[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Issue]
[Pages 24272-24437]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[[Page 24272]]
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES--Thursday, November 20, 2008
The House met at 10 a.m. and was called to order by the Speaker pro
tempore (Mr. McNulty).
____________________
DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Speaker:
Washington, DC,
November 20, 2008.
I hereby appoint the Honorable Michael R. McNulty to act as
Speaker pro tempore on this day.
Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
____________________
PRAYER
The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following
prayer:
Lord God, in You is light and salvation. Because You have compassion
on our darkness, we always live with expectations of a new day. Be
ever-present and shed Your light upon the Members of Congress.
When confronted by the complexity of problems to be addressed, grant
single-mindedness and focus on justice. When confused by many voices of
concern and advice, let the truth of Your Word be heard. When aware of
limitations and the passing of time, provide patience and understanding
of others and the ability to seize the present moment to accomplish
Your holy will. For You are ever-faithful, God with us, now and
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 his approval thereof.
Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
____________________
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta)
come forward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. LATTA 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.
____________________
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
A message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced
that the Senate has passed without amendment a bill of the House of the
following title:
H.R. 2040. An act to require the Secretary of the Treasury
to mint coins in commemoration of the semicentennial of the
enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The message also announced that the Senate agrees to the amendments
of the House to the bill (S. 1193) ``An Act to direct the Secretary of
the Interior to take into trust 2 parcels of Federal land for the
benefit of certain Indian Pueblos in the State of New Mexico.''
The message also announced that pursuant to provisions of Public Law
110-343, the Chair, on behalf of the Republican Leader, appoints the
following individual as a member of the Congressional Oversight Panel:
The Senator from New Hampshire (Mr. Gregg).
____________________
REAPPOINTMENT AS MEMBER TO UNITED STATES--CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY
REVIEW COMMISSION
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 1238(b)(3) of the Floyd
D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (22
U.S.C. 7002), amended by division P of the Consolidated Appropriations
Resolution, 2003 (22 U.S.C. 6901), and the order of the House of
January 4, 2007, the Chair announces the Speaker's reappointment of the
following member on the part of the House to the United States-China
Economic and Security Review Commission, effective January 1, 2009:
Mr. Michael Wessel, Falls Church, Virginia.
____________________
COMMUNICATION FROM THE HONORABLE RAY LaHOOD, MEMBER OF CONGRESS
The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Honorable Ray LaHood, Member of Congress:
November 19, 2008.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington,
DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: This is to formally notify you,
pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, that my office has been served with a
criminal trial subpoena for documents issued by the U.S.
District Court for the Central District of Illinois. This
relates to a constituent matter. Two of my district offices
have casework files that are relevant to the investigation
and charges filed.
After consulting with the Office of General Counsel, I have
determined that compliance with the subpoena is consistent
with the privileges and rights of the House.
Sincerely,
Ray LaHood,
Member of Congress.
____________________
RECESS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the
Chair declares the House in recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 5 minutes a.m.), the House stood in
recess subject to the call of the Chair.
____________________
{time} 1500
AFTER RECESS
The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore (Mrs. Boyda of Kansas) at 3 p.m.
____________________
COMMUNICATION FROM THE REPUBLICAN LEADER
The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Honorable John A. Boehner, Republican Leader:
Congress of the United States,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, November 19, 2008.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker, U.S. Capitol,
Washington, DC.
Dear Speaker Pelosi: Pursuant to Section 125(c)(1) of the
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343),
I am pleased to appoint the Honorable Jeb Hensarling of Texas
to the Congressional Oversight Panel.
Mr. Hensarling has expressed interest in serving in this
capacity and I am pleased to fulfill his request.
Sincerely,
John A. Boehner,
Republican Leader.
____________________
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution
440, 110th Congress, I move that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 3 o'clock and 2 minutes
p.m.), the House adjourned until Saturday, January 3, 2009, at 11 a.m.
____________________
OATH FOR ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
Under clause 13 of rule XXIII, the following Members executed the
oath for access to classified information:
[[Page 24273]]
Neil Abercrombie, Gary L. Ackerman, Robert B. Aderholt, W.
Todd Akin, Rodney Alexander, Thomas H. Allen, Jason Altmire,
Robert E. Andrews, Michael A. Arcuri, Joe Baca, Michele
Bachmann, Spencer Bachus, Brian Baird, Richard H. Baker,
Tammy Baldwin, J. Gresham Barrett, John Barrow, Roscoe G.
Bartlett, Joe Barton, Melissa L. Bean, Xavier Becerra,
Shelley Berkley, Howard L. Berman, Marion Berry, Judy
Biggert, Brian P. Bilbray, Gus M. Bilirakis, Rob Bishop,
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Timothy H. Bishop, Marsha Blackburn,
Earl Blumenauer, Roy Blunt, John A. Boehner, Jo Bonner, Mary
Bono, John Boozman, Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Dan Boren, Leonard
L. Boswell, Rick Boucher, Charles W. Boustany, Jr., Allen
Boyd, Nancy E. Boyda, Kevin Brady, Robert A. Brady, Bruce L.
Braley, Paul C. Broun, Corrine Brown, Henry E. Brown, Jr.,
Ginny Brown-Waite, Vern Buchanan, Michael C. Burgess, Dan
Burton, G.K. Butterfield, Steve Buyer, Ken Calvert, Dave
Camp, John Campbell, Chris Cannon, Eric Cantor, Shelley Moore
Capito, Lois Capps, Michael E. Capuano, Dennis A. Cardoza,
Russ Carnahan, Christopher P. Carney, Andre Carson, Julia
Carson, John R. Carter, Michael N. Castle, Kathy Castor,
Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr., Steve Chabot, Ben Chandler, Travis
W. Childers, Donna M. Christensen, Yvette D. Clarke, Wm. Lacy
Clay, Emanuel Cleaver, James E. Clyburn, Howard Coble, Steve
Cohen, Tom Cole, K. Michael Conaway, John Conyers, Jr., Jim
Cooper, Jim Costa, Jerry F. Costello, Joe Courtney, Robert E.
(Bud) Cramer, Jr., Ander Crenshaw, Joseph Crowley, Barbara
Cubin, Henry Cuellar, John Abney Culberson, Elijah E.
Cummings, Artur Davis, Danny K. Davis, David Davis, Geoff
Davis, Jo Ann Davis, Lincoln Davis, Susan A. Davis, Tom
Davis, Nathan Deal, Peter A. DeFazio, Diana DeGette, William
D. Delahunt, Rosa L. DeLauro, Charles W. Dent, Lincoln Diaz-
Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart, Norman D. Dicks, John D. Dingell,
Lloyd Doggett, Joe Donnelly, John T. Doolittle, Michael F.
Doyle, Thelma D. Drake, David Dreier, John J. Duncan, Jr.,
Chet Edwards, Donna F. Edwards, Vernon J. Ehlers, Keith
Ellison, Brad Ellsworth, Rahm Emanuel, Jo Ann Emerson, Eliot
L. Engel, Phil English, Anna G. Eshoo, Bob Etheridge, Terry
Everett, Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, Mary Fallin, Sam Farr, Chaka
Fattah, Tom Feeney, Mike Ferguson, Bob Filner, Jeff Flake, J.
Randy Forbes, Jeff Fortenberry, Luis G. Fortuno, Vito
Fossella, Bill Foster, Virginia Foxx, Barney Frank, Trent
Franks, Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, Marcia L. Fudge, Elton
Gallegly, Scott Garrett, Jim Gerlach, Gabrielle Giffords,
Wayne T. Gilchrest, Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Paul E. Gillmor,
Phil Gingrey, Louie Gohmert, Charles A. Gonzalez, Virgil H.
Goode, Jr., Bob Goodlatte, Bart Gordon, Kay Granger, Sam
Graves, Al Green, Gene Green, Raul M. Grijalva, Luis V.
Gutierrez, John J. Hall, Ralph M. Hall, Phil Hare, Jane
Harman, J. Dennis Hastert, Alcee L. Hastings, Doc Hastings,
Robin Hayes, Dean Heller, Jeb Hensarling, Wally Herger,
Stephanie Herseth, Brian Higgins, Baron P. Hill, Maurice D.
Hinchey, Ruben Hinojosa, Mazie K. Hirono, David L. Hobson,
Paul W. Hodes, Peter Hoekstra, Tim Holden, Rush D. Holt,
Michael M. Honda, Darlene Hooley, Steny H. Hoyer, Kenny C.
Hulshof, Duncan Hunter, Bob Inglis, Jay Inslee, Steve Israel,
Darrell E. Issa, Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Sheila Jackson-Lee,
William J. Jefferson, Bobby Jindal, Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., Sam Johnson, Timothy V.
Johnson, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Walter B. Jones, Jim Jordan,
Steve Kagen, Paul E. Kanjorski, Marcy Kaptur, Ric Keller,
Patrick J. Kennedy, Dale E. Kildee, Carolyn C. Kilpatrick,
Ron Kind, Peter T. King, Steve King, Jack Kingston, Mark
Steven Kirk, Ron Klein, John Kline, Joe Knollenberg, John R.
