, improve educational opportunities for young students to become excited about these fields, and develop an innovation infrastructure appropriate for the 21st century. The America COMPETES Act is the result of bipartisan cooperation between three committees: Commerce, Energy, and HELP. Since last year, these committees have worked together to address key concerns and solutions identified by the Council on Competitiveness and the National Academies. A number of Senators also deserve recognition for their leadership on this matter: Senators Bingaman, Alexander, Ensign, Hutchison, Domenici, Inouye, Kennedy, Lieberman, Mikulski, and Nelson. They all deserve our deepest gratitude, and I am sure there are others. Without their hard work and dedication, our bill would not have reached the Senate floor. In closing, let me say that educating the next generation of American innovators must be a priority for this Congress. Our Nation is at the crossroads, and the decisions we make today will affect us for decades to come. This bill, when enacted, will reaffirm our commitment to America's economic future. I urge each of our colleagues to support its swift passage. I thank the Chair. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I wish to say to the Senator from Alaska that if he, who last year was President pro tempore of the Senate, and Senator Inouye, one of our leading Senators on the Democratic side, had not from the beginning placed such a priority on this legislation, it could never have made its way through the committees and reached this point. So I salute them for their willingness to look into our country's future and see the importance of this issue. Mr. President, if the Senator from Hawaii doesn't have further comments at the moment, I might use the time for the next few moments to talk about a couple of items. One is how we got here with this legislation and, two, more about what it does. First, let me say on behalf of the leadership, Senators Reid, McConnell, Bingaman, Inouye, and others, we hope that Senators will bring their amendments today, or early. Let us see them so that we can talk about them and, if necessary, vote on them. The Democratic leader and the Republican leader have created an environment in which we can deal with this bill in the way the Senate ought to be dealing with a piece of legislation that is at least on a subject as important as any other subject that will be before us. In other words, the bill is on the floor. We are ready to receive amendments. We are ready to vote on amendments, if necessary. I am sure the Democratic leader, who will announce [[Page 9609]] his schedule, would like to finish the bill by Wednesday sometime because we have other important legislation to consider this week. So I hope we make the most of today, tomorrow, and Wednesday. Just a word about how the Senate got here. I mentioned earlier that in China, President Hu could simply call a meeting in the Great Hall of the People and, with his national academies of science and engineering, declare that: This is where we are going for the next 15 years. In China, that works pretty well, and that is likely where they are going. They have very specific goals, for example, for the amount of gross domestic product they will be spending on research and development, what they will be doing with their universities, and how they hope to improve their schools. In the United States, we have to work in a little different way. The result we have here today with this legislation, which is 2,008 pages long--and I know that because I reread it over the weekend. It came in a different way. Senator Bingaman and I, with the encouragement and sponsorship of Senator Domenici, who was chairman of one of the affected committees here, literally asked the National Academy of Sciences this question a couple of years ago: What are the top 10 actions in priority order that Federal policymakers could take over the next 10 years to help the United States keep our advantage in science and technology? We figured that Members of Congress were not necessarily the best ones to make those recommendations. I am sure the Presiding Officer has some idea of some math or science program he thinks might be best or at least he has two or three friends who have an idea. I know the Senator from Hawaii has one. I have five or six myself. We thought perhaps we should ask the people who are supposed to know. We asked the National Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine exactly what should we in the Congress be doing. It is my view most ideas fail around here for the lack of an idea, so we asked them specifically for an idea. The academies took us seriously. They assembled an all-star panel of business, Government, and university leaders headed by Norman Augustine, as the Senator from Alaska said, the former chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin, a member himself of the National Academy of Engineering. That panel included three Nobel Prize winners. Those very busy people, including university president Bob Gates, now Secretary of Defense, and the Nobel Prize winners, gave up their summer, and they took our question seriously. Exactly what does the United States need to do to keep our brain power advantage, is really the question. We asked for 10 and they gave us 20 recommendations. The recommendations are in this report, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm,'' to which the two Senators have referred. To their credit, they put it in priority order. I will talk more in a minute about what the priorities are. They started with kindergarten through 12th grade, 10,000 teachers, 10 million minds, K-12 science and math education: ``Sowing the Seeds through Science and Engineering Research,'' ``Best and Brightest in Science and Engineering Higher Education,'' ``Incentives for Innovation and the Investment Environment.'' They gave us 20 recommendations in priority order. That was not the only idea before the Senate at that time, nor were those of us in the Senate the only ones involved. Representatives Sherwood Boehlert and Mark Gordon of the House Committee on Science had joined us in asking this question. I know Representative Gordon, who is now chairman of the House Science Committee, moved forward quickly to introduce in the House of Representatives similar legislation. What did we do when we got these 20 recommendations? As I mentioned, they were not the only recommendations. Senator Bingaman and Senator Hutchison, for example, had been working for many years to increase the number of children, especially low-income children, who could take the advanced placement courses. Those are a ticket to college, and there are a lot of bright kids who don't have the money to pay for the tests or who go to schools where the teachers are not trained to teach the courses. They have been working on that for a long time. Senator Bond from Missouri and Senator Mikulski of Maryland have been speaking about this for a long time. Then there was an excellent piece of legislation by Senator Lieberman and Senator Ensign which had in it recommendations from the Council on Competitiveness. Many of those recommendations were then included in the Commerce Committee's hearings and deliberations. So the question is how to take all this information in the Senate where people have lots of different ideas and get it all together into one bill and get it passed. Senator Stevens said: Let's form a joint committee. That is a little harder to do than before. Senator Inouye once served on a joint committee--well, it was a special committee in the Watergate days, but there are not that many around here because we have our own committees. What happened was our senior Members of the Senate, such as Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye, Senator Enzi and Senator Kennedy, Senator Domenici and Senator Bingaman, just by the force of their own personalities worked together to create an environment with the help of a lot of staff members to say: Let's take all of these ideas and let's work in a genuinely bipartisan way. We then had a Republican Congress last year. Senator Domenici, who will be here a little later this afternoon, was chairman of the Energy Committee. He went to the White House to talk with the President about this issue. He invited me to go with him, but he didn't just invite me, he invited Senator Bingaman, his ranking Democrat, to go with him. So all the way we have worked together on this legislation. Then we sat down shortly after this report came out, which I suppose was in 2005 in the fall, and had a series of what we call homework sessions. We invited representatives from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Education, the President's science adviser, and a whole variety of other people within the administration who were already working on these subjects to get their advice about these ideas and other ideas as we formed legislation. That is the kind of input this legislation has had. Finally, Senator Domenici and Senator Bingaman introduced what we call the PACE Act, Protect America's Competitive Edge Act. Symbolically, it had 70 cosponsors in the Senate--34 Republicans and 35 Democrats. So we have gotten to the beginning of 2006. I will say a little bit more in a moment about exactly what was in that legislation, but let me continue with the process because it is fairly remarkable and helped to produce this legislation which I found in rereading it over the weekend is remarkably coherent. It is in plain English. It is organized by sections. I could understand virtually every section. I have been reading it as we went along. Maybe this is a model for other complex legislation we have in the Senate. The President, in his State of the Union Address in 2006, and again this year, put the issue front and center with what he called his American competitiveness agenda. The President included $6 billion in his budget for just the first year. In March of last year, the Energy Committee reported eight provisions related to energy research and math and science education for students and teachers in association with the National Labs. So eight provisions of the Augustine report were reported out by the Energy Committee. Then in May the Commerce Committee reported a bill that included ideas from the Augustine report, as well as the President's Council on Competitiveness. We had it from two committees. Then the immigration bill passed the Senate. The immigration bill didn't finally become law, but it passed the [[Page 9610]] Senate with pretty big numbers, and included within it were three provisions that tackled some of the most archaic provisions in our immigration laws, those provisions which basically prevent our insourcing of brain power. We have more than 500,000 foreign students who come here every year to study. They include some of the brightest people in the world, and we make them swear before they come that they will go home when, in fact, we should want most of them to stay here and create jobs for us so we can keep our standard of living. So three provisions from the Augustine report were in that immigration bill that passed the Senate last year, and it is my hope that when the Senate takes up immigration legislation before Memorial Day, which the majority leader has said we are likely to do, that legislation will, again, have the provisions from the Augustine report and other recommendations that will make it easier to attract and keep in our country the brightest men and women from around the world. If they are going to create good jobs somewhere, let's create them in the United States for Americans to have. The Defense authorization bill included a provision related to support for early career researchers funded by the Pentagon. There are so many good applications from so many talented people in the United States for basic research or even applied research that the investigators, as they are called, are sometimes in their forties before they win their first grant. That is discouraging to many of the brightest young minds in the United States. These recommendations have sought to include changes, and the Defense authorization bill last year took a step in that direction. One of the major recommendations of both of the reports I just mentioned was making permanent the research and development tax credit so that our brightest manufacturing jobs can stay here rather than be created overseas. In the so-called tax extender last year, the tax credit was temporarily extended, and so that was dealt with last year. Last year, just before Senators went home for the elections in October, the two leaders, Senator Frist then the majority leader, and Senator Reid then the Democratic leader, introduced a package--it was numbered S. 3936-- that included the work of the Energy and Commerce Committees and added an education component to improve our children's knowledge of math, science, and critical foreign languages. That bipartisan product was the work of the chairman and ranking members of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and the Commerce and Energy Committees. We tried to be good stewards of the public money as we went through this process. That working group last year trimmed $3 billion from what the committees passed in order to make it more affordable. We did our best to stay close to the President's budget number, although we slightly exceeded that number. This year, to bring us to where we are today, the majority leader, Senator Reid, and Senator McConnell, the Republican leader, took that bill, the one introduced last year by Senator Frist and Senator Reid, and reintroduced it by removing authorizations for 2007 since we have already finished work on 2007 and are looking ahead to 2008. That is the bill we are considering today, the America COMPETES Act. That is a long train ride. To those who may be outside the Senate, they may think that is unnecessarily complex. We didn't really need to know all that. I think it is important for the American people to know all that. It is especially important for Senators and their staffs to know all that because virtually every Member of the Senate has had 2 years to get their say. I know on the Commerce Committee there have been long meetings of members of both sides. I know that is true with the staff meetings. Not all would write every provision of the bill the way it is, but that is the nature of work in the Senate. It is a very good piece of legislation. It may be improved on the Senate floor by amendment, but it has been a long and good process. Mr. INOUYE. Will the Senator yield? Mr. ALEXANDER. I yield. Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I commend my colleague, Senator Alexander, for his broad and very intricate history of the bipartisanship. If all of us in this body followed this process on all major legislation, this would be a historic session, and I hope it is so. This will be one of the first I can look back to and say we tried and we succeeded. And I think we are going to succeed. I thank the Senator from Tennessee very much. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I thank the Senator. His example with Senator Stevens is a good example for all of us. I hope he is right. The American people know we all have our principles, and we have our politics. They know that. But I believe they also know there are some issues that are simply too big for one party to solve, whether it is Iraq, whether it is immigration, whether it is energy independence, whether it is affordable health care. And one of those issues is how do we keep our brain power advantage so we can keep our jobs from going overseas to India and China. It will take a comprehensive approach. We take for granted sometimes that we produce 30 percent of all the money in the world for 5 percent of the people. That is one of my favorite statistics. If I were a citizen of China or of India and I was looking at the United States and I saw that disproportionately our wealth comes from our brain power, I would be encouraged because many of the brightest people in the world are in China and in India, wonderful researchers, wonderful scientists. There is no reason in the world that they cannot use that great resource they have to improve their standard of living, and they are setting about to do it. If the Senator from Hawaii has no objection, I thought I might talk a little about what is in the bill, just to go over it. As I said, for those who like to read whole bills, it is 208 pages, but any contractor will tell you that it is cheaper to start from scratch in building a house sometimes than remodeling it. I think we may have found something here working together in a bipartisan way. In starting from scratch, we actually may have produced a better organized bill, more straightforward than trying to remodel a lot of existing laws. But here is what we sought to do. Based upon these recommendations, this legislation doubles funding for the National Science Foundation over 5 years. Now, this is the work of Senator Inouye and Senator Stevens and their committee. This is merely an authorization bill--it doesn't appropriate a penny, but it has to be within the budget. Senator Bingaman offered an amendment, which I joined in with during our budget discussion, and it created room in the budget, nearly $1 billion of room in the budget, for the first year appropriations of the America COMPETES Act. So these dollars are within the budget, and I will talk a little more about the dollars a little later. I might say one thing about the dollars. The dollars are an additional $16 billion in spending over the next 4 years. That is real money. But we might remember on what else we spend money. That is about 2 months of the war in Iraq. We spend about $8 billion a month on the war in Iraq. We spent $237 billion on debt last year, $378 billion on Medicare, $545 on Social Security, and $100 billion or so on hurricanes. These are all very important priorities, but somehow we have to put gas in the engine, and the gas in the engine is our brain power advantage. We have to invest in research, education--K-12--in order to keep the advantage that creates the dollars that pay these bills for our most important programs. But we have worked hard. We have worked hard to have fiscal discipline. The $16 billion over the next 4 years that this bill would authorize to spend, and which is within the budget for this year, is a significant savings over the original legislation last year. More than $3 billion over the 4 years in authorized funding has been cut from last year's competitiveness bills passed by the Energy and Commerce Committees. [[Page 9611]] We also worked hard to avoid duplicative undergraduate scholarship programs that were proposed in earlier legislation, and it reduced the cost of a number of other proposed and existing programs. For example, the Robert Noyse scholarship program of the National Science Foundation was very similar to a recommendation of the Augustine report. So after discussions with the National Science Foundation in our homework sessions, we thought, well, why create a new duplicative program when we already have a good one. So we simply sought to expand it. With regard to the education and energy portions of the bill, the total cost closely tracks the President's proposed American Competitive Initiative. Remember, he put in $6 billion in his budget last year. The President has proposed over 10 years doubling research funding at the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. The cost of the commerce portion of this legislation is a bit higher, but that is because Chairman Inouye and Cochairman Stevens agreed last year that they wanted to double the National Science Foundation's funding at a faster rate, of about 5 years rather than 10. So I would argue that this is progrowth legislation and a small price to pay for that growth in our standard of living. Mr. President, I would say to the Senator from Hawaii that any time he would like to interrupt my presentation, I hope he will. Some of the specific provisions are the doubling of funding for the National Science Foundation, I just mentioned, from $5.6 billion in the current year to $11.2 billion in 2011. Before I arrived, the Congress doubled funding for the National Institutes of Health with a great payoff, most people felt, in terms of our health and research for cures for diseases. But we did not do as good a job during that period of time on the physical sciences, which are also important to the health sciences. This, hopefully, will begin to change that. Second, setting the Department of Energy's Office of Science on track to double in funding over 10 years, and increasing from $3.6 billion in the current year to $5.2 billion in fiscal year 2011; establishing the innovation acceleration research program, which will direct Federal agencies funding research and science and technology to set as a goal dedicating approximately 8 percent of their research and development budgets toward high-risk frontier research. This was a recommendation of both of the major organizations, the Augustine committee and the Council on Competitiveness. What this means is that there are so many good proposals before the peer review and merit review groups that give out basic research grants that they obviously tend to be a little more conservative when presented with so many good ideas. The disadvantage of that is that it reduces the impulse to take a few risks, to roll the dice, or to try some idea that has less of a chance of succeeding but might be the next Google or the next hybrid or the next Internet or the next stealth invention. So this legislation encourages all through the America COMPETES Act in virtually every section that we fund, the idea of setting as a goal--not a mandate but as a goal--8 percent of the research and development budget toward this high-risk frontier research. Next, it authorizes bringing the National Institute of Standards and Technology up from $703 million next year to $937 million in fiscal year 2011. It would direct NASA to increase funding for basic research. It will authorize coordinating ocean and atmospheric research and education at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other agencies to promote U.S. leadership in these important fields. This has been a major priority of Senator Inouye, as well as others. The Augustine committee, at our request, was asked to give us some priorities and not just give us a random list. And I might say, when they gave us 20 recommendations instead of 10, and they gave them in priority, they didn't just go out and get the first 20 they heard about. Over the summer, the working group of 21 members--and I am sure the Council on Competitiveness did the same--considered hundreds of ideas. So our leading scientists and the people we asked to give us their best advice on science and their best advice on medicine and their best advice on engineering, they waded through dozens and dozens of operating programs and other ideas and gave us just a handful of the best ideas. This has been a tremendously important screening process. I believe one reason this has been so broadly accepted in the Senate and by those outside the Senate is that it is not just one Senator's idea of what is a great math program or another's best friend's idea of a good research program. This is, in effect, a merit-based, peer-reviewed set of recommendations and an answer to the question as to what are the most important things we can do to keep our brain power advantage. So, No. 1, authorizing competitive grants to States to better align elementary and secondary education with knowledge and skills needed for success in colleges and universities and the Armed Forces. Now, what that means in plain English is to make sure our elementary, middle, and high schools are teaching what students need in order to go to college, to go to work, and to go to the Armed Forces. That is the key. Next, strengthen the skills of thousands of math and science teachers by establishing training and educational programs at summer institutes hosted by the National Laboratories, and increasing support for the teacher institutes at the National Science Foundation's institutes. One Senator said to me the other day: This is new, isn't it, the idea of giving the National Laboratories such a specific role in training outstanding math and science teachers and inspiring math and science students to learn and achieve more in math and science? The answer is, yes, it is new. But the feeling of the Augustine commission and others is that we have a crisis in math and science. And that is not too strong a word. The former Governor of North Carolina, Jim Hunt, told me the University of North Carolina only graduated three physics teachers in a recent year from its college of education. So we are not going to learn much physics if we don't have anybody teaching much physics. So why not take advantage of these remarkable National Laboratories we have around the country. I guess there are about two dozen or so of them, like the Oak Ridge Laboratory in the State of Tennessee, but there is also Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore. They are all around the country. If you are going to inspire a student or inspire a teacher to be active in math and science, why not place them in an environment for 4 weeks in the summer with some of the finest math and science researchers and individuals in the United States? It would be a choice for a young musician--give them a choice whether to be on the road with Johnny Cash or be in the business office at the Grand Ole Opry, and they will go on the road every time because that is how a singer learns to be a singer. And that is how a student learns what they can do with math and the joy of mathematics. When I was Governor of Tennessee we created summer academies--we called them the Governor's schools--for outstanding students and teachers of various subjects. About 20 States have done the same thing. We have found it is the best money we ever spent to offer 4 weeks at the University of Tennessee connected to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for 200 of the most outstanding high school juniors interested in science and math. The teachers love to teach them, the students love to come. Instead of becoming a nerd in their rural school, suddenly they are with 200 peers, and they are all celebrated for their academic achievements. Why not use these National Laboratories to our advantage? No other country in the world has the National Laboratories that we have. One thing they can do is to help inspire the next generation of math and science students and improve this generation and the next generation of math and science teachers. [[Page 9612]] So expanding the Robert Noyse teaching scholarship program at the National Science Foundation--this is a very fine program at the National Science Foundation which has had for a long time a role in education as well as research. This program trains individuals to become math and science teachers in high-need local education agencies. Assisting States in establishing or expanding statewide specialty schools in math and science. Now, I don't know whether the State of Virginia or the State of Hawaii has a full-time residential school in science and math. I know the State of North Carolina does, and I went to see it. Governor Jim Hunt set it up. I went to see it when I was Governor. We didn't believe we had enough money to create one in Tennessee, so we created those summer academies about which I just spoke. But Governor Bredesen, our current Democratic Governor of Tennessee, wants to start, and has made a very small start, of what we call in the legislation a specialty school in math and science, and several other States have followed North Carolina's example. This would help States up to about a 50-percent level. All the rest of the money would have to be private, State, or local. Establish schools like the North Carolina residential high school for math and science. Not only will it give gifted students a greater knowledge, but it helps us compete with the world. North Carolina has felt as though over the last 20 years it has helped keep many of those bright students in North Carolina because if they go there to school, they may go there to college, or at least they may come back if they go somewhere else, and then they create more jobs and build up that economy. Facilitating the expansion of advanced placement in international baccalaureate programs by increasing the number of teachers prepared to teach those courses and foreign language courses. The AP courses, advanced placement courses, are a ticket to success. College entrance examiners read them carefully. If you get a 4 or a 5--those are the highest grades in math or science--or if you take several of them, your chances of being admitted to a variety of institutions are increased. But they are offered to a very limited number of the students--not limited by their brains but limited by their money. They either do not have the money to pay for the tests or they do not go to the schools where there are enough teachers who are trained to teach in the preparation for their tests. This builds on a program in Houston, TX, which has been very successful in the last 10 years, of expanding the opportunities for low-income students to take more advanced placement courses to prepare for college and also to train teachers to meet that demand. Senator Hutchison and Senator Bingaman have been two of the leaders in this for 10 years in the Senate. There are a variety of other proposals. Adopting another program from Texas, the You Teach program--this wasn't sent over from the White House although this is two straight Texas programs; this is from the National Academy of Sciences, because they have a terrific program at the University of Texas at Austin, where they take students who are enrolled in chemistry and recruit them into the College of Education with an attractive scholarship and then the idea was to pay them $10,000 a year to teach at a high-needs school for 5 years after they leave. In other words, they get the people into teaching and they will put them in the schools where they are needed the most. That is called the You Teach program. It would expand that. There was a program from the University of Pennsylvania which would take teachers who are now teaching and give them intensive summer training and improve their ability to teach math and science, all toward the same objectives. Then the President proposed Math Now grants, improving the teaching of mathematics in the elementary and middle schools. That is in here as well, after it went through the process. Then we expand the programs to increase the number of students who study critical foreign languages and become proficient. That was recognized here for a variety of reasons as a part of keeping our brain power advantage. Finally, there are a number of proposals that would identify continuing organizations within the White House and Cabinet councils and other studies to try to keep a spotlight on this subject. This is not the whole answer to the book ``The World Is Flat.'' It is on the same subject. It is part of the answer. It is a good start. In fact, it is a very good beginning. But we need to continue this attention to our position in competitiveness. What I have tried to review here is how this legislation came to the floor, why it has attracted this unusual leadership from the majority leader and Republican leader, why it has had such a sense of urgency from senior leaders such as Senator Inouye, Senator Stevens, and others, why today it has 56 sponsors, why the House of Representatives is considering legislation on a parallel track, and why I believe there is no more important piece of legislation that will come before us in this session of Congress. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendment No. 904, withdrawn Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, on behalf of the distinguished chairman of the Energy Committee, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the pending amendment. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendment No. 906 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I am pleased to send to the desk a managers' package, which I described earlier, from the Commerce Committee. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report. The legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from Hawaii [Mr. Inouye], for himself and Mr. Stevens, proposes an amendment numbered 906. Mr. INOUYE. I ask unanimous consent the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: (Purpose: To strike the provisions regarding the working capital fund and to amend certain provisions regarding the National Science Foundation) On page 5, beginning on line 13, strike ``science and technology'' and insert ``science, technology, engineering, and mathematics''. On page 25, line 5, strike ``education'' and insert ``education, consistent with the agency mission, including authorized activities''. Strike from line 16 on page 44 through line 2 on page 45. On page 45, line 3, strike ``(d)'' and insert ``(c)''. On page 47, line 8, strike through the end of line 20. On page 47, line 21, strike ``(f)'' and insert ``(d)''. On page 49, between lines 17 and 18, insert the following: SEC. 1503. NOAA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION. (a) Participation in Interagency Activities.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be a full participant in any interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through near-term and long-term basic scientific research and development and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, consistent with the agency mission, including authorized activities. (b) Historic Foundation.--In order to carry out the participation described in subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall build on the historic role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in stimulating excellence in the advancement of ocean and atmospheric science and engineering disciplines and in providing opportunities and incentives for the pursuit of academic studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. On page 170, strike lines 20 through 23 and insert the following: (1) $6,729,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; [[Page 9613]] (2) $7,738,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; (3) $8,899,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and (4) $10,234,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. On page 172, line 19, strike ``Foundation, for each of the fiscal years 2008'' and insert the following: ``Foundation, for fiscal year 2008, $1,050,000,000, and, for each of the fiscal years 2009''. On page 172, line 25, strike ``2007'' and insert ``2008''. On page 173, line 5, strike ``5-year'' and insert ``4- year''. On page 173, line 21, strike ``an additional 250'' and insert ``additional''. On page 174, line 5, strike ``5-year'' and insert ``4- year''. On page 174, line 17, strike ``an additional 250'' and insert ``additional''. On page 183, line 4, strike ``restrict or bias'' and insert ``inhibit''. On page 183, line 5, strike ``against'' and insert ``for''. On page 184, beginning on line 2, strike ``1862g), for each of fiscal years 2008'' and insert the following: ``1862g), for fiscal year 2008, $125,000,000, and, for each of fiscal years 2009''. On page 184, line 8, strike ``2007'' and insert ``2008''. Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I wish to speak to the amendment, the managers' package the Senator from Hawaii has proposed. I wish to make two points about it. The first is it reduces the cost of the bill by $280 million over 4 years. That is important to all of us and it is especially important to some of us. We are trying to spend money wisely. At the same time, there are significant increases in the National Science Foundation education programs--about $300 million, in fact, over the President's requested level. But it is important that we know what these are. They are directly in line with the recommendations of the Augustine report and the Council on Competitiveness. Remember, we asked them to put these recommendations in priority order. The first thing is not the R&D tax credit, it is not bringing in more foreign students--it is not. The first thing was kindergarten through 12th grade math and science education. That is where our academies believed we had the biggest problem. So this new money for education programs in the National Science Foundation goes to graduate research fellows, to graduate education, research traineeships for a program called Professional Science Masters. This is a program where colleges are helping students earn master's degrees, not necessarily with the goal of going on to a Ph.D., but a master's degree that might take you on into a highly technical field in business; in other words, making us more competitive. It includes the Robert Noyce scholarships, which were expanded to help train more math and science teachers, and the teachers institutes in the summer. These programs are education programs of the National Science Foundation, but we save $280 million over 4 years, and we have directed those toward nonduplicative programs that are consistent with the commission reports. I wonder if, before Senator Domenici speaks, I could say a word. Senator Domenici is here. He is going to speak now. I am going to step to the side while he does. But I wish to say a word about Senator Domenici's crucial role. I have already spoken to the fact that without the sense of urgency of Senators Inouye and Stevens, we would never have gotten to this point. But Senator Domenici was there at the beginning of this work. Even though, in our caucus, only one Senator is more senior, he stepped back and created an environment so Senator Bingaman and I and many other Senators could work on this. He watched it very carefully, he supervised it, he chaired it, but he left room for us, many of us, to work on this. When it came time to go to the White House, it was Senator Domenici who asked the President if we could come see him. It was Senator Domenici who, rather than go down by himself as a Senator might have done, invited his junior colleague, me, to go with him. But more important than that, he invited his senior colleague, the Democratic Senator from New Mexico, Senator Bingaman, to go. It was Senator Domenici who insisted in the Energy and Commerce Committee he chaired that all this work be done in a bipartisan way. So because of that and the way Senators Stevens and Inouye work, we were able to do this. It was a Domenici-Bingaman piece of legislation called the Protect America's Competitiveness Act that was introduced last year with 70 sponsors, 35 Democrats and 35 Republicans. So before, Senator Domenici came, I thanked and saluted other Senators whose leadership has made a difference. But no one has been more responsible for this piece of legislation coming through. Now that the assistant Democratic leader is here, I want to use this occasion to say how much I, and many of us, appreciate the way he and the majority leader have handled this piece of legislation; created an environment in which we have it on the floor in a way it can succeed. Senator Durbin, the Presiding Officer, has been a strong supporter of this legislation and a cosponsor of it from the beginning. I also wanted to recognize that. Mr. President, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Durbin). The Senator from New Mexico is recognized. Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, it is now over 60 years ago that a brilliant, charismatic man arrived on the scene in my home State of New Mexico. He cut an odd figure and began a strange recruiting effort for a secret project at an undisclosed location for an undetermined period of time. Who was this man and what was the upshot? His name was J. Robert Oppenheimer, a brilliant and charismatic American physicist. We all know something of him, and we might have different views, one from another. But he was collecting the best scientific minds of his time worldwide, not just Americans, for he had the Fermis from Italy, husband and wife. Some say, as they assessed the brilliance of the team, Enrico Fermi led the pack. I don't know which; it was 60 years ago. But I do know they were asked and recruited by Mr. J. Robert Oppenheimer. He was collecting the minds and taking them on a mysterious journey to a remote mesa in New Mexico. The task was to develop the first atomic bomb. The collective scientific brain power of the Manhattan Project, and the awesome power it produced, would change the world forever. The scientists at Los Alamos ushered in a new era. Their sacrifice and their ingenuity created a story for the ages. More specifically, their legacy for us is to consider today, and is to find out that there is great value in an awesome power of science and mathematics education. That is what brings me to the Senate floor, and that is why I rise in strong support of this bill under consideration. Today is a great day. Today the Senate begins a process of rising above the gathering storm. Let's hope. Let's hope. Those words, ``Rising Above The Gathering Storm,'' are part of the title of the National Academy of Science report released in 2005 on American future competitiveness and standard of living of our people. The report was written by a distinguished group chaired by a former Lockheed chairman, chief executive officer Norm Augustine. Mr. Augustine's committee included three Nobel laureates, presidents of leading American universities, including then Texas A&M president and current Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, and the chief executive officers of corporations with global reach. After an intensive 10 weeks, the committee presented a significant challenge to our Nation. The findings of the ``Gathering Storm'' report and the 20 communications within tell us one thing above all else: America is not doing enough to harness and develop its national brain power. Yes, that is a strange thing to say. We are not doing [[Page 9614]] enough to harness and develop our national brain power. Today we are here to begin to remedy this problem and to meet the challenge set forth in the report. I am so grateful that even after 34 years in the Senate I can find an issue such as this to get excited about. I can find an issue such as this that Senators from both sides of the aisle can get excited about. They do not talk about their parties when we have these meetings. Most interesting. Maybe they go back to their rooms and talk about the Democratic party, how it can use this report, or the Republican party. They talk about America's brain power is on the wane, meaning that, believe it or not, we can do something about it. That is a nice observation. We can do something about the waning brain power of America; meaning these young kids, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 years of age, have within them the same collective brain power that was present when Oppenheimer went looking for the best. It was not just assumed that there were smart people; they knew there were people with brain power. Right? They just didn't have them in place. They were scattered about. Fermi was over here, some guys were over in Eastern Europe, and a bunch of them were over on the West Coast. But somebody had to put them together. They collected brain power that unlocked the atomic bomb. Now, we are not going to do that. What we are trying to do is look back and say, how do we do the things that experts tell us will, in fact, increase the brain power of our people. It is there the same as it is in China. They are just producing more. Does it mean they have more? No, it does not. It means they have decided it is the greatest thing for them, so they are educating more and more and more. So is India. We are sitting over here with all of the greatest institutions to do the educating, but we do not have--it has not been coalesced even around the essence of a plan that has, as its goal, brain power collection, brain power enhancement; brain power is on the wane. Let's build it back. That is what we are trying to do. Today, we begin to remedy the problem and meet the challenges set forth in the report called the ``Gathering Storm.'' It tells us in a few pages why it is a storm. It tells us in a few pages why it is a gathering storm. It tells us in a few pages that we are actually selling ourselves short. It tells us if we do not decide to build this brain power back, we are going to lose. We are going to lose a war which some of us do not even know we are fighting. We are going to lose the war for brain power equality and we do not even know we are fighting. This ``Gathering Storm'' report identifies the two challenges linked to scientific and engineering excellence: first, creating high quality jobs for the American people, and, secondly, responding to America's need for clean, affordable, and reliable energy. The report was aimed at enhancing our Nation's human financial knowledge and capital to ensure our prosperity. It addressed increasing America's talent pool by vastly improving science and mathematics education in kindergarten through grade 12. The report, ``Gathering Storm,'' called for significant advances in science and engineering programs in our Nation's higher education, improving our economic policy, from intellectual property protection to research and development tax credits and tax incentives for U.S.-based innovation. The report also provides us with some worrisome indicators. The following few facts should sound alarm bells throughout this Chamber and this Nation. I trust people will listen. Senators have participated from both sides of the aisle, from all vintages. Some are young, some have just come, they are excited, some have been here a long time. I am not going to say such as the Senator from New Mexico, I am going to say such as the Senator from Hawaii, and he is enthused. Some have been even here as long as the Senator from Alaska, and that is a long time, longer than me, and he is excited. Right? What it means is if you put the right plate in front of us, we can get excited about doing something for our great country. This report provided us with some worrisome indicators. I am going to tell you about them in a minute. In 2001, U.S. industries spent more on tort litigation than research and development. Look at that. That is not happening to our competitors, I tell you. If we want people over here to say, well, there is some good to that, we are gaining something on that, well, we will have an awfully long dialog on the floor on that one fact. Are we gaining that much benefit for the American people out of our tort system, as we are when we say that costs us as much in dollars? It says here: Industry spent more on litigation than it did on research and development. Chemical companies closed 70 facilities around the United States in 2004. I might say to my friend, of the 120 chemical companies being built at the time of the release of the Augustine report with a price tag of $1 billion or more, 1 was in the United States and 50 were in China. Got it? Those are chemical plants. People say: Oh, chemical plants; bad stuff. We are not talking about chemical plants, bad stuff. We are talking about chemical plants where you use the chemical product for all kinds of things that make you a strong nation, that make things for people to use in their house, that make things you can use outdoors. The chemical plants are an evidence of basic industry, and America built 1, China built 50. That is pretty startling, is it not? Of the nearly 1.1 million U.S. high school seniors who took the college entrance exam in 2002, less than 6 percent had plans to study engineering. That is a 33-percent decrease from 10 years earlier. Pretty big stuff. Meanwhile, more than 50 percent of the U.S. science and engineering workforce is approaching retirement. Startling. Now, Senators, these statistics show that the challenge to our Nation's standard of living is before us and the Senate must act. I am proud to join this bipartisan group of Senators introducing the America COMPETES Act of 2007, commonly referred to as the competitiveness bill. Through this legislation, we are addressing nearly every one of the recommendations made by this significant report. Enacting this bill will be a culmination of a remarkable cooperative effort, with work cutting across three Senate committees, and with valuable contributions from a large number of colleagues in the Senate. This bill has the support of both leaders in the Senate and the collective support of our Nation's boardrooms, classrooms, and laboratories. I will speak briefly about the area of the bill over which the Energy and Natural Resources Committee has jurisdiction. We know that following through on recommendations of the Augustine Commission will require new commitments and participation from several Federal agencies. The Department of Energy has a major role to play in meeting this challenge. This legislation doubles funding for the Office of Science over the next decade--that is healthy and hearty, and many will look forward to it with great enthusiasm--the largest source of Federal support for basic science in the physical sciences. The President called for the increase in announcing his American Competitiveness Initiative last year. The Augustine report stressed the importance of increasing our national commitment to basic research in the physical sciences. The America COMPETES Act responds by putting the Department of Energy Office of Science on a path to double in funding over the next decade. As the largest Federal funder of basic research in the physical sciences, the Office of Science is of critical importance. More than 58 Nobel Prize winners since 1936 have been supported by the Department of Energy at some time in their careers. Eighteen Nobel Prizes have been awarded to Department of Energy laboratory employees and another 13 to researchers who employed the National Laboratory facilities in their award-winning discoveries. Most of the 40 winners of the prestigious Enrico Fermi Presidential awards have [[Page 9615]] done research supported by the Department. A few years ago, we made a commitment to double funding in the National Institutes of Health to support the biological sciences. We made good on that commitment. We said it, and we did it. It is now time that we address the role physical sciences play and stand together to support such growth of key agencies such as the DOE Office of Science. By doing so, we will not be taking away from other Department functions or laboratory resources. In fact, I was cosponsors with Senators Bingaman and Alexander to an amendment in this year's budget resolution. We have a few people who know something about that, too. It is rather tricky, and sometimes you have to do some things you don't quite understand. Then you catch on. But we did put in a billion dollars for new authorizations provided in that budget, so that the legislation we are going to enact will not take money from Peter to pay Paul. We won't be taking money out of the Department of Energy to pay for the new items in the Department of Energy. We would be called down here on the floor, and we would lose. I hope we have done it right so we can prove our point. This bill leverages the tremendous talent and technological investment of our laboratories and its system. These new provisions will build on education and outreach work the labs have undertaken for years. Through this legislation, the national labs will provide opportunities for high school students from across the Nation to gain hands-on experience in science and engineering fields; assist States in establishing specialty schools in math and science; strengthen the skills of thousands of math and science teachers by establishing training and education programs at summer institutes hosted at National Laboratories; establish partnerships between the National Laboratories and local high schools and centers of excellence in math and science. I have spoken quite a bit recently about the importance of engaging China in the challenge of energy security and global climate change. I have written to the President about this important issue. It should be clear to all of us that our energy, environmental, and educational challenges cannot be considered in a bubble; rather, they must be considered in light of global competitiveness, challenges that face us all. To maintain our technological edge, we must improve our educational systems and the research and development we do in corporations, universities, and Government laboratories throughout our Nation. This must lead us to higher brainpower for our people. The challenge is great, like others this Nation has faced. The challenge was great 60 years ago in New Mexico. They were busy trying to put a team together to build the first atomic bomb--can you imagine--from scratch. The idea alone is all they had. They put it together and built it. They found the manpower to do it. We have the manpower. We are just not using it. We are not letting it build itself as required. I commend the authors of the Augustine report. I commend my colleagues for their hard work on this legislation. I am hopeful we will rise above the gathering storm. If we do, people will say: You had a lot to do, maybe more than you thought, but you sought out and found what was most important; that is, taking the gathering storm and making sure it did not end up hurting our great Nation but, rather, was the stimulus for us to increase the collective brainpower of our young people. I yield the floor. Mr. INOUYE. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of a bill that addresses many of the challenges facing Georgia and our Nation during this time of increasing global competitiveness. I am a cosponsor of the America COMPETES Act because it will ensure that the United States will be able to sustain a vigorous economy, an unrivaled national defense, a first-rate health care and education system, a healthy environment, and a hopeful and prosperous future for generations to come. Although the United States has the strongest scientific and technological enterprise in the world, we are now experiencing the slow but steady effects of globalization. These effects, led most notably by modern advances in communications, have made the world a smaller place and have dramatically increased worldwide competition. The leadership in science and technology that the United States has enjoyed since World War II is being seriously threatened by the burgeoning and thriving economies and workforces in countries such as China and India. I believe in order to keep our competitive edge and to maintain our dominance in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, it is imperative we make a long-term investment in our future scientists, professors, and engineers. We can do so by improving science and mathematics education, and by providing schools, universities, and research centers throughout the country with necessary funding. Recently, Microsoft Corporation founder Bill Gates testified before Congress, and he said: The U.S. cannot maintain its economic leadership unless our workforce consists of people who have the knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation. Mr. President, that is a very accurate statement, and that is why we need to pass this bill. With the funding and programs provided for in this bill, it will be easier to educate and grow an innovative workforce that is highly skilled and highly trained. The America COMPETES Act recognizes that better educated students make a smarter, more efficient workforce. And that is an important investment for this Nation. As an example of what funding for science and mathematics education can do, let me tell you about a program that is doing great things in my home State of Georgia. The Georgia Academy of Mathematics, Engineering, and Science, or GAMES, was established at Middle Georgia College in Cochran, GA, during the fall of 1997. GAMES is a residential, joint enrollment program for top-performing high school juniors and seniors. The program allows students to obtain high school and college credits simultaneously while enrolled in full-time college courses. Most students in the GAMES program major in mathematics, science, or engineering. The GAMES program enrollment continues to grow each year and has earned the reputation of an academic alternative for gifted students all across Georgia. Over the 10 years this program has been in existence, students who have been accepted into GAMES have averaged a 3.85 GPA and an SAT score of 1246. After completing the GAMES program, 48 percent of the students enrolled in the program have transferred to the Georgia Institute of Technology. The GAMES program allows these students to earn a firm foundation in science, technology, and physics before entering Georgia Tech. Many GAMES graduates are pursuing and/or have received their Ph.D. in mathematics, science, or engineering. I commend Dr. Richard Federinko, president of Middle Georgia College, and the entire faculty and staff for their hard work in making the GAMES program a major success. GAMES is just one program in one State, and we need more like it throughout the country. This legislation will open the door and perhaps expand these types of programs into other States and allow more bright young people to enter the fields of science, math, and technology. My fellow colleagues, time is of the essence. We can no longer afford to be complacent and just assume the United States will continue to be the world's leading innovator. Without action, our grandchildren face the genuine possibility of living in an America that is not the preeminent leader in scientific and technological advancements. I urge each of you to join me in support of this critical piece of legislation. [[Page 9616]] I want to particularly commend my long-time dear friend, Senator Lamar Alexander from Tennessee, for playing a leading roll in the drafting of this legislation and for working so hard to make sure the policy in this legislation is the right kind of policy to promote science, math, and technology in our schools, not just from the eighth grade forward, from the ninth grade forward, but from kindergarten forward. I say to Senator Alexander, I know he has been ably assisted by Senator Bingaman, as well as others, in a bipartisan way to make sure America's educational system continues to be the preeminent system in the world and that we give these bright minds the opportunity to develop, and that we make sure--from the standpoint of developing engineers in the future, from the standpoint of developing medical researchers in the future, from the standpoint of developing doctors and other types of engineers in that field--we continue to lead the world not just in the production of individuals from a numbers standpoint but in the production of quality individuals to develop technology, to develop our research capability, as well as to make sure from a professional standpoint we have the engineers and the physicians who will continue to lead the world. With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee. Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Georgia for his comments but, more importantly, for his leadership. We usually think of Senator Chambliss in terms of leadership on intelligence matters, Armed Services matters, on agricultural matters, where he is the ranking member. But from the very beginning on this legislation, he has been out front. I can remember when Norm Augustine, chairman of the Augustine committee, came to the Senate and had a dinner with us right around the corner. Senator Chambliss was one of the first Senators there. He has been one of the major leaders in this endeavor for the last 2 years. His comments about the Georgia residential high school for math and science illustrates a good way to help take this legislation from the abstract and put it in concrete terms. Section 3171 of this legislation, specialty schools for math and science, will assist States in establishing or expanding such residential high schools for math and science. I spoke a little earlier on the floor about North Carolina's math and science program which they have had for 25 years. Tennessee is a little behind. We haven't had one yet; we have summer governor schools for math and science. This legislation would authorize the Congress to appropriate funds which could pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of operating that school in Georgia which would permit Georgia, if it wished, to expand that school. The Senator cited in his remarks one good reason to do it in addition to the Nation's competitiveness. I think I heard him say 48 percent of the students went to Georgia Tech. So if our goal is to keep bright students at home to create jobs for us in the United States, a more specific goal is to keep bright Georgia students at home so they can create jobs for Georgians. Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, if the Senator will yield for a question through the Chair. Mr. ALEXANDER. Certainly. Mr. CHAMBLISS. I simply say the Senator is exactly correct; 47 percent of our students do go on to Georgia Tech. I wish we could get more of them at the University of Georgia where they happened to let me go, but at Georgia Tech we are doing a terrific job of taking these bright young minds that are being developed, as we said earlier, not just at the eighth and ninth grade level, but thanks to you and the leadership of folks like you, at a much earlier age. Our GAMES program, incidentally, was put into effect and implemented by our former colleague Senator Zell Miller, when he was the Governor of our State, and somebody whom I know you worked very closely with over the years. It is a great concept. It is forward thinking, as this legislation is very forward thinking from the standpoint of making sure that these great minds are developed at a very early age. Again, I thank the Senator from Tennessee for his great work on this and I commend this legislation to all of our colleagues. Mr. ALEXANDER. I thank the Senator. Mr. President, our former colleague Zell Miller was Lieutenant Governor of Georgia when I was a Governor. He was a professor by profession and he was always interested in education and very skillful in education policy. Every Governor I know spends a lot of time trying to think of how we are going to recruit jobs. Well, if you study it, you learn after a while you don't recruit nearly as many as you grow. The way you grow them is with brain power. So the single best thing any State can do to create the largest number of good new jobs in that State is to keep the brightest kids at home. Governor Miller, when he was there, initiated the HOPE scholarship, which played a major role in attracting many of the brightest Georgia students, and I would say many of the brightest Tennessee students to come across the border to go to the University of Georgia, and then the residential school for math and science did the same. This legislation would permit every other State to do the same, and it is just one of the things it would do. If I may, if the Senator from Georgia is finished with his remarks, he has highlighted an area I wish to enlarge on. Sometimes our legislation, particularly when we talk about big phrases such as competitiveness and globalization, takes us off into the stratosphere and one might say: Well, what does that have to do with me? We have just talked about one example. If you are the Governor of Georgia or Tennessee or Illinois and you are thinking: What can I do over the next 10 years to grow the largest number of good new jobs, a residential school for math and science is a very good start. I remember as Governor, after we recruited the Nissan plant and the Saturn plant, I was feeling pretty good. Then I counted up the number of jobs, and it was 10,000 or 12,000 jobs in a State that employs 2.5 million people. We were losing 200,000 or 250,000 jobs per year, so we had to be creating that many more. In our country, in the United States of America, we are losing jobs all the time. We don't want that to happen, but that is happening. So the real test of our society is: Can we create a lot more good new jobs than we are losing, a constant supply of good new jobs. Most of that comes from the subject of this legislation: from brain power, better schools, better colleges, better universities, more research, and especially technological innovation. Illinois, I am told, already has such an academy: the Illinois Math and Science Academy, a residential high school. I am sure the Presiding Officer is very familiar with it. He may have helped start it, given his long tenure in the Congress. This legislation would give it an opportunity as well to expand. On the subject of creating new jobs, the chief State school officers are in town. That means the superintendent of education of Illinois and Tennessee's commissioner of education are here in town. I am meeting with them tomorrow at about noon for a while, and what I can tell them--even though they probably heard all about math and science they want to hear through No Child Left Behind--is we are doing a number of things to help them at least authorize funding to help them succeed. For example, we are authorizing grants to States to promote alignment of elementary and secondary education with knowledge and skills. That means in plain English helping States line up the math and science they are teaching with what you need to know to go into the Armed Forces, what you need to know to go to college, what you need to know to go to work. Sometimes there is not a good fit there. This would help schools and education systems, those chief State school officers, do that. The second thing we would be doing is strengthening the skills of thousands of math and science teachers by using our national laboratories in Illinois, [[Page 9617]] New Mexico, Tennessee, and around our country, and a host of summer institutions and academies for outstanding teachers of math and science, as well as for students, but especially for teachers. I found in my experience as Governor, one of the most successful and productive things we did were Governors' schools, where we would take the Governors' schools for teachers of mathematics or teachers of reading, or students of international affairs, and the students would come for 2 to 4 weeks--sometimes it would only be teachers, but the students would come, you would bring in a core of faculty members from around the State, too. It would inspire those students so much, and what could be more inspiring for math and science teachers than to have a chance to be at the National Labs with Nobel Prize winners and some of the outstanding scientists in the world. It would refresh them, excite them, improve their skills, and help them carry a sense of mission back to their classrooms to inspire a new generation of math students and hopefully math and science teachers. I can say to the chief State school officers of our various States, we are expanding the Robert Noyce teacher scholarship program at the National Science Foundation to recruit and train individuals to become math and science teachers in high-need, local education agencies. We are finding as we review No Child Left Behind in elementary and secondary education that 80 percent of our schools are, we can say, achieving, or even high achieving. In other words, their students, by category, are meeting what we call adequate yearly progress, so let's catch them doing something right. About 5 percent of those schools--I have missed it in one category--I would say they are still achieving pretty well. Only about 15 percent of the schools are high need, and usually what we find is they are children of low income, children whose parents haven't been able to help them, children whose parents have neglected them, children who have not yet learned English, children who have just arrived in this country and may not be in the same school in January they were in October, children who are hard to teach, and children who need more than even good teachers are usually able to give them. I am coming to the conclusion that we need to train teachers especially to help these children. About 10 or 15 percent of all the children in our public schools across the country are these children, and these are the ones we are leaving behind. Well, we are expanding teacher scholarship programs at the National Science Foundation to recruit and train individuals to become math and science teachers in high-need educational agencies. We are assisting, we have just said, teachers in establishing statewide specialty schools in math and science, and we will use the National Laboratories' staff to help with that. For example, if Tennessee wants to expand the new math and science academy Governor Bredesen has established--I salute him for doing it; he has wanted to do it for a while, but it is expensive and he only has a few students in it. This legislation makes it possible to use the National Laboratory staff to help Governor Bredesen in Tennessee expand and enlarge and make better the summer residential school for math and science. I can say to the chief State school officers tomorrow, and they can take it back to their States across the country, that if the Congress enacts this legislation sponsored by the majority leader and the Republican leader, with 56 Senators on both sides of the aisle, its goal is to train 70,000 more teachers so they can teach advanced placement courses in math, sciences, and foreign language, so we can bring to the number of 700,000 the number of students who can take advanced placement courses in math, sciences, and critical foreign language. As we have said before in the debate on this bill, students who don't get to take those AP courses now don't take them because they are not smart enough or because their brains don't work well enough; they don't take it often because they can't afford it or because the teachers aren't available to teach them in the schools they attend, so this will help to remedy that. I can say to the chief State school officers, Governor Jim Hunt of North Carolina, one of our leading educators in America, a former Governor for 16 years in that State, who testified before the President's Commission on Higher Education that the University of North Carolina only graduated three physics teachers in 1 year at its College of Education. As I mentioned earlier, if we are not teaching physics, nobody is going to be learning it. So what are we going to do about that? What this suggests is that after reviewing programs from all over the country, the Augustine commission recommends that we expand the You Teach program at the University of Texas. So there will be money that may be appropriated under this law that would permit universities to do as they do in Texas, in Austin, to go into the chemistry and biology programs and recruit students who are majoring in those science subjects, or a student who is majoring in math, and give them a scholarship to go to the College of Education and become a teacher of chemistry or biology or math. Now, the Augustine report recommended that we then pay $10,000 a year in fellowships for those students so they can go into teaching in high- need areas, rather than for IBM or Google or Dell or some other high- paying job. That part of our provision is not in this legislation, the $10,000 fellowship. I would like to see it in there. Senator Reid, the majority leader, the principal sponsor of this legislation, suggested when he introduced the bill the other day, that he had a very good experience--he and Paul Simon, the former distinguished Senator from Illinois--with finding ways to give stipends to teachers of math and science so they would stay in teaching. Well, this You Teach program at the University of Texas is now going to be available in Michigan, Tennessee, and other States around the country so we can recruit outstanding students into teaching. In addition, the Augustine commission, after reviewing dozens and dozens and dozens of programs, found an especially good program at the University of Pennsylvania in science called Penn Science, and instead of recruiting students into teaching, it takes existing teachers and puts them through continuous training during the summer and during the year so they can be even better teachers of science. I can say to the chief State school officers who are meeting in Washington, DC today that this legislation will permit you in Wyoming and in Tennessee and in New York and in Michigan and wherever to create a partnership between our National Laboratories and local high-need schools to establish centers of excellence in math and science education. So suddenly you match up a high-needs school with one of the greatest National Laboratories in the world. What can be more exciting for the teachers in that school or the students? It might go from being a high-needs school to one with a line around the block of students waiting to get in the door. This legislation also has significant authorization for funding for a program called Math Now. This is the President's proposal, from his American Competitiveness Act which has been included in this legislation, and it would provide grants to improve math instruction in the elementary and middle grades and provide targeted help to struggling students so all students can master grade level math standards. Finally, I can say to the chief State school officers who are meeting in Washington--and I will say it to them directly tomorrow at lunch-- that the bill also authorizes expanding programs to increase the number of students from elementary school through postsecondary education who study critical foreign languages. We find this not just in our military needs in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world, but we increasingly live in a worldwide economy, and our students, our citizens will be better citizens, more effective citizens, if more of us speak more than one language. There is a long list. [[Page 9618]] There are 10 or 11 programs that either expand or create efforts to, as the Augustine commission says, ``increase America's talent pool by vastly improving K through 12 science and mathematics education.'' Senator Bingaman, I, Senator Domenici, and the House Members asked our national academies: Please tell us exactly what we need to do to keep our brain power advantage so we can keep our jobs. We understand that since World War II, more than half of this remarkably high standard of living we have has come through innovation and technology. We understand that and we have an idea or two and we have friends with an idea or two about what to do, but tell us exactly what to do about it. Tell us in priority order. They put down K-12--vastly improving K- 12 science and mathematics education. I see the Senator from New Mexico is present. We have had a good discussion this afternoon. Some of the principal advocates have been here, and I especially appreciate Senators Stevens and Inouye who have given a great sense of urgency to this legislation. The Presiding Officer, Senator Stabenow, has as well. Michigan has a tremendous number of research institutes and great universities that add fuel to the economic resurgence of that State and every other State. Really, we are all interested in this legislation. The key is, How do we put it together in a way that we can get it through this interesting process we call the Senate? I think we are reasonably close to doing that, thanks to the senior leadership of this body and Senator Bingaman and Senator Domenici on the Energy Committee. Madam President, I will conclude my remarks now and yield he floor to Senator Bingaman. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Stabenow). The Senator from New Mexico is recognized. Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I appreciate the good work my colleague from Tennessee, as comanager of the bill, has been doing on this issue, as I have been unavoidably detained over in the Energy Committee. It is my understanding, unless someone knows otherwise, that all debate expected on the pending amendment has taken place. As far as I have been informed, the Senate is ready to dispense with the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate on the amendment? If not, the question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 906) was agreed to. Amendment No. 908 Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I send another amendment to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator from New Mexico [Mr. Bingaman] proposes an amendment numbered 908. Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment is as follows: On page 55, lines 21 and 22, strike ``engineering)'' and insert ``engineering and technology)''. On page 56, line 8, after ``engineering'' insert ``and technology''. On page 56, line 24, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, engineering, and technology''. On page 59, line 6, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and, to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 59, line 15, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 60, line 6, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 60, line 10, before ``that'' insert ``in mathematics, science, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 61, lines 8 and 9, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and, to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 62, line 14, strike ``mathematics or science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, or engineering''. On page 65, lines 16 and 17, strike ``MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE'' and insert ``MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERING''. On page 65, line 19, strike ``MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE'' and insert ``MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERING''. On page 66, lines 8 and 9, strike ``Mathematics and Science'' and insert ``Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering''. On page 67, line 9, strike ``Mathematics and Science'' and insert ``Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering''. On page 67, lines 16 and 17, strike ``math and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and technology''. On page 68, lines 21 and 22, strike ``mathematics or science (including engineering)'' and insert ``mathematics, science, or engineering''. On page 69, lines 4 and 5, strike ``mathematics or science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, or technology''. Beginning on page 69, line 25 through page 70, line 1, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 70, lines 10 and 11, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 71, line 7, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 71, line 10, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 71, line 18, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and, to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 72, line 23, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 73, lines 18 and 19, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 73, lines 23 and 24, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, for the information of Senators, this amendment makes a series of clarifying changes in the bill that are technical in nature. It is not controversial, as far as I have been informed. I am informed by the leadership that they would like to leave this pending at this point. We will proceed that way in case a Member decides to come and speak on it. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ MORNING BUSINESS Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. BINGAMAN. I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. (The remarks of Mr. Bingaman pertaining to the introduction of S. 1185 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'') ____________________ PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION Mr. KYL. Madam President, I wanted to say a few words about the Supreme Court's decision last week in Gonzales v. Carhart. In that opinion, the Court held constitutional the Partial-Birth Abortion Act of 2003, a law that passed this Senate with strong bipartisan support, including my own. I was heartened by this decision, and not just because partial-birth abortion is a disgusting act that should never be performed in a civilized society. I am also heartened because this decision represents a step towards restoring the American people's right to govern themselves through their elected representatives. [[Page 9619]] For too long, the Supreme Court has set itself up as an antagonist to the people and has shown unfortunate disregard for the judgments of those our governmental system is supposed to serve. The decision yesterday is a departure from that trend, and it should give us all cautious optimism that the Supreme Court is coming around to a greater level of respect for the elected branches on questions of fundamental moral values. I also want to send a word of congratulations and thanks to the man who made this legislation a reality, former Senator Rick Santorum. During the debates on this bill back in 2003, I can remember Senator Santorum being on the Senate floor virtually full-time, taking on all comers, engaging on every point, showing his skills as a debater, and displaying the passion and spirit that defined him during his two terms in the Senate. Senator Santorum was our leader in the debates on this bill, and the Supreme Court's affirmation of the bill's constitutionality yesterday should be a moment of great pride for our former colleague. This bill is part of his legacy, and we owe him a debt of gratitude. ____________________ FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY ACT Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I wish to update our colleagues on an important issue that the Veterans' Affairs Committee is dealing with; namely, providing long overdue recognition to all those veterans of the Philippines Armed Forces who served under U.S. command during the Second World War. Recently, the Veterans' Affairs Committee, which I am privileged to chair, held a hearing on S. 57, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. This important legislation, introduced by my good friend and senior Senator, Mr. Inouye, would end more than 50 years of inequality for Filipino veterans who have served our country, and it has my strong support. During our hearing, the committee received testimony from Filipino veterans who spoke of their service under U.S. military command and their difficulties with a VA system that doesn't recognize them as veterans. Until 1946, the Philippines was not completely independent from the United States. When America entered the Second World War, the Filipino military was a part of the U.S. Armed Forces, under the command of the U.S. Armed Forces of the Far East. All military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines were ordered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to serve under the command of the U.S. military, and they served bravely, fighting for our country and their freedom. In 1946, Congress limited veterans' benefits to only a portion of Filipinos who served in World War II. While some of the inequity has been corrected in recent years, this injustice still remains. Filipino veterans of the U.S. military do not have equal access to the health care and benefits they have earned through service. S. 57 would end the inequity and give Filipino veterans who fought under the command of U.S. military the benefits and care they earned. Some who oppose S. 57 say we cannot afford it. While I, too, am concerned about costs, I am committed to finding offsets to cover the expense. After all, fiscal responsibility is not the only kind of responsibility there is. Our country has a deeper responsibility to the men and women who have served in our military, whether they were born in America or the Philippines. We need a solution that is both morally responsible to Filipino veterans and fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars. Many of the brothers-in-arms of those who testified at our hearing have since passed away, never having been recognized by the United States for their service. I find that shameful. Following the hearing, I asked myself how we could stray from our moral commitment to these men for over half a century and then argue that it is too expensive to give those who are left the benefits they have earned. With that in mind, let us look to fulfill both responsibilities, rather than neglecting the Filipino veterans who remain with us today. We have gone down that path for over half of a century, denying them care and benefits. Today we find many Filipino veterans living their twilight years in the pain of poverty, without access to the relief available to other veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Allowing this to go on without searching vigorously for a realistic solution is not the responsible response. These veterans deserve better. ____________________ NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK Ms. SNOWE. Madam President, today I commemorate National Small Business Week, which President Bush designated for April 22-28, 2007. As ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I simply cannot understate the vital role of small business in our Nation's economy. Small businesses comprise 99 percent of all businesses in the United States, employ more than half of the total private sector workforce, and are responsible for the creation of more than two-thirds of all new jobs each year. It is essential that we in Congress continue to support small businesses' efforts to grow and do what they do best--create new jobs. If there is one concern we have all heard time and again, it is the exorbitant cost to small businesses of providing health insurance to their employees. In fact, small business owners in all 50 States have cited rising health insurance costs as their number one concern. Health insurance premiums have increased at double-digit percentage levels in 4 of the past 6 years--far outpacing inflation and wage gains. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, last year the average health policy for an individual was $4,242; the average family plan cost $11,480. As we are all well aware, these sharply rising costs are leading fewer and fewer small businesses to offer health insurance to their employees. According to Kaiser, in 2002, 58 percent of our Nation's smallest businesses, those with less than 10 employees, offered health insurance. In 2004, only 52 percent were able to offer their employees health insurance. Today, just 48 percent of our smallest businesses are now able to offer health insurance as a workplace benefit. As you can see, that is a 10 percentage point reduction over the past 5 years. Clearly, we are heading in the wrong direction. Further compounding the problem is the fact that small group insurance markets exhibit no real competition. No competition means higher costs. And higher costs mean no health insurance. I recently requested a Government Accountability Office report, which revealed a staggering consolidation in the State small group insurance markets. Today, the five largest carriers now have more than a 75 percent market share in 26 States--and control 98 percent of the small group market in Maine. This trend is simply unacceptable and represents nothing short of a crisis--and one that can and must be fixed, now. In the Senate, I have been a longstanding champion of small business health plans and I have introduced legislation in the past two Congresses that would allow small businesses to ``pool'' together, across State lines, and offer uniform health insurance plans to their employees, at significantly lower costs. I firmly believe that small business health plans are a critical solution to the small business health insurance crisis. It is a matter of simple fairness. Just like larger businesses and unions, I believe small businesses should have the option to purchase health plans across State lines with uniform benefits packages. It would allow them to shop for affordable, quality plans with much lower administrative costs while at the same time drastically shrinking the ranks of the nearly 47 million Americans living without health insurance. Moving forward this year, we need to leave no stone unturned in our search for solutions to this crisis. For example, we should examine ways to use the Tax Code as a mechanism for increasing access to health care, including [[Page 9620]] through ``pooling mechanisms, and injecting competition into the State small group insurance markets. This is why I am currently working with a number of my colleagues in the Senate, on both sides of the political aisle, to forge a bipartisan bill that will pass the Senate and be signed into law. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus has announced that we will soon consider health care legislation in the Finance Committee--and I look forward to a robust productive debate there. I also thank Senator Enzi for all of his tremendous efforts in getting legislation passed through the HELP Committee last year, and for having that legislation considered on the Senate floor for the first time ever. Frankly, now is a time for action, not words. It is incumbent upon this Congress to think ``outside of the box'' to solve this crisis. We need to consider all options on the table, including a number of recently passed State reforms. We are at a critical juncture on this issue. The United States has the greatest health care system in the world, and yet nearly 47 million Americans are uninsured. Our goal ought to be providing health care access for all, and that means greatly expanding coverage so that we can significantly reduce our Nation's uninsured. We must figure out how to solve the persistent criticisms that have mired small business health insurance legislation in Congress. We must address how to allow health insurers to provide lower cost products to small businesses across State lines while maintaining the most widely accepted and necessary benefits and services. We must tackle questions of how to ``rate,'' or price, these products--and also how this can be done in a uniform manner, without jeopardizing consumer protections. And we can and we must do all this without injuring existing health insurance markets in the States. Plain and simple, Congress must bring up small business health insurance legislation this year, in a bipartisan, comprehensive way that can secure significant bipartisan support. ____________________ NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, last week we joined together in the aftermath of the tragic killings at Virginia Tech to mourn and support the families of the victims and the Virginia Tech community. This week we join together once again to commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Yesterday marked the official beginning of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Since 1981, communities in Vermont and across the Nation have observed this week through candlelight vigils and public rallies to renew our commitment to crime victims and their families. It is important, especially during this time of national sorrow, that we recognize the needs of crime victims and their family members and work together to promote victims' rights and services. We have been able to make some progress during the past 26 years to provide victims with greater rights and assistance. In particular, I have been honored to support passage of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, VOCA, Public Law 98-473, which established the Crime Victims Fund, ``the Fund.'' The fund allows the Federal Government to provide grants to State crime victim compensation programs, direct victim assistance services and services to victims of Federal crimes. Nearly 90 percent of the fund is used to award State crime victim compensation and victim assistance formula grants. These VOCA-funded victim assistance programs serve nearly 4 million crime victims each year, including victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and drunk driving, as well as survivors of homicide victims. Our VOCA-funded compensation programs have helped hundreds of thousands of victims of violent crime. The Crime Victims Fund is the Nation's premier vehicle for supporting victims' services. It bears repeating that the Crime Victims Fund does not receive a dime from tax revenue or appropriated funding. Instead, it is made up of criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalties, and special assessments. Since fiscal year 2000, Congress has set a cap on annual fund obligations expressly for the purpose of ensuring ``that a stable level of funding will remain available for these programs in future years.'' The ``rainy day'' fund created by this spending cap has been used to make up the difference between annual deposits and distributions three times during the past 7 years. The future of the fund is being threatened, however. After 26 years of progress, the Bush administration is proposing to rescind all amounts remaining in the fund at the end of fiscal year 2008. That would leave the fund with a balance of zero going into fiscal year 2009 and create a disastrous situation for providers of victims' services. Over the last few years, the Senate has successfully blocked several past attempts by this administration to rescind the fund's remaining balance and has supported the retention of all amounts deposited into the fund. Over the past 6 years, the Bush administration has squandered record surpluses and racked up $8.5 trillion in Federal debt. It is wrong to try to pay for its failed fiscal policies by emptying out the Crime Victims Fund. These resources are appropriately set aside to assist victims of crime. In order to preserve the fund once again, Senator Crapo and I, joined by more than a dozen other Senators are sending a letter this week to the Senate Appropriations Committee asking that the committee oppose the administration's proposal to empty the Crime Victims Fund and, instead, permit those amounts to remain in the fund, in accordance with law, to be used for the important programs and services needed by crime victims. Also, last week the Vermont Department of Corrections received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to implement a Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification, SAVIN, system to provide timely notifications to crime victims who request it. Programs like these give crime victims some peace of mind and facilitate communication among the courts and corrections and other law enforcement officials. We need to renew our national commitment to crime victims. The Senate can help by recognizing the importance of the Crime Victims Fund and supporting its essential role in helping crime victims and their families meet critical expenses, recover from the horrific crimes they endured, and move forward with their lives. I urge Senators on both sides of the aisle to honor our longstanding commitment to crime victims by working together to commemorate victims of crime and to preserve the Crime Victims Fund. ____________________ ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ CONGRATULATING DR. HOWARD-YANA SHAPIRO Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I wish to congratulate Dr. Howard-Yana Shapiro, who will receive the Organic Leadership Award on May 7, 2007. The award is bestowed annually by the Organic Trade Association on individuals who have demonstrated leadership and vision in furthering the goals of organic agriculture. Dr. Shapiro has had a very impressive career in organic agriculture, having been involved with sustainable agricultural and agroforestry systems, plant genetics, and food production systems for over 35 years. He is best known as the principal author of ``Gardening for the Future of the Earth,'' which shows how to ``create natural bounty in your own backyard and help save the planet one seed at a time.'' During his long and diverse career, Dr. Shapiro has been a community gardening activist, a university professor for 15 years, twice a Fulbright Scholar, twice a Ford Foundation Fellow, and winner of the National Endowment for the Humanities Award. He has worked with indigenous communities, nongovernmental organizations, governmental agencies, and private institutions throughout the world, including Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Forest [[Page 9621]] Service, ICRAF, The World Agroforestry Centre, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and many other national and regional agricultural institutions in Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa, Vietnam, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Most recently, Dr. Shapiro has held a leadership role in Seeds of Change, the largest certified organic seed company in the country. Located along the Rio Grande in El Guique, NM, Seeds of Change, a division of Mars, Incorporated, is a pioneering cultivator of organically grown seeds for home and market growers, a leader in the organic foods industry, and a valued resource for organic farmers. Dr. Shapiro has been dedicated to Seeds of Change since its inception and was a key figure during the launching of the Seeds of Change 100 percent certified organic food line in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan. I am proud that New Mexico is home to Seeds of Change and that the company, and organic agriculture as an industry, has been so well served by the expertise and vision of Dr. Shapiro throughout its growth. Again, I congratulate Dr. Howard-Yana Shapiro for receiving the Organic Trade Association's highest honor. I thank him for his commitment to furthering organic agriculture around the world, and I wish him continued success in the years ahead. ____________________ MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE Mr. CRAIG. Madam President, today with great pride I honor Mountain Home Air Force Base for their recent achievement of winning the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence for an Air Force base. Over 85 Active-Duty Air Force installations competed this year for the award, and I was extremely pleased to get word that Idaho's own Air Force base came out the winner. Over the years, I have worked very closely with the different wing commanders at Mountain Home Air Force Base to ensure that their installation will provide our soldiers with the best living conditions and optimal training space to ensure that should they be called to duty, they would be fully prepared. I know firsthand that the work being done both at home and abroad by our airmen and soldiers at Mountain Home Air Force Base is among the best our military can offer. Over 500 airmen and crew from Mountain Home Air Force Base are currently deployed in Afghanistan in support of our joint mission with NATO to provide freedom and security from terrorist, and they are serving with great courage and determination. I know that their fellow servicemembers, the Idaho delegation, and all of Idaho await their return and they will be greeted with a hero's welcome. Although they are not in Idaho to celebrate this very prestigious honor from the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Commander in Chief, I know that their contributions greatly aided in Mountain Home Air Force Base receiving this award. COL Tony Rock, wing commander of the 366 Fighting Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, expressed his pride of winning this award but gave the credit to the 4,000-plus men and women who operate the base on a daily basis. Colonel Rock was quoted as saying, ``This award validates the hard work, commitment and pride of all our Gunfighters who work together to make Mountain Home the best base in the Air Force. I am simultaneously humbled and awed to be part of this team and lead our Gunfighters as we continue to prove we are the premier combat wing in the entire Air Force.'' I couldn't agree more with Colonel Rock's statement. Again, I would like to extend the appreciation and congratulations of myself and all of Idaho to the soldiers and civilians at Mountain Home Air Force Base for their incredible work serving and protecting our Nation. ____________________ NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ANNIVERSARY Mr. KERRY. Madam President, today I honor the distinguished 70-year history of the National Small Business Association. This member-driven organization continues to take the lead on important issues facing small businesses and is the oldest small business advocacy group in the United States. It is especially fitting that we recognize this organization during National Small Business Week. The NSBA can trace its founding back to DeWitt M. Emery, a determined small business owner struggling to keep his business running in the midst of the Great Depression. As owner of the Monroe Letterhead Corporation in Akron, OH, Mr. Emery labored to keep his small business running while feeling burdened by the increasing cost of doing business--including higher material costs and wages. Frustrated by the lack of support for small businesses in national politics, and inspired by an idea to make his and his peers' voices heard, Mr. Emery founded the National Small Business Men's Association on November 13, 1937. One hundred sixty small business owners out of 200 who received Mr. Emery's recruitment letter joined the organization that now boasts a reach of over 150,000 small businesses. In keeping with the organization's responsiveness to the ever- changing small business climate, and to be more inclusive of the growing number of women small business owners, the group changed its name in 1962 to the National Small Business Association. In 1986, the organization changed its name again to National Small Business United when it joined with Small Business United, or SBU, a rival organization that started 5 years earlier. SBU and its member groups, such as the Smaller Business Association of New England, or SBANE, helped establish the current organization's vast network of small business affiliates. After the merger, the new organization became responsible for running the SBANE-created Washington Presentation. In addition to SBANE, some of the other NSBA affiliates are the Arizona Small Business Association, the Small Business Association of Michigan, Missouri Merchants and Manufacturers Association, SMC Business Councils, Council of Smaller Enterprises and Small Business California. Thanks to its strong affiliates NSBA has emerged as a vibrant grassroots organization. In 2003, the oldest small business advocacy group changed its name back to the National Small Business Association. Through its name changes and merger, the organization's commitment to representing small business owners has been unwavering, and today's group boasts a wide variety of members from carpenters to investors, from manufacturers to grocers. NSBA truly represents the diversity of our Nation's small businesses. As chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I work with NSBA's members in my State and across the Nation, welcoming their insights and unique perspective. I find it important to note that today's small business owners struggle with some of the same issues that plagued Mr. Emery in 1937, and many new issues. From access to capital to health care, we will continue to work with small businesses as they strive to maintain and grow their firms--and as they make a significant contribution to our economy. Through the efforts of advocacy groups like the NSBA working with us to pass legislation, we have been able to assist thousands of determined small business owners like Mr. Emery. The tireless work of the NSBA is testament to the resolve and spirit of small business owners, and I am gratified that the current organization leads the charge on many important issues. I invite the Senate to join me in honoring NSBA and its distinguished history of nonpartisan work on behalf of small businesses. ____________________ MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE At 2 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Ms. Niland, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bills, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: [[Page 9622]] H.R. 1257. An act to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide shareholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation. H.R. 1495. An act to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the Speaker removes Mr. Price of North Carolina, as a conferee and appoints Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, to fill the vacancy thereon, on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 1591) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes. The message further announced that pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276h and the order of the House of January 4, 2007, the Speaker appoints the following Members of the House of Representatives to the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group: Mr. McCaul of Texas, Mr. Weller of Illinois, Mr. Dreier of California, Mr. Mack of Florida, and Mr. Fortuno of Puerto Rico. The message also announced that pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276d, clause 10 of rule 1, and the order of the House of January 4, 2007, the Speaker appoints the following Members of the House of Representatives to the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group: Mr. Manzullo of Illinois, Mr. McCotter of Michigan, Mr. Stearns of Florida, Mr. English of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Brown of South Carolina. ____________________ ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED At 3:10 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered by Ms. Niland, one of its reading clerks, announced that the Speaker has signed the following enrolled bills: H.R. 1003. An act to amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. H.R. 1130. An act to amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to extend the authority to withhold from public availability a financial disclosure report filed by an individual who is a judicial officer or judicial employee, to the extent necessary to protect the safety of the individual or a family member of that individual, and for other purposes. ____________________ MEASURES REFERRED The following bills were read the first and the second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: H.R. 865. An act to grant rights-of-way for electric transmission lines over certain Native allotments in the State of Alaska; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. H.R. 1257. An act to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide shareholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. ____________________ EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated: EC-1593. A communication from the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a violation of the Antideficiency Act by the Department of the Army that is identified as being case number 04-07; to the Committee on Appropriations. EC-1594. A communication from the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), transmitting, a report on the approved retirement of Lieutenant General Donald J. Wetekam, United States Air Force, and his advancement to the grade of lieutenant general on the retired list; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-1595. A communication from the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), transmitting, a report on the approved retirement of Vice Admiral Albert M. Calland III, United States Navy, and his advancement to the grade of vice admiral on the retired list; to the Committee on Armed Services. EC-1596. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Final Flood Elevation Determinations'' (72 FR 17426) received on April 18, 2007; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-1597. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Final Flood Elevation Determinations'' (72 FR 17413) received on April 18, 2007; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-1598. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the Secretary of the Army's review of the report of the Chief of Engineers on the Ventura River; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-1599. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the views of the South Florida Water Management District, the State of Florida, the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency on the Picayune Strand ecosystem restoration project; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-1600. A communication from the Chief of the Regulatory Management Division, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Removal of the Standardized Request for Evidence Processing Timeframe'' (RIN1615-AB13) received on April 18, 2007; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: By Mr. HARKIN (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Burr, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Levin, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Brown): S. 1183. A bill to enhance and further research into paralysis and to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. Kerry): S. 1184. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. Burr, and Mr. Kennedy): S. 1185. A bill to provide grants to States to improve high schools and raise graduation rates while ensuring rigorous standards, to develop and implement effective school models for struggling students and dropouts, and to improve State policies to raise graduation rates, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. FEINGOLD: S. 1186. A bill to amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions of budget authority; to the Committee on the Budget. By Mr. KERRY: S. 1187. A bill to require the Architect of the Capitol to develop a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the Capitol complex, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality at the complex by December 31, 2020; to the Committee on Rules and Administration. By Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Bayh, Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. Levin): S. 1188. A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to enhance the ability to produce fruits and vegetables on covered commodity base acres; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. By Mr. PRYOR (for himself and Mrs. Lincoln): S. 1189. A bill to designate the Federal building and United States Courthouse located at 100 East 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the ``George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse''; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. ____________________ SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS The following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated: By Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Allard, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Biden, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mr. Brown, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Burr, [[Page 9623]] Mr. Byrd, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, Mr. Chambliss, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coleman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Corker, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Craig, Mr. Crapo, Mr. DeMint, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Graham, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Hatch, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Lott, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Martinez, Mr. McCain, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mr. Obama, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Specter, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Sununu, Mr. Tester, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Thune, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Warner, Mr. Webb, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Wyden): S. Res. 165. A resolution relative to the death of Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald, of California; considered and agreed to. By Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. Specter): S. Res. 166. A resolution commemorating the lifetime achievement of the Reverend Leon H. Sullivan; considered and agreed to. ____________________ ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS S. 119 At the request of Mr. Leahy, the name of the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Byrd) was added as a cosponsor of S. 119, a bill to prohibit profiteering and fraud relating to military action, relief, and reconstruction efforts, and for other purposes. S. 223 At the request of Mr. Feingold, the name of the Senator from Maine (Ms. Snowe) was added as a cosponsor of S. 223, a bill to require Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports in electronic form. S. 406 At the request of Mrs. Hutchison, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Stabenow) was added as a cosponsor of S. 406, a bill to ensure local governments have the flexibility needed to enhance decision-making regarding certain mass transit projects. S. 408 At the request of Mr. Chambliss, the name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn) was added as a cosponsor of S. 408, a bill to recognize the heritage of hunting and provide opportunities for continued hunting on Federal public land. S. 469 At the request of Mr. Baucus, the names of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Specter) and the Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer) were added as cosponsors of S. 469, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the special rule for contributions of qualified conservation contributions. S. 479 At the request of Mr. Harkin, the name of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Obama) was added as a cosponsor of S. 479, a bill to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. S. 543 At the request of Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, the name of the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Coleman) was added as a cosponsor of S. 543, a bill to improve Medicare beneficiary access by extending the 60 percent compliance threshold used to determine whether a hospital or unit of a hospital is an inpatient rehabilitation facility under the Medicare program. S. 548 At the request of Mr. Leahy, the name of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) was added as a cosponsor of S. 548, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that a deduction equal to fair market value shall be allowed for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions created by the donor. S. 558 At the request of Mr. Domenici, the name of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) was added as a cosponsor of S. 558, a bill to provide parity between health insurance coverage of mental health benefits and benefits for medical and surgical services. S. 573 At the request of Ms. Stabenow, the name of the Senator from New York (Mrs. Clinton) was added as a cosponsor of S. 573, a bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women. S. 582 At the request of Mr. Smith, the name of the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Inouye) was added as a cosponsor of S. 582, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to classify automatic fire sprinkler systems as 5-year property for purposes of depreciation. S. 626 At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the names of the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Sessions), the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins) and the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) were added as cosponsors of S. 626, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for arthritis research and public health, and for other purposes. S. 638 At the request of Mr. Roberts, the names of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Specter) and the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) were added as cosponsors of S. 638, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for collegiate housing and infrastructure grants. S. 667 At the request of Mr. Bond, the name of the Senator from Iowa (Mr. Harkin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 667, a bill to expand programs of early childhood home visitation that increase school readiness, child abuse and neglect prevention, and early identification of developmental and health delays, including potential mental health concerns, and for other purposes. S. 721 At the request of Mr. Enzi, the name of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) was added as a cosponsor of S. 721, a bill to allow travel between the United States and Cuba. S. 746 At the request of Mr. Allard, the name of the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Cochran) was added as a cosponsor of S. 746, a bill to establish a competitive grant program to build capacity in veterinary medical education and expand the workforce of veterinarians engaged in public health practice and biomedical research. S. 761 At the request of Mr. Reid, the names of the Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer), the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Akaka), the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning) were added as cosponsors of S. 761, a bill to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy. At the request of Mr. Leahy, his name was added as a cosponsor of S. 761, supra. S. 766 At the request of Mrs. Clinton, the name of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 766, a bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies of victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes. S. 794 At the request of Mrs. Lincoln, the name of the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins) was added as a cosponsor of S. 794, a bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide States with the option to expand or add coverage of pregnant women under the Medicaid and State children's health insurance programs, and for other purposes. S. 858 At the request of Mr. Wyden, the names of the Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer) and the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Feingold) were added [[Page 9624]] as cosponsors of S. 858, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters. S. 901 At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the name of the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Conrad) was added as a cosponsor of S. 901, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide additional authorizations of appropriations for the health centers program under section 330 of such Act. S. 948 At the request of Mr. Lieberman, the names of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Bayh) and the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Brown) were added as cosponsors of S. 948, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize funding for the establishment of a program on children and the media within the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to study the role and impact of electronic media in the development of children. S. 960 At the request of Mrs. Clinton, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Stabenow) was added as a cosponsor of S. 960, a bill to establish the United States Public Service Academy. S. 962 At the request of Mr. Bingaman, the name of the Senator from Nebraska (Mr. Nelson) was added as a cosponsor of S. 962, a bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize and improve the carbon capture and storage research, development, and demonstration program of the Department of Energy and for other purposes. S. 968 At the request of Mrs. Boxer, the name of the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Stabenow) was added as a cosponsor of S. 968, a bill to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide increased assistance for the prevention, treatment, and control of tuberculosis, and for other purposes. S. 991 At the request of Mr. Durbin, the name of the Senator from Florida (Mr. Nelson) was added as a cosponsor of S. 991, a bill to establish the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation under the authorities of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. S. 1012 At the request of Ms. Landrieu, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1012, a bill to amend the Consumer Credit Protection Act to assure meaningful disclosures of the terms of rental-purchase agreements, including disclosures of all costs to consumers under such agreements, to provide certain substantive rights to consumers under such agreements, and for other purposes. S. 1042 At the request of Mr. Enzi, the name of the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Lott) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1042, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly. S. 1060 At the request of Mr. Biden, the names of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), the Senator from Washington (Ms. Cantwell) and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) were added as cosponsors of S. 1060, a bill to reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, and for other purposes. S. 1090 At the request of Ms. Stabenow, the name of the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Bingaman) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1090, a bill to amend the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to assist the neediest of senior citizens by modifying the eligibility criteria for supplemental foods provided under the commodity supplemental food program to take into account the extraordinarily high out-of-pocket medical expenses that senior citizens pay, and for other purposes. S. 1105 At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the name of the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1105, a bill to provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes. S. 1117 At the request of Mr. Bond, the name of the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Akaka) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1117, a bill to establish a grant program to provide vision care to children, and for other purposes. S. 1125 At the request of Mr. Lott, the name of the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Salazar) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1125, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives to encourage investment in the expansion of freight rail infrastructure capacity and to enhance modal tax equity. S. 1146 At the request of Mr. Salazar, the name of the Senator from Washington (Ms. Cantwell) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1146, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve health care for veterans who live in rural areas, and for other purposes. S. 1173 At the request of Mrs. Boxer, the names of the Senator from Montana (Mr. Tester) and the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman) were added as cosponsors of S. 1173, a bill to protect, consistent with Roe v. Wade, a woman's freedom to choose to bear a child or terminate a pregnancy, and for other purposes. S. CON. RES. 26 At the request of Mrs. Clinton, the names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Crapo) and the Senator from Maine (Ms. Snowe) were added as cosponsors of S. Con. Res. 26, a concurrent resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and commending recipients of the Purple Heart for their courageous demonstrations of gallantry and heroism on behalf of the United States. S. CON. RES. 27 At the request of Mrs. Clinton, the names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Crapo) and the Senator from Maine (Ms. Snowe) were added as cosponsors of S. Con. Res. 27, a concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Purple Heart Recognition Day''. S. RES. 82 At the request of Mr. Hagel, the name of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 82, a resolution designating August 16, 2007 as ``National Airborne Day''. ____________________ STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. Burr, and Mr. Kennedy): S. 1185. A bill to provide grants to States to improve high schools and raise graduation rates while ensuring rigorous standards, to develop and implement effective school models for struggling students and dropouts, and to improve State policies to raise graduation rates, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I wanted to take a few minutes of the Senate's time to talk about a bill that I introduced, along with Senator Burr and Senator Kennedy, entitled the Graduation Promise Act of 2007, or GPA. This bill would create a Federal-State-local partnership to improve the Nation's graduation rates and help transform our lowest performing high schools. This is a bill we just introduced today. I thank Senator Burr and Senator Kennedy for their commitment to improving our high schools and for increasing graduation rates in this country. I am very pleased to be working with both of them on this legislation. I am also very glad that GPA, this legislation we have introduced, is supported by the Alliance for Excellent Education, by the Center for American Progress, by Jobs for the Future, by [[Page 9625]] the National Council of La Raza, by First Focus, and many other education groups. Nearly 20 years ago, the Nation's Governors met for the first education summit and, as far as I know, for the only national education summit in our country's history. They met with the first President Bush in Charlottesville, VA. They agreed to set high expectations for education for the coming decade. That was the decade following 1989. One of those standards they set was for an increase in high school graduation rates to 90 percent by the year 2000. Today, we are not even close to achieving that goal. In fact, the Nation's graduation rate has stagnated at around 70 percent instead of 90 percent. Graduation rates for Hispanic and African-American students are lower than that. In my home State of New Mexico, by some estimates, the graduation rate is less than 60 percent in some high schools. Many students are entering the ninth grade significantly behind in their reading and mathematics skills. They are ill-prepared to master the challenges of the typical high school curriculum. Not surprisingly, these students are more prone to academic failure and grade retention and, accordingly, the dropout rates among these students are disturbingly high, specifically in the ninth grade. But low graduation rates are only one broad indicator of the crisis affecting our Nation's high schools. Even if a student makes it to graduation, only a third of all students who enter the ninth grade will graduate with the skills and the knowledge necessary to go on to college or to succeed in the modern workplace. They are not receiving the kind of quality education that permits a seamless transition to a job or postsecondary education. Again, this problem disproportionately affects minority students. Only 16 percent of Hispanic students and 23 percent of African-American students graduate prepared for college, compared to 40 percent for other students. This situation is simply unacceptable. In the global technology-based economy we live in today, a high school diploma is a minimum qualification for most jobs in our fastest growing sectors. The United States ranks 19th in high school graduation rates among major industrial democracies. The Federal Government recognized that investments in early childhood and elementary grades are critical to a student's academic growth and success. Still, attention and resources must be sustained throughout the middle and high school years as well if the national goal of leaving no child behind is to be met. Unfortunately, we have not been doing this. Only about 8 percent of all title I dollars go to our high schools today. Our continued economic security hinges on preparing our young people to enter college and to enter the 21st century workforce. In fact, our national security depends on it. Fortunately, research has come to light that will help us to better understand the factors behind the low graduation and student performance data. For instance, we can identify the high schools that are producing the majority of dropouts in this country. These schools-- roughly 2,000 schools I am referring to--represent about 15 percent of all high schools in the country, and they have persistently low rates of graduation and low rates of grade promotion. If we look at the typical senior class at one of these high schools, it will have decreased in size by at least 40 percent since the students entered the school 4 years earlier. These high schools are in every State. They tend to be concentrated in urban areas, and they serve more than a third of our African-American and Hispanic students nationwide. Unfortunately, there are 23 of these high schools in my home State of New Mexico. Research has also shed light on the specific factors that allow us to predict who is going to drop out of high school. We can identify with up to 80 percent accuracy the future dropouts as early as the ninth grade. We can do so by looking at such predictors as course failure, poor attendance, behavior problems, and retention in earlier grades. Students who enter high school significantly lagging behind in their academics and who show signs of becoming disengaged from the school are prone to drop out unless additional support is put in place. Finally, research-based solutions with solid evidence of success are transforming of our high schools with low graduation rates. Restructuring schools into smaller, more personalized learning environments ensures that students become engaged from the time they enter the ninth grade on. Sustained efforts to boost attendance ensure they will not fall further behind. Schools that have combined these efforts with a high-quality curriculum and structural improvements have been very successful at improving student performance and improving graduation rates. They have done so with transitional math and English for ninth graders that will help them catch up by offering challenging curricula and tangible contextual applications of learning in order to rekindle the interests of these students and creating teaching teams, targeting professional development for the teachers to help them meet this challenge. A combination of these interventions has improved student performance and increased graduation rates. We know this problem can be solved to meet the goal. This legislation has been introduced by Senators Burr and Kennedy, and I hope very much this legislation and many of its provisions can be included when we get to a markup of the No Child Left Behind legislation later this year. I submit we cannot afford to let the estimated 2,000 failing high schools continue to push students off the path to prosperity. Collectively, these schools serve about 2.4 million students. We need to ensure for the continued prosperity of the country that these students remain in school and graduate with the skills needed to become productive citizens. 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. 1185 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 ``Graduation Promise Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) In general.--The terms ``local educational agency'', ``secondary school'', and ``State educational agency'' have the meanings given the terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (2) Graduation rate.--The term ``graduation rate'' (except when used as part of the term ``averaged freshmen graduation rate'') has the meaning given the term in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(vi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(vi)). (3) High-priority.--The term ``high-priority'', when used with respect to a secondary school, means a school that-- (A) has low student achievement; and (B)(i) has a low graduation rate; or (ii) feeds students into a high school that has a low graduation rate. (4) High school.--The term ``high school'' means a secondary school in which the-- (A) entering grade of the school is not lower than grade 6; and (B) highest grade of the school is-- (i) grade 12; or (ii) in the case of a secondary school approved by a State to issue a regular diploma concurrently with a postsecondary degree or with not more than 2 years' worth of postsecondary academic credit, grade 13. (5) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education. (7) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of Palau. TITLE I--HIGH SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND DROPOUT REDUCTION FUND SEC. 101. FINDINGS. The Senate finds the following: [[Page 9626]] (1) About a third of our Nation's high school students fail to graduate in 4 years, and another third graduate without the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in college or the workplace. The outcomes for minority students are even worse: only about 52 percent of Hispanic, 56 percent of African- American, and 57 percent of Native-American students graduate on time, compared to 78 percent of white students. (2) More than a decade after Congress declared a national goal that 90 percent of American high school students graduate from high school we are far from that target and graduation rates have stagnated. (3) Half of the Nation's dropouts attend a ``dropout factory''-- schools where 40 percent or more of the freshman class has disappeared by the time the students reach their senior year. These schools, which are located in nearly every State, primarily serve minority and poor students, and have fewer resources and less qualified teachers than schools in more affluent neighborhoods with larger numbers of white students. In fact, almost half of African-American students and nearly 40 percent of Latino students--compared to only 11 percent of white students--attend high schools in which graduation is not the norm. (4) If the Nation's high schools and colleges raise the graduation rates of Hispanic, African-American, and Native- American students to the levels of white students by 2020, the potential increase in personal income across the Nation would add, conservatively, more than $310,000,000,000 to the United States economy. (5) If the high school graduation rate for male students increased by just 5 percent, the Nation could save almost $5,000,000,000 a year in reduced spending on crime-related expenses such as prisons and medical costs for victims. An additional $2,700,000,000 could be generated in income if these high school graduates went on to college at the same rate as other male students. (6) A high school diploma is increasingly important for success in the 21st century economy. In fact, an estimated 80 percent of current jobs and approximately 90 percent of the fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs require some sort of education beyond high school. (7) The Nation spends more than $1,400,000,000 a year to provide remedial courses to community college students who recently completed high school. And that figure does not include the almost $2,300,000,000 that the economy loses because students who take remedial courses, particularly in reading, are more likely to leave college without getting a degree, and thereby reduce their earning potential. Across the Nation, 42 percent of community college freshmen and 20 percent of freshmen in 4-year institutions enroll in at least 1 remedial course. (8) Business and higher education consistently report that students are leaving high school unprepared for the demands of college and the workplace. According to a survey of the National Association of Manufacturers, more than 80 percent of manufacturing companies are experiencing a shortage of qualified workers. More than two-thirds of manufacturing companies said that businesses train employees to raise basic skills, a sure sign that a high school education is deficient even for the few jobs that require nothing further. Forty percent of employers considered graduates deficient in their overall preparation for the workplace. (9) For decades, Federal funding has largely been spent on grades Pre-K to 6 and higher education, with dramatically less given the middle and high school grades. While children in their early years must build a strong foundation for learning, research also clearly demonstrates the need to continue the investment at each stage of the education process or risk losing much of the benefit of the early effort. (10) The United States has made some progress in education outcomes in the early years of education and in higher education, but has seen decline in the middle and high school years. In terms of demonstrating return on investment, where Federal educational commitment has been made, positive outcomes have resulted. (11) Only 8 percent of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) participants are high school students, leaving millions of title I-eligible, high school students in low-performing schools without the focused support, external assistance, and resources for improvement that title I was created to provide. Because title I funds serve as the trigger for school improvement requirements in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, this also means that most low-income, low-performing high schools are not required to (or supported to) implement school improvement activities. (12) While the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) includes a strong focus on identifying low-performing schools, America still needs a comprehensive strategy to support and improve chronically low-performing schools and districts. School improvement strategies should be tailored based on a variety of indicators and data, so that educators can create and implement successful school improvement strategies to address the needs of the individual schools. (13) Most districts and State educational agencies do not necessarily have the capacity or infrastructure to guide, support, and fund school improvement strategies where they are needed, but good models for turning around low-performing high schools do exist. Federal support should be used to build this capacity based on evidence from successful high schools. (14) If the Nation is to maintain and increase its competitiveness in the global economy, it must invest in a systemic approach to improving its high schools so that every child graduates prepared for success. SEC. 102. PURPOSES. The purposes of this title are to-- (1) improve high school student academic achievement and graduation rates; (2) help States develop a high school improvement system to deliver support and technical assistance to high-priority high schools; (3) ensure students graduate from high school with the education and skills necessary to compete in a global economy; and (4) help build the capacity to develop and implement research-based, sustainable, and replicable high school improvement models and interventions for high-priority high schools that engage the whole community. SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS. In this title: (1) Adequate yearly progress.--The term ``adequate yearly progress'' has the meaning given the term in section 1111(b)(2)(B) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)). (2) Averaged freshmen graduation rate.--The term ``averaged freshmen graduation rate'' means the estimate of the percentage of high school students who graduate on time by dividing the number of graduates with regular diplomas by the estimated size of the incoming freshman class 4 years earlier, expressed as a percentage, as calculated and reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. (3) Low-income local educational agency.--The term ``low- income local educational agency'' means a local educational agency in which not less than 15 percent of the students served by such agency are from families with incomes below the poverty line. (4) Middle grades.--The term ``middle grades'' means grades 6 through 8. (5) Poverty line.--The term ``poverty line'' means the poverty line described in section 673 of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902), applicable to a family of the size involved. (6) Technical assistance provider.--The term ``technical assistance provider'' means a nonprofit entity with a proven track record of significantly improving student achievement and outcomes in high-priority high schools. SEC. 104. GRANTS AUTHORIZED. The Secretary is authorized to make grants to State educational agencies with applications approved under section 109 to establish or expand a differentiated high school improvement system that can improve student achievement and graduation rates, and effectively target resources and technical assistance to high-priority high schools. SEC. 105. ALLOTMENT TO STATES. (a) In General.--The Secretary shall make grants to State educational agencies with applications approved under section 109 to enable the States to carry out the activities specified in section 110. Each grant shall consist of the allotment determined for a State under subsection (b)(2). (b) Determination of Allotments.-- (1) Reservation of funds.--From the total amount appropriated for this Act, the Secretary shall reserve-- (A) 4 percent to-- (i) evaluate activities authorized under this title, including supporting large-scale randomized studies of planned variations in school time, such as length of school day, week, and year, teacher effectiveness, class size, teacher training, performance or placement incentives, and other major school improvement inputs, in order to determine the most effective strategies for improving student achievement and outcomes for students attending high-priority high schools; and (ii) disseminate findings of such evaluations; (B) 2 percent to provide technical assistance and ongoing regional training programs-- (i) to build the capacity of State educational agencies and local educational agencies to provide technical assistance to improve high-priority high schools; (ii) to develop the capacity of State educational agencies to effectively manage a differentiated high school improvement system and analyze the capacity of local educational agencies and high schools to effectively implement proven high school reform strategies; and (iii) to develop, in middle schools served by a local educational agency whose students go on to attend high schools identified by the local educational agency as in need of whole school reforms or replacement, middle grade early indicator warning systems consisting of factors used to identify students who are struggling academically and have poor attendance records or have been suspended in [[Page 9627]] or before the middle grades or are likely to struggle in high school or to not graduate and provide supports to get such students back on track; and (C) 2 percent to enter into contracts with or provide grants to technical assistance providers to build their capacity to serve more high schools and to support the development or enhancement of research-based whole secondary school reform or new secondary school models. (2) State allotment.--From the total amount appropriated under section 114 for a fiscal year and not reserved under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make allotments as follows: (A) Low-income local educational agencies.--From such amount, the Secretary shall allot to each State an amount that bears the same ratio to 50 percent of the sums being allotted as the percentage of students enrolled in schools served by low-income local educational agencies in the State bears to the total of such percentages for all the States. (B) Lowest calculation.--From such amount, the Secretary shall allot to each State within the lowest one-third averaged freshman graduation rate an amount that bears the same ratio to 25 percent of the sums being alloted as the number of students enrolled in high schools in the State bears to the total of such students in all of such States within the lowest one-third averaged freshman graduation rate. (C) Middle calculation.--From such amount, the Secretary shall allot to each State within the middle one-third averaged freshman graduation rate an amount that bears the same ratio to 15 percent of the sums being alloted as the number of students enrolled in high schools in the State bears to the total of such students in all of such States within the middle one-third averaged freshman graduation rate. (D) Highest calculation.--From such amount, the Secretary shall allot to each State within the highest one-third averaged freshman graduation rate an amount that bears the same ratio to 10 percent of the sums being alloted as the number of students enrolled in high schools in the State bears to the total of such students in all of such States within the highest one-third averaged freshman graduation rate. (3) Reallotment.--If any State does not apply for an allotment under this subsection for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall reallot the amount of the allotment to the remaining States in accordance with this subsection. (4) Matching funds.--A State educational agency that receives a grant under this title shall provide matching funds, from non-Federal sources, in an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of grant funds provided to the State under this title (which may be provided in cash or in-kind, but not more than 10 percent of the amount of grant funds may be provided in-kind) to carry out the activities supported by the grant. In-kind contributions shall be directed toward supporting State educational agency technical assistance efforts or the operation of the State's differentiated high school improvement system. SEC. 106. SECRETARIAL PEER REVIEW AND APPROVAL. (a) In General.--The Secretary shall-- (1) establish a peer-review process to assist in the review and approval of State plans; (2) appoint individuals to the peer-review process who are educators and experts in educational standards, assessments, accountability, high school improvement, dropout prevention, and other educational needs of high school students; (3) approve a State plan submitted under this title not later than 120 days after the date of the submission of the plan unless the Secretary determines that the plan does not meet the requirements of this title; (4) if the Secretary determines that the State plan does not meet the requirements of this title, immediately notify the State of such determination and the reasons for such determination; (5) not decline to approve a State's plan before-- (A) offering the State an opportunity to revise the State's plan; (B) providing the State with technical assistance in order to submit a successful application; and (C) providing a hearing to the State; and (6) have the authority to disapprove a State plan for not meeting the requirements of this title. (b) State Revisions.--A State plan shall be revised by the State educational agency if required to do so by the Secretary to satisfy the requirements of this title. (c) Accuracy.--In approving a State plan, the Secretary shall ensure that-- (1) the process the State educational agency proposes for differentiating school improvement actions under section 109(b)(4) will assign high schools to each category in such a way that accurately identifies schools and leads to the implementation of the interventions necessary to meet student needs; and (2) the minimum expected growth targets proposed by the State educational agency under section 109(b)(2)(B) are meaningful, achievable, and demonstrate continuous and substantial progress. SEC. 107. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. If the Secretary determines that a State does not have the capacity to carry out high school improvement activities, the Secretary shall offer technical assistance to carry out such activities to States directly or through contracts with technical assistance providers. SEC. 108. DIFFERENTIATED HIGH SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM. (a) In General.--A State educational agency that receives a grant under this title shall use such funds to establish or expand differentiated high school improvement systems. (b) System Requirements.--The systems described in subsection (a) shall be designed to do the following: (1) Identify high-priority high schools.--The system shall be designed to identify high-priority high schools within the State. (2) Differentiate school improvement actions.--The system shall be designed to differentiate school improvement actions based on the amount and type of supports necessary to improve student achievement and graduation rates in high schools within the State. (3) Locally driven improvement plans.--The system shall be designed to provide resources to support evidence-based activities chosen by local school improvement teams and based on school performance data. (4) Target funds.--The system shall be designed to target resources and support to those high-priority high schools within the State. (5) Recognize progress.--The system shall be designed to ensure that high schools making progress on school performance indicators continue to implement effective school improvement strategies identified in their current school improvement plan. (6) Demonstrate commitment.--The system shall be designed to ensure that high-priority high schools making progress on school performance indicators continue to have the resources and supports necessary to continue improving high school graduation rates and student achievement. (7) Build capacity.--The system shall be designed to build the capacity of the State educational agencies and local educational agencies to assist in improving student achievement and graduation rates in high-priority high schools. SEC. 109. STATE APPLICATION TO DEVELOP DIFFERENTIATED HIGH SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SYSTEMS. (a) In General.-- (1) In general.--For a State to be eligible to receive a grant under this title, the State educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (2) Revised application.--The State educational agency shall submit a revised application every 5 years based on an evaluation of the activities conducted under this title. (b) Contents.--Each application submitted under this section shall include the following: (1) School improvement process.--The State educational agency shall describe how the State educational agency will use funds authorized under this title to establish or expand a high school improvement system described in sections 108 and 110. (2) School performance indicators.-- (A) In general.--The State educational agency shall define a set of comprehensive school performance indicators that shall be used, in addition to the indicators used to determine adequate yearly progress, to analyze school performance, determine the amount and type of support the school needs, and guide the school improvement process, such as-- (i) student attendance rates; (ii) earned on-time promotion rates from grade to grade; (iii) percent of students who have on-time credit accumulation at the end of each grade; (iv) percent of students failing a core, credit-bearing mathematics, reading or language arts, or science course, or failing 2 or more of any course; (v) percent of students taking a college preparatory curriculum, which may include percent of students taking Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate courses, or college courses taken for dual credit; (vi) teacher quality and attendance measures; (vii) student rates of college enrollment, persistence, and attainment; and (viii) additional indicators proposed by the State educational agency and approved by the Secretary as part of the peer-review process described in section 110. (B) Expected growth.--The State educational agency shall define a minimum percent of expected annual growth for each school performance indicator that demonstrates continuous and substantial progress. (3) Capacity evaluations.-- (A) State educational agency and local educational agency capacity.--The State educational agency shall describe how it will evaluate and ensure that the State educational agency and local educational agency have sufficient capacity to improve high-priority high schools. [[Page 9628]] (B) High school capacity and needs assessment.--The State educational agency shall describe how it will ensure that each high school that does not make adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years will undergo a capacity and needs assessment as described in section 111(e) and use such information to assist in determining the amount of the subgrant awarded under section 110(f). (4) Differentiated school improvement.--The State educational agency shall describe how data from the school performance indicators described in paragraph (2) and indicators used to determine adequate yearly progress will be used by local educational agencies as criteria for placing high schools that do not make adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years into 1 of the following school improvement categories: (A) Schools needing targeted interventions.--High schools whose school performance indicators demonstrate a need for targeted interventions to improve student outcomes and make adequate yearly progress. (B) Schools needing whole school reforms.--High schools whose school performance indicators demonstrate a need for comprehensive schoolwide reform to improve student outcomes and make adequate yearly progress. (C) Schools needing replacement.--High schools whose school performance indicators demonstrate a need for replacement, as described in section 112(d). (D) Special rule.--States may propose systems of differentiation aligned with their existing State accountability systems that include additional categories. (E) Rule of construction.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of this title, a high school shall be designated as a school in need of whole school reform or as a school in need of replacement in the case that such high school has-- (i) a graduation rate of 60 percent or less; or (ii) achievement levels below the initial baseline for measuring the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the State's proficient level of academic achievement in either mathematics or English or language arts in accordance with section 1111(b)(2)(E) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(E)). (5) State review of local educational agency plans.--The State educational agency shall describe the following: (A) Review local educational agency plans.--The State educational agency shall describe how it will collect and review high school improvement plans of local educational agencies using the peer-review process described in section 110(b) submitted by local educational agencies in accordance with section 111(e). (B) Allocation of subgrants.--The State educational agency shall describe how it will award subgrants to local educational agencies using the peer-review process described in section 110(b) in accordance with section 110(f). (C) Monitoring of school improvement plans.--The State educational agency shall describe how it will review and monitor the implementation of high school improvement plans of high schools that do not meet the expected growth targets set in accordance with paragraph (2)(B) and defined in the school improvement plan described in section 111(d). (D) Provide technical assistance.-- (i) In general.--The State educational agency shall describe how it will provide technical assistance to local educational agencies and high schools that need support to implement high school improvement plans described in section 111(d) and improve graduation rates and student achievement, including through the use of technical assistance providers, where appropriate. (ii) School improvement teams.--The State educational agency shall describe how it will assist school improvement teams described in section 111(b), when needed, including how it will-- (I) support and provide resources and training to school improvement teams; (II) allocate staff to participate on school improvement teams; (III) provide technical assistance to the school improvement teams; and (IV) ensure that the school improvement teams have access to technical assistance providers when needed. (6) Demonstration of commitment.--The State educational agency shall demonstrate how it will provide ongoing support to high schools that need targeted interventions, whole school reforms and replacement, and are making progress on school performance indicators, to ensure continued improvement, including the availability of funds from non- Federal sources. (7) Middle grade early indicator warning system.--The State educational agency shall demonstrate how it will work with local educational agencies with low graduation rates to develop middle grade early indicator warning systems consisting of factors used to identify students who are struggling academically and have poor attendance records or have been suspended in or before the middle grades or are likely to struggle in high school or to not graduate and, where appropriate, provide supports to get such students back on track. (8) Evaluation of success.--The State educational agency shall describe how, every 5 years, it will evaluate how the activities assisted under this title have been successful in improving student achievement and outcomes of the cohort of students that entered 9th grade 4 years earlier. SEC. 110. STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY USE OF FUNDS. (a) In General.--A State educational agency that receives a grant under section 105-- (1) may reserve not more than 10 percent of the grant funds to carry out the activities under this title; and (2) shall use not less than 90 percent of the grant funds to make subgrants to local educational agencies in accordance with subsection (b). (b) State Educational Agency Peer Review.--A State educational agency that receives a grant under this title shall review applications submitted under section 111 and make awards in accordance with subsection (f) with the assistance and advice of a panel who are educators and experts in-- (1) educational standards, assessments, and accountability; (2) high school improvement; (3) dropout prevention; and (4) other educational needs of high school students. (c) Accuracy.--The State educational agency, in consultation with the panel described in subsection (b), shall ensure the local educational agency has designated the school improvement category described in section 109(b)(4) for each high school served by the local educational agency that did not make adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years in such a way that accurately identifies schools and leads to the implementation of the interventions necessary to meet student needs. (d) Opportunity To Revise.--If the State educational agency, in consultation with the panel described in subsection (b), determines that the local educational agency's application does not meet the requirements of this title, the State educational agency shall immediately notify the local educational agency of such determination and the reasons for such determination, and offer-- (1) the local educational agency an opportunity to revise the application; and (2) technical assistance to the local educational agency to revise the application. (e) Technical Assistance.--The State educational agency shall provide technical assistance to a local educational agency requesting such assistance in preparing the application and needs assessment required under section 111. (f) Award of Subgrants to Local Educational Agencies.-- (1) In general.--A State educational agency that receives a grant under this title shall award subgrants to local educational agencies with applications approved on the basis of-- (A) the quality of the plan to improve student graduation rates and student achievement in high schools that have not made adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years; and (B) the capacity of the local educational agency to implement the plan. (2) Amount.--A subgrant under this section shall be awarded in an amount that is based on-- (A) the number and size of high schools served by the local educational agency needing-- (i) targeted interventions; (ii) whole school reforms; and (iii) replacement; (B) the types of reforms or interventions proposed; (C) the resources available to the high schools to implement the reforms or interventions proposed; and (D) the resources available to the local educational agency to implement the reforms or interventions proposed. (3) Priority.--The State educational agency shall first award subgrants to local educational agencies serving high schools needing whole school reforms and replacement. The State educational agency shall award remaining subgrant funds to local educational agencies serving high schools needing targeted interventions. (g) Authority To Intervene.--If the State educational agency determines that a local educational agency does not have the capacity to implement high school improvement activities described in the school improvement plan, the State educational agency may intervene to implement the high school improvement plans or enter into contracts with technical assistance providers to assist local educational agencies with the implementation of high school improvement plans. (h) Implementation of State Educational Agency Application.--The State educational agency shall use funds under this title to carry out the activities included in the application described in section 109. (i) Supplement, Not Supplant.--A State educational agency that receives a grant under this title shall use the grant funds to supplement, and not supplant, Federal and non- Federal funds available to high schools. SEC. 111. LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM. (a) Differentiate High Schools.--A local educational agency that applies for a [[Page 9629]] subgrant under this title shall designate the category of high school improvement, as described in section 109(b)(4), using data from the school performance indicators as criteria, as prescribed by the State educational agency, for each high school served by such agency that does not make adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years. (b) School Improvement Teams.-- (1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a subgrant under this title, a local educational agency shall convene a school improvement team for each high school served by such agency that does not make adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years and is assigned to 1 of the school improvement categories defined in section 109(b)(4), which-- (A) shall include-- (i) the building principal; (ii) teachers representing different grade levels or disciplines; (iii) local educational agency staff; (iv) parents, including parents of students who have low graduation rates; (v) community representatives, including representatives of nonprofit organizations serving young people and the business community; and (vi) pupil service representatives; and (B) may include-- (i) technical assistance providers, where appropriate; and (ii) State educational agency staff when requested by the local educational agency or assigned by the State educational agency. (2) Collaboration.--A local educational agency shall ensure collaboration-- (A) of school improvement teams with personnel of middle schools served by the local educational agency whose students go on to attend high schools that are designated as in need of targeted assistance, whole school reform, or replacement, where appropriate; and (B) between school improvement teams working at different high schools served by the local educational agency, to the extent appropriate. (c) Develop Student Indicators.--To be eligible to receive a subgrant under this title, a local educational agency shall develop a set of indicators to determine the number and percent of students who begin high school at high risk for not graduating high school with a regular diploma and describe how the school improvement team will use such indicators to determine the type and intensity of supports each student needs. Such indicators shall include the number and percent of 9th grade students who-- (1) in the 8th grade-- (A) failed a credit-bearing mathematics or reading or language arts course, or 2 or more of any course; (B) attended school less than 90 percent of the required time; and (C) received an out-of-school suspension; (2) repeat the 9th grade; (3) enter the 9th grade over the average age; or (4) have experienced interrupted formal education. (d) Develop High School Improvement Plans.--The school improvement team convened under subsection (b) shall use data from the school performance indicators, the student indicators, measures used to determine adequate yearly progress, the capacity and needs assessment described in subsection (e), and other relevant data and knowledge of the school to develop a multiyear school improvement plan for each school. Such plan shall-- (1) identify annual benchmarks for school performance indicators that meet or exceed the minimum percentage of expected growth defined by the State educational agency in section 109(b)(2)(B); (2) define the evidence-based academic and nonacademic interventions and resources necessary to meet annual benchmarks and make adequate yearly progress; (3) identify the roles of the State educational agency, the local educational agency, the school, and technical assistance providers and service providers, as appropriate, in providing identified interventions and resources necessary to meet annual benchmarks and make adequate yearly progress; (4) provide for the involvement of business and community organizations and other entities, including parents and institutions of higher education, in the activities to be assisted under this title; and (5) describe and direct the use of-- (A) any additional funding to be provided by the State educational agency, the local educational agency, or other sources; and (B) technical assistance providers, where appropriate. (e) High School Capacity and Needs Assessment.-- (1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a subgrant under this title, a local educational agency shall submit, with the application described in subsection (f), to the State educational agency a capacity and needs assessment for each high school served by such agency that does not make adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years. (2) Assessment.--The assessment under paragraph (1) shall be conducted by a school improvement team described in subsection (b) and the local educational agency and shall include-- (A) a description and analysis of the school's capacity to implement needed school improvement activities identified in the school improvement plan, including an analysis of-- (i) the number, experience, training level, responsibilities, and stability of existing administrative, instructional, and noninstructional staff for each high school to be assisted; (ii) a review of the budget, including how Federal, State, and local funds are currently being spent for instruction and operations at the school level for staff salaries, instructional materials, professional development, and student support services to establish the extent to which existing resources need to and can be reallocated to support the needed school improvement activities; and (iii) additional resources and staff necessary to implement the needed school improvement activities described in section 112; and (B) an analysis of the local educational agency's capacity to provide technical assistance, additional staff, and resources to implement the school improvement plan to improve high school performance. (3) Requirements.--The information provided in the capacity and needs assessment in coordination with the school improvement plan shall be used to determine the level and direct the use of-- (A) funds requested by the local educational agency for each high school to be assisted under this title; (B) any additional funding to be provided by the State educational agency, the local educational agency, or other sources; and (C) technical assistance providers, where appropriate. (f) Application.-- (1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a subgrant under this title, a local educational agency-- (A) shall submit an application to the State educational agency at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the State educational agency may reasonably require; and (B) may request technical assistance from the State educational agency in preparing the application and the capacity and needs assessment required under this section. (2) Contents.--Each application submitted under this section shall use data from the capacity and needs assessment required in subsection (e) and shall include the following: (A) A description of how the local educational agency used data from the school performance indicators as criteria to designate the school improvement category described in section 109(b)(4) for each high school served by such agency that did not make adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years. (B) An identification of each high school served by the local educational agency that did not make adequate yearly progress for 2 consecutive years and the designation of the school improvement category for each such school, as described in section 109(b)(4). (C) A description of the activities to be carried out by the local educational agency under this title and a description of how the activities will be research-based and an explanation of why the activities are expected to improve student achievement and increase graduation rates. (D) An assurance that the local educational agency will use funds authorized under this title and received from the State educational agency first to meet the needs of high schools served by the local educational agency that need whole school reforms or high schools served by the local educational agency that need replacement. (E) A description of how the local educational agency will provide for the involvement of parents, business and community organizations, including institutions of higher education, in the activities to be assisted under this title, and the resources such entities will make available to assist in such activities. (F) An assurance that the local educational agency shall provide ongoing support and resources to high schools that need whole school reforms and that need replacement, and are making progress on school performance indicators, to ensure continued improvement. (G) A description of how the local educational agency will increase its capacity to improve high schools with low student achievement and graduation rates. (H) A description of the options that will be provided to high school students served by the local educational agency, such as-- (i) programs for credit recovery for overage or under- credited students; and (ii) secondary-postsecondary learning opportunities, including dual enrollment programs and early college high schools. (g) Implement High School Improvement Plans.--The local educational agency shall use funds to ensure the implementation of school improvement plans. (h) Ensure Continuous High School Improvement.-- (1) In general.--The local educational agency shall ensure the continuous improvement of high schools by evaluating the progress of high schools in making the continuous and substantial progress as defined in the school improvement plan in accordance with the minimum expected growth set by the State educational agency in section 109(b)(2)(B) and determining whether the [[Page 9630]] high school is on track or not on track as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3). (2) On track.--Each high school that is meeting the annual benchmarks as defined in the school improvement plan shall continue to implement school improvement activities in accordance with the school improvement plan. (3) Not on track.--For each high school that is not meeting the annual benchmarks as defined in the school improvement plan, the local educational agency shall-- (A) after 1 year, review the school improvement plan, and develop and implement a new plan, as appropriate; (B) after 2 years, redesignate the school into a different school improvement category, as described in section 109(b)(4), either-- (i) as a school in need of whole school reform; or (ii) as a school in need of replacement; and (C) develop and submit to the State educational agency for review a new school improvement plan, as appropriate. (i) Targeted Interventions for Feeder Middle Schools.--A local educational agency that receives a subgrant under this title, consistent with subsection (f)(2)(D), may use funds to-- (1) implement research- and evidence-based interventions to improve middle schools served by such agency whose students go on to attend high schools served by the local educational agency that need whole school reforms or high schools served by the local educational agency that need replacement; and (2) establish an early indicator warning system consisting of factors used to identify students who are struggling academically and have poor attendance records or have been suspended in or before the middle grades or are likely to struggle in high school or to not graduate and provide supports to get such students back on track. (j) Supplement, Not Supplant.--A local educational agency that receives a subgrant under this title shall use the subgrant funds to supplement, and not supplant, Federal and non-Federal funds available for high schools. (k) Matching Funds.-- (1) In general.--A local educational agency receiving a grant under this title shall provide matching funds, from non-Federal sources, in an amount equal to not less than 15 percent of the total subgrant award for the local educational agency, which may be provided in cash or in-kind, to provide technical assistance to high schools served by the local educational agency in developing their high school improvement plans, conducting the capacity and needs assessment, and in implementing and monitoring the implementation of the high school improvement plans. (2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive all or part of the matching requirement described in paragraph (1) for any fiscal year for a local educational agency if the Secretary determines that applying the matching requirement to such local educational agency would result in serious hardship or an inability to carry out the authorized activities described in section 110. SEC. 112. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES. (a) In General.--Each school improvement team convened as described in section 111 shall ensure that the school improvement activities developed under the school improvement plan are implemented. (b) Targeted Interventions.--A high school or local educational agency, as determined by the school improvement team, shall implement research-based targeted interventions, using data from the school performance and student indicators and capacity evaluations for schools identified for such interventions pursuant to section 111. The targeted interventions shall be designed, at a minimum, to address the specific problems identified by the indicators. (c) Whole School Reforms.--The local educational agency or State educational agency, with technical assistance from technical assistance providers, as determined by the school improvement team, shall implement research-based whole school reforms, using data from the school performance indicators (as described in section 109(b)(2)) and capacity evaluations (as described in section 109(b)(3)), to schools designated as needing whole school reform pursuant to section 111. Such reforms-- (1) shall address the comprehensive aspects of high school reform, such as-- (A) attendance; (B) student engagement, behavior, and effort; (C) academic success; and (D) teacher and administrator skill and collaboration; (2) shall address resource allocation, including-- (A) student supports; (B) teacher and staff support; (C) materials and equipment; (D) time for collaboration; and (E) the use of data; (3) shall be designed to address-- (A) the multiple layers of school improvement demonstrated by research and best practice; (B) schoolwide needs; (C) students who need targeted assistance; and (D) students who need intensive interventions; (4) shall include activities that serve to-- (A) personalize the school experience, increase student engagement, attendance, and effort, and enable schools to provide the level and intensity of student support needed, by creating constructs, such as-- (i) smaller schools or smaller units within schools with their own leadership, such as 9th grade transition programs or academies, and upper grade programs or academies, including career academies; (ii) thematic small-learning communities; (iii) teams of teachers who work exclusively with small groups of students; or (iv) using extended periods, such as block scheduling, to reduce the number of students for whom teachers are responsible and the number of courses students are taking at any one time; (B) improve curriculum and instruction, such as-- (i) implementing a college- and work-ready curriculum for all students; (ii) adopting well-designed curriculum and instructional materials aligned to high academic standards for all students, including students with diverse learning needs; (iii) offering extended learning opportunities, both in school and through after-school and summer programs; (iv) emphasizing intensive core academic preparation and college and work-ready skills development; (v) increasing rigor through advanced placement courses, international baccalaureate courses, dual enrollment, and early college high schools opportunities; (vi) creating contextual learning opportunities aligned with college and work readiness, such as through a high- quality career and technical education (as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)) option for upper grades; (vii) collecting and using comprehensive data, including formative assessments; (viii) offering mentoring and tutoring; and (ix) implementing pedagogies that actively engage students in the learning process; (C) increase teacher and principal effectiveness through activities such as-- (i) providing teacher and administrator supports and research-based, ongoing professional development tied to needs identified in the school improvement plan; (ii) providing regular opportunities for teachers of core academic subjects to-- (I) meet together in both subject area and interdisciplinary groups; (II) review student achievement data; and (III) plan instruction; (iii) implementing a schoolwide literacy or mathematics plan that may include hiring literacy or mathematics coaches; and (iv) developing administrator learning networks and supports; (D) increase student supports, such as-- (i) student advisories; (ii) 9th grade transition programs; (iii) credit completion recovery programs; (iv) additional counselors, social workers, and mental and behavioral health service providers; (v) student advocates; (vi) strengthening involvement of parents in the academic life of students; (vii) school-family-community partnerships; (viii) wraparound social services; (ix) before and after school programs; or (x) additional supports for students with diverse learning needs, including students with disabilities and English language learners; (E) improve middle schools within a local educational agency whose students go on to attend such high schools and establish an early indicator warning system consisting of factors used to identify students who are struggling academically and have poor attendance records or have been suspended in or before the middle grades or are likely to struggle in high school or not to graduate and provide supports to get them back on track; and (F) provide the local educational agency or high school with flexible budget and hiring authority where needed to implement improvements; and (5) may include other activities designed to address whole school needs, such as implementing a comprehensive reform model. (d) Replacement.--The local educational agency or the State educational agency, with assistance from technical assistance providers, shall replace high schools, using data from the school performance indicators and high school capacity and needs assessment (described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 109(b), respectively) designated as needing replacement pursuant to section 111. Replacement shall be implemented-- (1) by replacing such schools with 1 or more new small schools using effective school models with evidence of success with students with similar academic challenges and outcomes to those attending the school being replaced; (2) by reopening such schools after combining the assignment of a new administrative team that has the authority to select a new teaching staff with the use of research-based strategies through-- [[Page 9631]] (A) the implementation of a whole school reform model with evidence of success with students with similar academic outcomes to those attending the school being replaced; and (B) increasing learning time; (3) by closing such schools and reassigning the students to high schools that have made adequate yearly progress for the past 2 years; or (4) by otherwise replacing such schools. SEC. 113. EVALUATION AND REPORTING. (a) Local Educational Agency Reporting.--On an annual basis, each local educational agency receiving funds under this title shall report to the State educational agency and to the public on-- (1) the designated category of school improvement for each high school served by the local educational agency under this title; (2) the school performance indicators (as described in section 109(b)(2)) for each school served under this title, in the aggregate and disaggregated by the subgroups described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II)); (3) progress in meeting the benchmarks for each high school served pursuant to this title; and (4) the use of funds by the local educational agency and each such school. (b) State Educational Agency Reporting.--On an annual basis, each State educational agency receiving funds under this title shall report to the Secretary and to the public on-- (1) the school performance indicators (as described in section 109(b)(2)), in the aggregate and disaggregated by the subgroups described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II)); (2) progress in meeting the benchmarks for each high school served pursuant to this title; (3) the high schools that have changed school improvement categories in accordance with section 111(h); and (4) the use of funds by each local educational agency and each school served with such funds. (c) Report to Congress.--Every 2 years, the Secretary shall report to Congress and to the public-- (1) a summary of the State reports; and (2) on the use of funds by each State under this title. SEC. 114. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the activities authorized under this title, $2,400,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years. TITLE II--DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE SCHOOL MODELS SEC. 201. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) Findings.--The Senate finds the following: (1) With close to a third of our Nation's high school students failing to graduate in 4 years, and another third graduating without the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in college or the workplace, new models of high school are clearly needed, especially for struggling students who are not on track to a high school diploma. (2) Researchers have identified leading indicators that, taken together, are as much as 85 percent predictive of which 9th graders will not graduate from high school 4 years later. (3) In the 2000 high schools nationwide with estimated 4- year graduation rates of 60 percent or lower, 80 percent of the 9th graders are significantly behind in skills or credits. By a conservative estimate, this adds up to not fewer than 500,000 students who are not on track to graduation. (4) Poor outcomes for struggling students are endemic in cities, towns, and rural areas across the country. Graduation rates for students who are not on-track to an on-time graduation in ninth grade are as low as 20 percent. (5) Schools designed to accelerate students' learning and get them on track to a college-ready diploma make a difference. The Early College High School Initiative has started 130 schools serving approximately 16,000 students in 23 States. Early results indicate that in the first programs to graduate students, over 95 percent earned a high school diploma, over 57 percent earned an associate's degree, and over 80 percent were accepted at a 4-year college (6) Most States and districts have limited capacity to expand and spread proven practices and models for improving graduation rates within a high standards environment. (7) The Nation's young people understand the value of education and will persist, often against considerable odds, to further their education. From 1980 to 2002, a period of time with no discernible increase in the country's graduation rates, the percentage of 10th graders aspiring to a bachelor's degree or higher increased from 40 percent to 80 percent, with the largest increase among low-income youth. (8) Young people who fall behind and drop out of high school often report that they regret leaving and wish they had been encouraged and supported to work harder while they were in school. Many persevere despite a lack of school options or pathways designed to help them succeed. Close to 60 percent of dropouts eventually earn a high school credential--in most cases a GED certificate. Almost half of these students--44 percent--later enroll in 2-year or 4-year colleges, but despite their efforts fewer than 10 percent earn a postsecondary degree. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are-- (1) to facilitate the development and implementation of effective secondary school models for struggling students and dropouts; and (2) to build the capacity of State educational agencies, local educational agencies, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education to implement effective secondary school models for struggling students and dropouts. SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS. In this title: (1) Dropout.--The term ``dropout'' means an individual who-- (A) is not older than 21; (B)(i) is not attending any school; or (ii) prior to attending a school based on an effective school model, was not attending any school; and (C) has not received a secondary school regular diploma or its recognized equivalent. (2) Effective school model.--The term ``effective school model'' means-- (A) an existing secondary school model with demonstrated effectiveness in improving student academic achievement and outcomes for struggling students or dropouts; or (B) a proposed new secondary school model design that is based on research-based organizational and instructional practices for improving student academic achievement and outcomes for struggling students or dropouts. (3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means-- (A) a local educational agency, nonprofit organization, or institution of higher education-- (i) that proposes to enhance or expand an existing effective school model for struggling students or dropouts; or (ii) that has a track record of serving struggling students or dropouts and proposes to develop a new effective school model for struggling students or dropouts; or (B) a partnership involving 2 or more entities described in subparagraph (A). (4) Struggling student.--The term ``struggling student''-- (A) means a high school-aged student who is not making sufficient progress toward graduating from secondary school with a regular diploma in the standard number of years; and (B) includes a student who-- (i) has been retained in grade level; (ii) is under-credited, defined as a high school student who lacks either the necessary credits or courses, as determined by the relevant local educational agency and State educational agency, to graduate from secondary school with a regular diploma in the standard number of years; or (iii) is a late entrant English language learner, defined as a high school student who-- (I) enters a school served by a local educational agency at grade 9 or higher; and (II) is identified by the local educational agency as being limited English proficient and as having experienced interrupted formal education. SEC. 203. GRANTS AUTHORIZED. (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to develop and implement, or replicate, effective school models for struggling students and dropouts. (b) Period of Grant.--A grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of 3 years. SEC. 204. APPLICATION. (a) In General.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this title shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (b) Contents.--Each application submitted under this section shall include a description of-- (1) how the eligible entity will carry out the mandatory activities under section 206(a); (2) the research or evidence concerning the effective school model that the eligible entity proposes to develop and implement or replicate, including-- (A) for an existing effective school model described in section 203(2)(A), the evidence that the model has improved academic outcomes for struggling students or dropouts; or (B) for a proposed effective school model described in section 203(2)(B), the research that supports the key organizational and instructional practices of the proposed effective school model; (3) the eligible entity's school design elements and principles that will be used in the effective school model, including-- (A) the academic program; (B) the instructional practices; (C) the methods of assessment; and (D) student supports and services, such as those provided by the school or offered by other organizations and agencies in the community, to support positive student academic achievement and outcomes; [[Page 9632]] (4) how the eligible entity will use student data from the local educational agency or State educational agency-- (A) to demonstrate the need for and projected benefits of the effective school model; and (B) in the implementation of the model, in order to improve academic outcomes for struggling students or dropouts; (5) for each school in which the eligible entity implements or replicates an effective school model under this title, how the eligibility entity will sustain the implementation or replication of the effective school model, including the financing mechanism to be used; (6) how the eligible entity will collect data and information to assess the performance of the effective school model and will make necessary adjustments to ensure continuous and substantial improvement in student academic achievement and outcomes; and (7) how the eligible entity will make the performance data available to State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools serving struggling students or dropouts. SEC. 205. SECRETARIAL PEER REVIEW AND APPROVAL. The Secretary shall-- (1) establish a peer-review process to assist in the review and approval of applications submitted by eligible entities under section 204; and (2) appoint individuals to the peer-review process who are experts in high school reform, dropout prevention and recovery, new school development for struggling students and dropouts, and adolescent and academic development. SEC. 206. USE OF FUNDS. (a) Mandatory Use of Funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this title shall use grant funds to-- (1) enhance and expand, or replicate, an existing effective school model described in section 202(2)(A), or develop a proposed effective school model described in section 202(2)(B), for struggling students and dropouts; (2) assess the progress of the implementation or replication of the effective school model and make necessary adjustments to ensure continuous improvement; (3) provide opportunities for professional development associated with the continuous improvement and implementation or replication of the effective school model; (4) collect data and information on the school model's effectiveness in improving student academic achievement and outcomes for struggling students and dropouts and disseminate such data and information to State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools; and (5) build the capacity of the eligible entity to-- (A) sustain the implementation or replication of the effective school model assisted under paragraph (1) after the grant period has ended; and (B) replicate the effective school model. (b) Optional Use of Funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this title may use grant funds to-- (1) identify and create partnerships needed to improve the academic achievement and outcomes of the students attending a school assisted under this title; (2) support family and community engagement in the effective school model; and (3) carry out any additional activities that the Secretary determines are within the purposes described in section 201. SEC. 207. EVALUATION AND REPORTING. (a) Contents of Report.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this title shall annually report to the Secretary on-- (1) the data and information being gathered to assess the effective school model's effectiveness in improving student academic achievement and outcomes for struggling students and dropouts; (2) the implementation status of the models, any barriers to implementation, and actions taken to overcome the barriers; (3) any professional development activities to build the capacity of-- (A) the eligible entity to sustain or replicate the effective school model; or (B) the staff of a school assisted under this title to implement or improve the effective school model; (4) the progress made in improving student academic achievement and outcomes in the effective school models for struggling students and dropouts; and (5) the use of grant funds by the eligible entity. (b) Independent Evaluations.--The Secretary shall reserve not more than $5,000,000 to carry out an independent evaluation of the grant program under this title and the progress of the eligible entities receiving grants under this title. SEC. 208. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years. TITLE III--STRENGTHENING STATE POLICIES SEC. 301. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) Findings.--The Senate finds the following: (1) Frontrunner States have begun to move more aggressively on the dual challenge of raising high school graduation rates while also raising the standards to the level of a college and work-ready diploma. (2) Seven States are publically reporting 4-year cohort graduation rates and 20 States plan to publically report by 2008. (3) Thirteen States now require students to take a college- and work-ready course of study to earn a diploma, up from just 3 in 2006. Another 16 States report that they plan to raise requirements during 2007. (4) States that act aggressively to raise graduation rates without conceding ground on academic proficiency are gaining traction in such cutting- edge policy areas as: dual enrollment to support early college high schools that lead to high school diplomas and 2 years of postsecondary credit; expanding high school accountability to include indicators to reward schools for keeping struggling students in school and on track to proficiency; the development of new secondary educational options, including both small school models and recovery or alternative models for struggling students and dropouts. (5) Even frontrunner States have not yet adopted a comprehensive set of policies to support high standards and high graduation rates. They lack the supports and resources to track implementation of the policies they have put in place or to partner with districts to build further capacity to carry out evidence-based practices and programming. (6) Past Federal educational initiatives have been effective in supporting and accelerating bolder, more strategic action with positive results, for example the National Science Foundation State Systemic Initiative. (7) Supporting frontrunner States to become laboratories of innovation and models for other States will accelerate the number of young people graduating from high schools across the Nation who are college and career ready. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are to-- (1) provide incentives for States to strengthen and develop new State policies in order to substantially raise the graduation rate in the State while ensuring rigorous secondary education content standards and assessments; and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of such changes to the State policies. SEC. 302. SYSTEMIC INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE. (a) Grant Program Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to States that meet the requirements of section 303 to enable such States to design and align State policies in order to act as laboratories of innovation by reducing barriers and creating incentives to improve outcomes for high school students. (b) Number of Grants; Duration.-- (1) Number of grants.--For each of the first 3 consecutive years of the grant program under this title, the Secretary shall award 4 or more grants under this title, except that the Secretary shall award a total of not more than 20 grants under this title for all 3 such years. (2) Duration of grant.--Each grant awarded under this title shall be for a period of 5 years. SEC. 303. ELIGIBLE STATE. To be eligible to receive a grant under this title, a State shall comply with each of the following: (1) The State shall receive a grant under title I and carry out the activities required under such title. (2) The State shall have implemented, or be in the process of developing, a statewide longitudinal data system with individual student identifiers. (3) The Governor of the State and any individual, entity, or agency designated under section 304(a) by the Governor shall regularly consult with each other and with the State board of education, the State educational agency, the head of the State higher education entity, the head of career and technical education in the State, and other agencies as appropriate, regarding carrying out the activities required under this title. (4) The State shall meet any additional criteria determined by the Secretary to be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title. SEC. 304. APPLICATION. (a) In General.--If a State desires a grant under this title, the Governor of the State, or an individual, entity, or agency designated by the Governor, shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (b) Contents.--Each application submitted under this section shall include the following: (1) A description of the State's plan to conduct the policy gap and impact analysis described in section 305(1). (2) A description of the State's plan for using the findings of the policy gap and impact analysis to strengthen the policies of the State in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act. (3) A description of how the State will ensure that the State elementary and secondary education content standards and academic assessments described in section 1111(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)) are aligned to college and work readiness. [[Page 9633]] (4) A description of how the State will ensure that all students have access to a college preparatory curriculum. (5) A plan to ensure the statewide longitudinal student data system, other statewide data systems, and data protocols are designed and implemented in such a way that allows for data interoperability and portability across local educational agencies and among pre-kindergarten through grade 12 systems, institutions of higher education, and systems that identify whether students enter the Armed Forces. (6) A plan to grant additional flexibility and autonomy to schools and local educational agencies working to increase the graduation rates and college readiness of secondary school students. (7) A plan to stimulate the development of multiple pathways and expanded educational options to help secondary students, including struggling students and dropouts, attain a secondary school diploma that prepares the student with the necessary skills to succeed in higher education and work. (8) An assurance that the following stakeholders are committed to achieving the goals and objectives set forth in the grant application: (A) The Governor of the State. (B) The chief executive officer of the State higher education coordinating board. (C) The chief State school officer. (D) The head of the State Board of Education. (E) The head of career and technical education in the State. (F) Other agency heads, as determined appropriate by the Governor and the individuals, entities, and agencies involved in the consultation under section 303(3). SEC. 305. USE OF FUNDS. A State receiving a grant under this title shall carry out the following: (1) Conduct, or enter into a contract with a third party to conduct, a policy gap and impact analysis to determine how to strengthen the policies of the State in order to substantially raise the graduation rate in the State while ensuring rigorous secondary education content standards and assessments. Such analysis shall-- (A) examine the policies of the State, and of the local educational agencies within the State, affecting-- (i) school funding; (ii) data capacity; (iii) accountability systems; (iv) interventions in high-priority secondary schools; (v) new school development; and (vi) the dissemination and implementation of effective local school improvement activities throughout the State; and (B) provide recommendations regarding how the State can strengthen the policies of the State to substantially raise the graduation rate in the State while ensuring rigorous postsecondary and work-ready academic standards, including recommendations on-- (i) innovative finance models, such as weighted student funding; (ii) data capacity that enables longitudinal and cross- sectoral analysis of State education and other systems, such as juvenile justice, social services, and early childhood; (iii) improving a differentiated system of supports, sanctions, and interventions for high-priority high schools; (iv) the development of additional secondary educational options, including both the development of small school models and recovery or alternative models for struggling students and dropouts; (v) additional accountability measures in the State accountability system; (vi) dual student enrollment in secondary schools and institutions of higher education; and (vii) the development of school-family-community partnerships to improve student achievement. (2) Implement or enact-- (A) the changes to the policies of the State recommended by the policy gap and impact analysis under paragraph (1)(B); and (B) any additional changes to the policies of the State necessary to enable the State to carry out all of the plans described in the application under subsection (b). (3) Develop a system to-- (A) measure how the changes to the policies of the State carried out under this title improve student outcomes at the State and local levels; and (B) adjust the policies of the State accordingly in order to achieve the desired policy targets and student outcomes at the State and local levels. (4) Devote resources to ensure the sustainability of the activities carried out under this title and the long-term success of the secondary schools within the State. SEC. 306. EVALUATION AND REPORTING. (a) Evaluation and Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the period of the grant, each State receiving a grant under this title shall-- (1) conduct an evaluation of the State's progress regarding the impact of the changes made to the policies of the State in accordance with this title, on substantially raising the graduation rate in the State while ensuring rigorous postsecondary and work-ready academic standards, including-- (A) a description of the specific changes made, or in the process of being made, to policies as a result of the grant; (B) a discussion of any barriers hindering the identified changes in policies, and strategies to overcome such barriers; (C) evidence of the impact of changes to policies on desired behavior and actions at the local educational agency and school level; (D) after the first year of the grant period, a description of how the results of the previous year's evaluation were used to adjust policies of the State as necessary to achieve the purposes of this title; and (E) evidence of the impact of the changes to policies in accordance with this title on improving graduation rates or other measures, such as percent of students who are making sufficient progress toward graduating secondary school in the standard number of years; (2) use the results of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) to adjust the policies of the State as necessary to achieve the purposes of this title; and (3) submit the results of the evaluation to the Secretary. (b) Availability.--The Secretary shall make the results of each State's evaluation under subsection (a) available to other States and local educational agencies. SEC. 307. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and the 4 succeeding fiscal years. Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, while many measures are being taken at the Federal, State and local levels to improve student achievement in America, our high school students are still being left behind. High school students continue to lag in both math and reading. In 12th grade, less than a quarter of students scored proficient or better on the math assessment, and only 35 percent were proficient or better on the reading assessment. Furthermore, Federal funding is not currently going to the high schools that are in the most need. The main source of Federal funds is through the title I program. Yet only 8 percent of students who benefit from these funds are in high school. Ninety percent of high schools with very low graduation rates have many low-income students. The statistics on high school graduation rates are staggering. About 1,000 high schools across the country only graduate half their students, and only about 70 percent of high school students graduate on time. Among African Americans and Latinos, only 55 percent graduate on time. It is clear that high schools need more assistance in supporting and retaining students. The continued partnership between local, State and the Federal Government is essential in improving secondary education in America. That is why the Graduation Promise Act provides the necessary funding to improve the capacity of low-performing high schools, decrease dropout rates and increase student achievement. The act speaks directly to the root of the problem, providing support to high schools and middle schools to both assist and retain students who may have fallen between the cracks. The Graduation Promise Act would make great strides in helping high school students achieve to their fullest potential. The act would provide $2.5 billion to build capacity for secondary school improvement, and at the same time provide States and local school districts with the resources to ensure high schools with the greatest challenges receive the support they need to implement research-based interventions. Research shows that we can identify students who are most at-risk for not completing high school as early as sixth grade. With early intervention, quality teachers, small classes, and data-driven instruction we can ensure that these students make progress, stay in school and succeed. The act assists these efforts by supporting the development and dissemination of highly effective secondary school models for students most at risk of being left behind. It would also strengthen state improvement systems to identify, differentiate among, and target the level of reform and resources necessary to improve low-performing high schools, while ensuring transparency and accountability. Finally, the act would support states' continuing efforts to align State policies [[Page 9634]] and systems to meet the goal of college and career-ready graduation for all students. Bringing our schools into the 21st century is the ultimate goal of this important piece of legislation. Local schools, States and the Federal Government must continue to work together to modernize the practices and models that are being used to ensure success from all of our high school students. Updating the system for the current times is a difficult process, but with the assistance of the Graduation Promise Act, all high school students can be given the tools necessary to succeed both in school and beyond. I thank my colleagues, Senator Bingaman and Senator Burr, for their good work on this initiative and their leadership on this issue. I look forward to working with them on this and many other important issues as we move forward with the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Act. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. ______ By Mr. FEINGOLD: S. 1186. A bill to amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions of budget authority; to the Committee on the Budget. Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I am delighted to join my colleague in the other body, Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, in introducing the Congressional Accountability and Line-Item Veto Act of 2007. Congressman Ryan and I belong to different political parties, and differ on many important issues. But we do share at least two things in common--our hometown of Janesville, WI, and an abiding respect for Wisconsin's tradition of fiscal responsibility. The measure we are each introducing today would grant the President specific authority to rescind or cancel congressional earmarks, including earmarked spending, tax breaks, and tariff benefits. This new authority would sunset at the end of 2012, ensuring that Congress will have a chance to review its use under two different Administrations before considering whether or not to extend it. While not a true line- item veto bill, our measure provides for fast-track consideration of the President's proposed cancellation of earmarks. Thus, unlike current law, it ensures that for the specific category of congressional earmarks, the President will get an up or down vote on his proposed cancellations. There have been a number of so-called line-item veto proposals offered in the past several years. But the measure Congressman Ryan and I propose today is unique in that it specifically targets the very items that every line-item veto proponent cites when promoting a particular measure, namely earmarks. When President Bush asked for this kind of authority, the examples he gave when citing wasteful spending he wanted to target were congressional earmarks. When Members of the House or Senate tout a new line-item veto authority to go after government waste, the examples they give are congressional earmarks. When editorial pages argue for a new line-item veto, they, too, cite congressional earmarks as the reason for granting the President this new authority. That is exactly what our bill does. It provides the President with new expedited rescission authority--what has been commonly referred to as a line-item veto--to cancel congressional earmarks. The definitions of earmarks that we use are the very definitions upon which each house has agreed in passing legislation earlier this year. Unauthorized congressional earmarks are a growing problem. By one estimate, in 2004 alone more than $50 billion in earmarks were passed. There is no excuse for a system that allows that kind of wasteful spending year after year, and while I have opposed granting the President line-item veto authority to effectively reshape programs like Medicare and Medicaid, for this specific category, I support giving the President this additional tool. Under our proposal, wasteful spending doesn't have anywhere to hide. It's out in the open, so that both Congress and the President have a chance to get rid of wasteful projects before they would become law. The taxpayers--who pay the price for these projects--deserve a process that shows some real fiscal discipline, and that's what we are trying to get at with this legislation. I ask unanimous consent that the text of this legislation 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. 1186 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 ``Congressional Accountability and Line-Item Veto Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. LEGISLATIVE LINE ITEM VETO. (a) In General.--Title X of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) is amended by striking all of part B (except for sections 1016 and 1013, which are redesignated as sections 1019 and 1020, respectively) and part C and inserting the following: ``Part B--Legislative Line-Item Veto ``LINE ITEM VETO AUTHORITY ``Sec. 1011. (a) Proposed Cancellations.--Within 30 calendar days after the enactment of any bill or joint resolution containing any congressional earmark or providing any limited tariff benefit or targeted tax benefit, the President may propose, in the manner provided in subsection (b), the repeal of the congressional earmark or the cancellation of any limited tariff benefit or targeted tax benefit. If the 30 calendar-day period expires during a period where either House of Congress stands adjourned sine die at the end of Congress or for a period greater than 30 calendar days, the President may propose a cancellation under this section and transmit a special message under subsection (b) on the first calendar day of session following such a period of adjournment. ``(b) Transmittal of Special Message.-- ``(1) Special message.-- ``(A) In general.--The President may transmit to the Congress a special message proposing to repeal any congressional earmarks or to cancel any limited tariff benefits or targeted tax benefits. ``(B) Contents of special message.--Each special message shall specify, with respect to the congressional earmarks, limited tariff benefits, or targeted tax benefits to be repealed or canceled-- ``(i) the congressional earmark that the President proposes to repeal or the limited tariff benefit or the targeted tax benefit that the President proposes be canceled; ``(ii) the specific project or governmental functions involved; ``(iii) the reasons why such congressional earmark should be repealed or such limited tariff benefit or targeted tax benefit should be canceled; ``(iv) to the maximum extent practicable, the estimated fiscal, economic, and budgetary effect (including the effect on outlays and receipts in each fiscal year) of the proposed repeal or cancellation; ``(v) to the maximum extent practicable, all facts, circumstances, and considerations relating to or bearing upon the proposed repeal or cancellation and the decision to propose the repeal or cancellation, and the estimated effect of the proposed repeal or cancellation upon the objects, purposes, or programs for which the congressional earmark, limited tariff benefit, or the targeted tax benefit is provided; ``(vi) a numbered list of repeals and cancellations to be included in an approval bill that, if enacted, would repeal congressional earmarks and cancel limited tariff benefits or targeted tax benefits proposed in that special message; and ``(vii) if the special message is transmitted subsequent to or at the same time as another special message, a detailed explanation why the proposed repeals or cancellations are not substantially similar to any other proposed repeal or cancellation in such other message. ``(C) Duplicative proposals prohibited.--The President may not propose to repeal or cancel the same or substantially similar congressional earmark, limited tariff benefit, or targeted tax benefit more than one time under this Act. ``(D) Maximum number of special messages.--The President may not transmit to the Congress more than one special message under this subsection related to any bill or joint resolution described in subsection (a), but may transmit not more than 2 special messages for any omnibus budget reconciliation or appropriation measure. ``(2) Enactment of approval bill.-- ``(A) Deficit reduction.--Congressional earmarks, limited tariff benefits, or targeted tax benefits which are repealed or canceled pursuant to enactment of a bill as provided under this section shall be dedicated only to reducing the deficit or increasing the surplus. ``(B) Adjustment of levels in the concurrent resolution on the budget.--Not later [[Page 9635]] than 5 days after the date of enactment of an approval bill as provided under this section, the chairs of the Committees on the Budget of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall revise allocations and aggregates and other appropriate levels under the appropriate concurrent resolution on the budget to reflect the repeal or cancellation, and the applicable committees shall report revised suballocations pursuant to section 302(b), as appropriate. ``(C) Adjustments to statutory limits.--After enactment of an approval bill as provided under this section, the Office of Management and Budget shall revise applicable limits under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as appropriate. ``(D) Trust funds and special funds.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), nothing in this part shall be construed to require or allow the deposit of amounts derived from a trust fund or special fund which are canceled pursuant to enactment of a bill as provided under this section to any other fund. ``PROCEDURES FOR EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION ``Sec. 1012. (a) Expedited Consideration.-- ``(1) In general.--The majority leader or minority leader of each House or his designee shall (by request) introduce an approval bill as defined in section 1017 not later than the third day of session of that House after the date of receipt of a special message transmitted to the Congress under section 1011(b). If the bill is not introduced as provided in the preceding sentence in either House, then, on the fourth day of session of that House after the date of receipt of the special message, any Member of that House may introduce the bill. ``(2) Consideration in the house of representatives.-- ``(A) Referral and reporting.--Any committee of the House of Representatives to which an approval bill is referred shall report it to the House without amendment not later than the seventh legislative day after the date of its introduction. If a committee fails to report the bill within that period or the House has adopted a concurrent resolution providing for adjournment sine die at the end of a Congress, such committee shall be automatically discharged from further consideration of the bill and it shall be placed on the appropriate calendar. ``(B) Proceeding to consideration.--After an approval bill is reported by or discharged from committee or the House has adopted a concurrent resolution providing for adjournment sine die at the end of a Congress, it shall be in order to move to proceed to consider the approval bill in the House. Such a motion shall be in order only at a time designated by the Speaker in the legislative schedule within two legislative days after the day on which the proponent announces his intention to offer the motion. Such a motion shall not be in order after the House has disposed of a motion to proceed with respect to that special message. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is disposed of shall not be in order. ``(C) Consideration.--The approval bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against an approval bill and against its consideration are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on an approval bill to its passage without intervening motion except five hours of debate equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent and one motion to limit debate on the bill. A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the bill shall not be in order. ``(D) Senate bill.--An approval bill received from the Senate shall not be referred to committee. ``(3) Consideration in the senate.-- ``(A) Referral and reporting.--Any committee of the Senate to which an approval bill is referred shall report it to the Senate without amendment not later than the seventh legislative day after the date of its introduction. If a committee fails to report the bill within that period or the Senate has adopted a concurrent resolution providing for adjournment sine die at the end of a Congress, such committee shall be automatically discharged from further consideration of the bill and it shall be placed on the appropriate calendar. ``(B) Motion to proceed to consideration.--After an approval bill is reported by or discharged from committee or the Senate has adopted a concurrent resolution providing for adjournment sine die at the end of a Congress, it shall be in order to move to proceed to consider the approval bill in the Senate. A motion to proceed to the consideration of a bill under this subsection in the Senate shall not be debatable. It shall not be in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion to proceed is agreed to or disagreed to. ``(C) Limits on debate.--Debate in the Senate on a bill under this subsection, and all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith (including debate pursuant to subparagraph (D)), shall not exceed 10 hours, equally divided and controlled in the usual form. ``(D) Appeals.--Debate in the Senate on any debatable motion or appeal in connection with a bill under this subsection shall be limited to not more than 1 hour, to be equally divided and controlled in the usual form. ``(E) Motion to limit debate.--A motion in the Senate to further limit debate on a bill under this subsection is not debatable. ``(F) Motion to recommit.--A motion to recommit a bill under this subsection is not in order. ``(G) Consideration of the house bill.-- ``(i) In general.--If the Senate has received the House companion bill to the bill introduced in the Senate prior to a vote under subparagraph (C), then the Senate may consider, and the vote under subparagraph (C) may occur on, the House companion bill. ``(ii) Procedure after vote on senate bill.--If the Senate votes, pursuant to subparagraph (C), on the bill introduced in the Senate, then immediately following that vote, or upon receipt of the House companion bill, the House bill shall be deemed to be considered, read the third time, and the vote on passage of the Senate bill shall be considered to be the vote on the bill received from the House. ``(b) Amendments Prohibited.--No amendment to, or motion to strike a provision from, a bill considered under this section shall be in order in either the Senate or the House of Representatives. ``PRESIDENTIAL DEFERRAL AUTHORITY ``Sec. 1013. (a) Temporary Presidential Authority To Withhold Congressional Earmarks.-- ``(1) In general.--At the same time as the President transmits to the Congress a special message pursuant to section 1011(b), the President may direct that any congressional earmark to be repealed in that special message shall not be made available for obligation for a period of 45 calendar days of continuous session of the Congress after the date on which the President transmits the special message to the Congress. ``(2) Early availability.--The President shall make any congressional earmark deferred pursuant to paragraph (1) available at a time earlier than the time specified by the President if the President determines that continuation of the deferral would not further the purposes of this Act. ``(b) Temporary Presidential Authority To Suspend a Limited Tariff Benefit.-- ``(1) In general.--At the same time as the President transmits to the Congress a special message pursuant to section 1011(b), the President may suspend the implementation of any limited tariff benefit proposed to be canceled in that special message for a period of 45 calendar days of continuous session of the Congress after the date on which the President transmits the special message to the Congress. ``(2) Early availability.--The President shall terminate the suspension of any limited tariff benefit at a time earlier than the time specified by the President if the President determines that continuation of the suspension would not further the purposes of this Act. ``(c) Temporary Presidential Authority To Suspend a Targeted Tax Benefit.-- ``(1) In general.--At the same time as the President transmits to the Congress a special message pursuant to section 1011(b), the President may suspend the implementation of any targeted tax benefit proposed to be repealed in that special message for a period of 45 calendar days of continuous session of the Congress after the date on which the President transmits the special message to the Congress. ``(2) Early availability.--The President shall terminate the suspension of any targeted tax benefit at a time earlier than the time specified by the President if the President determines that continuation of the suspension would not further the purposes of this Act. ``IDENTIFICATION OF TARGETED TAX BENEFITS ``Sec. 1014. (a) Statement.--The chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate acting jointly (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the `chairmen') shall review any revenue or reconciliation bill or joint resolution which includes any amendment to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is being prepared for filing by a committee of conference of the two Houses, and shall identify whether such bill or joint resolution contains any targeted tax benefits. The chairmen shall provide to the committee of conference a statement identifying any such targeted tax benefits or declaring that the bill or joint resolution does not contain any targeted tax benefits. Any such statement shall be made available to any Member of Congress by the chairmen immediately upon request. ``(b) Statement Included in Legislation.-- ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other rule of the House of Representatives or any rule or precedent of the Senate, any revenue or reconciliation bill or joint resolution which includes any amendment to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 reported by a committee of conference of the two Houses may include, as a separate section of such bill or joint resolution, the information contained in the statement of the chairmen, but only in the manner set forth in paragraph (2). [[Page 9636]] ``(2) Applicability.--The separate section permitted under subparagraph (A) shall read as follows: `Section 1021 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 shall ______ apply to ________.', with the blank spaces being filled in with-- ``(A) in any case in which the chairmen identify targeted tax benefits in the statement required under subsection (a), the word `only' in the first blank space and a list of all of the specific provisions of the bill or joint resolution in the second blank space; or ``(B) in any case in which the chairmen declare that there are no targeted tax benefits in the statement required under subsection (a), the word `not' in the first blank space and the phrase `any provision of this Act' in the second blank space. ``(c) Identification in Revenue Estimate.--With respect to any revenue or reconciliation bill or joint resolution with respect to which the chairmen provide a statement under subsection (a), the Joint Committee on Taxation shall-- ``(1) in the case of a statement described in subsection (b)(2)(A), list the targeted tax benefits in any revenue estimate prepared by the Joint Committee on Taxation for any conference report which accompanies such bill or joint resolution, or ``(2) in the case of a statement described in 13 subsection (b)(2)(B), indicate in such revenue estimate that no provision in such bill or joint resolution has been identified as a targeted tax benefit. ``(d) President's Authority.--If any revenue or reconciliation bill or joint resolution is signed into law-- ``(1) with a separate section described in subsection (b)(2), then the President may use the authority granted in this section only with respect to any targeted tax benefit in that law, if any, identified in such separate section; or ``(2) without a separate section described in subsection (b)(2), then the President may use the authority granted in this section with respect to any targeted tax benefit in that law. ``TREATMENT OF CANCELLATIONS ``Sec. 1015. The repeal of any congressional earmark or cancellation of any limited tariff benefit or targeted tax benefit shall take effect only upon enactment of the applicable approval bill. If an approval bill is not enacted into law before the end of the applicable period under section 1013, then all proposed repeals and cancellations contained in that bill shall be null and void and any such congressional earmark, limited tariff benefit, or targeted tax benefit shall be effective as of the original date provided in the law to which the proposed repeals or cancellations applied. ``REPORTS BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL ``Sec. 1016. With respect to each special message under this part, the Comptroller General shall issue to the Congress a report determining whether any congressional earmark is not repealed or limited tariff benefit or targeted tax benefit continues to be suspended after the deferral authority set forth in section 1013 of the President has expired. ``DEFINITIONS ``Sec. 1017. As used in this part: ``(1) Appropriation law.