``Randy'' Kuhl, Jr., Ray LaHood, Doug Lamborn, Nick Lampson,
James R. Langevin, Tom Lantos, Rick Larsen, John B. Larson,
Tom Latham, Steven C. LaTourette, Robert E. Latta, Barbara
Lee, Sander M. Levin, Jerry Lewis, John Lewis, Ron Lewis,
John Linder, Daniel Lipinski, Frank A. LoBiondo, David
Loebsack, Zoe Lofgren, Nita M. Lowey, Frank D. Lucas, Daniel
E. Lungren, Stephen F. Lynch, Carolyn McCarthy, Kevin
McCarthy, Michael T. McCaul, Betty McCollum, Thaddeus G.
McCotter, Jim McCrery, James P. McGovern, Patrick T. McHenry,
John M. McHugh, Mike McIntyre, Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Jerry McNerney, Michael R. McNulty,
Connie Mack, Tim Mahoney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Donald A.
Manzullo, Kenny Marchant, Edward J. Markey, Jim Marshall, Jim
Matheson, Doris O. Matsui, Martin T. Meehan, Kendrick B.
Meek, Gregory W. Meeks, Charlie Melancon, John L. Mica,
Michael H. Michaud, Juanita Millender-McDonald, Brad Miller,
Candice S. Miller, Gary G. Miller, George Miller, Jeff
Miller, Harry E. Mitchell, Alan B. Mollohan, Dennis Moore,
Gwen Moore, James P. Moran, Jerry Moran, Christopher S.
Murphy, Patrick J. Murphy, Tim Murphy, John P. Murtha,
Marilyn N. Musgrave, Sue Wilkins Myrick, Jerrold Nadler,
Grace F. Napolitano, Richard E. Neal, Randy Neugebauer,
Eleanor Holmes Norton, Charlie Norwood, Devin Nunes, James L.
Oberstar, David R. Obey, John W. Olver, Solomon P. Ortiz,
Frank Pallone, Jr., Bill Pascrell, Jr., Ed Pastor, Ron Paul,
Donald M. Payne, Stevan Pearce, Nancy Pelosi, Mike Pence, Ed
Perlmutter, Collin C. Peterson, John E. Peterson, Thomas E.
Petri, Charles W. ``Chip'' Pickering, Joseph R. Pitts, Todd
Russell Platts, Ted Poe, Earl Pomeroy, Jon C. Porter, David
E. Price, Tom Price, Deborah Pryce, Adam H. Putnam, George
Radanovich, Nick J. Rahall II, Jim Ramstad, Charles B.
Rangel, Ralph Regula, Dennis R. Rehberg, David G. Reichert,
Rick Renzi, Silvestre Reyes, Thomas M. Reynolds, Laura
Richardson, Ciro D. Rodriguez, Harold Rogers, Mike Rogers,
Mike Rogers, Dana Rohrabacher, Peter J. Roskam, Ileana Ros-
Lehtinen, Mike Ross, Steven R. Rothman, Lucille Roybal-
Allard, Edward R. Royce, C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Bobby L.
Rush, Paul Ryan, Tim Ryan, John T. Salazar, Bill Sali, Linda
T. Sanchez, Loretta Sanchez, John P. Sarbanes, Jim Saxton,
Steve Scalise, Janice D. Schakowsky, Adam B. Schiff, Jean
Schmidt, Allyson Y. Schwartz, David Scott, Robert C.
``Bobby'' Scott, F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Jose E.
Serrano, Pete Sessions, Joe Sestak, John B. Shadegg,
Christopher Shays, Carol Shea-Porter, Brad Sherman, John
Shimkus, Heath Shuler, Bill Shuster, Michael K. Simpson,
Albio Sires, Ike Skelton, Louise McIntosh Slaughter, Adam
Smith, Adrian Smith, Christopher H. Smith, Lamar Smith, Vic
Snyder, Hilda L. Solis, Mark E. Souder, Zachary T. Space,
John M. Spratt, Jr., Jackie Speier, Cliff Stearns, Bart
Stupak, John Sullivan, Betty Sutton, Thomas G. Tancredo, John
S. Tanner, Ellen O. Tauscher, Gene Taylor, Lee Terry, Bennie
G. Thompson, Mike Thompson, Mac Thornberry, Todd Tiahrt,
Patrick J. Tiberi, John F. Tierney, Edolphus Towns, Niki
Tsongas, Michael R. Turner, Mark Udall, Tom Udall, Fred
Upton, Chris Van Hollen, Nydia M. Velazquez, Peter J.
Visclosky, Tim Walberg, Greg Walden, James T. Walsh, Timothy
J. Walz, Zach Wamp, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Maxine Waters,
Diane E. Watson, Melvin L. Watt, Henry A. Waxman, Anthony D.
Weiner, Peter Welch, Dave Weldon, Jerry Weller, Lynn A.
Westmoreland, Robert Wexler, Ed Whitfield, Roger F. Wicker,
Charles A. Wilson, Heather Wilson, Joe Wilson, Robert J.
Wittman, Frank R. Wolf, Lynn C. Woolsey, David Wu, Albert
Russell Wynn, John A. Yarmuth, C.W. Bill Young, Don Young.
____________________
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.
Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive communications were taken from
the Speaker's table and referred as follows:
9390. A letter from the Administrator, Department
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--Beef
Promotion and Research; Reapportionment [Doc. No.: LS-07-
0141] received November 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agriculture.
9391. A letter from the Regulatory Contact, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--Swine
Contractors (RIN: 0580-AB01) received October 20, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Agriculture.
9392. A letter from the Congressional Review Coordinator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Special Need Requests Under the Plant Protection
Act [Docket No.: APHIS-2005-0103] (RIN: 0579-AB98) received
October 23, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
9393. A letter from the Congressional Review Coordinator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Trichinae Certification Program [Docket No.
APHIS-2006-0089] (RIN: 0579-AB92) received October 20, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Agriculture.
9394. A letter from the Congressional Review Coordinator,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison; Satte and Zone
Designations; Minnesota [Docket No.: APHIS-2008-0117] October
20, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Agriculture.
9395. A letter from the Administrator, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Walnuts Grown in California; Increased Assesment Rate [Docket
No.: AMS-FV-08-0054; FV08-984-1 FR] received November 7,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Agriculture.
9396. A letter from the Administrator, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--
National Organic Program (NOP), Sunset Review (2008) [Docket
Number: AMS-TM-07-0124; TM-07-12FR] (RIN: 0581-AC76) received
November 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
9397. A letter from the Administrator, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting the Department's final rule--Dairy
Forward Pricing Program [Docket No.: AMS-DA-08-0031; DA-08-
05] (RIN: 0581-AC86) received November 7, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agriculture.
9398. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Tetraconazole; Pesticide Tolerances
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1161; FRL-8386-7]
[[Page 24274]]
received November 10, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agriculture.
9399. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--MCPB; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-
2007-0945; FRL-8387-1] received November 10, 2008, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agriculture.
9400. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Inert Ingredient: Exemption from the
Requirement of a Tolerance for (S,S)-
Ethylenediaminedisuccinic Acid [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0250; FRL-
8362-4] received November 10, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agriculture.
9401. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Avermectin; Pesticide Tolerances for
Emergency Exemptions [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0175; FRL-8387-8]
received November 10, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agriculture.
9402. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Thiencarbazone-methyl; Pesticide
Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0132; FRL-8382-7] received
October 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
9403. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Pesticide Tolerance Nomenclature
Changes; Technical Amendments [EPA-HQ-OPP-2002- 0043 FRL-
8376-1] received October 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agriculture.
9404. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Cyprosulfamide; Pesticide Tolerances
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0042; FRL-8377-4] received October 7, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Agriculture.
9405. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Pyrimethanil; Pesticide Tolerances [EPA-
HQ-OPP-2008-0609; FRL-8384-7] received October 23, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Agriculture.
9406. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Pesticide Management and Disposal;
Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment [EPA-HQ-
OPP-2005-0327; FRL-8387-2] (RIN: A2070-AJ37) received October
23, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Agriculture.
9407. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Silane, trimethoxy[3- (oxiranylmethoxy)
propyl]--, hydrolysis products with silica; Tolerance
Exemption [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0571; FRL-8386-1] received
November 5, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
9408. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Carbaryl; Order Denying NRDC's Petition
to Revoke Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0347; FRL-8388-1]
received October 23, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Agriculture.
9409. A letter from the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Farm Credit Administration, transmitting the
Administration's final rule--Definitions; Disclosure to
Shareholders; Accounting and Reporting Requirements;
Disclosure and Accounting Requirements (RIN: 3052-AC35)
received November 5, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Agriculture.
9410. A letter from the Chairman, National Labor Relations
Board, transmitting a report of a violation of the
Antideficiency Act by the National Labor Relations Board,
pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1351; to the Committee on
Appropriations.
9411. A letter from the Under Secretary for Acquisition,
Technology and Logistics, Department of Defense, transmitting
a review of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH)
program, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2433; to the Committee on
Armed Services.
9412. A letter from the Deputy Under Secretary Acquisition
and Technology, Department of Defense, transmitting a
prototype inventory list of activities performed, pursuant to
10 U.S.C. 2330a, section 807; to the Committee on Armed
Services.
9413. A letter from the Chief Counsel, FEMA, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Final Flood Elevation Determinations--received October 16,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Financial Services.
9414. A letter from the Chief Counsel, FEMA, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Suspension of Community Eligibility [Docket No.: FEMA-8043]
received October 16, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Financial Services.
9415. A letter from the Associate General Counsel for
Legislation and Regulations, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, transmitting the Department's final rule--Public
Housing Operating Fund Program; Increased Terms of Energy
Performance Contracts [Docket Number: FR-5057-I-01] (RIN:
2577-AC66) received November 5, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Financial Services.
9416. A letter from the Legal Information Assistant,
Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Optional Charter Provisions in Mutual Holding
Company Structures [No.: OTS-2008-0005] (RIN: 1550-[AC15])
received October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Financial Services.
9417. A letter from the Director, Office of Legal Affairs,
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, transmitting the
Corporation's final rule--Depoist Insurance Regulations;
Revocable Trust Accounts (RIN: 3064-AD33) received October
24, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Financial Services.
9418. A letter from the General Counsel, National Credit
Union Administration, transmitting the Administration's final
rule--The Official Advertising Statement (RIN: 3133-AD45)
received October 24, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Financial Services.
9419. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Education,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Title III of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as
amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB).--
received October 24, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Education and Labor.
9420. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Education,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Federal Perkins
Loan Program, Federal Family Education Loan Program, and
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program [Docket ID ED-
2008-OPE-0009] (RIN: 1840-AC94) received October 24, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Education and Labor.
9421. A letter from the Regulatory and Policy Specialist,
Department of the Interior, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Homeliving Programs (RIN: 1076-AE51) received
October 9, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Education and Labor.
9422. A letter from the Chairman, Occupational Safety and
Health Review Commission, transmitting a decision to adopt
and fully follow the advisory guidelines for addressing
conduct inconsistent with Antidiscrimination and
Whistleblower Protection Laws; to the Committee on Education
and Labor.
9423. A letter from the Deputy Director for Operations,
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, transmitting the
Corporation's final rule--Benefits Payable in Terminated
Single-Employer Plans; Allocation of Assets in Single-
Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and Paying
Benefits--received November 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Education and Labor.
9424. A letter from the Director, Office of Civilian
Radioactive Waste Management, Department of Energy,
transmitting the Office's report entitled, ``2007 Annual
Report to Congress,'' pursuant to Public Law 97-245, section
304(c); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9425. A letter from the Program Manager, Department of
Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's
final rule--National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program:
Removal of Separate Category for Vaccines Containing Live,
Oral, Rhesus-Based Rotavirus From the Vaccine Injury Table
(RIN: 0906-AA55) received October 10, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9426. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Health and
Human Services, transmitting the Department's Report to
Congress on Thefts, Losses, or Releases of Select Agents or
Toxins for CY 2007, pursuant to Public Law 107-188; to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9427. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Stay of the Effectiveness of
Requirements for Air Emission Testing Bodies [EPA-HQ-OAR-
2008-0800; FRL 8737-5] (RIN: 2060-AP39) received October 30,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
9428. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Outer Continental Shelf Air Regulations
Updated to Include New Jersey State Requirements [EPA-R02-
OAR-2008-0308; FRL-8731-2] received October 30, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
9429. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Navajo Nation; Underground
[[Page 24275]]
Injection Control (UIC) Program; Primary Approval [EPA-R09-
OW-2007-0248; FRL-8734-5] received October 30, 2008, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
9430. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Virginia; Emission Reduction from Large
Stationary Internal Combustion Engines and Large Cement Kilns
[EPA-R03-OAR-2007-0382 EPA-R03-OAR-2008-0113; FRL-8735-6]
received October 30, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9431. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Stay of Effectiveness of Control Measure
Regulating Dust Emissions at the Four Corners Power Plant;
Navajo Nation [EPA-R09-OAR-2006-0184; FRL-8739-7] received
November 10, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9432. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Virginia; Major New Source Review for
Nonattainment Areas [EPA-R03-OAR-2007-0522; FRL-8731-8]
received October 21, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9433. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Completeness Findings for Section 110(a)
State Implementation Plans Pertaining to the Fine Particulate
Matter (PM2.5) NAAQS [EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0452; FRL-8728-3]
received October 21, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9434. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--National Ambient Air Quality Standards
for Lead [EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0735; FRL-8732-9] (RIN: 2060-AN83)
received October 21, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9435. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Extension of Cross-Media Electronic
Reporting Rule Deadline for Authorized Programs [EPA-HQ-OEI-
2003-0001; FRL-8730-8] (RIN: 2025-AA23) received October 14,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
9436. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Revisions to the Nevada State
Implementation Plan; Clark County [EPA-R09-OAR-2008-0728;
FRL-8729-1], pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9437. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Designation of Areas for Air Quality
Planning Purposes; State of California; PM-10; Revision of
Designation; Redesignation of the San Joaquin Valley Air
Basin PM-10 Nonattainment Area to Attainment; Approval of PM-
10 Maintenance Plan for the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin;
Approval of Commitments for the East Kern PM-10 Nonattainment
Area [EPA-R09-OAR-2008 -030; FRL-8724-7] received November 5,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
9438. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Illinois; CILCO (AmerenEnergy) Edwards
[EPA-R05-OAR-2004-IL-0003; FRL-8730-4] received November 5,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
9439. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Delaware; Control of Stationary
Combustion Turbine Electric Generating Unit Emissions [EPA-
R03-OAR-2008-0068; FRL-8738-3] received November 5, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
9440. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Hazardous Waste Management Systems;
Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste; Final
Exclusion [EPA-R06-RCRA-2008-0418; SW-FRL-8727-8] received
October 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9441. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Designation of Areas for Air Quality
Planning Purposes; State of California; PM-10; Revision of
Designation; Redesignation of the San Joaquin Valley Air
Basin PM-10 Nonattainment Area to Attainment; Approval of PM-
10 Maintenance Plan for the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin;
Approval of Commitments for the East Kern PM-10 Nonattainment
Area [EPA-R09-OAR-2008- 0306; FRL-8724-7] received October 7,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
9442. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Alabama: Approval of Revisions to the
Visible Emissions Rule [EPA-R04-OAR-2005-AL- 0007-00819; FRL-
8727-7] received October 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9443. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Texas: Final Authorization of State-
initiated Changes and Incorporation by Reference of State
Hazardous Waste Management Program [EPA-R06-RCRA-2008-0144
FRL-8727-3] received October 23, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9444. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--New Mexico: Incorporation by Reference
of Approved State Hazardous Waste Management Program [EPA-
R06-RCRA-2008-0753; FRL-8729-6] received October 23, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
9445. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Revisions to the Definition of Solid
Waste [EPA-HQ-RCRA-2002-0031; FRL-8728-9] (RIN: 2050-AG31)
received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9446. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Significant New Use Rules on Certain
Chemical Substances [EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0251; FRL-8371-3] (RIN:
2070-AB27) received November 5, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9447. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--NESHAP: National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Standards for Hazardous Waste
Combustors: Reconsideration [EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0022; FRL-8733-
1] (RIN: 2050-AG35) received October 21, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9448. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Virginia; Virginia Major New Source
Review, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) [EPA-
R03-OAR0-2007-0521; FRL-8731-9] received October 21, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
9449. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--National Volatile Organic Compound
Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings [EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-
0971; FRL-8738-7] (RIN: 2060-AP33) received November 5, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
9450. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes
in Montana; Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program;
Primacy Approval and Minor Revisions [EPA-R08-OW-2007-0153;
FRL-8733-4] received October 22, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9451. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Emergency Planning and Community Right-
to-Know Act; Amendments to Emergency Planning and
Notification; Emergency Release Notification and Hazardous
Chemical Reporting. [EPA-HQ-SFUND-1998-0002; FRL-8733-5]
(RIN: 2050-AE17) received October 22, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9452. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Minnesota: Final Authorization of State
Hazardous Waste Management Program Revision [FRL-8733-7]
received October 22, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9453. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Revisions to the California State
Implementation Plan, San Diego Air Pollution Control
District, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District,
and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District
[[Page 24276]]
[EPA-R09-OAR-2006-0869, FRL-8721-7] received October 22,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
9454. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements for
Volatile Organic Compounds and Nitrogen Oxides [EPA-R03-OAR-
2006-0379; FRL-8732-3] received October 21, 2008, pursuant to
5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
9455. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Virginia; Movement of Richmond and
Hampton Roads 8-Hour Ozone Areas from the Nonattainment Area
List to the Maintenance Area List [EPA-R03-OAR-2008-0656;
FRL-8735-4] received October 23, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9456. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Illinois [EPA-R05-OAR-2008-0198; FRL-
8722-9] received October 23, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9457. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; West Virginia; Revised Motor Vehicle
Emission Budgets for the Parkersburg 8-Hour Ozone Maintenance
Area [EPA-R03-OAR-2008- 0746 FRL-8735-7] received October 23,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
9458. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Texas; Texas Low-Emission Diesel Fuel
Program [EPA-R06-OAR-2006-0665; FRL-8733-8] received October
22, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce.