--The term `appropriation law' means an Act referred to in section 105 of title 1, United States Code, including any general or special appropriation Act, or any Act making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing appropriations, that has been signed into law pursuant to Article I, section 7, of the Constitution of the United States. ``(2) Approval bill.--The term `approval bill' means a bill or joint resolution which only approves proposed repeals of congressional earmarks or cancellations of limited tariff benefits or targeted tax benefits in a special message transmitted by the President under this part and-- ``(A) the title of which is as follows: `A bill approving the proposed repeals and cancellations transmitted by the President on ___', the blank space being filled in with the date of transmission of the relevant special message and the public law number to which the message relates; ``(B) which does not have a preamble; and ``(C) which provides only the following after the enacting clause: `That the Congress approves of proposed repeals and cancellations ___', the blank space being filled in with a list of the repeals and cancellations contained in the President's special message, `as transmitted by the President in a special message on ____', the blank space being filled in with the appropriate date, `regarding ____.', the blank space being filled in with the public law number to which the special message relates; ``(D) which only includes proposed repeals and cancellations that are estimated by CBO to meet the definition of congressional earmark or limited tariff benefits, or that are identified as targeted tax benefits pursuant to section 1014; and ``(E) if no CBO estimate is available, then the entire list of legislative provisions proposed by the President is inserted in the second blank space in subparagraph (C). ``(3) Calendar day.--The term `calendar day' means a standard 24-hour period beginning at midnight. ``(4) Cancel or cancellation.--The terms `cancel' or `cancellation' means to prevent-- ``(A) a limited tariff benefit from having legal force or effect, and to make any necessary, conforming statutory change to ensure that such limited tariff benefit is not implemented; or ``(B) a targeted tax benefit from having legal force or effect, and to make any necessary, conforming statutory change to ensure that such targeted tax benefit is not implemented and that any budgetary resources are appropriately canceled. ``(5) CBO.--The term `CBO' means the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. ``(6) Congressional earmark.--The term `congressional earmark' means a provision or report language included primarily at the request of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Senator providing, authorizing or recommending a specific amount of discretionary budget authority, credit authority, or other spending authority for a contract, loan, loan guarantee, grant, loan authority, or other expenditure with or to an entity, or targeted to a specific State, locality or Congressional district, other than through a statutory or administrative formula-driven or competitive award process. ``(7) Entity.--As used in paragraph (6), the term `entity' includes a private business, State, territory or locality, or Federal entity. ``(8) Limited tariff benefit.--The term `limited tariff benefit' means any provision of law that modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States in a manner that benefits 10 or fewer entities (as defined in paragraph (12)(B)). ``(9) OMB.--The term `OMB' means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. ``(10) Omnibus reconciliation or appropriation measure.-- The term `omnibus reconciliation or appropriation measure' means-- ``(A) in the case of a reconciliation bill, any such bill that is reported to its House by the Committee on the Budget; or ``(B) in the case of an appropriation measure, any such measure that provides appropriations for programs, projects, or activities falling within 2 or more section 302(b) suballocations. ``(11) Targeted tax benefit.--The term `targeted tax benefit' means-- ``(A) any revenue provision that-- ``(i) provides a Federal tax deduction, credit, exclusion, or preference to a particular beneficiary or limited group of beneficiaries under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and ``(ii) contains eligibility criteria that are not uniform in application with respect to potential beneficiaries of such provision; or ``(B) any Federal tax provision which provides one beneficiary temporary or permanent transition relief from a change to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. ``EXPIRATION ``Sec. 1018. This title shall have no force or effect on or after December 31, 2012''. SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. (a) Exercise of Rulemaking Powers.--Section 904 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 note) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``1017'' and inserting ``1012''; and (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``section 1017'' and inserting ``section 1012''. (b) Analysis by Congressional Budget Office.--Section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by inserting ``(a)'' after ``402.'' and by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(b) Upon the receipt of a special message under section 1011 proposing to repeal any congressional earmark, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall prepare an estimate of the savings in budget authority or outlays resulting from such proposed repeal relative to the most recent levels calculated consistent with the methodology used to calculate a baseline under section 257 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 and included with a budget submission under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, and transmit such estimate to the chairmen of the Committees on the Budget of the House of Representatives and Senate.''. (c) Clerical Amendments.--(1) Section 1(a) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by striking the last sentence. (2) Section 1022(c) of such Act (as redesignated) is amended is amended by striking ``rescinded or that is to be reserved'' and insert ``canceled'' and by striking ``1012'' and inserting ``1011''. (3) Table of Contents.--The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by deleting the contents for parts B and C of title X and inserting the following: ``Part B--Legislative Line-Item Veto ``Sec. 1011. Line item veto authority ``Sec. 1012. Procedures for expedited consideration ``Sec. 1013. Presidential deferral authority ``Sec. 1014. Identification of targeted tax benefits ``Sec. 1015. Treatment of cancellations ``Sec. 1016. Reports by comptroller general ``Sec. 1017. Definitions ``Sec. 1018. Expiration [[Page 9637]] ``Sec. 1019. Suits by Comptroller General ``Sec. 1020. Proposed Deferrals of budget authority''. (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of its enactment and apply only to any congressional earmark, limited tariff benefit, or targeted tax benefit provided in an Act enacted on or after the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ABUSE OF PROPOSED REPEALS AND CANCELLATIONS. It is the sense of Congress no President or any executive branch official should condition the inclusion or exclusion or threaten to condition the inclusion or exclusion of any proposed repeal or cancellation in any special message under this section upon any vote cast or to be cast by any Member of either House of Congress. ______ By Mr. PRYOR (for himself and Mrs. Lincoln): S. 1189. A bill to designate the Federal building and United States Courthouse located at 100 East 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the ``George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse''; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the life and achievements of Arkansas native George Howard, Jr., who died Saturday, April 21, 2007 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, AR. Howard, a remarkable lawyer and civil-rights leader, was Arkansas's first black Federal judge. I am pleased to honor his legacy today by introducing legislation to designate the Pine Bluff Federal building and courthouse the ``George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' Judge Howard will be remembered for a number of remarkable professional accomplishments. He was named by President Carter to a lifetime appointment as U.S. District Court Judge for Arkansas's Eastern and Western districts in 1980. Prior to taking office as a Federal judge, Mr. Howard worked as an attorney in private practice and served as President of the State Council of Branches of the NAACP. He graduated from law school at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1954. Though not the first black student to graduate from the U of A law school, he was one of the earliest and was the first black student to live in campus housing. Judge Howard also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His hard work, dedication to his country and profession, and historic contribution to the State of Arkansas should be celebrated and remembered. For this reason, I urge the Senate to adopt this legislation honoring Judge George Howard, Jr. ____________________ SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS ______ SENATE RESOLUTION 165--RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF REPRESENTATIVE JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD, OF CALIFORNIA Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Allard, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Biden, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mr. Brown, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Burr, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, Mr. Chambliss, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coleman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Corker, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Craig, Mr. Crapo, Mr. DeMint, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Graham, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Hatch, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Lott, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Martinez, Mr. McCain, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mr. Obama, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Specter, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Sununu, Mr. Tester, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Thune, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Warner, Mr. Webb, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 165 Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, late a Representative from the State of California. Resolved, That the Secretary communicate these resolutions to the House of Representatives and transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the deceased. Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns or recesses today, it stand adjourned or recessed as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Representative. ____________________ SENATE RESOLUTION 166--COMMEMORATING THE LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT OF THE REVEREND LEON H. SULLIVAN Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. Specter) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 166 Whereas, the late Reverend Leon H. Sullivan dedicated his life to alleviating the plight of the poor and the disadvantaged in America and worldwide; Whereas, Reverend Sullivan received numerous honors and awards during his lifetime, including recognition by LIFE magazine in 1963 as one of the 100 outstanding young adults in America, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights in 1999; Whereas, having dedicated 37 years of his ministerial vocation to the historic Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Reverend Sullivan's leadership and innovation led to the creation of one of the largest congregations in the Nation during his time; Whereas, in 1966, as part of his 10-36 Plan to encourage individuals to invest in the economic future of their communities, Reverend Sullivan founded the Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trusts and the Progress Investment Associates, through which numerous economic development and social services programs have been developed and funded; Whereas, in 1963, in response to a lack of job opportunities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Reverend Sullivan led more than 400 ministers in a successful boycott that opened up more than 4,000 jobs for African-Americans; Whereas, Reverend Sullivan met the need for job training by establishing the Opportunities Industrialization Center, which has grown to more than 75 training centers throughout the Nation; Whereas, recognizing the need to take his struggle to alleviate the plight of the poor abroad, in 1969 Reverend Sullivan established Opportunities Industrialization Centers International, which has grown to more than 40 centers in 16 African nations, Poland, and the Philippines; Whereas, when Reverend Sullivan saw the need to create a broader array of programs in Africa, he established the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help, which has conducted numerous initiatives, including Schools for Africa, fellowship programs, and innovative teacher and banker training programs since 1988; Whereas, in 2001, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation was established posthumously to support Reverend Sullivan's life's mission through the work of his many established organizations; Whereas, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation presents the biennial Leon H. Sullivan Summits in Africa, which have provided a forum for leaders of African nations together with more than 18,000 African-Americans and Friends of Africa to interact with their counterparts and produce programs to meet the needs of the poor and disadvantaged in African nations; Whereas, in 1977, Reverend Sullivan helped to promulgate the Sullivan Principles, a code of conduct for human rights and equal opportunity for companies operating in South Africa, and the Sullivan Principles helped end apartheid in South Africa; Whereas, Reverend Sullivan expanded on the Sullivan Principles in 1999, by creating the Global Sullivan Principles, which encourage corporate social responsibility and promote global human rights and political, economic, and social justice; Whereas, more than 250 governments, corporations, and universities on 5 continents have endorsed the Global Sullivan Principles since their initiation; Whereas, 10 African heads of state endorsed the Global Sullivan Principles at the Leon H. Sullivan Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, in July 2006; Whereas, plans for the 8th Leon H. Sullivan Summit in Tanzania in 2008 include broader regional endorsement of the Global [[Page 9638]] Sullivan Principles among African nations: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) commemorates the life of the Reverend Leon H. Sullivan; (2) salutes the positive impact of the Reverend Sullivan's achievements domestically and internationally; and (3) encourages the continued pursuit of Reverend Sullivan's mission to help the poor and disenfranchised around the world. ____________________ AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND PROPOSED SA 903. Mr. GRASSLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table. SA 904. Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself and Mr. Alexander) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 761, supra. SA 905. Mr. OBAMA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. SA 906. Mr. INOUYE (for himself and Mr. Stevens) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 761, supra. SA 907. Mr. OBAMA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. SA 908. Mr. BINGAMAN proposed an amendment to the bill S. 761, supra. SA 909. Mr. GREGG submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. SA 910. Mr. GREGG submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. SA 911. Ms. SNOWE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 761, supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. SA 912. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. ____________________ TEXT OF AMENDMENTS SA 903. Mr. GRASSLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. __. H-1B VISA EMPLOYER FEE. Section 214(c)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(9)(B)) is amended by striking ``$1,500'' and inserting ``$2,000''. ______ SA 904. Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself and Mr. Alexander) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; as follows: On page 44, beginning with line 16 strike through line 2 on page 45. On page 45, line 3, strike ``(d)'' and insert ``(c)''. On page 47, line 8, strike ``(e)'' and insert ``(d)''. On page 47, line 21, strike ``(f)'' and insert ``(e)''. ______ SA 905. Mr. OBAMA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: On page 78, strike line 21 and insert the following: ``(D) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2011. ``CHAPTER 6--ADMINISTRATION ``SEC. 3195. MENTORING PROGRAM. ``(a) In General.--As part of the programs established under chapters 1, 3, and 4, the Director shall establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering by pairing those women and minorities who are in programs of study at specialty schools for mathematics and science, Centers of Excellence, and summer institutes established under chapters 1, 3, and 4, respectively. ``(b) Program Evaluation.--The Secretary shall annually-- ``(1) use metrics to evaluate the success of the programs established under subsection (a); and ``(2) submit to Congress a report that describes the results of each evaluation.''. ______ SA 906. Mr. INOUYE (for himself and Mr. Stevens) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; as follows: On page 5, beginning on line 13, strike ``science and technology'' and insert ``science, technology, engineering, and mathematics''. On page 25, line 5, strike ``education'' and insert ``education, consistent with the agency mission, including authorized activities''. Strike from line 16 on page 44 through line 2 on page 45. On page 45, line 3, strike ``(d)'' and insert ``(c)''. On page 47, line 8, strike ``through the end of line 20. On page 47, line 21, strike ``(f)'' and insert ``(d)''. On page 49, between lines 17 and 18, insert the following: SEC. 1503. NOAA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION. (a) Participation in Interagency Activities.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be a full participant in any interagency effort to promote innovation and economic competitiveness through near-term and long-term basic scientific research and development and the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, consistent with the agency mission, including authorized activities. (b) Historic Foundation.--In order to carry out the participation described in subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall build on the historic role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in stimulating excellence in the advancement of ocean and atmospheric science and engineering disciplines and in providing opportunities and incentives for the pursuit of academic studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. On page 170, strike lines 20 through 23 and insert the following: (1) $6,729,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2) $7,738,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; (3) $8,899,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and (4) $10,234,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. On page 172, line 19, strike ``Foundation, for each of the fiscal years 2008'' and insert the following: ``Foundation, for fiscal year 2008, $1,050,000,000, and, for each of the fiscal years 2009''. On page 172, line 25, strike ``2007'' and insert ``2008''. On page 173, line 5, strike ``5-year'' and insert ``4- year''. On page 173, line 21, strike ``an additional 250'' and insert ``additional''. On page 174, line 5, strike ``5-year'' and insert ``4- year''. On page 174, line 17, strike ``an additional 250'' and insert ``additional''. On page 183, line 4, strike ``restrict or bias'' and insert ``inhibit''. On page 183, line 5, strike ``against'' and insert ``for''. On page 184, beginning on line 2, strike ``1862g), for each of fiscal years 2008'' and insert the following: ``1862g), for fiscal year 2008, $125,000,000, and, for each of fiscal years 2009''. On page 184, line 8, strike ``2007'' and insert ``2008''. ______ SA 907. Mr. OBAMA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: After section 4005, insert the following: SEC. 4005A. CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION PROGRAM. (a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science Foundation hall establish a Climate Change Education Program to-- (1) broaden the understanding of human induced climate change, possible long and short-term consequences, and potential solutions; (2) apply the latest scientific and technological discoveries to provide formal and informal learning opportunities to people of all ages, including those of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds; and (3) emphasize actionable information to help people understand and to promote implementation of new technologies, programs, and incentives related to energy conservation, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas reduction. (b) Program Elements.--The Climate Change Education Program shall include-- (1) a national information campaign to disseminate information on and promote implementation of the new technologies, programs, and incentives described in subsection (a)(3); and (2) a competitive grant program to provide grants to States, local municipalities, educational institutions, and other organizations to-- (A) create informal education materials, exhibits, and multimedia presentations relevant to climate change and climate science; (B) develop climate science kindergarten through grade 12 curriculum and supplementary educational materials; or (C) publish climate change and climate science information in print, electronic, and audio-visual forms. [[Page 9639]] (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall transmit to Congress a report that evaluates the scientific merits, educational effectiveness, and broader impacts of activities under this section. ______ SA 908. Mr. BINGAMAN proposed an amendment to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; as follows: On page 55, lines 21 and 22, strike ``engineering)'' and insert ``engineering and technology)''. On page 56, line 8, after ``engineering'' insert ``and technology''. On page 56, line 24, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, engineering, and technology''. On page 59, line 6, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and, to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 59, line 15, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 60, line 6, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 60, line 10, before ``that'' insert ``in mathematics, science, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 61, lines 8 and 9, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and, to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 62, line 14, strike ``mathematics or science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, or engineering''. On page 65, lines 16 and 17, strike ``MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE'' and insert ``MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERING''. On page 65, line 19, strike ``MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE'' and insert ``MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERING''. On page 66, lines 8 and 9, strike ``Mathematics and Science'' and insert ``Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering''. On page 67, line 9, strike ``Mathematics and Science'' and insert ``Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Engineering''. On page 67, lines 16 and 17, strike ``math and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and technology''. On page 68, lines 21 and 22, strike ``mathematics or science (including engineering)'' and insert ``mathematics, science, or engineering''. On page 69, lines 4 and 5, strike ``mathematics or science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, or technology''. Beginning on page 69, line 25 through page 70, line 1, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 70, lines 10 and 11, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 71, line 7, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 71, line 10, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 71, line 18, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and, to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 72, line 23, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. On page 73, lines 18 and 19, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering''. On page 73, lines 23 and 24, strike ``mathematics and science'' and insert ``mathematics, science, technology, and engineering''. ______ SA 909. Mr. GREGG submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. __. IMMIGRANT VISA REFORM. (a) Worldwide Level of Immigrants With Advanced Degrees.-- Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)(3), by inserting ``and immigrants with advanced degrees'' after ``diversity immigrants''; and (2) by amending subsection (e) to read as follows: ``(e) Worldwide Level of Diversity Immigrants and Immigrants With Advanced Degrees.-- ``(1) Diversity immigrants.--The worldwide level of diversity immigrants described in section 203(c)(1) is equal to 18,333 for each fiscal year. ``(2) Immigrants with advanced degrees.--The worldwide level of immigrants with advanced degrees described in section 203(c)(2) is equal to 36,667 for each fiscal year.''. (b) Immigrants With Advanced Degrees.--Section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(c)) is amended-- (1) in subsection (c)-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (2), aliens subject to the worldwide level specified in section 201(e)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3), aliens subject to the worldwide level specified in section 201(e)(1)''; (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: ``(2) Aliens who hold an advanced degree in science, mathematics, technology, or engineering.-- ``(A) In general.--Qualified immigrants who hold a master's or doctorate degree in the life sciences, the physical sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering shall be allotted visas each fiscal year in a number not to exceed the worldwide level specified in section 201(e)(2). ``(B) Economic considerations.--Beginning on the date which is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Labor, and after notice and public hearing, shall determine which of the degrees described in subparagraph (A) will provide immigrants with the knowledge and skills that are most needed to meet anticipated workforce needs and protect the economic security of the United States.''; (D) in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking ``this subsection'' each place it appears and inserting ``paragraph (1)''; and (E) by amending paragraph (4), as redesignated, to read as follows: ``(4) Maintenance of information.-- ``(A) Diversity immigrants.--The Secretary of State shall maintain information on the age, occupation, education level, and other relevant characteristics of immigrants issued visas under paragraph (1). ``(B) Immigrants with advanced degrees.--The Secretary of State shall maintain information on the age, degree (including field of study), occupation, work experience, and other relevant characteristics of immigrants issued visas under paragraph (2).''; and (2) in subsection (e)-- (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(c)'' and inserting ``(c)(1)''; (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: ``(3) Immigrant visas made available under subsection (c)(2) shall be issued as follows: ``(A) If the Secretary of State has not made a determination under subsection (c)(2)(B), immigrant visas shall be issued in a strictly random order established by the Secretary for the fiscal year involved. ``(B) If the Secretary of State has made a determination under subsection (c)(2)(B) and the number of eligible qualified immigrants who have a degree selected under such subsection and apply for an immigrant visa described in subsection (c)(2) is greater than the worldwide level specified in section 201(e)(2), the Secretary shall issue immigrant visas only to such immigrants and in a strictly random order established by the Secretary for the fiscal year involved. ``(C) If the Secretary of State has made a determination under subsection (c)(2)(B) and the number of eligible qualified immigrants who have degrees selected under such subsection and apply for an immigrant visa described in subsection (c)(2) is not greater than the worldwide level specified in section 201(e)(2), the Secretary shall-- ``(i) issue immigrant visas to eligible qualified immigrants with degrees selected in subsection (c)(2)(B); and ``(ii) issue any immigrant visas remaining thereafter to other eligible qualified immigrants with degrees described in subsection (c)(2)(A) in a strictly random order established by the Secretary for the fiscal year involved.''. (c) Advanced Degree and Diversity Visa Carryover.--Section 204(a)(1)(I)(ii)(II) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(I)(ii)(II)) is amended to read as follows: ``(II) An immigrant visa made available under subsection 203(c) for fiscal year 2007 or any subsequent fiscal year may be issued, or adjustment of status under section 245(a) may be granted, to an eligible qualified alien who has properly applied for such visa or adjustment of status in the fiscal year for which the alien was selected notwithstanding the end of such fiscal year. Such visa or adjustment of status shall be counted against the worldwide levels set forth in section 201(e) for the fiscal year for which the alien was selected.''. (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on October 1, 2007. ______ SA 910. Mr. GREGG submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in [[Page 9640]] the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. __. MARKET-BASED VISA LIMITS. Section 214(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``(beginning with fiscal year 1992)''; and (B) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) in clause (vi) by striking ``and''; (ii) in clause (vii), by striking ``each succeeding fiscal year; or'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007;''; and (iii) by adding after clause (vii) the following: ``(viii) 150,000 for fiscal year 2008; and ``(ix) the number calculated under paragraph (9) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2008; or''; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (9), (10), and (11) as paragraphs (10), (11), and (12), respectively; and (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following: ``(9) If the numerical limitation in paragraph (1)(A)-- ``(A) is reached during the previous fiscal year, the numerical limitation under paragraph (1)(A)(ix) for the subsequent fiscal year shall be equal to 120 percent of the numerical limitation of the previous fiscal year; or ``(B) is not reached during the previous fiscal year, the numerical limitation under paragraph (1)(A)(ix) for the subsequent fiscal year shall be equal to the numerical limitation of the previous fiscal year.''. ______ SA 911. Ms. SNOWE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. __. TRADE COMPLAINT AND LITIGATION ACCOUNTABILITY IMPROVEMENT. (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Trade Complaint and Litigation Accountability Improvement Measures Act'' or the ``Trade CLAIM Act''. (b) Review of Determinations of the United States Trade Representative by the Court of International Trade.--Section 1581 of title 28, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (i)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``subsections (a)-(h) of this section'' and inserting ``subsections (a) through (h) and subsection (k),''; and (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``subsections (a)-(h) of this section'' and inserting ``subsections (a) through (h) and subsection (k)''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(k) The Court of International Trade shall have exclusive jurisdiction of any civil action commenced by a petitioner requesting that the United States Trade Representative take action under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411) to review de novo any determination, finding, or action of the United States Trade Representative under section 301(a), 302(a)(2), 304(a)(1), 305(a)(2)(A)(ii), 306(b), or 307(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411(a), 2412(a)(2), 2414(a)(1), 2415(a)(2)(A)(ii), 2416(b), and 2417(a)(1)).''. (c) Consideration by the United States Trade Representative of Petitions to Enforce United States Trade Rights.-- (1) Actions by united states trade representative.--Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411) is amended-- (A) in subsection (a)-- (i) in the flush text at the end of paragraph (1), by striking ``of this section, subject to the specific direction, if any, of the President regarding any such action,''; and (ii) in paragraph (2)-- (I) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``in any case in which'' and inserting ``if''; (II) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), by striking ``or'' at the end; and (III) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: ``(B) the foreign country has-- ``(i) agreed to imminently eliminate the act, policy, or practice; or ``(ii) agreed to a solution to imminently relieve the burden or restriction on United States commerce resulting from the act, policy, or practice; ``(C) the Trade Representative determines that it is impossible for the foreign country to achieve the results described in subparagraph (B), and the foreign country agrees to provide to the United States compensatory trade benefits that are equivalent in value to the burden or restriction on United States commerce resulting from the acts, policy, or practice; ``(D) in extraordinary cases, the Trade Representative determines that taking action under this subsection would have an adverse impact on the United States economy that is substantially out of proportion to the benefits of such action, taking into account the impact of not taking such action on the credibility of the provisions of this chapter; or ``(E) the Trade Representative determines that taking action under this subsection would cause serious harm to the national security of the United States.''; and (B) in subsection (c)(1)(D)-- (i) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the following: ``(i) imminently eliminate the act, policy, or practice that is the subject of the action to be taken under subsection (a) or (b); ``(ii) imminently relieve the burden or restriction on United States commerce resulting from the act, policy, or practice; or''; and (ii) in clause (iii), by amending subclause (I) to read as follows: ``(I) are equivalent in value to the burden or restriction on United States commerce resulting from the act, policy, or practice; and''. (2) Initiation of investigations.--Section 302 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2412) is amended-- (A) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting ``based on whether the petitioner has alleged facts that, if assumed to be true, would meet the criteria described in section 301(a)(1)'' before the period at the end; and (B) in subsection (c), by striking ``(a) or''. (3) Consultations.--Section 303 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2413) is amended-- (A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``mutually acceptable resolution'' and inserting ``resolution acceptable to the Trade Representative, the foreign country, and the petitioner (if any)''; and (B) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ``after consulting with'' and inserting ``with the consent of''. (4) Implementation of actions.--Section 305(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2415(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``, subject to the specific direction, if any, of the President regarding any such action, by no'' and inserting ``by not''. (5) Monitoring of foreign compliance.--Section 306(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2416(b)) is amended-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the Trade Representative considers'' and inserting ``the Trade Representative or the petitioner (if any) considers''; and (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``the Trade Representative considers'' and inserting ``the Trade Representative or the petitioner (if any) considers''. (6) Modification and termination of action.--Section 307(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2417(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``, subject to the specific direction, if any, of the President with respect to such action,''. ______ SA 912. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of division C, insert the following: TITLE V--STUDY ABROAD SEC. 3501. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007''. SEC. 3502. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) According to President George W. Bush, ``America's leadership and national security rest on our commitment to educate and prepare our youth for active engagement in the international community.''. (2) According to former President William J. Clinton, ``Today, the defense of United States interests, the effective management of global issues, and even an understanding of our Nation's diversity require ever-greater contact with, and understanding of, people and cultures beyond our borders.''. (3) Congress authorized the establishment of the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program pursuant to section 104 of the Miscellaneous Appropriations and Offsets Act, 2004 (division H of Public Law 108-199). Pursuant to its mandate, the Commission has submitted to Congress and the President a report of its recommendations for greatly expanding the opportunity for students at institutions of higher education in the United States to study abroad, with special emphasis on studying in developing nations. (4) Studies consistently show that United States students score below their counterparts in other advanced countries on indicators of international knowledge. This lack of global literacy is a national liability in an age of global trade and business, global interdependence, and global terror. (5) By numbers ranging from 77 to more than 90 percent, Americans believe that it is important for their children to learn other languages, study abroad, attend a college where they can interact with international students, learn about other countries and cultures, and generally be prepared for the global age, according to a December 2005 national survey commissioned by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. (6) In today's world, it is more important than ever for the United States to be a responsible, constructive leader that other [[Page 9641]] countries are willing to follow. Such leadership cannot be sustained without an informed citizenry with much more knowledge and awareness of the world than most Americans currently possess. (7) Study abroad has proven to be a very effective means of imparting international and foreign-language competency to students. (8) In any given year, only approximately one percent of all students enrolled in United States institutions of higher education study abroad. (9) Less than 10 percent of the students who graduate from United States institutions of higher education with bachelors degrees have studied abroad. (10) Far more study abroad must take place in the developing countries. Ninety-five percent of the world's population growth over the next 50 years will occur outside of Europe. Yet in the academic year 2004-2005, 60 percent of United States students studying abroad studied in Europe, and 45 percent studied in four countries--the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France--according to the Institute of International Education. (11) The Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (The 9/11 Commission Report) recommended that the United States increase support for ``scholarship, exchange, and library programs''. The 9/11 Public Discourse Project, successor to the 9/11 Commission, noted in its November 14, 2005, status report that this recommendation was ``unfulfilled,'' and stated that ``The U.S. should increase support for scholarship and exchange programs, our most powerful tool to shape attitudes over the course of a generation.''. In its December 5, 2005, Final Report on the 9/11 Commission Recommendations, the 9/11 Public Discourse Project gave the government a grade of ``D'' for its implementation of this recommendation. (12) Investing in a national study abroad program would help turn a grade of ``D'' into an ``A'' by equipping United States students to communicate United States values and way of life through the unique dialogue that takes place among citizens from around the world when individuals study abroad. SEC. 3503. PURPOSES. The purposes of this title are-- (1) to significantly enhance the global competitiveness and international knowledge base of the United States by ensuring that more students in United States institutions of higher education have the opportunity to acquire foreign language skills and international knowledge through significantly expanded study abroad; (2) to enhance the foreign policy capacity of the United States by significantly expanding and diversifying the talent pool of individuals with non-traditional foreign language skills and cultural knowledge in the United States who are available for recruitment by United States foreign affairs agencies, legislative branch agencies, and nongovernmental organizations involved in foreign affairs activities; (3) to ensure that an increasing portion of study abroad by United States students will take place in nontraditional study abroad destinations such as the People's Republic of China, countries of the Middle East region, and developing countries; and (4) to create greater cultural understanding of the United States by exposing foreign students and their families to American students in countries that have not traditionally hosted large numbers of American students. SEC. 3504. DEFINITIONS. In this title: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means-- (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. (2) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board of Directors of the Foundation established pursuant to section 3505(d). (3) Chief executive officer.--The term ``Chief Executive Officer'' means the chief executive officer of the Foundation appointed pursuant to section 3505(c). (4) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation established by section 3505(a). (5) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (6) Nontraditional study abroad destination.--The term ``nontraditional study abroad destination'' means a location that is determined by the Foundation to be a less common destination for United States students who study abroad. (7) Study abroad.--The term ``study abroad'' means an educational program of study, work, research, internship, or combination thereof that is conducted outside the United States and that carries academic credit toward fulfilling the participating student's degree requirements. SEC. 3505. ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SENATOR PAUL SIMON STUDY ABROAD FOUNDATION. (a) Establishment.-- (1) In general.--There is established in the executive branch a corporation to be known as the ``Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation'' that shall be responsible for carrying out this title under the authorities of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 196l (22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.). The Foundation shall be a government corporation, as defined in section 103 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Board of directors.--The Foundation shall be governed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Secretary of State in accordance with subsection (d). (3) Intent of congress.--It is the intent of Congress in establishing the structure of the Foundation set forth in this subsection to create an entity that will administer a study abroad program that-- (A) serves the long-term foreign policy and national security needs of the United States; but (B) operates independently of short-term political and foreign policy considerations. (b) Mandate of Foundation.--In administering the program referred to in subsection (a)(3), the Foundation shall-- (1) promote the objectives and purposes of this title; (2) through responsive, flexible grant-making, promote access by students at diverse institutions of higher education, including two-year institutions, minority-serving institutions, and institutions that serve nontraditional students; (3) through creative grant-making, promote access by diverse students, including minority students, students of limited financial means, and nontraditional students; (4) raise funds from the private sector to supplement funds made available under this title; and (5) be committed to minimizing administrative costs and to maximizing the availability of funds for grants under this title. (c) Chief Executive Officer.-- (1) In general.--There shall be in the Foundation a Chief Executive Officer who shall be responsible for the management of the Foundation. (2) Appointment.--The Chief Executive Officer shall be appointed by the Board and shall be a recognized leader in higher education, business, or foreign policy, chosen on the basis of a rigorous search. (3) Relationship to board.--The Chief Executive Officer shall report to and be under the direct authority of the Board. (4) Compensation and rank.-- (A) In general.--The Chief Executive Officer shall be compensated at the rate provided for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, and shall have the equivalent rank of Deputy Secretary. (B) Amendment.--Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Chief Executive Officer, Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation.''. (5) Authorities and duties.--The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the management of the Foundation and shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the Foundation. (6) Authority to appoint officers.--In consultation and with approval of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall appoint all officers of the Foundation. (d) Board of Directors.-- (1) Establishment.--There shall be in the Foundation a Board of Directors. (2) Duties.--The Board shall perform the functions specified to be carried out by the Board in this title and may prescribe, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing the manner in which the business of the Foundation may be conducted and in which the powers granted to it by law may be exercised. (3) Membership.--The Board shall consist of-- (A) the Secretary of State (or the Secretary's designee), the Secretary of Education (or the Secretary's designee), the Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary's designee), and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (or the Administrator's designee); and (B) five other individuals with relevant experience in matters relating to study abroad (such as individuals who represent institutions of higher education, business organizations, foreign policy organizations, or other relevant organizations) who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, of which-- (i) one individual shall be appointed from among a list of individuals submitted by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (ii) one individual shall be appointed from among a list of individuals submitted by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (iii) one individual shall be appointed from among a list of individuals submitted by the majority leader of the Senate; and (iv) one individual shall be appointed from among a list of individuals submitted by the minority leader of the Senate. (4) Chief executive officer.--The Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation shall [[Page 9642]] serve as a nonvoting, ex officio member of the Board. (5) Terms.-- (A) Officers of the federal government.--Each member of the Board described in paragraph (3)(A) shall serve for a term that is concurrent with the term of service of the individual's position as an officer within the other Federal department or agency. (B) Other members.--Each member of the Board described in paragraph (3)(B) shall be appointed for a term of 3 years and may be reappointed for a term of an additional 3 years. (C) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Board shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (6) Chairperson.--There shall be a Chairperson of the Board. The Secretary of State shall serve as the Chairperson. (7) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Board described in paragraph (3) shall constitute a quorum, which, except with respect to a meeting of the Board during the 135- day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, shall include at least one member of the Board described in paragraph (3)(B). (8) Meetings.--The Board shall meet at the call of the Chairperson. (9) Compensation.-- (A) Officers of the federal government.-- (i) In general.--A member of the Board described in paragraph (3)(A) may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of the member's service on the Board. (ii) Travel expenses.--Each such member of the Board shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (B) Other members.-- (i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), a member of the Board described in paragraph (3)(B)-- (I) shall be paid compensation out of funds made available for the purposes of this title at the daily equivalent of the highest rate payable under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the actual performance of duties as a member of the Board; and (II) while away from the member's home or regular place of business on necessary travel in the actual performance of duties as a member of the Board, shall be paid per diem, travel, and transportation expenses in the same manner as is provided under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (ii) Limitation.--A member of the Board may not be paid compensation under clause (i)(II) for more than 90 days in any calendar year. SEC. 3506. ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF PROGRAM. (a) Establishment of the Program.--There is hereby established a program, which shall-- (1) be administered by the Foundation; and (2) award grants to-- (A) individuals for study abroad; (B) nongovernmental institutions that provide and promote study abroad opportunities, in consortium with institutions described in subparagraph (C); and (C) institutions of higher education, individually or in consortium, in order to accomplish the objectives set forth in subsection (b). (b) Objectives.--The objectives of the program established under subsection (a) are that, within 10 years of the date of the enactment of this Act-- (1) not less than one million undergraduate students in United States institutions of higher education will study abroad annually for credit; (2) the demographics of study-abroad participation will reflect the demographics of the United States undergraduate population; and (3) an increasing portion of study abroad will take place in nontraditional study abroad destinations, with a substantial portion of such increases taking place in developing countries. (c) Mandate of the Program.--In order to accomplish the objectives set forth in subsection (b), the Foundation shall, in administering the program established under subsection (a), take fully into account the recommendations of the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program (established pursuant to section 104 of the Miscellaneous Appropriations and Offsets Act, 2004 (division H of Public Law 108-199)). (d) Structure of Grants.--In accordance with the recommendations of the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program, grants awarded under the program established under subsection (a) shall be structured to the maximum extent practicable to promote appropriate reforms in institutions of higher education in order to remove barriers to participation by students in study abroad. (e) Balance of Long-Term and Short-Term Study Abroad Programs.--In administering the program established under subsection (a), the Foundation shall seek an appropriate balance between-- (1) longer-term study abroad programs, which maximize foreign-language learning and intercultural understanding; and (2) shorter-term study abroad programs, which maximize the accessibility of study abroad to nontraditional students. SEC. 3507. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than March 31, 2008, and each March 31 thereafter, the Foundation shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this Act during the prior fiscal year. SEC. 3508. POWERS OF THE FOUNDATION; RELATED PROVISIONS. (a) Powers.--The Foundation-- (1) shall have perpetual succession unless dissolved by a law enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act; (2) may adopt, alter, and use a seal, which shall be judicially noticed; (3) may make and perform such contracts, grants, and other agreements with any person or government however designated and wherever situated, as may be necessary for carrying out the functions of the Foundation; (4) may determine and prescribe the manner in which its obligations shall be incurred and its expenses allowed and paid, including expenses for representation; (5) may lease, purchase, or otherwise acquire, improve, and use such real property wherever situated, as may be necessary for carrying out the functions of the Foundation; (6) may accept cash gifts or donations of services or of property (real, personal, or mixed), tangible or intangible, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title; (7) may use the United States mails in the same manner and on the same conditions as the executive departments; (8) may contract with individuals for personal services, who shall not be considered Federal employees for any provision of law administered by the Office of Personnel Management; (9) may hire or obtain passenger motor vehicles; and (10) shall have such other powers as may be necessary and incident to carrying out this title. (b) Principal Office.--The Foundation shall maintain its principal office in the metropolitan area of Washington, District of Columbia. (c) Applicability of Government Corporation Control Act.-- (1) In general.--The Foundation shall be subject to chapter 91 of subtitle VI of title 31, United States Code, except that the Foundation shall not be authorized to issue obligations or offer obligations to the public. (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 9101(3) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(R) the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation.''. (d) Inspector General.-- (1) In general.--The Inspector General of the Department of State shall serve as Inspector General of the Foundation, and, in acting in such capacity, may conduct reviews, investigations, and inspections of all aspects of the operations and activities of the Foundation. (2) Authority of the board.--In carrying out the responsibilities under this subsection, the Inspector General shall report to and be under the general supervision of the Board. (3) Reimbursement and authorization of services.-- (A) Reimbursement.--The Foundation shall reimburse the Department of State for all expenses incurred by the Inspector General in connection with the Inspector General's responsibilities under this subsection. (B) Authorization for services.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated under section 10(a) for a fiscal year, up to $2,000,000 is authorized to be made available to the Inspector General of the Department of State to conduct reviews, investigations, and inspections of operations and activities of the Foundation. SEC. 3509. GENERAL PERSONNEL AUTHORITIES. (a) Detail of Personnel.--Upon request of the Chief Executive Officer, the head of an agency may detail any employee of such agency to the Foundation on a reimbursable basis. Any employee so detailed remains, for the purpose of preserving such employee's allowances, privileges, rights, seniority, and other benefits, an employee of the agency from which detailed. (b) Reemployment Rights.-- (1) In general.--An employee of an agency who is serving under a career or career conditional appointment (or the equivalent), and who, with the consent of the head of such agency, transfers to the Foundation, is entitled to be reemployed in such employee's former position or a position of like seniority, status, and pay in such agency, if such employee-- (A) is separated from the Foundation for any reason, other than misconduct, neglect of duty, or malfeasance; and (B) applies for reemployment not later than 90 days after the date of separation from the Foundation. [[Page 9643]] (2) Specific rights.--An employee who satisfies paragraph (1) is entitled to be reemployed (in accordance with such paragraph) within 30 days after applying for reemployment and, on reemployment, is entitled to at least the rate of basic pay to which such employee would have been entitled had such employee never transferred. (c) Hiring Authority.--Of persons employed by the Foundation, not to exceed 30 persons may be appointed, compensated, or removed without regard to the civil service laws and regulations. (d) Basic Pay.--The Chief Executive Officer may fix the rate of basic pay of employees of the Foundation without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 of title 5, United States Code (relating to the classification of positions), subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title (relating to General Schedule pay rates), except that no employee of the Foundation may receive a rate of basic pay that exceeds the rate for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of such title. (e) Definitions.--In this section-- (1) the term ``agency'' means an executive agency, as defined by section 105 of title 5, United States Code; and (2) the term ``detail'' means the assignment or loan of an employee, without a change of position, from the agency by which such employee is employed to the Foundation. SEC. 3510. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and each subsequent fiscal year. (b) Allocation of Funds.-- (1) In general.--The Foundation may allocate or transfer to any agency of the United States Government any of the funds available for carrying out this title. Such funds shall be available for obligation and expenditure for the purposes for which the funds were authorized, in accordance with authority granted in this title or under authority governing the activities of the United States Government agency to which such funds are allocated or transferred. (2) Notification.--The Foundation shall notify the appropriate congressional committees not less than 15 days prior to an allocation or transfer of funds pursuant to paragraph (1). ____________________ NOTICES OF HEARINGS/MEETINGS SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on Energy of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on May 1, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. in room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on S. 129, a bill to study and promote the use of energy- efficient computer servers in the United States; S. 838, a bill to authorize funding joint ventures between United States and Israeli businesses and academic persons; H.R. 85, a bill to provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies; and H.R. 1126, a bill to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to Amanda_K[email protected]. For further information, please contact Jonathan Epstein at (202) 224-3357 or Amanda Kelly at (202) 224-6836. SUBCOMMITTEE ON WATER AND POWER Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on Water and Power of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on May 2, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. in room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on S. 27, a bill to authorize the implementation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to Gina_W[email protected]. For further information, please contact Michael Connor at (202) 224- 5479 or Gina Weinstock at (202) 224-5684. subcommittee on public lands and forests Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. The hearing will be held on May 3, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 205 and H.R. 865, to grant rights-of-way for electric transmission lines over certain Native allotments in the State of Alaska; S. 390, to direct the exchange of certain land in Grand, San Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah; S. 647, to designate certain land in the State of Oregon as wilderness; S. 1139, to establish the National Landscape Conservation System; H.R. 276, to designate the Piedras Blancas Light Station and the surrounding public land as an Outstanding Natural Area to be administered as a part of the National Landscape Conservation System; and H.R. 356, to remove certain restrictions on the Mammoth Community Water District's ability to use certain property acquired by that District from the United States. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to [email protected] .gov. For further information, please contact David Brooks at (202) 224- 9863 or Rachel Pasternack at (202) 224-0883. ____________________ AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET committee on energy and natural resources Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to hold a hearing during the session of the Senate on Monday, April 23, 2007, at 3 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on S. 1115, a bill to promote the efficient use of oil, natural gas, and electricity, reduce oil consumption, and heighten energy efficiency standards for consumer products and industrial equipment, and for other purposes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. committee on homeland security and governmental affairs Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Monday, April 23, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. for a hearing titled ``Protecting College Campuses: Best Practices.'' The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Kusai Merchant, a fellow in my office, be granted floor privileges during the consideration of S. 761 and any votes thereon. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ UNANIMOUS-CONSENT AGREEMENT--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that at 12 noon tomorrow, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 76, the nomination of Halil Suleyman Ozerden to be a U.S. district judge; that there be 10 minutes for debate equally divided between the chairman and ranking member or their designees; that at the conclusion or yielding back of the time, the Senate proceed to vote on that nomination; that [[Page 9644]] the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate then return to legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF REPRESENTATIVE JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 165, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 165) relative to the death of Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald, of California. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to; that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 165) was agreed to, as follows: S. Res. 165 Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, late a Representative from the State of California. Resolved, That the Secretary communicate these resolutions to the House of Representatives and transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the deceased. Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns or recesses today, it stand adjourned or recessed as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Representative. ____________________ COMMEMORATING THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT OF THE REVEREND LEON H. SULLIVAN Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 166, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 166) commemorating the lifetime achievement of the Reverend Leon H. Sullivan. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. CASEY. Madam President, I rise today in support of a resolution honoring the lifetime achievement of the Reverend Leon H. Sullivan. My colleague from Pennsylvania, Senator Specter, has joined me as an original cosponsor of this resolution. Tomorrow marks the 6-year anniversary of the passing of one of America's great leaders. He was a man who changed the face of the world, a man of faith who achieved his mission in life through concrete action as well as his preaching. His family, friends, and colleagues appropriately refer to him as a ``giant among men''--a colossal force who helped overcome some of the greatest challenges of the 20th century. So I am honored to stand here today to acknowledge the extraordinary lifetime achievements of the late Reverend Leon H. Sullivan. Originally from West Virginia, Leon Sullivan grew up during the Great Depression while racial segregation still ruled the United States. He recalled it as a time when all of the White children walked down the left side of the street and all of the Black children walked on the right side of the street. It was a time when skin color often dictated one's place in society. When Reverend Sullivan was an 8-year-old, he was reprimanded for sitting at a drugstore counter and drinking a soda. A burly White man yelled at the young Leon: ``Stand on your own two feet, you can't sit here.'' When we think of Leon Sullivan today as a man, as a reverend, and as a leader, we think of his entire life, and his was a life of courage and compassion, a life of struggle and triumph, a life of faith and family--his own family and the human family--and, finally, his was a life for others and for God. When he was young and dealing with the kind of discrimination I just described, that kind of experience kindled a fire within his heart, and Leon Sullivan made the decision to commit his life to fighting segregation and injustice. Throughout his teenage years, he found inspiration in the founding documents of the United States. He understood that the principle of equality expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution transcends skin color. He repeatedly defied tradition and deliberately frequented restaurants, libraries, and shops where Blacks were not welcome, often reciting passages from the Declaration of Independence, fearlessly challenging racism and confronting prejudice where he found it. After graduating from high school, Leon Sullivan was awarded an athletic scholarship to West Virginia State College, where he played football and basketball and also enjoyed the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. After graduation, he was called to the ministry, a vocation that allowed him to address the religious needs of his people while continuing his fight against segregation and injustice. He moved first to Harlem, where he worked with the Reverend Adam Clayton Powell at the Abyssinian Baptist Church and attended Union Theological Seminary. He was offered a position in Philadelphia and soon emerged as a powerful source of inspiration as the pastor of the Zion Baptist Church, where he focused on the temporal as well as the spiritual well-being of his people. He once said: I felt that God did not just want people to have milk and honey in heaven . . . He wanted them to have some ham and eggs on earth. I believe that God just doesn't want you to go to the pearly gates. He wants you to have a better life on earth, and if you have a better life on earth and treat people right, you'll get to the pearly gates. As part of his ministerial role, Reverend Sullivan spoke eloquently about social justice, calling on people to ``help the little man and aid those who cannot survive on their own.'' For over a decade, he helped and counseled hundreds of parishioners and others, but his realization that racial segregation would prevent his vision from becoming a reality led him to join the civil rights moment. He was one of the first civil rights leaders to recognize how the economic power of his people could be harnessed to promote the cause of racial equality. He created the Selective Patronage Movement, through which 400 Black ministers in Philadelphia mobilized their parishioners to boycott businesses which practiced discrimination. Exercising economic power through the Selective Patronage Movement led to the opening of thousands of jobs in previously segregated companies in Philadelphia alone. These victories inspired Sullivan to create the Opportunities Industrial Utilization Center of America, the so-called OIC, which provided and still provides today comprehensive training so that motivated workers can be prepared to take advantage of opportunities opening up to them. As he said, ``Integration without preparation brings frustration.'' Originally based in Philadelphia, the OIC captured the attention of President Lyndon Johnson, who worked directly with Reverend Sullivan to improve the infrastructure and efficiency of the organization and ultimately bring it to the national stage. Today, OIC America has chapters in 30 States and has helped thousands of African Americans achieve success through its emphasis on self-reliance and self-improvement. The nationally recognized success of OIC led the chairman of General Motors to approach Reverend Sullivan about serving on the GM board of directors. The Reverend accepted the offer and served for over 20 years as the first African American on the GM board. His service to GM brought him face to face again with racism, this time in the international arena. Reverend Sullivan traveled to South Africa, where he was targeted as a troublesome visitor because of his meetings with anti- apartheid organizers. As he was leaving the country, he was stopped at the airport and strip-searched. Reverend Sullivan, the pastor of one of the largest [[Page 9645]] churches in the United States, a director of General Motors, stood there in his underwear and asked the White officials in charge why this was happening. The official said, ``I am doing to you what I have to do.'' Reverend Sullivan replied: ``When I get back, I am going to do to you what I have to do.'' What Leon Sullivan did was bring the economic power of corporate America on the heads of those who supported apartheid in South Africa. Under what came to be known as the Sullivan Principles, hundreds of multinational corporations publicly opposed racism and discrimination in South Africa. When the statement of principle failed to change the status quo fast enough, Reverend Sullivan raised the stakes. In his words: ``I threatened South Africa and said in 2 years Mandela must be freed, apartheid must end and blacks must vote or else I will bring every American company I can out of South Africa . . . '' His efforts eventually evolved into a full campaign of disinvestment by hundreds of companies and by institutional investors holding hundreds of billions of dollars in corporate stock. And it worked. Apartheid collapsed, and Nelson Mandela went from prisoner to head of state. Reverend Sullivan's work continued long after the end of apartheid. In 1999, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan invited him to deliver a speech at the United Nations, expanding his moral code of corporate social responsibility into the internally accepted Global Sullivan Principles. Beyond this, he led a campaign to rescue African children from the overall lack of schools, infrastructure, hospitals and security. Reverend Sullivan said of children: Children do not get here on their own . . . They didn't ask to be here . . . They didn't ask who their mothers or fathers would be or the situations in which they were born. So what society has to do is reach and get the most out of that child you can . . . What I and so many others admired most about the Reverend Leon Sullivan was his compassion for those truly in need. He called those of us who are able to stand on our own feet and improve ourselves, while always protecting the helpless. Now I stand in this Chamber, on the floor of the Senate, to honor the energy and compassion of this great man dedicated to his noble causes. I have only touched on a few of the many contributions to our Nation and our world. These examples illustrate his unique ability to fight discrimination and injustice across the globe. From childhood until his death, Leon Sullivan believed in the future and demonstrated a relentless optimism regardless of the obstacles that tried to prohibit success. He characterized his life's work by saying: I would not be doing what I am doing if I weren't optimistic about it. I'm reaching into a barrel and taking out a little hand at a time, not a whole lot . . . but if enough hands go down in the next fifty, seventy-five, hundred years, we'll clean out that barrel. As we know, when so many of us pass on, most good people do, in fact, leave a legacy of family and close friends. Reverend Sullivan certainly did that. With us today is his family, represented by his daughter Hope and his friends and colleagues, many who worked with him for decades. But Leon Sullivan left a legacy far beyond family and friends. The Zion Baptist Church remains a bastion of faith and good works in north Philadelphia. OIC of America and OIC International continue to prepare thousands for productive, well-paying jobs. The International Foundation for Education and Self-Help trains students for careers ranging from teaching to banking. The Sullivan Charitable Trust and Progress Investment Associates carries on his economic and real estate development initiatives. The Leon Sullivan Foundation presents its biannual summit meeting in Africa, encouraging cooperation between African Americans and countries and leaders throughout the continent of Africa. The Global Sullivan Principles serve as a beacon for corporate social responsibility and human rights throughout the world. South Africa, the nation that Reverend Sullivan helped free from apartheid, still struggles, yet stands as a shining example of what people speaking truth and wielding moral force can do in our world. For all this and so much more that remains unsaid today, we honor the Rev. Leon Sullivan--today and always. Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 166) was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows: S. Res. 166 Whereas, the late Reverend Leon H. Sullivan dedicated his life to alleviating the plight of the poor and the disadvantaged in America and worldwide; Whereas, Reverend Sullivan received numerous honors and awards during his lifetime, including recognition by LIFE magazine in 1963 as one of the 100 outstanding young adults in America, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights in 1999; Whereas, having dedicated 37 years of his ministerial vocation to the historic Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Reverend Sullivan's leadership and innovation led to the creation of one of the largest congregations in the Nation during his time; Whereas, in 1966, as part of his 10-36 Plan to encourage individuals to invest in the economic future of their communities, Reverend Sullivan founded the Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trusts and the Progress Investment Associates, through which numerous economic development and social services programs have been developed and funded; Whereas, in 1963, in response to a lack of job opportunities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Reverend Sullivan led more than 400 ministers in a successful boycott that opened up more than 4,000 jobs for African-Americans; Whereas, Reverend Sullivan met the need for job training by establishing the Opportunities Industrialization Center, which has grown to more than 75 training centers throughout the Nation; Whereas, recognizing the need to take his struggle to alleviate the plight of the poor abroad, in 1969 Reverend Sullivan established Opportunities Industrialization Centers International, which has grown to more than 40 centers in 16 African nations, Poland, and the Philippines; Whereas, when Reverend Sullivan saw the need to create a broader array of programs in Africa, he established the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help, which has conducted numerous initiatives, including Schools for Africa, fellowship programs, and innovative teacher and banker training programs since 1988; Whereas, in 2001, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation was established posthumously to support Reverend Sullivan's life's mission through the work of his many established organizations; Whereas, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation presents the biennial Leon H. Sullivan Summits in Africa, which have provided a forum for leaders of African nations together with more than 18,000 African-Americans and Friends of Africa to interact with their counterparts and produce programs to meet the needs of the poor and disadvantaged in African nations; Whereas, in 1977, Reverend Sullivan helped to promulgate the Sullivan Principles, a code of conduct for human rights and equal opportunity for companies operating in South Africa, and the Sullivan Principles helped end apartheid in South Africa; Whereas, Reverend Sullivan expanded on the Sullivan Principles in 1999, by creating the Global Sullivan Principles, which encourage corporate social responsibility and promote global human rights and political, economic, and social justice; Whereas, more than 250 governments, corporations, and universities on 5 continents have endorsed the Global Sullivan Principles since their initiation; Whereas, 10 African heads of state endorsed the Global Sullivan Principles at the Leon H. Sullivan Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, in July 2006; Whereas, plans for the 8th Leon H. Sullivan Summit in Tanzania in 2008 include broader regional endorsement of the Global Sullivan Principles among African nations: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) commemorates the life of the Reverend Leon H. Sullivan; (2) salutes the positive impact of the Reverend Sullivan's achievements domestically and internationally; and (3) encourages the continued pursuit of Reverend Sullivan's mission to help the poor and disenfranchised around the world. [[Page 9646]] ____________________ THE AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS GOVERNANCE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2007 Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 1681, which was received from the House. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (H.R. 1681) to amend the Congressional Charter of The American National Red Cross. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I am pleased the Senate is considering H.R. 1681, the American National Red Cross Governance Modernization Act of 2007. The Judiciary Committee approved and the Senate passed our version of this bill last month, and I look forward to approving the Red Cross Governance bill again with the House-passed language. I want to thank my colleagues, Senator Grassley and Senator Kennedy, for their hard work on this issue and for introducing this important bill. I also want to congratulate the American Red Cross on appointing a new President and CEO last week. Mark W. Everson, currently the Commissioner of Internal Revenue was approved unanimously by the Board of Governors to head the American Red Cross, effective next month. I congratulate him on his appointment and thank current Chairwoman, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter for her dedicated leadership. Just last week we had the opportunity to see the importance of the Red Cross and the good work they are doing on behalf of our citizens. In response to the horrific shootings on Virginia Tech's campus, the American Red Cross mobilized their local chapter and provided 200-300 hot meals to rescue workers and police officers and ensured that Red Cross mental health workers were available to students, faculty and family members. I am glad the Senate and House have worked together to pass this bill to enhance the American Red Cross' governance structure so they can better provide these crucial services in all emergencies. Since its founding by Clara Barton in 1881, the American Red Cross has provided essential relief services to those affected by famine, floods and natural and manmade disasters. Last year alone, the American Red Cross responded to approximately 75,000 disasters with the help of more than one million volunteers and thirty-five thousand employees. As a key participant in the United States' disaster relief plan, the American Red Cross is charged with helping the United States prevent, prepare and respond to national emergencies. Over the past several years, however, the American Red Cross has been strained by disasters of an unparalleled scope; the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the December 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2005 hurricane season that included the enormously destructive hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. These events all challenged the Red Cross's ability to respond to disasters quickly and effectively. In order to improve its disaster relief services, the American Red Cross's Board of Governors unanimously voted to accept recommendations given by an independent advisory board, which examined the American Red Cross's governance structure and practices. H.R. 1681 reflects these recommendations and would improve the American Red Cross's governance structure by centralizing and reorganizing its infrastructure. Some notable enhancements include reducing its board size from 50 members to 20 in order to facilitate emergency action, giving the board all the powers in governing and managing the American Red Cross, and establishing a Presidential Advisory Council composed of eight to ten principal officers of the executive departments and senior officers of the Armed Forces to provide governmental input and support. Additionally, the modernized charter would enhance congressional oversight and transparency by creating an Ombudsman who would provide an annual report to Congress articulating any concerns of volunteers, employees, donors, clients and the public. The House adopted two amendments to the Senate-passed language that would clarify and ensure that the chapters of the American Red Cross are geographically and regionally diverse and that the American Red Cross will reach out to local charitable and faith-based organizations when providing relief services in local communities. These improvements to the bill make no statutory changes and I hope my colleagues will support them. According to the American Red Cross's end of the year report, Hurricane Katrina created a record of 1.4 million families, or around 4 million people, who needed emergency assistance such as food, clothing and other necessities. My wife, Marcelle, was one of hundreds of thousands of volunteers dedicated to providing these essential relief services to victims of Katrina. No one knows when the next disaster will strike. Congress must do everything in our power to ensure that the American Red Cross can continue and improve upon the essential humanitarian work on which the United States and the world relies. I commend the Red Cross for taking important action to reform itself and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 1681) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. ____________________ ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2007 Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24; that on Tuesday, following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired and the time for the two leaders reserved for their use later in the day; that there then be a period of morning business for 60 minutes, with Senators permitted to speak therein, with the first 30 minutes under the control of the Republicans and the final 30 minutes under the control of the majority; that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of S. 761; that on Tuesday, at the conclusion of the vote on the judicial nomination, the Senate stand in recess until 2:15 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. TOMORROW Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, if there is no further business today, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand adjourned under the provisions of S. Res. 165 as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald. There being no objection, the Senate, at 5:26 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 10 a.m. [[Page 9647]] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES--Monday, April 23, 2007 The House met at 12:30 p.m. and was called to order by the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. Hirono). ____________________ DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Speaker: Washington, DC, April 23, 2007. I hereby appoint the Honorable Mazie K. Hirono to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives. ____________________ MORNING HOUR DEBATES The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of January 4, 2007, the Chair will now recognize Members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debates. The Chair will alternate recognition between the parties, with each party limited to not to exceed 30 minutes, and each Member, except the majority leader, the minority leader, or the minority whip, limited to not to exceed 5 minutes. ____________________ RECESS The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair declares the House in recess until 2 p.m. today. Accordingly (at 12 o'clock and 31 minutes p.m.), the House stood in recess until 2 p.m. ____________________ {time} 1400 AFTER RECESS The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the Speaker pro tempore (Mrs. Boyda of Kansas) at 2 p.m. ____________________ PRAYER The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following prayer: ``This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.'' The words of the Psalmist spring from our lips, inspired by a beautiful weekend of season and life. Last week proved heavy with young tragedy and floor debate. Move us now to thank You, Lord, for Your love endures forever. Uplifting weather and the power of prayer on Your holy day renew within us the joy of salvation. In this week before us, may Congress build upon the cornerstone of faith and make the works of the Lord their very own work. Grant success to their efforts as they respond to the needs of Your people. Bless the House of Representatives, all its Members and staff. Be for them, Lord, light that guides every decision and grants Your people hope and security, so together they may praise You forever. Amen. ____________________ THE JOURNAL The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has examined the Journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the House her approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved. ____________________ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Carnahan) come forward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. CARNAHAN led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ____________________ BLUE ANGEL TRAGEDY (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, this Saturday a sad tragedy occurred during a Blue Angels air show at the Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort, South Carolina. Toward the end of the show, Blue Angel No. 6, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Kevin Davis of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, crashed. Lieutenant Commander Davis did not survive. Fortunately, there were no other fatalities. Lieutenant Commander Davis was a decorated pilot who joined the Blue Angels in 2005. He served in the Navy for 11 years, 8 of them as a fighter pilot. He flew 26 combat missions in Afghanistan and the global war on terrorism. Lieutenant Commander Davis's parents, John and Ann Davis, are residents of Aiken, South Carolina. He has two brothers, Christian and Phil. The Blue Angels are an elite team of fighter pilots to fly F/A-18s in air shows around the country. Because of their high skill level, their courage and intense practices, accidents such as this Saturday's are uncommon. The thoughts and prayers of my wife, Roxanne, and I are with the Davis family. Americans will always cherish the service of Lieutenant Commander Kevin Davis for our Nation. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11. ____________________ GLOBAL WARMING (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, with record temperatures set in the first half of 2006, the need for Congress in this country to address global warming is more pressing than ever, especially in light of the mounting scientific reports from around the world. There is no longer any real debate within the scientific community. There is broad scientific consensus that global warming exists, and we must act. We still have the opportunity to reverse the negative effects of global climate change. However, this must be done both here at home and in cooperation around the world. That is why, just before Earth Day this past weekend, my colleague and I, Mark Kirk, introduced H. Con. Res 104, a bipartisan resolution expressing the need for the U.S. to participate in international agreements that address global climate change and to put this Congress on record acknowledging climate change. I invite my colleagues to cosponsor this bill. There is a companion in the Senate. Please join me in taking this early step to begin addressing climate change in this country and around the world. ____________________ ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered, or on which the vote is objected to under clause 6 of rule XX. Record votes on postponed questions will be taken after 6:30 p.m. today. ____________________ NATIONAL FOSTER PARENTS DAY Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and [[Page 9648]] agree to the resolution (H. Res. 179) expressing support for a National Foster Parents Day. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 179 Whereas the family, serving as the primary source of love, identity, self-esteem, and support, is the very foundation of our communities, and our United States; Whereas foster families, who open their homes and hearts to children whose families are in crisis, play a vital role in helping children heal and reconnect and in launching those children into successful adulthood; Whereas over 500,000 youth are in foster care with at least 380,000 in a family-home setting; Whereas numerous individuals and public and private organizations work to increase public awareness of the needs of children in foster care and leaving foster care as well as of the enduring and valuable contributions of foster parents; and Whereas those families who are able to serve a role as foster parents should be wholeheartedly encouraged to do so: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that-- (1) a National Foster Parents Day should be established to recognize the contributions of foster parents across the Nation; and (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States and interested groups to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate support for foster parents across the Nation. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Hirono). Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois. General Leave Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois? There was no objection. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I would yield such time as she might consume to the sponsor of this legislation, Representative Nancy Boyda from Kansas. Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. Madam Speaker, in the late 1980s, a Topeka couple, Clifford and Phyllis Oshel, welcomed a foster child into their homes and into their hearts. For 2 years, they provided shelter, food, and, more importantly, caring. Through their patient guidance, they led that child from a time of crisis to what he now calls ``the best years of my life.'' That child's name was Kevin Surbagh. Ever since he left the Oshels' house, he has worked to repay his debt of gratitude. For 17 years, he has fought tirelessly for a national day of recognition for foster parents, one day of the year, just one day, to honor their contributions, and to respect their sacrifices. Soon after I was sworn into Congress, Kevin approached my office and told me about his mission. At Kevin's urging, I now submit for your consideration the National Foster Parents Day resolution. I ask you to join me in saying thank you, not only to Clifford and Phyllis Oshel, but to the hundreds of thousands of foster parents across our great Nation. When I think back to the support I received from my mom and dad, I recognize the crucial role of our parents. My mom set me on the path that has led me to Congress today. She taught me my faith. She taught me to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. She taught me to speak to everyone in a room no matter what their role or position. She also taught me never to wear white shoes after Labor Day. All of her words of wisdom led me to where I am today. In a perfect world, every child's biological parents would play the role that my parents played for me. But sometimes a family can't provide a safe, supportive, sufficient home. When tragedy strikes or turmoil rips a family apart, children are left dislocated and need a new place to call home, at least for a while. Because many of these kids grew up in unstable households, some suffer emotional disturbances. Some are grieving the loss of their parents. All have endured more than any child should and all deserve a caring and supportive family. Today, over 500,000 American children still need a temporary home, a foster home. Today, 380,000 have found one, thanks to foster parents. To the foster parents in Kansas and throughout America, today's vote in Congress is our way of honoring your efforts. You are deeply appreciated, and your contribution doesn't go unnoticed. I hope that our vote is more than symbolic, that it encourages more families to open their homes to foster children. Caring for a foster child is one of the greatest challenges that you'll ever face, but the reward is immense. You'll help a little girl piece her life back together. You'll help a little boy feel safe and loved. You'll earn the respect of your community, your country, and of this Congress. Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, there are over 500,000 children in foster care homes around the country. I am proud to support legislation recognizing the dedicated efforts put forth by foster parents. These men and women open up their homes and their hearts to these youths by providing them with a stable, caring environment for months and, in some cases, years. H. Res. 179 establishes a National Foster Parents Day to praise their contributions to society. These parents provide a vital role in the welfare and upbringing of children who need emotional support, guidance, and mentors. They teach children family values and morals and help them become significant members of society. Foster parents teach these values to help enable children become stable and confident adults. Children being cared for in foster homes can be traced all the way back to biblical times. Foster care became increasingly widespread in the United States when Charles Loring Brace, a minister and director of the New York Children's Aid Society, noticed a large number of homeless immigrant children in New York. In 1953, Brace came up with a plan to provide them homes by advertising for families in other areas of the United States who were willing to take them in. While many of these children were often indentured, Brace's movement is the origin of today's foster care program. Today, foster parents and families provide a safe and nurturing temporary home for children living in unstable conditions. There they can learn and grow until they have the opportunity to return living with their family. {time} 1415 Foster parents are crucial towards ending the vicious cycle of neglect and child abuse that endanger children's lives. This resolution also calls on the President to issue a proclamation bringing greater awareness to foster care through various ceremonies, activities, and programs. These events educate communities and demonstrate support for foster parents who devote their lives lending a hand to children in need. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, over 500,000 children in the United States are involved in some form of foster care. Placements in foster care have increased significantly over the past 10 years. In situations of abuse and neglect, children may be removed from their parents' home by a child welfare agency and placed in foster care. Some of the reasons for foster care placement include severe behavior problems in the child and/or a variety of parental problems such as abuse, abandonment, illness, including physical or emotional problems, incarceration, AIDS, alcohol, substance abuse, and death. [[Page 9649]] The resolution we are considering today honors foster parents. Foster parents are people who open their homes and their hearts to children in need of temporary care. The task is both rewarding and difficult. As a matter of fact, I have met individuals who have adopted children. I know one police officer who has adopted 13 children, a most unusual and unbelievable man, salt of the earth, pillar of the universe. Foster parents take children for medical care and to school events. They may facilitate visitation between the child and the birth parents in the foster home or other approved locations. Foster parents face many challenges in caring for the physical and emotional needs of children. We need more foster parents to care and nurture our children who are unable to remain in their homes. Foster parents should be commended for their big hearts and commitment to provide stable homes for children. This is an issue that is very personal to me in a very serious way. My congressional district has more grandparents taking care of children than any other district in the Nation, and it is followed closely by two additional congressional districts in the Chicago area. I want to commend the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. I also want to commend some of the social welfare agencies that deal seriously with foster parenting for children, agencies such as Sankofa an organization that was started out of a crisis situation and now does an outstanding job. Agencies like One Church One Child that attempts to get individuals to become foster parents to teenagers coming out of correctional facilities, which is not an easy task. So I commend the gentlewoman from Kansas (Mrs. Boyda) for introducing H. Res. 179, and urge its passage. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers at the moment. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I know that I had a number of individuals who had hoped to be here because they are very interested in this subject matter and who had intended to make comments, certainly Representative Melissa Bean who still might get here before we finish, Representative Michele Bachmann from Minnesota, Representative Fortney Pete Stark, and Representative Dennis Cardoza all had statements that they wanted to present. I would now yield to the other side to see if they have got other speakers, to see if any of my additional speakers will come before we yield back. Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. I thank the gentleman, but we have no further speakers at this time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I don't think that our other speakers are going to make it; but suffice it to say that this is a very important resolution. It is a resolution that speaks to the heart and soul of America. It is a resolution that emphasizes the words of the blues singer who said once, ``Who will save the world? Who's willing to try? Who will save the world that is destined to die?'' We are talking about saving the children, those unfortunate young people, many of whom their parents are incarcerated. There are more than 1.5 million children in America whose parents are in prison or in jail. They are in need of foster parenting. So, again, not only do we urge passage, but I commend the gentlelady from Kansas, and urge listeners and watchers and viewers to see whether or not there is an opportunity for you to open your heart and your home and become a foster parent. Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 179, which calls for the establishment of a National Foster Parents Day. We should establish this day to recognize and appreciate our country's foster parents--the pillars of our child welfare system. These are the men and women who go out of their way to help children in need--children who have been maltreated or who had to be removed from dangerous home situations. Foster parents open their hearts and their homes to these children, providing them with so much more than shelter. They allow these children to feel safe and secure once again, and help them to begin the healing process. Children placed in foster care often come from some of the worst conditions imaginable. They have been abused, neglected, and broken down in ways beyond the physical. Many of these children enter foster care with serious emotional damage as well. They have learned that their home, the one place where they should feel safe, can actually be more dangerous than the world outside. It is the foster parent who helps build these children back up, reminding them how love and attention feel, and reassuring them that home can once again be a comfort. Far beyond helping a single child, quality foster care is also an investment in our communities. We have learned that being abused or neglected dramatically increases the risk that kids will grow up to commit violent crimes, which is why it is so important to have a strong foster care system to place children in as soon as possible. Research has shown that abused and neglected children who became wards of the court and initially remained at home, but were later placed in foster care because of continuing abuse or neglect, were more likely to become violent criminals than abused or neglected children who were placed in a safe foster home right away. This is why we must continue to support our foster parents. No child should be forced to remain in a dangerous situation because there are not enough available foster homes. We must make sure that funding for foster care is never capped or reduced so that our foster families can continue to receive the resources they need to provide supportive, loving spaces for these children in need. Additionally, we must increase our investment in preventing child abuse and neglect through programs such as the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program and in-home parent coaching programs. We also need to ensure that children in foster care find safe, permanent homes, either by reuniting them with their families or by adoption. The success of our foster care system is vital to protecting our children, and our child welfare system relies on people like foster parents to run smoothly. These men and women on the front lines of the child welfare fight deserve all the recognition they can get. It is my hope that a National Foster Parents Day will also draw attention to the need for quality foster care and capable foster parents, and allow this system to continue benefiting our children in need. I thank Representative Boyda for sponsoring this legislation, and I urge its passage. Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 179, a resolution declaring the sense of the House that a National Foster Parents Day should be established. I have a very personal interest in this issue. Seven years ago, I adopted two foster children. Since then, I have advocated on behalf of adoption and foster children in the California Assembly and in Congress. Our Nation's foster care system was created as a temporary safe haven for abused and neglected children. Sadly, it has become a way of life for too many of our youth. On average, foster children spend nearly 3 years in the system, and move as many times from one placement to another and from school to school. Far too many spend much longer in the system, with as many as 24,000 young adults expected to ``age out'' of the system this year, cut loose with no family and little support. Several studies released in 2005 documented the special challenges facing these youths, especially in the areas of mental health, education and employment. They are especially poorly prepared to be self-sufficient. Despite the sometimes valiant efforts and good intentions of social workers, judges, foster parents and others, day-to-day life for children in foster care is often filled with emotional hardship. Each year, thousands of children entering foster care will be separated from their brothers and sisters, some losing touch with each other for years to come. The trauma of foster care takes its toll on young children. Over one-third will neither earn a high school diploma nor a GED. One in four children in foster care will be incarcerated within the first 2 years after leaving the system, and over 20 percent will become homeless at some time after they turn 18. These children are waiting. Speaking from personal experience, there is no greater joy in life than helping a child. Every child, no matter what station they may be born to, deserves a chance to be raised in a stable and loving home. Innocent children should not be forced to bear the mistakes of others. This is a big problem that will require bold solutions. In order to save the next generation of children, we must re-dedicate ourselves to their welfare and pledge to do whatever necessary to nurture and protect them. [[Page 9650]] This resolution, by highlighting attention to the problem, is a necessary first step. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Ms. BEAN. Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise today in support of National Foster Parents Day. This celebration honors the parents who open their hearts and their homes to children who are in need of a family. As an adoptee and member of the Adoption Caucus, myself, I am proud of the efforts Congress has made to increase adoptions both nationally and internationally, and to give special thanks to the many families who have sacrificed to provide loving homes for foster children. Currently, thousands of children are without permanent homes. Fortunately, for many of these children there are foster parents who are eager to bring a child into their home. I cannot think of a more rewarding pursuit than creating a family and bringing hope into a child's life. As a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I am well aware of the positive impact foster parents have on our children and communities. I am proud of the contributions foster parents make across America, and I hope my colleagues will join with me in supporting a National Foster Parents Day. Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of establishing a National Foster Parents Day. Individuals and families that open their homes and their hearts to vulnerable children are truly deserving of our recognition. Of the over 500,000 foster children in the United States, 380,000 live with foster parents. Without the compassion of thousands of foster parents, our foster care system would fall apart. Foster parents are the glue that holds the child welfare system together. Every day, abused and neglected children enter the child welfare system and become the responsibility of our society. As the collective caretakers of vulnerable children, we have a moral responsibility to ensure that foster children receive the same love and opportunities that we want our own children to receive. Foster parents are the individuals that take on the immense responsibility of providing abused and neglected children with loving homes, often with very little government support. Too often our society and this body ignore the plight of foster children. We do so at our own peril, because foster children who are not provided with the supports they need to mature and grow do not transition into self-sufficient adults. Society bears responsibility for this failure and we also bear the costs of incarceration, homeless services, and medical care of former foster children who do not become independent. A National Foster Parent's Day will shed much needed light on the struggles of our foster children as well as the sacrifices made by the families that welcome those children into their homes and move them toward brighter futures. It will also provide a forum to discuss the improvements that must be made to our foster care system. Finally, we will encourage more families to become foster parents by recognizing the vital role that foster parents play in lives of children. The thousands of foster parents around the country are the heroes of our child welfare system. We should provide them with every possible support, including the special recognition of a National Foster Parents Day. Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 179, in support of establishing a National Foster Parents Day. On any given day in the United States, half a million children and youth are in foster care, removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. On average, these young people will wait more than 3\1/2\ years in the foster care system before finding a permanent home--20 percent wait 5 years or more. Foster parents have one of the hardest tasks on earth. Children who spend many years in abusive or neglectful homes are substantially more likely than other kids to face emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges. Foster parents have the daunting task of trying to make the foster child feel at home, gain their trust, provide some sense of stability and normality, and prove that they do care. Foster parents give of themselves unselfishly, opening their homes, families, lives, and loving arms to help protect children who are not safe in their own homes. For some children, foster parents are literally lifesaving. For too many children, what should be a short- term refuge becomes a long-term saga, involving multiple moves from one foster home to another. I have come to appreciate that foster parenting is perhaps one of the most challenging and most important components of the child welfare system. As a foster parent, you respond to the calling to care for children, to take them into your homes, and to transition them into the next phase of their lives--sometimes for weeks, and sometimes for almost the child's entire youth. I describe this response as a calling--not a job, they don't get paid enough to call it a job; and not a choice, because if they had the wherewithal to choose, they certainly would choose not to expose themselves to all of the trials and tribulations of fostering. It is a calling, a response to some inner drive to respond to the difficulties of kids who desperately need them. It is this selflessness which I applaud today, which I believe is deserving of national recognition. For all the time, love, and resources foster parents dedicate to their foster children, I would simply like to say thank you. They truly are a gift to the world. I urge my colleagues to join in support of H. Res. 179, expressing support for the establishment of a National Foster Parents Day. Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of House Resolution 179, expressing support for National Foster Parents Day. There are over half a million children in foster care in this country. Every child deserves to have a safe and loving home, where they do not have to worry about the fear of harm or of being abandoned. While caring for a child is never easy, foster parents have additional difficulties to work through. All foster care children need special care, support and nurturing. There are a wide array of issues that these children are dealing with such as abandonment, physical or sexual abuse, undisciplined or delinquent behaviors, and physical or emotional handicaps and disabilities. Foster parents are challenged with helping their foster children feel secure and loved, while they also work through many of these difficult issues. And while immensely challenging, foster parenting is also immeasurably rewarding. When foster parents open their homes and hearts--sacrificing, while giving support and love--they change children's lives. Many foster parents go on to adopt the children that they have in their home--60 percent of children who are adopted after they have been in foster care are adopted by foster parents. These children are given what every child deserves--a permanent home and a loving family. It is important to recognize and honor the crucial role that foster parents play in shaping the lives of hundreds of thousands of children each year. Because of this, I stand here today in support of a National Foster Parents Day, to honor their invaluable sacrifice, dedication, and selfless commitment to improving the lives of children. Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill, to express support for a National Foster Parents Day. Today, there are more than 500,000 children in foster care nationwide. Most of these children come from extremely troubled homes, and compared to the other children, they are more likely to suffer educationally, socially, and emotionally. This is an issue that is very close to my heart. Over the years, my husband Marcus and I have cared for 23 foster children. I know from experience that foster parents have to work diligently with local, State, and Federal agencies as well as within their homes to respond to each child's individual needs. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Boyda for bringing attention to the foster care system, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield the balance of our time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 179. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. ____________________ ATANACIO HARO-MARIN POST OFFICE Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 625) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4230 Maine Avenue in Baldwin Park, California, as the ``Atanacio Haro-Marin Post Office''. [[Page 9651]] The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 625 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. ATANACIO HARO-MARIN POST OFFICE. (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4230 Maine Avenue in Baldwin Park, California, shall be known and designated as the ``Atanacio Haro-Marin Post Office''. (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Atanacio Haro-Marin Post Office''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis). General Leave Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois? There was no objection. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 625, which names the postal facility in Baldwin Park, California, after Atanacio Haro-Marin. H.R. 625, which was introduced by Representative Hilda Solis on January 22, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on March 29, 2007 by voice vote. This measure, which has been cosponsored by the 52 members, has the support of the entire California congressional delegation. Army Sergeant Atanacio Haro-Marin, age 27, of Baldwin Park, California, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas. He was killed while manning the checkpoint when his unit came under attack from gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades south of Balad, Iraq on June 3, 2003. Sergeant Marin was born in Momax, Mexico, and lived there with his mother while his father worked in California picking fruit and doing construction jobs to support seven children. The family reunited in Los Angeles when Sergeant Marin was 2, and they later moved to suburban Baldwin Park. He will be remembered as a proud and courageous soldier who was living out a long-held dream of serving in the U.S. military. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the memory, legacy, and contributions of Atanacio Haro-Marin, and urge swift passage of this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Atanacio Marin, or as he was better known, Nacho, by his friends, typifies the soldiers that come from California. So many of them are from Los Angeles and surrounding areas, so many have stories like Nacho has: one in which he was born in Mexico; one in which his family came here for a better life; one in which he became integrated with the community that he grew up in; one in which he graduated from Sierra Vista High School and was on the track team and ran in the Los Angeles marathon; one in which he had a desire to serve his country; one in which he joined the National Guard after completing high school and decided to devote his life to serving the military. After his tour with the National Guard ended, Nacho transferred to the regular Army and was assigned to Battery C, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. In January, 2 months before reporting for duty in the Middle East, Sergeant Marin was able to spend time with his close-knit family. While he was in Iraq he continued to remain close to his family. He called home often and characteristically sent his mother a Mother's Day card that read, ``Don't worry, be happy.'' Tragically, those uplifting words were some of his last. A checkpoint was manned by the sergeant and came under fire on June 3, 2003. Unfortunately, this brave young man did not survive the attack. He was only 27 years old. The post office we are naming today in Baldwin Park we are naming not just as a tribute to this fine soldier, but as a tribute to those who have gone to serve their country in this war and, like so many others, have an American story. Nacho's American story is the story of California, it is a story of the war that is not often talked on this front, of patriotism, of devotion to family, of devotion to this Nation. And it is so appropriate that we name a post office after this fine young man from California. So I join with the majority in urging its swift passage. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I had expected that Representative Solis, who is the sponsor of this legislation, would have been here, but maybe she had some difficulty getting back from way out west in California today. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time and urge passage of this resolution. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Boyda of Kansas). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 625. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ SERGEANT DENNIS J. FLANAGAN LECANTO POST OFFICE BUILDING Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1402) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, as the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building''. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H.R. 1402 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SERGEANT DENNIS J. FLANAGAN LECANTO POST OFFICE BUILDING. (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, shall be known and designated as the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building''. (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois. {time} 1430 General Leave Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois? There was no objection. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On September 11, 2001, America was forever changed. The rancid acts of terrorism that occurred on this day struck a chord within the people. For one moment in time we were not a hyphenated people. We were not Irish- [[Page 9652]] American, African-American, Asian-American, Greek-American. We were simply American. It was with a resounding spirit of patriotism that Dennis J. Flanagan went to his local recruitment station and took the vow to serve his country. As the President waged war against our terrorist adversaries, Sergeant Flanagan took his place as a member of the air assault infantry that invaded Iraq in 2003. He returned to Iraq in September for his second tour of duty and was killed when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in Hawijah, Iraq, on January 19, 2006. Madam Speaker, I offer my condolences to the family of Sergeant Flanagan and hope that my colleagues will vote in the affirmative to pass this measure that will allow the Lecanto, Florida, post office to bear the name of Sergeant Dennis James Flanagan. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I join with my colleague in supporting this naming of the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Post Office. Sergeant Flanagan grew up in Florida and attended high school there. He was active and enjoyed sports. He ran cross-country, played soccer, and was a cadet commander at the school's Civil Air Patrol squadron. He loved learning about American history and hoped that one day he would be a history professor. His commitment to military service began at an early age. He was an active member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or Junior ROTC, where he achieved the rank of first lieutenant during his junior year of high school. He began classes in Central Florida Community College, but enlisted in the Army a week after September 11. Sergeant Flanagan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He fought with the air assault infantry that led the initial attack in 2003. Wise beyond his years, he understood that victory could not be attained without action. He knew the dangers of war and believed in serving his country. After completing his first tour of duty, he re- enlisted in September of 2005 for a second tour. As an experienced soldier, he hoped he could act as a mentor for new soldiers, and he wanted to train the Iraqi Army recruits. On January 20, 2006, Sergeant Flanagan was on patrol in Iraq in his Humvee with three other U.S. soldiers and a driver when a roadside bomb, or an IED, was exploded near their vehicle. All soldiers were wearing protective body armor. However, only the driver survived the blast. Sergeant Flanagan was only 22 when he died. Today we honor the life of Sergeant Flanagan, a soldier who strongly believed in the fight for freedom. He was an American hero. Madam Speaker, I ask all Members to join with me in supporting this naming and this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite). Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill, H.R. 1402, the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building piece of legislation. It will rename the South Lecanto Highway Post Office in Lecanto, Florida, after Army Sergeant Flanagan, who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq. I actually attended the services out at Arlington Cemetery. I was with the family. I also attended the service for the young man that was held in Citrus County. In my district office, I have a photograph that his mom gave me that was taken at the service. And it appears as if there is this rainbow over the marker. It is truly a tribute to this 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School because Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC, and he achieved the rank of lieutenant in his first year. Within a week following the attacks of September 11, 2001, on our country, he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq. Sergeant Flanagan then re-enlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of 2005. Tragically, he was killed, along with three other U.S. soldiers, when an IED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident. Sergeant Flanagan was a soldier who firmly believed in our mission in Iraq and in advancing the cause of freedom. Even as a young boy, his parents told me that Dennis knew he wanted to be a soldier in the U.S. Armed Forces. A soldier who felt he must defend and fight for freedom, Sergeant Flanagan received glowing recommendations from his superior officers and from fellow officers. One of the principal reasons that he re- enlisted was to act as a mentor to newly enlisted soldiers and to help train Iraqi Army recruits. Speaking of his future as a soldier and a patriot, Sergeant Flanagan once mused in a poem that he was going to save for his son, and those words read: ``And now, my son, I pray to thee, never ever forget me; that I died a soldier's death to keep you free with my last breath.'' His mom shared those words with me, and I think it is appropriate that they be in the Congressional Record. In times when children and families need role models to look up to, Sergeant Flanagan was a true American hero. Our community, certainly Citrus County and all of Florida, mourn his loss. We hope that in renaming this post office we will memorialize this brave young man, Sergeant Dennis Flanagan, and never, ever forget his sacrifice for our Nation. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I simply want to commend the gentlewoman from Florida for introducing this resolution, which speaks directly to the greatest gift that one can give, and that is to give his or her life for the benefit of their fellow man and woman. A young man, who had no concern, really, for himself, but was concerned for the country. I urge passage of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers here today on this fine young gentleman. But, in closing, I can think of no more appropriate statement on the United States Armed Forces than to have a gentleman with a classic Irish name from Florida be honored on the same day for another post office as a gentleman born in Mexico, growing up in California, whose father was a day laborer. I think that speaks volumes about the kinds of men and women who are defending our country, not questioning anything except that their country asked for them and they have followed and, unfortunately, two have fallen. I urge passage of both of these pieces of legislation. I thank the majority for moving them in an expeditious fashion. Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1402, the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building. H.R. 1402 will rename the South Lecanto Highway post office in Lecanto, FL, after Army Sergeant Flanagan, who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq. A 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School, Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant his junior year. Within a week following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq in 2003. Sergeant Flanagan then re-enlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of 2005. Tragically, he was killed January 20, 2006, along with 3 other U.S. soldiers when an lED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident. Sgt. Flanagan was a soldier who firmly believed in our mission in Iraq and in advancing the cause of freedom. As a young boy, Sgt. Flanagan knew that he wanted to be a soldier in the U.S. Armed Forces. A soldier who felt we must defend America and fight for freedom, Sgt. Flanagan received glowing recommendations from his superior officers and [[Page 9653]] fellow soldiers. One of the principle reasons that he re-enlisted was to act as a mentor to the newly enlisted soldiers and to help train Iraqi army recruits. Speaking of his future as a soldier and a patriot, Sgt. Flanagan once wrote a poem that included the words, ``And now, my son, I pray to thee. Never ever forget me; that I died a soldier's death, to keep you free with my last breath.'' In times when children and families need role models to look up to and emulate, Sergeant Flanagan was a true American hero. Our community feels his loss immensely. I hope that in renaming this post office, we will memorialize Sergeant Flanagan's courage and never forget his sacrifice for this great Nation. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. We have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1402. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. ____________________ RACHEL CARSON POST OFFICE BUILDING Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1434) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 896 Pittsburgh Street in Springdale, Pennsylvania, as the ``Rachel Carson Post Office Building''. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1434 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. RACHEL CARSON POST OFFICE BUILDING. (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 896 Pittsburgh Street in Springdale, Pennsylvania, shall be known and designated as the ``Rachel Carson Post Office Building''. (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Rachel Carson Post Office Building''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois. General Leave Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois? There was no objection. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 1434, which names the postal facility in Springdale, Pennsylvania after Rachel Carson. H.R. 1434, which was introduced by Representative Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania on March 9, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on March 29, 2007, by voice vote. This measure, which has been cosponsored by 40 Members, has the support of the entire Pennsylvania, congressional delegation. Starting in the mid-1940s, Ms. Carson became concerned about the use of newly invented pesticides, especially dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane, better known as DDT. This turned into an amazing thesis she entitled ``Silent Spring.'' ``Silent Spring'' focused on the environment and the effect of pesticides on humans. This was known as Carson's greatest work. She worked to defend the claims in ``Silent Spring'' until her death. It is believed that Carson's ``Silent Spring'' was the catalyst for the United States taking a more in-depth look at the use of pesticides, as well as the founding of government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the memory, legacy, and contributions of Rachel Carson and urge swift passage of this legislation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to speak in total support of the naming of this post office. As a member of the committee, I thoroughly support the fact that we have not yet done enough to recognize some of the brave people from the past who created the government, the good parts of government that we take credit for every day. Certainly, I believe this is a good example. Not only was she, in fact, the person most responsible for recognizing the dangers of DDT and leading to the banning of it, but, quite frankly, Rachel Carson, in her novel ``Silent Spring,'' brought to the forefront the very concept of writing works which are widely read, and, in fact, can make a real difference in America's point of view. {time} 1445 Rachel Carson was born in 1907 in a rural area of Springdale, Pennsylvania, where she first acquired her interest in nature. Majoring in marine biology, with a strong background in creative writing, she graduated from Chatham College in 1929 magna cum laude. Despite financial difficulties, Ms. Carson continued her studies at Johns Hopkins University, graduating in 1932 with a graduate degree in zoology. While expanding her great passion about zoology and other living things, Carson taught at Johns Hopkins and at the University of Maryland while pursuing her doctorate degree. Due to financial circumstances, Carson found a part-time position as a writer for radio scripts at the United States Bureau of Fisheries. She was faced with sexist resistance, not uncommon at that time, not uncommon at this time, as she took the civil service exam, but after obtaining a high score, she was given a full-time position as a junior aquatic biologist at the Bureau of Fisheries. At the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, Ms. Carson submitted one of her radio scripts, named ``Undersea,'' to the Atlantic Monthly, which was published in 1937. Publishers, impressed with her writing, encouraged her to expand the article into book entitled Under the Sea-Wind. Carson continued to write. Her second book, The Sea Around Us, was on the New York Times best seller list for 86 weeks and won the 1952 National Book Award and earned her two honorary doctorates. The book was then made into an Oscar-winning documentary. Her writing achievements did not end here, as she went on to publish a third and fourth book and write numerous magazine articles. Ms. Carson's fourth and legendary book, Silent Spring, greatly influenced the way Americans thought about the environment and was discussed by President John F. Kennedy. One of the main themes of her novel was how all aspects of the environment were connected. She explained that when one uses a pesticide to exterminate a particular organism, the poison travels up the entire food chain, ultimately affecting large animals and humans. With the publication of Silent Spring, Carson was able to draw in reputable scientists in support of her cause of responsible DDT usage and help spread awareness of its impact on the environment. Rachel Carson was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and received many honors, including the Audubon Medal and the Cullen Medal of the American Geographical Society, for her achievements. Unfortunately, poor health kept Ms. Carson from witnessing the ban on [[Page 9654]] DDT in the United States, as she passed away in 1964. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 1980. Carson's legacy lives on as the quiet and consistent voice urging people to come to terms with nature. The major conference room at the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency is named the Rachel Carson Room. The Rachel Carson State Office Building is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and is home to the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. There are also numerous bridges, parks, and schools which bear her name as well. To further recognize and honor her contributions in the centennial celebration of her birth and to honor her life as a teacher, scientist, environmentalist, activist, and, most of all, writer, please join me in supporting and passing H.R. 1434. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this bill, one of the outstanding new Members of the House, Representative Jason Altmire, from Pennsylvania. Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois and the gentleman from California for their very eloquent remarks. This is a very special day for me. I grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania, right across the river from Springdale, Pennsylvania, where Rachel Carson was born and raised and where she is truly a legendary figure. She is an icon in western Pennsylvania, and this is a very special year for Rachel Carson's memory because May 27, 2007, would have been Rachel Carson's 100th birthday. And she has received tremendous honors throughout her life. We do have, as the gentleman said, bridges named after her and schools and other things. But I can think of no greater representation for the beginning of Rachel Carson and the beginning of the modern environmental movement than to have the post office in her hometown of Springdale named after her. And, ironically, Springdale itself last year celebrated its centennial, so she was born in the very early days of Springdale. And this bill has widespread support throughout the district that I represent, the Fourth Congressional District where Springdale is located, but also throughout all of western Pennsylvania and all of Pennsylvania. And I do thank the gentleman for his kind remarks. But I wanted to talk a little bit about Rachel Carson. As I said, she was born in 1907 in Springdale. She graduated from the Pennsylvania College for Women, which currently is known as Chatham College. And Rachel Carson got her degree in English, which would serve her well in her writing career over the years. She earned her master's degree in zoology from Johns Hopkins University, so she has very strong ties to Maryland, and I am going to talk a little bit more about that because she taught zoology at the University of Maryland, right down the road from where we are right now. And while she continued her studies at the Marine Biological Laboratories in Woodshole, Massachusetts, she continued her teaching career. So in the very early days, she was getting to know the environment and getting a greater understanding of the world around her and what was to come in her life. Now, according to Time Magazine, ``It was there in her early twenties that she first saw and became enchanted with the enormous mysteries of the sea.'' And as I talked about, this was a lifelong passion for Rachel Carson. Her early writings at the time focused on the waters and the seas, and I believe a lot of that has to do with her upbringing in Springdale, Pennsylvania, because the Allegheny River flows right through the town there, right along the river, and she spent a lot of time studying the river in her youth growing up. And the Rachel Carson homestead, which is her childhood home, has been restored. And there is an active and ongoing presence there in the town, and the stories are legendary about her spending hours and hours of time sitting there on the riverbank, studying the waters and thinking about it. And those who knew her at the time knew that that was her passion and that was going to be the direction of her career and her life. In 1936 she went to work as a junior aquatic biologist at the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, again very suitable to someone with that level of interest and that educational background. She was the second woman in the history of the agency to hold a full-time professional position. So she was a trailblazer right from the start. And her early writings, as the gentleman from California mentioned, Under the Sea-Wind, The Sea Around Us, and The Edge of the Sea, celebrated the wonders of nature and continued her ongoing expertise and interest in aquatics and the sea. The Sea Around Us won the John Burroughs Medal, which was then the equivalent of what is today the National Book Award. So here we see the beginnings of a writing career. And this is where her English degree comes back, and she now has expertise in not only zoology and water and the Bureau of Fisheries as her profession, but she begins a long and fruitful career as an author, so she wins what is then the equivalent of the National Book Award. And within the first year, this was in the 1930s, that book sold over 200,000 copies. Rachel Carson is most famous, of course, for her book, Silent Spring, which was published in 1962, and it criticizes the use of pesticides, particularly DDT, but not exclusively. It is widely created with launching the modern environmental movement, including Earth Day, which just over this past weekend we celebrated Earth Day all across the country while Rachel Carson is credited with the founding of that movement as well. So, again, this is a very timely measure today, and I do encourage my colleagues to support it. I did want to mention that, unfortunately, it was not long after the publishing of Silent Spring that Rachel Carson took ill and breast cancer took her life at the early age of 56, in 1964. But that did not end the legacy of Rachel Carson. In 1980 she was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which all of our Members here know that is an incredible honor to be bestowed upon someone. And in 1999 Time Magazine recognized Rachel Carson as one of the 20th century's 100 most influential Americans, again a fantastic and well-deserved honor. So, again, throughout western Pennsylvania this year, her 100th birthday we are celebrating Rachel Carson. And it is important, having just had Earth Day over the weekend and the increasing awareness of the environment around us, that we do allow Springdale Township, where this is a very popular measure and something that we have been waiting to see this day come. I would ask my colleagues to show their support and recognize the tremendous contributions that Rachel Carson has had not only for western Pennsylvania, not only for the United States of America, but around the world. She truly is an icon, and she truly did change the world. So at this time I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois for allowing me to bring this bill forward. I thank the committee, and I thank the gentleman from California. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure now to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran). Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding me the time. Just a few points about Rachel Carson and Silent Spring and the profound transformational effect that that book had on our society. She was a Federal employee. She worked for the predecessor of the Fish and Wildlife Service. She was recognized, even as a child, as an outstanding writer. But she saw something that she knew was wrong, and she dedicated her life to changing the future for subsequent generations of Americans and really changed the world in terms of its view of pesticides. [[Page 9655]] At that time it wasn't just that pesticides were being poured all over farms but in our own residential neighborhoods. I can remember, I am old enough to remember, the big clouds of pesticides, and we would run in and out of them, and we would follow the pesticide truck on bicycles, and we had no idea this was poisonous stuff that was being put into our lungs, our atmosphere. And yet at that time the pesticide industry came up with a doctor, he was on television, everybody watched him as he said that she was absolutely wrong. There was no substance to her allegations; that if people listened seriously to her, it would cause widespread disease and poverty all over the world. {time} 1500 And he said that the scientific evidence shows that there is no harm to these pesticides, these toxic chemicals. One might refer to that when we look at some of the other trailblazers who had the courage to speak up, despite those who too readily condemn them because they are making a profit from current conditions. Climate change, endocrine disruptions and the like. She had the kind of courage and intellect and goodness of spirit to change the world. I am very pleased that she is getting a little recognition from the Congress today. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing, I think this is so appropriate that we consider today, at a time when we are looking at ever more vexing issues of the use of pesticides, the need for pesticides, the international conventions. I will be part of a group, House and Senate, that will be in Belgium this weekend where one of the major topics will be meeting with the Europeans on the next step in finding ways to limit or eliminate various pesticides, in addition to the constant effort to deal with ozone-depleting chemicals. We are, today, as a result of her work, we are in fact smarter in the way we look at the chemicals that bring good things to life, as I think that we once said. We don't assume they are bad. We do test to make sure that what they do good for us is well measured against the side effects. That was a standard created as a result of Rachel Carson. We are honored to have had somebody who worked for the Federal Government, who published and who cared and who persevered throughout her entire life. I join with the majority in urging the swift passage of this bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, to close, let me just thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for introducing this legislation, and the gentleman from California for his eloquent statements in support of it. And I sort of reflected, as I listened to Representative Moran, that it is good to have all of the eloquence and all of the youth, but to have been there and be old enough to remember, I join with him because I remember DDT as I was growing up in rural America, and the utilization of it as people would spray their crops and use it to fight pesticides, but were endangering themselves. And there was a great deal of fear and consternation. So again, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for introducing this legislation. I urge its support. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1434. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. ____________________ EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE WITH RESPECT TO RAISING AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGING PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 289) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to raising awareness and encouraging prevention of sexual assault in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 289 Whereas, on average, a person is sexually assaulted in the United States every two-and-a-half minutes; Whereas the Department of Justice reports that 191,670 people in the United States were sexually assaulted in 2005; Whereas 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have been victims of rape or attempted rape; Whereas children and young adults are most at risk, as 44 percent of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18, and 80 percent are under the age of 30; Whereas sexual assault affects women, men, and children of all racial, social, religious, age, ethnic, and economic groups in the United States; Whereas only 41 percent of sexual assault victims pursue prosecution by reporting their attack to law enforcement agencies; Whereas two-thirds of sexual crimes are committed by persons who are not strangers to the victims; Whereas sexual assault survivors suffer emotional scars long after the physical scars have healed; Whereas prevention education programs carried out by rape crisis and women's health centers have the potential to reduce the prevalence of sexual assault in their communities; Whereas because of recent advances in DNA technology, law enforcement agencies have the potential to identify the rapists in tens of thousands of unsolved rape cases; Whereas aggressive prosecution can incarcerate rapists and therefore prevent them from committing further crimes; Whereas free, confidential help is available to all survivors of sexual assault through the National Sexual Assault Hotline, more than 1,000 rape crisis centers across the United States, and other organizations that provide services to assist survivors of sexual assault; Whereas the rate of sexual assaults has decreased by half in the last decade; and Whereas April is recognized as ``National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month'': Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That-- (1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that-- (A) National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month provides a special opportunity to educate the people of the United States about sexual violence and to encourage the prevention of sexual assault, the improved treatment of its survivors, and the prosecution of its perpetrators; (B) it is appropriate to properly acknowledge the more than 20,000,000 men and women who have survived sexual assault in the United States and salute the efforts of survivors, volunteers, and professionals who combat sexual assault; (C) national and community organizations and private sector supporters should be recognized and applauded for their work in promoting awareness about sexual assault, providing information and treatment to its survivors, and increasing the number of successful prosecutions of its perpetrators; (D) public safety, law enforcement, and health professionals should be recognized and applauded for their hard work and innovative strategies to increase the percentage of sexual assault cases that result in the prosecution and incarceration of the offenders; (2) the House of Representatives strongly recommends national and community organizations, businesses in the private sector, colleges and universities, and the media to promote, through National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, awareness of sexual violence and strategies to decrease the incidence of sexual assault; and (3) the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia. General Leave Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record. [[Page 9656]] The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Virginia? There was no objection. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H. Res. 289 recognizes April as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The purpose of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is to increase the public's awareness and understanding about sexual violence in our society in order to encourage and support prevention of sexual assault. The United States has the highest rate of any country publishing such statistics. A person is sexually assaulted in the United States every 2\1/2\ minutes. The National Institute of Justice estimates that over 300,000 women and 90,000 men are forcibly raped each year in the United States; but according to the American Medical Association, these numbers are lower than national incidents of rape or attempted rape. Approximately 17.7 million American women and 2.8 American men have been victims of rape or attempted rape at some point during their lives, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics. That equates to one in every six women and one in every 33 men. The National Center for Victims of Crime indicate that among women who have been raped, 39 percent have been raped more than once. Most victims are children or young adults. Some 44 percent of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18; 80 percent are under the age of 30. There are no significant differences in the rate of sexual assault among racial and ethnic groups, as sexual assault affects all populations roughly equally, though its impact is felt disproportionately by those least able to protect themselves. For example, persons with disabilities are estimated to be one and a half to five times more at risk of sexual assault than the general population. Between one-third and two-thirds of known sexual assault victims are age 15 or younger, according to a 2000 study by Population Reports, and women age 16 to 25 are three times more likely to be raped than those of higher age groups, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics. Also, the studies indicate that those in extreme poverty are twice as likely to be victimized as other women. Most sexual assaults are not committed by strangers. Studies show that 70 percent of victims know their attackers, and this contributes to the underreporting of sexual assault. At the same time, studies show that 90 percent of those who knew their attackers did not report the crime. The study also found that most sexual assaults occur in the victim's home or that of a friend, relative, or acquaintance. The consequences of sexual assault for victims are enormous and go well beyond physical effects. One-third of victims suffer from post- traumatic stress disorder, according to the National Victims Center; one-third seriously consider suicide; 13 percent actually attempt suicide. The roots of sexual assault violence are cultural. A 1991 study by the Jacqueline White and John Humphrey study found that 56 percent of high school girls and 76 percent of high school boys thought that forcible sex was acceptable under some circumstances. Some 51 percent of boys and 41 percent of girls thought that certain circumstances included when a boy ``spent a lot of money on the girl.'' Thirty-one percent of boys and 32 percent of girls thought that forced sex was acceptable when women had had past sexual experiences. Eighty-seven percent of boys and 79 percent of girls thought it was acceptable when a man and woman were married. Sixty-five percent of boys, 47 percent of girls thought it acceptable if a boy and a girl had been dating for more than 6 months. So, Madam Speaker, it is easy to see where there is need to focus much of our awareness and prevention efforts. Sexual assault is a threat to the public health and public safety. It demands a coordinated response in the form of awareness, prevention, aggressive prosecution and service provision. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center, a project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, estimates that there are 1,400 community crisis centers providing services to victims of sexual assault across the country. Such efforts have made a difference. Over the past decade, we have reduced the rate of rapes and attempted rapes by half. Yet at half, our highest level, we are still the highest rate of sexual assault in the world. So much more needs to be done to further address the scourge in our society. So, Madam Speaker, as we observe National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, it is our hope that a month of intensified awareness efforts combined with a broad spectrum of sexual violence prevention work throughout the year will bring us closer to ending and eradicating sexual assault in our society. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 289, which is intended to raise awareness of the problem of sexual assault in the United States and encourage ways to prevent it. The statistics outlined in the resolution speak for themselves and are nothing less than horrific. A person is sexually assaulted in the United States every 2\1/2\ minutes. Children and young adults are the most at risk. Forty-four percent of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18. The emotional and physical scars from sexual assaults exact a terrible toll on our loved ones, our families, our communities, and our country. In my view, we can and we must do better. We have made important strides in this battle. We have expanded the use of DNA to solve sexual assault crimes, reduced the backlog in the testing of rape cases, and solved more sexual assault crimes, and ensuring that those who commit these heinous offense are put behind bars. Last year, we passed the Adam Walsh Act to protect our children from sexual predators. Over 100,000 sex offenders were lost or unaccounted for by the States. The Adam Walsh Act will fix that problem and make sure that sex offenders are registered, that the public is aware of sex offenders in their communities, and help parents protect their children. In my home State of West Virginia, domestic violence complaints have increased 400 percent since 1989. More and more, victims are feeling empowered to approach law enforcement officers with these problems. Although we all would like to see an end to domestic violence, it is a good step that more and more victims are reporting the crimes committed against them, allowing the perpetrators to be tried for their crimes. We must continue to work with victims, helping them come forward with their complaints. This can often be a difficult task, especially when the person committing the crime is a spouse, companion or family member, which is sadly often the case. Madam Speaker, this resolution recognizes the important role that awareness and prevention can play in reducing the incidence of sexual assault. The crime of sexual assault is so hurtful and so tragic, we must redouble our efforts and make sure that we use every tool at our disposal to protect everyone from this horrible crime. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of the resolution, my distinguished colleague from Virginia (Mr. Moran). Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Virginia for yielding to me. As the sponsor of this legislation, I also want to thank the Democratic leadership for bringing it to the floor, because, Madam Speaker, sexual violence is an epidemic in this country, it is a threat to our public health and our public safety that demands our attention. One in six women and one in 33 [[Page 9657]] men in the United States will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime. This is the highest rate of any country publishing statistics on sexual assault. A woman is raped in this country every 2\1/2\ minutes. We must do more to stop that. Responding to sexual assault must start with prevention. The roots of sexual violence are cultural. A study of American high school students found that the majority of girls and three-quarters of boys thought that forced sex was acceptable under some circumstances, including when a woman had had past sexual experiences or when a boy spent a lot of money on the girl. Statistics like this make it tragically unsurprising that 70 percent of assaults are perpetrated by someone that is known by the victim. {time} 1515 Fifty-five percent of rapes, the majority of rapes, occur in the home of the victim or a friend, relative or acquaintance. We must begin with prevention, because the consequences of sexual violence are so severe and because it is a crime whose impact is felt disproportionately by those least able to protect themselves: the young, the disabled, the impoverished. In addition to suffering the physical effects of these terrible acts of violence, a third of victims suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, a third seriously consider suicide, and 13 percent actually attempt it. While we hope and work for a day when sexual violence might be eradicated completely from our society, we must also deal with the consequences of these crimes, working to provide assistance to victims and aggressively prosecuting offenders. National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is dedicated to increasing the public's understanding about sexual violence in our society. This effort can help communities support rape and sexual assault survivors, victims and their families, as well as the individuals and agencies that provide rape crisis intervention and prevention services throughout the year. More than 1,000 rape crisis centers nationwide educate their communities about the prevention of sexual violence and provide services to victims. In Virginia, for example, these centers serve approximately 3,000 victims of rape every year. In my district, the SARA Program at the Alexandria Office on Women supports survivors throughout their healing process, through hotline counseling and support groups and innovative programs like ``Living Out Loud,'' a performing arts program for survivors of sexual violence looking to find new joy in life after recovering from rape or sexual assault. The person who founded that is an inspiration to everyone and brings back lives that have been so profoundly and adversely affected by this experience. Madam Speaker, National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is a chance for us to pause and consider the enormity of the impact of these crimes on our society and the status of our efforts to end it. I commend these public health, social services, and law enforcement professionals working in our communities to respond to sexual violence and those educators and advocates working to prevent it, and I encourage my colleagues to stand with us in rededicating ourselves to efforts to end these crimes on our streets, in our schools and in our lives. Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I would like to close with a strong statement that this resolution recognizes the important role of awareness in prevention of sexual assault in this country. It is a scourge on our Nation, it is a scourge on our young people, our women and other victims, and I urge all Members to join together to pass this resolution. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume just to thank my colleague from Virginia for introducing the resolution and to urge my colleagues to support the resolution. Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 289, to raise awareness and encourage prevention of sexual assault in the United States and support the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Violence against women--rape, sexual assault and domestic violence-- affects women worldwide. Violence not only affects women in the home, but in the workplace, school and every arena of life. Having served as Johnson Country District Attorney for 12 years, I know first hand the devastating consequences of domestic and sexual violence, assault, rape and child abuse and incest. Those experiences encouraged me to become a cofounder of SAFEHOME, a local shelter for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, and highlighted the importance of public awareness, effective prevention policies and law enforcement working hand in hand to stop these horrific crimes. Sexual assault is an epidemic that knows no boundaries on the basis of age, socioeconomic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. My home State of Kansas is no exception. In 2005, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported over 1,000 reported incidents of rape. And that number cannot possibly reflect the harsh reality of how many incidents occurred but were not reported. The tragedy of injustice exacerbates the victimization. A person is sexually assaulted in the United States every two-and-a- half minutes; 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have been victims of rape or attempted rape. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is essential to bring attention to this problem, educate the public, and help protect survivors from future victimization and prevent the continuation of the cycle of violence from generation to generation. Protecting and helping survivors, as well as creating an environment where survivors can seek justice, is the key to removing sex offenders from public, so that they do not have the opportunity to assault again. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 289, in support of the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, to support programs to help survivors heal and prevent incidents in the future. Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 289, which expresses the ``sense of the House of Representatives with respect to raising awareness and encouraging prevention of sexual assault in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. I was the lead Democratic sponsor of the original legislation, introduced by former Representative Mark Green and signed into law in 2003, that designated April as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. While we are taking the time today to highlight this important issue, it is important that we remember that preventing sexual assault should be a top priority during each month of the year. We must also remember that violence against women is not just a women's issue, it is a men's issue, too. Every 2\1/2\ minutes, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. I have long been a champion of increased efforts to prevent violence against women and in 2004, legislation that I first introduced, ``The Debbie Smith Act,'' was signed into law. Through this landmark act, we have the ability to protect our daughters, our sisters, and our friends by putting rapists behind bars through DNA evidence. We know that DNA evidence is better than a fresh set of fingerprints. And we know that it is often better than eyewitness testimony. With ``The Debbie Smith Act,'' the hundreds of thousands of rape kits that were gathering dust across the country are finally being processed. It is vitally important that we support the Violence Against Women Act by fully funding the important programs that will help women escape abusive and dangerous situations and begin new lives that are free from violence and fear. The organizations, shelters, and counseling centers that are on the front lines of this problem need our steadfast commitment that they will have the resources to continue their important work. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 289. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. [[Page 9658]] The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. ____________________ SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND GOALS OF NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 119) supporting the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week in order to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States during such week and throughout the year. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 119 Whereas currently in the United States, there are millions of victims and survivors of crime whose physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual needs are entitled to the attention and support of individuals and communities across the United States; Whereas the collaborative efforts of criminal and juvenile justice professionals, victim service providers, public policy makers, allied professionals, and the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office on Violence Against Women within the Department of Justice have helped enhance public safety and victim awareness in various communities of all sizes across the United States; Whereas since 1984, the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) has collected $8 billion in fines, fees, and assessments on individuals convicted of Federal crimes to support crime victim compensation and victim assistance programs nationwide; Whereas there are over 10,000 system-based and community- based victim assistance programs that provide greatly needed interventions, support, and justice system advocacy to crime victims and survivors, including 4,400 programs that receive VOCA funding; Whereas the theme of the 2007 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, called ``Victims' Rights: Every Victim, Every Time'', recognizes that all victims and survivors of crimes deserve to have victims' rights and access to victims' services, and recognizes the ongoing efforts of countless victim service providers, justice professionals, and allied professionals and volunteers who selflessly dedicate their lives to helping victims and survivors of crimes to exercise their victims rights and access important victim services; Whereas, in 2007, the week of April 22 through April 28, is dedicated as the national observance during which crime victims' and survivors' rights, needs, and services will be recognized; and Whereas during the 2007 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the Congressional Victim's Rights Caucus will honor a victim or survivor of crime, a victim service provider, and an allied professional and innovators in public policy development whose efforts on behalf of crime victims and survivors are visionary and exemplary: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) supports the mission and goals of the 2007 National Crime Victims' Rights Week in order to increase public awareness of the impact of crime on victims and survivors of crime, and of the rights and needs of such victims and survivors; and (2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Office for Victims of Crime in the Department of Justice. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia. General Leave Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Virginia? There was no objection. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H. Res. 119 recognizes this week as National Crime Victims' Rights Week in order to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States during this week and throughout the year. Obviously, we are very attuned to victims this week as we mourn the tragic deaths and injuries of the Virginia Tech shootings last week, though this resolution was scheduled for victims generally, without any reference to specific victims. In 2003, the last year for which we have compiled figures, there were 24.2 million criminal victimizations of people over the age of 12 in the United States. Of those, 5.4 million were violent victimizations and 18.6 were property victimizations. Unfortunately, there were many more crimes than those figures suggest. It is estimated that only 48 percent of violent crimes and only 38 percent of property crimes are reported to police in each year. We talked about the large group of victims in the resolution preceding this one involving sexual assault victims. Clearly we want to be aware of the need of victims of all crimes and do whatever we can, not only to address victimizations that occur but also to prevent the crimes occurring in the first place. Supporting the mission and goals of the National Crime Victims' Rights Week will increase the public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 119, honoring National Crime Victims' Rights Week. This resolution supports the missions and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of crime victims in the United States during this week and throughout the year. The theme of the 2007 National Crime Victims' Rights Week is ``Victims Rights: Every Victim, Every Time.'' In honor of every victim, we renew our commitment to protecting the rights of crime victims and to providing them effective assistance programs. We also commend the countless numbers of professionals and volunteers who dedicate their lives to helping victims and survivors of crime. This week is marked by many special events held across the Nation, including the national observance and candlelight ceremony held here in Washington, DC, a 5K run/walk and Victims' Rights Fair in Sierra Vista, Arizona, a Crime Victims' Rights Rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and many more. While these events provide excellent opportunities to focus on victims rights, this is an issue that requires our utmost attention year-round. That is why it is encouraging that there are over 10,000 victims assistance programs providing emotional, financial, physical and spiritual support every day. As the gentleman from Virginia said, a week honoring the victims and survivors of crime is especially poignant following last week's tragedy at Virginia Tech. The loss of innocent lives affects so many others who are left behind. The outpouring of prayers and condolences reminds us that victims and survivors of crime will not be forgotten and will continue to receive much needed community support. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa), the author of this resolution. Mr. COSTA. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, as a cochairman of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, along with Congressman Ted Poe, we rise today in support of House Resolution 119, the 2007 National Crime Victims' Rights Week resolution, expressing the sense of Congress' support for Victims' Rights Week and the efforts to increase public awareness in the United States and throughout the country with everything that is occurring, as my colleagues have indicated. I also want to thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Congressman Scott for their leadership on victims issues and for helping bring this bill to the floor today, as well as the gentlewoman from West Virginia. [[Page 9659]] Allow me to begin by sending our thoughts and prayers to those victims, the wounded, the friends and the families who were touched by the tragedy at Virginia Tech last week. We as Members of Congress and throughout the country are wearing these ribbons symbolic to remind all of us that in our Nation, and in the world, crime knows no boundaries. Victims of crimes are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, parents, neighbors and friends. They are those who are struggling to survive the aftermath of crime, and therefore they deserve our support. They deserve the services to help them cope. When I came to Washington 3 years ago, I discovered that there was a void in the leadership on victims issues, so together with my colleague, Congressman Ted Poe, we developed the bipartisan voice for victims in Congress, the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, which we together cochair. For Members and staff who are listening today, we welcome your participation in this Crime Victims' Caucus. On behalf of the caucus, we have introduced this legislation to recognize the fact that, as most Americans know all too well, crime knows no country, no geographic, no demographic, and no political boundary, and it touches all of our communities, unfortunately. This resolution before you provides support for Victims Rights Week and the Crime Victims Fund, which are two legacies of a former President of ours, President Ronald Reagan. Let me give you some of the history of how the Crime Victims Fund started. First of all in 1980, President Reagan, with bipartisan support in Congress, called for a national observance to recognize and honor victims of crimes and their families and survivors. The Democratic majority in the Congress back in the 1980s supported that effort. This week also pays tribute to the thousands of community service providers, those providers throughout our country, that give critical support to victims every week of the year. Victims Rights Weeks have been observed annually, therefore, across the Nation since 1980. But the Congress and President Reagan at the time's commitment to rights of victims led to the passage of what then became known as the Victims of Crime Act, which in 1984 created a Crime Victims Fund. The concept behind the fund is smart and it is simple: We take fines levied on criminals and distribute that money to the victim services providers, those which we talked about. The concept behind that effort is that it is not taxpayers' dollars, it is money that comes from those fines levied on criminals, and they distribute the money to those care providers throughout the Nation. Therefore, let me emphasize, this is not taxpayers' dollars. Yet, for the third year in a row, this administration is trying to take that money meant for victims and to put it in the abyss of our current efforts to balance the general fund. I might support that if in fact these were taxpayers' dollars, but they are not. These are criminals' dollars that are levied for their criminal act. It is simply wrong. For the last 2 years, the Crime Victims Caucus led the effort to protect that fund, and we are doing so again this year. As long as I am in Congress, I will continue to fight any effort that would effectively deny services to those victims. Let me tell you what the Crime Victims Fund has done over the years. It has dedicated more than $8 billion annually and supported more than 4,400 victim assistance programs throughout the country that has benefited over 3.8 million. It helps get beds in domestic violence shelters, it helps ensure that rape victims receive proper counseling, and, sadly, sometimes it even has to go to help families pay for funeral expenses. This fund, therefore, plays a critical role in all of our communities throughout the country. Several groups which I am proud to represent in my own district include but are not limited to the Marjorie Mason Center in Fresno, the Kern, Fresno and Kings County Probation Departments, Clinica Sierra Vista, the Rape Counseling Service of Fresno and the Comprehensive Youth Service. Our caucus is committed to ensuring that this fund is used for what President Reagan intended: to help victims who truly need and deserve their assistance and to hold offenders accountable, as the Congress intended to do in 1984. In 2007, the National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme is ``Victims Rights: Every Victim, Every Time.'' {time} 1530 This week from April 22 through April 28, observances are taking place throughout the country in thousands of communities, as indicated by my colleagues. Unfortunately, last year the FBI Uniform Crime Reports found that crime again is on the rise. Violent crime rose by 3.7 percent. Murders increased by 1.4 percent, and robberies were up by 10 percent. This means that victims suffered the indignation of crime and have significant losses that affect them physically, emotionally, and financially. Our caucus and our Congress must recommit our energies to ensure that ``every victim of every crime'' has access to support and services. Therefore, we must talk to the millions of Americans who are victimized each year. We must recall that every violent crime has a victim and every victim has a story. We know about the teenage girl who leaves home for the first time to go to college, to be impacted by a rape; or the young mother who is beaten by her husband on a regular basis but fears leaving him because he has threatened to kill her kids and she has no money and no place to go. Every victim, every time. Therefore, we must do everything we can. The 22 leading national organizations have come out in official support of the Victims' Rights Week resolution including the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, Justice Solutions, National District Attorneys Association, National Children's Alliance, National Coalition against Domestic Violence, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the National Center for Victims of crime. I include the full list for the Record. Victims Organizations Official Support for H. Res. 119 Organization: Justice Solutions; National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators; National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children; American Probation and Parole Association; National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center; the National Judicial College; American Society of Victimology; National Center for Victims of Crime; National Alliance To End Sexual Violence; National Organization for Victim Assistance; Stop Family Violence; Mothers Against Drunk Driving; The National Coalition of Victims in Action; National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards; National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; National Network To End Domestic Violence; National District Attorneys Association; Jewish Women International; National Children's Alliance; Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections; Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network; Security on Campus, Inc. Let me close by recognizing one victim advocate in particular for her valuable contribution in this field throughout the country, and her friendship and support of crime victims, Anne Seymour. She helped Congressman Ted Poe and I organize the Crime Victims Caucus 2\1/2\ years ago. People like Anne and all the organizations I mentioned are where the rubber meets the road. They are the direct providers, meeting the needs of victims every day. They truly are the unsung heroes, and this resolution honors their efforts. The Congressional Victims Crimes Caucus is committed to working with victims, service providers, and advocates to ensure that from the courtroom to the U.S. Capitol, the voices of crime victims are heard. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this significant resolution. Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who is a champion of crime victims rights and a member of the Judiciary Committee. Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important resolution. [[Page 9660]] The recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week continues the legacy of an individual who committed himself to elevating the status of crime victims in this country. Among the many contributions made during his Presidency, President Ronald Reagan's leadership and vision in advancing the cause of crime victims is immeasurable. Recognition of National Crime Victims' Week reflects just one of a number of accomplishments which also include national days of observance, creating the Office of Victims of Crime, and establishing the Task Force on Victims of Crime. Too often, victims of crime are made to be victims a second time, this time as a result of our criminal justice system, the very system designed to protect them. In 2004, 20 years after Congress enacted the Victims of Crime Act which authorized the Victims Assistance Fund, Congress enacted the Justice for All Act. This was another important victory for crime victims, as it extended a number of enforceable rights to crime victims, including the right to reasonably be heard at any public proceeding involving release, or plea or sentencing, the right to file a motion to reopen a plea, or a sentence in certain circumstances, and most importantly, the right to be treated with dignity and fairness and respect. However, the enactment of these rights is just one of a number of important changes that needs to occur to ensure that our Nation's criminal justice system is just for both offenders and for the victims of those crimes. Continued recognition and support of National Crime Victims' Week serves many purposes, including to remind us of what victims have suffered, to thank those individuals and organizations who have selflessly dedicated themselves to assisting victims, and to urge us all to rededicate ourselves to continue President Reagan's vision and leadership in advancing the cause of victims of crime. And I also want to note that for a number of years a number of us have worked very hard to pass a victims' right constitutional amendment. Now, we ought not to amend the Constitution unless it is absolutely necessary. And I think this is one incident in which it is necessary because the criminals, the defendants, their rights are contained within the Constitution itself. The right to a trial, for example. The right to have witnesses called on their behalf, the right not to have to self-incriminate all are within the Constitution. However, the victims, not a word in the Constitution. There are laws that have been passed, such as the law which gives a victim the right to be heard at a sentencing hearing or have family members heard at a sentencing hearing, but those are statutes. Oftentimes what happens is they come into conflict, and a judge will have to make a decision because they may be in conflict with each other. The defendant has his or her rights within the Constitution. They are up here. The victim, their rights down here are statutory. And when it comes to deciding which one is going to prevail, the Constitution will trump that statute every time. Therefore, the crime, the one who committed the crime, the defendant, the criminal, their rights are held higher than the victims. That is just not right. That is why Henry Hyde, when he was a Member of Congress, had introduced this some years ago, and about 5 years ago I took that up, took up the mantle for Henry to continue to push this way, and we have made progress. We have made progress in the law; but thus far, it is still not within the Constitution and it ought to be. I want to thank the gentlewoman and Mr. Scott also for pushing for this particular resolution this week. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and to support all victims of crime all across the country. Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and urge passage of this important legislation. As has been said by all of the other speakers, victims' rights is a very important issue and we don't want to forget those who have been victimized by crimes across the Nation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentleman from California for introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, an opportunity to reflect on the need for victims to be treated fairly, commemorate the progress we've made, and acknowledge the work that remains before us. This is a week in which we rededicate ourselves to the challenges that lie ahead in the fight for critical rights for victims of all crimes. I recently had the opportunity to meet Pat Byron, a woman from my home town of Louisville, Kentucky. Pat's daughter Mary was raped and beaten by her ex-boyfriend as a teenager. He was released from prison without Mary's knowledge, and tracked down the unsuspecting young woman in a parking lot; murdering her on her 21st birthday. Because of the courage of Pat Byron and the leadership in Louisville, in 1994, the community pioneered VINE, Victim Information and Notification Everyday. VINE could have saved Mary's life, and for the last 13 years, it has saved many like her. This technology is now available in more than 2,000 communities in 41 states and guarantees a victim's right to notification and information. Today, one week after the most brutal shooting in American history I urge my colleagues to join me and my community in standing up for victims, not only by commemorating National Crime Victims' Rights Week, but in taking steps like automated crime victim notification to ensure that victims' rights are protected. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 119. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. ____________________ GERALD W. HEANEY FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE AND CUSTOMHOUSE Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 521) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse and customhouse located at 515 West First Street in Duluth, Minnesota, as the ``Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building and United States Courthouse and Customhouse''. The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill. The text of the Senate bill is as follows: S. 521 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DESIGNATION. The Federal building and United States courthouse and customhouse located at 515 West First Street in Duluth, Minnesota, shall be known and designated as the ``Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building and United States Courthouse and Customhouse''. SEC. 2. REFERENCES. Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Federal building and United States courthouse and customhouse referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building and United States Courthouse and Customhouse''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) and the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maine. General Leave Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within [[Page 9661]] which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 521. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Maine? There was no objection. Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, S. 521 is a bill to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 515 West First Street in Duluth, Minnesota, as Judge Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building and United States Courthouse and Customhouse. Gerald Heaney was appointed judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on November 3, 1966. He took senior status on December 31, 1988, and retired on August 31, 2006, after over 40 years of distinguished service to his country and the citizens of Minnesota. I rise in strong support of this bill. Judge Heaney was born on January 29, 1918, in Goodhue, a rural community in the southeastern part of Minnesota. As a child growing up in a farming community, Judge Heaney learned the value of a close family, honesty, and hard work. These qualities have marked not only his personal life but also his life as a public servant. He was educated at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul and received his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1941. Gerald Heaney is a decorated World War II veteran and was a member of the distinguished Army Ranger Battalion and participated in the historic D-Day landing at Normandy. He was awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary bravery in the Battle of La Pointe du Hoc in Normandy. He also received a Bronze Star and five battle stars. At the end of the war, Judge Heaney returned home and entered private practice in Duluth. During this time, he was instrumental in improving the State's education system, and served on the board of regents for the University of Minnesota. He was instrumental in helping develop for the Duluth school system the same pay scale for both men and women. In 1966, he was appointed by President Johnson to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. In that capacity, he has been a champion in protecting the rights of the disadvantaged. He was devoted to making sure that every person had an equal opportunity for an education, a job, and a home. He firmly believes the poor and the less educated and the less advantaged deserve the protection of the Constitution. As a hardworking, well-prepared and fair-minded jurist, he left his legal stamp on school desegregation cases, bankruptcy laws, prison treatment, and Social Security law. His public service is marked by industry, brilliance, and scholarly excellence. His compassion and dedication to those most disadvantaged is unparalleled. Judge Heaney is most deserving of this honor. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, S. 521 is a companion bill to H.R. 187 which was introduced by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar). This bill designates the Federal building and United States courthouse and customhouse at 515 West First Street in Duluth, Minnesota, as the Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building and United States Courthouse and Customhouse. The bill honors Judge Heaney's dedication to public service. As we have heard previously, after serving in the Army during World War II and acquiring a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, Judge Gerald Heaney entered into the private practice of law from 1946 to 1966. Judge Heaney's career as a judge began in 1966 with an appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit by President Lyndon Johnson. Judge Heaney had a reputation for championing equal justice for underprivileged and vulnerable citizens. He retired after 40 years of service on August 31, 2006. I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) that the House suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 521. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ {time} 1545 RESIGNATION AS MEMBER OF PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following resignation as a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: House of Representatives, April 20, 2007. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, Washington, DC. Dear Madam Speaker: It is my desire to resign from the House Select Committee on Intelligence immediately. I look forward to returning to the committee soon. Thank you. Sincerely, Rick Renzi, U.S. Congressman, First District of Arizona. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the resignation is accepted. There was no objection. ____________________ RECESS The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair declares the House in recess until approximately 6:30 p.m. today. Accordingly (at 3 o'clock and 46 minutes p.m.), the House stood in recess until approximately 6:30 p.m. ____________________ {time} 1830 AFTER RECESS The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. Clarke) at 6 o'clock and 30 minutes p.m. ____________________ REPORT ON RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 362, 10,000 TEACHERS, 10 MILLION MINDS SCIENCE AND MATH SCHOLARSHIP ACT Mr. WELCH of Vermont, from the Committee on Rules, submitted a privileged report (Rept. No. 110-105) on the resolution (H. Res. 327) providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 362) to authorize science scholarships for educating mathematics and science teachers, and for other purposes, which was referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. ____________________ ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings will resume on motions to suspend the rules previously postponed. Votes will be taken in the following order: H. Res. 179, by the yeas and nays; H.R. 1434, by the yeas and nays; H.R. 1402, by the yeas and nays. Votes on H. Res. 289 and H. Res. 119 will be taken tomorrow. The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote. Remaining electronic votes will be conducted as 5-minute votes. ____________________ NATIONAL FOSTER PARENTS DAY The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 179, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by [[Page 9662]] the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 390, nays 0, not voting 42, as follows: [Roll No. 245] YEAS--390 Abercrombie Ackerman Aderholt Akin Allen Altmire Andrews Arcuri Baca Bachmann Bachus Baird Baker Baldwin Barrett (SC) Barrow Bartlett (MD) Barton (TX) Bean Becerra Berkley Berman Berry Biggert Bilbray Bilirakis Bishop (GA) Bishop (NY) Bishop (UT) Blackburn Blumenauer Blunt Boehner Bonner Bono Boren Boswell Boucher Boustany Boyd (FL) Boyda (KS) Brady (TX) Braley (IA) Brown (SC) Brown-Waite, Ginny Buchanan Burgess Burton (IN) Butterfield Calvert Camp (MI) Campbell (CA) Cannon Cantor Capito Capps Capuano Cardoza Carnahan Carney Carson Carter Castle Castor Chabot Chandler Clarke Clay Cleaver Clyburn Coble Cohen Cole (OK) Conaway Conyers Cooper Costa Courtney Cramer Crenshaw Crowley Cuellar Cummings Davis (AL) Davis (CA) Davis (IL) Davis (KY) Davis, David Davis, Lincoln DeFazio DeGette Delahunt DeLauro Dent Diaz-Balart, L. Diaz-Balart, M. Dicks Dingell Doggett Donnelly Doolittle Doyle Drake Dreier Duncan Edwards Ehlers Ellison Ellsworth Emanuel Engel English (PA) Eshoo Etheridge Fallin Farr Feeney Ferguson Filner Flake Forbes Fortenberry Fossella Foxx Frank (MA) Franks (AZ) Frelinghuysen Garrett (NJ) Gerlach Giffords Gilchrest Gillibrand Gillmor Gingrey Gohmert Gonzalez Goode Goodlatte Gordon Granger Graves Green, Al Green, Gene Grijalva Hall (NY) Hall (TX) Hare Harman Hastert Hastings (WA) Hayes Heller Hensarling Herger Herseth Sandlin Higgins Hill Hinchey Hinojosa Hirono Hobson Hodes Hoekstra Holden Holt Honda Hooley Hoyer Hulshof Hunter Inglis (SC) Inslee Israel Issa Jackson (IL) Jackson-Lee (TX) Jefferson Jindal Johnson (GA) Johnson, E. B. Johnson, Sam Jones (NC) Jones (OH) Jordan Kagen Kanjorski Kaptur Keller Kildee Kilpatrick Kind King (IA) King (NY) Kingston Klein (FL) Kline (MN) Knollenberg Kucinich Kuhl (NY) Lamborn Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Latham LaTourette Lee Levin Lewis (CA) Lewis (GA) Lewis (KY) Lipinski LoBiondo Loebsack Lofgren, Zoe Lowey Lungren, Daniel E. Mack Mahoney (FL) Maloney (NY) Manzullo Marchant Markey Marshall Matheson Matsui McCarthy (CA) McCarthy (NY) McCaul (TX) McCollum (MN) McCotter McCrery McDermott McGovern McHenry McHugh McIntyre McKeon McMorris Rodgers McNerney McNulty Meehan Meek (FL) Melancon Mica Michaud Miller (FL) Miller (MI) Miller (NC) Miller, Gary Miller, George Mitchell Mollohan Moore (KS) Moore (WI) Moran (KS) Moran (VA) Murphy (CT) Murphy, Patrick Murtha Musgrave Myrick Nadler Napolitano Neugebauer Nunes Oberstar Obey Olver Ortiz Pallone Pascrell Pastor Paul Payne Pearce Pence Perlmutter Peterson (MN) Petri Pickering Pitts Pomeroy Porter Price (GA) Putnam Rahall Ramstad Rangel Regula Rehberg Reichert Reyes Reynolds Rodriguez Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rogers (MI) Rohrabacher Ros-Lehtinen Roskam Ross Rothman Roybal-Allard Royce Ruppersberger Ryan (OH) Ryan (WI) Salazar Sali Sanchez, Linda T. Sanchez, Loretta Sarbanes Saxton Schakowsky Schiff Schmidt Schwartz Scott (GA) Scott (VA) Sensenbrenner Serrano Sessions Sestak Shadegg Shea-Porter Sherman Shuler Shuster Simpson Sires Skelton Slaughter Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smith (WA) Snyder Solis Souder Space Spratt Stark Stearns Stupak Sullivan Sutton Tancredo Tanner Tauscher Taylor Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Tiahrt Tiberi Tierney Towns Turner Udall (CO) Udall (NM) Upton Van Hollen Velazquez Visclosky Walberg Walden (OR) Walsh (NY) Walz (MN) Wamp Wasserman Schultz Waters Watson Watt Waxman Weiner Welch (VT) Weldon (FL) Weller Wexler Whitfield Wicker Wilson (NM) Wilson (OH) Wilson (SC) Wolf Woolsey Wu Wynn Yarmuth Young (AK) Young (FL) NOT VOTING--42 Alexander Boozman Brady (PA) Brown, Corrine Buyer Costello Cubin Culberson Davis, Jo Ann Davis, Tom Deal (GA) Emerson Everett Fattah Gallegly Gutierrez Hastings (FL) Johnson (IL) Kennedy Kirk LaHood Lampson Lantos Linder Lucas Lynch Meeks (NY) Murphy, Tim Neal (MA) Peterson (PA) Platts Poe Price (NC) Pryce (OH) Radanovich Renzi Rush Shays Shimkus Terry Thornberry Westmoreland {time} 1859 Mr. BROWN of South Carolina changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.'' So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ MOMENT OF SILENCE OBSERVED IN MEMORY OF THE LATE HONORABLE JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD (Mr. STARK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I rise to announce the death of our friend and colleague, Juanita Millender- McDonald of California. She died, we are informed, peacefully at home with her family on Sunday after a battle with cancer. Juanita holds a special place in history. She is the first African American woman to chair a full committee in the United States House. She also worked tirelessly against genocide, human trafficking, and she worked for women's rights. Prior to coming to Congress, she exemplified a leadership role as a teacher, city council member, and California State Assemblywoman. She was only 68 years young, a vibrant Member of Congress, and a good friend. Our sympathy goes to her husband James, five adult children, and five grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence to honor her at this time. ____________________ ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under clause 5(d) of rule XX, the Chair announces to the House that, in light of the passing of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), the whole number of the House is 433. Without objection, 5-minute voting will continue. There was no objection. ____________________ RACHEL CARSON POST OFFICE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1434, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1434. This will be a 5-minute vote. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 334, nays 53, answered ``present'' 3, not voting 42, as follows: [Roll No. 246] YEAS--334 Abercrombie Ackerman Aderholt Allen Altmire Andrews Arcuri Baca Bachmann Bachus Baird Baker Baldwin Barrow Bartlett (MD) Bean Becerra Berkley Berman Berry Biggert Bilbray Bilirakis Bishop (GA) Bishop (NY) Blumenauer Bonner Bono Boren Boswell Boucher Boustany Boyd (FL) Boyda (KS) Brady (TX) Braley (IA) Brown (SC) Brown-Waite, Ginny Buchanan Butterfield Calvert Camp (MI) Campbell (CA) Capito Capps Capuano Cardoza Carnahan Carney Carson Castle Castor Chabot Chandler Clarke Clay Cleaver Clyburn Coble Cohen Cole (OK) Conyers Cooper Costa Courtney Cramer Crenshaw Crowley Cuellar Cummings Davis (AL) Davis (CA) Davis (IL) Davis, Lincoln DeFazio DeGette Delahunt [[Page 9663]] DeLauro Dent Diaz-Balart, L. Diaz-Balart, M. Dicks Dingell Doggett Donnelly Doyle Drake Dreier Duncan Edwards Ehlers Ellison Ellsworth Emanuel Engel English (PA) Eshoo Etheridge Fallin Farr Ferguson Filner Flake Forbes Fortenberry Fossella Foxx Frank (MA) Frelinghuysen Gerlach Giffords Gilchrest Gillibrand Gillmor Gonzalez Goodlatte Gordon Granger Green, Al Green, Gene Grijalva Hall (NY) Hare Harman Hastings (WA) Hayes Heller Hensarling Herseth Sandlin Higgins Hill Hinchey Hinojosa Hirono Hobson Hodes Hoekstra Holden Holt Honda Hooley Hoyer Hulshof Inglis (SC) Inslee Israel Issa Jackson (IL) Jackson-Lee (TX) Jefferson Jindal Johnson (GA) Johnson, E. B. Jones (NC) Jones (OH) Kagen Kanjorski Kaptur Keller Kildee Kilpatrick Kind King (NY) Klein (FL) Kline (MN) Knollenberg Kucinich Kuhl (NY) Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Latham LaTourette Lee Levin Lewis (CA) Lewis (GA) Lipinski LoBiondo Loebsack Lofgren, Zoe Lowey Lungren, Daniel E. Mack Mahoney (FL) Maloney (NY) Manzullo Markey Marshall Matheson Matsui McCarthy (CA) McCarthy (NY) McCaul (TX) McCollum (MN) McCrery McDermott McGovern McHenry McHugh McIntyre McMorris Rodgers McNerney McNulty Meehan Meek (FL) Meeks (NY) Melancon Michaud Miller (FL) Miller (NC) Miller, George Mitchell Mollohan Moore (KS) Moore (WI) Moran (KS) Moran (VA) Murphy (CT) Murphy, Patrick Myrick Nadler Napolitano Oberstar Obey Olver Ortiz Pallone Pascrell Pastor Payne Pearce Perlmutter Peterson (MN) Petri Pickering Pitts Platts Pomeroy Porter Price (GA) Putnam Rahall Ramstad Rangel Regula Rehberg Reichert Reyes Reynolds Rodriguez Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rohrabacher Ros-Lehtinen Roskam Ross Rothman Roybal-Allard Royce Ruppersberger Ryan (OH) Ryan (WI) Salazar Sanchez, Linda T. Sanchez, Loretta Sarbanes Saxton Schakowsky Schiff Schwartz Scott (GA) Scott (VA) Sensenbrenner Serrano Sestak Shea-Porter Sherman Shuler Shuster Sires Skelton Slaughter Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smith (WA) Snyder Solis Souder Space Spratt Stark Stearns Stupak Sullivan Sutton Tancredo Tanner Tauscher Taylor Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Tiahrt Tierney Towns Turner Udall (CO) Udall (NM) Upton Van Hollen Velazquez Visclosky Walden (OR) Walsh (NY) Walz (MN) Wamp Wasserman Schultz Waters Watson Watt Waxman Weiner Welch (VT) Weller Wexler Wilson (NM) Wilson (OH) Wilson (SC) Wolf Woolsey Wu Wynn Yarmuth NAYS--53 Akin Barrett (SC) Barton (TX) Bishop (UT) Blackburn Blunt Boehner Burgess Burton (IN) Cannon Cantor Carter Conaway Davis (KY) Davis, David Doolittle Feeney Franks (AZ) Gingrey Goode Graves Hall (TX) Hastert Herger Johnson, Sam Jordan King (IA) Kingston Lamborn Lewis (KY) Marchant McCotter McKeon Mica Miller (MI) Miller, Gary Musgrave Neugebauer Nunes Paul Pence Sali Schmidt Sessions Shadegg Simpson Tiberi Walberg Weldon (FL) Whitfield Wicker Young (AK) Young (FL) ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--3 Garrett (NJ) Gohmert Rogers (MI) NOT VOTING--42 Alexander Boozman Brady (PA) Brown, Corrine Buyer Costello Cubin Culberson Davis, Jo Ann Davis, Tom Deal (GA) Emerson Everett Fattah Gallegly Gutierrez Hastings (FL) Hunter Johnson (IL) Kennedy Kirk LaHood Lampson Lantos Linder Lucas Lynch Murphy, Tim Murtha Neal (MA) Peterson (PA) Poe Price (NC) Pryce (OH) Radanovich Renzi Rush Shays Shimkus Terry Thornberry Westmoreland {time} 1912 Mr. HAYES changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.'' So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ SERGEANT DENNIS J. FLANAGAN LECANTO POST OFFICE BUILDING The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1402, on which the yeas and nays were ordered. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1402. This will be a 5-minute vote. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 386, nays 0, not voting 46, as follows: [Roll No. 247] YEAS--386 Abercrombie Ackerman Aderholt Akin Allen Altmire Andrews Arcuri Baca Bachmann Bachus Baird Baker Baldwin Barrett (SC) Barrow Bartlett (MD) Barton (TX) Bean Becerra Berkley Berman Berry Biggert Bilbray Bilirakis Bishop (GA) Bishop (NY) Bishop (UT) Blackburn Blumenauer Blunt Boehner Bonner Bono Boren Boswell Boucher Boustany Boyd (FL) Boyda (KS) Brady (TX) Braley (IA) Brown (SC) Brown-Waite, Ginny Buchanan Burton (IN) Butterfield Calvert Camp (MI) Campbell (CA) Cannon Cantor Capito Capps Capuano Cardoza Carnahan Carney Carson Carter Castle Castor Chabot Chandler Clarke Clay Cleaver Clyburn Coble Cohen Cole (OK) Conaway Conyers Cooper Costa Courtney Cramer Crenshaw Crowley Cuellar Cummings Davis (AL) Davis (CA) Davis (IL) Davis (KY) Davis, David Davis, Lincoln DeFazio DeGette Delahunt DeLauro Dent Diaz-Balart, L. Diaz-Balart, M. Dicks Dingell Doggett Donnelly Doolittle Doyle Drake Dreier Duncan Edwards Ehlers Ellison Ellsworth Emanuel Engel English (PA) Eshoo Etheridge Fallin Farr Feeney Ferguson Filner Flake Forbes Fortenberry Fossella Foxx Frank (MA) Franks (AZ) Frelinghuysen Garrett (NJ) Gerlach Giffords Gilchrest Gillibrand Gillmor Gingrey Gohmert Gonzalez Goode Goodlatte Gordon Granger Graves Green, Al Green, Gene Grijalva Hall (NY) Hall (TX) Hare Harman Hastert Hastings (WA) Hayes Heller Hensarling Herger Herseth Sandlin Higgins Hill Hinchey Hinojosa Hirono Hobson Hodes Hoekstra Holden Holt Honda Hooley Hoyer Hulshof Inglis (SC) Inslee Israel Issa Jackson (IL) Jackson-Lee (TX) Jefferson Jindal Johnson (GA) Johnson, E. B. Johnson, Sam Jones (NC) Jones (OH) Jordan Kagen Kanjorski Kaptur Keller Kildee Kilpatrick Kind King (IA) King (NY) Kingston Klein (FL) Kline (MN) Knollenberg Kucinich Kuhl (NY) Lamborn Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Latham LaTourette Lee Levin Lewis (CA) Lewis (GA) Lewis (KY) Lipinski LoBiondo Loebsack Lofgren, Zoe Lowey Lungren, Daniel E. Mack Mahoney (FL) Maloney (NY) Manzullo Marchant Markey Marshall Matheson Matsui McCarthy (CA) McCarthy (NY) McCaul (TX) McCollum (MN) McCotter McCrery McDermott McGovern McHenry McHugh McIntyre McKeon McMorris Rodgers McNerney McNulty Meehan Meek (FL) Meeks (NY) Melancon Mica Michaud Miller (FL) Miller (MI) Miller (NC) Miller, Gary Miller, George Mitchell Mollohan Moore (KS) Moore (WI) Moran (KS) Moran (VA) Murphy (CT) Murphy, Patrick Musgrave Myrick Nadler Napolitano Neugebauer Nunes Oberstar Obey Olver Ortiz Pallone Pascrell Pastor Paul Payne Pearce Pence Perlmutter Peterson (MN) Petri Pickering Pitts Platts Pomeroy Porter Price (GA) Putnam Rahall Ramstad Rangel Regula Rehberg Reichert Reyes Reynolds Rodriguez Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rogers (MI) Rohrabacher Ros-Lehtinen Roskam Ross Rothman Roybal-Allard Royce Ruppersberger Ryan (OH) Ryan (WI) Salazar Sali Sanchez, Linda T. Sanchez, Loretta Sarbanes Saxton Schakowsky Schiff Schmidt Schwartz Scott (GA) Scott (VA) Sensenbrenner Serrano Sessions Sestak Shadegg Shea-Porter Sherman Shuler Shuster Simpson Sires Skelton Slaughter Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smith (WA) Snyder Solis Souder Space Spratt Stark Stearns Stupak Sullivan Sutton Tanner [[Page 9664]] Tauscher Taylor Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Tiahrt Tiberi Tierney Towns Turner Udall (CO) Udall (NM) Upton Van Hollen Velazquez Visclosky Walberg Walden (OR) Walsh (NY) Walz (MN) Wamp Wasserman Schultz Waters Watson Watt Waxman Weiner Welch (VT) Weller Wexler Whitfield Wicker Wilson (NM) Wilson (OH) Wolf Woolsey Wu Wynn Yarmuth Young (AK) Young (FL) NOT VOTING--46 Alexander Boozman Brady (PA) Brown, Corrine Burgess Buyer Costello Cubin Culberson Davis, Jo Ann Davis, Tom Deal (GA) Emerson Everett Fattah Gallegly Gutierrez Hastings (FL) Hunter Johnson (IL) Kennedy Kirk LaHood Lampson Lantos Linder Lucas Lynch Murphy, Tim Murtha Neal (MA) Peterson (PA) Poe Price (NC) Pryce (OH) Radanovich Renzi Rush Shays Shimkus Tancredo Terry Thornberry Weldon (FL) Westmoreland Wilson (SC) Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the vote). Members are advised 2 minutes remain in this vote. {time} 1920 So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, on April 23, 2007, I was in Connecticut to meet with constituents and, therefore, missed 3 recorded votes. I take my voting responsibility very seriously. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on recorded vote number 245; ``yes'' on recorded vote 246; and ``yes'' on recorded vote 247. ____________________ REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 1964 Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent in the name of Mr. Jon Porter of Nevada that Mr. Porter be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1964. Mr. Porter was listed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1964 due to a clerical error. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. ____________________ REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 65 Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor from H.R. 65. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Oklahoma? There was no objection. ____________________ EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 328) and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 328 Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow of the death of the Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, a Representative from the State of California. Resolved, That a committee of such Members of the House as the Speaker may designate, together with such Members of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the funeral. Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House be authorized and directed to take such steps as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of these resolutions and that the necessary expenses in connection therewith be paid out of applicable accounts of the House. Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the deceased. Resolved, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from California is recognized for 1 hour. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I now yield 1 minute to our most distinguished Speaker, Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank our dear friend, Congresswoman Watson, for bringing us together around this very sad and necessary resolution today. On behalf of all Members of Congress, I rise to pay tribute to Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, who passed away Saturday night. I offer deepest sympathy to her family, who loved her so dearly, her husband James McDonald, Jr., her five children and her five grandchildren. As the first African American to chair a committee in Congress, Juanita Millender-McDonald was a trailblazer, always advocating for the full participation of all Americans in the success and prosperity of our country. She was a strong defender of the right of every eligible voter to have full access to the polls and a tireless proponent of fair elections that ensured that every vote would be counted. As chair of the House Administration Committee, Chairwoman Millender- McDonald's deep commitment to diversity was manifested in her actions when hiring and contracting within the House of Representatives. She enjoyed her role as the ``Mayor of Capitol Hill,'' and was known for asking tourists in elevators, ``Are you finding everything okay,'' and listening closely to their response. After her family, the people of California's 37th District were always first and foremost in Chairwoman Millender-McDonald's mind and her work here in Congress. She saw it as a priority to make sure they had every opportunity. She worked to strengthen the economy and jobs there, and she saw it as a priority to secure the two ports adjacent to her district. Chairwoman Millender-McDonald was an advocate for justice around the world. She spoke out forcefully against the genocide in Darfur, and was a powerful advocate for the rights of women everywhere. As a former cochairwoman of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, she worked for gender equity here at home and throughout the world. The loss of Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald is a personal one for many of us here. She was always optimistic and determined to make a difference. The dignity with which she faced her illness was an indication of the determination with which she always served the people of our country. We have all lost an effective leader and spokesperson, and many of us have lost a dear friend. When we look around this Chamber, it is almost impossible to imagine it without Juanita here fighting the fight, and doing so looking magnificent. The dignity, the grace, the beauty, the thoughtfulness that she brought to the tasks at hand were a model for others. Young people would come to the Capitol and observe her in action and learn from her. We also learned from her how to have dignity at the end of life. Many of us knew that she had had bouts with illness, but we really didn't know how serious it was and how close she was to, as she said, her daughter told me, going home. Valerie said to me last night, ``She said I want to make all of these arrangements so that I can go home.'' I hope it is a comfort to Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald's family and friends that so many people mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time. Many of us will travel to California to say good-bye to Juanita, if I may speak to her in that familiar way. It has been an honor to call her colleague, I know we all agree on that, and for many of us it was a privilege also to call her friend. Good-bye, my friend. Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, let me begin by expressing my appreciation to both of my California colleagues, Ms. Watson and [[Page 9665]] Speaker Pelosi, for their very thoughtful words, and, obviously I would, as all of my colleagues I know want to do, would associate ourselves with the very, very thoughtful remarks offered by Speaker Pelosi. Madam Speaker, this is a very sad time for me personally, for a number of reasons. Juanita Millender-McDonald was my friend and my neighbor. And she was my neighbor not only in California representing an adjoining congressional district, but my neighbor right here on Capitol Hill. We were next-door neighbors. So, Madam Speaker, I have to say that I had the privilege of spending a great deal of time with Juanita. As Speaker Pelosi said in her statement that she released yesterday, Juanita Millender-McDonald truly was a trailblazer. She was an individual who showed amazing commitment throughout her entire life to her beliefs, and I was very happy that she as a Democrat and I as a Republican were able to work together and find areas of agreement. I have to say one of the biggest challenges that we face in Southern California, I know my California colleague Ms. Watson understands this very well, is the area of transportation. The gridlock challenge, as is the case with many metropolitan areas around the country, is particularly bad in the Los Angeles area. Juanita Millender-McDonald served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and worked tirelessly to try and focus on those challenges, the difficulties that we faced. There was one particular project that I was pleased to work with Juanita on, and that was something known as the Alameda Corridor Project. {time} 1930 A huge percentage of all of the goods going to and from the United States, exports and imports, come through the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Juanita represented large parts of Long Beach, and she understood the importance of international trade. So she was one of those in the vanguard in the quest to deal with construction of the Alameda corridor which allowed those goods to move from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the rest of the United States and, similarly, goods exported from America. I am very happy to see the distinguished Chair of the Transportation Committee, Mr. Oberstar, nodding in agreement. He knows how important this issue is, and he worked very closely with Juanita Millender-McDonald and all of us who have been involved on that issue. I know she championed it with great enthusiasm. I also would like to say she was a very proud alumna of the University of Redlands. She went to the University of Redlands at age 40 and got her degree from the University of Redlands. One of the reasons I am proud to point to that is the distinguished former chairman, now ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations, Mr. Lewis, has specifically asked me to raise this issue. As I said, we were neighbors. As Speaker Pelosi correctly pointed out, while a number of us knew that Juanita had not been well, very few knew of the seriousness of her illness. I remember standing with my two California colleagues, Ms. Watson and Mrs. Napolitano, just last week, and we talked about making a video that we were going to provide for Juanita because we knew she had not been well. So her passing has come as a great shock to every single one of us. She is the first woman to ever chair the Committee on House Administration. She was a trailblazer on so many issues. Her passing is a loss to my State of California and to this institution and to the entire country. Madam Speaker, at this point I am going to ask unanimous consent that my California colleague, Mr. Calvert, be able to manage the time from this point forward, and with that I reserve the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I call on the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick), the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, for 3 minutes. Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding me this time. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. I stand here to pay tribute to my friend, my sister, chairwoman, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. I was asked earlier by an interviewer: How would she like us to remember her? A leader, a fighter, a mother, a grandmother, excellence bar none, first class, no shortcuts. To Jim and Valerie and to the rest of the family, to the grandchildren, just know you have her blood and you can do anything. No limits; be the best. As chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus, we are honored to have had her with us and teach us and show us the way. Juanita has been special in this body, rising from mayor, city councilperson, the first African American woman to chair the House Women's Caucus, and over the last 11 years serving in this body, a special friend to me personally. We many times talked about our families. So my sister, Juanita, as you take your rest with the spirit of God, we know you will watch over us and make sure that we do our due. We know the family knows you are with them forever. To Jim, it's okay, we're here for you and we always will be. So let us continue to rejoice. He makes no mistakes. We now have extra protection in heaven. On behalf of the entire body of the CBC, we are both remorseful and reflective on the life and legacy of Representative Juanita Millender- McDonald. We are praying with and for her family and dear friends during this season of grief. Representative Millender-McDonald should be celebrated for her abounding commitment to service and advocacy. During her 7-term tenure as the eloquent voice of the 37th Congressional District, including Long Beach, the industrial suburbs of Carson and Compton and parts of south central Los Angeles. As a former educator and recipient of a myriad of distinctions, including: First African American woman to chair a full committee in the U.S. House of Representatives; First African American woman to serve on the Carson City Council; First African American woman to render the national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address; First to be named Honorary Curator of the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach; First Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. Representative Millender-McDonald made certain to pave the way for her firsts to not be the last for African Americans and Americans across the globe. Therefore, the CBC will continue to carry on the work of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald as we change course, confront crises and continue the legacy. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren). Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on behalf of our departed colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald, with whom I only had the privilege of serving for the last 3 years, but who was an office mate, had the office just down the hall from me my first 2 years back here this time around; and then I had the proud honor of serving on House Administration with her. More than that, she represented a portion of my hometown of Long Beach, and we would often talk about our mutual interests in some of the people and institutions there, particularly my love for Long Beach Memorial Hospital in my hometown. In every conversation I had with her, in every dealing I had with her, she was very gracious, very generous of spirit, always upbeat. I was surprised to hear of her illness and surprised to hear of her passing because in every conversation I had with her, she never gave an indication that she was in pain or suffering or in any way challenged by this illness. She seemed to radiate a fulfillment in being in this House and the work she did. I know she was very proud of the people she represented, her constituents, and I know she was proud of the [[Page 9666]] communities she represented. And I know she was proud of the firsts she represented, both here in the Congress and in the California legislature. This place is a tough place. We battle oftentimes over ideas and we battle over ideology, and yet the human aspect of this place is forgotten by many who look out or look upon us from the outside, but it is always here. And I always enjoyed every encounter I had with Juanita. She was a pleasure to work with. She was someone who took great pride in our State of California, and I think she will be someone who will be sorely missed in this House. It is my pleasure to stand here and say good-bye, Juanita. I enjoyed working with you. You will be missed. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, with pleasure I yield 3 minutes to Ms. Barbara Lee from California. Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise this evening to offer my condolences to the family of our beloved Juanita Millender-McDonald, to her husband, Jim, to her children, to her grandchildren, her sisters, and to her entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. I am reminded of the very many moments we shared together and how precious and fun and engaging they were. I met Juanita over the telephone when I called to congratulate her for, as the underdog, winning the primary for the California Assembly in 1993 where I was then serving. Even in that first phone conversation, she conveyed such a strong sense of purpose and focus, yet a deep message of sisterhood and optimism about the future. Of course, Juanita won the general election and came to the California legislature where she demonstrated her keen intellect and her bipartisan legislative abilities as Chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee and as Chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee. Juanita, her husband, Jim, and her sister participated in a delegation which I organized to five countries in Africa. Her commitment to the continent and to diplomacy was recognized by all. Juanita, though, recognized the challenges which I personally faced as the organizer and leader of a delegation, most of whose members had never been to Africa. In the most sensitive and loving manner, she presented me with a beautiful Nambian wallet and passport carrier to shore me up and to help me out, and I carry it to this day. You know it was beautiful and well-made. Juanita had a keen sense of style, if you remember how beautiful and elegant Juanita was always dressed. She was a woman of distinction and class which brought her many compliments, but she was also a woman of substance, with a keen intellect, big heart and a passionate sense of justice. She worked on many issues relating to the empowerment of women, HIV/ AIDS, orphans, a host of issues which history will record as improving the lives of millions. Her annual AIDS walk was a source of pride and joy as she shared with us the dos and the don'ts on how to put our own together so we could replicate her success in our own communities. Juanita was a giving person who shared her wisdom with her friends and colleagues, and I will always remember her actions during the Bill Clinton impeachment era where she organized a group of women to go to the White House and meet with Mrs. Clinton in a show of support. It was moments like these when you knew you were in the presence of a risk- taker and a giant of a woman. Juanita was a loving wife and mother and grandmother and sister. Oftentimes she brought her beautiful grandchildren to the House floor to give them a sense of her work and a sense of Congress, and to show them off. I am deeply grateful to Juanita and to her family. As the Scriptures say, well done, thy good and faithful servant. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Last week, as for many of us, I first heard about Juanita's illness. That is surprising because there is a group of us on both sides of the aisle that fly back and forth to California every week. I know there is a lot of talk about partisanship nowadays, but we have a pretty close group. Many times we sit next to each other on the airplane, and we talk about parents and children and golf or whatever. And Juanita was always a delight to be with, always had a positive attitude, always someone you looked forward to seeing. I was deeply saddened to hear of Juanita's sudden passing. I was sitting at home writing a note to her this weekend; and, unfortunately, that note can't be delivered. But I hope she is listening right now as we state our condolences to her family and to her friends. It has certainly been an honor for me to have worked with her for the last 11 years that she served in Congress. She was a faithful representative of her district. I worked with her specifically on the C-17 factory in Long Beach, California, where they make the great C-17 aircraft, and she was a champion for that. She worked for the employees that worked at that plant to make sure that the aircraft which is doing a wonderful job for our country continues to be manufactured in Long Beach, California. As a matter of fact, the last conversation I had with her was about what we can do to keep that going. There are no words I can use to convey the sense of loss when a colleague passes. She was a champion, and a champion for California. Our delegation will miss her very much. We will miss her smile. I join all of my colleagues in supporting this bereavement resolution and extend my sympathies to her families and friends. Juanita Millender-McDonald was a patriot who faithfully served her country. Her contributions and commitment will not be forgotten. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to give 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren). Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, Juanita Millender- McDonald touched our lives in different ways. I chair the California Democratic delegation, and I can tell you that our delegation is literally heartbroken over the loss of Juanita. We meet every Wednesday as a delegation to sort through the issues that face us not just as a Congress but as a State. And although we know Juanita for her leadership in the Nation, those of us in California are very proud of the special things she did for our State. {time} 1945 There will be an empty spot at our meeting every Wednesday. She was a trail blazer, as has been mentioned, a first so often: the first California African American woman to chair two committees in the California Assembly; the chairperson of the House Administration Committee. But when I think of Juanita, I think of someone who had tremendous dignity, tremendous style, tremendous poise. She knew that she was a first, and it was important to her that she accomplish these firsts with an eye to being a role model for young people around the country and, indeed, around the world. As Chair of the Committee on House Administration, where I also serve, she worked so diligently to make sure that every vote would be counted, that all Americans would be treated fairly and without discrimination, and she was so happy to provide that leadership as chairwoman of the committee. It is so unfair that we have lost her from that position so prematurely. Today, we mourn the passing of a great American, but we also celebrate the legacy of public service that she leaves behind. Juanita Millender-McDonald left this Chamber as she entered it, with poise and spirit, fighting for those who could not fight for themselves. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, her five children, her grandchildren, and we mourn her passing, not just today but every day. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague from California (Mr. Doolittle). Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I was, like many of my colleagues, [[Page 9667]] shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news about Juanita. Grace Napolitano had just brought by a nice card for Members to sign on Friday, I think it was, and here I realize that she has passed away. I just had no idea. It was my privilege to serve with her in the House Administration Committee when she was the ranking member, and Juanita was a passionate advocate for her ideas and her beliefs. Sometimes she and I would argue with each other, but it was never with any personal disagreement. I liked her, I thought highly of her, and would just like to join with my colleagues in acknowledging her fine service here in the House of Representatives, her dedication to California, her desire to make a difference. I always admired her love and devotion to family, and I join with my colleagues in saying that I will miss her, and I am very sorry that this has happened. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps). Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague Diane Watson for her leadership in gathering us together, and I rise with my colleagues to extend my condolences, heartfelt, from this body to the family, to the friends, to the constituents of Congresswoman Juanita Millender- McDonald. This is a somber hour because we are, as my colleague, the dean of our California delegation, mentioned, we are heartsick over this loss, and maybe it is because Juanita was such a striking presence, so dynamic, so poised and articulate. When she entered a room, you knew she was there; and now, today, as we gather so soon after we heard of her death, just yesterday, walking through the doors of the Capitol, I thought it is not the same place now because she is not going to be there, wearing something striking, something beautiful, and with her elegance and grace. We will miss her. We will always miss her. She served in this place, as she served her community and her family and her city council and the State legislature, with such distinction, with passion and with dedication for the benefit of her community and with enormous patriotism. This talented public servant was a champion for several years, including fighting HIV/AIDS, improving women's health, encouraging women in business, protecting voting rights, stopping the genocide in Darfur. As I mention these issues, I think to myself her charge to us this evening would be to stop the sweet talk about her and get busy and solve these problems. That is the best thing we can do in her memory, in her name. She knew where the challenges lay in our country, in the way we go to the polls and the fairness of our elections, the availability of the opportunity to vote for every single American. She was not content. It is not solved yet and we have to do this in her honor. The genocide in Darfur, until that is a thing of the past, we cannot rest. We have got to do this now for Juanita. HIV and AIDS and all of the other things she cared about, now we have an increased motivation, and that is how we can turn our sorrow into something positive, the way she did with her life. We have heard from our colleagues this evening, and we will hear many things, but in particular, I want to speak today as I follow in her footsteps as cochair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. During the 107th Congress, she was cochair of the Caucus for Women's Issues, serving ably with Congresswoman Judy Biggert. Under their leadership, the women's caucus initiated the first annual Memorial Day tribute to women in the military at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Now this event, thanks to Juanita, has become an annual tradition and highlights the caucus' strong commitment to supporting our brave women in uniform. I know Juanita will be proud of us as we continue in this tradition. As cochair of that caucus, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald also convened the first meeting between women Members of Congress and the Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Gingsberg in order to discuss issues of national importance to women, especially in the judicial area. On a personal moment, I will never forget the first time I met with my colleague, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald. It was during a very difficult moment in my life after the passing of my husband Walter. The first thing I knew she was there in my district with every single one of her staff members to help me to succeed him in office. It was a very rainy time, and there they all were, walking precincts in my district, and that was how I met Juanita Millender-McDonald. She made a special effort to reach out to me and to my family in ways that were very meaningful to me. She shared with me that her father was a preacher like mine was, so we had that kind of bond as well. And I know it has been mentioned how ferociously she worked on issues like the C-17 and the Alameda Corridor, but if you ever flew with her in her service on the Transportation Committee, you knew very well that she wanted that airline to work for, not her, but for all of us Members and all of the passengers, and she made sure whatever flight we were on was going to be on time to the best of her ability. These are stories that I am not going to ever forget and I want to be grateful for her kindness to me, and pledge during this very challenging time in my life, she was there for me, and now we reach out to her family members. All of us are going to miss our colleague and our thoughts and prayers are with her during this difficult time. It was just pictured, such a wonderful picture of Juanita Millender- McDonald in her local paper, the Los Angeles Sentinel, and ironically, it is dated Thursday, April 22, and that was when she took leave. And who would have known on the paper in her community that just a few days later she would be gone. But I think it would be befitting her to have this entered in the Congressional Record in memory of Juanita. [From the Los Angeles Sentinel, April 19, 2007] Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Will Take Four to Six Weeks Off To Seek Treatment for Cancer (By Yussuf J. Simmonds) Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald is taking a leave of absence until May 25 in order to seek proper care and spend quality time with her family after being diagnosed with cancer. It had been rumored for some time that her health was troubling especially since she had been placed on the ``prayer list'' at her local church, Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles. However, she has always been a fighter for the community and now the community stands ready to return her hard work and efforts on its behalf with prayer and best wishes. McDonald is currently serving her seventh term in Congress representing the 37th Congressional District, which includes parts of Carson, Compton, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Signal Hill. Presently, she is the chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, the first Black woman to hold that position. As chairwoman, she has investigated the voting irregularities and disenfranchisement in Ohio, which was the first election reform field hearing in Congressional history. Glamour Magazine recently dubbed her as ``one of the eleven women who will change the world'' and a recent news report cited her as one of the five most effective members of Congress because of her ability to reach across party lines to effectively move bipartisan legislation. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the vice chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and the representative of the 9th Congressional District of California, extended warm greetings to her colleague and offered these words of comfort. ``Our prayers are with Congresswoman McDonald and her family. We wish her a speedy recovery and hope that her leadership and courage will soon be back with us in the nation's capital,'' Lee said. Councilman Isadore Hall of Compton's Fourth District was touched when he received word of her health concerns. ``Right now we are holding her up in deep prayer and hoping for a speedy recovery,'' said Hall. ``Certainly her presence will be missed, but we know she has competent staff who will be able to move swiftly with the agenda she has set for the community.'' This is not the first time that McDonald has faced health issues. In 2005, she underwent major surgery for an unknown illness. Last year, her son, R. Keith McDonald, requested a furlough from his 41-month prison [[Page 9668]] sentence for political corruption charges in order to see to her condition at the time. The judge granted him a six-month release but again, there was no official comment from McDonald on her condition then and there is no comment now if either incident is related to her current situation. Dr. William Epps, pastor of Second Baptist Church where McDonald is a parishioner, relayed his thoughtfulness by saying that he stays ``in touch with her weekly'' and that ``I'm keeping her in prayer for strength as she faces her health.'' She reportedly will maintain a limited schedule particularly in her district and this apparently will be to expedite her recovery process. She has requested respect for her privacy at present and all of her constituents have offered their prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers). Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I first met Juanita Millender-McDonald in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which is a wonderful committee; I am sure the current Chair sitting here would agree with that. A great diversity of tasks are needed there, and I came to know her well at that committee. I was amazed at Ms. Millender-McDonald in a number of ways. You just heard the previous speaker talk about her grace and elegance. That was apparent from the moment you saw her and talked to her. She and I became rather good friends because it happened that her father was a pastor, and my father was also a pastor. There is a special bond between preachers' kids, or PKs as they are called, and we used to jokingly discuss the need to develop a PK Caucus in the Congress so that we could address major issues of the times, particularly those with a moral content to them. Our friendship continued over the years, and I have to confess, I was continually amazed at new things I discovered in Juanita Millender- McDonald. First of all, just imagine being born African American in 1938 in Alabama and becoming the first African American woman to chair a committee in the Congress. That is a long and difficult road, and she traversed that road, once again, with elegance and grace. After having five children, she went back to school, received a bachelor's degree and then became a teacher. She later went back to school again and obtained a master's degree, showing amazing persistence and drive to do that. She then entered the political arena, became the mayor of a city in her district, and then later entered the State Assembly, and then the Congress. She had considerable drive and interest in serving others, and that stood out from the moment you first met her. But I found it interesting, though, even though we had a good personal relationship, she was a very private person. I was dismayed recently to find out that she had cancer because she had never discussed this with me and never alluded to it in our discussions. I knew something was wrong, but I did not know what. I wish I had known so I could have offered her more comfort and help. We have had our amusing moments as well. One time she insisted in talking far past her limit in our committee when I was chairman, and I gaveled her out of order. She refused to acknowledge the gavel and kept talking. So I gaveled louder and she kept talking, and I gaveled louder yet, until she could no longer speak. She was not pleased with that. But when she became the chairwoman, I called her to congratulate her and I said, now, I fully expect you to gavel me out of order every opportunity you get. That was the type of relationship we had. In spite of our differences of party, in spite of occasional differences in perspective and differences on how we should accomplish things in this Congress, we remained good friends throughout. And I think because of that, together, we were able to accomplish a great deal in our committee this past year, and we were continuing to do that this year under her leadership. We have lost a good friend. We have lost a good compatriot. We have lost a good Member of Congress. It is not easy to deal with that type of loss, and our comfort is that she is in a better place, and that she has served our country well. She has served her people well. I am sure as a teacher she served her students well. I think she has left the Congress a better place because of her having been here, and because of the example that she set for us. {time} 2000 Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Mr. Oberstar of Minnesota. Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, it was shortly after the election in which Juanita Millender-McDonald was elected to the Congress, she called on my office. I was the ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She came to see me about service on our committee. I had learned a little about her background, and I was surprised. I thought she would be more interested in Judiciary or International Relations, but when I asked why she wanted to serve on this nuts and bolts committee, she said, well, I have the Alameda Corridor in my district. And if I heard Alameda Corridor from her once, I heard it 50 times. It was incessant, it was a refrain, it was a passionate advocacy. I, of course, did support her candidacy for the committee. Then, when the assignments were given out, she came calling again, said, I want to know more about what this committee does. What are all these responsibilities? What does this subcommittee's work mean on public buildings and grounds and economic development? When I laid out the picture that this committee has jurisdiction over 367 million square feet of Federal civilian office space, she was excited. Well, there are things we can do here. It was just such an enlightenment and so exciting to see a new Member enthused about the work of the committee and wanting to understand it and grasp and understand it. The other thing that I have observed over the years, I have watched, as many of our colleagues have, as have the gentleman from Michigan and the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) who spoke so warmly and touching earlier, I see Members come in and they scratch and claw to get a committee assignment. Then they get on a committee, and they scratch and claw to get their subcommittee assignments. Then when you are there presiding or working, for so many years as the ranking member, you turn around, where are they? You don't see them again. Juanita Millender-McDonald showed up for work, every time. What was also touching was when another committee assignment conflicted, she would come in, sit down, be checked in, look at the committee agenda and the information, then she would come over and say would you please hold me excused, I have to go to another committee because something else is happening. You don't see that happening very often, the conscientiousness that she displayed about her service in the Congress. She took it seriously, learned it well. When we were crafting the Tea-21 legislation, she wanted to be a part of shaping the minority business enterprise provisions. She was on the floor to advocate for them. Her whole career was one of dedication to service, but she was a person, a mother, a wife, a human being, warm and caring. When she walked into a room and offered that smile, clouds parted, lights went on and Juanita Millender-McDonald was there for us. She will always be in my heart, in our hearts. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my colleague from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega). Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I thank the distinguished gentleman from California, my colleague, for extending me time from his part and recognizing the fact that we have so many on this side of the aisle to offer their remarks, especially in honoring Ms. Juanita Millender- McDonald. Madam Speaker, like all my colleagues in attendance this evening in this Chamber, we were all surprised and shocked to learn of the untimely [[Page 9669]] death of our distinguished gentle lady from the great State of California, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Some of you may be surprised to know that when I was serving as Lieutenant Governor some 24 years ago, I knew Juanita. She was a dear friend, but she was serving at that time as a member of the city council in the city of Carson, California. We collaborated often in addressing the economic and social needs of the members of my Samoan community living in the cities of Carson, Compton and even Long Beach. Next thing I learned, Juanita was elected as a member of the California State Assembly, and then finally she was elected as a Member of Congress. Juanita was passionate about the needs of the poor and the destitute. I know our Samoan community throughout the Los Angeles area all mourn the loss of this great and gentle lady. She truly was a dear friend to me, and members of the Samoan community are going to feel the loss of her presence. She lived life to the fullest. I know we are here to celebrate her life, although we also mourn her absence from the Halls of this great institution. On behalf of our Samoan community throughout the Los Angeles area, we convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to Juanita, her husband, and all the members of her family. I recall the Good Book, and it is my sincere hope that they may all be comforted with our Savior's promise, blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. I may also say in our Samoan culture, when someone passes away, we don't say that the person has died. We just simply say, be well in your voyage. And I would like to say this in my language, Juanita, ia manuia lau faigamalaga. God bless. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 additional minute to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Texas is recognized for 3 minutes. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the distinguished gentlelady from California (Ms. Watson) for her dedicated commitment and Mr. Calvert, two Californians who have come together on this sad but really commemorative time. Madam Speaker, I want to lift my voice a little bit, because there are some things that we say in the church about home-going services or memorials, is that they are, in fact, a celebration of life. I clearly believe that as I have listened to my colleagues, and as I will continue to listen to my colleagues, we really are celebrating Juanita Millender-McDonald's life. We are celebrating our friendship and how we care for her, how she cared for us. My first remarks are that our mayor has fallen, the mayor of our city, the City of Congress, the comings and goings of Members and staff, traffic and various personnel, law enforcement. This was her love, as she first started as a ranking member of the House Administration Committee and then had the honor of being appointed by the new Speaker of the House, a woman, to be the chairwoman of the House Administration Committee. But I do want to say, before I comment further, that Juanita had a bigger smile when she was around her husband, Jim, her five children and her grandchildren. She sparkled when she brought her grandchildren to the floor of the House and made sure that everybody knew those beautiful and lovely children who, in fact, seemed to have a very strong and proud bond with their grandmother. They were proud of this regal woman who came to the floor of the House as a Member of the United States Congress. Juanita was a doer, and she used to often speak of her beginnings with a Baptist father, preacher, a close-knit family, and her deep roots in Birmingham, Alabama, knowing what a segregated South was all about, a segregated America. Though she fought against it, she didn't let it bring her down, discourage her. Off she went to California, and she became a true daughter of California, with all of the attributes that great State allows you to have. She did things to make life better. She had a great sense of hope and spirit about her women's march against AIDS, and each year the numbers kept growing up and up and up. She would tell me, coming back, thousands of women marched against HIV/AIDS to find a cure, to stop the devastation in women. We were so proud when, for the first time, she was able to bring us together around women in the military. The last time I was there, the curator of that museum said, you know, Juanita started this. We now have become so important because of Juanita. Then, of course, she worked with the library and those workers over there. Juanita was someone who believed in getting things done, not for herself, but for others. As I close, let me thank Marcy Kaptur for giving this very special commemoration that has Nancy Pelosi's name on it, the votes that Nancy won by, Marcy's name as an elector or counter, tally person, and there is Juanita Millender-McDonald, who had, as her final work, the true integrity and transparency of elections all over America. Truly, we want to thank her, we love her. We love you, Juanita. This is a celebration of your life. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining on both sides. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California has 12 minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from California has 12\1/2\ minutes remaining. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca). Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, yesterday the House of Representatives, the State of California, and the Nation, lost a leader and a good friend of ours, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. We certainly will miss her. My wife, Barbara, and I extend a heartfelt condolence to her family, friends, staff, children, her five grandchildren and to Jim. Today we pay tribute to a real trailblazer, a pioneer, the first African American woman to chair a committee, a positive role model, a person who created hope for many individuals, a person who was a well liked and well respected individual. In a role as a public servant, she touched the lives of many individuals. Here in the House, I have heard many individuals talk about how she was a nice person and how she was well liked. As Chair of House Administration she worked closely with the Congressional TriCaucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in trying to obtain the fairness and equality for all of us. She was pleasant to work with. I have had the opportunity to work with Juanita and served with her in the California State Assembly prior to coming to Washington, DC. She has always been a strong advocate for the poor, the disadvantaged and those that were underrepresented. I know that she spent much time going into my district and speaking to a lot of the poor and disadvantaged in San Bernardino, in the Inland Empire, because she cared about the poor, not only in that area, but she cared about equal representation. She wanted to ensure that we had the numbers or bodies of people who represent us here in Congress. She worked for me in my campaign when I first ran out there. She worked with me also in a variety of areas, but one of those that has been mentioned tonight has been the Alameda Corridor. She really took it to heart because she knew the Alameda Corridor and what it meant was a lifeline to California, to Southern California, in the area of transportation, not only to the L.A. International Airport, but Ontario International Airport that is also affiliated with that area. Juanita really believed, because she knew the infrastructure and the growth and the population in the area, and she put a high priority on transportation. She was a friend and a loyal supporter, and I am grateful. As a friend, she will be deeply missed, but she will not be forgotten. She fought for justice, she fought for equality so that all individuals will not experience the prejudice and racism that [[Page 9670]] most of us have experienced throughout our life, that she wanted life to be better for others. She is a strong voice for many. Juanita Millender-McDonald will be remembered for her dedication to public service, tireless work on behalf of her constituents, and standing for the rights of women and minorities, and, overall, her desire to make our country a better place. We love you, Juanita Millender-McDonald. {time} 2015 Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield). Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I too rise this evening to honor the life and work of my colleague and friend, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, who has passed from labor to reward. Juanita was a warm and caring individual. She worked very hard in this body to improve quality of life for all Americans. As a faithful member of the Congressional Black Caucus she also spoke of the urgency of eradicating poverty and eliminating disparities in education and health care and wealth. She spoke for those who could not speak for themselves. My constituents, the 660,000 people of the First District of North Carolina, are grateful for the service of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald. I join my colleagues this evening in saying to the family of this great woman, you had a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother. Her love of humanity and work on behalf of disadvantaged people everywhere ensures that she is in heaven and free of the suffering she had to endure. May God bless the soul of this great American. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California, Linda Sanchez. Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, it is with sadness that I join my colleagues here on the floor this evening to pay tribute to a colleague who we lost far too soon. I was saddened to hear the news yesterday of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald's passing. Juanita was really a woman of many firsts, who broke down countless barriers for women and for African Americans. While the history books no doubt will list the numerous accomplishments of her long career, I will remember her best as a champion for economic opportunity and empowerment for the people of Long Beach and Los Angeles. I was pleased to have had the opportunity to work with her on many issues important to the communities shared by our adjacent districts. When workers, for example, in our communities who assembled the C-17 aircraft, faced the prospect of their assembly plant shutting down and losing their jobs, Juanita led the fight to make sure that those jobs were not lost. And she succeeded, and hundreds of people's lives are better off today thanks to her hard work. When I first joined Congress, Juanita took the time and made a special effort to introduce me to many of the local leaders in the African-American communities that straddle our districts. This was very thoughtful of her and I will always be in her debt for it. We here in Congress will certainly miss her insight, her experience, and her energy. And I will most certainly miss her beautiful smile and her unforgettable style because she truly is an unforgettable woman. I am sure that her constituents will miss her tireless advocacy on their behalf. They and we have lost a fine public servant, and we have lost a tremendously fine colleague. But most of all, my thoughts tonight are with her husband, their children and grandchildren, and their extended family. I wish them all the strength during this difficult time, and I want them to know that Juanita is truly an incredible woman who shall not be forgotten. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Santa Ana, California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez). Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from California. Juanita Millender-McDonald was my friend. I used to love coming into the Chamber and sitting down next to her and asking, ``What's up, what's going on,'' because Juanita knew. She knew what was going on in the Congress. She was the mayor of Congress, if you will, being the chairwoman of the House Administration Committee. And Juanita knew what was going on back in California. When I first decided to run for Congress and nobody knew, Juanita called me up and said, ``I'm stuck on the freeway, but I'm coming down to walk precincts with you. So let's hope the sun stays up and we get to go and walk together.'' And we did, and that is how I met Juanita Millender-McDonald. When I first came to the Congress, and coming as a young woman which, quite frankly, 12 years ago there weren't a lot of us, it was always very difficult and hard to be accepted. It is always hard to find your way in the Congress. But Juanita was right there. She was like a touchstone. She was somebody that I could talk to and tell her my frustrations or the happy points here. She really is what I would call a friend, and to many of us here she was a friend. She is a friend back in her district. I wish the people of the United States really understood the work that Juanita did. The Alameda Corridor was her dream. It was her project. This was the project to move goods that come to this country from the port across and through L.A. and out into the rest of the United States. When you think of the fact that 50 percent of everything that comes into the United States comes through the ports that were right there at Juanita's side, you would understand how important it was to each and every American. You see, if that cargo didn't leave L.A., if you were an auto worker in Tennessee, building a car, and you were waiting for inventory just in time, it wouldn't get there in time if it hadn't been for Juanita. And last year on the very last day of the 109th Congress, we passed the Safe Port Act. That really was Juanita's legislation. She will be remembered for a long time in this country and in this Congress. Juanita, and to her family, I love her. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Texas, Eddie Bernice Johnson. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the time. I rise with great sadness to remember my friend, my sorority sister in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and my colleague, Juanita Millender- McDonald. And I want to extend my deep condolences to her husband James, her children, friends, and loved ones. I was privileged to serve with her on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and her diligent service is evident in many of California's roads, bridges, and highways. I worked with her when she was cochair of the Congressional Women's Caucus. She did it with such charm, grace, poise, and dignity. This body is diminished and dismayed by her sudden absence, but we were inspired and enriched by her presence. Her spirit will live on. Her work will be felt by those who don't even know she helped. We celebrate her life. It was a wonderful, wonderful life. And we love her and her family. Madam Speaker, I rise with great sadness to remember my friend, my sorority sister and my colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald. I want to extend my deep condolences to her husband, James, her children, friends and loved ones. As chairwoman of the Committee on House Administration, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald will be recorded in history as the first African- American woman to chair a full committee of the House. Those of us privileged to know and work with her will remember her tireless advocacy for justice and her example of meaningful public service. Throughout her career, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a friend to women's causes and to young people. Her work to end human trafficking and slow the transmission of AIDS has improved countless lives. The results of her work--improved lives for women and girls worldwide, expanded voting [[Page 9671]] rights for the disenfranchised, greater assistance for the sick and the poor--are a testament to her character. From the beginning, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a trailblazer: She was the first African-American woman to serve on the Carson, California City Council. In her first term in the California State Assembly, she became the first woman to chair two powerful committees. She was the first African-American woman to give the national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address as well. But for all her firsts, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was also a champion for the least and the last. She fought injustice wherever she found it: Whether in the voting booth, the classroom, the research lab, or the workplace. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald rigorously investigated widespread voting irregularities and disenfranchisement. She was a vocal opponent of genocide around the world and a tireless fighter for human rights. Her Mother-to-Child HIV/AIDS Transmission Act became the President's $15 billion African AIDS initiative. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald also worked to increase diabetes research in minority and female populations; she pushed the Department of Education to improve the dismal dropout rates among minority high school students and secured millions to reduce the backlog of Equal Employment Opportunity complaints. The first time voters in Ohio can feel more confident their votes will count because of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald. The elderly diabetics in her home State of Alabama have a better chance of avoiding amputation because of her. She had a hand in granting diplomas to thousands of Native American students growing up on reservations; and countless girls in Cambodia and Sudan have her to thank for a childhood free from kidnapping and assault. They may never know where to direct their gratitude, but the alleviation of their suffering stands as her lasting legacy. Her influence is also inscribed on the physical landscape of California's 37th district. I was privileged to serve with her on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and her diligent service is evident in many of California's roads, bridges and highways. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's record of exemplary public service includes life memberships in the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She served on the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Board of Directors, and founded the League of African-American Women. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald also founded the Young Advocates to train young people for political leadership. This body is diminished and dismayed by her sudden absence, but we were inspired and enriched by her presence. Her commitment to equal opportunity, civil and human rights will be greatly missed. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott). Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, this is indeed a solemn occasion, but it is also an occasion to celebrate. On each of our obituaries at that time, there are three things that are mentioned: the year you were born, the year you died, and then there is the dash. It is what you do with the dash, what you do with your life. And the life that we are here to celebrate, Juanita Millender-McDonald's life, was one of greatness and sacrifice and commitment, serving on the city council, serving in the State legislature of California, and then in the Congress of the United States. Traveling around the world wherever the need was, whether it was in Africa, Middle East, in the Caribbean, she cared. Juanita Millender-McDonald fought the good fight, she kept the faith, and there is indeed put up for her an outstanding crown of righteousness, and we all thank God for having Ms. Juanita Millender- McDonald pass our way. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop). Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, my wife Vivian, all of our colleagues here in the Congress, and all of the hundreds of workers here on Capitol Hill were deeply saddened to learn of the death of our friend and colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald. Words are never adequate at a time of loss. Only one who has worn the garment of bereavement can truly understand the pain that comes when a family must confront the inevitable that one has been taken from its midst. Yet, upon prayerful reflection we must all allow our tears to melt into joy, because truly we have been blessed to have known, to love, and to have been a part of the life of this very, very exceptional woman. Juanita was a lady of achievement, of service, of public distinction, of beauty, of grace, of dignity. She was elegant and she was eloquent. She was the epitome of refinement, but she was committed. She was intellectual, she was a lady of principle, and she was an advocate for justice. Juanita was a person of great courage. She took on the toughest fight, but she fought it with dignity. Even in her illness, she took on that tough fight. I was happy to call her my friend, but I was happier for her to call me friend and confidante. The poet wrote, ``Full many a gem of purest ray serene, the dark unfathomed caves of oceans bear; full many a flower is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness on the desert air.'' We are blessed and so happy that Juanita's sweetness was not wasted, but that we and the world are better because she was here. We wish Godspeed and the consolation of the Holy Spirit for her husband, her children, and her grandchildren as we share in your loss and bid our good friend and colleague farewell. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt). Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time. I join with my colleagues in expressing sympathy and paying tribute to our friend and colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald. When you serve in a body of 435 people, you get to know some of the Members by face, some by name, and then you get to know some close up and personal. When you serve as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, as I did for the last 2 years, you get to know your members on a close personal basis, and you get to know who will stand with you and fight, who will support you, who will cover your back for you. And that is how I got to know Juanita Millender-McDonald, because I knew she would stand and fight for what she believed in and she would be a friend. So I remember her first and foremost as a friend and colleague, and pay tribute to her family and express my sincere condolences. {time} 2030 Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio, Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Diane Watson, for organizing this event. You know, when I think of Juanita Millender-McDonald, I think of this piece of poetry called ``A Phenomenal Woman.'' In one of the lines in that piece of poetry, it says, ``Does my sexiness upset you? Do you find it awful hard that I dance like I have oil wells growing in my back yard?'' And Juanita was like that. She danced and she walked and she showed off, and that is what I loved most about her. When I came to Congress, I learned that we had Alabama roots. I learned that she was an AKA and I was a Delta. And on the floor of the House I would wear pink, and she would say, oh, you look good in that pink. And I would say, oh it is only faded red that I have on, because Deltas wore red. We talked about issues affecting women. It was as a result of her work and that of Bob Ney that I had an opportunity to bring the Secretary of State of Ohio before a hearing and get him to answer questions. I thank Juanita for that, to my best. But I think the thing that Juanita and I talked about most, and my words are to you, Keith, that she loved you. We talked about our sons. And African American sons are so important in the lives of mothers. And we used to talk about you. And I used to talk about Mervyn. And she loved her daughters, but we talked about our boys. [[Page 9672]] And I just want to say to the family, Jim and all, that we here in the Congress will miss Juanita Millender-McDonald. But the thing that we will always remember is she was right there on that aisle, right there, just sitting there talking, smiling, walking, being involved. And we thank God for Juanita Millender-McDonald. And, God, you know, AKAs came first, but the Deltas were second. So I will always think of her as my sister. We are from the same root. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, as my final speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), who has also had a difficult week. He lost his brother this week, and our condolences are with him, also. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Madam Speaker, I lost two people who were very dear to me this last week, and one was my brother, who passed away Thursday morning, and Juanita, who just passed away on Sunday. It is really an amazing thing as I have thought about this, just about how similar these two people were, because my brother was very, very active in politics, but he was really non-ideological. He was someone who had a very good heart and was a very generous person, was always looking forward trying to help people get something done. Does that remind of you anybody else? That was Juanita. I mean, there wasn't an ornery bone in her body. And in politics, you know, we get kicked around and beat up a lot and people lie to us, and people say bad things about us, and I never saw Juanita ever get mean or vengeful at all towards anybody. And we used to travel back and forth in the airplane. I see some of my friends here who traveled on that same flight. And it was always such a joy to be with her and to spend 4 and 5 hours at a time going across the country. And you can't say that about everybody. Who else do you want to spend 4 or 5 hours with? She was a wonderful person. She had a wonderful heart. And my brother wasn't as successful as Juanita. When he passed away, he really didn't have a lot of professional success. Juanita, as we have heard today, had enormous professional and personal success in her life, being a woman who reached up to the height here of power and authority and influence here in Washington, DC and our Nation's Capital. But you know what? Whether it was that or whether it was my poor brother who passed away, both of them died of liver cancer, I might add. Both of them died of liver cancer, just so close to each other. But, you know, when they lay us down in our casket, no matter what we have accomplished in the material world, it is what we have done to try to help others, how good a heart we have, how generous we have been to other people, not just financially, but with our time and with our love and with our caring. Those are the things that we carry with us. I believe my brother, he was a very accomplished and successful person in that way. And we certainly know that today, Juanita was a wonderful success in her life. She cared about people. She never was captured by the meanness and orneriness that comes with politics sometimes. She always wanted to get things done. She worked with me. Our districts came together in Long Beach and we worked together on so many programs for the people of Long Beach, especially in the areas of transportation and water and health care, and she was always there trying to talk to me, saying what can we get done. I am a conservative Republican and she was a Democrat, but she always wanted to work together to try to do things to help other people. So I am very proud tonight to stand up and say that I will miss Juanita. I am going to miss my brother, obviously. But this world has lost two wonderful souls, two wonderful human beings. And I am pleased to add my voice tonight to say, goodbye, Juanita, and we are going to miss you. You had lots of love in your heart, and we love you. Bye-bye. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California, Hilda Solis. Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Los Angeles, Congresswoman Watson, for holding this special event here for us to talk about one of our colleagues. You know, I haven't been here very long in the Congress; but when I came in 2001, I knew that I had a friend here. Juanita Millender- McDonald at that time served as caucus Chair for the Women's Caucus and led the fight in so many ways for justice for women. And particularly, as a woman of color, she knew how deeply important it was to set herself up as a role model for all of us. I remember her coming back and talking to me about events she did in her district. Every year annually she would raise funds and give grants out to domestic violence shelters and programs, and how she would have a big event with her community, and she kept inviting me. Hilda, you have got to see what we are doing out in our area; and it is something that you should take a look at. She was there. She fought so hard for us during the Women's Caucus as she served her tenure, helping to promote women in the military. And she was very adamantly strongly, strongly supportive of women in the military. And I know that her family, right now, needs our prayers and thoughts, and we send those from our community and from my family, from my husband and myself, and want to thank her for all that she did to fight for us, for our transportation funding in Southern California, for the ACE project, which affects so many of the L.A. delegation members, and for her strong work and advocacy for people of color affected by HIV and AIDS. So I want to thank her. And it is fitting to say that this evening, because this evening, after we finish our discussions here, we are going to talk about the uninsured. And Lord knows that our communities of color share a heavy burden, disparate treatment, disparities that exist with chronic illnesses, and one of those being cancer, particularly African-American women who many, many times go undiagnosed. We need to do more in this area. And so we think of her today. We honor her, and we thank her family for the time that she served with us here on Earth. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining on both sides. The SPEAKER pro tempore. You have 1 minute, and the gentlewoman has 1\1/2\ minutes. Mr. CALVERT. I would close, Madam Speaker, by saying that we heard many great stories about Juanita and remembrances of her life, and we have lost a great friend, a great champion for our home State of California, and a great champion for our country. And as we mourn her loss, our condolences are shared with her family. Godspeed, Juanita. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to Ms. Marcy Kaptur from Ohio. Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I can say that Congresswoman Millender- McDonald would be so happy to see Congresswoman Yvette Clarke in the chair tonight. And I thank Congresswoman Diane Watson for her compassionate service and certainly for this memorial service tonight. And I extend deepest condolences on behalf of the people of Ohio to the family of our beloved Congresswoman, Juanita Millender-McDonald, her husband, Jim, her children, her grandchildren. Having had the great pleasure of serving with her during her entire tenure, let me say, when I think of Juanita, I think of a woman who was resilient, who was strong, determined, refined, accomplished, persevering and, indeed, courageous, a pioneer with a great sense of humor and, as a minister's daughter, a boundless sense of hope. Even today, for a woman to chair a full committee of this House is a rarity. And for an African-American woman, she created the mold, the first African-American woman in the history of this country to chair a full committee in this House. [[Page 9673]] Just a few weeks ago, a new volume of ``Women of Congress'' was published, and hers is the first name in that volume, commissioned by order of the Chair of the House Administration Committee, Juanita Millender-McDonald. There are some people who teach us how to live and indeed, she did. And many people can teach us how to die, and she has done that with her great dignity and her courage. Just a few weeks ago, when Nancy Pelosi of California was sworn in as our first Speaker, I had the great honor of being one of the two Democratic tellers. Juanita, as Chair of the House Administration Committee, sat to my right. I shall never forget that moment, and I think she lived partly for that moment. May her strength comfort her family in these trying moments of bereavement. I believe God holds close those who journey toward the light in this Easter and Passover season. And may the angels of mercy lift her and lift the spirits of those who love her and bring comfort and bring peace. Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald was a remarkably committed legislator. As the first African-American woman to chair a full committee in Congress, she was deeply dedicated to the work of the House Administration Committee. Through her chair, she was working on landmark legislation to ensure the integrity of our voting system. At home, Representative Millender-McDonald worked every day for her constituents on the issues of healthcare, economic development and housing. Representative Millender-McDonald was engaged in a serious effort to revitalize the public housing in her district and was involved in a series of tours and meetings with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Alphonso Jackson, at both Imperial Courts and Nickerson Gardens aimed at providing better housing options for her constituents. Recently, we joined together to lend our voices to the chorus of community leaders and residents in a successful effort to extend funding for Martin Luther King Hospital. Representative Millender-McDonald will be missed not only by her constituents in the 37th district, but by all of the people who were touched by her service. Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, in my office is a wonderful photograph of Juanita and I, arms raised in victory, It was taken as I announced my intention to run for Governor of California in 1998. She was right there, and I was clearly buoyed by her presence. Our friendship was forged in that tough campaign, and it remained strong. Juanita was a popular and highly regarded Member of this House. Those are not easy things to achieve in a very competitive workplace, so it is worth asking how she did it. First, she was a loyal friend. Once she decided to endorse or support you, she never flinched--no matter how hot the heat. And second, she was a pro. She had a clear idea of what legislators can do, and she worked hard. The results are obvious. Juanita Millender-McDonald served California's 37th congressional district well. When she came to Congress, she decided to add ``Millender'' to her name in order to honor her mother. Surely she honored her mother. But she also honored her constituents--and this Congress. A good friend, superb colleague and class act, Juanita, you will be missed. Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart as I remember my dear friend and colleague, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Juanita passed away April 22nd in her home State of California. She will be remembered as a strong woman and formidable legislator who broke down many barriers by becoming the first African- American woman in history to chair a committee in Congress, the House Administration Committee, and the first African-American woman to serve on the Carson City Council and the first to chair two committees in the California State Assembly. I really got to know Juanita when I co-chaired the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues and subsequently when she became the co-chair. She was a strong advocate for women's and minority rights and was a strong ally in the effort to combat human trafficking. Juanita came to work with a passion and determination that is rarely found. She represented the 37th Congressional District with dignity and pride, proving to be an effective leader and caring Representative. I especially want to extend my condolences to Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's husband, James, and to her five children and grandchildren. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I wish to offer my sincerest condolences to the family of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. My thoughts and prayers go out to them in their time of mourning. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald amassed many firsts and accomplishments during her life as a public servant by breaking racial and gender barriers. She was the first African-American woman to serve as Ranking Member and Chairman of the powerful House Committee on Administration. She was also the first woman to serve on the Carson City Council; the first to chair two powerful California State Assembly committees--the Insurance Committee; and the Revenue & Taxation Committee in her first term as a state legislator. She was also the first African-American Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues and in that capacity she led the women on two groundbreaking meetings: One with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to talk about the plight of women globally and another with the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange to develop strategies for increasing women's investments and net worth. In recognition of women who served in our military, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald initiated the first annual Memorial Day Tribute to Women in the Military at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and she led the fight to secure $15 million for the maintenance of the memorial. Most recently secured $50 million for counseling services for our returning men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. During her 6 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, her ability to reach across the aisle and effectively move bipartisan legislation was evident during her work on a range of issues, including ensuring equal rights for women and minorities, improving our education system, combating poverty, protecting voting rights, and stopping the genocide in Darfur. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald devoted her life to her family and to service on behalf of her constituents in the 37th District of California and to the Nation. Congresswoman Juanita Millender McDonald was truly a phenomenal woman. She is a friend and colleague who will be sorely missed. Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deep sadness at the passing of my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, a dedicated public servant, who worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents and her country. I had the privilege to serve with Congresswoman Millender-McDonald on the House Administration Committee and also previously in the California State Assembly, and can attest to the passion, dignity, and grace she brought to her work. Juanita Millender-McDonald devoted much of her life to public service. In her career she was an educator and an advisor, a member of Carson's City Council, a California State assemblywoman and finally a Member of Congress. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's passion and drive were unmatched. She was an unwavering advocate for minority rights. She was a champion of women's health issues. She was an adamant opponent of the genocide in Darfur. And she was committed to securing election reform and security for our Nation's ports. I admired Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's leadership and fervor in her many roles: as community leader, Member of Congress, and Chairwoman. All those who knew her and worked with her know the void she leaves with her passing. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her husband, James, her children and her grandchildren. She will be missed. Mrs. MYRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Juanita Millender-McDonald, who bravely fought a battle with cancer up until this past weekend. After a painful struggle, she's now at peace. Juanita and I both came to Congress in 1995. While we were on different sides of the aisle, I always respected her passion for a host of issues, and her willingness to work with the other side to find solutions. At only 68 years of age, it seemed she had many more years of public service ahead of her, and I'm sorry for the loss of a friend and colleague. Juanita became a good friend of mine back in 1999, when I was diagnosed with cancer. She made a point of reaching out to me to show her support, and I've always been grateful to her for going out of her way to lend a kind word and a compassionate smile. Her passing is yet another reminder of how much more work is needed to continue our [[Page 9674]] Nation's War on Cancer, in spite of the progress that's been made so far. Today we mourn the loss of a friend, and our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband James, and her children and grandchildren. Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today with a heavy heart. The passing of the Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald is being felt by all who knew her, and all who were touched by her career in public service. I want to extend my condolences to her family, friends and constituents in California's 37th District for their great loss. In fact, we all have lost something in the Chairwoman's passing. For me, I lost a colleague, but my wife Annette and I also have lost a neighbor and friend. Much has been said in these past days about what she meant to California and to the Congress as a whole. When she won her first election to the City Council of Carson, California, she committed herself to more than two decades of public service. As the first African-American woman to chair a committee here in the House, she was a trailblazer. And as the so-called ``Mayor of Capitol Hill'' she was charged with ensuring the smooth operation of the people's House, while overseeing the biggest expansion of the Capitol complex as the Capitol Visitors Center nears completion. Madam Speaker, many of us are so busy that we don't have time to really get to know one another. Seeing Juanita every morning on my way to the office was an extraordinary way to start off my day, and in the evening we would compare notes on our way home. I will truly miss seeing her and am heart broken by her untimely passing. Congress has lost a singularly able and warm person whose contributions to the greater good for her District, the people of California, the country as a whole, and African-American women will live on. Our prayers are with her family as we all mourn the passing of Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I wish to join my colleagues in expressing my sorrow over the passing of Juanita Millender-McDonald, the representative of California's 37th Congressional District. My thoughts and prayers go out to her constituents, her friends, and her family. Madam Speaker, I had the opportunity to get to know Juanita during the 109th Congress when we both served as members of the Committee on House Administration. While some might view oversight of election law and the day-to-day functions of the House as relatively uninteresting, I know that I do not, and I know that Juanita, who served as ranking member at the time, did not think them trivial either. Whatever topic was before the committee, Juanita was dedicated to assuring that things were done fairly, properly, and effectively. She was vigorous in guaranteeing the integrity of the Federal elections process and was committed to ensuring that every eligible voter had free and unfettered access to the voting booth. Likewise, in her oversight of managing the House, she wanted to ensure that everyone on Capitol Hill had a safe and secure place to work or visit, while preserving the grandeur of the Capitol and the surrounding buildings. This tenacity was something she demonstrated throughout her life, not just during the decade she spent in Congress. After raising her five children, she continued her own education, earning a bachelor's degree at the age of 40. She followed that up with a master's degree in educational administration. She was no stranger to hard work, and she was not afraid to take on a challenge. One of Juanita's most notable accomplishments occurred earlier this year. In January, she became the first African-American woman to chair a committee in the House of Representatives. It was something that made many Members of the House very proud, and it was a tremendous accomplishment for a woman whose life was full of monumental achievements. I think it speaks volumes of Juanita's dedication that she was here voting in this House, representing her constituents, until less than a month before cancer took her life. In fact, almost none of her colleagues were aware of her illness and how serious it had become until the week before she passed away. And through it all, she held a warm spirit and a kind smile. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues in sorrow for Juanita's passing, and I again express my condolences to Juanita's family, friends, and constituents. Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to remember a pioneering woman, a fearless advocate for justice and equality, and a remarkable trailblazer who was dedicated to improving the lives of others. Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald embodied all that members of Congress strive to be: she was a masterful navigator of Washington politics; she was a tireless champion for her constituents in Southern California; she was a focused and determined activist for the less fortunate all over the world. She was also a dear friend and valued colleague to those of us in Congress, and to so many others who were fortunate enough to know her on both a personal and professional level. As the first African-American woman ever to wield the gavel of a full Congressional committee, Juanita was proof of the milestones that can be achieved through dedication, intelligence, and political acumen. Her steady rise through the hierarchy of California politics--from a seat on the Carson City Council to a position in the California State Assembly, and finally to the Halls of Congress--instilled in her an unshakeable allegiance to the people who repeatedly elected her. Juanita's intense loyalty to her constituents was reflected in their own well-placed faith that she would represent them in a principled and thoughtful manner. She never let them down; indeed, her record as a public figure was characterized by an attention to the needs of her constituents, by a single-minded focus on achieving equality, and by adherence to the principle that democratic government; should help those most in need. Everything Juanita did was colored by her passionate quest for equality. She used this intensity to her advantage, emerging as an effective and authoritative advocate for women's rights at home and abroad. Never afraid to tackle controversial issues or to use her position as a bullhorn for reform, Juanita's energy and enthusiasm for advancing the cause of women's rights propelled her into a leadership role from her earliest days in Washington. Innovative ideas on this score seemed to emanate from Juanita. She convened a first-of-its-kind meeting between women members of Congress and female Supreme Court justices to discuss women's issues. She carried the Families First Agenda to more than thirty states for the first time. She served as the first Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. Through it all, Juanita was masterful at marshaling well-known and influential individuals to her cause without ever losing sight of her goal, which was to help create a society committed to justice, fairness, and equality. It is fitting that Juanita was such an outspoken and effective advocate for women's rights, for perhaps her greatest strength lay in her identity as a woman. She demonstrated for all of us--men and women alike--that being a member of Congress, a mother, and a grandmother at the same time was not merely a challenge. For Juanita, it was a blessing to be embraced and cherished. As a grandmother myself, I looked to her as a role model for how to integrate the unique challenges of having a family with the equally exciting responsibilities that come from serving in Congress. Two of the most rewarding pleasures in life are raising a family and working for the public, and Juanita's life is solid proof that a dedicated and forthright individual can accomplish both with poise, grace, and dignity. I extend my deepest condolences to Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's family. While this week my fellow Members and I lost a trusted colleague, confidant, and friend, their loss resonates more deeply than we can know. Nonetheless, I know that I speak for all of the Congress when I say that Juanita Millender-McDonald was someone we admired on a personal and professional level, someone whose absence will leave a void within us, and someone whose legacy of principled and determined leadership will not be forgotten. Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of my close and dear friend Juanita Millender-McDonald, whom I have worked with and known for many, many years. I am deeply saddened by the news of her untimely passing, and I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends, and constituents of this distinguished Member of Congress. She came to Congress in 1996 and quickly moved up the ranks among her peers. Her commitment to excellence led her to achieve a series of political firsts, including, becoming the first African American woman to chair the Committee on House Administration, the first African American woman to serve on the Carson City Council; the first to hold the position of Chairwoman for two powerful California State Assembly committees in her first term, and the first African American woman to give the national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address. She spoke her mind and was not easily intimidated by political pressure, regardless of from where it came. Furthermore, in the 110th Congress, in addition to her Chairwomanship, she served on [[Page 9675]] eight full and sub-committees. One issue that the Congresswoman and I worked on closely together was the protection of one's fundamental and Constitutional right to vote. Our combined efforts on voting irregularities in Ohio ultimately led to the introduction of HR 4141 in 2005, which would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002. She believed that there are no more important responsibilities in the People's House of Representatives than ensuring that the ability to vote in free and fair elections is not compromised in any manner, which has not always been the case. She was a visionary, an advocate for justice for all Americans, and the embodiment of determination. Millender-McDonald was a role model and incredibly dedicated to the empowerment of woman and youth as the Founder and Executive Director of the League of African-American Women, and the Founder of the Young Advocates, a political leadership-training program for African- Americans between the ages of 18 and 35. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with a distinguished woman of strength, integrity, and dynamism. Not only will I miss her dearly, but she will also be missed by the many people that she has touched throughout her service in Congress. Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to enter into the Congressional Record remarks on the life and work of the Honorable Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald served seven terms for the 37th Congressional District as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She died of cancer on April 22, 2007 at age 68. Mrs. Millender-McDonald was born in Birmingham, Alabama on September 7, 1938. She always placed education and women's rights in the forefront of her issues and values; after graduating from the University of Redlands with an undergraduate degree, she became a teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District. When she attained her Master's Degree from California State University at Los Angeles, she gave up her job as a teacher to be an editor and writer for the school district. Her lifelong fight for women's rights emerged when she became the manuscript editor for Images, a textbook designed to enhance the self-esteem of young women. Before running for local office, she was named the Director of Gender Equity Programs for the Los Angeles school district. In 1990, she was elected the first African American woman to the Carson City Council, and in 1992 the first woman to represent the 55th Assembly District in the California State Legislature in 1992. In both roles she attacked the congestion and transportation problems of California infrastructure. As an assemblywoman, she helped push the Alameda Corridor, a $1.8 billion public works project to lay new tracks and build trenches and bridges. Her concern with transportation continued in her national office. As a member of the House, she was appointed to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and its Subcommittees on Aviation and Surface Transportation. She also served on the Committee on Small Business and as one of the ranking members on the Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports. After two years in the House, she was named the Region One Democratic Whip, and was honored with the Watts Walk of Fame for her work on behalf of the 37th District. In 2006, the Congresswoman became the first African American chair of the House Administration Committee. For her entire life, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald has fought for social justice. She was a leader in election reform, women's rights, and transportation solutions; she was a credit to her district and to all the people she served as a Representative of the United States. Her husband, five adult children and five grandchildren survive her. I commend her and her life's work, and ask my colleagues to recognize her memory. Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. I was saddened to learn of her passing after her courageous battle with cancer, and my thoughts and prayers are with her husband, James McDonald, Jr., their five children and five grandchildren--as well as the people of the 37th district of California. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald served this Congress honorably for over five terms, during which time she was a tireless advocate for underserved communities in the U.S. and around the globe. Among her many accomplishments, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald secured critical funding for counseling services for our servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and was instrumental in the passage of important AIDS-prevention programs in Africa. The Congresswoman was also a staunch advocate for the rights of women, minorities, children, and the elderly. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald will also be remembered as a preeminent leader and trailblazer. She was the first-ever African- American or woman to chair the Committee on House Administration where she worked hard to ensure that all Americans would be guaranteed their rights at the voting booth. As the Democratic Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, Congresswoman Millender- McDonald convened groundbreaking meetings with then-UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan to discuss global poverty programs, as well as the New York Stock Exchange to find ways to empower women in the workplace. Madam Speaker, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald led an exemplary life of public service that included her most recent position as the ``Mayor of Capitol Hill''. The House community lost a true friend. May God rest her soul. Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my profound sorrow over the sudden loss of my colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald who died of cancer on April 22, 2007. Juanita was a trailblazer throughout her life and in the House of Representatives, and it was an honor for me to serve alongside her. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Juanita was a former teacher in the Los Angeles public school system and served on the Carson City Council and in the California State Assembly before running for Congress in December 1995. Since then, she had been elected to Congress with an overwhelming amount of support from her constituents. The 37th district of California should be proud that they had such a strong and determined representative in Juanita Millender-McDonald. Juanita spoke out against injustices both in our country, especially on voting rights and election reform, and abroad, including genocide in Cambodia and Darfur, women's rights and human trafficking. Her hard work and ability to lead earned Juanita the Chairmanship of the Committee on House Administration for the 110th Congress. This appointment also represented another barrier she broke through: Juanita Millender-McDonald was the first African-American woman to chair a House committee. Having faced many obstacles in my own life, I can truly appreciate the barriers that Juanita knocked down in her lifetime. I know her memory will live on forever, as will the opportunities she helped create for those who follow in her footsteps. Juanita is survived by her husband, James McDonald, Jr.; five children; and five grandchildren. May we keep her loved ones in our thoughts and prayers as they endure this difficult period. Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, the loss this week of our dear friend and colleague Juanita Millender-McDonald was a great blow to this institution and to the people of the California's 37th Congressional District. I extend my sincere condolences to her family during this time of sorrow, and I hope that they find some comfort in knowing how deeply loved and respected Juanita was by her constituents and by her colleagues here in the House of Representatives. We honor her life and her accomplishments this week. Motivated by love of country, community and family, and inspired by her struggles as an African American leader and as a woman, she advocated for the rights of minorities and women in this country and throughout the world. Juanita was no less dedicated to the more parochial needs of her constituents and Southern California in general. As the tributes from her Committee colleagues highlight, she was a respected and effective member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, securing billions of dollars for her region and her state of California. She worked tirelessly to secure transportation infrastructure investments, enhancing the economic security of the region and improving the quality of life for Los Angeles County residents. She will long be remembered by Angelenos for her leading role in making possible the construction of the historic Alameda Corridor. She was also a woman of many firsts. In the California State Assembly, Juanita became the first woman, in her first term, to chair the powerful Insurance and Revenue and Taxation Committees. I know how proud she was to be the first African American woman to be named Honorary Curator of the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. Most recently, Juanita became the first African American woman to hold the distinguished position of Chair of the powerful House Administration Committee in this 110th Congress, [[Page 9676]] overseeing the operations of the House of Representatives. During her short term as Chair, her hiring and contracting practices within the House of Representatives reflected her deep commitment to diversity. She was a dedicated proponent of minority rights, and was the Founder and Executive Director of the League of African American Women, comprised of 40 African-American women's groups. Juanita was also the founder of the Young Advocates, a political leadership-training program for African-Americans between the ages of 18 and 35. She believed in embracing our youth and fought to give young people hope and opportunity for a better life. Juanita introduced legislation directing the Secretary of Education to study and report to Congress on the troubling dropout rate among Latino, Native American, American Samoan and African American high school students. Juanita will also be remembered as a strong advocate for human rights around the globe, speaking out against genocide in Cambodia, Darfur and other regions of the world where she fought against injustice and inhumanity. She worked with former Secretary of State Madelene Albright and Ambassador John Miller to address human trafficking and in support of women's rights around the world. Juanita Millender-McDonald was a dynamic member of this House, who sought to maximize her influence to better the lives of her constituents, the residents of her county and State, and all people around the world in desperate need of assistance. Juanita was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. And she was a beloved colleague and friend who will truly be missed. My husband Ed and I send our deep and sincere condolences to her husband, James, her five children and five grandchildren. We will miss you Juanita. Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 328, expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a strong advocate for women and human rights, speaking out against injustice in our country and around the world. She was the first African American woman to chair a Committee in Congress, and will be remembered for her commitment and dedication to ensuring that every American's vote counts. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues in the 107th Congress, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald worked tirelessly to ensure that women from both sides of the aisle participated in the activities of the Caucus. She was a warm and open person, and was a true mentor to me during my first term in Congress. On behalf of the families of Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District, we extend our prayers and sincerest condolences to her husband, Mr. James McDonald, Jr., her children and all of her family and friends. Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald will be remembered and honored in the highest regard. Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the life of Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Juanita Millender-McDonald. She was my colleague and, more importantly, she was my friend. Juanita and I served together in the California State Assembly and later in Congress. Each week we shared a flight back and forth from Southern California and we grew to be very good friends. In Congress, we partnered on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to address the unique and pressing transportation needs of Southern California. We joined together to bring a national focus to the importance of Southern California's goods movement, highway financing, and transit needs. As conferees for the SAFETEA-LU Act, together we worked hard to bring historic levels of Federal transportation funding back to the Southern California region. I am saddened by the loss of a great public servant and colleague that fought for the needs of her constituents and the Southern California region with grace, dedication, and honor. I am also saddened by the loss of a dear personal friend. Juanita was a kind and gentle soul who was called home far too soon. Her wisdom and leadership in Congress will be sorely missed. I join my colleagues in praying that she is in a better place and that her family is able to find peace in knowing the tremendous contributions she made to her State and Nation during her years of public service. Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, on Sunday April 22, 2007, my dear friend and colleague Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald was called home. Juanita was a great woman who worked passionately for justice and cared deeply for mankind. She was a phenomenal Congresswoman, a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a dutiful friend. She made time for her constituents--and didn't just listen, but heard them, and spoke for them. Madam Speaker, Juanita began her tenure in Congress in 1996. She represented California's 37th Congressional District and was a proud leader in the Congressional Black Caucus where she championed the caucus' disparities agenda to advance economic development, expand access and affordability for health care, truly ``leave no child behind'' in our education policy and the list goes on. She was a true legislator. For example, she authored several pieces of legislation focusing on health care, specifically woman's heart health. Legislation such as H.R. 51, a bill to support National Wear Red Day, and H.R. 52 the American Heart Month which called on women to take action and prevent heart disease were just a few examples of her legislative priorities. Juanita was a trailblazer, becoming the first African American woman to chair the House Administration Committee for the 110th Congress. She was known as the Mayor of Capitol Hill; overseeing the operational and safety needs of the Capitol compound. She was truly a jewel and a joy to have known. In closing, I'm reminded of a passage from Proverbs 31:10-31 KJV, verse 10 which reads: ``Who can find a virtuous woman? . . . for her price is far above rubies.'' Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a great woman, epitomizing humanity, humility and virtue. She will truly be missed. Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, my presence on this floor today is marked by a sad and heavy melancholy over the loss of a friend and dearest colleague. We have lost a good friend, indeed a great friend, in Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. I wish to extend with deepest sincerity my sympathy and condolences to her family and to her constituents of Long Beach, Compton, and Los Angeles. It is a common tradition in our society to look past the loss of the physical being in order to best preserve and cherish the personal being. However, the difficulty in this emerges when we constantly find ourselves reveling in the presence of that person as an everyday part of our lives. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald will be so sorely missed. She was and is still a part of our everyday lives. It is hard to fathom the idea that we will never hear her voice again--for her eloquence and passion in speaking, and her unforgettable laughter, will ring in our ears. The strength and tenacity that propelled her through her life's work will continue to inspire us. As we continue our work in her memory, I encourage all of us to remember her as we walk through the hallowed Halls of Congress. If we stop and listen, we will hear her footsteps echo in these great marble corridors. Juanita's accomplishments and achievements in life were many. But as we mourn the loss of her physical-self, we would do well to remember her compassionate-self, her temperate-self, which encompassed an unfailing dedication to public service. I most humbly thank Congresswoman Millender-McDonald for her being an exemplary public servant. I praise her for her stalwart fight against cancer. At last, I am comforted by the fact that her truly unconquerable soul is yet unvanquished. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy and accomplishments of our recently-passed colleague and dear friend Juanita Millender-McDonald. Juanita Millender-McDonald's life epitomized one of a true leader. Her deep commitment to those she served led her to be the first African American woman to chair a committee in Congress. Juanita Millender-McDonald's vision and leadership since 1996 will have a lasting impact on the House of Representatives. Her fight for full voting participation for all Americans and her tireless efforts for fair elections in the United States have helped millions of Americans and made our democracy stronger. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in paying respect to the family of Juanita Millender-McDonald and in honoring her career in service to our country. The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired. Without objection, the previous question is ordered on the resolution. There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the resolution. The resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. [[Page 9677]] ____________________ {time} 2045 SPECIAL ORDERS The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Clarke). Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 18, 2007, and under a previous order of the House, the following Members will be recognized for 5 minutes each. ____________________ JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise this evening to celebrate the life of my very good friend and colleague, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. I personally have known Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald for over 30 years. Our time together spans back before her days as a Member of this distinguished body when I was member of the Los Angeles Unified School Board and she was there as an administrator and then as a California State legislator. And then on that road she was elected to the Carson City Council. Juanita's distinguished life is a life of ``firsts.'' She is the first African American woman in history to chair the Committee on House Administration, which oversees the operation of the House, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institute, and the National Zoo. The Committee on House Administration also oversees all Federal elections. Juanita worked tirelessly to investigate all reports of voter irregularities and voter disenfranchisement. She was one of the first Members of Congress to call for a congressional hearing on reported voting irregularities in the State of Ohio. She played an important role in congressional election reform. Juanita Millender-McDonald was also the first African-American woman to serve on the Carson City Council and the first to hold the position of chairwoman for two powerful California State Assembly committees in her first term. Like myself, Juanita Millender-McDonald at heart was an educator. After raising five children, Juanita, at the age of 40, returned to school and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Redlands and a master's degree in educational administration from Cal State L.A. She spent her early career in the classroom, teaching high school and working at a career center. It is here that Juanita first demonstrated her ongoing interest in the lives of young people and issues that impact the lives of women and their children. But above all, Juanita worked tirelessly for all the people in her community. And I want to say, all the people. She was a people person who had an uncanny skill to build and sustain networks. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Juanita worked, again, tirelessly to secure much-needed Federal assistance for Southern California's transportation needs, including funding for her passion: for the Alameda Corridor. Juanita's passing is a great loss to this institution as well as her constituents and as well as this Nation. She was a great citizen as well as a great person and would have made a lasting and important contribution to this body in her position as House Administration chair. She was making that contribution every single day. And I would say to her, Juanita, you missed the caucus. You missed the California Caucus. You missed the Black Caucus. She said, I am so busy working, I don't have time for the caucuses. She was committed. And on a personal note, Madam Speaker, when she was sworn in as a Congresswoman in her district, I went there. She had been sworn in here, and when she got up to speak, she said, You know, I was raised on a farm and I married early. And she said, I was so naive, when I had five children one after another, I just knew it was that orange juice, being raised on a farm. So I would tease her. I said, ``Juanita, watch out for the orange juice.'' She was one of my closest friends and colleagues. She will be missed. And I want you to know she was raised by a father and her older sisters. She was the youngest. So she said, You know, on a farm we were wealthy. And she said, But it was my father who played the role of both parents. He set down the principles and values by which I run my life. So in honor of my father, I am adding as my middle name, my maiden name, his last name. So, therefore, she became Juanita Millender- McDonald. And if you ever saw her signature, it was one of the most beautiful, graceful signatures. And she always took time to write ``Juanita Millender-McDonald.'' And I would go on correcting people when they said ``Juanita McDonald.'' I said, ``No. Juanita Millender- McDonald.'' So, Juanita, we celebrate you and we know that you are here in these Chambers today. And to end my piece and allow the others, we did a taping with our voices on it, and at the end we sang to her ``Dreamgirls.'' We will always be dreaming of our Juanita Millender- McDonald. ____________________ TRIBUTE TO THE HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I join with my colleagues from all across America who have spent much of the evening extolling the virtues of our colleague Juanita Millender-McDonald. Much has been said, and yet there is much that can, in fact, be added. As a matter of fact, when I first came to Congress, Juanita was one of the first persons that my wife and I met. So my wife immediately became a Juanita Millender-McDonald fan. And I said to her, Vera, it is all right for you to be a Juanita Millender-McDonald fan, but don't try to dress like her. We can't afford it. Juanita was, in fact, a charming, delightful, snazzy lady, the essence of femininity, but as tough as a nail. As a matter of fact, I don't know if a week went by that I didn't receive some communique from her talking about some issue or explaining something that she had done or something that she had worked on. And as I listened to all of my colleagues talk about her many ``firsts,'' the first African American woman to serve on the Carson City Council, the first African American woman to render the national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address, the first to be named Honorary Curator of the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, and the first Democratic chair of the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues. Obviously, she was many firsts. And I guess maybe the poet Homer had her in mind when he said that there are pioneer souls that go where highways never ran, but let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man. And I guess he had Juanita in mind as he talked about why would I live in my house by the side of the road as the race of men go by. Men who are good, men who are bad, men who are wise, foolish, but then so am I. So why would I not simply be, as Juanita has been, one who understood the relationship between people, moving across aisles, moving across boundaries to accomplish and get things done. So on behalf of my family and me and all of the residents of the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois, we extend our greatest condolences to her family and say that we too would hope to live in the house by the side of the road like Juanita Millender-McDonald and be a friend to mankind. ____________________ JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD (Mr. ELLISON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, I am so honored to see all of our colleagues rise and extol all of the great virtues of Juanita Millender-McDonald, talking about her historic firsts, her role as mayor, city councilperson, the first African-American woman to chair a committee in the House, and all of the [[Page 9678]] great things that she did, things that commanded the attention of the whole world. But I just want to say, as a member of the freshman class, that coming to Congress, trying to figure out what is going on around here, things going by so quickly, Juanita Millender-McDonald had time for people in our situation, just trying to figure out what was happening. She had a moment to say, How is it going? Did you know where this was or where that was, and what can I do to help you? So in life, Madam Speaker, people will often remember the great things that we did that command headlines and find things that we do that command public attention. But greatness is measured by the small things in life, and in those small things she was great also. ____________________ {time} 2100 JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, yesterday we lost a devoted colleague and friend, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents in the 37th Congressional District of California. As we know, prior to her coming to Congress, she made a name for herself as the first African American woman to serve on the City Council in Carson City and the chairwoman of two powerful committees, Insurance and Revenue. But many people don't know that in recognition of women who served our country in uniform during wartime, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald initiated the first annual Memorial Day Tribute to Women in the Military at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. And she led the fight to secure $15 million for the maintenance of the memorial. She also secured $50 million for counseling services for our returning men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bold initiatives have been her trademark. In 2005, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald, along with other CBC members, unveiled a portrait of Joseph Rainey, the first African-American to be seated in Congress. She was very proud of that because she contacted members of his family who are alive today, and there was a tremendous celebration. Internationally, she spoke out against genocide in Cambodia and Darfur and other regions of the world where human rights are in danger. She worked with former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Ambassador John Miller on human trafficking and women's rights issues globally. She reminds me of a poem I learned as a youngster in elementary school, actually; but it is appropriate because her memory will live on. The poem is called, ``The Arrow and a Song.'' It said: ``I shot an arrow into the air, it fell to Earth I know not where. For so swiftly it flew, my sight could not follow it in its flight. ``I sang a song into the air, it fell to Earth I know not where. For who has sight so keen and strong that can follow the flight of a song? But long, long afterwards in an oak I found the arrow still unbroke. And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend.'' And so I say that to say that what Juanita did will live on. Her work for the persons who worked in the Library of Congress who were minorities and women who were being terminated, and we felt unfairly, she took on that responsibility to fight to see that those women, primarily, would be placed in other positions. She worked hard, and the dignity and the beauty and her perfection were certainly noticed. And I can tell you, the women talk about the grace that she had. Well, let me make it clear that the men also noticed that grace and that beauty and that charm. And so we will remember her as she moves on up that highway. ____________________ JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ellison). Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. SHERMAN. You know, it is heartwarming to sit here for a while and to listen to these personal tales of our good friend, Juanita Millender-McDonald. I first got to know Juanita in our days as activists during the 1980s on the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee. Both of us entered State government in the early nineties; both of us came here to Congress in the mid-90s. Juanita broke barriers. Juanita led the charge. She was the first African-American woman on the Carson City Council, the first African- American woman to chair the Revenue and Taxation Committee of the California Assembly, where I enjoyed working with her on State tax issues. Juanita was the first African-American woman to give the Democratic Radio Address response. And finally, she was the first African-American woman to serve as Chair of the House Administration Committee. Now, her fine work on that committee has been detailed by so many of the prior speakers who have come to this floor. And the prior speakers have also spoke of her work on the Transportation Committee, where we in Southern California are so grateful to her for her efforts on behalf of the Alameda corridor. Juanita will be missed, of course, by her husband James, by her five children and by her five grandchildren. She will be remembered here for her record of legislative accomplishment, and she will be remembered here for the spunk she showed every day. And finally, she will be remembered for the courage she showed in these final days, because Juanita barely mentioned to her closest friends that she was a bit under the weather. Right up to the end she was fighting the good fight. Juanita's courage and strength will be remembered. ____________________ JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. WOOLSEY. Juanita Millender-McDonald. We already miss you, your beautiful face, your elegance and grace, your tenacity and spirit. Your absence will leave a void that will never, ever be filled. And that is what we know about you here without question in the House of Representatives, so we can only guess how much you are going to be missed by your beloved family. They, in their grief, however, can always take solace in their pride and in their love and their appreciation of such an amazing woman. Beloved wife, mother of five, grandmother of five, Member of the California Assembly, Member of the United States House of Representatives, and in the end, the very first African American woman to become chairwoman of a full committee. Because of this position, this elegant persuasive woman's portrait will hang in the Halls of Congress for the rest of time. And over the years she will watch over the activities of her House Administration Committee. And believe me, she will be expecting excellence. So while Juanita rests, she expects each and every one of us to keep on going until we can go no more; and because of her example, we will do our very best. We already miss you, Juanita, and we will remember you always. ____________________ JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to thank my good friend from California (Ms. Watson). I, too, Mr. Speaker, want to take this opportunity to associate myself with the remarks made by our colleagues [[Page 9679]] this evening in tribute to Congressman Juanita Millender-McDonald. On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend to her family our condolences. She was a strong and she was an effective leader for the people of the 37th Congressional District of California, and we are going to miss her here in Congress. Juanita took a special interest in the people of Guam. When I first met her, I was a freshman. She stopped me in the hall and she said, Are you the new representative from Guam? I said, yes. And she introduced herself and she said, I want you to know that I have many people from Guam in my district. She attended our liberation wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington. I will never forget it. And each time we met, whether it was here on the floor or in the hall, she would always ask me about the people of Guam. She was a strong leader. She made her mark here in Congress. And I extend to her family, her husband, her children, her grandchildren, our deepest sympathies. God bless you, Juanita, for everything that you did for the American people. ____________________ WHY THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MATTERS The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, tonight I plan to speak on the anniversary of the Armenian genocide; but before I do, I want to join my colleagues in expressing my sincere condolence at the passing of Juanita Millender-McDonald, someone who in my very first days of Congress impressed me as a courageous, intelligent, dedicated public servant who, every time I went to her for help on an issue in her committee or outside her committee, was generous with her time and her energy, always ready to help, always of good cheer, and someone that I think enjoyed the unanimous and bipartisan respect of everyone in this body. Her memory will be cherished; her presence will be deeply missed. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 92nd anniversary of the start of the Armenian genocide. In January, I introduced a resolution in the House, along with my colleagues, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Knollenberg and Mr. Radanovich, that would recognize the Armenian genocide. This resolution should be passed. Ghazaros Kademian is one reason why. Ghazaros Kademian was just 6 years old when his family was forced into exile by Ottoman Turks bent on annihilating the Armenian people. His father was murdered by Turk gendarmes, and the rest of his family was forced to flee on foot to Kirkuk, where his mother died from cold and hunger. He was separated from his siblings and orphaned. Mr. Kademian's story is terrible, but is not remarkable. Over a million and a half Armenians were murdered in the first genocide of the last century as the Ottoman Empire used the cloak of war to wipe out a people it considered alien or disloyal. This mammoth crime was well known at the time. Newspapers of the day were filled with stories about the murder of the Armenians. ``Appeal to Turkey to Stop Massacres'' headlined the New York Times on April 28, 1915, just as the killing began. By October 7 of that year, the Times reported that 800,000 Armenians had been slain in cold blood in Asia Minor. In mid-December of 1915, the Times spoke of a million Armenians killed or in exile. Thousands of pages of evidence documenting the atrocities rest in our own National Archives. Prominent citizens of the day, including America's ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau, and Britain's Lord Bryce, reported on the massacres in great detail. Morgenthau was appalled at what he would later call sadistic orgies of rape, torture, and murder. ``When the Turkish authorities gave the orders for these deportations, they were merely giving the death warrant to a whole race. They understood this well and made no particular attempt to conceal the fact.'' Even those who most ardently advocated sweeping the murder of a million and a half people under the rug of history have conceded that the vast majority of historians accept the Armenian genocide as historic fact. And how could they not? For it was the Government of Turkey that in early 1919 held a number of well-publicized trials of some of the young Turk leaders and executed the Keimal Bey, governor of Diarbekir, specifically for his role as one of the Ottoman Empire's most savage persecutors of the Armenian people. The trials were as widely covered in the American press as was the genocide itself. So if the facts are not in dispute, why are so many nations complicit in modern Turkey's strenuous efforts to deny the genocide ever took place? First, opponents argue that recognizing the unpleasant facts of the genocide and of the mass murder risk alienating an important alliance with Turkey. There is no question that Turkey is bitterly opposed to recognition and is threatening our military and commercial relationship, including access to the Incirlik air base, but Turkey has made similar threats to other nations in the past only to retreat from them and the European Union's insistence that Ankara recognize the crimes of its Ottoman's forebears before Turkey is admitted to the EU has not dimmed Turkish enthusiasm for joining the EU. If Turkish relations with the U.S. do suffer, it is far more likely that the genocide recognition will be a pretext. The Bush administration has done such a poor job managing our relations with Turkey over the last 6 years that we have already seen the limits of the U.S.-Turkish alliance tested and found lacking. During the run-up to the war in Iraq, Turkey denied us permission to bring in ground forces from its soil, allowing the Saddam Fedeyeen to melt away and form the basis of a now persistent insurgency. Oddly enough, critics of recognition decry it as pandering to the victims, but are only too happy to pander to the sensibilities of an inconsistent ally, and one that has shown no qualms about accusing the U.S. of genocide in Iraq. Second, opponents take issue with the timing of the resolution and argue that Turkey is making progress with recognizing the dark chapters of its history. This claim lost all credibility when Orhan Pamuk, Turkey's Nobel Prize winning author, was brought up on charges of ``insulting Turkishness'' for alluding to the genocide, and Turkish Armenian publisher Hrant Dink was gunned down outside his office in Istanbul earlier this year. Tomorrow marks the 92nd Anniversary of start of the Armenian Genocide. In January, I introduced a resolution in the House that would recognize the Armenian Genocide. It should be passed. Ghazaros Kademian is one reason why. Ghazaros Kademian was just 6 years old when his family was forced into exile by Ottoman Turks bent on annihilating the Armenian people. His father was murdered by Turk gendarmes and the rest of the family was forced to flee on foot to Kirkuk, where his mother died from cold and hunger. He was separated from his siblings and orphaned. Mr. Kademian's story is terrible, but not remarkable. Over a million and a half Armenians were murdered in the first genocide of the last century as the Ottoman Empire used the cloak of war to wipe out a people it considered alien and disloyal. This mammoth crime was well known at the time; newspapers of the day were filled with stories about the murder of Armenians. ``Appeal to Turkey to stop massacres'' headlined the New York Times on April 28, 1915, just as the killing began. By October 7 of that year, the Times reported that 800,000 Armenians had been slain in cold blood in Asia Minor. In mid-December of 1915, the Times spoke of a million Armenians killed or in exile. Thousands of pages of evidence documenting the atrocities rest in our own National Archives. Prominent citizens of the day, including America's Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau, and Britain's Lord Bryce reported on the massacres in great detail. Morgenthau was appalled at what he would later call the sadistic orgies of rape, torture, and murder. ``When the Turkish authorities gave the orders for these deportations, they were merely giving the death warrant to a whole race; they understood this well, and . . . made no particular attempt to conceal the fact.'' [[Page 9680]] Even those who have most ardently advocated sweeping the murder of a million and a half people under the rug of history have conceded that the vast majority of historians accept the Armenian Genocide as historical fact. And how could they not--for it was the Government of Turkey that, in early 1919, held a number of well-publicized trials of some of the Young Turk leaders and executed Keimal Bey, the governor of Diarbekir, specifically for his role as one of the Ottoman Empire's most savage persecutors of the Armenian people. The trials, by the way, were as widely covered in the American press as was the genocide itself. So if the facts are not in dispute, why are so many nations complicit in modern Turkey's strenuous efforts to deny the genocide ever took place? First, opponents argue that recognizing the unpleasant fact of mass murder risks alienating our important alliance with Turkey. There is no question that Turkey is bitterly opposed to recognition, and is threatening our military and commercial relationship, including access to the Incirlik air base. But Turkey has made similar threats to other nations in the past only to retreat from them and the European Union's insistence that Ankara recognize the crimes of its Ottoman forebears before Turkey is admitted to the EU has not dimmed Turkish enthusiasm for joining the EU. If Turkish relations with the U.S. do suffer, it is far more likely that the genocide recognition will be a pretext; the Bush Administration has done such a poor job managing our relations with Turkey over the last six years that we have already seen the limits of the U.S. Turkish alliance tested and found lacking. During the run-up to the war in Iraq, Turkey denied us permission to bring in ground forces from its soil, allowing the Saddam Fedeyeen to melt away and form the basis of a now persistent insurgency. Oddly enough, critics of recognition decry it as pandering to the victims, but are only too happy to pander to the sensibilities of an inconstant ally, and one that has shown no qualms about accusing the U.S. of genocide in Iraq. Second, opponents take issue with the timing of the resolution and argue that Turkey is making progress with recognizing the dark chapters of its history. This claim lost all credibility when Orhan Pamuk, Turkey's Nobel Prize winning author was brought up on charges for ``insulting Turkishness'' for alluding to the genocide, and Turkish Armenian publisher Hrant Dink was gunned down outside his office in Istanbul earlier this year. Yet some opponents go even further, such as a former Ambassador to Turkey who argued that the time may never be right for America to comment ``on another's history or morality.'' Such a ludicrous policy would condemn Congress to silence on a host of human rights abuses around the world. After more than ninety years and with only a few survivors left, if the time is not right now to recognize the Armenian Genocide, when will it be? But the most pernicious argument against recognition is the claim that speaking the truth would harm relations with Turkey ``for no good reason.'' How can we claim the moral authority to decry the genocide in Darfur, as we must, if we are unwilling to deplore other genocides when it would inconvenience an ally? Elie Wiesel has described the denial of genocide as the final stage of genocide--a double killing. If you don't think he's right, talk to Ghazaros Kademian. But you had better hurry. ____________________ GENERAL LEAVE Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H. Res. 328. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to request of the gentlewoman from California? There was no objection. ____________________ {time} 2115 WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS REMEMBERS THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 92nd anniversary and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Yesterday, I had the privilege to join the Armenian-American community of Worcester, Massachusetts, including survivors of the Genocide and their families, and many dignitaries of Central Massachusetts and the Commonwealth at an event remembering the Armenian Genocide and the role it plays in understanding contemporary events. I am submitting today for the Record a copy of the remarks I made at this special commemoration and an article that appeared in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Worcester Armenian Genocide Observance I want to thank Father Terzian and the Armenian Church of Our Savior for inviting me to participate in this remembrance--and I'm very pleased to be here with Lt. Governor Tim Murray and the Mayor of Worcester, Konstantina Lukes. But I am especially honored to be here with the Worcester Armenian-American community, survivors of the Armenian Genocide, and their families. There are several reasons why I look forward to this event each year. First and foremost, it gives me an opportunity to reconnect with all of you, the Worcester Armenian-American community, and to thank you for all your fine work and contributions to our city. Second, it is a moment when we recommit ourselves to pressing the United States government to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. And finally, it provides me each year with a moment to reflect on our world; and on how I as an individual, we as a community, and we as a Nation are responding to genocide and crimes against humanity that, sadly and unbelievably, are carried out nearly every day in some part of the world. I believe that this year there is a very good chance that the U.S. House of Representatives might actually pass H. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution. I can tell that this is a real possibility because for the first time in years, I'm receiving materials arguing against the resolution and against the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide. I believe adopting the Armenian Genocide Resolution is the right thing to do: As a matter of morality--and in the name of humanity--the United States should recognize and condemn all genocides. In the name of historic truth--and in honor of the historic role so many American diplomatic personnel and humanitarian and relief workers played in saving lives and condemning the genocide as it was taking place--the U.S. especially should recognize the Armenian Genocide. And in the hope of preventing future genocides--we have to recognize and honor the truth of the past. Denial of the Armenian Genocide--just like denial of the Holocaust--makes future genocides more likely, not less. No Nation, not Turkey or any other country, should be allowed to block the official recognition or commemoration or the teaching of historic truth about the Armenian Genocide. It's ironic that the current Turkish government doesn't seem to realize that the more it denies the Armenian Genocide, the more people begin to think that there really is a connection between the Turks who carried out the Armenian Genocide at the beginning of the 20th century and today's 21st century government. By denying the truth, Turkey undermines its own standing throughout the world, blocks its own acceptance into the European family, and increases regional tensions, especially with neighboring Armenia. Turkey's recognition of the Genocide, its reconciliation with the past, would widely be viewed as the act of a mature democracy, which the world would rush to embrace and reward. This is why America must also officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. A couple of weeks ago, I was in eastern Chad. And the reality of genocide was right before my eyes. There are over 250,000 refugees from Darfur, Sudan living in camps inside Chad. Thanks to the many international and humanitarian workers who have chosen to work and help these survivors of the violence taking place every day in Darfur, the camps are well-organized and efficient. But I'd like to describe for you some of what I saw--and what the Darfur refugees told me about what they had witnessed. I met with individuals and families who had been forced to flee their villages in Darfur. Each had a story about loved ones murdered, homes destroyed, people and family left behind. Many didn't know if some of their family or children were even alive. I talked with one woman who was harvesting onions at a small agricultural site in Camp Gaga, a Darfur refugee camp a couple of hours from the town of Abeche in eastern Chad. She held a tiny baby in her arms as she worked on her onion patch. She told me the Janjaweed attacked her village so quickly and so ferociously that she couldn't even bury her husband who was struck down in the attack; she barely had time to cover him with a sheet before she escaped with her baby and children. She feels guilty and thinks about this all the time. And she now hopes to stay alive and return, someday, to her village. I met with several other men and women, refugees from Darfur, at the Goz Amer Camp near the town of Koukou, Chad. This is a much larger and older camp. Many of the people have been here for 3 years or so. These [[Page 9681]] people were being interviewed for the eyewitness testimony regarding crimes against humanity that some day may be reviewed by the International Criminal Court. I went to eastern Chad to meet and talk with refugees from Darfur because the Government of Sudan wouldn't give me a visa to enter their country. But sometimes things happen for a reason, I believe. Because not only did I learn about the reality of Darfur--I personally discovered Chad. The war in Darfur is bleeding into Chad, as well as other neighboring countries. While I was in Chad, two ``towns''--Tiero and Marena, which actually consist of about 31 small villages--were attacked by ``Janjaweed'' militias operating inside Chad. According to the Chadian survivors who I talked to--they described their attackers as a combination of Sudanese Janjaweed and Chadian Janjaweed allies. They were armed. They were on horseback. The attacks started at about five in the morning, and came in about 3 distinct waves of attack. They shot randomly, at everything and everyone. Women, children, men, livestock, fell to the earth dead or wounded. Homes were burned to the ground. Abandoned crockery, left charred and broken. These Chadians--now internally displaced inside their own country--were gathering in the thousands near Koukou--some estimates were 8,000-9,000. Many walked, some arrived on the backs of burros, and many others were being trucked in by humanitarian groups. U.N. agencies and NGOs were rushing to provide them with emergency aid and to set up an emergency operations site where people could receive food, water, medical aid, and some form of shelter from the relentless heat. These new internally displaced now join the more than 140,000 Chadian IDPs. I had the privilege to watch UNHCR, UNICEF, Doctors without Borders (Medicins sans Frontierres), the ICRC, Italian Aid, and the World Food Program work together to provide emergency relief to these traumatized people. So this year, as we meet to remember and commemorate the 92nd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, I'm struggling to find meaning in the words, ``Never Again.'' I'm thankful to this community especially, which has worked tirelessly for nearly a century, to keep alive the historic memory of the Armenian Genocide and to speak out, condemn and organize against the genocides--too many--that mark the past nine decades of human history. Thank you for your persistence. Thank you for your commitment to take action. Thank you for your generosity and compassion. And thank you, once again, for including me in this special program. ____ [From the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Apr. 23, 2007] `Look at Darfur,' Armenians Say genocide remembrance resonates (By Mike Elfland) Worcester.--The region's Armenian community yesterday recognized a genocide that for many has a meaning with an intensifying importance. References to Darfur and the recent slaying of a journalist who defied the Turkish government were made throughout yesterday's commemoration of what is known as the Armenian genocide. On April 24, 1915, hundreds of Armenian intellectuals, notably political leaders, were rounded up and eventually killed by the Turkish government. More than 1.5 million Armenians would later die at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, with thousands forcibly removed from Armenia to Syria, where many died in the desert of thirst and hunger. ``We say, `Look at Darfur,''' said Richard O. Asadoorian, the host speaker at the commemoration, referring to the region in Sudan where black Africans are being massacred by militias supported by the Arab-dominated government. Mr. Asadoorian urged Armenians not to let time lessen the importance of what happened 92 years ago. Many survivors of the genocide eventually settled in the Worcester area. A significant Armenian population remains, and their pride in their ancestry was evident yesterday at the Armenian Church of Our Saviour Cultural Center on Boynton Street, where more than 200 gathered for a welcome history lesson. Nancy Hovhanesian, Thomas Tashjian and Ara G. Asadoorian recounted stories told to them by grandparents and other older relatives who survived the genocide. Mrs. Hovhanesian talked of the great-grandparents she never knew and of how her grandparents' pain was absorbed by her mother. Andrea Kisiel, a sophomore at South High Community School, shared her views of the genocide in an award-winning essay. Andrea took top honors for her take on ``The Contemporary Relevance of the Armenian Genocide,'' the subject of an essay contest sponsored by the Greater Worcester Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee. Andrea, who is not of Armenian descent, wrote of a recent trip to Washington, where she visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and had an eye-opening experience about history. She wrote: ``Then, I saw something that astounded me, surprised me, wrenched my heart out of my chest. There, on the wall commemorating all of the poor souls who had been discriminated against, snatched away from familiarity, and tortured ruthlessly until put to death, was inscribed my family name. My name which was not from Jewish descent. My name which was Polish and Catholic. My name that I had not the slightest idea could possibly be connected with a mass genocide. My very own name, there on the wall.'' Although she has no known relatives who died in the Holocaust, said Andrea, the experience in Washington made her realize the importance of the Armenian genocide to its survivors. Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D- Worcester, state Sen. Harriette L. Chandler, D-Worcester, and Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes were among the speakers at the 2\1/2\-hour commemoration. Both connected the past deaths of Armenians to the continuing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. Mr. McGovern has long pushed for increased U.S. involvement in saving thousands of refugees. Mr. McGovern, who was greeted enthusiastically yesterday, backs legislation that would require the U.S. government to officially recognize the Armenian genocide. Some say the reluctance is tied to deference to Turkey's importance to America's interests abroad. Modern Turkey strongly rejects the characterization of what happened as genocide. Loud applause erupted after the congressman said he would direct naysayers to a public library where they could learn about the deaths of Armenians. ``Facts are stubborn things,'' he said. The main speaker was filmmaker Apo Torosyan, a native of Istanbul, Turkey, who now lives in Peabody. His documentary, ``Voices,'' finished this year, is based on interviews with three survivors of the genocide. After he began making documentaries, Mr. Torosyan was not allowed to return to Turkey. A 15-minute version of ``Voices'' was shown yesterday. Mr. Torosyan spoke passionately about the Jan. 19 slaying in Turkey of Hrant Dink, a Turkish citizen of Armenian descent who was the editor of a Turkish-Armenian newspaper. His enemies included nationalist Turks who resented his use of the genocide label. He was killed outside his office in Istanbul. The commemoration was organized by members of the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Church of the Martyrs. ____________________ HEALTH CARE ISSUES AFFECTING MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN AMERICA The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 18, 2007, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. General Leave Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my special order. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from California? There was no objection. Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Speaker for the opportunity to serve as moderator for this special designated time for recognition under Special Orders for celebration of health care, and, in particular, the uninsured. Tonight I have several colleagues who will be joining me to speak on different topics with respect to health care issues affecting minority communities. Just to give you a brief summary of some of the topics we will touch on, obviously reauthorization of SCHIP, language access, obesity, diabetes, cancer, tobacco, HIV and AIDS, health professions, community health workers, environmental health and Medicaid citizenship. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise to recognize National Minority Health Month. This week is Covering the Uninsured Week. Tonight you are going to hear from some of my colleagues representing the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific Islander Caucus and their efforts to improve health care in our communities. Did you know that life expectancy and overall health have improved in recent years for large numbers of Americans due to an increase in and focus on [[Page 9682]] preventive medicine and new advances in medical technology? However, not all Americans are faring that well, particularly communities of color, which continue to suffer from significant disparities in overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality and survival rates in the population, as compared to the health status of the general population. The National Minority Health Month was launched in an effort to eliminate health disparities and to improve health status of minority populations across the country. This month was created in response to Healthy People 2010, a set of comprehensive health objectives established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Disparities continue to persist, and we must eliminate health disparities by identifying significant opportunities to improve health care. There are disparities in the burden of illness and death experienced by African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and American Indian and Alaskan Natives as compared to the U.S. population as a whole. I am pleased to once again be working with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, the Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific Islander Caucus to develop a comprehensive tri-caucus health disparities bill. Our bill will address the importance of language access, health professions, training, data collection and health coverage for immigrants. Our colleagues in the Senate are also working on a disparities bill, and I hope that they too will pass legislation that will truly save the lives of millions of minorities. We must do more to better the health of our population, which includes all communities of color. With that, I want to just briefly touch on this issue of the uninsured. Today marks the start of the fifth year of Covering the Uninsured Week. Although the United States has one of the best health care systems in the world, not everyone has the means to access our health care system. The number of uninsured people affects us all and is a national problem that needs a national solution. We all know that lack of health insurance results in reduced access to care. Access can be defined as the ability to get to health services, receive service at the right time, and obtain the appropriate services necessary to promote the best health outcomes possible. Reduced access could mean that someone is less likely to have regular sources of care, less likely to receive preventive services and more likely to use emergency departments as primary sources of care. The long-term consequences of reduced access to care include lower quality of life, higher mortality rates and the decline of the population's overall health. Despite the growth of our economy, the number of uninsured persons continues to increase. In 2005, more than 44 million people were uninsured, and of that number, 14 million were Latinos. The cost of private health insurance continues to rise astronomically, and we hear that every single day when we go back home to our districts. Health insurance premiums continue to rise by double- digit rates each year, and over 80 percent of the uninsured come from working families, people who are working and getting a paycheck. While two-thirds of uninsured children are eligible for public programs such as Medicaid and the SCHIP program, most are still uninsured. These adults also are low-income populations who are not eligible for public programs but have incomes below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level. This group is composed predominantly of parents and childless adults who work but may have difficulty in obtaining and affording coverage. Due to the low Medicaid eligibility level for parents, many uninsured parents have children who qualify for public coverage but do not qualify, themselves, as parents. What an irony. Members of racial and ethnic minority groups make up a large number, a disproportionate share, of the uninsured population. The uninsured rate for Latinos was 33 percent in 2005, 20 percent for African Americans and 18 percent for Asians and 30 percent for Native Americans. They lack health care coverage. In addition to impacting health and the finances of the uninsured themselves, the lack of health care coverage has had repercussions for all of us in America. Many hospitals, as you know, are currently struggling under the strain of providing uncompensated emergency care to uninsured individuals. In my own district in California, community health centers bear the brunt of responsibility for treating the uninsured. These community health centers are often the first place that the uninsured turn to when seeking health care services. These community health centers are a vital part of our health care safety net. Poor health leads to poor financial status, and a never-ending cycle of low socioeconomic status often leads to poor health. The core values for a strong and secure America should include the right to universal access to affordable, high-quality health care for all. In a country that prides itself on equality, it is evident that our health care system is broken when people suffer from a lack of access to health insurance and to quality care. We must make health care services affordable and provide quality through linguistically and culturally competent services for all Americans. That must be our national priority. I want to refer myself to the State Children's Health Insurance program, known by many as SCHIP, which covers currently 6 million children, building on Medicaid's coverage of 28 million children. However, statistically speaking, 9 million children remain uninsured. Over the past decade, SCHIP and Medicaid together have reduced the uninsured rate among low-income children by one-third. We know that uninsured children are more likely to receive cost-effective preventive services and are healthier, which leads to greater success in school and life. Although programs such as SCHIP and Medicaid have decreased the number of uninsured children, the lack of funding and outreach efforts have left millions of those children ineligible without any coverage. Reducing disparities in children's access to health care is extremely important and should be one of our biggest priorities here in Congress. For example, uninsured African American and Latino children are less likely to have a personal doctor and are more likely to forego needed medical care than any other group of uninsured children. More than half of insured African American children, 51 percent, and insured Latino children, 50 percent, are covered by Medicaid and SCHIP. Nearly 95 percent of eligible but uninsured children live in families with incomes below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level, which is $33,200 for a family of three, and over 40 percent of this population is Latino. Enrollment in SCHIP has proven to reduce disparities in access to health care services as well as reducing the coverage gap for minority children. More than 80 percent of African American children and 70 percent of uninsured Latino children appear to be eligible for this public coverage, but currently are not enrolled. Additional funding for SCHIP, as you know, is necessary for the coverage of all uninsured. SCHIP plays a critical role for children of color. After SCHIP was created back in 1997, the percent of uninsured children steadily declined from a high of 15.4 percent in 1998 to a low of 10 percent in 2004, and for racial and ethnic minorities the decline was remarkable. In 1998, roughly 30 percent of Latino children, 20 percent of African American, and 18 percent of Asian Pacific Islander children were uninsured. In 2004, those numbers had dropped to about 21 percent, 12 percent and 8 percent respectively. In addition to reducing the coverage gap for minority children, SCHIP enrollment has helped to reduce disparities in access to health care services. For example, a study of children enrolled in New York's SCHIP program [[Page 9683]] for one year found an almost complete elimination of these disparities and the number of children with unmet health care needs decreased. A study from California's SCHIP population confirmed those results as well. Across racial and ethnic groups, SCHIP enrollment was associated with a significant reduction in disparities and access to needed care. We need adequate SCHIP reauthorization. Currently there is insufficient Federal funding for SCHIP to cover the children currently enrolled. We need additional money to cover them and to expand coverage to uninsured children who are eligible. In order to expand health coverage for minority children, we also need to address the underlying barriers to enrollment in Medicaid and SCHIP that minorities are more likely to face; as an example, the distrust of government and a health care system where language may not be spoken adequately to the different groups that are affected. And misinformation about eligibility rules is often complicating the process for many who don't understand the paperwork. Enrollment strategies targeted to minority communities, including the use of community health workers, known as promotoras, could help guide families through the enrollment process and have been proven to increase enrollment and reduce disparities. We must improve outreach efforts and simplify enrollment in order to reach the millions of unenrolled children from communities of color who are eligible for Medicaid and the SCHIP program. This year, with the reauthorization of SCHIP, this is an opportunity for us to address racial and ethnic disparities in children's access to health care. I hope that we can work together with our colleagues across the aisle to begin the debate and see that we reauthorize these programs that are so vitally needed. I am very pleased this evening to have one of my colleagues, the gentlewoman from Guam, who has chaired the Congressional Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Task Force on Health who has joined me this evening. She has been a pioneer on health care access and will give us, I am sure, very informative data regarding the problems that are faced currently in the Asian Pacific Islander community. I welcome her this evening. I gladly yield to the gentlewoman. Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague and good friend, Hilda Solis, for bringing this forum together. Tonight I come to the floor to take part in a very important dialogue about National Health Month that has been organized, as I said earlier, by my colleague from California, Congresswoman Hilda Solis. Congresswoman Solis' leadership in the area of minority health disparities, particularly with regard to environmental health factors, is strong and it has raised awareness of these issues on Capitol Hill. I thank her for yielding me the time, and I commend her for her efforts, along with those of the members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, in ensuring that minority health disparities are on the national agenda. {time} 2130 I am here tonight as the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force to recognize April as National Minority Health Month. Designated in 2001, National Minority Health Month is sponsored by the National Minority Quality Forum, an organization dedicated to addressing and eliminating the disparity in care, treatment, and access faced by racial and ethnic minority populations. The National Minority Quality Forum has been a leader in addressing these disparities and since 2004 has hosted a national summit each year to address these issues. Because the fourth annual summit began today in Washington, D.C., this is an opportune time to bring further awareness of the increasing need to address health disparities. It is very important that within this dialogue surrounding minority health disparities, that the needs of Asian American and Pacific Islanders are included. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders face a number of hurdles towards receiving adequate health care stemming from linguistic and cultural challenges, and a lack of data collection. Based on the following statistics, the health care disparities in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community become readily apparent, according to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islanders. Ms. Solis covered in detail the lack of insurance coverage. I am here to give statistics on the diseases prevalent among minorities. Asian American and Pacific Islander women have the lowest rate of cancer screening compared to other ethnic groups. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up over half of the cases of chronic hepatitis B. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up 20 percent of all cases of tuberculosis; and Vietnamese Americans are 13 times more likely to die of liver cancer than Caucasians. There are many diseases and illnesses that disproportionately affect communities of color, ranging from HIV/AIDS to diabetes. Hepatitis B, which disproportionately affects the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, is often overlooked. Today as we recognize National Minority Health Month, I would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness about this deadly disease. Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Usually, people infected with the disease do not show early symptoms. But if left undetected, it may lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, and liver cancer. The statistics regarding hepatitis B are alarming. According to the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, one in 10 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are chronically infected with hepatitis B. And of all those infected with hepatitis B in the United States, 50 percent are Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and liver cancer is the leading cause of death for Laotian American men in California. The promising thing with hepatitis B is there is a three-shot vaccination series that can prevent hepatitis B and its dire consequences. Unfortunately, only one in 10 Asian American and Pacific Islander children have received the vaccination series. So with the proper education, outreach, and funding, I hope that we can address the killer disease within the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community, increase the vaccination rate, address the need for early detection and monitoring, and improve the quality of life for the people and families that live with hepatitis B. Additionally, I hope we take this opportunity during National Minority Health Month to strengthen data collection and dissemination that will lead to improved access to health care for all racial and ethnic minority communities across the United States. Again, as the Chair of the Health Care Task Force for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I want to thank my colleague, Ms. Solis, for organizing tonight's Special Order speech on the occasion of National Minority Health Month and for the purposes of generating greater attention and raising awareness to the disparities in access to quality health care that our minority communities face and that deserve to be eliminated. Ms. SOLIS. I thank the gentlewoman from Guam, and I would like to at this time thank her for her hard work and deliberations in the past few years as a strong member of the tri-caucus working on health care issues. I know she is going to continue to lead and be a voice for those underrepresented communities. I would like to now recognize a very special individual who is Chair of our Subcommittee on Health on Energy and Commerce, but also plays a very important role in representing the Native Americans in our great country and that is the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone). Mr. PALLONE. Thank you. I want to thank my colleague from California [[Page 9684]] and also my colleague from Guam. I know that for a number of years now they have both been involved in the health care disparities issue, and have actually put together legislation that we have tried to get passed for several years. It was a little difficult with the Republican majority. And hopefully now with the Democratic majority, we can address those health disparities and concerns. I would like to talk about the Native American aspect of this. And I also want to mention that addressing the concerns of minority health care is important in my district because we do have many Asian Americans. We have the largest number of Indian Americans of any congressional district, and by that I mean Asian Indian Americans, and also a large Latino and African American population in my district. I just know when I go and visit some of the hospitals or community health centers, many times the issue is brought to my attention, whether it is data collection which has already been mentioned tonight, or it is the need for more minority health care professionals, be they doctors, nurses or whatever, or even that more research attention needs to be paid to diseases or afflictions that basically impact the minority communities in disproportionate ways. It is very important that we address this and we need legislation, and we will move forward with the health care disparities legislation that my colleagues have really championed over the last few years. I want to talk about Native Americans. I actually don't have any federally enrolled Native American tribes in my district or even in New Jersey. We have quite a few, we just don't have any recognized tribes at a Federal level. We have five that are State recognized. Unless you are federally recognized and enrolled with the Department of the Interior, you are not for the most part eligible for the health service. American Indians are a little unique in that unlike most Americans, they have a right pursuant to their treaties and the Constitution to health care. When they gave their lands up to the Federal Government by treaty, they were given the right to health care. That, of course, doesn't necessarily mean they can all access it because a lot of them don't necessarily live on the reservation, and that is one of the reasons why we have urban health centers around the country, including several in California, because many Native Americans now do live in L.A. and in some of the larger cities, and don't necessarily live on their homelands on the reservations. So we need to address their concerns in not only providing hospitals and clinics in their homelands, on the reservations, but also in the urban areas where many now reside. Unfortunately, in the last few years, and I know I sound so partisan and I don't mean to be, but the amount of money that was made available in the last 12 years under the Republican Congress was really not sufficient. There is a need for a lot more dollars. This year we did budget significantly more for the Indian Health Service, but we also need to reauthorize the Indian Health Service because it hasn't been reauthorized since 2000. I have sponsored legislation called the Indian Health Care Improvement Act which will be marked up in the Resources Committee this year and will come to the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Health Subcommittee, and we will try to get it passed in this Congress. When you talk about Native Americans and the disparities, the disparities are just incredible. When we had a hearing on the Indian Health Care Improvement Act in the Resources Committee a few weeks ago, I asked a question about how many American Indian or Native American doctors there were in the United States. I could not believe the number. There are less than 500, somewhere between 400 and 500 Native American physicians for a Native American population that is probably over 2 million. I don't know what that works out to percentage-wise, but there is clearly a need for scholarship and grant and loan programs that would specifically target the Native American community so we can have not 400 doctors but at least 4,000 or maybe 40,000 when you talk about a community that has over 2 million people. And the same is true, and I don't have the statistics for nurses or other health care professionals, but there are really very few Native American health care providers, and we need to boost those numbers up and allow for opportunities to get more health care professionals. With regard to actual treatment, if they are not on the reservation and able to access the Indian health care hospital or clinic, it is very difficult. There is a huge unemployment rate. Even if you are on a reservation, sometimes distances are great because many Native Americans live in rural areas where health care is simply not available. We also have the phenomenon of diseases or aflictions that target that community. The incidence of diabetes, juvenile or type 2 diabetes, is for many tribes over 50 percent. I have been to some where the numbers are over 60 percent. We need a lot more research into the reasons why, in the example of diabetes, but I could talk about other diseases or health care problems, why the incidence is so high and what could be done. For example, there has been some effort to look at nutrition as an answer, the feeling that many Native Americans, for example, used to live on a subsistence diet. If they were a desert people, they would eat foods that they gathered in a desert. Or they may have lived on a ranch or in a situation where they were getting a lot more natural foods, and now as those opportunities have eased to exist and they are eating processed foods, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that is a major reason for diabetes. This is the type of thing we need. We need research into those kinds of afflictions as to what is causing a better than 60 percent diabetes situation for a number of tribes. Even transportation needs are there because of many of the problems that are in rural areas. So I just wanted to say when you talk about the Native American population in this country, the disparities problem is so great that it has actually gotten to the point of crisis, in my opinion; and that is why we need legislation to deal with these disparity issues, and we need to reauthorize the Indian Health Service through the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. And to the extent that we are looking at this from the Asian population, the Latino population, or whatever population, this type of initiative is very important. I just want to commend my colleagues again for being here tonight and speaking out because I do think we need to speak out. In many cases we are talking about people who don't have people to speak out for them other than a few of us. Thank you again. Ms. SOLIS. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his kind words and knowledge and always helping Members to better organize their messages, particularly when it comes to health care and the need to improve access for all people in our great country. As the gentleman says, the fact is that we are undergoing a change where our populations are exploding, our minority populations have increased, and we don't see more services provided, one of which is the Native American population. I have a significant Native American population in L.A. County and there is one center available for them. It is just horrifying to think that people have to travel so many counties just to get there. Lord help them if they have an episode of some sort, that they get there in time to receive the necessary care. To know that this is not a priority with the administration is very alarming. We need to prioritize this issue. {time} 2145 I again want to recognize my colleague from Guam to talk about some other very pressing health care issues that affect not just Asian Pacific Islanders but these other minority populations. So I would yield to her. [[Page 9685]] Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) for organizing this forum, and I would also like to thank my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) who joined us on the floor tonight to discuss this very important issue. I am to cover cancer, and today is a very sad day for the House of Representatives. We have lost a dear colleague to cancer, and this is the second cancer-related passing this year in the House of Representatives. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States and accounts for one out of every four deaths. Unfortunately, health disparities in cancer continue to persist. Minority groups face unique problems and concerns about cancer, including higher rates of developing some cancers and barriers to early detection. In 2001, the National Cancer Institute formed the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities. In 2005, the center launched a new program to reduce cancer deaths among minority and underserved populations through $95 million in grants that funded community-based projects in geographically and culturally diverse areas of our country. Dr. Harold Freeman, a leader in reducing cancer health disparities, and former surgeon at Harlem Hospital, said that cancer disparities are attributable to three interacting factors: first, low socioeconomic status; second, culture; and third, social injustice. Low socioeconomic status and lack of health insurance lead to disparities. Lack of coverage prevents many Americans from receiving optimal health care. Frequently, people are not getting screened and treated because they feel they cannot afford to pay for a test if they are uninsured. The same populations also express concern that if they are diagnosed with cancer they will not be able to get the care they need. Culture also plays a role. Some Native American tribes do not use the word ``cancer.'' When asked why they cannot discuss this disease, they say that in their culture, if they say the word ``cancer,'' it will bring disease to all of their families. It is necessary to understand the cultural beliefs of different populations when talking about diseases. According to Dr. Freeman, much of the disparity in cancer outcomes is a result of the cancer type, the time of diagnosis, and the continuity of cancer care, not the disease itself. Screening and early detection are extremely important to avoiding cancer-related deaths. Many deaths from breast, colon and cervical cancer could be prevented by increased usage of established screening tests. Although white and African American women aged 40 and older had the same prevalence of mammography use, other racial and ethnic groups of women were less likely to have had a mammogram. The lowest prevalence of mammography use occurred among women who lacked health insurance and by immigrant women who lived in the United States for less than 10 years. The incidence of some cancers is much higher in communities of color. For example, African American men are at least 50 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than men of any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Latino males have the third highest incidence rate for prostate cancer after African Americans and whites. Death rates for Latino males reveal that they have the third highest death rates from prostate and colon and rectal cancer after African Americans and whites. Asian Pacific Islander males have the third highest rate for lung and bronchus cancer and colon and rectal cancer. Cervical cancer occurs most often in Latinas; the incidence rate is more than twice the rate for non-Latina white women. Among Latinas in the United States, cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common type of cancer. Although African American women are less likely to develop breast cancer than other women, those who do are about twice as likely to die from it. Consequently, programs such as the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program are essential for low-income, uninsured and underserved women. Although breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for Latina women, cancer screening rates are lower for Latinas. Providing culturally appropriate health education and health services is so essential to preventing and treating cancer. Again, I want to thank Congresswoman Solis for providing and organizing this forum. Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for joining us this evening and representing the caucus so well, the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, and demonstrating a willingness to work across the aisle and in a coalition so that we can better improve access to health care for all underrepresented groups. I want to talk very briefly before I recognize one of our other colleagues who has joined us here from the Congressional Black Caucus, Sheila Jackson-Lee. I want to talk about diabetes because diabetes, in my opinion, is one of the major chronic illnesses. It does not just affect ethnic minority or underrepresented groups, but many, many people in our country. One of the goals that I mentioned earlier of the Healthy People 2010 program, a campaign underway, by the way, by the Department of Health and Human Services, is to reduce the disease and economic burden of diabetes and to improve the quality of life for all people who have or are at risk of getting diabetes. Diabetes, as you know, is a chronic disease affecting both children, Type I, and adults, Type II. The number of people with diabetes has increased steadily in the past decade, and the increase has occurred within certain racial and ethnic groups. Today, approximately 20.8 million Americans have diabetes, and of these people, an estimated 6.2 million individuals have not even been diagnosed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, another 54 million people have pre-diabetes. Complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, dental disease, pregnancy complications and amputations. These are very serious illnesses, and diabetes is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and costs the Nation over $132 billion per year in direct and indirect costs. Diabetes, as you know, is the leading cause of nontraumatic amputations, and about 150 amputations per day are due to diabetes. Two million Latinos have been diagnosed with diabetes, and Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to have diabetes than whites, on the average, and many children with Type II diabetes are Latino or African American. Reducing the incidence of diabetes and thus reducing racial and ethnic disparities involves diet and lifestyle changes. However, strategies to manage the disease and prevent the disease also need to be culturally sensitive and targeted to specific populations. The number of overweight minority children has increased in recent years, and more of them are being diagnosed with adult-type diabetes. It is estimated that now at least 40,000 children now have Type II diabetes, which is the type of diabetes associated with adult obesity. Regular diets of low-cost, high-calorie fast food and sodas, in addition to inadequate daily physical activity, have contributed to the prevalence of diabetes. Health education, as you know, is extremely important, and we need to teach people how to prevent diabetes because it is preventable. For people who already have diabetes, we need to teach them how to manage that disease. In order to prevent or delay complications and early death from diabetes, patients need to understand the disease, take charge of blood glucose management, comfortably talk to their provider about diabetes care, and have access to equipment, supplies and prescriptions. Cultural competence and access to health care play a very large [[Page 9686]] role in preventing deaths due to diabetes. Sixty percent of my district, as you know, is Latino, and I have seen firsthand the community clinics that have helped my constituents who are diagnosed with this deadly but preventable disease. A large proportion of the people who visit these clinics in my district are uninsured. When I see the packed waiting rooms, I understand how hard it is to manage this chronic illness. Even with appointments, people can have waiting times of several hours, resulting in loss of work. A 2005 Commonwealth Fund study of public hospitals also found that African American and Latino patients were less likely than their white counterparts to have well-controlled diabetes, and uninsured patients received even less care. Public hospitals serve a high number of patients at high risk for not receiving access to needed health care. In the study, about two out of five patients with diabetes were uninsured, and two-thirds were members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and up to two-thirds of patients primarily spoke a language other than English. Insurance status and race influences health care use and outcomes for diabetes patients. Uninsured patients have the worst diabetes control, and 33 percent do not have their condition under control now, which is almost double the rate for Medicare patients. The routine costs for managing diabetes, to test and control glucose levels, can reach hundreds of dollars per month. Uninsured patients have difficulties paying for equipment to effectively manage their treatment. Consequently, the higher prevalence of diabetes and the inability to manage diabetes leads to more diabetes-related deaths in communities of color. This is just one example of how social determinants impact our health care status, and I wanted to draw your attention to that. This evening we have been joined by two members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and I would first like to recognize the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). Thank you for joining us this evening. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentlewoman from California for convening us this evening and providing such leadership to the issue of health disparities. And also I believe it is enormously important to emphasize the collaborative work between the Asian Pacific Caucus, of which I am a member, the Hispanic Caucus, of which I am an adopted daughter, and the Congressional Black Caucus. I am also very pleased to be on the floor with our chair of the Congressional Black Caucus health brain trust, which I have been a Member on, I believe, for as long as I can remember, to join us for what is really an indictment of American society. It is an indictment of this government, frankly, and the correction that is due is long overdue. That is the whole question of health disparities. We have heard an eloquent presentation by Hilda Solis on the question of diabetes. We heard from the distinguished gentlewoman from Guam who spoke about the Pacific illnesses that impact the Asian Pacific community, and I rise to speak holistically about the health crisis in America that does not address the longstanding question of disparities in health care. I am reminded of an African American gentleman in a Florida hospital just a few years ago who was to go into surgery and hopefully had all the T's crossed and I's dotted. Lo and behold, the wrong leg was amputated. He obviously suffered from, as we call in our community, sugar diabetes, and rather than be cured, unfortunately, his situation was made worse by amputating the wrong leg. There is extensive documentation that indicates that the question of health access or access to health care falls heavily on minorities, and particularly African Americans. In fact, there is data to suggest that African Americans, when given access to the Nation's hospitals and other health facilities, that the care is less than it is for other populations. That, in itself, does not speak to the greatness of this Nation and the fact that this Nation is considered a world power. {time} 2200 If you want to speak to inequities of language, you will find in Hispanic communities, in particular, that before we started moving on community health clinics and really making a push to have culturally sensitive treatment, you will find in many instances that there was a lack of ability to communicate with Hispanic populations because of the language barrier. These, my friends, were citizens, people who were permanent legal residents, who could not get the proper health care. Today, I rise to acknowledge the importance of National Minority Health Month, but really to give us a challenge that we maybe have come this far by faith, as many of us have been known to say, but we have a mighty long way. Let me just share some of the indictments of poor health care in America. African American adolescents accounted for 65 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens in 2002, although they only account for 15 percent of American teenagers. We also recognize that the leading cause of death of young African American males between the ages of 15 and 24, that cause is not disease or accidental death, but homicide. We recognize, as has been already noted, that obesity is an increasing dilemma for America. It certainly is a dilemma for minority populations and African Americans. Let me express appreciation for joining Congressman Donald Payne a few weeks ago for a very exciting conference on obesity, so much so that it was contagious. Those of us, as Members of Congress who were able to attend, with the University of New Jersey medical and dental school, are going to repeat that conference around the country. I know that we in Houston look forward to hosting a conference on obesity. A few weeks ago, the Congressional Children's Caucus hosted, with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, a briefing on obesity, where we focused on what happens to obese children and obese infants as well. Just a couple of days ago, I believe Friday, I was very gratified to participate with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the CBC Health Brain Trust on the status of African American men, questions of mental health, the question of homicide, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, abuse, and the preservation of the good health of African American men. Every time I rise to speak about this question, I pay tribute to my father, my late father, a man who worked hard for his family, who believed that no job was beneath him to support his family, a man who was a brilliant artist. But because of segregation, the work that he had, he was, if you will, replaced when men came back who happened to be white, from World War II. But even with all of those trials and tribulations, he kept his hand involved in art, and in the later part of his life, he got another chance to work 10 years for one of the comic book companies in New York. Who would have thought that he would have been a victim of prostate cancer. When I say a victim, not diagnosed, so much so that ultimately it metastasized to his lung and his brain. My most visual memory of him was him laying in a fetal position in a hospital bed, way before the time, and he died of that dastardly disease. But I think one of the challenges was that in the male line of our family, that cancer is prevalent, but not being diagnosed, or having access to health care that would inform us, we saw uncles pass without really knowing what they were dying of. So today, now, 2007, a tribute to my father, Ezra Jackson, and relatives across America who have died undiagnosed, whose families were not aware of, maybe, the DNA or their characteristics for these diseases, because of the poor access to health care. We stand today, one, wanting a universal access to health care system; two, passing the Congressional Black Caucus and the bill that went to the Senate, dealing with disparities in health care, that, as I understand, Dr. [[Page 9687]] Christensen, we never got passed. We need to get it passed in this Congress. Then I would just simply say that each of us must hold forums in our districts on the question of disparities in health care. As I do the obesity one, we look forward to putting together an advisory committee on black males that talks about health care as well. Let me close by simply saying that I could recount for you any number of statistics on health care. I think my colleagues have accurately pronounced these challenges. But let me give a roll call to show you where we have these devastating, if you will, disparities, so that you won't think that we are limited, hypertension, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, asthma, bronchitis, sleep apnea and other respiratory problems, cancer, which is breast, colon and endometrial. We expect that we will do a better job of trying, if you will, of trying to improve the health conditions in America. We must do so. It is a civil rights issue. I want to thank you so much for highlighting and provoking us to be part of the change of creating opportunities for better health for all Americans, and particularly those experiencing these health disparities. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize the importance of National Minority Health Month. National Minority Health Month is a very important time to bring awareness to the many health concerns facing minority communities. My colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus and I understand the very difficult challenges facing us in the form of huge health disparities among our community and other minority communities. We will continue to seek solutions to those challenges. It is imperative for us to improve the prospects for living long and healthy lives and fostering an ethic of wellness in African-American and other minority communities. I wish to pay special tribute to my colleague, Congresswoman Donna Christensen, the Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust, for organizing an important conference last week on the health and wellness of African-American males. I thank all of my CBC colleagues who been toiling in the vineyards for years developing effective public policies and securing the resources needed to eradicate racial and gender disparities in health and wellness. Let me focus these brief remarks on what I believe are three of the greatest impediments to the health and wellness of the African-American community and other minority communities. The first challenge is combating the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Second, we must reverse the dangerous trend of increasing obesity in juveniles and young adults. Finally, we must confront the leading cause of death of young African- American males between the ages of 15-24; that cause is not disease or accidental death, but homicide. HIV/AIDS In 1981, HIV/AIDS was thought by most Americans to be a new, exotic, and mysterious disease which seemed to inflict primarily gay white males in New York City and San Francisco. But since then we have learned that in the America of 2006, AIDS is overwhelmingly a black and brown disease. And that means that we have to assume the major responsibility for finding the solutions to rid our communities of this scourge. Consider the magnitude of the challenge confronting us: HIV/AIDS is now the leading cause of death among African-Americans ages 25 to 44--ahead of heart disease, accidents, cancer, and homicide. The rate of AIDS diagnoses for African-Americans in 2003 was almost 10 times the rate for whites. Between 2000 and 2003, the rate of HIV/AIDS among African-American males was seven times the rate for white males and three times the rate for Hispanic males. African-American adolescents accounted for 65 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens in 2002, although they only account for 15 percent of American teenagers. Billions and billions of private and federal dollars have been poured into drug research and development to treat and ``manage'' infections, but the complex life cycle and high mutation rates of HIV strains have only marginally reduced the threat of HIV/AIDS to global public health. Although the drugs we currently have are effective in managing infections and reducing mortality by slowing the progression to AIDS in an individual, they do little to reduce disease prevalence and prevent new infections. It simply will not suffice to rely upon drugs to manage infection. We can make and market drugs until we have 42 million individually tailored treatments, but so long as a quarter of those infected remain detached from the importance of testing, we have no chance of ending or even ``managing'' the pandemic. Currently, the only cure we have for HIV/AIDS is prevention. While we must continue efforts to develop advanced treatment options, it is crucial that those efforts are accompanied by dramatic increases in public health education and prevention measures. Learning whether one is infected with HIV before the virus has already damaged the immune system represents perhaps the greatest opportunity for preventing and treating HIV infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), between 2000 and 2003, 56 percent of late testers--defined as those who were diagnosed with full-blown AIDS within one year after learning they were HIV-positive--were African- Americans, primarily African-American males. African-Americans males with HIV have tended to delay being tested because of psychological or social reasons, which means they frequently are diagnosed with full-blown AIDS soon after learning they are infected with HIV. This is the main reason African American males with AIDS do not live as long as persons with HIV/AIDS from other racial/ ethnic groups. Researchers have identified two unequal tracks of HIV treatment and care in the United States. In the first, or ``ideal track,'' a person discovers she or he is HIV-infected, seeks medical care, has regular follow-ups, and follows a regimen without complications. Persons in this track can now in most cases lead a normal life. But some individuals follow a second, more-dangerous track. These individuals come to the hospital with full-blown AIDS as their initial diagnosis. They may have limited access to care because of finances or because other social or medical problems interfere. The vast majority of deaths from HIV/AIDS are among this second group. And the persons making up this group are disproportionately African-American males. I have strongly supported legislation sponsored by CBC members and others to give increased attention and resources to combating HIV/AIDS, including the Ryan White CARE Act. I support legislation to reauthorize funding for community health centers (H.R. 5573, Health Centers Renewal Act of 2006), including the Montrose and Fourth Ward clinics in my home city of Houston, and to provide more nurses for the poor urban communities in which many of these centers are located (H.R. 1285, Nursing Relief Act for Disadvantaged Areas). I have also authored legislation aimed to better educate our children (H.R. 2553, Responsible Education About Life Act in 2006) and eliminate health disparities (H.R. 3561, Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act and the Good Medicine Cultural Competency Act in 2003, H.R. 90). Twenty-five years from now, I hope that we will not be discussing data on prevalence and mortality of HIV/AIDS among African-American males, but rather how our sustained efforts at elimination have come into fruition. But for us to have that discussion, we must take a number of actions now. We must continue research on treatments and antiretroviral therapies, as well as pursue a cure. We absolutely have to ensure that everyone who needs treatment receives it. And we simply must increase awareness of testing, access to testing, and the accuracy of testing. Because we will never be able to stop this pandemic if we lack the ability to track it. African-Americans males are eleven times as likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS, so we must make eleven times the effort to educate them until HIV/AIDS becomes a memory. If we do not, then the African- American male will indeed become an endangered species. When it comes to the scourge of HIV/AIDS, the African-American community is at war. It is a war we absolutely have to win because at stake is our very survival. With HIV/AIDS we need not wonder whether the enemy will follow us. The enemy is here now. But so is the army that can vanquish the foe. It is us. It is up to us. For if not us, who? If not now, when? If we summon the faith of our ancestors, the courage of our great grandparents, and the determination of our parents, we will march on until victory is won. OBESITY Although the obesity rates among all African-Americans are alarming, as Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I am especially concerned about the childhood obesity epidemic among African-American youth. More than 40 percent of African-American teenagers are overweight, and nearly 25 percent are obese. Earlier this year, my office in concert with the office of Congressman Towns and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, held [[Page 9688]] a widely- attended issue forum entitled, ``Childhood Obesity: Factors Contributing to Its Disproportionate Prevalence in Low Income Communities.'' At this forum, a panel of professionals from the fields of medicine, academia, nutrition, and the food industry discussed the disturbing increasing rates of childhood obesity in minority and low- income communities, and the factors that are contributing to the prevalence in these communities. What we know is that African-American youth are consuming less nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables and are not getting enough physical exercise. This combination has led to an epidemic of obesity, which directly contributes to numerous deadly or life- threatening diseases or conditions, including the following: hypertension; dyslipidemia (high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels); Type 2 diabetes; coronary heart disease; stroke; gallbladder disease; osteoarthritis; asthma, bronchitis, sleep apnea, and other respiratory problems; and cancer (breast, colon, and endometrial). When ethnicity and income are considered, the picture is even more troubling. African-American youngsters from low-income families have a higher risk for obesity than those from higher-income families. Since the mid-1970s, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased sharply for both adults and children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CCDC), among African-American male adults aged 20-74 years the prevalence of obesity increased from 15.0 percent in 1980 survey to 32.9 percent in the 2004. There were also increases in overweight among children and teens. For children aged 2-5 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.0 percent to 13.9 percent; for those aged 6-11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5 percent to 18.8 percent; and for those aged 12-19 years, prevalence increased from 5.0 percent to 17.4 percent. As the debate over how to address the rising childhood obesity epidemic continues, it is especially important to explore how attitudes, environmental factors, and public policies influence contribute to obesity among African-American males. Some of these contributing factors are environmental, others are cultural, still others are economic, and others still may be lack of education or information. But one thing is clear: we must find ways to remove them. GUN VIOLENCE AND HOMICIDE The third and final health challenge confronting the African-American community, and African-American males in particular, involves the issue of gun violence and homicide. This must be a priority health issue for our community. Over 600,000 Americans are victimized in handgun crimes each year, and the African-American community is among the hardest hit. One week ago, on Monday, April 16, 2007, at Virginia Tech University, one of the nation's great land grant colleges, we witnessed senseless acts of violence on a scale unprecedented in our history. Neither the mind nor the heart can contemplate a cause that could lead a human being to inflict such injury and destruction on fellow human beings. The loss of life and innocence at Virginia Tech is a tragedy over which all Americans mourn and the thoughts and prayers of people of goodwill everywhere go out to the victims and their families. In the face of such overwhelming grief, I hope they can take comfort in the certain knowledge that unearned suffering is redemptive. Thirty-three persons died in the massacre at Virginia Tech. But there is a much less noticed, though no less devastating, massacre and loss of life going on in African-American communities across the country. Since 1978, on average, 33 young black males between the ages of 15 and 24 are murdered every 6 days. Three-quarters of these victims are killed by firearms. In 1997, firearm homicide was the number one cause of death for African-American men ages 15-34, as well as the leading cause of death for all African-Americans 15-24 years old. The firearm death rate for African-Americans was 2.6 times that of whites. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the firearms suicide rate amongst African- American youths aged 10-19 more than doubled over a 15 year period. Although African-Americans have had a historically lower rate of suicide than whites, the rate for African-Americans 15-19 has reached that of white youths aged 15-19. A young African-American male is 10 times more likely to be murdered than a young white male. The homicide rate among African-American men aged 15 to 24 rose by 66 percent from 1984 to 1987, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Ninety-five percent of this increase was due to firearm-related murders. For African-American males, aged 15 to 19, firearm homicides have increased 158 percent from 1985 to 1993. In 1998, 94 percent of the African-American murder victims were slain by African-American offenders. In 1997, African-American males accounted for 45 percent of all homicide victims, while they only account for 6 percent of the entire population. It is scandalous that a 15-year-old urban African-American male faces a probability of being murdered before reaching his 45th birthday that ranges from almost 8.5 percent in the District of Columbia to less than 2 percent in Brooklyn. By comparison, the probability of being murdered by age 45 is a mere three-tenths of 1 percent for all white males. Firearms have become the predominant method of suicide for African- Americans aged 10-19 years, accounting for over 66 percent of suicides. In Florida, for example, African-American males have an almost eight times greater chance of dying in a firearm-related homicide than white males. In addition, the firearm-related homicide death rate for African-American females is greater than white males and over four times greater than white females. As the tragedy this week at Virginia Tech University revealed, school shootings are sobering and tragic events that cause much concern for the safety of children. Homicides involving children and youth that are school related make up one percent of the total number of child and youth homicides in the United States. Most school associated violent deaths occur during transition times such as the start or end of the school day, during the lunch period, or the start of a semester. Nearly 50 percent of all homicide perpetrators give some type of prior warning signal such as a threat or suicide note. Among the students who commit a school-associated homicide, 20 percent were known to have been victims of bullying and 12 percent were known to have expressed suicidal thoughts or engage in suicidal behavior. My legislative agenda during the 110th Congress includes introducing legislation to assist local governments and school administrators in devising preventive measures to reduce school-associated violent deaths. In devising such preventive measures, at a minimum, we must focus on: Encouraging efforts to reduce crowding, increase supervision, and institute plans/policies to handle disputes during transition times that may reduce the likelihood of potential conflicts and injuries. Taking threats seriously and letting students know who and where to go when they learn of a threat to anyone at the school and encouraging parents, educators, and mentors to take an active role in helping troubled children and teens. Taking talk of suicide seriously and identifying risk factors for suicidal behavior when trying to prevent violence toward self and others. Developing prevention programs designed to help teachers and other school staff recognize and respond to incidences of bullying between students. Ensuring that each school has a security plan and that it is being enforced and that school staff are trained and prepared to implement and execute the plan. My legislative agenda during the 110th Congress also includes introducing sensible legislation to assist law enforcement departments, social service agencies, and school officials detect and deter gun violence. Again, thank you all for your commitment to working to find workable solutions to the heath and wellness challenges facing our communities. I look forward to working with you in the months ahead to achieve our mutual goals. Have a successful and inspiring conference. Ms. SOLIS. I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for joining us this evening. Before I conclude with our discussion on the uninsured and celebrating, actually, a call to action, a call to action for all people of color and all Americans, that we have a balanced health care system that serves all of us, one last item I would like to bring up, before I recognize the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for the last 5 minutes is to talk a little bit about one of the biggest killers in our community, and it is about tobacco. Each year tobacco use kills more than 400,000 Americans and costs our country more than $96 billion in health care costs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco use by pregnant women alone costs at least $400 million per year due to complications such as low birth weight, premature birth and sudden infant death syndrome. Every day, 1,000 kids become regular smokers, one-third of whom will die prematurely as a result. Smoking is responsible for 87 percent of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. [[Page 9689]] Tobacco-related cancers are disproportionately higher among low- income and ethnic-minority communities. Because these groups have been repeatedly targeted by the tobacco industry, they unfairly carry a greater weight of the health and economic burden tobacco has in our country. For communities of color, tobacco addiction brings a disproportionate amount of death and disease to communities with low rates of health insurance coverage. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer among Latino men and second leading cause of death among Latinas. Approximately 25,000 Latinos will die from smoking-related illnesses this year, surpassing all other causes of cancer. Each year, approximately 45,000 African Americans die from smoking-caused illness. Native American adults have the highest tobacco use rates for all major ethnic groups. The prevalence of smoking is 37.5 percent among Native American, 26.7 among African American, and 24 percent among white men. This year it is expected that the rate of lung and cancer deaths for white males will be 73.8 per 100,000, while for African Americans it will be 98.4 per 100,000. Tobacco use is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death among Latinos. Unfortunately, tobacco companies have increased their marketing to our minority communities, and I have seen advertisements in magazines popular with Latino youth. RJ Reynolds is running ads for Kool cigarettes with images that appeal to Latinos. I recently learned that the Kool Mixx campaign focused its marketing images around music and hip-hop, which appeals to African American and Latino youth. The Kool Mixx campaign included 14 music concerts around the country and a DJ competition, as well as a special theme park with cartons displayed on them. In addition, the tobacco company placed advertisements in publications popular with Latino youth, like this one here, including ``Latina'' and ``Cosmopolitan en Espanol.'' The ads include slogans like: ``It's about pursuing your ambitions and staying connected to your roots.'' To reach everybody in our community, they not only use attractive Latino models, but they also make sure ads are in English and Spanish. The cigarette companies have focused on African American populations as well. One company created a line of cigarette flavors like Caribbean Chill and Mocha Taboo and used images of African Americans to promote their cigarettes. This targeted marketing is having an impact on the rates that we are seeing, higher number of people smoking. In 2005, 22 percent of Latino high school students smoked, a 19 percent increase over 2003, when the smoking rate was down to 18 percent. Smoking continues to be a huge public health risk for us, and we must not tolerate it in our communities. We have to stand up to these big corporations and say, enough advertising, let's speak the truth, let's talk about prevention, let's talk about awareness, let's talk about alternative lifestyles so we can have healthier communities. I am pleased that we were able to entertain this discussion on the uninsured, the celebration of Uninsured Week and to talk about the disparities that exist in our communities and communities of color. I am pleased to give the remainder of my time to the distinguished woman from the Virgin Islands, who is chairperson of the task force for the Black Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus. {time} 2210 Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I came to the floor to speak on another issue, but let me say a few words about health disparities before I do. Health disparities is one of the remaining issues and causes of our civil rights struggle. And because our country does not recognize health care as a right, African Americans, Latino Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan natives, and other people of color, poor and rural people, do not receive the same kind of health care, prevention, or health maintenance. And because of that, you will find that in this country more than half of the uninsured are people of color. We have two times more diabetes than the white population, and all people of color suffer from more complications. African Americans have higher rates of death from heart disease and several cancers, prostate, colon, lung, and breast. We are over 50 percent of all new HIV cases and over 50 percent of new AIDS cases. African American and Latino women are 70 to 80 percent of all AIDS cases among women. Hypertension we find is becoming a worldwide epidemic, and African American women are the most impacted by hypertension; however, more African American men die from hypertension. Our infant mortality is twice as much as our white counterparts, and the New York Times yesterday reported that it is growing in the southeast region of our country. So we really have an obligation in this Congress to address the health care disparities and the health disparities and the lack of coverage in this country to ensure that health care is provided equally to every American. And so, Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a woman who was a champion of health for minorities and other people of color. The extremely sad news of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald's death came as a shock to all of us, and it is with a deep sense of loss that I join my colleagues who were here earlier in mourning her passing. Not only have I lost a colleague, but also a mentor, a sister, and a friend. I am honored to work alongside Congresswoman Millender-McDonald as members of the Congressional Black Caucus together, and the Small Business Community. Juanita was a true champion for minority and women- owned small businesses, and played a pivotal role in proposing and passing legislation to expand financing and contracting opportunities for our Nation's small businesses. Her dedication to helping women- owned businesses was evident in her dedication to increasing funding to expand women's business centers throughout our Nation. Her commitment to improving the lives of minorities is reflected in her lifelong work in affiliations with organizations such as the NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and a number of other organizations devoted to the advancement of minorities. She will also be remembered for her outstanding stewardship in the areas of transportation, education, health, and FEMA legislation. We are grateful for the leadership and the innovation that she brought to the Committee on House Administration, which led to her historic achievement as the first African American woman to chair a committee in Congress. I know that the House staff and all of the Members appreciate her role in establishing the House Fitness Center and creating an outlet for mental and physical activity. She has truly left a legacy for all of us through her distinguished service on this important committee. Juanita will also be remembered for her passion for education, which was evident in her many eloquent speeches on the floor. She was truly a gifted and skilled orator. Juanita had the distinct ability to captivate and engage her audiences. Although she possessed strong and determined qualities, she personified grace, compassion, and beauty both inside and out. On a more personal note, it was through Juanita, a minister's daughter, that I began attending Thursday morning prayer breakfast when I first came to Congress. Her godliness was seen in all that she did. Juanita championed the cause of AIDS long before it was fashionable to do so. Every year she held a race in her district. And while I could never get away to attend, she always had all of our support, and we never missed a t-shirt or any of the other paraphernalia that she gave out each year. Juanita always spoke of her district with great affection and dedication. She frequently remarked that she had the most diverse district in the country, that she was able to bring them together. And to be reelected over and [[Page 9690]] over is a testament to her leadership and her abiding belief that we are all children of God, equal in His sight and made in His image. Her mission was one of justice, fairness, and opportunity for all. One cannot speak of Juanita Millender-McDonald without remarking on her exquisite taste and her unequaled sense of style. She was always dressed to the nines and was always the epitome of elegance and grace. Mr. Speaker, although her passing leaves a void in the halls of Congress, her spirit and legacy will forever be with us. Words are not enough to express our profound sorrow. On behalf of my family, staff, and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, my deepest sympathy goes out to her husband, James McDonald, their children, grandchildren, extended family, and dedicated staff. May God bless and comfort them at this time in grief as we know He is welcoming our sister home. Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congresswoman Hilda Solis, the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Task Force on Health and the Environment, for organizing this evening's Special Order in honor of National Minority Health Month. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, ``Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.'' Unfortunately, injustice in health care is widespread and growing in American society today. The Uninsured Over 46 million Americans don't have health insurance. That is a 15 percent increase in the number of uninsured since the President took office. Twelve percent of white Americans, 19 percent of Asian Americans, 20 percent of African Americans, 27 percent of Native Americans and 35 percent of Hispanic Americans have no health insurance. Nationwide, 9 percent of children under the age of 18 and 19 percent of adults ages 18 to 64 are uninsured. Los Angeles County In Los Angeles County, 8 percent of children under the age of 18 and 22 percent of adults ages 18 to 64 are uninsured. In the Southern Service Planning Area of Los Angeles County [SPA6], where my district is located, lack of access to health insurance is especially high: 11 percent of children under the age of 18 and 32 percent of adults ages 18 to 64 are uninsured. In the same area, an alarming 44 percent of adults reported difficulty accessing medical care, and 21 percent of children have difficulty accessing medical care. Furthermore, in the Southern Area of Los Angeles County, 35 percent of adults and 19 percent of children did not obtain dental care in the past year, because they could not afford it. We cannot continue to ignore these alarming statistics. Infant Mortality Infant mortality rates are considered to be one of the most important indicators of the health and well-being of a population. In 2003, the last year for which nationwide data is available, the infant death rate was 6.9 deaths for every one thousand live births. Infant death rates among African Americans are considerably higher. Among whites, there were 5.7 infant deaths per thousand live births in 2003; while among blacks, there were 14.0 infant deaths per thousand live births. In Los Angeles County, there are 5.0 infant deaths per thousand live births. Among African Americans, there are 11.7 infant deaths per thousand live births. According to an article in Sunday's New York Times, infant deaths in the South are growing. In Mississippi, the infant death rate had fallen to 9.7 in 2004 but then jumped sharply to 11.4 in 2005. In concrete human terms, a total of 481 babies died in Mississippi in 2005. That's 65 more babies than died the previous year. Among African Americans in Mississippi, infant deaths rose from 14.2 per thousand in 2004 to an astonishing 17 per thousand in 2005. Infant death rates also increased in 2005 in Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Clearly, injustice in health care is taking its toll. If we truly believe that all men and women are created equal, we cannot allow these disparities to continue. HIV/AIDS Racial and ethnic minorities have disproportionately high rates of HIV and AIDS in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, racial and ethnic minorities represent 71 percent of new AIDS cases and 64 percent of Americans living with AIDS. African Americans account for half of new AIDS cases, although only 12 percent of the population is black. Hispanics account for 19 percent of new AIDS cases, although only 14 percent of the population is Hispanic. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders account for 1 percent of new AIDS cases, and American Indians and Alaska Natives account for up to 1 percent. Racial minorities now represent a majority of new AIDS cases, a majority of Americans living with AIDS, and a majority of deaths among persons with AIDS. It was because of the severe impact of HIV and AIDS on minorities that I developed the Minority AIDS Initiative back in 1998. The Minority AIDS Initiative provides grants to community-based organizations and other health care providers for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs serving African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American communities. Unfortunately, the Republicans in Congress cut the funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative from its maximum level of $411 million in fiscal year 2003 to under $400 million today. Meanwhile, the need for the initiative has continued to grow as the disease has continued to spread. This year, I am calling for an appropriation of $610 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative in fiscal year 2008. So far, a total of 62 Members of Congress have agreed to sign a letter in support of this level of funding. I am hoping to convince additional Members to support the expansion of the initiative before this week is over. Diabetes Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and it has a particularly severe impact on minorities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 9.5 percent of Hispanic Americans, 12.8 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives, and 13.3 percent of African Americans over the age of 20 have diabetes. Many Asian Americans are also at high risk. Diabetes can lead to serious and sometimes deadly complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and nerve damage. Too often, some of these complications result in lower-limb amputations. Minorities with diabetes often lack access to proper health care and are more likely to suffer from complications. Because of these disparities, I introduced H.R. 1031, the Minority Diabetes Initiative Act. This bill would establish an initiative to provide grants to physicians, community-based organizations, and other health care providers for diabetes prevention, care, and treatment programs in minority communities. The Minority Diabetes Initiative is based on the successful model of the Minority AIDS Initiative. This bill would help to reduce diabetes disparities and improve the ability of minorities with diabetes to live healthy and productive lives. The bill has 40 cosponsors, representing both political parties. Cancer Health disparities also affect minorities who suffer from cancer. Blacks have a cancer death rate that is about 35 percent higher than whites. The mortality rates for blacks with breast, colon, prostate and lung cancer are much higher than those for any other racial group. Black and Hispanic women are less likely to receive breast cancer screening with mammograms than white women. Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced forms of prostate cancer than white men. The incidence of prostate cancer is approximately 60 percent higher among African-American men than white men, and the death rate from prostate cancer is 2.4 times higher in African-American men than white men. This is the largest racial disparity for any type of cancer. Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 1030, the Cancer Testing, Education, Screening and Treatment (Cancer TEST) Act. This bill would provide grants for cancer screening, counseling, treatment and prevention programs for minorities and underserved populations. The Cancer TEST Act would authorize grants for the development, expansion and operation of programs that provide public education on cancer prevention, cancer screenings, patient counseling services and treatment for cancer. Grants would be made available to community health centers and non- profit organizations that serve minority and underserved populations. [[Page 9691]] The Cancer TEST Act would emphasize early detection and provide comprehensive treatment services for cancer in its earliest stages, when treatment is most likely to save lives. The bill has 29 cosponsors. ____________________ NINETY-SECOND COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ellison). Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues on the Republican side for agreeing to let me reclaim the time. I will try to limit my time to less than 5 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian genocide. As the first genocide of the 20th century, it is morally imperative that we remember this atrocity and collectively demand reaffirmation of this crime against humanity. On April 24, 1915, 92 years ago tomorrow, that day marked the beginning of the systematic and deliberate campaign of genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire. Over the following 8 years, 1\1/2\ million Armenians were tortured and murdered, and more than one-half million were forced from their homeland into exile. These facts are indisputable, but to this day the U.S. Congress has never properly recognized the Armenian genocide. The historical record, Mr. Speaker, on the Armenian genocide is unambiguous and well-documented with overwhelming evidence. The U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at the time, Henry Morgenthau, protested the slaughter of the Armenians to the Ottoman leaders. In a cable to the U.S. State Department on July 16, 1915, Ambassador Morgenthau stated that, ``A campaign of race extermination is in progress.'' Mr. Speaker, if America is going to live up to the standards we set for ourselves, and continue to lead the world in affirming human rights everywhere, we need to finally stand up and recognize the tragic events that began in 1915 for what they were: the systematic elimination of a people. Despite pleas by Members of Congress and the Armenian-American community and recognition by much of the international community, President Bush continues to avoid any clear references to the Armenian genocide, while consistently opposing legislation marking this crime against humanity. Instead, he has chosen to succumb to shameless threats by the Government of Turkey. I strongly believe that Turkey's policy of denying the Armenian genocide gives warrant to those who perpetrate genocide everywhere, because denial is the last stage of genocide. If the cycle is to end, there must be accountability. And just as we would not permit denying the Holocaust, we cannot accept Turkey's falsification of the facts of 1915. Mr. Speaker, I must say that in the last few months the Turkish Government has made every effort to try to prevent the Armenian genocide resolution from coming to the floor of the House of Representatives. But I just want to show why denial is such a bad thing in a sense. Last week, I came to the floor and I pointed out that when the U.N. wanted to do a project or an exhibit at the United Nations headquarters talking about the genocide in Rwanda, because the Turkish Government protested the inclusion of the Armenian genocide, the Rwandan genocide never took place. There again, if you deny one genocide, you end up denying or impacting the other. And the fact of the matter is that when some of my colleagues say to me, ``Well, why do you need to bring up something that occurred 92 years ago,'' I say, ``Because by denying this, the Turkish Government continues to perpetrate genocide or oppression of its minorities. Just a few weeks ago, there was something in the New York Times about how the Turkish Government continues to persecute the Kurdish minority. Many Kurds have been killed, driven from their homelands in the same way Armenians were. The Kurds happen to be a Muslim people, not a Christian people. That doesn't matter. The Turkish Government consistently oppresses minorities. They refuse also to open their borders with Armenia. They have actually had a blockade of Armenia in placed for several years, which contributes to the economic instability of Armenia. So this is something that must be done. It must be accomplished, that we recognize this genocide if it continues in various ways in Turkey today. The second thing I would point out is that the Turkish Government has been basically hiring lobbyists for millions of dollars to go around and tell Members of Congress that if they pass the genocide resolution, there will be dire consequences: Turkey will not allow supplies to go to U.S. troops in Iraq. {time} 2220 They have actually taken to having Members of Congress called and told that their own soldiers in Iraq might be threatened if they pass the genocide resolution. Well, again, this is the type of bullying that we, as a free government, should not allow because bullying is essentially the same thing that takes place when genocide takes place. Why should we give in to the threats of a country that tries to bully our country over such an important issue as the genocide? Now, let me just mention, Mr. Speaker, to wrap up, that tomorrow evening at 6:30 the Armenian Caucus, which I cochair, will host an Armenian genocide commemoration event with the Armenian embassy, and I hope that many of the Members will attend this. Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, and the representative of a large and vibrant community of Armenian Americans, I rise to join my colleagues in the sad commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Today we declare to people living in every corner of our globe that the Turkish and American governments must finally acknowledge what we have long understood: that the unimaginable horror committed on Turkish soil in the aftermath of World War I was, and is, an act of genocide. The tragic events that began on April 24, 1915, which are well known to all of us, should be part of the history curriculum in every Turkish and American school. On that dark April day, more than 200 of Armenia's religious, political and intellectual leaders were arrested in Constantinople and killed. Ultimately, more than 1.5 million Armenians were systematically murdered at the hands of the Young Turks, and more than 500,000 more were exiled from their native land. On this 92nd anniversary of the beginning of the genocide, I join with the chorus of voices that grows louder with each passing year. We simply will not allow ice planned elimination of an entire people to remain in the shadows of history. The Armenian Genocide must be acknowledged, studied, and never, ever allowed to happen again. Last year I joined with my colleagues in the Caucus in urging PBS not to give a platform to the deniers of the genocide by canceling a planned broadcast of a panel which included two scholars who deny the Armenian Genocide. This panel was to follow the airing of a documentary about the Armenian Genocide. Representative Anthony Weiner and I led a successful effort to convince Channel Thirteen in New York City to pull the plug on these genocide deniers. The parliaments of Canada, France, and Switzerland have all passed resolutions affirming that the Armenian people were indeed subjected to genocide. The United States must do the same. I will not stop fighting until long overdue legislation acknowledging the Armenian Genocide finally passes. I am hopeful that this resolution will make it to the Floor for a vote before the full House of Representatives this Congress. An acknowledgment of the genocide is not our only objective. I remain committed to ensuring that the U.S. government continues to provide direct financial assistance to Armenia. Over the years, this aid has played a critical role in the economic and political advancement of the Armenian people. I have joined with my colleagues in requesting military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the FY08 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. We also have requested an adequate level of economic assistance for Armenia and assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh. Legislation passed in the 109th Congress and signed into law to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank included important language prohibiting the [[Page 9692]] Bank from funding railroad projects in the South Caucasus region that deliberately exclude Armenia. American tax dollars should not be used to support efforts to isolate Armenia, and these provisions would prevent that by ensuring that U.S. funds are not used to support the construction of a new railway that bypasses Armenia. A railway already exists that connects the nations of Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, but because it crosses Armenia, an expensive and unnecessary new railway had been proposed. Allowing the exclusion of Armenia from important transportation routes would stymie the emergence of this region as an important East-West trade corridor. It is in our economic and security interests to ensure that the aggression against Armenia comes to an end. On this solemn day, our message is clear: the world remembers the Armenian genocide, and the governments of Turkey and the United States must declare--once and for all--that they do, too. Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I join today with many of my colleagues in remembering the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Today, April 24th, is the 92nd anniversary of this human tragedy. From 1915 to 1923, the world witnessed the first genocide of the 20th century. This was clearly one of the world's greatest tragedies--the deliberate and systematic Ottoman annihilation of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children. Furthermore, another 500,000 refugees fled and escaped to various points around the world--effectively eliminating the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire. From these ashes arose hope and promise in 1991--and I was blessed to see it. I was one of the four international observers from the United States Congress to monitor Armenia's independence referendum. I went to the communities in the northern part of Armenia, and I watched in awe as 95 percent of the people over the age of 18 went out and voted. The Armenian people had been denied freedom for so many years and, clearly, they were very excited about this new opportunity. Almost no one stayed home. They were all out in the streets going to the polling places. I watched in amazement as people stood in line for hours to get into these small polling places and vote. Then, after they voted, the other interesting thing was that they did not go home. They had brought covered dishes with them, and all of these polling places had little banquets afterward to celebrate what had just happened. What a great thrill it was to join them the next day in the streets of Yerevan when they were celebrating their great victory. Ninety-eight percent of the people who voted cast their ballots in favor of independence. It was a wonderful experience to be there with them when they danced and sang and shouted, `Ketse azat ankakh Hayastan'--long live free and independent Armenia! That should be the cry of freedom- loving people everywhere. Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today, April 24th, marks the 92nd anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. I rise today to commemorate this terrible chapter in human history, and to help ensure that it will never be forgotten. On April 24, 1915, the Turkish government began to arrest Armenian community and political leaders. Many were executed without ever being charged with crimes. Then the government deported most Armenians from Turkish Armenia, ordering that they resettle in what is now Syria. Many deportees never reached that destination. From 1915 to 1918, more than a million Armenians died of starvation or disease on long marches, or were massacred outright by Turkish forces. From 1918 to 1923, Armenians continued to suffer at the hands of the Turkish military, which eventually removed all remaining Armenians from Turkey. We mark this anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide because this tragedy for the Armenian people was a tragedy for all humanity. It is our duty to remember, to speak out and to teach future generations about the horrors of genocide and the oppression and terrible suffering endured by the Armenian people. We hope the day will soon come when it is not just the survivors who honor the dead but also when those whose ancestors perpetrated the horrors acknowledge their terrible responsibility and commemorate as well the memory of genocide's victims. Sadly, we cannot say humanity has progressed to the point where genocide has become unthinkable. We have only to recall the ``killing fields'' of Cambodia, mass killings in Rwanda, ``ethnic cleansing'' in Bosnia and Kosovo, and the unspeakable horrors in Darfur, Sudan to see that the threat of genocide persists. We must renew our commitment never to remain indifferent in the face of such assaults on innocent human beings. We also remember this day because it is a time for us to celebrate the contribution of the Armenian community in America--including hundreds of thousands in California--to the richness of our character and culture. The strength they have displayed in overcoming tragedy to flourish in this country is an example for all of us. Their success is moving testimony to the truth that tyranny and evil cannot extinguish the vitality of the human spirit. The United States has an ongoing opportunity to contribute to a true memorial to the past by strengthening Armenia's emerging democracy. We must do all we can through aid and trade to support Armenia's efforts to construct an open political and economic system. Adolf Hitler, the architect of the Nazi Holocaust, once remarked ``Who remembers the Armenians?'' The answer is, we do. And we will continue to remember the victims of the 1915-23 genocide because, in the words of the philosopher George Santayana, ``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'' Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, each year on April 24, Armenian communities around the world gather in somber commemoration of the genocide that began in 1915. Sadly, after 92 years, their grief is only compounded by those who aggressively deny or raise doubt about this troubling chapter of history. This should be a day reserved for honoring the memory of those who were killed and paying tribute to the strength of those who survived. It should be a time to reflect on the personal narratives of those who were exiled, the historical evidence of villages and communities that were destroyed, and diplomatic cables from U.S. officials that described the atrocities. It should be an opportunity to resolve ourselves to fight crimes against humanity in all forms and all places. Instead, year after year, April 24 unleashes a battle of semantics. Those who acknowledge what happened in Armenia as a ``tragedy,'' a ``catastrophe,'' or a ``massacre'' are correct. But nothing other than the term ``genocide'' can wholly characterize the systematic deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians and the deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million men, women and children. Anything short of that is unfair to those who perished and unhelpful to our plight against future acts of genocide. Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Today marks the anniversary of the deliberate campaign of genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in 1915. On April 24th, the Ottoman government arrested an estimated 250 Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders, which were taken to the interior of Turkey and murdered. From 1915-1923, 1.5 million Armenians were killed and more than 500,000 were forced from their homeland into exile. In spite of overwhelming evidence, particularly American diplomatic records from the time, some continue to deny the occurrence of this brutal tragedy in human history. As a member of Congress, I represent a significant population of Armenian survivors who have proudly preserved their culture, traditions, and religion and have told the horrors of the genocide to an often indifferent world. We must continue to ensure future generations know and understand the history of the Armenian Genocide in order to learn from the mistakes of the past and prevent future atrocities. For that reason, I have again cosponsored a resolution, H. Res. 106, that calls upon the president to make recognition of the Armenian Genocide an official position of United States foreign policy. Mr. Speaker, it is time to fully recognize the Armenian Genocide in order to right the historical record. By doing so we pay tribute to the memory of all the individuals who suffered, their family members that remain, and vow to never forget their sacrifices. Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the anniversary of the first genocide of the 20th century. More than 90 years ago, the Ottoman Empire organized a campaign to exterminate 1.5 million Armenians. The world watched as this horror unfolded before them, and did nothing. As the first genocide of the 21st century--this time in Darfur--began to take shape, the world again hesitated, this time to debate for months the definition of genocide, as thousands died and thousands more were displaced. Today, 200,000 people have been killed in Darfur and 2.5 million driven from their homes. And so, I rise Mr. Speaker not only to acknowledge and remember the horrific events that befell the Armenian people at the dawn of the last century, but also to highlight the horrific events occurring one hundred years later in Darfur at the dawn of this century. [[Page 9693]] For the past few years, as the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approached, I hoped that year would be the year a solution to the crisis would come. But, this year, instead of speaking of how the lessons of the Armenian Genocide helped unite the world around a solution for Darfur, I can only report of ongoing suffering and continued killings. As the world pauses today to remember those who suffered and died during the Armenian Genocide, we need to ask ourselves if we have really absorbed the lessons of that tragedy--and, if we are really doing all that can be done to bring this century's genocide to an end. Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman government ordered the deportation of 2.5 million Armenians. Over the next year, 1.5 million Armenians had been killed or sent to the horrors of concentration camps. April 24 lives in the hearts and minds of an Armenians. And while this day of remembrance is somber, the day also brings a sense of encouragement that stems from the success of Armenian-American communities here at home in the United States, as well as the independent nation of Armenia. This nation's independence has become a living testament of honor to the memories of the survivors and their descendents. I have always supported the Armenian community. In 2003, I had the opportunity to visit Armenia and to plant a tree at the Genocide memorial. We must never forget the horrors that took place 92 years ago. Let us never forget the 1.5 minion Armenians who perished in 1915 and 1916. We know such mass murder is not a tragedy from a distant past, but a continuation of the failing to recognize these barbaric acts before they are executed. Mr. Speaker, again, I wish to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and I urge the leadership to bring H. Res. 106 to the floor for a vote. If we are to change the future, we must recognize the past. Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, today is a day of remembrance and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, one of the darkest chapters of World War I, and the first of the series of genocides we saw in the 20th Century. We set today aside to remember, as we do every year, because it is essential to reflect upon these terrible events, but we also do so because we know that the Armenian people must continually confront and surmount the legacies and the consequences of those dark days. The writer Milan Kundera once wrote that ``The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.'' There are those that would deny the Armenian Genocide, just as there are those that deny the reality of the Nazi Holocaust. In commemorating the Armenian Genocide we collectively engage in that struggle of memory against forgetting. We do this not only to remember the past, but to reaffirm our commitment to prevent such things from ever happening again, and to strive towards making a better future for the Armenian people. It has taken Armenia decades to reach a point where its people could enjoy their rights as a free people. Today, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to help ensure that the Armenian people can build a better future. And so, I look forward to continuing to work with the Armenian-American community and Members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenia to address the issues facing this longtime friend and important ally of the United States, so that together we build something positive, something hopeful, something good for the futute--a peaceful, prosperous and secure Armenia. The Armenian Genocide is sometimes called the ``Forgotten Genocide.'' In fact, as most of you know, back in 1939, prior to the invasion of Poland, Adolph Hitler argued that his plans for a Jewish holocaust would in the end be tolerated by the West, stating: ``After all, who remembers the Armenians.'' But we do remember, and we shall never forget. And our memory and commemoration is stronger than the hate of those who would perpetrate the greatest crime known to humanity, the attempt to exterminate an entire people. Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Our voices, as well as those of Armenian-Americans across the Nation, are essential in the effort to bring needed attention to such a historic tragedy. The Armenian- American community has made tremendous contributions to our country, and their efforts and passion will help ensure that those who lost their lives will not be forgotten. Today, we pay tribute to the memory of those who died, reflect on all those who have suffered from such prejudice, and vow to raise awareness so that such an atrocity never occurs again. As a member of the Armenian Caucus and a cosponsor of the genocide resolution, I will keep fighting to ensure that the Armenian Genocide is appropriately recognized. It is a shame that we have not learned from our mistakes in the past regarding genocide, but it is not too late to heal these wounds and also help end atrocities occurring as we speak. To that end, we must not stand by as the situation deteriorates in Darfur. It is our duty to end this human suffering, and I will continue to work to stop this conflict and promote peace in Sudan. Together, let us make this world a better place. As an ardent supporter of Rhode Island's Armenian-American community throughout my public service career, I am proud to join my colleagues today in honoring the victims of the genocide by paying tribute to their memory, showing compassion for those who have suffered from such prejudice, and never forgetting the pain that they have endured. Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise to remind the world that the 24th of April marks the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a systematic and deliberate campaign of the Ottoman Empire to exterminate an entire people. I also rise to reaffirm my support for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H. Res. 106. This legislation contains a long list of U.S. and international involvement against the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Raphael Lemkin, who coined the term `genocide' in 1944, and who was the earliest proponent of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, invoked the Armenian case as a definitive example of genocide in the 20th century. The time is now for the Administration to describe what occurred as a genocide. There is no option for continued denial. Atrocities which fell upon a nation almost a century ago are still crying out for commemoration. Armenia's people did not get sufficient recognition of their devastation and our government has yet to take an appropriate position in this matter. Considering how well documented the Armenian genocide is in U.S. archives and through an overwhelming body of firsthand, governmental, and diplomatic evidence, this is nothing less than a disgrace. Previous Congresses undertook many efforts to pass legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Unfortunately, all those attempts failed. Now, however, the movement to recognize the genocide has generated enough momentum that passage of this resolution is finally possible. Congressman Pallone, Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, has been a stalwart champion of this legislation. The grassroots campaign ``End the Cycle of Genocide'' focuses on the lessons we can learn from this tragic chapter in history. We understand the horror of past genocides and recognize that mass exterminations underway today need to be stopped. We cannot remain silent as we observe from a distance how perpetrators execute their power over minorities. Now more than ever, as the world is gripped by unrest and terrorism, the memory of the Armenian Genocide underscores our responsibility to help convey our cherished traditions of respect for fundamental human rights and opposition to mass slaughter. For these reasons, I support H. Res. 106 and call upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects an appropriate level of understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to the Armenian Genocide. Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today we solemnly commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide where, over the course of eight years, from 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire launched a systematic campaign to exterminate its Armenian community. During that time, more than 1.5 million Armenians suffered through mass killings, deportations, forced slavery and torture. Once the genocide ended, many survivors rose above their anguish and terrible experiences to rebuild their lives. Armenian communities began to flourish as numerous immigrants found a new home here in the United States, as well as in my home state of California. Even though their communities discovered solace and success in America, the scars of genocide remain deeply embedded in their history and in our conscience. If we are to pro actively engage the international community, we must realize the significance of commemorating the Armenian Genocide. Equipped with information and education, we can ensure that the legacy of the genocide endures and that atrocities such as those that befell the Armenian people never happen again. Together we can educate, commemorate, remember, and stand united in promoting a [[Page 9694]] clear message that the United States does not condone, nor does it tolerate acts of genocide. Today we mourn the victims, pay tribute to the survivors, and stand together with all who are committed to promoting awareness about the atrocities of genocide. Today we remember to never forget. ____________________ THE COUNTDOWN CREW The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 18, 2007, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader. Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I am coming to the floor this evening, as I have been for the past couple of months, to make sure that the American people realize what is going to happen in the next couple of years if we, in Congress don't act, if the Democratic majority doesn't act. In 1,349 days, if we don't act, we are going to see the largest tax increase in American history. And this is coming about because the tax cuts, the tax reductions that we put in place as a Republican majority in 2001, 2003, extended some of those in 2005, they are going to expire. And the majority party doesn't have to act. All they have to do is run the clock out, and those tax increases will go into effect on the American people. The American family, small businesses, all around this country are going to feel the pain. As I said, my friends and I have been, colleagues and I have been coming to the floor for the past few months talking about this, making sure that the American people are aware that this is going to occur. And I have heard some folks on the other side of the aisle say that they are not going to vote for a tax increase, thus it is not really a tax increase. Only in Washington do we employ that type of rationale, that type of logic. If we don't act, there is going to be a tax increase. And for the American people, who have just paid their taxes this year, and when they go to pay their taxes in 2008 and 2009 and 2010, they are going to see that their taxes have increased. Although there wasn't necessarily a vote on the House floor to specifically increase those taxes, those tax cuts expiring are, in effect, and, in fact, going to increase their taxes. What kind of tax increase are we talking about? First of all, raising, from the 10 percent tax bracket to 15 percent. And more than 5 million individuals and families previously who owed no taxes will become subject to those individual income taxes in 2011, if we don't act on the House floor. If the Democratic majority doesn't act, the Democratic majority will be responsible for raising taxes on people in the lower-income levels in this country. It will eliminate the marriage penalty relief that we put in place in the early 2000s. By 2011, 23 million taxpayers would see their taxes increase an average of $466 just because they are married. Cutting the child tax credit in half: if we don't extend those, if we don't vote on this House floor before 2011, 31 million taxpayers will see their taxes increase an average of $859 in 2011. The AMT tax, if we don't act, if we don't do something that rectifies that situation, we are going to see people across America that have, husband and wife that earn an income, two families, for instance, teachers, we are going to see a husband and wife that are both teachers in the coming years, if they already haven't been affected by it, they are going to be hit with the AMT and pay higher taxes if we don't act. An elderly couple, for instance, in America, a senior couple making $40,000 in income, this couple will, their tax bill would raise in 2011, from $583 to $1,489. And for a retired couple making $40,000, that almost $1,000 increase is a huge burden on them. We have got to make sure that that doesn't happen. A family of four with an income of $60,000: that family's income tax bill would raise, from $3,030 to $4,898, almost $5,000 in 2011 if we don't act. And I know that families in my district, that is a typical family, a family of four, $60,000 of income, two people working. That is a huge burden. And for people across America, we have been calling ourselves the Countdown Crew, and we have an e-mail that we would like you to share your stories with us on what the tax cuts have done for you, and what, for instance, a family, again, of four, $60,000 if you have to pay about $1,800, almost $1,900 more in income, $2,000 more in taxes, how is that going to affect your family. So we would like for you to share those stories with us. You can e-mail us at the [email protected]. I will get that up here in just a minute and you can see it. But, again, that is [email protected]. And share those stories with us because we want to hear, we want to be able to have those stories to talk about how it is going to affect, as I said, a typical American household. A single parent with two children, a woman who has got two children, $30,000 in earnings, she would, that parent qualifies at present to get about $2,400 back from the Federal Government. But if the tax cuts are allowed to expire, she is going to have to pay an $800 tax. That is a $3,200 swing from receiving $2,400 from the Federal Government to having to pay almost $800 in taxes. Families, individuals are going to be hardest hit, small businesses, unless we act. Just to give you a brief rundown of the numbers on what is going to happen if the Democratic majority doesn't act and increases taxes, 115 million, taxpayers would see their taxes increase an average of $1,795 in 2011. Eighty-three million women would see their taxes raise an average of $2,068 if the Democratic majority doesn't act. Forty-eight million married couples will incur an average tax increase of almost $2,900. Taxes would increase an average of $2,181 for 42 million families with children. Twelve million single women with children would see their taxes increase an average of just over $1,000. Seventeen million elderly individuals would incur average tax increases of $2,270. And it goes on and on and on. As I said, only in Washington, only in our Nation's Capital is the logic employed that says, if we don't vote on a tax increase, it is not really a tax increase. But I know and millions of Americans know that if they paid $5,000 in taxes one year and they pay $6,000 in another year, then that is an increase in taxes. So we need to make sure that we are honest and open with the American people and realize what these tax cuts have done. This economy, which is growing, has grown each year for 21 straight quarters, I believe the last number was. We are creating jobs. We have created, in the last 4 years, 7.5 million jobs. Unemployment is at a 4.4 percent unemployment rate. {time} 2230 I have a county in my district that has a 2.8 percent unemployment rate. That is incredible, 2.8 percent. I was under the belief that full employment is when you have 97 percent of the people working, or close to 97 percent of the people, because you are always going to have folks transitioning and moving around; but I have got actually two counties that are under 3 percent. And as I said, this economy is growing because of those tax cuts. It comes as no surprise to me, it should come as no surprise to millions of Americans, it should come as no surprise to my friends on the other side of the aisle, that when you cut taxes, the economy grows. When you cut taxes, also the revenues to the Federal Government increase. And my friends on the other side of the aisle don't have to take my word for it. Go back to the 1960s when President John F. Kennedy cut taxes on the American people. And what happened? The economy grew and revenues grew coming into the Federal Government. In the 1980s Ronald Reagan cut taxes on the American people and American businesses and the economy grew and revenues grew coming into the Federal Government. And in 2000, once again history repeats itself. When you cut taxes, as we did, the Republican majority did, when you cut taxes, the economy grows, jobs are created, and we have seen record revenues coming into the Federal Government. In 2005 the revenues to the Federal Government [[Page 9695]] grew by 14.5 percent, and last year, in 2006, they were over 11 percent growth in revenues to the Federal Government. We have got to make sure that the American people are keeping more of their hard-earned dollars, not sending them to Washington, but that we are sending them back home. But in Washington we have to make sure that we are spending responsibly, and we are trying to balance the budget and we are working towards that and working in such a way that the budget is going to be balanced, and we have been working towards that in the last 4 or 5 years. And I know that the Democratic majority, they talk about fiscal responsibility, but one of the first things they did was to change the rules of the House so that there was no longer a three-fifths majority needed to increase taxes. It is now a simple majority, and they can increase your taxes. They have come out with a budget just last week, or 2 weeks ago, I guess, we passed a budget, and they make it seem like it is responsible, but a lot of things in that budget just don't add up. The PAYGO rule is something that, quite frankly, is difficult to understand. And I am privileged to have a colleague of mine on the House floor, a colleague of mine from Texas (Mr. Conaway), who is, first of all, on the Budget Committee, so he understands the complicated budgetary process that we face here in the Federal Government. But, more importantly, he is a CPA. He is a certified public accountant. So he understands the balance sheet, he understands the income statement, he understands not only that of a business, the government, but of the average American family and what it takes to balance a budget at home, in a business, and here in the Federal Government. So with that, I would like to yield to my good friend from Texas to talk a little bit about the PAYGO rules and the budget and explain to the American people what is going to happen here in the next couple of months, weeks, and years in the United States. With that I yield to Mr. Conaway. Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for letting me join him tonight in this Special Order. I want to talk first about PAYGO, and then I want to talk about something a little closer to home for Texans, and that is the way sales taxes are treated in the budget and under the current Tax Code. For the entire time I have been here in Congress, which is a relatively short period of time, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have pounded away this idea, using the term ``PAYGO.'' ``Pay as you go'' is the phrase, which rolls easily off the tongue but can have a multitude of definitions. And most of the folks in District 11 who hear the term ``PAYGO,'' in other words, that you are going to pay for something as you go along, it really makes a lot of sense to them under a more traditional definition of that phrase. This past week we had an interesting parliamentary ploy that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle used in order to get a vote on whether or not the delegate from Washington, DC would have voting privileges. And that is, it was debated at length last week, and it did pass. But it had a fiscal limit attached to it. It cost money. And our colleagues across the aisle, particularly the Blue Dogs, had made a huge point over the last 2-plus years of not wanting to pass anything where any new spending wasn't offset with either, in their preference, tax increases, and the second least likely choice would be to reduce spending in other areas to in effect offset that so that any new spending would be paid for, as that phrase is used, with tax increases or, less likely, spending cuts in other areas. Well, the first bill that passed last week had an interesting rule attached to it in which our colleagues from the Rules Committee had said that if a bill passes on the floor of the House, if the companion bill does not pass, then in spite of the fact that the first bill passed on its own, neither bill would be able to be sent to the Senate if the latter bill didn't pass. The latter one is the one I want to talk about tonight, and that was the bill that was passed in order to pay for the additional spending for the delegate converted to a Member and the new Member for Utah is going to cost. Now, in terms of West Texans, it is a lot of money. But in terms of the overall budget and the numbers that we typically deal with here in D.C., it is a relatively modest amount of money. But, nevertheless, it is new spending. So the bill that did pass was to, in effect, alleviate the PAYGO violation that the first bill created by spending new money without offsetting it with increased taxes on someone or decreases in spending. And what the bill did was simply accelerate or increase the amount of estimated tax payments that taxpayers who make more than $5 million in adjusted gross income each year have to pay in. Now, admittedly, folks who make more than $5 million a year in adjusted gross income are not a particularly sympathetic group. They are easy targets; so this increase in the estimated tax payment would pay for the additional spending on a strict cash-flow basis. Now, what they have done, in effect, with this mechanism is to take an advance on next month's salary to pay for this month's expenses, which creates a very interesting definition of PAYGO. It is not by any means a traditional definition of PAYGO, but as I noted last time I looked, most of the colleagues on the other side of the aisle voted in favor of what I would call a very twisted version of PAYGO to get out from under this taint that their first bill passed. The mechanics are that folks who make more than $5 million a year in adjusted gross income have to make quarterly estimated tax payments, in addition to whatever withholding they may make on their salaries, in order that on April 15 of the following year they have paid in all of the money that they will owe in taxes that year, estimated to have made. So they will make a payment on April 15 for their 2007 taxes. They will make a payment on June 15 for 2007 taxes. They will make a payment on September 15, and then they will make a final payment on January 15 that should, in effect, pay 100 percent of their 2007 tax bill. What this provision does is it creates a safe harbor for those folks that says if their income went up substantially from one year to the next, then they may have paid in less money than is due for that year. {time} 2240 The mechanics of this is the Tax Code creates a safe harbor for these taxpayers. It says if you've paid in 100 percent of what your actual was the year before, and you've paid that in by April 15 and your ultimate tax liability is a lot more than that, then there are no penalties and interest associated with it if you do the catch-up on April 15. So what the bill last week did is it increased that safe harbor number by one-tenth of a percent. Now, this is a bunch of mumbo-jumbo for most folks back home, but basically what this does is we have borrowed the money to pay for these additional expenses from someone that may or may not owe additional taxes. And, in fact, the bill sponsor from the other side specifically said at the end of his conversation on the floor last week that his bill raised taxes on no Americans, did not raise any new tax, did not raise any taxes. So what we had here is a cash flow issue that accelerated some cash flow to the Federal Government, and under this scoring mechanism that we use, it appears that PAYGO has not been violated, it has been honored. But basically what we've done with this version of PAYGO, and apparently there are going to be multiple versions of PAYGO that get talked about on this House floor, this version of PAYGO simply says that if we can take an advance from next month's salary to pay for next month's expenses, then we're okay, and we will worry about next month next month. So this is a very interesting concept for PAYGO. It is not the traditional PAYGO that most folks [[Page 9696]] in District 11 would understand and agree to. It is a new version. Mr. SHUSTER. Can you explain that PAYGO so people understand it better, what PAYGO really means, what it should mean. Mr. CONAWAY. In its purest form it would mean that any new spending that this House decides is good Federal new spending, whether that's new, new spending or a growth in expenditures that is built into current mechanisms, would be paid for, in effect, by raising taxes, new taxes from somewhere, or reducing expenses in some other place in this Federal Government so that you have a net zero. In its purest form it would apply to both new programs as well as existing entitlements that grow on their own, that we would continue to keep the number, in effect, flat if we are using offsets against expenses; or if we increased it, we would increase taxes to pay for it so that the deficit wouldn't get any worse or any better under PAYGO. We wouldn't cause any problems with new legislation that would cause the Federal deficit, in effect, to go up by either doing like we do at home, getting a part- time job to help pay for those other expenses, or making some tough hard choices on priorities, setting priorities to reduce spending in some other area to provide for monies for this new spending that may be coming in. So that is PAYGO in its purest form. It's unusual, not likely that we would get, collectively, both sides of the aisle to agree to that strict a term of PAYGO. The PAYGO that will probably be used often is some variation of what you may have heard about tonight, and others. Spending that grows on its own under the entitlements programs that are out there probably isn't subject to PAYGO. We won't have to offset that or increase expenses anywhere else. We just let that continue to grow out. So there will be a variety of definitions. So what I hope to be able to communicate to the folks in District 11, and, Mr. Speaker, what I hope other Americans understand is that when they hear the phrase ``PAYGO,'' it is all in the definition. It is all about what does it mean. Because apparently PAYGO has a variety of meanings in these Chambers from time to time. And the one that was used last week, in my view, is flawed in the purest sense of PAYGO. So if you would indulge me a couple more minutes to talk about sales taxes, that is particularly important to folks from Texas. The tax extensions and the tax changes that were brought about 2001- 2003 and more recently extended into 2006 address some inequities between States that have State income taxes and States that don't. Texas is one of those States that does not have a State individual income tax and, as such, funds its State and local governments through property taxes and sales taxes, along with a lot of other fees and excise taxes, those types of things. But under our current Federal Income Tax Code, all States that have income taxes, those citizens get to deduct their income taxes from their Federal taxable income in order to get to a net tax; in other words, they are not paying Federal tax on the monies that they have to pay into their State governments. They get a deduction for that, and that's fine. But to States like Texas, since we have no income tax, we don't get a deduction. In the past, beginning in 1986 and forward, off and on again, Texans were allowed to deduct their sales taxes in lieu of a State income tax. So a citizen could look at whichever tax they paid and deduct that, and it would put those citizens on a more equitable footing with citizens from States that pay taxes. In effect, what you get, if citizens from non-income tax States don't get to make that deduction, then they in effect are paying a higher Federal income tax than taxpayers in equivalent circumstances in States with an income tax, and that is inequitable and should be addressed. So the impact specifically on Texans, if this is not fixed, would be that the average tax increase per taxpayer, as computed by the Heritage Foundation, the average tax increase per taxpayer, not family, but per taxpayer, for Texans, would be $2,755 per year beginning in 2011. The loss of income per capita, and this is income lost on top of the increased taxes, is $510 per person. And Texas will lose, as a result of this, estimated in 2012, 75,000-plus jobs. Let me talk in a little further detail on District 11, which I represent. The tax increase there per person will be a little bit less than the state-wide average. We will have a tax increase per taxpayer of $2,091 a year, about $200 a month almost. And then on top of that there will be another $974 that each taxpayer will lose in income on top of this tax increase. And there will be 2,153 jobs lost across the district. This happens if we allow this unfair, inequitable circumstance to exist between States that have State income taxes and States that don't at the Federal level. And I am hoping that, while it's not provided for this year in the budget that was passed, I am hopeful that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle will see this as one of those opportunities for tax equity in our Tax Code, and we will put in the right provisions in the next tax bill that would allow Texans to deduct sales taxes in lieu of their Federal income tax. My colleague from Pennsylvania, I appreciate you giving me this time tonight, and I yield back. Mr. SHUSTER. I thank the gentleman. I appreciate you coming down and talking about the budget because I know you understand it; but as I said earlier, more importantly as a CPA, you really understand what the Tax Code means to individual businesses and families. In fact, just last week I had a conversation, I would say it was an unfortunate conversation with my CPA as we went through my tax returns and had to pay taxes, as millions and millions of people across this country had to do. I know the gentleman said he had one more point to make. Mr. CONAWAY. I had one more comment. I was also sitting with my older son, who is a broker with Merrill Lynch. And while his CPA was handing him his tax return, he was going through it, looking at it and he suddenly discovered that he owed a relatively sizeable amount of alternative minimum tax. And we will go through that concept on another night, but this is a tax that is going to catch a growing number of middle-income Americans that is, in effect, a tax increase on him. So once he discovered that he had now become subject to the alternative minimum tax, he was, shall I say, less than pleased with that number and is looking forward to this Chamber addressing the alternative minimum tax as a part of the overall tax fix. We are trying to come up with a tax scheme that collects the minimum amount of money needed to fund this Federal Government. {time} 2050 Mr. SHUSTER. That ATM which I mentioned earlier and this conversation I have had over the past couple of weeks with my accountant, he is seeing married couples, both husband and wife are teachers, and they are real close to getting caught up in that minimum tax. Again, two teachers making a decent living, and they are getting caught up in a tax code that is increasing their taxes. We need to address that. As I said, talking to my accountant last week, as millions of Americans had, to fill out the paperwork and write checks to pay their taxes, it is a yearly ritual that is unavoidable. The government has made this an incredibly complicated process to go through. Not only does it seem we are ignoring the need to extend these tax cuts so Americans pay less, but we are ignoring the fact we need to reform our Tax Code to make it simpler. I recently read an article by John Stossel from ABC, and he wrote in 2005 Americans spent 6.4 billion hours complying with the Federal Tax Code. He further stated that a Washington-based group, The Tax Foundation, calculated that that 6.4 billion hours was valued at $265 billion, was what Americans spent on complying with the Tax Code. That is more than the Federal deficit last year. If we could cut that in half, imagine $130 billion going into the economy, [[Page 9697]] our small businesses being able to buy more equipment, employ more people, build a new building, expand their operations; the American family, having $130 billion to buy a new washer and dryer, save for college. What will it do for this economy? We have to make sure we pay attention to that. As we were talking earlier tonight, the Democrat budget put out last week, in Pennsylvania alone it is going to increase taxes by 2009 on the average Pennsylvanian by over $3,000. We hope that people will e- mail us at [email protected] and let us know what $3,000 would mean to your family, how important that would be, that you would have that $3,000 to spend, instead of sending it to Washington. As we keep pointing out, by 2011, if we don't act, the Democrat majority is going to increase taxes by almost $400 billion. It will be the largest tax increase in American history. I haven't been able to document this, but I think it is probably the largest tax increase in the history of the world. The American people need to understand that. That is the sad reality. We are taxing too much. We have got to make sure that we in Washington are making this government work efficiently and not wasting their money, but making sure that they continue to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. Next Monday night is going to be Tax Freedom Day, April 30 this year. That means Americans will, after April 30th, starting May 1, will be able to start working for themselves. The first 4 months of the year they have been working to pay their taxes, and on May first they work for themselves. Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I need to correct something. The sales tax issue that I was talking about is included within the overall numbers that I talked about. Those overall numbers are the same ones that compare to the $3,000 tax hit that you will have. The sales tax issue is included with the other expiring Tax Code provisions that we were able to implement in 2001 and 2003. So the numbers I quoted was not just sales taxes, but sales tax is an element in Texas of $2,755 increase, in District 11 a $2,391 increase. So it is more than just a sales tax. I think I misspoke earlier in our conversation when I was talking about sales taxes. That sales tax issue is included in that number as well. Mr. SHUSTER. I appreciate the gentleman for pointing that out. As I said, next Monday night, April 30, Tax Freedom Day, Americans will begin to start working for themselves. In 2003, Tax Freedom Day was April 18. We have slowly grown to April 30. It will be even longer than that if this Congress doesn't act. The percentage the Federal Government is going to take from people will grow. People will earn less. As I said earlier, the average Pennsylvanian, and there are 4.7 million Pennsylvanians that will pay taxes, on average that tax will go up by $3,000. So we hope the American people communicate with us at countdowncrew @mail.house.gov and let us know what they could do with that $3,000, as well as over the past 4 or 5 years what it has meant to them, whether it is their family, whether it is a small business, how they have been able to utilize those tax cuts in expanding their business and saving for their children's future. These are extremely important matters that this Congress has to address. As we started off saying, in 1,349 days, if we don't act, if the U.S. Congress doesn't act, there is going to be the largest tax increase in American history. So I appreciate the gentleman from Texas. I don't know if you have anything else to add. If not, I will yield back the time. I know some of our other colleagues have come to the floor here to talk about important things. But we want to make sure the American people know what is going to happen if the flawed logic is employed that if we don't vote on a tax increase, it is not really a tax increase, when in fact if people pay more money, that is a tax increase. The American people need to know that. I appreciate my colleague coming down to the floor tonight. ____________________ TORT REFORM The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ellison). Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 18, 2007, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) is recognized for half the remaining time until midnight. Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to stand here on this floor. The subject of this special hour will be a debate between myself and the gentlewoman from West Virginia, Mrs. Capito. But before we begin our debate, which is aimed primarily at demonstrating to our colleagues that we can speak passionately about a matter and still avoid name calling or irreverence or incivility, before we get into our debate on tort reform, I would like to yield to the gentlewoman from West Virginia for some special comments unrelated to our debate. In Memory of Juanita Millender-McDonald and the Victims of the Virginia Tech Tragedy Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Missouri. I look forward to our second debate, our second civil debate on a new topic. Before we move to the subject at hand, I would like to join with my colleagues in expressing my deep sorrow at the passing of our colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald. Just briefly, she was a kind and gentle person. She was a great advocate for many things that she believed in. She was a pioneer. But, for me, she was just a very helpful and warm and friendly person. When I came to Congress, she had already been here for several years. She was the chairman of the Caucus on Women's Issues, and I was the vice chair for the Republican side. Juanita was always very helpful, always very concerned that I was making my way in my first several months in Congress, and I think the way she crossed the aisle, the way that she treated me with kid gloves, so-to-speak, in the beginning of my term, is something that I will never forget. So my thoughts and prayers are with her. Bless her family during this very tough time, and know that she will be missed. I would also like to express publicly before this body and before this Nation my deep sadness over the tragic events at Virginia Tech last week. I haven't spoken publicly on the House floor about this, but it is deeply crushing to all of us, has been, and it has sort of set a pall or a feeling of helplessness for all of us. I have college age children. I can't imagine the despair the families are feeling who have lost a loved one, to realize that that phone call that you are waiting for is never going to come. So, to my friends in the Virginia Tech community, many West Virginians attend Virginia Tech. We have a great fondness for Virginia Tech, except possibly when we are playing them in football. But certainly our collective hearts go out to them during this difficult time. I yield back to my friend from Missouri, and we will kick off the evening. {time} 2300 Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the comments of the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito). I too would like to express sympathy to Ms. Millender-McDonald's family and to the families of those young people whose lives were senselessly taken at Virginia Tech. The issue surfaces from time to time that there is a desperate need for us to do something major legislatively for tort reform, that these greedy trial lawyers are out damaging if not destroying the Nation, running people out of the medical profession, creating economic problems for oil companies. I take a different view of that. Obviously, there are inappropriate lawsuits, and I think the courts usually deal with those. But trial lawyers work to provide somewhat of a level playing field for most Americans, small Americans, so they can hold even the most powerful corporations accountable for their actions when they cause injury or death. [[Page 9698]] Today drug companies and oil companies, big insurance companies and large corporations too often dominate our political process and they begin to ask legislators to restrict access to the courts. When corporations and CEOs act irresponsibly by refusing or delaying to pay insurance claims, producing unsafe products, polluting our environment or swindling their employees or shareholders, the last resort for Americans, and this is our system, is to hold them accountable in our courts of law. By holding them accountable, trial lawyers and their families are able to feel that this is a safer America. From automobile fuel tanks that explode in rear-end collisions to bulletproof vests that fail to stop bullets aimed at police officers, we have to realize that there must be some corporation, some individual held accountable. And these cases that I mentioned earlier were actual cases and they brought to light deceptive practices and cover-ups by manufacturers that resulted in serious injury and even death. The civil justice system helps provide compensation to those that are injured and helps prevent other needless injury from occurring. I will now yield to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito). Mrs. CAPITO. Thank you, I appreciate your opening statements. This may be a very civil debate because I couldn't agree with you more in that our civil justice system should be readily available, should be the place for the individual to seek redress when they have been wronged by either a corporation or corporate injustice or product failure. And I think that is the intent of our court system. However, what we are experiencing now in the United States is an overabundance, a glut of lawsuits that are clogging our courts, that are in some cases awarding outrageous jackpot types of awards, and because of that, because of that jackpot sort of mentality, many people with their legal assistance are clogging the courts so that those people who have suffered injustices and those people who are due awards are unable to get there. One of the issues that I think is extremely important is the cost to our economy. We talk all of the time on the floor about the importance of small businesses in the United States. I come from a small State, and I think small business comprises close to 90 percent of the businesses in our State. When you look at the burden of the current tort system on our small businesses, we are breaking the backs of our small business people. I would like to refer to my chart over here: effect on small business, the tort liability price tag for small businesses in America is $88 billion a year. Small businesses bear 68 percent of business tort liability costs, but only take in 28 percent of business revenue. And for the very small businesses, the tort liability price tag is $33 billion. These are statistics that show, and this is from an independent resource, it is not from a group that is shaded one way or the other. It has shown the rise in the cost of tort claims in this country. Very small businesses pay 44 percent of tort liability costs out of pocket as opposed to through insurance. And so what happens is a lot of times small businesses, one small business is one large case or one frivolous lawsuit away from having to close their doors. I yield back to the gentleman from Missouri to see if he has a reaction to that. Mr. CLEAVER. I think there are perhaps some legitimate concerns by small business owners, but I don't think that the trouble is with the litigation. I think the problem is with insurance companies. Now, the gentlewoman and I both serve on the Financial Services Committee; and one of the concerns we have been grappling with, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the gulf coast, is that insurance companies that are not regulated by the United States Federal Government from time to time are the culprits, and I will get back to that in just a minute. But I wanted to say that the tort filings in State courts have declined by 10 percent since 1994. And automobile filings which make up the majority of tort claims have fallen 14 percent. So what you are finding is that more and more cases are not finding their way into the courts. But what troubles me and I think will trouble Americans when they find out more about it is the fact that the insurance companies end up really being the beneficiaries in the debate that occurs from time to time in this country on the subject of tort reform. The reason I say that is that there was a study done that showed that even in States where tort reform occurred, insurance premiums never dropped, and in some instances they actually increased. So we have a problem with the small businesses that I agree exists, but I am suggesting that one of the ways in which we deal with this problem is not trying to restrict the courts from dealing with the claims that people bring before them, but rather for the insurance companies. Let me give one example, Mr. Speaker. A month after passing malpractice caps, South Carolina's two largest insurers increased rates by as much as 22 percent after increasing their rates by 27 percent the year before. And after Texas passed rate caps in 2003, the Joint Underwriters Association requested a 35 percent premium increase for physicians and 68 percent for hospitals. This is after tort reform, after things were supposed to have been reformed so that people are protected. So the winner ends up being the insurance companies. Mrs. CAPITO. I am glad you brought up medical malpractice reform because in West Virginia we have lived this subject since I have been in Congress. In the campaign of 2002, many doctors were leaving the State of West Virginia, closing up shop, early retirement, choosing to try another State because of either the unavailability of medical malpractice insurance or the astronomically skyrocketing escalation of medical liability reform. So an interesting thing happened. West Virginia is known to be a State that is very tort friendly. So people asked me how did the State legislature, which is predominantly Democratic, and the Governor, who was Democrat, how were they able to pass with relative ease such massive medical malpractice reform legislation. I know exactly how because I was in that campaign in the 2002 year. {time} 2310 It was people coming up to you on the street saying my doctor's leaving. It was grandparents, it was seniors, it was pediatricians, OB/ GYNs, neurologists, trauma specialists. Our largest hospital in my community had to close and be downgraded in terms of their trauma because the trauma surgeons left because of the high cost of medical liability reform causing, in one case, a young child in Putnam County, which is like 30 minutes away, had to drive all the way to Cincinnati, he and his parents, 4 hours away, to have a penny removed from his windpipe because there was no one to do it in our local area. That could have been a life-ending experience for that family, a very, very tragic one, and actually had a happy ending. So the legislature got on board, the Governor got on board and passed State medical malpractice reform with a cap. I believe it is a half million dollars on noneconomic damages. I am not 100 percent sure. There was a debate on 250 or 500, but I think it was 500. They created a West Virginia Mutual Insurance Company, and according to the statistics that I have in front of me, those medical malpractice premiums have gone down 5 percent in not only general practice but also in the specialties. The large hospital I referred to earlier, where they could not recruit and retain physicians, they now are adding 49 and 50 new positions a year, whereas before they were afraid they were not even going to be able to attract 15 or 20. So this medical liability reform has had a phenomenal effect in our State of West Virginia. And if I can get my other chart out here real quick, this shows some States that are considered to be in crisis, which I notice your State is in crisis over here, and West [[Page 9699]] Virginia would have been in the red, in the crisis area, but we moved ourselves out to caution. We are in the yellow area, where we were actually considered one of the most difficult climates for practitioners of medicine to come. We are not a State where we are able to retain and control, and it is directly attributable to the medical liability reform bill that we passed, that the State passed in 2003. Mr. CLEAVER. May I inquire of the gentlewoman from West Virginia, the white States are what? Mrs. CAPITO. Stable. They are considered stable. Look over here, California, which is held up to be one of the States that passed medical liability reform in the 1970s, it is considered stable, and West Virginia was modeled after what was done in California. Mr. CLEAVER. I think, to some degree, that helps my position, not with West Virginia because I am not familiar with West Virginia, but you are absolutely right about my home State of Missouri. But it all relates back to my earlier comments about insurance companies. A national study conducted in 2005 by former Missouri Insurance Commissioner Jay Angoff found that insurance companies have been price- gouging doctors by dramatically and drastically raising their insurance premiums, even though claims for payments have been flat or decreasing. According to the annual statements of 15 large insurance companies, the 15th largest in fact, the amount malpractice insurers collected in premiums increased by 120.2 percent between 2000 and 2004, while claim payouts rose by only 5.7 percent. I think if you look at the report from Jay Angoff from the Missouri Insurance Commission, you find that clearly the insurance companies are the ones doing enormous damage to this country. The other issue is that I think the insurance companies have gouged so much that many of the people in the country, probably even in my home State, operate under the assumption that malpractice costs run physicians away from their profession. The truth of the matter is that, according to the American Medical Association, the number of physicians in the United States of America increased by 40 percent since 1990, 40 percent. And so more and more men and women are going into the profession, even as the insurance companies are creating this crisis, and they are the ones that seem to be held harmless. They are rarely the center of the debate. It is usually the lawyers and the physicians. I take the position that neither of them are actually the villains here. It is the insurance companies that continue to increase the rates. They pay out less money in the payments and then they are getting fatter and fatter. One last comment on this. According to the Bush administration's Justice Department, if I can find their study, the Justice Department actually says that we are dropping in the number of cases that are being brought forward in the courts, and so I think what we end up doing, I think, is fighting a ghost, because the insurance companies have become ghostly in that they can become invisible during the debate because they do not have to get in it because they have not been portrayed as either the victim or the villain. So I would suggest that our positions may not be dramatically different except that I see the problem more in the hands of the insurance companies. Mrs. CAPITOL. Well, I think I would like to go back a little bit to medical malpractice, talking about it. See, I think you were making my case for me when you said the situation in Missouri, because you do not have medical liability reform, correct? Mr. CLEAVER. That is right. Mrs. CAPITO. You have skyrocketing costs of your medical liability. A lot of doctors, and I am sure you have had this conversation with the doctors, they practice basically with one arm tied behind their back because they are practicing medicine defensively. Nearly 80 percent of the doctors say they order unnecessary tests, and 74 percent say they make unnecessary referrals to specialists due to the fear of being sued. A lot of doctors are practicing defensive medicine, ordering many more medical procedures and tests to cover themselves in the case of a legal test or a lawsuit, and that raises the cost of not only their insurance but it also raises the cost of every individual's health insurance because it raises the cost of practicing medicine or delivering health care in a general sense. I think that a comprehensive solution is certainly part of what we need to look at here, and that does include the insurance companies most certainly, but it also includes looking at what has happened in some manufacturing segments that have had extreme loss of jobs; 52,000 to 60,000 jobs have been lost in the manufacturing segment of this country because of bankruptcies being caused by massive and huge tort lawsuits. And so I think that there is a median here, there is an easy median that we can find here. But I would recommend to you that the experience that we had in West Virginia with medical liability reform, across the board, bringing more specialists in as a result, bringing the cost of medical liability insurance down, recruitment and retention of physicians is something that we need to look at nationwide, and that is why I support a Federal medical liability reform which I am sure is no surprise to you that I would support that and have been pushing for it over the last 7 years. But I think there is also a cost to just the individual person as we inflate the cost of defending ourselves, businesses defending themselves, doctors defending themselves, hospitals defending themselves. My final chart here, and I do not know if you can read it or not, but I will read the bottom line here. It shows that in 2005, the U.S. population being approximately 296 million, that the tort cost per capita for each individual is $880. {time} 2320 Whereas when you were talking about 1990 with the physicians, in 1990, that cost was only $522, which is still too much. So I think that we need to find a medium here where we can control frivolous lawsuits, where we can control the ability of people to have mass torte actions and seek friendly environments for those torte actions. And we tried to address that in Congress with a class action reform. And we need to make sure that those people that are damaged, hurt, have access to court, but also in a timely manner. With all this massive torte legislation or lawsuits in our courts, it is bogging up the courts and it is really hurting those people who are genuinely hurt and need to have remedies. Mr. CLEAVER. The gentlewoman from West Virginia makes a good point. I do, however, think that this may cause her to join me. That is, according to the Bush administration, this is what I was looking for earlier, this is from the Justice Department of the Bush administration, their researchers found that the median inflated adjusted award in 2001 was just $28,000. And most of the discussion, you hear people talking about, millions, maybe even billions, but the average median inflated adjusted award in 2001 was $28,000. And even in medical malpractice cases in which the injuries tend to be far, far more serious than the average torte case, the median award was only $170,000, which is far from the multibillion dollar lottery torte reformers have often brought before us. The other issue that I would like to bring forth is that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, malpractice costs amount to less than 2 percent of the overall medical cost. And so when we start talking about the cost of medicine and how it is skyrocketing, and it is, but when you think about the fact that the cost for malpractice or the cost for the insurance, which supercedes the cost really paid out, it accounts for only 2 percent of the overall medical costs in the United States, which is Herculean; but 2 percent is almost nonexistent. And I think what has happened is that we have created a mountain out of a mole hill. That is not to say that there are not problems, but judges will quite often tell a lawyer that the case submitted is simply frivolous, and that [[Page 9700]] case will never come to court, and then of course summary judgments can also prevent cases from ever coming to court. So judges have the option of looking at a case and deciding whether or not it is worthy of taking up the time and resources of the court. And then the other part of it is that in an overwhelming majority of these cases, the amount or the award of the judgment is set by a jury, which are everyday people. And this is not to say that there should not be something done. I just think putting artificial caps would be the wrong thing to do. And that is generally one of the proposals that comes up. I'm not sure if the gentlewoman from West Virginia is supporting caps or not, but I think that if that is one of the solutions, I think a one-size-fits-all kind of solution is unfair to people who may suffer a very, very debilitating injury in the same category of someone who has a fender bender. I yield back to the gentlewoman. Mrs. CAPITO. Well, I think you are getting to the point here where you are talking about the difference between a legitimate claim and a frivolous claim. I don't have statistics in front of me, but I know they exist in every court in America where certain frivolous lawsuits are put out on the table, they overreach in terms of not only are they suing maybe a business, but they are going to sue the manufacturer, they are going to sue the car they rode to go to work in, they are going to sue, you know, anybody with deep pockets is going to get sued for an alleged wrong. And it is absolutely a fact that some of these cases and more and more of these cases are not founded in legitimate fact. They are frivolous. They are trying to get into the system to get a quick fix, to get a lottery mentality, to have the corporation settle, or whoever settle, so they can get in and get out of the court system, and then have their attorney take a 40 or 50 percent cut from that. I had a very startling thing happen to me. A gentleman approached me at a political gathering a couple of years ago. He had oxygen, he was walking very slowly. And he came up to me and he said, I have asbestosis, and I have lung disease from that. And I took my case to court with my lawyer. And he didn't tell me how much he was awarded, but he was awarded some remedy for that. And it was very obvious that he had difficulty breathing, and it was very obvious that he needed some help, a lot of help. But what he wanted to show me that day was the invoice. He got a settlement every month or every two months, a pay-out, or it might have even been every year. But he showed me how much he got, and I think it was around $1,500. And every single time he gets that he has to take off 40 percent of that, or 45 percent of that, I think it was 40 percent in this case, for his attorney. Every single time he gets a payment, his attorney gets 40 percent. And this guy was on oxygen, could barely walk. And I think, you know, there is something wrong with the system where the harmed person who needs the help and has a legitimate claim, and certainly I know lawyers take risks by taking cases, I understand that part of it, but sometimes it just seems astronomical to me that the fees are 40, by the time you get expenses, and 50 percent of what the court has determined that victim is due and willing. I think that is an injustice in the system, along with the frivolous lawsuits that we see clogging up our courts so this gentleman can get his case heard. Mr. CLEAVER. The meritless cases, however, rarely ever win in the first place. I was offended when I first heard that somebody sued McDonald's because they ordered a cup of hot coffee and were burned by the hot coffee that they ordered. I was offended by that as well, and I think most Americans are. But in reality, the meritless cases rarely ever win in the first place, and that is contrary to the allegations that generally come forth, particularly from the major corporations. They would have us believe that the frivolous lawsuits are just automatically finding their way to the courtroom and that they are meritless, but they win. And the truth of the matter is that our intricate system, with the law and juries and judges and even independent reviewers, will pretty much weed out the frivolous lawsuits. And they are filed to no one's benefit, except a lawyer, who I think we can find one in any profession who is going to try to take advantage of their system. And it has nothing to do with having gone to law school. It has something to do with human nature. But I think that the way that this whole issue has been played out ends up actually protecting the one entity that I think is the most culpable, and that is the insurance companies that are not regulated. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore The SPEAKER pro tempore. There being no Republican hour at this time, the gentleman from Missouri is recognized for the remainder of the hour. Mr. CLEAVER. I would yield to the gentlelady from West Virginia for closing remarks on the debate with regard to torte reform, and then I think we would like to express some concerns about civility, Mr. Speaker. {time} 2330 Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for staying up late, and I thank all those who are listening. I think we have talked a lot about our different perspectives on tort reform. I have talked about the need to rein in the system, because we are losing jobs. We are costing the American public, each individual, $880 is the cost for every individual for the lawsuit glut that we have in this country. Unfortunately, some of those who are damaged or who are due and willing are unable to get into a clogged-up court system. We are losing jobs in some of our manufacturing segment because of the exorbitant cost of litigation. In many States, we have a medical liability crisis where physicians are paying exorbitant amounts of their hard-earned dollars for the cost of medical liability insurance, and it has proven in my State, at least, if you pass good sense medical liability insurance reform, you can rein in the cost of insurance and can make the system better. I understand there are other players at the table here. There is the Bar, there is the individual, there is certainly the business community and there is the insurance community. I think the best solution to this enormous problem, this very costly problem to the American economy, is to get everybody at the table for common sense reform. We passed class action reform, and it is helping to weed out some of those large and unwieldy cases and make them adhere to more stringent requirements. With that, I yield back to the gentleman from Missouri to close on this topic. Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, there are people all around this country who look at C-SPAN on a daily basis and who look listen to radio talk shows, look at television news programs, and they see Members of Congress, both House and Senate, screaming at each other. They see from time to time the animated debates that take place on these shows, and even here in this great hall. Many, many great patriots have stepped into the well of the House of Representatives to wax eloquent, because this is the place where the great orators stood and presented their cases to each other and to the American public. But in the past decade or so, we have seen a dramatic drop in the civility exercised by Members of this body, and we have seen it from both sides of the aisle. Let me share something with you that I read the other day by William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. He said this: ``I know of no religion that destroys courtesy, civility or kindness.'' That is the kind of statement that the Members of this great body ought to keep in mind when we step into the well. I came to Washington and to the Congress with this desire in my heart, to do what I could to make this a more civil place. With the intensity and intention of debate, sometimes it is difficult to restrain ourselves. But restraint is something that we can do [[Page 9701]] and feel better about having done it on the morrow. It is delayed satisfaction. We might get some immediate joy from being nasty, but the greater joy is restraint and receiving greater joy later, that you actually had the discipline to control your tongue. I have opinions that are very, very strong. I feel strong about tort reform, not because I am an attorney. I have four children. None of them are attorneys. But I personally feel strongly about it because of some personal things that happened in my own family that could have gone to court, that we did not take to court for a lot of reasons. One of the things that we felt strongly about was our own integrity, so we didn't go to court. But my challenge is to state whatever strong feelings I have in a tone that raises the level of the conversation and honors those who disagree with me. When you look at the roots of the word ``civility,'' to be civil is to be a citizen, a respected part of the community. So to be uncivil is to fracture the community, locally, nationally and internationally, and that is something that none of us can afford to do. Not long ago President Gerald Ford died, and I was reminded of a story of his days here in this House. He held regular debates here in Washington with his Democratic counterpart Congressman Thomas Hale Boggs. They would debate at the National Press Club. At Congressman Gerald Ford's suggestion, they would ride over from the Capitol to the National Press Club and agree on the topic of the debate. Can you imagine that happening in 2007? Then, after the debate, they would go out and have lunch. Mr. Speaker, that is the kind of House I think we need to demand as a part of what takes place in this city called Washington, D.C. I hope, I even pray, that the men and women of this great body will learn to exercise restraint, because what we do and say here in this hallowed place actually reverberates and ends up traveling all across the length and breadth of this Nation, and the words we say will impact the people around this country. I say again, there are few Members of this Congress, if any, who would say to their children, watch C-SPAN and watch the leaders of this Nation debate, so that they can show you how to act around people with whom you have a disagreement. We can do better, and I think we will. I believe that because Mrs. Capito is interested in doing this, the road towards civility is now under construction, and I enjoy serving with the gentlelady from West Virginia. Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri for participating tonight. He is a very able debater. I learned in our first debate when we debated tax reform that you are a wonderful closer too, so I hate to close. But I would like to talk a little bit about civility, because it is very important to me. It is about being polite. It is understanding that we have different views and that we don't disrespect one another because of that. It is about believing that our ideas, yes, we believe our ideas are the right ideas, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the opposite ideas or a different idea doesn't have merit. It also doesn't mean that because we are in different parties, we don't have a lot of to give and we don't have a lot to share. I think a lot of that gets lost here on the floor of the House. My great fear is because of the partisanship and the evolved incivility of our debate, that when that person turns on that TV or that young person turns on C-SPAN to watch debate, they see the rancor and they see the acrimonious debate and some of the language that is used, and what do they do? They turn it off. And then what are they doing? They are not listening to the merits of the topic. They are not listening to tax reform ideas or medical malpractice reform ideas or the war in Iraq differing ideas, because of the tone, and the way it is delivered and the words that are used have lost their way and have turned the American public off. Now, when I go and speak to people in my district and I begin to talk like that, people start nodding their heads, you are right. We do stop listening. We are no longer interested. So I think while these hallowed halls have had more than their share of vigorous debate, there is a good way to do it, and there is a good way to convey our ideas in a very civil way. I really appreciate the way, when you said that Gerald Ford and Hale Boggs used to drive over together and then have lunch afterwards, I think it is a little late for lunch tonight, so I think we will have to do that another time. But I have enjoyed debating this topic. I look forward to the next topic that we debate. I hope that when we get together again, maybe we can get some of our other colleagues here and have more of a round-robin so we can get our colleagues not only involved in the debate on the topic, but also demonstrating a civil way to present ideas to the American public. ____________________ {time} 2340 GENERAL LEAVE Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the Special Order of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone). The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Missouri? There was no objection. ____________________ LEAVE OF ABSENCE By unanimous consent, leave of absence was granted to: Mr. Buyer (at the request of Mr. Boehner) for today on account of medical reasons. Mr. Everett (at the request of Mr. Boehner) for today on account of official business. Mr. Lucas (at the request of Mr. Boehner) for today on account of family matters. Mr. Linder (at the request of Mr. Boehner) for today on account of official business. Mr. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania (at the request of Mr. Boehner) for today on account of official business. Mr. Poe (at the request of Mr. Boehner) for today on account of official business. Mr. Wicker (at the request of Mr. Boehner) for April 19 and 20 on account of attending his daughter's wedding. ____________________ SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED By unanimous consent, permission to address the House, following the legislative program and any special orders heretofore entered, was granted to: (The following Members (at the request of Ms. Watson) to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material:) Ms. Watson, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Davis of Illinois, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Payne, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Ellison, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Sherman, for 5 minutes, today. Ms. Woolsey, for 5 minutes, today. Ms. Bordallo, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Meeks of New York, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Scott of Virginia, for 5 minutes, today. Ms. Norton, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Cummings, for 5 minutes, today. Ms. Waters, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Towns, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Pallone, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Schiff, for 5 minutes, today. Ms. Eshoo, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. Tierney, for 5 minutes, today. Mr. McGovern, for 5 minutes, today. ____________________ ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED Ms. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House, reported and found truly enrolled bills of the House of the following titles, which were thereupon signed by the Speaker: H.R. 1003. An act to amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. H.R. 1130. An act to amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to extend the authority to withhold from public availability a financial disclosure report filed by an individual who is a judicial officer or judicial [[Page 9702]] employee, to the extent necessary to protect the safety of that individual or a family member of that individual, and for other purposes. ____________________ ADJOURNMENT Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn. The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and 40 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., for morning hour debate, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald of California. ____________________ EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC. Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: 1224. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Fisheries Off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Species Fisheries [Docket No. 061113298-7046-02; I.D. 110106A] (RIN: 0648-AU91) received March 26, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1225. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Fisheries of the Carribean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction [Docket No. 001005281-0369-02; I.D. 022207A] received March 26, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1226. A letter from the Acting Director Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area [Docket No. 070213033-7033-01; I.D. 030207A] received March 26, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1227. A letter from the Acting Director Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Fisheries of the Carribean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction [Docket No. 001005281-0369-02; I.D. 022207A] received March 26, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1228. A letter from the Director Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Modification of the Gear Restrictions and Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder Trip Limits for the U.S./Canada Management Area [Docket No. 060606150- 6240-02; I.D. 030107A] received March 26, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1229. A letter from the Acting Director Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska [Docket No. 070213032-7032-01; I.D. 030707A] received March 26, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1230. A letter from the Acting Director Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska [Docket No. 070213032-7032-01; I.D. 030707B] received March 26, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1231. A letter from the Acting Director Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska [Docket No. 070213032-7032-01; I.D. 022807A] received March 26, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1232. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; Amendment 1 [Docket No. 060901235-7027-02; I.D. 082406C] (RIN: 0648-AQ87) received March 26, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1233. A letter from the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Correction [Docket No. 060824226-7041-03; I.D. 082806B] (RIN: 0648-AU57) received April 10, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1234. A letter from the Director Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule -- Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska [Docket No. 070213032-7032-01; I.D. 032007A] received April 10, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources. 1235. A letter from the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Department of Defense, transmitting a copy of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Bridge at Deep Creek, Cheasepeake, Virginia Feasibility Study; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 1236. A letter from the Administrator, FAA, Department of Defense, transmitting the Department's report on the foreign aviation authorities to which the Federal Aviation Administration provided services for Fiscal Year 2006, pursuant to Public Law 103-305, section 202; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 1237. A letter from the Honors Attorney, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Procedures for Reimbursement of General Aviation Operators and Service Providers in the Washington, D.C. Area [Docket OST-2006-25906] (RIN: 2105-AD61] received April 10, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 1238. A letter from the Paralegal, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Clean Fuels Grant Program [Docket No. FTA-2006-24708] (RIN: 2132-AA91) received April 10, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 1239. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program [Docket OST-97- 2550] (RIN: 2105-AD51) received April 10, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 1240. A letter from the Senior Vice President, Communications, Tennessee Valley Authority, transmitting a copy of the Authority's statistical summary for Fiscal Year 2006, pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 831h(a); to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 1241. A letter from the Director of Regulations Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Veterans and Dependents Education: Topping-Up Tuition Assistance; Licensing and Certification Tests; Duty to Assist Education Claimants (RIN: 2900-AK80) received April 10, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. 1242. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's report on the Transportation Security Administration's Voluntary Provision of Emergency Services Program, pursuant to Public Law 109-295; to the Committee on Homeland Security. 1243. A letter from the Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs, U.S. Agency for International Development, transmitting the Agency's report on Multilateral Development bank loans likely to have substantial adverse impacts on environment, natural resources, public health and indigenous peoples, pursuant to Section 1303(c) of the International Financial Institutions Act; jointly to the Committees on Appropriations and Financial Services. 1244. A letter from the Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, transmitting the Seventeenth Annual Report describing the Board's health and safety activities relating to the Department of Energy's defense nuclear facilities during the calendar year 2006; jointly to the Committees on Armed Services and Energy and Commerce. 1245. A letter from the General Counsel, Department of Defense, transmitting a copy of legislative proposals as part of the National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2008; jointly to the Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs. 1246. A letter from the Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Department of Defense, transmitting the Fiscal Year 2006 Defense Environmental Programs Annual Report, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2706; jointly to the Committees on Armed Services and Energy and Commerce. 1247. A letter from the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee, transmitting a copy of [[Page 9703]] the report for Fiscal Year 2006 regarding the activities and accomplishments of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 320; jointly to the Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs. 1248. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's position on several reform proposals made concerning the Citizens' Health Care Working Group report and the report of the Medicaid Commission; jointly to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. 1249. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Energy, transmitting the Department's report on issues related to the Clean Coal Power Initiative, as required by Section 401(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; jointly to the Committees on Science and Technology, Appropriations, and Energy and Commerce. ____________________ REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows: Mr. WELCH: Committee on Rules. House Resolution 327. Resolution providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 362) to authorize science scholarships for educating mathematics and science teachers, and for other purposes (Rept. 110-105). Referred to the House Calendar. Mr. FRANK: Committee on Financial Services. H.R. 1675. A bill to suspend the requirements of the Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding electronic filing of previous participation certificates and regarding filing of such certificates with respect to certain low-income housing investors (Rept. 110-106). Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union. ____________________ PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions were introduced and severally referred, as follows: By Mr. MICHAUD (for himself and Mr. Smith of New Jersey): H.R. 1992. A bill to amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to prohibit the import, export, and sale of goods made with sweatshop labor, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, Rules, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin (for herself, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, and Mr. Scott of Georgia): H.R. 1993. A bill to improve the delivery of counterterrorism financing training and technical assistance by providing for greater interagency coordination and cooperation, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. McKEON (for himself and Mr. Keller): H.R. 1994. A bill to provide more transparency in the financial aid process and to ensure that students are receiving the best information about financial aid opportunities; to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. CONYERS (for himself and Mr. Nadler): H.R. 1995. A bill to provide a mechanism for a determination on the merits of the claims brought by survivors and descendants of the victims of the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Race Riot of 1921 but who were denied that determination; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. GUTIERREZ (for himself, Mr. Paul, Ms. Carson, Mr. Clay, and Ms. Lee): H.R. 1996. A bill to clarify the applicability of State law to national banks and Federal savings associations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Financial Services. By Mr. HIGGINS: H.R. 1997. A bill to provide for reclassification of Chautauqua County, New York, for purposes of payment for inpatient hospital services under the Medicare Program; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin: H.R. 1998. A bill to amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions of budget authority; to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HINOJOSA (for himself and Mr. Renzi): H.R. 1999. A bill to authorize appropriations for assistance for the National Council of La Raza and the Raza Development Fund; to the Committee on Financial Services. By Mr. DEAL of Georgia: H.R. 2000. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage private philanthropy; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. INSLEE (for himself, Mr. Terry, Mr. Gilchrest, Mr. Higgins, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Schakowsky, and Mr. McDermott): H.R. 2001. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to apply the energy credit to combined heat and power system property; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas: H.R. 2002. A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for enhanced retirement security in the form of an Individual Social Security Investment Program; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. PAYNE (for himself, Mr. Honda, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Ms. Watson, and Mr. Clay): H.R. 2003. A bill to encourage and facilitate the consolidation of peace and security, respect for human rights, democracy, and economic freedom in Ethiopia; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. PETRI: H.R. 2004. A bill to establish and strengthen postsecondary programs and courses in the subjects of traditional American history, free institutions, and Western civilization, available to students preparing to teach these subjects, and to other students; to the Committee on Education and Labor. By Mr. SALAZAR: H.R. 2005. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve health care for veterans who live in rural areas, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi: H.R. 2006. A bill to improve the Nation's homeland security by strengthening the security of the visa waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. TURNER (for himself, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Hobson, Mr. Moran of Virginia, and Mr. Boehner): H.R. 2007. A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the National Security Personnel System shall not apply with respect to certain laboratories within the Department of Defense; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. UDALL of New Mexico: H.R. 2008. A bill to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations that require air carriers to provide training for flight attendants and gate attendants regarding serving alcohol and dealing with disruptive passengers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. By Mr. WEXLER: H.R. 2009. A bill to repeal the Medicare cost containment provisions contained in subtitle A of title VIII of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. BROWN of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Young of Alaska, Mrs. Drake, Mr. Baird, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Jindal): H. Con. Res. 125. Concurrent resolution recognizing the health benefits of eating seafood as part of a balanced diet, and supporting the goals and ideals of National Seafood Month; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. ENGEL (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Farr, Mr. Holt, Mr. Stark, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Meehan, and Mr. McNulty): H. Con. Res. 126. Concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence with respect to discrimination and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in schools; to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Ms. WATSON: H. Res. 328. A resolution expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable Juanita [[Page 9704]] Millender-McDonald, a Representative from the State of California; considered and agreed to. By Mr. JONES of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Butterfield): H. Res. 329. A resolution congratulating the Barton College men's basketball team for winning the 2007 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship; to the Committee on Education and Labor. ____________________ ADDITIONAL SPONSORS Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions as follows: H.R. 20: Mr. McNulty, Mr. Michaud, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Payne, Mr. Stupak, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Gordon, Mr. Barton of Texas, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Upton, Mrs. Bono, Mr. Mack, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Boucher, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. Deal of Georgia, Ms. Harman, Ms. Herseth Sandlin, Mr. Ross, Mr. Engel, Mr. Baird, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Murphy of Connecticut, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Walz of Minnesota, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, and Mr. Cohen. H.R. 21: Mr. Ortiz, Mr. Barrow, Ms. Solis, Ms. Eshoo, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Markey, and Mr. Holt. H.R. 41: Mr. Paul, Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, and Mr. Cuellar. H.R. 42: Ms. Norton. H.R. 50: Ms. Bordallo. H.R. 98: Mr. Deal of Georgia. H.R. 140: Mr. Rahall. H.R. 171: Mr. Towns. H.R. 174: Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. English of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Gonzalez. H.R. 176: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Honda, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Rush, and Ms. Kilpatrick. H.R. 180: Ms. Berkley. H.R. 234: Mr. Blumenauer and Ms. Lee. H.R. 254: Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Cohen. H.R. 294: Mr. Michaud. H.R. 315: Mr. Souder. H.R. 322: Mr. Goode, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Bonner, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Sali, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Doolittle, Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Pence, Mr. McHenry, Mr. Manzullo, Ms. Foxx, Mr. Hall of Texas, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Cole of Oklahoma, Mr. Rogers of Kentucky, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Poe, Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Drake, Mr. Tancredo, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Barrett of South Carolina, Mr. Gary G. Miller of California, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Lewis of California, Mrs. Schmidt, Mr. Bachus, Mr. Turner, Mr. Buyer, Mr. Jindal, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Neugebauer, Mr. Gallegly, Mr. Deal of Georgia, Mr. Renzi, Mr. Kline of Minnesota, Mr. Akin, Mr. Souder, and Mr. Smith of Nebraska. H.R. 371: Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California. H.R. 412: Mr. Davis of Illinois. H.R. 507: Mr. Emanuel, Mr. Allen, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Scott of Virginia, and Mr. Scott of Georgia. H.R. 551: Mrs. Bono, Mr. Sherman, and Ms. Eshoo. H.R. 583: Mrs. Maloney of New York, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. Cubin, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Ramstad. H.R. 612: Mr. Carney and Mr. Altmire. H.R. 621: Mr. Carnahan, Mr. Gonzalez, and Ms. Herseth Sandlin. H.R. 631: Mr. Bachus and Mr. Ramstad. H.R. 636: Mr. Pickering and Mr. Bilirakis. H.R. 643: Ms. Sutton. H.R. 654: Mrs. Davis of California and Mr. DeFazio. H.R. 661: Mr. Rothman and Mr. Delahunt. H.R. 676: Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California. H.R. 687: Mr. Higgins, Mr. Becerra, Mr. King of New York, Mrs. Emerson, and Ms. Schakowsky. H.R. 690: Mr. Barrett of South Carolina. H.R. 694: Mr. Clay, Ms. Watson, and Mr. Bishop of Georgia. H.R. 724: Mrs. Drake. H.R. 728: Mr. Holt. H.R. 729: Mr. Van Hollen. H.R. 752: Mr. Scott of Georgia, Mr. Davis of Illinois, and Mr. Smith of Washington. H.R. 784: Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Crenshaw, Ms. Carson, and Mr. Welch of Vermont. H R. 881: Ms. Granger. H.R. 891: Mr. Miller of North Carolina, Ms. Harman, Mr. Sires, Mr. Doggett, Mr. Porter, Mr. Langevin, and Mr. Kildee. H.R. 916: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas and Mr. Davis of Alabama. H.R. 942: Mr. Wynn. H.R. 943: Mr. Alexander, Mr. Platts, Mr. Spratt, Mr. Oberstar, and Mr. Peterson of Minnesota. H.R. 954: Mr. Watt. H.R. 964: Mr. Price of North Carolina. H.R. 971: Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Pomeroy, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Westmoreland, and Mr. Rahall. H.R. 980: Mr. Cummings. H.R. 984: Mr. Emanuel. H.R. 989: Mr. Gillmor, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Young of Alaska, and Mr. Akin. H.R. 1023: Mr. Edwards, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Jordan, and Mr. Duncan. H.R. 1028: Mr. Etheridge and Mr. Shuler. H.R. 1038: Ms. McCollum of Minnesota. H.R. 1043: Mr. McNulty. H.R. 1072: Mr. Grijalva. H.R. 1095: Mr. Miller of Florida. H.R. 1098: Ms. Shea-Porter and Mr. McGovern. H.R. 1102: Mr. Hodes, Mr. Ortiz, Mr. Burton of Indiana, and Mrs. Gillibrand. H.R. 1103: Mr. Clay, Ms. Slaughter, and Ms. Matsui. H.R. 1108: Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Arcuri, and Mr. Kagen. H.R. 1133: Mr. Sires, Mr. Filner, Ms. Hooley, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Engel, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Hare, Ms. Watson, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Neal of Massachusetts, Mr. Markey, Mr. Holt, and Mr. Grijalva. H.R. 1147: Mr. Larson of Connecticut and Mr. Neal of Massachusetts. H.R. 1148: Mr. Gene Green of Texas. H.R. 1188: Mr. Marshall. H.R. 1222: Ms. DeLauro, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. George Miller of California, and Mrs. Musgrave. H.R. 1223: Ms. DeLauro, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Hinojosa, and Mr. George Miller of California. H.R. 1238: Mr. Honda. H.R. 1246: Mr. Loebsack. H.R. 1253: Mr. Ellison. H.R. 1275: Mrs. Davis of California, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Baca, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Ms. Solis, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Serrano, and Mr. Andrews. H.R. 1283: Mr. Carnahan, Mr. Kagen, Mr. Pomeroy, Ms. Hooley, and Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin. H.R. 1287: Mr. Inslee. H.R. 1293: Mr. Inslee, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Engel, Mr. Dent, Mr. Kuhl of New York, Mr. Renzi, and Mr. Jindal. H.R. 1303: Mr. Ackerman. H R. 1312: Mr. Conyers. H.R. 1328: Mrs. Capps. H.R. 1338: Mr. Loebsack, Ms. Sutton, Mr. Tierney, Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Dicks, Mr. Miller of North Carolina, Mr. Abercrombie, Mrs. Tauscher, Mr. Israel, Ms. Shea-Porter, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Hare, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Bishop of New York, and Mr. Payne. H.R. 1343: Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Ross, Mr. Allen, Mr. Ortiz, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms. Solis, Mr. Doolittle, and Mr. Baird. H.R. 1344: Mr. Ross, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, and Mr. Doyle. H.R. 1355: Mr. Gary G. Miller of California. H.R. 1371: Ms. Carson. H.R. 1385: Ms. Matsui and Mr. Grijalva. H.R. 1386: Ms. Baldwin and Mr. Abercrombie. H.R. 1396: Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Ms. Clarke, and Mr. Lantos. H.R. 1406: Mr. McNerney and Mrs. Gillibrand. H.R. 1408: Mr. Bishop of Georgia. H.R. 1415: Mr. Jackson of Illinois. H.R. 1416: Mr. Meehan, Mr. Udall of Colorado, and Mr. Welch of Vermont. H.R. 1422: Mr. George Miller of California. H.R. 1439: Mr. Serrano, Mr. Shadegg, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Souder, Mr. DeFazio, and Mr. McCaul of Texas. H.R. 1440: Mr. LoBiondo. H.R. 1441: Ms. Hirono. H.R. 1470: Mr. Latham. H.R. 1475: Mr. Conyers, Mr. Stark, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, and Ms. Sutton. H.R. 1541: Mr. Doyle and Mr. Carney. H.R. 1551: Mr. Murphy of Connecticut. H.R. 1553: Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia. H.R. 1582: Mr. English of Pennsylvania. H.R. 1616: Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas and Mr. Jackson of Illinois. H.R. 1617: Mr. Skelton, Mr. Clay, and Mr. Cleaver. H.R. 1619: Mrs. Miller of Michigan. H.R. 1627: Mr. Goode, Mr. Bartlett of Maryland, and Mr. Wolf. H.R. 1655: Mr. Holt, Mr. Rangel, and Mr. Carnahan. H.R. 1660: Mrs. Musgrave. H.R. 1663: Mr. Engel, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Becerra, Mr. Farr, Mrs. Capps, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Rangel. H.R. 1674: Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Sutton, and Mr. Souder. H.R. 1700: Mr. McGovern, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Emanuel, Mr. Pascrell, and Mr. Doyle. H.R. 1702: Mr. Welch of Vermont, Ms. Norton, and Mr. Fattah. H.R. 1705: Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Duncan, and Mr. Ehlers. H.R. 1707: Mr. Jackson of Illinois and Mr. Welch of Vermont. H.R. 1713: Mr. Filner and Mr. Watt. [[Page 9705]] H.R. 1721: Mr. Hill. H.R. 1728: Mrs. Capps and Mr. Van Hollen. H.R. 1742: Mr. Payne. H.R. 1756: Mr. Akin, Mr. Alexander, Mrs. Musgrave, and Mr. Donnelly. H.R. 1757: Mr. Lucas, Mr. Cole of Oklahoma, and Mr. Sullivan. H.R. 1773: Mrs. Napolitano and Mr. Hoekstra. H.R. 1776: Mr. Farr, Mrs. Boyda of Kansas, and Mr. McGovern. H.R. 1778: Mr. Reichert, Mr. Rothman, and Mr. Gallegly. H.R. 1783: Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Michaud, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. McNulty, Mr. McHugh and Ms. Slaughter. H.R. 1784: Mr. Shays. H.R. 1819: Mr. Ruppersberger and Mr. Delahunt. H.R. 1823: Mr. Ruppersberger, Mr. Berry, and Mr. Larsen of Washington. H.R. 1873: Ms. Fallin, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Heller, Mrs. Musgrave, Mr. Westmoreland, Mr. Graves, Mr. Ellsworth, Mr. Sestak, Mr. Shuler, Mr. Cuellar, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Altmire, Mr. Grijalva, and Mr. Shuster. H.R. 1877: Mr. LaHood, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, and Mr. English of Pennsylvania. H.R. 1881: Mr. McNulty and Mr. Snyder. H.R. 1892: Mr. Costello. H.R. 1927: Mr. Farr, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Goode, Ms. Schwartz, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. DeLauro, and Ms. Slaughter. H.R. 1944: Ms. Sutton, Mrs. Boyda of Kansas, Mr. Doyle, and Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania. H.R. 1964: Mr. McGovern, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Castor, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mrs. McCarthy of New York, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Israel, Mr. Wu, and Ms. Clarke. H.R. 1973: Mr. McCotter. H.R. 1975: Mr. Waxman, Ms. Woolsey, and Mr. Taylor. H.R. 1980: Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Cleaver, and Mr. Pastor. H.R. 1982: Mr. Thompson of Mississippi and Mr. Cleaver. H.J. Res. 14: Mr. Markey and Mr. Hodes. H. Con. Res. 7: Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. Cohen, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Tancredo, Ms. Hooley, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, and Ms. Hirono. H. Con. Res. 101: Ms. Clarke. H. Con. Res. 102: Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Shimkus, and Ms. Carson. H. Con. Res. 113: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas. H. Con. Res. 114: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Ms. Carson, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mrs. Christensen, and Mr. Fattah. H. Con. Res. 121: Mr. Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Moore of Kansas, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Holt, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Shuler, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Payne, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Berman, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Spratt, Mr. Kind, Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Norton, Mr. George Miller of California, Mrs. Davis of California, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mr. McCotter, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. Hill, Mr. Cohen, and Mr. Duncan. H. Res. 102: Mrs. Napolitano and Mr. Nunes. H. Res. 117: Mr. Stearns. H. Res. 119: Mr. Chandler, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Becerra, and Mr. Smith of New Jersey. H. Res. 121: Ms. Solis, Mr. Davis of Alabama, and Mr. Shays. H. Res. 194: Mr. Ruppersberger, Ms. Sutton, Mr. Higgins, Mr. English of Pennsylvania, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, and Mrs. Jones of Ohio. H. Res. 216: Mr. Duncan, Mr. Holden, and Mr. Westmoreland. H. Res. 221: Mr. Davis of Illinois. H. Res. 231: Mr. Boehner. H. Res. 257: Mr. Paul. H. Res. 272: Mr. Holt, Mr. Cleaver, and Mr. Moran of Virginia. H. Res. 281: Mr. Jefferson, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Arcuri, and Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida. H. Res. 289: Mr. Levin and Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California. H. Res. 294: Mr. Jackson of Illinois and Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas. H. Res. 296: Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Baird, Mr. McCotter, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Israel, Mr. Farr, and Mr. Shuster. H.. Res. 299: Mr. Stark, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Meek of Florida, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Herger, and Mr. Porter. H. Res. 313: Mr. Issa, Mr. Oberstar, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Ms. Kilpatrick, Mrs. Drake, Mr. Goode, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Rodriguez, Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia, Mr. Cantor, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Cardoza, and Mr. Spratt. ____________________ DELETION OF SPONSORS Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were deleted from public bills and resolutions as follows: H.R. 65: Mr. Cole of Oklahoma. H.R. 1964: Mr. Porter. ____________________ DISCHARGE PETITIONS--ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS [Inadvertently omitted from the Record of April 20, 2007] The following Member added his name to the following discharge petition: Petition 1 by Mr. JOHNSON of Texas on House Resolution 220: Steve Buyer. [[Page 9706]] EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS ____________________ IN HONOR OF SAM AND LUCY KEKER ______ HON. NANCY PELOSI of california in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Sam and Lucy Keker of Chevy Chase, MD, who are celebrating their 90th birthdays on April 28th with family and friends at a luncheon in their honor. My husband Paul and I became friends with Sam and Lucy in San Francisco, where they travel every year for the past 35 years to visit family. This House does not have time for me to list all of their accomplishments, so I will mention only a few items in a long list of proud service to their country, their community, their church, and their families. Let us start with service to country. Sam served as a Naval Officer at sea in two wars, World War II and Korea, and Lucy did what wives did during those wars, which was follow him wherever she could. Later, both their sons were combat Marines in Vietnam and both were wounded. Sam and Lucy met at a student government conference in Albuquerque, NM, in 1938, where Lucy represented Women's College of the University of North Carolina as Student Body President, and Sam represented American University as Vice President of its student government. They married in 1941 and eventually settled in Montgomery County, MD. Sam rose through the ranks to retire as Chairman of the Board of U.S. News and World Report, while Lucy pursued her interest in public education, becoming the elected president of the Montgomery County School Board during the building boom of the 1960s (which included a teachers strike) and later serving on the State Board for Higher Education, where she sat with an up-and-coming politician named Steny Hoyer. They raised two boys, John, now a lawyer in San Francisco who went to law school with our colleagues Mel Watt and John Spratt, and Jerry, now an outdoorsman in Boulder, CO. Since 1961, they have been blessed with Tina Keker, who became their surrogate daughter and then daughter-in-law in 1965. They are further blessed with grandsons Adam and Nathan Keker, their wives Amanda and Nora, and four beautiful great-grandchildren. All of them, as well as family and friends from all over the country, will be with them to celebrate their birthdays. For 50 years Sam and Lucy have been mainstays of the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, many of whose members became close friends and will be celebrating with them as well. Sam and Lucy served as Deacons, then as Elders, and always as friends of the CCPC congregation. They love the game of politics, and are committed to the Democratic Party. Lucy's first Democratic National Convention was in 1940, in Chicago, where she served as a secretary in the Women's Division of the Democratic National Committee. Lucy went on to become very involved in Maryland State politics, serving as the Montgomery County Chairman to several successful gubernational campaigns. They were two of Chris Van Hollen's earliest, most vocal, and most generous supporters. Since I have known them I don't think they have missed a Democratic Convention. Sam says they are planning to be in Denver in 2008. What I have always admired about Sam and Lucy is their indomitable spirit and youthfulness. They inspire us all by their never-flagging interest in life, especially young people. On behalf of the Congress, I extend to them the warmest congratulations on their 90th birthdays. ____________________ HONORING OAKLAND POSTMASTER LAWRENCE BARNES ______ HON. BARBARA LEE of california in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and career of Lawrence Barnes. Larry served with distinction as the Postmaster of Oakland from 1995 until 2007. His appointment as Postmaster came after more than 35 years of loyal service to the United States Postal Service (USPS), in addition to four years of honorable service in the United States Air Force. Today Larry celebrates his retirement after more than four decades of outstanding service to his community and his country. Larry graduated from high school in 1965, at which time he joined the U.S. Air Force. There he served as an Air Traffic Control Technician, and was honorably discharged in 1969. Upon leaving the military, Larry began his career with the USPS as a distribution clerk. Due to his exceptional performance and natural leadership abilities, it did not take long for him to begin moving through the ranks and into management. In the years that followed, Larry was promoted to MPLSM Clerk; Working Group Leader; Supervisor of Mail; MPLSM Supervisor; Management Trainee; Assignments in LRR; Postal Systems Examiner; MCS; Acting Superintendent; and General Supervisor. Following his extraordinary service in all of these areas, Larry was appointed as the Postmaster of Oakland on December 23, 1995. As Postmaster, Larry worked tirelessly not only to improve USPS functions for individual customers and employees, but also to build a stronger community. A regular speaker at neighborhood meetings, he always made the effort to reach out to Oakland residents, and to be available to hear their ideas and concerns. Larry and his staff have also been active in local efforts to improve air quality and public health. I was proud and honored to host Larry as a speaker at my September 2006 Town Hall Meeting on West Oakland air quality. At that forum he provided updates on USPS efforts to modernize its vehicles and decrease its diesel emissions, actions that have greatly helped to improve air quality and public health in West Oakland. In addition to being a dedicated government servant throughout his career, Larry is a committed husband, father, grandfather, bowler, and fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. Furthermore, he is a leader in the faith community, serving as an active member of the Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church (AMBC) Men's Ministry, serving under the direction of Dr. Kevin D. Barnes, Pastor of AMBC. Education has also been a priority for Larry throughout his life. He graduated from Merritt College with an AA in Social Science in 1976, and is currently attending C.B. Mason Bible College. I have known Larry for many years, and it has always been a pleasure to work with him. His commitment to his employees, his customers and to the Oakland community has had a positive impact on countless lives. On this very special day, I join the friends, family and colleagues of Lawrence Barnes in thanking and saluting him for his profound contributions to California's 9th Congressional District, our country and our world. ____________________ BETWEEN POSSIBILITY AND PERIL: CONFRONTING THE CRISIS CONCERNING AFRICAN-AMERICAN BOYS ______ HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL of new york in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of David J. Johns, a Congressional Black Caucus Fellow, currently working in my office, who convened an important policy discussion on the subject of African-American high school Underachievement and the No Child Left Behind Act on Monday, April 16, 2007. I am also entering into the record an article titled ``America Has Lost A Generation of Black Boys,'' written by Phillip Jackson for the CaribNews on the week ending April 17, 2007. Both address the importance of recognizing and tackling the significant challenges faced by young African-American males both in and outside the classroom. In inner cities, more than half of all African-American males do not finish high school. One third of male youth of color are unemployed or not seeking employment; and 1 in every 3 African-American men between the ages of 20 [[Page 9707]] and 29 is under correctional supervision. In many school districts throughout the United States, African-American males are more likely than any other group to be expelled from school, a practice that begins as early as kindergarten. African-American males are more likely to be classified as mentally retarded or suffering from a learning disability, more likely to be placed in special education and more likely to be absent from advance placement and honors courses than any other student group. These statistics are distressing and inexcusable. Sadly, the dismal state of African-American males, by far the most vulnerable and neglected population, has become all too familiar. Frequently, the severity of these statistics and the ways African- American men cope with tremendous barriers and challenges are brushed over or ignored altogether. Sometimes we blame the males themselves, insisting they subscribe to a culture of deviancy or refuse to ``act white'' by doing well in school. Other times we acknowledge that there are grave inequalities but fail to provide resources to adjust for gaps. The policy forum, which featured experts including: Jeffrey Robinson, Principal, Baltimore Talent Development High School; Robert Balfanz of the Center for Social Organization of Schools at Johns Hopkins; James Forman, Jr., professor at Georgetown University Law Center; Amy Wilkins of The Education Trust; and Governor Bob Wise of the Alliance for Excellent Education moved past simply highlighting the litany of issues facing African-American male youth to make recommendations designed to instigate lasting and relevant positive change now. Among these recommendations were increased funding and support for mentor programs; uniform calculations of graduation rates, calling for States to equalize funding by leveraging Federal dollars, and expanding the length of the school day. Many of these themes are reinforced by Mr. Jackson's article, which insists we teach all Black boys to read at grade level by third grade and to embrace education, provide positive role models, and investing as much money in educating black boys as we do incarcerating them. I applaud and support the efforts of both David J. Johns and Phillip Jackson who have contributed greatly to a much needed conversation about the state of African-American males in America today. America Has Lost A Generation of Black Boys (By Phillip Jackson) There is no longer a need for dire predictions, hand- wringing, or apprehension about losing a generation of Black boys. It is too late. In education, employment, economics, incarceration, health, housing, and parenting, we have lost a generation of young Black men. The question that remains is will we lose the next two or three generations, or possibly every generation of Black boys hereafter to the streets, negative media, gangs, drugs, poor education, unemployment, father absence, crime, violence and death. Most young Black men in the United States don't graduate from high school. Only 35% of Black male students graduated from high school in Chicago and only 26% in New York City, according to a 2006 report by The Schott Foundation for Public Education. Only a few Black boys who finish high school actually attend college, and of those few Black boys who enter college, nationally, only 22% of them finish college. Young Black male students have the worst grades, the lowest test scores, and the highest dropout rates of all students in the country. When these young Black men don't succeed in school, they are much more likely to succeed in the nation's criminal justice and penitentiary system. And it was discovered recently that even when a young Black man graduates from a U.S. college, there is a good chance that he is from Africa, the Caribbean or Europe, and not the United States. Black men in prison in America have become as American as apple pie. There are more Black men in prisons and jails in the United States (about 1.1 million) than there are Black men incarcerated in the rest of the world combined. This criminalization process now starts in elementary schools with Black male children as young as six and seven years old being arrested in staggering numbers according to a 2005 report, Education on Lockdown by the Advancement Project. The rest of the world is watching and following the lead of America. Other countries including England, Canada, Jamaica, Brazil and South Africa are adopting American social policies that encourage the incarceration and destruction of young Black men. This is leading to a world-wide catastrophe. But still, there is no adequate response from the American or global Black community. Worst of all is the passivity, neglect and disengagement of the Black community concerning the future of our Black boys. We do little while the future lives of Black boys are being destroyed in record numbers. The schools that Black boys attend prepare them with skills that will make them obsolete before, and if, they graduate. In a strange and perverse way, the Black community, itself, has started to wage a kind of war against young Black men and has become part of this destructive process. Who are young Black women going to marry? Who is going to build and maintain the economies of Black communities? Who is going to anchor strong families in the Black community? Who will young Black boys emulate as they grow into men? Where is the outrage of the Black community at the destruction of its Black boys? Where are the plans and the supportive actions to change this? Is this the beginning of the end of the Black people in America? The list of those who have failed young Black men includes our government, our foundations, our schools, our media, our Black churches, our Black leaders, and even our parents. Ironically, experts say that the solutions to the problems of young Black men are simple and relatively inexpensive, but they may not be easy, practical or popular. It is not that we lack solutions as much as it is that we lack the will to implement these solutions to save Black boys. It seems that government is willing to pay billions of dollars to lock up young Black men, rather than the millions it would take to prepare them to become viable contributors and valued members of our society. Please consider these simple goals that can lead to solutions for fixing the problems of young Black men: Short term--(1) Teach all Black boys to read at grade level by the third grade and to embrace education; (2) Provide positive role models for Black boys; (3) Create a stable home environment for Black boys that includes contact with their fathers; (4) Ensure that Black boys have a strong spiritual base; (5) Control the negative media influences on Black boys; and (6) Teach Black boys to respect all girls and women. Long term--(1) Invest as much money in educating Black boys as in locking up Black men; (2) Help connect Black boys to a positive vision of themselves in the future; (3) Create high expectations and help Black boys live into those high expectations; (4) Build a positive peer culture for Black boys (5) Teach Black boys self-discipline, culture and history; and (6) Teach Black boys and the communities in which they live to embrace education and life-long learning. NOTE: As the Executive Director of The Black Star Project, Phillip Jackson has become a national leader advocating for community involvement in education and the importance of parental development to ensure that children are properly educated. ____________________ PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR. of new jersey in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained on the rollcall vote for the final passage of H.R. 1257, the Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act (rollcall vote No. 244), in order to return to my district to survey damage from the recent floodwaters that have severely affected many of my constituents. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the rollcall vote for final passage of H.R. 1257, the Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act (rollcall vote No. 244). ____________________ TRIBUTE TO GEORGE HAMPTON ______ HON. DONALD M. PAYNE of new jersey in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize and honor a devoted friend and dedicated public servant, George Hampton, who retires from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey--or UMDNJ--on March 30th of this year. George Hampton was born and raised in Newark and rose from a humble beginning to earn a degree in Urban Planning from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and--through peaceful but assertive protest efforts, help gain a foothold for generations to come for minority populations and helped diversify Rutgers' Newark Campus faculty. Later he even joined the faculty as an adjunct professor. Mr. Hampton would go on to serve the city of Newark in several administrative positions, become a consultant to the Greater Newark Urban Coalition and as executive assistant to the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; and serve as the President of the Regional Health Planning Newark Sub-area Council, as Board Chairman of Newark Emergency Services for Families, and as Board Chairman of the Newark Collaboration Group. [[Page 9708]] As Vice President of UMDNJ, Mr. Hampton has fulfilled a statewide responsibility for implementing the University's community service mission and extending UMDNJ's services to the community in the urban centers that serve as host to the University's several campuses in New Jersey. He has successfully directed the University's efforts to make a positive community impact throughout the state. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues here in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in honoring George Hampton. I am proud to have had him in my Congressional district and wish him never-ending success in his future endeavors. Thank you, George Hampton, for your decades of dedicated service to the community. ____________________ HONORING BESSIEFRANCES J. MEADOR ______ HON. BARBARA LEE of california in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Bessiefrances J. Meador of Riverdale, New York. The residents of California's 9th Congressional District remember Beth as a brilliant woman, an astute politician, a dedicated community activist, an accomplished attorney, and a loving friend to many. Beth passed away on March 30, 2007. Beth spent her early years in Independence, Missouri and Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1955, she and her family returned to the Kansas City area. There, they joined the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church where Beth was very active as a youth and young adult. Upon her graduation from Sumner High School in 1961, Beth began her undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas. After earning her B.A., she obtained her law degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and was admitted to the bar in California and New York. Beth led a distinguished career in the legal profession, serving in a number of important roles. She was an administrative attorney in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, and also maintained a private law practice. Beth worked as a litigation compliance officer for the New York City Child Welfare Administration and as Minority Business Specialist for the State of New York and the New York City Transit Authority. She previously worked as Assistant Director in the Office of Legal Services of the State Bar of California. In the last years of her life, Beth was a teacher in the New York City Public School System. Beth was active in politics throughout her life. Living in Oakland, California in the 1970s, she ran for the State Assembly, and was actively involved in many local campaigns. She participated in the 1972 National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana, as well as numerous State and national political conventions. Delegates always sought her counsel, for as much as she was an idealist, she was also very practical in seeking strategies and initiatives for making the United States a better country. Always actively involved in her community, Beth was centrally involved in a number of organizations. An accomplished concert pianist, she contributed her talent as the youth music director at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, where she was also a member. Beth belonged to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Coalition of 100 Black Women. On a personal note, Beth was my roommate for a year, and I was privileged to benefit from her wise counsel, her musical genius, and our thought-provoking discussions. After Beth moved into her own apartment, as a generous gesture of gratitude she gave me a beautiful set of dinnerware which I use to this day. Her memory and her love are deeply etched in my heart and in the hearts of many. The last time I saw Beth was in September 2006, when we celebrated my sister Mildred's birthday in New York City. We enjoyed our evening with Congressman Charlie Rangel, who welcomed us with open arms and generous hospitality to his district in Harlem. Beth was delighted to be with Congressman Rangel and enjoyed the evening tremendously. Little did we know that these would be our last moments together. Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors a great human being, our beloved Beth Meador. We extend our deepest condolences to Beth's family, and our deepest gratitude for sharing this great woman with us. She will be deeply missed. May her soul rest in peace. ____________________ CELEBRATING THE PROMULGATION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES ______ HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL of new york in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Record an article titled ``Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Joins New York City in Promoting Minority and Women Owned Businesses,'' published in CaribNews on the week ending April 3, 2007. The article celebrates the partnership between the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and the great City of New York and efforts to increase the number of and provide necessary support to minority and women owned businesses. The partnership has been forged in an effort to help minority and women owned businesses become certified to provide goods and services to the City of New York. According to the article, ``companies that become certified obtain greater access to and information about contracting opportunities, receive technical assistance to better compete for those opportunities, and benefit from inclusion in the City's Online Directory of Certified Firms.'' Each of these benefits is essential to the success of minority and women owned businesses, many of whom face considerable challenges in starting and sustaining their operations. I applaud the partnership between the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and the great City of New York and look forward to the continued growth of minority and women owned businesses in New York City. Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Joins New York City in Promoting Minority and Women Owned Business Harlem, USA--The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) has joined with the NYC Department of Small Business Services in a partnership to help Minority and Women Owned Businesses become certified to provide goods and services to the City of New York. The New York City Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program certifies, promotes, and fosters the growth of the City's minority and women-owned businesses. Companies that become certified obtain greater access to and information about contracting opportunities, receive technical assistance to better compete for those opportunities, and benefit from inclusion in the City's Online Directory of Certified Firms. GHCC began actively promoting this initiative in the Fall of 2006. Early outreach activities included the Miller Urban Entrepreneur Series at Terrace In The Sky Restaurant on December 9, 2006 and the End of Year Reception at Pier 2110 Restaurant on December 20, 2006. On February 20th the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce hosted a special workshop on the importance of M/WBE's being certified with the city at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Broadway and 45th Street prior to its Quarterly Membership meeting. That workshop was the first in a series of seminars and individual training sessions that will take place through June 2007 in an effort to get more Minority and Women Owned Businesses to be certified with the city and make it possible for more minority companies of all kinds to do business with NYC. Firms based in New York City or certain surrounding counties are eligible for certification if they have been in business for more than one year and are at least 51 percent owned by a member of an ethnic minority group or a woman. Certified M/WBEs have access to free business assistance and seminars to help them make the most of their certification status. All companies are listed in a searchable public online directory that purchasing officers and contracting agencies use to find the goods and services they need. GHCC begins hosting individual training sessions on M/WBE certification with the City every Thursday and Saturday starting through June. ____________________ INTRODUCING THE SECURE VISA WAIVER TRAVEL ACT OF 2007 ______ HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON of mississippi in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, today, I am introducing the Secure Visa Waiver Travel Act of 2007. Dating back to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) has been a highly successful program that allows nationals of designated countries to travel to the United States visa-free for up to 90 days for temporary business or tourism. VWP countries are required to grant reciprocal visa-free travel to Americans. The VWP has been a boost for tourism and commerce between the [[Page 9709]] United States and the 27 countries that currently participate. For this reason, many other countries hope to join the VWP. There is strong support within the Administration, the business community, and among our allies and friends for Congress to take up legislation to expand the VWP. I also support expansion of the VWP, and that is why I am introducing this bill. The VWP has been beneficial to American tourism and businesses. However, the VWP also has serious security vulnerabilities; both ``shoe-bomber'' Richard Reid and convicted al-Qaeda operative Zacarias Moussaoui traveled under the VWP. As we consider ways to expand the VWP, I believe security considerations must be foremost in our minds. The United States must enhance partnerships with VWP countries to ensure that terrorists and those who would violate our laws cannot travel visa-free. I believe my bill accomplishes this. As a prerequisite to expansion, my bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement an effective biometric air border exit system, US-VISIT air exit, so we can know at all times who is in our country. My bill also requires that VWP travelers be screened against terrorist and criminal watch lists and that VWP countries report all lost and stolen passports, so these passports cannot be used by terrorists and criminals. We must also improve information-sharing with our VWP partner countries to be able to know whether a traveler might present a threat to the U.S. In addition, before admitting new countries to the VWP, DHS must consider other security factors, such as the country's passport standards, airport security, whether the country has an effective air marshal program, and whether its nationals have a history of compliance with our immigration and other laws. My bill maintains the requirement that the nationals of a VWP country demonstrate they will comply with our immigration laws. Some who advocate expanding the Visa Waiver Program say that preventing terrorism should be our only concern and that we should not consider whether a country's nationals have a history of immigration violations or visa overstays. While preventing terrorist travel is our primary security concern, it is not our only security concern. As we have seen in recent worksite enforcement actions, persons living and working in the U.S. illegally can also present security risks to our citizens and our economy, such as engaging in identity theft, or they can be exploited by criminal or terrorist elements. Robust border security, where we have control of who enters and leaves our country and know they are here for legitimate purposes, must be central to any expansion of the VWP. To that end, I am pleased to offer an approach to accomplishing this goal--the Secure Visa Waiver Travel Act of 2007. ____________________ PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. RUSS CARNAHAN of missouri in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, due to being unavoidably delayed, I missed votes on H.R. 1677 (rollcall No. 214) and H. Res. 196 (rollcall No. 215). I would have voted in favor of both H.R. 1677 and H. Res. 196, had I been present to record my vote. ____________________ HONORING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ______ HON. BARBARA LEE of california in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the African American Association. Throughout its extraordinary history, the Association has been known for promoting equality, diversity, social justice, and African American community empowerment. This year the Association celebrates the 45th anniversary of its founding. The African American Association was first organized in the early 1960s by African American students at the University of California, Berkeley. Among the founding members were community leaders such as Khalid Al-Mansour (known then as Don Warden); future Judges Henry Ramsey and Thelton Henderson; future Congressman and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums; and future Black Panthers Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. The Association's founding occurred in the midst of a turbulent time for African Americans and for our country. Malcolm X was fearlessly expressing his views on race relations. Many African nations were being liberated after years of colonial rule and oppression. The civil rights movement was gaining national momentum, and many young African Americans were feeling a newfound source of pride in their African heritage. A primary impetus for the group's establishment was an interest in learning the real history of Africa and slavery in the United States. Not having the resources for a mass media campaign, group members took their message to where the people were: they took their message to the streets. Of central importance to Association members were questions related to the African American self-image. Members wanted to address the negative light in which many African Americans viewed themselves, specifically in the context of their African heritage and physical features. Moreover, the Association's mission was to help African Americans cultivate the sense of self-love that for many had been missing as a result of slavery's destructive legacy within the African American community and throughout our country. After being met with skepticism initially, the Association began to reach more and more people with their message of empowerment. Members began reaching a wider audience by broadcasting a half-hour radio show on Oakland KDIA, entitled We Care Enough To Tell It Like It Is. After approximately a year of meeting in various locations, the Association established regular meeting facilities on Grove Street in Oakland. The best known and most attended events were the Association's weekly Monday Night Lectures and Friday Night Forums. These gatherings featured discussions of books on African and African American history, religion, architecture, current events, and other topics. People of all ages attended these lively meetings because they always represented an opportunity to learn, and to look at things from a new perspective. Over the years, the Association continued its advocacy for social, political, economic, and educational equality for African Americans. Members urged African Americans to establish businesses, and the Association formed its own employment office to match members with job opportunities. The Association also remained centrally involved in the struggle to promote education among young African Americans, urging them to not only complete their education but to obtain the highest grades at the highest level of education that they could. In addition, the Association organized to address countless other issues, including community safety, the devastating impact of the Jonestown Massacre, and social justice in African countries. Today the members and supporters of the African American Association have come together to celebrate not only the organization's 45th anniversary, but also the group's permanent and positive impact on our community. On this very special day, I join all of the members in thanking and saluting the Association for its profound contributions to California's 9th Congressional District, our country, and our world. ____________________ PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. BRIAN HIGGINS of new york in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I missed rollcall votes during the week of April 16, 2007. On rollcall vote No. 214, the motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 1677, the Tax Payer Protection Act, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 215, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 196, supporting the goals and ideals of World Water Day, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 216, the motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended, to H. Con. Res. 100, condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 217, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 273, supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 218, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 76, honoring the 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 219, ordering the previous question, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 220, agreeing to H. Res. 301, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 1257, Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 221, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 306, offering heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families regarding the horrific violence at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, I would [[Page 9710]] have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 222, agreeing to the Chabot of Ohio Amendment No. 1, I would have voted ``nay''; on rollcall vote No. 223, agreeing to the Chabot of Ohio Amendment No. 2, I would have voted ``no''; on rollcall vote No. 224, the motion to recommit, with instructions, H.R. 1361, the Relief for Entrepreneurs: Coordination of Objectives and Values for Effective Recovery Act, I would have voted ``nay.'' On rollcall vote No. 225, passage of H.R. 1361, the Relief for Entrepreneurs: Coordination of Objectives and Values for Effective Recovery Act, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 226, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 300, commending the achievements of the Rutgers University women's basketball team and applauding the character and integrity of their student-athletes, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 227, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 293, supporting the goals and ideals highlighted through National Volunteer Week, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 228, ordering the previous question on H. Res. 317, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 229, agreeing to H. Res. 317, providing for consideration of H.R. 1905 and H.R. 1906, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 230, the motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 1905, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 231, passage of H.R. 1905, the District of Columbia Voting Rights Bill, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 232, passage of H.R. 1906, Adjustment of Estimated Tax Payment Safe Harbor for Individual Taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income Greater than $5 Million, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 233, the motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 234, passage of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 235, the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1591, I would have voted ``yea''; On rollcall vote No. 236, agreeing to the Sessions Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 237, agreeing to the Garrett Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 238, agreeing to the Campbell Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 239, agreeing to the McHenry Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 240, agreeing to the Price Amendment, I would have voted ``No.'' On rollcall vote No. 241, agreeing to the Putnam Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 242, agreeing to the Price Amendment, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 243, the motion to recommit H.R. 1257, I would have voted ``no''; On rollcall vote No. 244, passage of H.R. 1257, the Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act, I would have voted ``yea.'' ____________________ HONORING THE MOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAMS ______ HON. DALE E. KILDEE of michigan in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the men and women of the Mott Community College basketball teams. This season the men's team won the National Junior College Athletic Association Men's Basketball National Championship. The women's team finished third in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Championship Tournament. The Mott Community College men's team is led by Head Coach Steve Schmidt. Coach Schmidt has guided his team to the second championship title in 5 years. The hard work by Coach Schmidt and the players has paid off. Mott Community College made history this year by becoming the only team that has played in four title games. The men's basketball program has the highest winning percentage in National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Tournament play with a record of 16-3 since 2001. Overall the Mott Community College Bears have an 84.4 percent win record in the Michigan Community College Eastern Conference during the same time period. The team members are Terrence Watson, Jeremie Simmons, Willie Mustin, Darius Brents, Rob Giles, Lorenzo McClelland, LaMarr Drake, Thomas Kennedy, Alvin Pegues, Greg Hamlin and Kevin Tiggs. This year the NJCAA bestowed the 2007 Most Valuable Player Award on Kevin. The coaching staff consists of Assistant Coaches Carl Jones, Yusuf Harris, Nate Brown and Athletic Trainer Dick Benson. The women's basketball team, under the leadership of Head Coach Letitia Hughley, has worked diligently to bring about their 3rd place finish in the women's division. The team members are Tishara Fields, Lakeara Leslie, Alicia Bouldin, Sade Butler, Tara Smoots, Nicole Holmes, Janee Williamson, Sheria Hatcher, Michaella Weekes, Cari Pigott, and Shaquetta Mance. The coaching staff includes Assistant Coaches Lloyd Nicholson, Latisha Berry, and Athletic Trainer Dick Benson. Tom Healey is the Mott Community College Athletic Director. The players on both teams communicate effectively with each other and assess the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. Coupled with outstanding basketball skills honed through years of practice, and inspired coaching, this teamwork has made them winners. A community- wide celebration was held in Flint, Michigan on April 4 to honor the players, coaches, and staff with the Mott Community College basketball teams. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the dedication of the Mott Community College basketball teams and congratulate them on their achievements. ____________________ HONORING ROBERT SPEED ______ HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE of colorado in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man whose bravery in the face of danger is now being honored some 63 years later. Robert Speed served in the Air Force during World War II. During a bombing mission over the Ploesti Oil Fields on July 15, 1944, the B-24 that Mr. Speed and his crew were flying in came under heavy anti- aircraft fire. The plane lost an engine and lost contact with their squadron. Although the aircraft took on significant damage, the crew managed to evade enemy aircraft, complete its bombing mission and return to Pantanella, Italy. The Ploesti Oil Fields, located in eastern Romania, were a significant source of petroleum Hitler used to fuel his war machine. The bombing runs well into enemy territory were dangerous, but crucially important to the Allied effort. The very next day after the Ploesti bombing mission, Mr. Speed and his crew were shot down and held as POWs for the remainder of World War II. This turn of events resulted in an administrative oversight on the part of the Air Force and Mr. Speed and his crew went unrecognized for 63 years. The oldest in a family of 9 children, Mr. Speed was born May 21, 1922, in Blue Mountain, Alabama. After the war he moved to Mobile, AL to get a job at Brookley Air Force Base where he was employed as a civilian until he retired. He still lives in Mobile. His son describes his father as typical of his generation in that ``he never talked much about what happened in the war and never asked for anything. He really is just a regular guy who found himself in extraordinary circumstances while serving his country.'' I am pleased that Mr. Speed will finally be recognized with the Distinguished Flying Cross award on April 24. I congratulate Mr. Speed on the long overdue reception of his award and I thank him for his honorable service to our Nation. ____________________ A TRIBUTE TO JOHN K. VAN de KAMP ______ HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF of california in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special recognition to John Van de Kamp upon being named recipient of the Jim Pfeiffer Award for the year 2007. John Van de Kamp's long and distinguished commitment to public service began following his graduation from Stanford Law School. Mr. Van de Kamp's career started in Los Angeles where he worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office from 1960 to 1967. After briefly serving as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, he relocated to Washington, DC. and became the Director of the Executive Office of [[Page 9711]] U.S. Attorneys. In 1971, Mr. Van de Kamp returned to Los Angeles to become the Central District's first Federal Public Defender. John was appointed Los Angeles County District Attorney in 1976, and subsequently elected to the position. In 1982, he was elected California's Attorney General, where he served for 2 terms. Mr. Van de Kamp later joined the Law firm of Dewey Ballantine LLP, where he is currently of counsel. In 1999 Mr. Van de Kamp was appointed by National Association of Attorneys to The Strategic Contribution Fund Allocation Committee to recommend distribution of the $8 billion of tobacco settlement proceeds. He served on the Board of the State Bar of California, was elected as the 80th President of the State Bar of California, and served nearly 30 years as an L.A. County Delegate to the Conference of Delegates. John's strong commitment to community service can also be seen in his dedication to nonprofit organizations. His board affiliations include The Planning and Conservation League, Norton Simon Museum, and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. Mr. Van de Kamp has served on the ABA's Special Committee on Criminal Justice in a Free Society, ABA's Task Force on the Federalization of Criminal Law, and the ABA's Commission on Effective Criminal Sanctions. He is Chair of the Community Campaign for Schools for the Pasadena Education Foundation, the RAND's Advisory Committee on Infrastructure, Security and the Environment, City of Pasadena's Task Force on Good Government, and the Chair of the Commission on Fair Administration of Justice. John Van de Kamp lives in Pasadena with his wife Andrea. They have one daughter, Diana. I ask all Members of Congress to join with me today in honoring an outstanding individual of California's 29th District, John Van de Kamp. The entire community joins me in thanking John for his success and continued efforts toward making the 29th District a more enjoyable place in which to work and live. ____________________ NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH ______ HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of california in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I proudly join my colleagues today calling attention to the grave disparities in minority health in our Nation. The research is clear: there is a health gap between races and ethnicities. There should be no more debate on whether this is a reality. African Americans are more than twice as likely to have diabetes as Whites. Asian American men suffer from stomach cancer twice as often as non-Hispanic White men. Hispanic women are 2.2 times more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than non-Hispanic White women. African American women are 36 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than White women. American Indians/Alaska Natives have diabetes rates that are nearly three times the national rate. In addition to disparities in health outcomes, Hispanics and African Americans are least likely to be covered by insurance. Disturbingly, over 32 percent of Latinos are uninsured. Lack of insurance translates to lack of preventive care, lack of care for chronic conditions, and failure to attain screenings that could catch diseases and conditions at an early stage. Not only do these communities of color lack access to health care, but they face medical debt that could be paralyzing to their economic situation. I am pleased that Congress is finally addressing racial and ethnic health disparities. Not only because there should be parity in health, but because the number of minorities is growing. It will be detrimental to the future of our Nation if we do not continue to support understanding and addressing how to best serve communities of color. Understanding health risk factors and how to effectively deliver health care to our minority population today will help us prepare to serve a majority of the population of tomorrow. In the end, we will all benefit. While we work toward solving the national healthcare crisis, we cannot lose sight of racial and ethnic health disparities. The only way to solve our current dilemma is to use evidence-based research findings. I support funding research for further innovation. We already know some of what we must do to improve health outcomes for minority population. For instance, we need more minority health care providers who are culturally competent. We also need to address linguistic barriers. April is National Minority Health Month. It is imperative that we have a productive and invigorating discussion on racial and ethnic health disparities. We need to make sure all communities of color can live healthier lives. As health care programs and policies are considered, let us not forget to include all aspects in the debate, including minority health. As a multicultural Nation, we should celebrate our diversity, not punish it. ____________________ HONORING SERGEANT JAMES A. REEDS AND THE ``MONUMENTS MEN'' OF WORLD WAR II ______ HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER of missouri in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor SGT James A. Reeds and the ``Monuments Men'' of World War II, as Members of Congress from across the country prepare to celebrate our country's artistic legacy through hosting the Congressional Art Contest: A Voyage of Artistic Discovery. A native Kansas Citian, Sergeant Reeds was a hero to preserving our cultural heritage during World War II and I am pleased to honor him at the Fifth District's 2007 Congressional Art Contest. Throughout our great Nation, my colleagues are preparing for their districts' art competitions. Aspiring high school artists will compete to send their masterpiece to our Nation's Capitol. Like previous generations of artists, these young creative students are developing their skills, while gaining respect for the great masters who came before them. These masters have blessed our world with artistic treasures that have been enjoyed by past generations and will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. During World War II, Nazi dictator Adolph Hitler had a plan to secure art from every region he occupied. As the Nazi regime conquered Europe, Hitler ordered covert reconnaissance missions to locate priceless works of art throughout each newly occupied region. These missions were all done as part of Hitler's plan to build the world's premier museum, the Fuehrer Museum, in his home town of Linz, Austria. Hitler was bitter that Vienna's schools of art would not accept him into their programs. Throughout Europe, as nations anticipated invasion, they took drastic measures to hide their invaluable works of art. The resistance found various methods to conceal their artistic treasures. Works were hidden in caves, mines, castles, chateaux, and in some cases, the masterpieces, like the Mona Lisa, were constantly on the move from one safe location to another. Unfortunately, many pieces were taken, many destroyed, and thousands of pieces of art are still missing to this day. During the war, a special unit was formed to protect the cultural treasures of Europe from Hitler's raid. Comprised of Allied soldiers, the unit was started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt under the War Department's Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives section. The group's charge was to find, catalogue, and return art to its rightful owners. They were christened the Monuments Men. Today, Missouri's Fifth Congressional District is honored to have a ``Monument Man,'' and a native, living in our midst. Born in Westport, SGT James A. Reeds attended college at the University of Iowa and planned to major in chemistry. During his sophomore year, Sergeant Reeds was drafted into the Army. After specialized training at Stanford, he was sent to France to serve as a chemical lab technician. One fateful day, Sergeant Reeds met CAPT Bancel LaFarge, who was an officer in the Monuments Men. Captain LaFarge needed someone who could speak German. Since Sergeant Reeds studied German and could type, Captain LaFarge recruited Sergeant Reeds as a Monument Man. Now as part of that historical team, Sergeant Reeds documented the location of art officers in the field, transcribed notes made by art historians, noted the transfer of recovered art to warehouses, and documented the artworks' return to the rightful owner. An ancient adage in war is that to the victor go the spoils and this includes its cultural works of art. However, it was the United States and the Allied forces that agreed that the works of art from defeated nations would be returned to their place of origin after the war. Thus, the rich culture for the countries of Europe was preserved. Originally, Americans were unfortunately paying a pittance for masterworks to send art that belonged to Germany home to be sold. In essence, Allied troops were doing exactly what the Germans had done. Consequently, the Monuments Men initiated and President Truman agreed to the Wiesbaden Manifesto which stated that all German art had to be returned, thereby preserving and protecting its place in history. [[Page 9712]] Upon his return, Sergeant Reeds returned to college on the GI bill for a degree in German at the University of Iowa. He then went on to receive a master's degree and later a doctorate in linguistics from the University of Michigan. Later, he returned to Kansas City and taught at University of Missouri--Kansas City for 21 years. Madam Speaker, please join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to SGT James A. Reeds and his fellow Monuments Men for their relentless efforts to preserve Europe's great artistic treasures. I urge my colleagues to please join me in expressing our appreciation to Sergeant Reeds and his fellow soldiers for their service to this great Nation. ____________________ TRIBUTE TO THE HAITIAN-AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION ______ HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK of florida in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Haitian-American Nurses Association of Florida (HANA) for its successful Scholarship and Awards Gala held at Miami's JW Marriott Hotel last Saturday, April 14, 2007. This Annual Gala evoked yet another opportunity for HANA members to renew their sense of purpose and mission to this noble organization. Established in 1984 to pull together the aspirations and ideals of the many hardworking Haitian nurses, this Association's mission is to enhance its leadership and membership in a manner that represents the utmost commitment and integrity of the Haitian community. It has also reached out to students by offering scholarships to deserving individuals who will join their ranks in the near future. I want to commend the exemplary efforts of its officers in providing much-needed assistance and moral support to the constituents of the 17th Congressional District in a manner that evokes both the individual and collective nobility and compassion of its membership. The readiness with which they faithfully continue to extend both their expertise and encouragement to various communities genuinely attests to their immense love and commitment to the welfare of their fellow human beings. Under the aegis of their ongoing projects from Community Health Fairs to Emergency Response Teams, International Medical Missions, Immunization Drives, Continuing Education for Nurses, and interminable Nursing Research--to name but a few--I am confident that this Association will continue to serve and care for the people of my Congressional District, South Florida and beyond. It is with the utmost gratitude and appreciation that I congratulate all HANA members, and the scholarship and award recipients for their efforts and dedication to healing individuals in our midst requiring medical attention. The officers and members of HANA truly exemplify the undaunted symbol of strength and resilience in a way that genuinely combines professionalism on one hand, and genuine compassion on the other. ____________________ PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. TAMMY BALDWIN of wisconsin in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I regret that I missed three votes on amendments during debate of H.R. 1257 last Friday, April 20, 2007. Had I been present, I would have voted in opposition to the following three amendments to H.R. 1257: the Sessions amendment (rollcall vote No. 236), the Garrett amendment (rollcall vote No. 237), and the McHenry amendment (rollcall vote No. 239). ____________________ IN RECOGNITION OF KEITH SORENSEN ______ HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH of ohio in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Keith Sorensen for 25 years of volunteer service with the Northeast Ohio YMCA. His inspirational work has made an impact on many lives in our community. Keith has never strayed too far from the water, and began his affiliation with the Southeast YMCA Riptide Swim Team as a student of Bedford High School. Upon graduation, Keith joined the United States Navy. As a sailor, Keith was a passionate leader and represented himself and our Country as a competitive swimmer. After completing his service to our Country, Keith continued to devote himself to helping the community. For 30 years, he worked as a frozen food manager for Reider's Stop-N-Shop, and was the daily lifeguard of his old alma mater, Bedford High School. In 1996, Keith assisted the head coach and together they trained a talented group of students who would go on to be Ohio High School Athletic Association Northeast District and State Swim Meet qualifiers. In addition to the countless hours Keith has dedicated to high school athletics, he has tirelessly spent the last 25 years coaching thousands of swimmers at the Southeast YMCA. Under Keith's direction as head coach, the YMCA focused on a program that stressed the importance of swimming fundamentals. As a result of his discipline and specialization in the breaststroke, many of his former students went on to have successful high school and collegiate swimming careers. Keith's commitment has not gone unnoticed; he has received numerous awards, most notably YMCA's Triangle Award by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, and he was named ``CitiSun of the Year'' by the Sun newspapers for his volunteer work with the community. However, Keith's greatest accomplishment has been coaching his three daughters. Together, Keith and Maureen have watched their daughters set numerous records as swimmers for the Southeast YMCA and Bedford High School swim teams. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Keith Sorensen for his commitment to the Northeast Ohio community. His dedication is the embodiment of selflessness and he brings great pride to us all. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF THE AIRLINE PERSONNEL TRAINING ENHANCEMENT ACT ______ HON. TOM UDALL of new mexico in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Airline Personnel Training Enhancement Act, an important piece of legislation that requires airlines to provide alcohol server training for flight attendants. Late last year, another tragic drunk driving accident occurred in New Mexico resulting in the death of a mother, father, and three children, leaving only one surviving daughter. The family, on their way home from a soccer match, was struck by the drunk driver as he drove down the wrong side of the interstate. The driver also died in the accident. As more was revealed about the events leading up to the accident, we learned that only a few hours earlier, the driver was already visibly intoxicated on a flight to New Mexico. While other passengers noticed that the man appeared to be intoxicated, the man was served more alcohol during the flight. Two hours after landing, the man, with a blood alcohol content level four times the legal limit, killed this family. After this horrible tragedy occurred, I learned that while Federal regulations prohibit an intoxicated person to be served alcohol on board a flight, or to even board a flight, only some airlines actually provide the training necessary to help these attendants identify and cope with intoxicated passengers. Additional training to identify intoxicated passengers either boarding or already on the flight is critical to ensuring attendants make informed decisions when serving alcohol. For this reason, I am introducing simple, straightforward legislation to ensure airline personnel receive this training. My bill requires air carriers to provide alcohol server training to gate and flight attendants. This training also will include ways to deal with disruptive passengers and identifying intoxicated passengers. This training, which would have to occur annually, would include situational training on how to handle intoxicated individuals who are belligerent. It is my hope that this will improve public safety both in the air and on the ground. This legislation cannot prevent every tragedy that comes from alcohol abuse, but it is one more valuable step we can take in the ongoing effort to stop drunk driving. I ask for your support of this legislation. [[Page 9713]] ____________________ A TRIBUTE TO GLENDALE ADVENTIST ACADEMY ______ HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF of california in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special recognition to the Glendale Adventist Academy upon the celebration of its One Hundredth Anniversary. The Glendale Adventist Academy was founded in 1907 to provide quality Christian education to young men and women. The school's mission is to provide a Christ-centered learning environment, a progressive and challenging curriculum, and a focus on ethics and values to instill a strong sense civic responsibility in their local and global communities. The Glendale Adventist Academy challenges its students with a rigorous balance of college preparatory courses, Christian education, arts, athletics, and a strong focus on community service. With over ninety percent of graduating seniors proceeding to higher education, this unique curriculum has aided over 5,000 alumni who have excelled in fields including medicine, law, business and education. Throughout one hundred years of service, the Glendale Adventist Academy has emphasized the importance of community outreach. The school actively engages in food and clothing drives, raising charitable funds, and participating in mission trips. The school highly encourages students to participate in spiritual activities such as special religious and vesper programs. For one hundred years the Glendale Adventist Academy has fulfilled its commitment to education and community service through the strong guidance of its faculty. All teachers hold a Bachelor's Degree, many have their Masters, and all hold Seventh-day Adventist certification in their subject. The Glendale Adventist Academy is fully accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Seventh- day Adventist North American Division Commission on Accreditation. I ask all Members to join me today in honoring Glendale Adventist Academy upon the celebration of its One Hundredth Anniversary. The entire community joins me in thanking the Glendale Adventist Academy for the outstanding educational opportunities that it has provided for the youth of California's 29th Congressional District. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF MINORITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP ______ HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS of maryland in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the reintroduction of the ``Minority Entrepreneurship Development Act,'' a bill designed to address economic inequality in minority communities by fostering business development and entrepreneurship. The numbers explain why this legislation is necessary. Strikingly, the average income for African Americans is only equal to 62 percent of that earned by Whites. More than 40 years after the last Jim Crow laws were repealed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the economic value of blacks is still about three-fifths that of whites. The average incomes of Native Americans and Latinos are similarly unbalanced, with the income in those communities equaling 65 and 74 percent respectively of the income earned by Whites. This race-based ``wealth gap'' is simply unacceptable. All Americans deserve the right to share in the American Dream, regardless of their race or ethnicity. We know that small business development has provided great opportunities for minority communities. Minority-owned businesses promote personal economic growth, provide employment opportunities, and support local economies. Everyone wins when minority-owned businesses thrive. That is why I have introduced the ``Minority Entrepreneurship Development Act of 2007,'' to help promote these vitally important enterprises. The legislation would set up a $15 million, three-year pilot program to promote small business development in colleges and universities that serve African American, Native American and Latino communities. Through grants of up to $1 million, the institutions would provide students who are not business majors with the tools necessary to use their area of expertise as entrepreneurs. The bill would also allow institutions to set up Small Business Development Centers to conduct research and provide training, counseling, capacity building and niche market development services to start-up entrepreneurs. The legislation garnered support from 42 of my colleagues in the 109th Congress, and is the companion to S. 98, which was introduced by Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts in January. In the past, this legislation was supported by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. I again look forward to their support and working with them to implement this important piece of legislation during the 110th Congress. A great legacy of the American Dream has been the opportunity for ordinary citizens to improve their livelihoods by starting their own business, and minority communities deserve a chance to share in that dream. I would like to urge all of my colleagues to join me in this important initiative by becoming a cosponsor of the ``Minority Entrepreneurship Development Act of 2007,'' and by working to ensure its swift passage. ____________________ PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO of guam in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I was absent from the chamber on Friday. Had I been present for the rollcall votes taken on amendments to H.R. 1257, the Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act, I would have voted ``nay'' on each one. This includes a ``nay'' vote on rollcalls numbered 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, and 242. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION FOR FREEDOM ACT OF 2007 ______ HON. THOMAS E. PETRI of wisconsin in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, today I am reintroducing the Higher Education for Freedom Act. This legislation establishes a competitive grant program making available funds to institutions of higher education, centers within such institutions, and associated nonprofit foundations. These grants would promote programs focused on the teaching and study of traditional American history, free institutions, and the history and achievements of Western Civilization at both the graduate and undergraduate level, including those that serve students enrolled in K-12 teacher education programs. Several years ago I was involved in a congressional effort to highlight the decline in historical and civic literacy among American college students. This effort led to the unanimous, bicameral passage of S. Con. Res. 129 which stated, in part, that ``the historical illiteracy of America's college and university graduates is a serious problem that should be addressed by the Nation's higher education community.'' Given the increased threat to American ideals in the trying times in which we live, it is easy to see how the lack of historical and civic literacy among today's college students has become a more pressing issue. Nevertheless, most of the Nation's colleges and universities no longer require United States history or systematic study of Western civilization and free institutions as a general prerequisite to graduation, or for completing a teacher education program. I believe it is time for Congress to take a more active role in addressing this matter. Our country's higher education system must do a better job of providing the basic knowledge that is essential to full and informed participation in civic life and to the larger vibrancy of the American experiment in self-government, binding together a diverse people into a single nation with common purposes. ____________________ TRIBUTE TO VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVE ORPHANS ______ HON. SAM JOHNSON of texas in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to bring before this Congress the following outstanding people who have voluntarily served orphans, public [[Page 9714]] school children, college students, juvenile delinquents, and needy families under the official invitation and authority of government agencies in Russia, Mongolia, Romania, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and China. The excellent character demonstrated by these people, as well as their commitment to the principles upon which our nation was founded, have not only attracted the attention of leaders, parents, the media, and students, but it has also brought honor to the United States of America and to the Lord Jesus Christ whom they serve. Aguilar, Dominique (CA), Alexander, Evangeline (AK), Anderson, Cassia (MI), Anderson, Daniel (TX), Apple, Alexandra (NC), Apple, John (NC), Archer, Amos (KS). Bailey, Deanna (CA), Bair, Aileen (IL), Bair, Robert (IL), Baldwin, Charity (VA), Barb, Joanna (CA), Barclay, Tiffany (OR), Barker, Emily (GA), Bartlow, Joel (TX), Beaulieu, Anna (MN), Beaulieu, David (MN), Behrens, Katherine (MI), Bender, Anthony (CA), Bender, Steven (CA), Bennett, Erika (GA), Bennett, Russell (IL), Bisson, Shannon (OH), Bode, Leah (VA), Bogner, Melanie (TX), Booth, Paul (GA), Bousfield, Leah (CA), Bracey, Danielle (CA), Bracey, Michelle (CA), Brannon, Jolene (TX), Brink, Julia (GA), Brown, James (NY), Brown, Sarah (NY), Brown, Timothy (NY), Brown, Zachary (NY), Brubaker, David (PA), Brubaker, Emily (PA), Brubaker, Jeni (PA), Brubaker, Leon (PA), Brubaker, Luke (PA), Brubaker, Mary (PA), Bruccoleri, Berea (CA), Burrus, Anthony (TX), Burrus, Lula (TX), Bylsma, Katrina (KS). Cade, Alton (MS), Cade, Laura (MS), Cahill, Amy (TX), Cahill, Laura (TX), Cavanaugh, Daniel (KY), Cavanaugh, Micah (KY), Chamberlain, Sarah (IN), Chen, Anna (NY), Chen, Dr. Stephen (NY), Chen, Faith (NY), Chen, Grace (NY), Chen, Karen (NY), Chen, Timothy (NY), Cheng, Shiowei (MD), Clawson, Laura (MN), Coffing, Dominique (NM), Coggin, Hannah (VA), Cole, Leslie (OK), Conzatti, Dena (WA), Cook, Tim (SC), Copu, Carmen (IL), Copu, Paul (IL), Copu, Peter (IL), Copu, Rebecca (IL), Copu, Stefana (IL), Copu, Valen (IL), Copu, Victor (IL), Cribb, Laura (NC), Curtis, Anna (MI), Cyrus, Lauren (MI). Daniel, Sheri (GA), Davis, Andy (VA), DeBoer, Rachel (IL), DeMasie, Laura (IN), Derhammer, Rebecca (OH), DeVall, Adrian (FL), Dickey, Allison (CA), Dickey, Darlene (CA), Dickie, Russell (KS), Dickson, Christina (WA), Dicus, Bonnie (CA), Dicus, Carrie (CA), Dicus, Melinda (CA), Dodd, Lindsay (GA), Dodson, Aaron (MD), Driggers, Noah (TX), Dudley, Crystal (TX), Durocher, Susan (MN). Eng, Emily (NC), Estes, Autumn (FL), Estes, Curtis (FL), Estes, Daniel, (FL), Estes, Mildred (FL). Faas, Josiah (MN), Farr, Katie (TX), Feehan, Benjamin (WA), Feig, Joel (WI), Feig, Zach (WI), Felber, Britton (IL), Felber, Shane (IL), Fernandez, Jonathan (CA), Fernandez, Rachel (CA), Fessenden, Jonathan (TX), Fisher, Sarah (RI), Fisher, Zachariah (RI), Fiskeaux, Christy (AK), Fite, Caty (AR), Fite, Joshua (AR), Foulke, Laura (NC), Foulke, Sarah (NC), Fowler, Robert (IL), Fox, David (CA), Fox, Elizabeth (CA), Furlong, Rebecca (TX). Gay, Carissa (OR), George, Malia (NC), George, Theresa (NC), Gilley, Rebekah (AL), Gillson, Kennan (MN), Gillson, Kirsten (MN), Goodwin, Joshua (CT), Greenlaw, Paula (OK), Greenlaw, Robert (OK), Grindall, Rachel (WA). Hammond, Josie (IL), Hartstrom, Melissa (CA), Heath, Joshua (PA), Hierholzer, Jenell (IN), Hildebrandt, Rachel (TX), Hinton, Matthew (VA), Hodgdon, Benjamin (CA), Hodgdon, Loriann (CA), Hooley, Sarah (IN), Hope, Jon-Eric (AR), Houser, Cameron (CA), Howell, Bethany (PA), Howell, Tamarind (PA), Hubbard, Dana (AL), Hubbard, Melissa (CA), Hug, Ruthie (WA), Hung, Rachel (CA), Hung, Rebecca (CA). Jacobsen, Elizabeth (CA), Jefferies, Megan (MI), Johnson, Benjamin (IN), Johnson, Charles (LA), Jones, Sadie (AL), Jones, Stacie (TX), Jordan, Mark (CA), Jordan, Paul (WA), Jorgensen, Andrew (PA), Joyner, Rebecca (NC), Joyner, Sara (NC). Kallberg, Luke (IL), Kallberg, Naomi (IL), Kinsel, Hannah (IL), Kinz, Carol (CA), Knudsen, Kathleen (MI), Ko, Benjamin (MI), Kraft, Anna (CA), Krauter, Jocelyn (PA), Kruse, Tim (IN), Kulp, Jarita (WI). Langemann, Christy (CO), Lassiter, Michelle (TX), Laughlin, Rebekah (PA), Lehman, Regina (PA), Lentz, Sarah (WI), Lerma, Aaron (TX), Leskowat, Catherine (OK), Leskowat, Naomi (OK), Lewis, Mai Cha (WI), Lindley, Jessica (IL), Lindley, Sarah (IL), Little, Lauren (NJ), Long, Mary Sarah (TX), Lorenz, Rebekah (TX), Lukachick, Anna (LA), Lyons, Naomi (IL). Madison, Lauren (PA), Madison, Nicole (PA), Madison, Norman (PA), Main, Michelle (NC), Marshall, Dallas (AR), Marshall, Ezra (AR), Marshall, James (AR), Marshall, Jonathan (AR), Marshall, Kymberly (AR), Marshall, Louanne (AR), Marshall, Thaddaeus (AR), Martens, Brooke (MI), Martens, Lee Ann (MI), Martens, Tiffany (MI), Martin, Anna (PA), Martin, Maria (PA), Martin-Vegue, Timothy (CA), Matchak, Jacob (CA), Matchak, Joel (CA), Matchak, Josiah (CA), Matchak, Nathan (CA), Matchak, Sarah (CA), McAllister, Carlyn (NC), McCloy, Jennifer (TX), McCraw, Sarah (OR), McCurdy, Terry (IL), McEndarfer, Christina (OK), McEndarfer, Daniel (OK), McMains, Amy (AZ), Melvin, Brent (FL), Melvin, Thomas (FL), Miller, Jeanne (PA), Miller, Kate (TX), Miller, Mary Frances (CA), Miller, Teresa (CO), Molina, Leah (IN), Molina, Matthew (IN), Moll, James (PA), Mullen, Jessica (MN), Mullen, Michael (MN), Myers, Vanessa (IN). Nelson, Stephen (TX), Neu, Daniel (KS), Nikoforovna, Ksenya (WA), Noland, Katherine (MA), Noland, Margaret (MA), Norcross, Brianne (IN), Norris, Kaleb (CA), Norris, Tyler (CA), Nugent, Tiara (TX). O'Conner, Adam (LA). Parker, Marty (IL), Parker, Thomas (IL), Payne, Nikolai (IA), Perez, Kimberly (TX), Phariss, Erik (CA), Phariss, Kenneth (CA), Phariss, Sacha (CA), Phariss, Susana (CA), Pierpont, Charles (IL), Pierpont, Daniel (IL), Pierpont, Hannah (IL), Pierpont, Heidi (IL), Pierpont, Holly (IL), Pierpont, Hope (IL), Pierpont, Ken (IL), Pierpont, Lois (IL), Pierpont, Wesley (IL), Povich, Jocelyn (MI), Powell, Jonathan (DC), Powell, Matthew (MI), Price, Alisa (TX) Protz, Annie (CA), Protz, Jane (CA), Pulliam, Christa (GA). Quinnett, Sara (TX). Ramsey, Jeffrey (OH), Ramsey, Jordan (OH), Randall, Erin (TX), Rasmussen, Courtney (CA), Rebelez, Jaimie (CA), Reidsema, Lennae (PA), Richmond, Kristen (OH), Riddell, Kelly (TX), Riddell, Tara (TX), Ritchie, Nathaniel (IN), Robertson, Adam (AL), Robertson, Anthony (AL), Robertson, Ashley (AL), Robertson, Linda (AL), Robertson, Michael (AL), Rodriguez, Cristina (IL), Rodriguez, Jordan (IL), Rodriguez, Joshua (IL), Rodriguez, Judah (IL), Rogers, Jonathan (LA), Ross, Ashely (CO), Ross, Charles (GA), Ross, Mary (GA), Ross, Melinda (MI), Ross, Rebecca (GA), Ross, Richie (CO), Ross, Robert (CO), Roth, Philip (WA), Rowland, Jaime (WA), Rudge, Bethany (TN). Sachse, Jennifer (MO), Sanborn, Chrissy (FL), Sanborn, Diane (FL), Sanders, Charity (AL), Sauer, Rebecca (TX), Scarborough, Amy (TX), Schweickert, Molly (CA), Seale, Susanna (TX), Sherrer, Katherine (NC), Sherwin, Todd (CO), Shinabarger, Rebekah (IN), Shipley, Daniel (IN), Shipley, Joshua (IN), Shipley, Paula (IN), Shoemaker, Gail (IN), Shoemaker, Kari (IN), Shoemaker, Woody (IN), Shrum, Samuel (MO), Simpson, Nichole (OH), Sirpless, Gina (MN), Smillie, Evan (IN), Souther, Jonathan (NC), Sowash, Jenna (MI), Stallings, Grayson (CO), Stallings, Preston (CO), Stearn, Elizabeth (IL), Stearn, Michelle (IL), Stewart, Andrew (OH), Stewart, Lucas (OH), Stonecypher, Caleb (IN), Stonecypher, Debra (IN), Stonecypher, Elizabeth (IN), Stonecypher, Esther (IN), Stonecypher, Leah (IN), Stonecypher, Maurice (IN), Strickler, Ruth (PA), Stutzman, Julie (OH), Sullivan, Andrei (NC), Sullivan, John David (NC), Sullivan, Roslyn (NC), Sullivan, Sarah (NC), Sullivan, Tom (NC), Sutton, Barbara (MT), Swicegood, Rebekah (AR). Taylor, Luisa (CA), Tijerina, Andrew (CO), Turner, Jane (GA), Turner, Terry (IL). Wahl, Isaiah (OR), Walding, Atalie (TX), Waller, Adam (WI), Waller, Brian (WI), Waller, David (WI), Waller, Derrick (WI), Waller, Rachelle (WI), Waller, Sarah (WI), Waller, Sue (WI), Walsh, Caleb (FL), Walsh, Candace (FL), Walsh, Catherine (FL), Walsh, Cathy (FL), Walsh, Daniel (FL), Walsh, Joshua (FL), Walsh, Pat (FL), Walsh, Ryan (FL), Waltman, Darleen (TX), Watkins, Elizabeth (CA), Welfel, Amanda (TX), Wenstrom, Angie (FL), Wenstrom, Brittany (FL), Wenstrom, Chris (FL), Wenstrom, James (FL), Wenstrom, Kimberly (FL), Wenstrom, Matthew (FL), Wenstrom, Michelle (FL), White, Elizabeth (FL), White, Michael (FL), Whitten, Manoah (IN), Whitten, Susannah (IN), Wilson, Joanna (WY), Wilson, Rachael (WY), Winkler, Kathryn (NY), Yates, Jared (FL), Yates, Kyle (FL). ____________________ HONORING PRIVATE LEWIS C. DOWDY FOR HIS SERVICE ______ HON. DAVID SCOTT of georgia in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize, Private Lewis C. Dowdy for his distinct and honorable service to our Country during the period July 10, 1943 through November 15, 1945. Private Dowdy, service number 34756030, served as a Rifleman while assigned to the 370th Regimental Combat Team of the famed 92nd Infantry Division of the United States Army. The 92nd Infantry Division (colored) was a unit of the United States Army in World War I and World War II and was nicknamed the ``Buffalo Soldiers Division.'' This Segregated unit was the only African American infantry division to see combat in Europe during World War II, as part of the 5th Army. Lewis C. Dowdy's unique service to our Nation is something that we should all be proud of, and reflects great honor upon himself, his family and the United States Army. Therefore, [[Page 9715]] I am extremely honored to enter his accomplishment into the Congressional Record for all to see and cherish. ____________________ PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE GREATER BINGHAMTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ______ HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY of new york in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. HINCHEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce of Broome County, New York, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. This Chamber is a truly dynamic organization that has shown a remarkable ability to grow, adapt, and succeed over the course of its one-hundred year history and it remains a driving force for economic growth. It gives me great pleasure to recognize the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce at its centennial anniversary. The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce serves a region with a rich history in industrial innovation and commerce, a history that stretches back to its founding father and namesake, the Englishman William Bingham, an eminent merchant and banker based in Philadelphia. By the time of the Chamber's establishment, Binghamton and Broome County had risen to become a national manufacturing and commercial force, producing everything from wagons and furniture to cigars and ``medicine.'' In the twentieth century, the region became known as the Valley of Innovation and produced industrial giants such as IBM, Link Aviation, and the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company. While these large employers contributed greatly to the growth and prosperity of the region, they were mostly memories by the dawn of the twenty-first century. The loss of certain large employers meant new challenges for Broome County and new opportunities for the local chamber of commerce. The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce has played an essential role in helping local businesses adapt to an ever-changing business climate. With nearly 1,000 members representing 50,000 employees, the Chamber boasts a broad and diverse membership that spans the entire county. The Chamber uses its influence wisely, successfully partnering with community leaders, playing a key role in developing and implementing strategies to grow the local economy, and always working to make Broome County a destination for people to live, work and raise families. The work of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce is an integral part of the region's history and an essential part of its future. I look forward to many more opportunities for partnering with this dynamic organization and celebrating the continuing success story that is the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce. ____________________ TRIBUTE TO MARGIE ORLAND, ON RECEIVING THE RABBI NORMAN F. FELDHEYM AWARD FOR LOYALTY AND SERVICE TO THE SYNAGOGUE AND COMMUNITY OF THE CONGREGATION EMANU EL ______ HON. JOE BACA of california in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, the Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym Award was established to pay tribute to those members of Congregation Emanu El, located in my home district of San Bernardino, California, who have conspicuously and exceptionally reflected Rabbi Feldheym's qualities of love for and loyalty to the synagogue, and service to the community. I stand here today to honor Margie Orland for receiving this distinguished award. Margie has been an extraordinarily devoted leader of Congregation Emanu El. She began her service as a member of the Congregation's Board of Directors in 1986, and since then she has served as Secretary, 2nd Vice-president, Vice-president, and from 2002-2004, as the President of the Congregation. She has been an inspirational leader of the Congregation, giving evidence of her deep love for Judaism, a strong participation in worship and education, and an exemplary commitment to Jewish values and their application in contemporary society. For over twenty years Margie has rendered extraordinary volunteer service to the congregation in a variety of ways including serving as chairperson of the first Mitzvah Day, her work on numerous raffles and commemorative journals, her work on the Purim Shalach Manot project, and co-chairing the Centennial Torah project. In addition to her dedicated involvement with Congregation Emanu EI, Margie has served give terms as president of the Redlands Jewish Club. She also has chaired the Redlands Home Discussion Series for over fifteen years and currently serves as president of Jewish Family Services of the Inland Communities. Margie has also been very active in the wider community of Southern California. She has been a long time supporter and volunteer at both the Girls and Boys Club of Redlands and the Loma Linda Children's Hospital. She also currently serves as president of Start Out Smart, a local literacy program aimed at parents-to-be. Margie and her husband, Burt, are proud parents of two sons, David and Michael, and grandparents of Tanner, Kaley, Jacob and Jared. She is known as a loving and dedicated friend to those throughout the Congregation. Madam Speaker, this year marks the 116th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation Emanu El. It is fitting, on such a momentous occasion, that we stand here today to honor Margie Orland, for outstanding service to her Congregation, her family, and her community. ____________________ TRIBUTE TO DETECTIVE LT. GIUSEPPE PETROSINO ______ HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY of new york in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and memory of Detective Lt. Giuseppe Petrosino. An immigrant from Padula, Salerno, Italy, Lt. Petrosino was the first Italian-American to be named detective in the New York Police Department. His contributions to the Police Force and to the worlds of criminal investigation and prevention are still honored by the governments of Italy and the United States. Lt. Petrosino is responsible for the creation of the Bomb Squad, the first unit of its kind in the United States. Additionally, he formed the Italian Branch, an elite corps of Italian-American police officers within the NYPD considered by many to be the world's first undercover police officers. Under Lt. Petrosino's guidance in the early 1900s, the Italian Branch arrested thousands of members of an Italian extortion racket referred to as the Black Hand, while simultaneously working to successfully reduce crimes committed against Italian Americans by nearly half. Not only was Lt. Petrosino the first Italian to earn the rank of Lieutenant in the United States, but he was also the first and only NYPD officer to receive funeral solemnities in both Italy and the United States. Over 25,000 mourners were in attendance for his services and President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed about his death, ``He was a just man, a worthy man, and a man to admire. I am grieved at the loss of a friend.'' We are forever indebted to the work and dedication of Detective Lt. Giuseppe Petrosino and his career remains a source of pride and inspiration for the Italian-American community that he was so committed to in New York City. It is with great honor and privilege today that I acknowledge the achievements of this hero, Lt. Giuseppe Petrosino. ____________________ PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. ED PERLMUTTER of colorado in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, due to a family obligation I missed the last 4 votes on Friday, April 20, 2007. I would have voted as follows: Putnam Amendment--``No''; Price Amendment--``No''; Motion to Recommit--``Nay''; Final Passage of H.R. 1257, Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act--``Aye.'' ____________________ IN RECOGNITION OF JESS ``POOCH'' BOWLING ______ HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA of california in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, it is with the greatest respect and sincerity that I rise [[Page 9716]] today to honor the late Mr. Jess Bowling. Known to many as ``Pooch,'' he was an endearing friend, a first-class sheriff, a well-beloved family man, and a respected member of our community in Merced County, California. At the age of 82, Jess Bowling passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. Jess Bowling was born in Binger, Oklahoma on August 23, 1924. He moved to Dos Palos, California at the age of 11 with his father and brother, where he attended school and later married Darlene Dorrell in 1945. He began his career in law enforcement in 1953, working for the Dos Palos Police Department. In 1956, he joined the Atwater Police Department until finally moving back to Merced in 1958 to work as a resident deputy for the Sheriff's Department on the Westside. He rose quickly through the ranks of the department and was promoted to sergeant-in-command of the new Los Banos sub-station in 1962. Eleven years later, Mr. Bowling was appointed undersheriff and in August of 1974, he was named acting sheriff. That year he was officially elected sheriff by the citizens of Merced County. As sheriff, Mr. Bowling was instrumental in the development of the department, including the creation of the department's corrections division and the hiring of its first female deputy. In addition, Mr. Bowling oversaw the creation of the county's first 24-hour patrol, organized a special narcotics investigation team, began a countywide crime prevention program, created the work furlough program for prisoners and significantly improved the jail communication system. Sadly, due to health reasons, Mr. Bowling retired from the Sheriff's Department in 1980. At the time of his death in 2007, Bowling was the oldest living Merced County sheriff. Mr. Bowling is survived by his daughter Shirley Foley of Los Banos, his brother Jack Bowling of Atwater, his three grandchildren Talisha Zorra of Los Banos, Aaron Crutcher of Anchorage, Alaska, and Lance Crutcher of Merced, and 15 great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to join the community of Dos Palos in recognizing Jess ``Pooch'' Bowling. Our community benefits greatly from the example he set throughout his lifetime of service as a sheriff who dedicated his life to his community and his family. ____________________ IN RECOGNITION OF WILLIAM G. WOOTEN ______ HON. BRAD ELLSWORTH of indiana in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important contributions of one of my constituents and friends, Dr. William Wooten. For nearly a decade, Dr. Wooten has been a leader in substance abuse prevention in the Evansville, Indiana community. While serving as the Medical Director of Addiction Services for the Mulberry Center in Evansville, Dr. Wooten saw an alarming number of young people with substance abuse problems. Inspired by a program in Little Rock, Arkansas, Wooten urged a community effort to combat this problem. In March of 1998, Wooten's organizing efforts culminated in Youth First, Inc., which focuses on prevention and early intervention approaches to reduce substance abuse. Under Wooten's leadership, the Youth First program has grown rapidly each year since its inception and this year will serve over 20,000 people. For all of his outstanding work, Dr. Wooten has been honored by such groups as Family Partnership Against Drugs, Boys and Girls Clubs of Evansville, The United Way and Rotary International. On April 19, 2007, he was presented with Leadership Evansville's 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award. I am proud to have this opportunity to honor Dr. Wooten for his distinguished service to the Evansville community. ____________________ ON HONORING OLLIE L. McCOY, VETERAN AND PUBLIC SERVANT, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY ______ HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH of kentucky in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to stand before you today to honor a fellow Louisville native; retiring Capitol Police Officer Ollie McCoy. Officer McCoy has devoted his career to public service. He served in the United States Army, Airborne Division, for 22 years, including three tours in Vietnam. As a Capitol Police Officer, he has helped protect our Nation's Capitol for 20 years, helping guard the Capitol during such crises as the Capitol shootings in 1998, the anthrax contamination of 2001 and the attacks of September 11th. Officer McCoy has dedicated most of his life to serving his country. He has demonstrated throughout his career the true meaning of heroism. I ask that you will all join me in giving him the recognition he deserves, and in wishing that his well-deserved retirement is long and fulfilling. On behalf of Kentucky's 3rd District, I thank you, Officer McCoy, for your dedication to our Nation. You have played a vital role in the safety and security of our country, and we are proud to call you one of our own. ____________________ CONGRATULATING THE GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIP ______ HON. VERNON J. EHLERS of michigan in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership's accomplishment in being named a Regional Center of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development by the United Nations. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the members of the Partnership. The Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership is an enterprise comprised of the City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College and 104 corporate or institutional members that strive to promote leadership in sustainable development in the West Michigan area. The recognition bestowed upon the Partnership by the United Nations has thrust Grand Rapids into the global spotlight as a community at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Grand Rapids is located at the Grand River watershed, Michigan's largest drainage basin, and the region is blessed with some of America's most beautiful and precious resources. The watershed drains directly into Lake Michigan, which provides drinking water for millions of people and serves as a source of fishing, recreation and transportation to the region's residents. The Great Lakes contain twenty percent of the world's fresh water supply, making them one of the world's most important natural resources. As Michigan's second largest city, Grand Rapids has dedicated itself to preserving the environment for future generations while promoting economic innovation and growth. The Partnership formed between public and private interests in Grand Rapids has worked together to educate the area's residents on sustainable development. It has played an important role in making sure that the region's economy and environment remain vibrant. The Regional Center of Expertise, among other things, will work to manage sustainable urban growth, conserve energy and water, improve the region's infrastructure, and educate the public on how best to conserve our treasured natural resources. To this degree, the Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership will ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a thriving community. Through the leadership of the Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership, Michigan remains a principal player in the conservation and protection of not only our economy, but also our environment. I have dedicated a major part of my life and career as a scientist and representative in local, State and Federal Government toward advancing these same goals of sustainable development and environmental stewardship, so I am especially proud of my hometown on this achievement. I commend the Partnership's activities to my colleagues in the House. ____________________ TRIBUTE TO DEBORAH COHN AND THE USPTO ______ HON. FRANK R. WOLF of virginia in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Deborah Cohn, deputy commissioner for Trademark Operations at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), for her leadership in promoting government telework. With her creativity and perseverance, Deborah Cohn pioneered the development of the USPTO's first telework program at a time when telework was far from the norm. [[Page 9717]] Convincing reluctant agency executives, Ms. Cohn forged coalitions with managers, IT personnel, and the employee union to create an innovative, award-winning telework program at the USPTO. This month, the Trademark Work at Home (TWAH) program celebrates its 10th anniversary. Established in 1997, TWAH began as a feasibility pilot of 18 teleworkers. Today, TWAH is the most innovative and progressive program in the entire Federal Government involving more than 220 employees, or 85 percent of eligible examining attorneys, who spend the vast majority of their workweek at home. The lesson learned from Hurricane Katrina is that governments and private sector businesses must continue to operate if our Nation is faced with similar disasters in the future. Telecommuting has proven benefits, not only for continuity of operations, but also energy savings, air quality, employee productivity, and employee cost savings. In short, telework is a winner all around. As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal Government should be the leader in telework policy. The USPTO is the gold standard for the Federal Government thanks to the efforts of my constituent, Deborah Cohn. Ms. Cohn began her career at the USPTO as a trademark examining attorney in 1983. In 2001, she joined the Senior Executive Service as a Trademark Group director. She became deputy commissioner for Trademark Operations in 2005 and currently oversees the examination and processing of applications throughout the trademark operation. Throughout her legal career at the USPTO, Ms. Cohn has been involved in work-life improvement initiatives. She is a former Council of Excellence in Government fellow where she first developed the seeds of the trademark work-at-home program. Ms. Cohn is a graduate of The American University and George Mason University School of Law. Ms. Cohn is a sought after resource and speaker as an expert on the development and management of telework programs. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Ms. Cohn's efforts in making the USPTO the most successful telework program within the Federal Government. I also ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Trademark Office's award-winning telework program. ____________________ TRIBUTE TO U.S. ARMY CAPTAIN JAMES A. MORIN ______ HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK of florida in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Change of Command of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, and the achievements of its outgoing Commander, Captain James A. Morin. In a ceremony tomorrow at Ft. Myer, Virginia, Captain Morin will pass the company's guidon to its new Commander, Captain Michael J. Shouse. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment is affectionately known as The Old Guard. It was created in 1784, and it is the Army's oldest active infantry regiment. It is also the lead Army unit for all ceremonial activities in and around the Nation's capital, and in many respects its members exemplify the best traditions of both the United States Army and of our Nation. Captain Morin was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served with distinction in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he earned several important awards and distinctions for his service. He joined the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment in 2004, and he has commanded the Headquarters and Headquarters Company since February, 2006. Captain Morin has said that, even as a young boy, he wanted to be a leader of men. He has certainly achieved that goal, with honor and distinction. We are fortunate to have men of his caliber serving our Nation. Madam Speaker, I know I speak for all my colleagues in congratulating Captain Michael J. Shouse on his new command, and in thanking Captain James A. Morin for a job well done. ____________________ TRIBUTE TO POPULATION RESOURCE CENTER PRESIDENT JANE DELUNG UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT ______ HON. DANNY K. DAVIS of illinois in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and a tremendous sense of appreciation that I rise to congratulate Ms. Jane DeLung on an outstanding career in research, planning and public advocacy. It has been a privilege to know Ms. DeLung since the late 1960s, when she was doing community health and family planning with the Chicago Department of Public Health, which was very exciting and meaningful work. She went on to become assistant commissioner, worked for the Federal Government, was vice president of the Illinois Family Planning Council and ultimately became president of the Population Resource Center where she served for 15 years. During her career, Ms. DeLung has developed effective approaches to bringing people together to raise issues, foster concepts and engineer advocacy action to advance causes and put ideas about advancing quality of life on broad scale agendas. Ms. DeLung has obviously obtained a wealth of personal experience to match her formal training, B.A. Emory University, M.A. Roosevelt University, and thousands of hours of workshops, seminars and field training. Madam Speaker, it has indeed been a pleasure to know and work with Ms. DeLung for all of these many years. She has been a most effective social planner, researcher, engineer and advocate. I commend and congratulate her, although she is retiring as President of PRC, I know that she will remain engaged. Best wishes and good luck. ____________________ IN MEMORIAM--PAUL LEVENTHAL ______ HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY of massachusetts in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. MARKEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and celebrate the life and work of Paul Leventhal. Paul was a giant in the debate on how to protect the United States and the world from the proliferation of nuclear technology. He encouraged us, he challenged us, and he empowered us to not back down in our continual struggle to free ourselves from the threat of nuclear weapons. And now, as that struggle continues, Paul will be sorely missed. Paul was a constant and tireless advocate for smart arms control and non-proliferation policies. He helped bring into being two of the most significant pieces of nuclear legislation of the atomic age, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978. To give you a sense of the significance of these laws, I want to tell a very short story about the concept of ``full-scope safeguards,'' of which Paul was an early advocate, and which became U.S. law under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act in 1978. ``Full-scope safeguards'' means that a country would need to have IAEA safeguards over all its nuclear facilities as a requirement for receiving any civilian U.S. nuclear commerce. It is a crucial requirement, and it was adopted in 1992 by the Nuclear Suppliers Group as not only a U.S. requirement but an international one. In July 2005, when President Bush announced that he wanted to blow a hole in US. non-proliferation laws to allow nuclear trade with India, what was stopping him? Paul Leventhal and the ``full-scope safeguards'' requirement. Not many people make such an impact on U.S. policy that it reverberates through three decades. But Paul did just that. I relied on Paul's encyclopedic knowledge for many years, as did my staff. He was an irreplaceable resource to me back in the mid-eighties, when we were fighting the Clinch River Breeder Reactor, and the Reagan Administration's plans to open the door to nuclear cooperation with the Peoples' Republic of China. He was also a driving force behind the effort Howard Wolpe and I undertook in the early nineties to strengthen U.S. nonproliferation law and close export control loopholes. He was tireless in his efforts to move the world away from the use of highly enriched uranium in research reactors and to promote the alternative of low-enriched uranium. On issue after issue, Paul was on the cutting edge of nuclear non-proliferation policy, pointing out flaws in proposed nuclear cooperation agreements with Japan and Euratom, pressing Congress to tighten loopholes in U.S. law, and searching for every conceivable procedural or legislative strategy that could be employed in the cause. While the void left by Paul's passing is large, and we will often wish that we had his wise counsel to guide us as we continue the fight, I'd like to think that as we do so Paul will be looking down on us and encouraging us in our efforts to fight for a world free from nuclear fear. [[Page 9718]] I honor Paul Leventhal today, and I pray that we will succeed in the struggle that he dedicated his life to--the fight to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. My prayers are with his wife, Sharon, and his two sons, Ted and Josh; and I would like to thank them for sharing Paul with us over the years. Madam Speaker, I submit Paul Leventhal's obituaries from New York Times and the Washington Post for the Record. [From the New York Times, Apr. 12, 2007] Paul Leventhal, Who Opposed Commercial Use of Nuclear Power, Dies at 69 (By Dennis Hevesi) Paul Leventhal, who as president of the small but influential Nuclear Control Institute was one of the most vocal opponents of expanding the commercial use of nuclear power, died Tuesday at his home in Chevy Chase, Md. He was 69. The cause was cancer, his son Ted said. Mr. Leventhal founded the Nuclear Control Institute in 1981, two years after becoming co-director of the United States Senate's bipartisan investigation of the Three Mile Island accident, the nation's most serious commercial reactor failure. Mr. Leventhal opposed commercial nuclear power not only because of the threat of a Chernobyl-like disaster but also because of its potential to ease the making of nuclear weapons. The construction of nuclear reactors in this country ceased for decades, though experts attribute this to cost more than to fears of proliferation. But Mr. Leventhal kept those fears on the front burner for 22 years as his institute's president and since 2002, when his title became founding president. He lobbied lawmakers, organized conferences and wrote op-ed articles about proliferation, nuclear terrorism and the use of commercial reactors to make tritium, an ingredient of nuclear bombs, a program that the federal Energy Department is now pursuing. He was particularly concerned about Iran, which he believed had a secret weapons program that would justify a harsh reaction, perhaps even military strikes. ``If you look at every nation that's recently gone nuclear, they've done it through the civilian nuclear cycle,'' Mr. Leventhal told The New York Times in 2004. Atoms for peace can be a ``shortcut to atoms for war,'' he added. ``It may take the unthinkable happening before the political process can screw up the courage to put an end to this ridiculously dangerous industry.'' Paul Lincoln Leventhal was born in Manhattan on Feb. 12 in 1938, a son of Jack and Helen Shapiro Leventhal. In addition to his son Ted, of Washington, he is survived by his wife of 39 years, the former Sharon Tanzer; another son, Josh, of Raleigh, N.C.; a brother, Warren, of Roslyn, N.Y.; and two grandchildren. Mr. Leventhal graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1959 and received a master's from the Columbia School of Journalism in 1960. He was a reporter for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and later The New York Post and Newsday. In 1969, Senator Jacob K. Javits, Republican of New York, hired him as his press secretary. Mr. Leventhal began concentrating on energy issues for Mr. Javits and, in 1979, was named staff director of the Senate's subcommittee on nuclear regulation and a director of the Three Mile Island investigation. [From the Washington Post, Apr. 14, 2007] Paul Leventhal; Led Nuclear Control Institute (By Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb) Paul Leventhal, 69, founder of the Nuclear Control Institute in Washington and an expert in nuclear proliferation issues, died April 10 at his home in Chevy Chase. He had melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Mr. Leventhal, a former newspaperman and congressional aide, launched his advocacy institute with a full-page ad in the New York Times on June 21, 1981, posing the question: ``Will Tomorrow's Terrorist Have an Atom Bomb?'' Since serving in the early 1970s as an aide on a Senate subcommittee chaired by Sen. Abraham Ribicoff (D-Conn.), Mr. Leventhal remained adamant about the dangers of nuclear terrorism and global commerce in plutonium--a key element used in nuclear weapons--and worked to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to nations or groups. On the subcommittee, Mr. Leventhal worked on a Nixon administration bill to reorganize the Atomic Energy Commission. He described work on the legislation as a ``baptism in fire'' that changed his life. Mr. Leventhal, who worked in the Senate from 1972 to 1981, was responsible for the investigations and legislation that resulted in passage of two landmark nuclear laws--the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, which split the Atomic Energy Commission into separate regulatory and promotional nuclear agencies, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978, which established stricter controls on U.S. nuclear trade. The non-proliferation act's requirement that countries accept international inspections on all their nuclear activities--``full-scope safeguards''--as a condition for receiving U.S. nuclear assistance eventually was adopted as an international norm by the multinational Nuclear Suppliers Group. Mr. Leventhal recognized the growth and threat of nuclear and bomb-grade materials, said lawyer Richard Wegman, who served as chief counsel for Ribicoffs committee with Mr. Leventhal and later as counsel for the Nuclear Control Institute. ``Paul was a truly remarkable individual, exceptionally dedicated to an exceptionally difficult cause,'' Wegman said. ``He was one of the first to work for full-scope safeguards. . . . He insisted on incorporating that concept in legislation.'' In 1979, Mr. Leventhal served as co-director of the bipartisan Senate investigation of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, and he prepared the ``lessons-learned'' legislation enacted in 1980 to require preventive measures and emergency planning. He said that work left him ``acutely aware of that ineffable combination of human fallibility and mechanical failure that makes nuclear plants vulnerable to accidents, and also sabotage.'' He lamented a few years ago that the flow of nuclear technology and materials from industrial countries to developing regions was continuing. ``As a result, there is now more plutonium in civilian hands than in all of the nuclear weapons in the world. And some of it has already been turned into bombs, as in India, Pakistan and North Korea, while others have used or are now using civilian nuclear programs as a cover for weapons programs,'' he said in a speech in 2001, adding that Iran and Iraq raised immediate concerns. Mr. Leventhal, born in Manhattan, graduated magna cum laude with a degree in history from Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania in 1959 and received a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1960. He spent 10 years as an investigative and political reporter at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the New York Post and Newsday, until deciding that he wanted to ``get inside of government and try to make it work.'' In 1969, he came to Washington as a press secretary to Sen. Jacob K. Javits (R-N.Y.), served in 1970 as campaign press secretary to Sen. Charles Goodell (R-N.Y.) and two years later was a congressional correspondent for the National Journal. From 1972 to 1976, he concentrated on nuclear weapons proliferation as a research fellow at Harvard University's Program for Science and International Affairs and as a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution. From 1979 to 1981, he was staff director of the Senate Nuclear Regulation Subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.). After starting the Nuclear Control Institute, Mr. Leventhal served as its president for 22 years, lectured in a number of countries, organized conferences and wrote op-ed articles and books on nuclear terrorism, averting a Latin American nuclear arms race, nuclear power and the spread of nuclear weapons. For the past several years, he directed the institute as a Web-based program that maintains a word-searchable electronic archive at www.nci.org: and a collection of institute and Senate papers spanning more than 30 years at the National Security Archive. Survivors include his wife, Sharon Tanzer Leventhal of Chevy Chase; two sons, Theodore Leventhal of Washington and Joshua Leventhal of Raleigh, N.C.; a brother; and two grandsons. ____________________ NINE WORLD WAR II HEROES RECEIVE LONG OVERDUE HONORS ______ HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG of florida in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, Tomorrow we will honor nine World War II U.S. Army Air Forces members here at the United States Capitol with Distinguished Flying Crosses for actions during a mission attacking oil refineries near Ploesti, Romania, more than 60 years ago. The nine heroic service members to be honored are 1LT James E. Jatho, 1LT Edward L. McNally, 2LT George N. Croft, 2LT Theodore D. Bell, TSGT. Jay T. Fish, TSGT. William A. Magill, SSGT Frank G. Celuck, SSGT Robert D. Speed, and SSGT Daniel P. Toomey. The nine medal recipients were members of a B-24 Liberator crew assigned to the 779th Bomb Squadron, 464th Bomber Group, 15th Air Force, who flew the mission July 15, 1944. The crew took off from Pantanella, Italy, to take part in what was to become the heaviest day of bombing of the oil refineries near Ploesti, Romania. Enroute to the target, the crew encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire, severely damaging the plane and causing the loss of one engine. Despite a damaged plane, pilots Jatho and Croft managed to hold the course. Navigator Bell successfully plotted the flight path while Engineer Fish powered the engines to reach the target. Gunners Celuck, Speed and [[Page 9719]] Toomey courageously manned their gun positions battling through to the target. In heavy smoke, Bombardier McNally armed each bomb and successfully released the payload over the Uniera Sperantza oil refinery. After dropping the payload, the crew's plane began losing speed and altitude and lost contact with the rest of their squadron. Over the Adriatic Sea, Radio Operator Magill was able to successfully dial in the Pantanella base homing signal while Engineer Fish got enough power from the remaining three engines in order for Navigator Bell and pilots Jatho and Croft to successfully guide the crew and damaged plane to their base at Pantanella without further damage to the plane or injuries to the crew. The next day, the crew took part in a raid on Weiner Neusdorf, Austria, during which their plane was shot down. TSgt Magill was killed in action and the rest of the crew was taken as prisoners of war for the remainder of World War II. Today we honor the three living members of the crew: 1LT Edward L. McNally of Stone Mountain, GA; TSgt Jay T. Fish of Englewood, FL; and SSgt Robert D. Speed of Mobile, AL. Six of the honorees will receive the medal posthumously, and be represented by family members. Receiving the award for 1LT James E. Jatho, his son, Mr. Jim Jatho of Augusta, GA; for 2LT Theodore D. Bell, his widow, Mrs. Jean Bell of Evanston, IL; for 2LT George N. Croft, his widow, Mrs. Lorraine Croft of Kenai, AK; for TSgt William A. Magill, his niece, Ms. Patricia Thornburg of Belleville, MI; for SSgt Frank G. Celuck, his daughter, Ms. Mary Ellen McConnell ofMonroeville, PA; for SSgt Daniel P. Toomey, his daughter, Ms. Eileen Gorman of Dedham, MA. Madam Speaker, Air Force Chief of Staff T. Michael Moseley will officiate today over the presentation of the Distinguished Flying Cross to these World War II heroes. Special words of thanks are due to General Moseley for his personal review of this matter over the past year since I first raised the story of this crew with him. He took a personal interest in this matter and he and his staff put in many long hours to document the story of this mission and verify the crew's eligibility for one of our Nation's highest military honors. Thank you, General Moseley, for allowing us to honor these nine brave men and express deep appreciation for their outstanding and selfless service to our country. The ceremony will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. in 2118 Rayburn House Office Building. All are welcome to come and say thank you to these men who sacrificed so much in the defense of freedom and liberty. ____________________ CONGRATULATING OFFICER OLLIE LEE McCOY OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE DEPARTMENT ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT ______ HON. JO BONNER of alabama in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure and personal pride that I rise today to honor Officer Ollie Lee McCoy on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Capitol Police Department. For the past 20 years, Officer McCoy has served those who work in the United States Capitol complex with a great deal of professionalism, enthusiasm and concern for their well-being. In the process of performing his professional duties, Officer McCoy has also gained the respect and admiration of not only this Member, but of all of my House colleagues, the thousands of staffers that work on the Hill, and the countless visitors who come to the Capitol complex each and every day. Madam Speaker, Officer McCoy is the epitome of a true professional. He stands at the front of a long line of dedicated men and women from all walks of life that represent the very best of the U.S. Congress. While the U.S. Capitol Police has, as its mission, to protect and support the Congress in meeting our Constitutional responsibilities, men like Officer McCoy have taken that mission a step further by always adhering to the highest standard and by always putting the good of others ahead of oneself. Without a doubt, one of the saddest days on Capitol Hill--certainly one of the saddest days during my time here on the Hill--was July 24, 1998, when Officers John Michael Gibson and Jacob Joseph Chestnut were fatally wounded at the memorial door of the Capitol. Following the shootings, Officer McCoy was assigned to be liaison to the Chestnut family, and he received a commendation award for his outstanding service. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Officer Ollie Lee McCoy for his tremendous contributions to the United States Capitol complex. The experience and zeal he has brought to his job--and the concern and compassion he has displayed for everyone whom he has encountered all these many years--are unquestioned and unparalleled. Officer McCoy has indeed been a genuine asset to the police department and to the thousands of men, women, and children he has assisted over the past two decades. Make no mistake, Officer McCoy's talents and experience in the department will be sorely missed. Along with his many friends and colleagues, I wish to extend to Officer McCoy and his family much health and happiness in the years ahead. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF THE TULSA-GREENWOOD RIOT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT ______ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the Tulsa- Greenwood Riot Accountability Act of 2007, along with Representative Nadler. This legislation will extend the statute of limitations to allow the survivors of the Tulsa-Greenwood Riot of 1921 to seek a determination on the merits of their civil rights and other claims against the perpetrators of the riot in a court of law. The Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, OK, was one of the Nation's most prosperous African-American communities entering the decade of the 1920s. Serving over 8,000 residents, the community boasted two newspapers, over a dozen churches, and hundreds of African-American owned businesses, with the commercial district known nationally as the ``Negro Wall Street.'' In May 1921, all that came to an end as 42 square blocks of the community were burned to the ground and up to 300 of its residents were killed by a racist mob. In the wake of the violence, the State and local governments quashed claims for redress and effectively erased the incident from official memory. The 1921 Tulsa race riot was one of the most destructive and costly attacks upon an American community in our Nation's history. However, no convictions were obtained for the incidents of murder, arson or larceny connected with the riot, and none of the more than 100 contemporaneously filed lawsuits by residents and property owners were successful in recovering damages from insurance companies to assist in the reconstruction of the community. The case of the Tulsa-Greenwood riot victims is worthy of congressional attention because substantial evidence suggests that governmental officials deputized and armed the mob and that the National Guard joined in the destruction. The report commissioned by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1997, and published in 2001, uncovered new information and detailed, for the first time, the extent of the involvement by the State and city government in prosecuting and erasing evidence of the riot. This new evidence was crucial for the formulation of a substantial case, but its timeliness raised issues at law, and resulted in a dismissal on statute of limitation grounds. In dismissing the survivors' claims, however, the court found that extraordinary circumstances might support extending the statute of limitations, but that Congress did not establish rules applicable to the case at bar. With this legislation, we have the opportunity to provide closure for a group of claimants--all over 90 years old--and the ability to close the book on a tragic chapter in history. Racism, and its violent manifestations, are part of this Nation's past that we cannot avoid. With the prosecution of historical civil rights claims, both civil and criminal, we encourage a process of truth and reconciliation which can heal historic wounds. In this case, the court took ``no great comfort'' in finding that there was no legal avenue through which the plaintiffs could bring their claims. The Tulsa-Greenwood Riot Accountability Act would simply give Tulsans and all Oklahomans, white and black, victims and non-victims, their day in court. Without that opportunity, we will all continue to be victims of our past. [[Page 9720]] ____________________ PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. JAMES T. WALSH of new york in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I was not able to participate in legislative duties last week as i was in my District taking care of family commitments. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended to H.R. 1677 Taxpayer Protection Act--Vote ``yea.'' On Motion to Suspend Rules and Agree to H. Res. 196 Supporting the Goals and Ideals of World Water Day--Vote ``yea.'' On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended to H. Con. Res. 100 Condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against the peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society--Vote ``yea.'' On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 273 Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month--Vote ``yea.'' On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Con. Res. 76 Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year and its past contributions to space research and looking forward to future accomplishments--Vote ``yea.'' On Passage of H.R. 195 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act-- Vote ``nay.'' On Passage of H.R. 1495 Water Resources Development Act--Vote ``yea.'' On Passage of H.R. 1257 Shareholder Votes on Executive Compensation Act--Vote ``yea.'' ____________________ HONORING CORPORAL JASON BEADLES OF LA PORTE, INDIANA ______ HON. JOE DONNELLY of indiana in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the sacrifice of Corporal Jason Beadles of La Porte, IN, who died on April 12, 2007, while proudly serving his Nation in Baghdad, Iraq. Jason risked everything in order to provide security and freedom to people halfway around the world. Jason loved Johnny Cash, and he loved country music. He loved taking his nieces and nephews swimming. He loved fooling around and playing games with his brothers and cousins in the backyard. He loved motorcycles, and hoped to eventually turn this passion into a career. In many ways Jason always was, as his parents described him to a local paper, a big child at heart. But Jason also loved his country. Moved by the horror of 9/11 and inspired by his father and grandfather, his brother and uncles, Jason joined the Army to serve his country. Where before there was the big child, now there was an honorable man. And as an honorable man, Jason braved the dangers of war. In braving those dangers, Jason knew that he might face a day when he was called upon to pay the highest price demanded of any patriot. To the sorrow of the Beadles family and Jason's many friends, Jason did pay that price less than two weeks ago. It is my sad duty to enter the name of Jason Beadles into the official record of the United States House of Representatives in honor of his service to this country and the ultimate price he paid. We honor him today as a true patriot, and a true hero. He served his country at war so that, as a great President once said, ``freedom might live, and grow and increase its blessings.'' May God grant peace to those who mourn and strength to those who continue to fight. And may God be with all of us, as I know he is with Jason. ____________________ COMMEMORATING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ______ HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO of massachusetts in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a people who despite murder, hardship, and betrayal have persevered. April 24, 2007, marks the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Throughout three decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, millions of Armenians were systematically uprooted from their homeland of 3,000 years and deported or massacred. From 1894 through 1896, three hundred thousand Armenians were ruthlessly murdered. Again in 1909, thirty thousand Armenians were massacred in Cilicia, and their villages were destroyed. On April 24, 1915, two hundred Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders were arbitrarily arrested, taken to Turkey and murdered. This incident marks a dark and solemn period in the history of the Armenian people. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire launched a systematic campaign to exterminate Armenians. In 8 short years, more than 1.5 million Armenians suffered through atrocities such as deportation, forced slavery and torture. Most were ultimately murdered. Many of our companions in the international community have already taken this final step. The European Parliament and the United Nations have recognized and reaffirmed the Armenian Genocide as historical fact, as have the Russian and Greek parliaments, the Canadian House of Commons, the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies and the French National Assembly. It is time for America to join the chorus and acknowledge the Armenians who suffered at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. And let me stress that I am not speaking of the government of modern day Turkey, but rather its predecessor, which many of Turkey's present day leaders helped to remove from power. As I have in the past, as a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues and with the Armenian-Americans in my district to promote investment and prosperity in Armenia. And, I sincerely hope that this year, the U.S. will have the opportunity and courage to speak in support of the millions of Armenians who suffered because of their heritage. ____________________ EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH ______ HON. SILVESTRE REYES of texas in the house of representatives Monday, April 23, 2007 Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, April is National Minority Health Month. Its goal is to foster awareness of minority health issues, and spur dialogue and solutions toward ensuring that minorities are not disproportionately vulnerable to illness, disease and premature death. In the U.S., Hispanics, African-Americans and Asian Pacific Islanders have significant healthcare needs. These groups suffer from high levels of poverty and disease, including diabetes, heart disease, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and cancer. Large numbers of minorities are also uninsured or under-insured. In a world where we have shortages of nurses, doctors, and other health practitioners, with respect to minority health in particular, there is no shortage of need. To meet these challenges, the health concerns of particular minority groups must be addressed, and this must be achieved as we better our healthcare system. I am a strong supporter of the healthcare providers and research institutions in my district of El Paso, TX, such as Texas Tech University, the University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Community College, the Border Health Institute (BHI), Pan American Health Organization, La Fe, Project Vida, Project Arriba, Fort Bliss, area hospitals and clinics, and individual doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. I believe we must make every effort to create solid foundations for healthcare in our communities. National Minority Health Month is a vitally important time for millions of Americans. In honor of National Minority Health Month, I urge my colleagues in Congress to support initiatives designed to effectively reduce minority health disparities. With respect to minority health, though there may be no shortage of need, we must assure there is also no shortage of resources to address the disparity, and eventually close the gap. [[Page 9721]] ____________________ SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, agreed to by the Senate on February 4, 1977, calls for establishment of a system for a computerized schedule of all meetings and hearings of Senate committees, subcommittees, joint committees, and committees of conference. This title requires all such committees to notify the Office of the Senate Daily Digest--designated by the Rules Committee--of the time, place, and purpose of the meetings, when scheduled, and any cancellations or changes in the meetings as they occur. As an additional procedure along with the computerization of this information, the Office of the Senate Daily Digest will prepare this information for printing in the Extensions of Remarks section of the Congressional Record on Monday and Wednesday of each week. Meetings scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, 2007 may be found in the Daily Digest of today's Record. MEETINGS SCHEDULED APRIL 25 9:30 a.m. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry To hold hearings to examine challenges and opportunities facing American agricultural producers, focusing on farm programs and the commodity title of the farm bill. SD-106 10 a.m. Armed Services Airland Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine whether the Army is properly sized, organized, and equipped to respond to the most likely missions over the next two decades while retaining adequate capability to respond to all contingencies along the spectrum of combat in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2008 and the Future Years Defense Program. SR-222 Environment and Public Works Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee To hold an oversight hearing to examine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. SD-406 Judiciary Business meeting to consider S. 376, to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, S. 119, to prohibit profiteering and fraud relating to military action, relief, and reconstruction efforts, S. 1079, to establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, S. 735, to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the terrorist hoax statute, H.R. 740, to amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent caller ID spoofing, S. 221, to amend title 9, United States Code, to provide for greater fairness in the arbitration process relating to livestock and poultry contracts, S. 495, to prevent and mitigate identity theft, to ensure privacy, to provide notice of security breaches, and to enhance criminal penalties, law enforcement assistance, and other protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information, S. 239, to require Federal agencies, and persons engaged in interstate commerce, in possession of data containing sensitive personally identifiable information, to disclose any breach of such information, S. 879, to amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal, S. Res. 125, designating May 18, 2007, as ``Endangered Species Day'', and encouraging the people of the United States to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide, S. Res. 116, designating May 2007 as ``National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month'' and supporting efforts to increase awareness of autoimmune diseases and increase funding for autoimmune disease research, S. Res. 146, designating June 20, 2007, as ``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States, S. Res. 162, commemorating and acknowledging the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women who have lost their lives while serving as law enforcement officers, and the nominations of Robert Gideon Howard, Jr., to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Frederick J. Kapala, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, and Benjamin Hale Settle, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington, John Roberts Hackman, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia, Department of Justice, and possible authorization of subpoenas in the connection with investigation into replacement of U.S. attorneys. SD-226 10:30 a.m Appropriations Defense Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Missile Defense Agency. SD-192 2 p.m. Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine language and cultural awareness capabilities for the Department of Defense. SR-325 Veterans' Affairs To hold an oversight hearing to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs, focusing on mental health issues. SR-418 2:30 p.m. Commerce, Science, and Transportation Business meeting to consider pending calendar business. SR-253 Energy and Natural Resources Water and Power Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine S. 324, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the State of New Mexico, S. 542, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies to address certain water shortages within the Snake, Boise, and Payette River systems in the State of Idaho, S. 752, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the implementation of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Species in the Central and Lower Platte River Basin and to modify the Pathfinder Dam and Reservoir, S. 1037, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to assist in the planning, design, and construction of the Tumalo Irrigation District Water Conservation Project in Deschutes County, Oregon, S. 1116 and H.R. 902, bills to facilitate the use for irrigation and other purposes of water produced in connection with development of energy resources, S. 175, to provide for a feasibility study of alternatives to augment the water supplies of the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District and cities served by the District, S. 1112 and H.R. 235, bills to allow for the renegotiation of the payment schedule of contracts between the Secretary of the Interior and the Redwood Valley County Water District. SD-366 3:30 p.m. Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine Department of Energy atomic energy defense programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2008. SR-232A APRIL 26 9:30 a.m. Armed Services To hold hearings to receive testimony on legal issues regarding individuals detained by the Department of Defense as unlawful enemy combatants. SH-216 10 a.m. Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. SD-192 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine the effectiveness of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). SD-628 Indian Affairs To hold hearings to examine S. 462, to approve the settlement of the water rights claims of the Shoshone- Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada, to require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the settlement. SR-485 Commerce, Science, and Transportation Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine clean coal technology. SR-253 Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. SD-124 [[Page 9722]] 1 p.m. Finance Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine coal, focusing on a clean future. SD-215 2:30 p.m. Energy and Natural Resources National Parks Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine S. 312 and H.R. 497, bills to authorize the Marion Park Project and Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion, S. 169, to amend the National Trails System Act to clarify Federal authority relating to land acquisition from willing sellers for the majority of the trails in the System, S. 580, to amend the National Trails System Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to update the feasibility and suitability studies of four national historic trails, S. 686, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historical Trail, S. 722, to direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to jointly conduct a study of certain land adjacent to the Walnut Canyon National Monument in the State of Arizona, S. 783, to adjust the boundary of the Barataria Preserve Unit of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in the State of Louisiana, S. 890, to provide for certain administrative and support services for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, and H.R. 1047, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum located in St. Louis, Missouri, as a unit of the National Park System. SD-336 Intelligence Closed business meeting to consider pending intelligence matters. SH-219 3 p.m. Armed Services Airland Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine Air Force and aviation programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2008 and the Future Years Defense Program. SR-232A APRIL 30 2:30 p.m. Commerce, Science, and Transportation Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine Halliburton and United States business ties to Iran. SR-253 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine the Federal government's role in empowering Americans to make informed financial decisions. SD-342 MAY 1 10 a.m. Commerce, Science, and Transportation Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine improving air service to small and rural communities. SR-253 Judiciary To hold hearings to examine process patents. SD-226 2 p.m. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry To hold hearings to examine conservation policy recommendations for the farm bill. SR-328A 2:30 p.m. Energy and Natural Resources Energy Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine S. 129, to study and promote the use of energy-efficient computer servers in the United States, S. 838, to authorize funding for eligible joint ventures between United States and Israeli businesses and academic persons, to establish the International Energy Advisory Board, H.R. 85, to provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies, and H.R. 1126, to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. SD-366 Commerce, Science, and Transportation Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine Electronic On-Board Recorders (EOBR's) and truck driver fatigue reduction. SR-253 MAY 2 10 a.m. Commerce, Science, and Transportation Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine United States trade relations with China. SR-253 Judiciary Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine strengthening the security of international travel documents, focusing on interrupting terrorist travel. SD-226 2:30 p.m. Energy and Natural Resources Water and Power Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine S. 27, to authorize the implementation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement. SD-366 MAY 3 2:30 p.m. Commerce, Science, and Transportation To hold hearings to examine pending nominations. SR-253 Energy and Natural Resources Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine S. 390, to direct the exchange of certain land in Grand, San Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah, S. 647, to designate certain land in the State of Oregon as wilderness, S. 1139, to establish the National Landscape Conservation System, H.R. 276, to designate the Piedras Blancas Light Station and the surrounding public land as an Outstanding Natural Area to be administered as a part of the National Landscape Conservation System, and for other purposes, H.R. 356, to remove certain restrictions on the Mammoth Community Water District's ability to use certain property acquired by that District from the United States, S. 205, to grant rights-of-way for electric transmission lines over certain Native allotments in the State of Alaska, and H.R. 865, to grant rights-of-way for electric transmission lines over certain Native allotments in the State of Alaska. SD-366 9:30 p.m. Indian Affairs To hold hearings to examine S. 310, a bill to express the policy of the United States regarding the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians and to provide a process for the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity. SR-485 MAY 9 9:30 a.m. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry To hold hearings to examine farm bill policy proposals relating to farm and energy issues and rural development. SR-328A Veterans' Affairs To hold hearings on benefits legislation. SD-562 MAY 16 10 a.m. Veterans' Affairs To hold hearings to examine the nomination of Michael K. Kussman, of Massachusetts, to be Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs. SD-562 MAY 17 10 a.m. Commerce, Science, and Transportation Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine rail safety reauthorization. SR-253 MAY 23 9:30 a.m. Veterans' Affairs To hold hearings on health legislation. SD-562 POSTPONEMENTS APRIL 25 2 p.m. Judiciary To hold hearings to examine rising crime in the United States, focusing on the Federal role in helping communities prevent and respond to violent crime. SD-226 [[Page 9723]] APRIL 26 2:30 p.m. Commerce, Science, and Transportation Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) safety. SR-253