9459. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Control of Hazardous Air Pollutants From
Mobile Sources: Early Credit Technology Requirement Revision
[EPA-HQ-2005-0036; FRL-8729-7] (RIN: 2060-A089) received
October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9460. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Alaska; Interstate Transport of
Pollution [EPA-R10-OAR-2008-0166; FRL-8728-1] received
October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9461. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Wisconsin; Approval of Rule
Clarifications [EPA-R05-OAR-2008-0389; FRL-8711-3] received
October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9462. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality
Implementation Plans; Texas; Dallas/Fort Worth 1-Hour Ozone
Nonattainment Area; Determination of Attainment of the 1-Hour
Standard [EPA-R06-OAR-2008-0420; FRL-8730-3] received October
14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce.
9463. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Announcement of the Delegation of
Partial Administrative Authority for Implementation of
Federal Implementation Plan for the Coeur d' Alene
Reservation to the Couer d'Alene Tribe. [EPA-R10-OAR-2008-
0498 FRL-8729-3] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9464. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans; Florida; Removal of Gasoline Vapor
Recovery from Southeast Florida Areas; Withdrawal of Direct
Final Rule [EPA-R04-OAR-2007-0836- 200739(w); FRL-8734-3]
received October 22, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9465. A letter from the Legal Advisor, Office of the Bureau
Chief, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of Part
90 of the Commission's Rules To Provide for Flexible Use of
the 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz Band Allotted to the Business
and Industrial Land Transportation Pool Improving Public
Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band Consolidating the
800 MHz and 900 MHz Industrial/Land Transportation and
Business Pool Channels [WT Docket No. 05-62 WT Docket No. 02-
55] received November 18, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9466. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of An Inquiry Into the
Commission's Policies and Rules Regarding AM Radio Service
Directional Antenna Preformance Verification [MM Docket No.:
93-177] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9467. A letter from the Deputy, Chief Financial Officer,
OMD, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Assessment and
Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2008 [MD Docket
No.: 08-65 RM-11312] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9468. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Wittenberg, Wisconsin) [MB Docket No.:
08-136 RM-11468] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9469. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations, (Vanderbilt, Michigan) [MB Docket No.:
08-204 RM-11492] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9470. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Greenville, North Carolina) [MB Docket
No.: 08-133 RM-1165] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9471. A letter from the Cheif of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Carriage of Digital
Television Broadcast Signals: Amendment to Part 76 of the
Commission's Rules [CS Docket No.: 98-120] received October
14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce.
9472. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Shreveport, Louisiana) [MB Docket No.:
08-118 RM-11455] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9473. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Longview, Texas) [MB Docket No.: 08-112
RM-11456] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9474. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Salt Lake City, Utah) [MB Docket No.:
08-144 RM-11472] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9475. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Freeport, Illinois) [MB Docket No.: 08-
135 RM-11467] received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9476. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast
Stations. (LaGrande and Prairie City, Oregon) [MB Docket No.
08-67 RM-11426] received November 18, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9477. A letter from the International Bureau Legal Advisor,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of 2000 Biennial
Regulatory Review--Streamlining and Other Revisions of Part
25 of the Commission's Rules Governing the Licensing of, and
Spectrum Usage by, Satellite Network
[[Page 24277]]
Earth Stations and Space Stations Streamlining the
Commission's Rules and Regulations for Satellite Applications
and Licensing Procedures [IB Docket No. 00-248 IB Docket No.
95-117] received November 18, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9478. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Hendersonville, Tennessee) [MB Docket
No. 08-128 RM-11460] received November 18, 2008, pursuant to
5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
9479. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast
Stations. (Linden, Tennessee) [MB Docket No. 07-280 RM-11379]
received November 18, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9480. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (La Grande, Oregon) [MB Docket No. 08-121
RM-11449] received November 18, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9481. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Honolulu and Waimanalo, Hawaii) [MB
Docket No. 08-98 RM-11435] received November 18, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
9482. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Fort Worth, Texas) [MB Docket No.: 08-
148 RM-11474] received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9483. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Honolulu, Hawaii) [MB Docket No.: 08-155
RM-11479] received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9484. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations. (Bainbridge, Georgia) [MB Docket No.: 08-
139 RM-11469] received 29, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9485. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast
Stations. (Butte Falls and Netarts, Oregon) [MB Docket No.:
07-210 RM-11399] received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9486. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.202(b), FM Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast
Stations. (Tecopa, California) [MB Docket No. 07-226 RM-
11406] received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9487. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Amendment of Section 73.202(b),
Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast Stations. (Waldport,
Dallas, and Monmouth, Oregon) [MB Docket No.: 07-124 RM-
11378] received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9488. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.202(b) Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast Stations.
(Elko, Nevada) [MB Docket No.: 07-281 RM-11408] received
October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9489. A letter from the Cheif of Staff, Media Buraeu,
Federal Communications Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--In the Matter of Amendment of
Section 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast
Stations. (Antlers and Hugo, Oklahoma, and Hico, Texas) [MB
Docket No.: 07-182 RM-11393 MB Docket No.: 07-194 RM-11397]
received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9490. A letter from the Deputy Chief, CGB, Federal
Communications Commission, transmitting the Commission's
final rule--In the Matter of Rules and Regulations
Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991
Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005 [CG Docket No.: 02-278 CG
Docket No.: 05-338] received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9491. A letter from the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, transmitting the Commission's final rule--
Revisions to Forms, Statements and Reporting Requirements for
Electric Utilities and Licensees [Docket No. RM08-5-000;
Order No. 715] received October 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9492. A letter from the General Counsel, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, transmitting the Commission's final
rule--Electronic Tariff Filings [Docket No.: RM01-5-000;
Order No. 714] received October 16, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9493. A letter from the General Counsel, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, transmitting the Commission's final
rule--Mandatory Reliability Standard for Nuclear Plant
Interface Coordination [Docket No.: RM08-3-000; Order No.
716] received October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9494. A letter from the Secretary, Federal Trade
Commission, transmitting a report regarding the accuracy of
the do not call registry; to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
9495. A letter from the Director, Office of Congressional
Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--Protection of Safeguards Information
[NRC-2005-0001] (RIN: 3150-AH57) received October 21, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
9496. A letter from the Director, Office of Congressional
Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, transmitting the
Commission's final rule--List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage
Casks: NAC-UMS Revision 5 [NRC-2008-0438] (RIN: 3150-A148)
received November 5, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
9497. A letter from the Assistant Secretary For Export
Administration, Department of Commerce, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Conforming Changes to Certain End-
User/End-Use Based Controls in the EAR; Clarification of the
Term ``Transfer'' and Related Terms as Used in the EAR
[Docket No. 080220216-81424-03] (RIN: 0694-AD59) received
November 18, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
9498. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Legislative
Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a report and
justification pursuant to Section 650(d) of the Department of
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2008, as carried forward under the
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008; to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
9499. A letter from the White House Liaison, Department of
Education, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
9500. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, transmitting the Fiscal Year 2008
Performance and Accountability reports for the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing
Administration, and the Government National Mortgage
Association; to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform.
9501. A letter from the Secretary, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's FY 2008
Performance and Accountability Report; to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
9502. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Veterans
Affairs, transmitting a letter of notification for arrival of
the Department's FY 2008 Performance and Accountability
Report; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
9503. A letter from the Administrator, Environmental
Protection Agency, transmitting the Office of Inspector
General's Semiannual Report to Congress, pursuant to Public
Law 95-452; to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform.
9504. A letter from the Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, transmitting notification that the Corporation
has taken and will complete steps to follow the No FEAR
Guidelines, pursuant to the Notification and Federal
Employees Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002; to
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
9505. A letter from the Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, transmitting in accordance with Pub. L. 105-270,
the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998 (FAIR
Act), the Commission's inventory of commercial activities for
fiscal year 2008; to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform.
9506. A letter from the Chairman, Holocaust Memorial
Museum, transmitting the Museums's FY 2008 Report on Audit
and Investigative Activities, pursuant to the Inspector
General Act of 1978; to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform.
[[Page 24278]]
9507. A letter from the Archivist of the United States,
National Archives and Records Administration, transmitting
the Administration's annual Performance and Accountability
Report for Fiscal Year 2008; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
9508. A letter from the General Counsel, National Credit
Union Administration, transmitting the Administration's final
rule--Revisions for the Freedom of Information Act and
Privacy Act Regulations (RIN: 3133-AD44) received November 5,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
9509. A letter from the Director, Office of Management and
Budget, transmitting a report entitled, ``Statistical
Programs of the United States Government: Fiscal Year 2009,''
pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3504(e)(2); to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
9510. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Persinnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Disabled Veterans Documentation (RIN: 3206-AL29) received
October 10, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
9511. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowance Rates; Alaska (RIN:
3206-AL37) received October 30, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform.
9512. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Reemployment Rights (RIN: 3206-AI19) received October 30,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
9513. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Repayment of Student Loans (RIN: 3206-AK51) received October
30, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform.
9514. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Veterans' Preference (RIN: 3206-AL33) received October 30,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
9515. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Suitability (RIN: 3206-AL38) received November 12, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
9516. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Time-in-Grade Rule Eliminated (RIN: 3206-AL18) received
November 12, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
9517. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Prevailing Rate Systems; Change in Nonappropriated Fund
Federal Wage System Survey Schedule from Fiscal Year to
Calendar Year (RIN: 3206-AL63) received November 12, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
9518. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Changes in Pay Administration Rules for General Schedule
Employees (RIN: 3206-AK88) received November 12, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
9519. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Prevailing Rate Systems; Abolishment of Santa Clara,
California, as a Nonappropriated Fund Federal Wage System
Wage Area (RIN 3206-AL74) received November 7, 2008, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform.
9520. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting the Office's final rule--
Emergency Leave Transfer Program (RIN: 3206-AL26) received
November 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
9521. A letter from the Chairman, Securities and Exchange
Commission, transmitting in accordance with Pub. L. 105-270,
the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998 (FAIR
Act), the Commission's inventory of commerical activities for
fiscal year 2008; to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform.
9522. A letter from the Acting General Counsel, Department
of the Interior, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Minimum Internal Control Standards for Class II Gaming (RIN:
3141-AA37) received November 5, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources.
9523. A letter from the General Counsel, Department of the
Interior, transmitting the Department's final rule--Technical
Standards for Electronic, Computer, or Other Technologic Aids
Used in the Play of Class II Games (RIN: 3141-AA29) received
November 5, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Natural Resources.
9524. A letter from the Acting Division Chief, Regulatory
Affairs, BLM, Department of the Interior, transmitting the
Department's ``Major'' final rule--Oil Shale Management--
General (RIN: 1004-AD90) received November 18, 2008, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural
Resources.
9525. A letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Migratory Bird
Permits; Changes in the Regulations Governing Falconry [FWS-
R9-MB-2008-0039] [91200-1231-9BPP] (RIN: 1018-AG11) received
October 8, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Natural Resources.
9526. A letter from the Chief, Branch of Listing,
Department of the Interior, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants;
Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Wintering
Population of the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) in North
Carolina [FWS-RS-ES-2008-0041 92210-1117-000-B4] (RIN: 1018-
AU48) received October 20, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Natural Resources.
9527. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Health and
Human Services, transmitting a petition, pursuant to the
Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
Act of 2000; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
9528. A letter from the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Department of Justice, transmitting the Department's
report on the security of Assistant United States Attorneys
and other federal attorneys, pursuant to Public Law 110-177;
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
9529. A letter from the Director, Department of Justice,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Procedures for
Completing Uniform Forms of Trustee Final Reports in Cases
Filed Under Chapter 7, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code
[Docket No.: EOUST 101] (RIN: 1105-AB29) received October 9,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
the Judiciary.
9530. A letter from the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney
General, Department of Justice, transmitting copy of the
Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) International Terrorism
Victim Expense Reimbursement (ITVERP) Report to Congress
2008, pursuant to Section 1404C of the Victims of Crime Act
of 1984; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
9531. A letter from the Secretary, Federal Trade
Commission, transmitting the Commission's Thirtieth Annual
Report to Congress pursuant to section 201 of the Hart -
Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, pursuant to
15 U.S.C. 18a(j); to the Committee on the Judiciary.
9532. A letter from the Administrator, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting notification that funding
under Title V, subsection 503(b)(3) of the Robert T .
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as
amended, has exceeded $5 million for the cost of response and
recovery efforts for FEMA-3291-EM in the State of
Mississippi, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5193; to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9533. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH Model
MBB-BK 117C-2 Helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2008-0042;
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-26-AD; Amendment 39-15614; AD
2008-15-02] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 9, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9534. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica
S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135BJ Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-
2008-0416; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-297-AD; Amendment
39-15656; AD 2008-17-18] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 9,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9535. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 and -300
Series Airplanes Equipped with Rolls-Royce Model RB211-TRENT
800 Series Engines [Docket No. FAA-2008-0967; Directorate
Identifier 2008-NM-152-AD; Amendment 39-15671; AD 2008-19-04]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 9, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9536. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and
0100 Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2008-0676; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NM-280-AD; Amendment 39-15676; AD 2008-19-09]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9537. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Engine Components, Inc. (ECi)
Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Assemblies [Docket No. FAA-
2008-0052; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-01-AD; Amendment
39-15672;
[[Page 24279]]
AD 2008-19-05] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 9, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9538. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; EADS SOCATA Model TBM 700 Airplanes
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0748 Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-041-
AD; Amendment 39-15677; AD 2008-19-10] (RIN: 2120-AA64)
received October 9, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9539. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileria de Aeronautice
S.A. (EMBRAER) Model ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 Airplanes [Docket
No. FAA-2008-0361; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-279-AD;
Amendment 39-15681; AD 2008-20-02] (RIN: 2120-AA64) October
27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9540. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and
Mark 0100 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0675; Directorate
2007-NM-192-AD; Amendment 39-15682; AD 2008-20-03] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9541. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400, DHC-8-
401, and DHC-8-402 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0730;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-055-AD; Amendment 39-15674; AD
2008-19-07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 27, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9542. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Lockheed Model 382, 382B, 382E,
382F, and 382G Series Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2008-0638;
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-035-AD; Amendment 39, 15680;
AD 2008-20-01] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 27, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9543. A letter from the Regulatory Ombudsman, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Hours of Service of Drivers [Docket No. FMCSA-2004-19608]
(RIN: 2126-AB14) received November 19, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9544. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums
and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
[Docket No. 30620; Amdt. No. 3280] received October 27, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9545. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B,
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D,
and 747SR Series Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2007-29227;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-100-AD; Amendment 39-15664; AD
2008-18-07] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 27, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9546. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
(Jetstream) Model 4101 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0644;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-321-AD; Amendment 39-15659; AD
2008-18-02] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 27, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9547. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc.
TFE731-4, -4R, -5, -5AR, -5BR, and -5R Series Turbofan
Engines [Docket No. FAA-2008-0264; Directorate Identifier
2008-NE-07-AD; Amendment 39-15679; AD 2008-19-12] (RIN: 2120-
AA64) received October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9548. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica
S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 Airplanes, and Model EMB-145, -
145ER, -145MR, -145LR, 145XR, -145MP, and -145EP Airplanes
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0642; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
039-AD; Amendment 39-15643; AD 2008-17-05] (RIN: 2120-AA64)
received October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9549. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Dallas, GA. [Docket No.
FAA-2008-1084; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASO-17] received
October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9550. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Morehead, KY. [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0809; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASO-13] received
October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9551. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Modification of Class E Airspace; Roanoke, VA [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0417; Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-20] received
October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9552. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Lexington, OK [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0003; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-1] received October
27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9553. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Black River Falls, WI [Docket
No. FAA-2008-0024; Airspace Docket No. 08-AGL-4] received
October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9554. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Modification of Class D Airspace; MacDill AFB, FL [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0983; Airspace Docket No. 08-AS0-14] received
October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9555. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airspace Designations; Incorporation by Reference [Docket No.
29334; Amendment No. 71-40] received October 27, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9556. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Butler, PA. Removal of Class E
Airspace; East Butler, PA. [Docket No. FAA-2008-0836;
Airspace Docket No. 08-AEA-23] received October 27, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9557. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Establishment of Class D Airspace; Victoria, TX [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0434; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-6] received October
27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9558. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Plains, TX [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0683; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-11] received
October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9559. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Amendment to Class E Airspace; Windsor Locks, Bradley
International Airport, CT [Docket No. FAA-2008-0817; Airspace
Docket No. 08-ANE-101] received October 27, 2008, pursuant to
5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9560. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Removal of Class E Airspace; Chicago, IL [Docket No. FAA-
2008-0666; Airspace Docket No. 08-AGL-6] received October 27,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9561. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; British Aerospace Regional Aircraft
Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200 and 3101,
and Jetstream Model 3201 Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0369;
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-015-AD; Amendment 39-15545; AD
2008-12-02] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 9, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9562. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000EX and
900EX Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0301; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NM-284-AD; Amendment 39-15559; AD 2008-12-15]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 9, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9563. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000EX
Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0294; Directorate Identifier
2007-NM-288-AD; Amendment 39-15558; AD 2008-12-14] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received October 9, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
[[Page 24280]]
9564. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Models DHC-6-1,
DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, and DHC-6-300 Airplanes [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0368 Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-007-AD;
Amendment 39-15532; AD 2008-11-10] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received
October 9, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9565. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PC-6 Series
Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2008-0493 Directorate Identifier
2008-CE-028-AD; Amendment 39-15581; AD 2008-13-18] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received October 9, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9566. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Establishment of Class D Airspace; Albuquerque, NM [Docket
No. FAA-2007-0915; Airspace Docket No. 07-ASW-13] received
October 9, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9567. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Indianapolis, IN [Docket No.
FAA-2008-0163; Airspace Docket No. 08-AGL-2] received October
9, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9568. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10,
DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series Airplanes,
Equipped with a Tail Cone Evacuation Slide Container
Installed in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) ST735SO [Docket No. FAA-2007-28881; Directorate
Identifier 2006-NM-263-AD; Amendment 39-15663; AD 2008-18-06]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9569. A letter from the Trail Attorney, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brake System [Docket No.:
FRA-2006-26175, Notice No. 4] (RIN:2130-AB84) received
November 7, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9570. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Flight Simulation Training Device Initial and Continuing
Qualification and Use [Docket No.: FAA-2002-12461; Amendment
No.: 60-3] (RIN: 2120-AJ12) received October 16, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9571. A letter from the Staff Assistant, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Seating Systems,
Occupant Crash Portection, Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages,
School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection [Docket
No.: NHTSA-2008-0163] (RIN: 2127-AK09) received November 7,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9572. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transpotation, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211 Series
Turbofan Engines [Docket No. FAA-2007-0078; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NE-40-AD; Amendment 39-15683; AD 2008-20-04]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received October 27, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
9573. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Revised National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Permit Regulation and Effluent Limitations
Guidelines for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in
Response to the Waterkeeper Decision [EPA-HQ-OW-2005-0037;
FRL-8738-9] (RIN: 2040-AE80) received November 5, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
9574. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule--Withdrawal of the Federal Water Quality
Standards Use Designations for Soda Creek and Portions of
Canyon Creek, South Fork Couer d'Alene River, and Blackfoot
River in Idaho [EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0495; FRL-8737-9] received
November 5, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
9575. A letter from the General Counsel, Small Business
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final
rule--The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract
Assistance Procedures (RIN: 3245-AF40) received November 5,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Small Business.
9576. A letter from the Director of Regulations Management,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Increase in Rates Payable Under the Montgomery GI
Bill-Active Duty and Other Miscellaneous Issues (RIN: 2900-
AM45) received November 5, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
9577. A letter from the Director of Regulations Management,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Elimination of Co-payment for Weight Management
Counseling (RIN: 2900-AM59) received November 5, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
9578. A letter from the Acting Director, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting a report entitled,
``Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government--Fiscal
Year 2007''; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
9579. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Department of Treasury, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Proposed Amendments to Qualified
Intermediary Withholding Agreement--received October 21,
2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Ways and Means.
9580. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Department of Treasury, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Section 382 Treatment Interests in a
Loss Corporation Acquired by the Federal Government Pursuant
to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 received
October 21, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
9581. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Qualifying Advanced Coal Project
Program--received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.
9582. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Extension of Effective Date of
Normal Retirement Age Regulations for Governmental Plans--
received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
to the Committee on Ways and Means.
9583. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Qualifying Gasification Project
Program--received October 14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.
9584. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the
Department's final rule--2008 Base Peroid T-Bill Rate--
received November 12, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.
9585. A letter from the Branch Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule--Charitable Contributions of Inventory
Property under 170(e)(3) [Notice 2008-90] received October
14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Ways and Means.
9586. A letter from the Chief, Publications and Regulations
Branch, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's
final rule--Update of Weighted Average Interest Rates, Yield
Curves, and Segment Rates [Notice 2008-93] received October
14, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Ways and Means.
9587. A letter from the Chief, Publications and Regulations
Branch, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's
final rule--Insurance Dedicated Money Market funds [Notice
2008-92]--received October 10, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.
9588. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule--Election Involving the Repeal of the
Bonding Requirement Under 42(j)(6)--received October 8, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways
and Means.
9589. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule--2008 Marginal Production Rates [Notice
2008-89] received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.
9590. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule--2008 Section 43 Inflation Adjustment
[Notice 2008-72] received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.
9591. A letter from the Chief, Publications and Regulations
Branch, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the Service's
final rule--2009 Limitations Adjusted As Provided in Section
415(d), etc. [Notice 2008-102] received October 27, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways
and Means.
9592. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule--Final Rules for Group Health Plans and
Health Insurance Issuers Under the Newborns' and Mother's
Health Protection Act [TD 9427] (RIN: 1545-BG82) received
October 21, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
9593. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service,
[[Page 24281]]
transmitting the Service's final rule--Election to Expense
Certain Refineries [TD 9412] (RIN: 1545-BF06) received
November 12, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
9594. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule--Information Reporting on Employer-Owned
Life Insurance Contracts [TD 9431] (RIN: 1545-BG58) received
November 12, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
9595. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule--Section 1367 Regarding Open Account
Debt [TD 9428] (RIN: 1545-BD72) received October 21, 2008,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways
and Means.
9596. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule--Treatment of Payments in Lieu of Taxes
Under Section 141 [TD 9429] (RIN: 1545-BF87) received October
22, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Ways and Means.
9597. A letter from the SSA Regulations Officer, Deputy
Director, Office of Regulations, Social Security
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final
rule--Technical Amendments to Definition of Persons Closely
Approaching Retirement Age [Docket Number: SSA-2008-0031]
(RIN: 0960-AG68) received October 29, 2008, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.
9598. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Energy,
transmitting notification of his decision to extend the
period of production of the Naval Petroleum Reserves for a
period of three years from April 5, 2009, the expiration date
of the currently authorized period of production, pursuant to
10 U.S.C. 7422(c)(2)(B); jointly to the Committees on Armed
Services and Energy and Commerce.
9599. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Health and
Human Services, transmitting the tenth Annual Report on the
Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control (HCFAC) Program for
Fiscal Year 2007, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1395i; jointly to the
Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.
9600. A letter from the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the
Department's second quarterly report covering the period from
January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008 as required by the
Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of
2007, Pub. L. 110-53; jointly to the Committees on Homeland
Security and the Judiciary.
9601. A letter from the Program Manager, Internal Revenue
Service, transmitting the Service's final rule--Final Rules
for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers Under the
Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act [TD 9427] (RIN:
1545-BG82) received October 20, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); jointly to the Committees on Ways and Means,
Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor.
____________________
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. REYES: Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Security Clearance Reform: Upgrading the Gateway to the
National Security Community (Rept. 110-916). 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 of the
following titles were introduced and severally referred, as follows:
By Mr. NADLER:
H.R. 7296. A bill to delay the implementation of agency
rules adopted within the final 90 days of the final term a
President serves; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas:
H.R. 7297. A bill to establish conditions on any
distribution of funds under the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008 to provide relief for the
automotive industry, dealerships, and suppliers, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Financial Services.
By Mr. LAMBORN (for himself, Mr. Paul, and Ms. Foxx):
H.R. 7298. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 to make permanent the deduction for expensing certain
depreciable business assets and to allow a deduction for the
original purchase of domestically manufactured automobiles;
to the Committee on Ways and Means.
By Mr. CANNON (for himself and Mrs. Napolitano):
H.R. 7299. A bill to direct the Secretary of Defense and
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make payments for
certain treatments of traumatic brain injury and post-
traumatic stress disorder; to the Committee on Armed
Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans'
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. DOGGETT (for himself, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Stark,
Mr. Pascrell, and Mr. Lewis of Georgia):
H.R. 7300. A bill to provide for the proper application
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of the limitations on
built-in losses following an ownership change of a bank; to
the Committee on Ways and Means.
By Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself, Mr. Lincoln Diaz-
Balart of Florida, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida,
and Ms. Wasserman Schultz):
H.R. 7301. A bill to provide for the conveyence of a parcel
of land held by the Bureau of Prisons of the Department of
Justice in Miami Dade County, Florida, to facilitate the
construction of a new educational facility that includes a
secure parking area for the Bureau of Prisons, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Ms. DeGETTE:
H.R. 7302. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act
with respect to health professions education, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
By Mr. GOHMERT:
H.R. 7303. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 to allow a one-time, $1,500 credit against income tax
for the purchase an automobile manufactured in the United
States; to the Committee on Ways and Means.
By Mr. GOHMERT:
H.R. 7304. A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to
address the use of intrathecal pumps; to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, 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 Mr. GOHMERT:
H.R. 7305. A bill to immediately terminate the authority of
the Secretary of the Treasury under the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008 to purchase troubled assets, to
require the Secretary to make insurance of troubled mortgage-
backed securities available for purchase, and to provide
incentives to reinvest foreign earnings in the United States,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Financial
Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means,
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. GOHMERT:
H.R. 7306. A bill to immediately terminate the authority of
the Secretary of the Treasury under the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008 to purchase troubled assets and to
make a portion of the unused funding for such program
available to meet critical infrastructure needs in the United
States; to the Committee on Financial Services, and in
addition to the Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources,
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. HODES (for himself, Mr. Delahunt, Ms. Jackson-
Lee of Texas, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Gutierrez,
Mr. Miller of North Carolina, and Ms. Zoe Lofgren of
California):
H.R. 7307. A bill to help struggling families stay in their
homes and to ensure that taxpayers are protected when the
Secretary of the Treasury purchases equity shares in
financial institutions; to the Committee on Financial
Services, 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 Mr. NADLER:
H. Res. 1531. A resolution expressing the sense of the
House of Representatives that the President of the United
States should not issue pardons to senior members of his
administration during the final 90 days of his term of
office; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
____________________
MEMORIALS
Under clause 3 of rule XII, memorials were presented and referred as
follows:
378. The Speaker presented a memorial of the Senate of
Michigan, relative to Senate Resolution No. 200 supporting
additional funding to expand Amtrak's capacity and routes in
Michigan; to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
____________________
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS TO PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and
resolutions as follows:
[[Page 24282]]
H.R. 736: Mr. Goodlatte.
H.R. 1322: Mr. Murphy of Connecticut and Mr. Fattah.
H.R. 1801: Mr. Honda.
H.R. 1884: Mr. Johnson of Illinois.
H.R. 1921: Ms. Watson.
H.R. 2049: Mr. Sherman.
H.R. 2208: Mr. Altmire.
H.R. 2329: Mr. Schiff.
H.R. 2514: Mr. Pastor.
H.R. 2596: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas.
H.R. 3257: Ms. Hirono and Mr. Alexander.
H.R. 3609: Mr. Capuano and Ms. Edwards of Maryland.
H.R. 4173: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 5580: Mr. Blumenauer and Mr. Towns.
H.R. 5734: Mr. Alexander.
H.R. 5756: Mr. Gordon.
H.R. 5852: Mr. Doyle and Mr. Weiner.
H.R. 5950: Mr. Rothman.
H.R. 6057: Ms. Hirono.
H.R. 6310: Mr. Ross.
H.R. 6337: Mr. Rothman.
H.R. 6404: Mr. Wu, Mr. Platts, Mr. Cleaver, and Mr.
McCotter.
H.R. 6548: Mr. Rothman.
H.R. 6873: Mr. Clay and Mr. Langevin.
H.R. 6941: Mr. Stark, Ms. Watson, and Mrs. Napolitano.
H.R. 7023: Mr. Walden of Oregon.
H.R. 7187: Mr. Cramer.
H.R. 7273: Ms. Edwards of Maryland, Mr. Holt, Mr. Mollohan,
Mr. Sires, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Paul, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas,
Mr. Andrews, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Campbell of
California, Mr. McKeon, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Capuano, and Mr.
Holden.
H.R. 7276: Mr. Pitts, Ms. Foxx, Mr. Fortenberry, and Mr.
Bilirakis.
H.R. 7277: Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida, Mr. Bartlett
of Maryland, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Paul, Mrs. Myrick, Mr. Graves,
Mr. Upton, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Boustany, Ms. Foxx, and Mr.
Bonner.
H.J. Res. 101: Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. King of Iowa, Mrs.
Bachmann, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Platts, and Mr. Shadegg.
H. Con. Res. 284: Mr. Goodlatte.
H. Con. Res. 434: Ms. McCollum of Minnesota.
H. Res. 1328: Mr. Higgins, and Ms. Loretta Sanchez of
California.
H. Res. 1477: Mr. Goode, Mr. David Davis of Tennessee, Mr.
Boyd of Florida, Mr. Jones of North Carolina, Mr. LoBiondo,
Mr. Dicks, Mr. Shuler, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mrs. Blackburn,
and Mr. Pickering.
H. Res. 1482: Mr. Goodlatte.
H. Res. 1529: Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California, Mr.
Weiner, and Mr. Cummings.
____________________
PETITIONS, ETC.
Under clause 3 of rule XII, petitions and papers were laid on the
clerk's desk and referred as follows:
340. The Speaker presented a petition of the National Urban
League, relative to a letter asking for an economic stimulus
that meets the urgent needs of the nation; to the Committee
on Education and Labor.
341. Also, a petition of the Polish Legion of American
Veterans, relative to a resolution opposing the removal of
memorials honoring heroic veterans; to the Committee on House
Administration.
[[Page 24283]]
SENATE--Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was called to order by the Honorable
Mark L. Pryor, a Senator from the State of Arkansas.
______
prayer
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer:
Let us pray.
Lord of creation, You establish day and night and the orderly
movements of the seasons. That same Providence orders the lives of our
Senators, our Nation, and our world. As our lawmakers seek to do what
is right, give them the wisdom to discern what is best. Show them the
pitfalls to avoid and the opportunities to seize. Keep them from
becoming weary in their pursuit of Your purposes as they remember Your
promise to bring a bountiful harvest. May they cling to the enduring
principles of Your truth that will lead them to their desired
destination.
We pray in Your wonderful Name. Amen.
____________________
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Honorable Mark L. Pryor 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 legislative clerk read the following letter:
U.S. Senate,
President pro tempore,
Washington, DC, November 20, 2008.
To the Senate:
Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable
Mark L. Pryor, a Senator from the State of Arkansas, to
perform the duties of the Chair.
Robert C. Byrd,
President pro tempore.
Mr. PRYOR 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, following leader remarks the Senate will
proceed to a period of morning business. Senators will be allowed to
speak for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume the motion to
proceed to H.R. 6867, which is the emergency unemployment compensation
legislation. Yesterday, cloture was filed on that motion to proceed to
the measure. Senators will be notified when a vote is scheduled.
Senators should be prepared for a rollcall vote today--or maybe votes.
We are in a situation where we do not know, procedurally, what we are
going to be able to accomplish today. This doesn't ripen until
tomorrow. So we could pass unemployment compensation legislation today,
to give relief to people who are desperately in need of these checks.
But we may not be able to do that until tomorrow. We hope that at least
on this measure we would be able to get consent to pass this.
After that, we have some procedural roadblocks. I have spoken to a
number of Senators today. Of course, the desire is we complete all of
our actions until we come back on January 6, but that may not be
possible. We have the Thanksgiving recess. I have had calls from staff
and Senators. They are having trouble making new arrangements, if, in
fact, we have any to be made. So it may be necessary that we come back
after Thanksgiving. I have not had an opportunity to converse with my
Republican counterpart, but I will do that. I have a meeting scheduled
later today with the Speaker.
Everyone stay tuned, and we will do the very best we can to let
Senators know where we are at any given time.
____________________
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, the
Senate will proceed to a period of morning business for up to 1 hour,
with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Senator from Oklahoma is recognized.
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to be recognized
in morning business for whatever time I shall consume.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
____________________
BAILOUT DEMANDS
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, Americans are once again being asked to
foot the bill for yet another very urgent bailout, as it is termed. In
October, Congress voted for an unprecedented $750 billion bailout of
Wall Street. Now much of the same alarmist rhetoric is being employed
to pressure Members to act quickly.
The latest bailout demand making the rounds of Washington is for the
Big Three in the auto industry. The Democrats would have you believe
the proposed bailout is all about saving jobs. But having been in
Washington long enough, my instincts led me to dig deeper, where I
unearthed the green roots hiding behind the ``bailing out'' rhetoric.
It now appears that much of what you have heard in the media about the
auto bailout being about jobs has been misleading. In fact, there are
the usual suspects working behind the scene to subvert the auto bailout
and ultimately betray autoworkers.
These are the facts. The proposed $25 billion bailout of Detroit now
appears to have been hijacked by the powerful environmental lobby. When
I say ``powerful,'' it is by far the most powerful lobby and best
financed lobby--those out in Hollywood I have referred to many times,
moveon.org, George Soros, the Michael Moores--they talk millions and
millions of dollars. They are indeed the powerful lobby.
I suggest there is an idea that came to fruition from the November 19
Wall Street Journal. They ask, in this Wall Street Journal editorial:
When is $25 billion in taxpayer cash insufficient to bail
out Detroit's auto makers?
The answer:
When the money is a tool of the Congressional industrial
policy to turn GM, Ford and Chrysler into agents of the
Sierra Club and other green lobbies.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the auto bailout has
degenerated into a tool to ``make Detroit a subsidiary of the Sierra
Club.''
We hear proponents of the auto bailout endlessly saying this is all
about jobs. But the truth is, this bailout appears to be about
environmental lobbies taking over the U.S. auto industry.
The Wall Street Journal explains further, and I am quoting again:
In their public statements, proponents describe the bailout
as an attempt to save jobs, American manufacturing and the
middle-class way of life. But look closely and you can see
that what's really going on is an attempt to use taxpayer
money to remake Detroit in the image of the modern
environmental movement. Given a choice between
[[Page 24284]]
greens and blue-collar workers, Congress puts greens first.
That was an interesting quote in the article, that really has delved
into this thing and talks about what the real motivation is behind it.
How did this attempt at a green takeover of Detroit come about?
Congress approved $25 billion for Detroit earlier this year for ``green
retooling.'' President Bush--when this came up, the need came up to
have the $25 billion--proposed to revise that $25 billion, the same
amount of money, and allow it to be used for Detroit's general purposes
by eliminating the green conditions. In other words, the amount of
money there that everyone is so anxious to get in there, that they say
is going to resolve the problem, is there and it is available today,
but it has been rejected. That shows the choice between green and blue
collar is very clear.
The Wall Street Journal reported:
Democratic leaders refused. They are insisting instead that
the Bush administration give Detroit another $25 billion in
cash.
Let's keep in mind this is the second $25 billion we are talking
about, not the first. ``The Bush administration's proposal is
unacceptable,'' declared my colleague, Senate majority leader Harry
Reid.
The Wall Street Journal asks, and I am quoting again now:
If the problem is so urgent, why keep the green chains on
that first $25 billion? General Motors in particular is
saying that it may have to declare bankruptcy by the end of
the year without a taxpayer capital injection. Aren't jobs at
stake?
Again, this is the choice being given. But the jobs do not appear to
be the overriding concern when it comes to the proposed bailout. A
November 13 commentary in the Chicago Sun-Times bluntly declared that
Congress should ``attach environmental strings to the Big Three
bailout.''
The auto industry occupies a critical position, not just in
the U.S. economy, but also in the struggle to cope with
climate change and the energy crisis. The government has
immense leverage right now to force the Big Three to make
progress on multiple fronts and should and should not be
afraid to use it.
This is what Andrew Leonard wrote in the Sun-Times.
Barack Obama has spoken many times of his ambitious plans
to steer the U.S. toward a future where Americans are driving
fuel-efficient cars that run on renewable energy. If the
government is going to bail out the auto industry, it should
do so only with the explicit requirement that the Big Three
accelerate down that road as fast as they can.
Again, I am quoting from the Sun-Times. One of the key ``green
strings'' that the environmental lobby wants to impose on Detroit is
making the Corporate Average Fuel Economy--that is the CAFE standards--
more draconian than they are today.
My colleague, Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, wants conditions on the
auto bailout that would mandate auto companies increase their average
fuel economy to 40 miles per gallon in 10 years and then 50 miles per
gallon a mere 2 years later, in 2020. He also reportedly wants
requirements for an ``increased production of hybrids, flex-fuel and
electric vehicles,'' according to Congress Daily.
My colleague, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, has also tied auto
bailout money to increased CAFE standards:
Congress should require that the automakers shift to a new
business model that focuses on hybrid, electric, and other
next generation vehicle technologies.
She wrote that on November 14. She even expands the mandates to
include costly global warming concerns by ``requiring the NHTSA to use
the Energy Information Administration's most accurate gasoline price
projection and consider global benefits from reducing greenhouse gas
emissions when setting CAFE standards.''
Again that is a quote.
The Wall Street Journal countered with a commonsense alternative to
increasing CAFE standards.
If Congress wants to ease the immediate burden on Detroit,
it could also ease the onerous fleet-mileage standards (CAFE
rules) that force the companies to make cars domestically
that are unprofitable. A mere tweak would help a lot--for
example, simply allowing Congress to meet CAFE standards by
counting the cars it makes at home and abroad.
If you include them all, they would be able to meet these
standards.
This alone might save Chrysler from bankruptcy. But
Congress won't budge on that simple change.
This latest bout of environmental thuggery is not an isolated
incident. The legislative goals of Democrats and their environmental
allies reveal that saving jobs is not their highest priority.
President-elect Obama has pledged to grant California a global-warming-
motivated waiver to allow the State to demand its own standards of
emission reductions from new automobiles. This would essentially allow
a State-by-State approach, thus creating a patchwork of regulatory
compliance regimes in addition to the Federal standard that would be
even more costly for automobile manufacturers.
We have gone through this before. We have had this same suggestion
being made. If there is any single thing that would increase the price
of cars and drive them out of the market, it would be to let each State
determine what its own standards are going to be. It cannot work.
The Wall Street Journal summed up this attempted hostile green
takeover and the efforts to create an ``Environmental Motor Company''
this way:
All of this shows that Democrats don't merely want to save
jobs. They want an entirely different American auto industry
that serves goals other than selling cars to consumers. The
green lobbies have disliked Detroit for decades--for
resisting fleet mileage standards and having the audacity to
make SUVs, trucks and other vehicles that people have wanted
to buy but that violate the modern environmental pieties. For
the greens, the bailout is their main chance to remake
Detroit according to their dictates.
That is the height of us in Government saying our wisdom is so much
greater than the private sector that we are going to impose that on
this industry. Now the problems are there.
They continued:
The more realistic alternative to this utopian green vision
is to let GM or Chrysler file for Chapter 11 like any other
company that can't pay its bills.
The immediate cost would be severe. At least bankruptcy
would provide the political and legal means for them to
evolve into smaller, more competitive companies. Taxpayers
should not be asked to finance a green industrial policy
promoted by lobbyists and Congressmen who know nothing about
what it takes to make a car, much less what it takes to make
a profit.
You have to look at this. I wonder sometimes, if we had not been so
quick and so generous to come up with $700 billion in this bailout,
that perhaps they would not be lining up. Who is going to be standing
in line after the auto industry? I don't think anybody knows--I don't--
but someone is. They are waiting to see what kind of results there are.
Is it Government's role to run businesses from Washington and to
finance those businesses? Is it necessary?
I have gotten a lot of criticism because I have been quite outspoken
in opposition to the $700 billion bailout. But I would like to do one
thing; that is, if there is one thing people have not stopped to think
about, that is the amount of $700 billion. What is $700 billion? It is
very difficult for me and for anyone else, I think, to think in terms
of those billions of dollars. But I did some research. I found that
there are 139 million families, households in America, who file tax
returns. If you do your simple math, 139 million families and $700
billion in a bailout, that is $5,000 a family. If people think in terms
of that, maybe they will get a little bit concerned.
We have already spent, of that--Secretary Paulson--$125 billion on
nine large banks. This is not what they said or what he said 2 weeks
prior to the October 1 vote. What he said at that time was: We have to
have $700 billion to buy damaged assets, and it is going to take $700
billion. If this continues to happen, we are going to have another
Great Depression.
And we got all excited and concerned. Granted, I know Secretary
Paulson is a very knowledgeable person. But for him to make that case,
get the money, and then spend it on something else is something that is
very difficult to understand.
I would suggest that when we drafted that law, which I opposed at the
time,
[[Page 24285]]
that was in two increments--actually, three. The first $250 billion was
going to be handed to him to go ahead and spend as he wanted to, and
then, if he needed $100 billion more, the President could see to it
that they got it. That has already happened. They have $350 billon, of
which $60 billion is left and has not been spent as of this moment in
time, to my knowledge. I got my information personally from them last
Tuesday.
So where we are today is we are sitting on $60 billion. He has
described this as a cushion. When I say ``he,'' I am talking about
Secretary Paulson. So we need to now think about the other $350 billion
because it appears, as he said, the financial markets have been
stabilized. If this is true, then maybe we do not need to get into that
other $350 billion. Keep in mind, we have $60 billion there on the
table ready to be used anyway.
So what I have done is drafted legislation that is called S. 3697. We
have some Democrats and some Republicans cosponsoring this. It is not a
freeze. I wish it were. I wish I could craft a piece of legislation
that said: Let's take the $350 billion and give it all back to the
taxpayers; it belongs to them. But we know that would not fly. So
instead of that, we went ahead and did it to make a modest change in
the system.
As the law is drafted right now, if the request is made by the
Treasury Secretary, whether Secretary Paulson or another person, that
money is going to automatically come to them if no one objects while we
are in session for 15 days. Well, we are going to go out of session
probably tomorrow and very likely will not be coming back until January
6. That means that if any need is there, all he has to do is say so and
the money will come forward.
So what we have done is change--actually, we only changed one word.
The word we changed was ``unless'' and ``until.'' I do not have it
right here, but it says the money can be accessed unless Congress stops
them from doing it. However, by changing that to ``until,'' that means
it cannot be accessed until we take a positive action in the Senate.
That is what I think is perhaps not nearly enough protection, but it is
some protection. I would encourage colleagues to rally around this
because there is no other means out there right now, no other vehicle
that anyone has put forward that is going to resolve this problem. It
is going to keep the other $350 billion, and that is about $2,500 for
every family in America who pays taxes and files a tax return. There is
no other way of doing it except for this bill.
So I would encourage our Members to join in this effort. And it is
going to have to be done today. If it is not done today, it is not
going to be done. I hope the people outside realize there are a few of
us here who realize we want to stop this train, particularly if
Secretary Paulson is correct, as he believes he is, when he says the
financial markets have been stabilized. So we have S. 3697. I would
encourage my colleagues to come down and sign this so we can actually
bring it up and vote on it and have it become a reality.
I yield the floor.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Maryland is
recognized.
____________________
SAVING JOBS
Ms. MIKULSKI. I wish to speak in morning business on the topic of the
economic situation which the country faces and where we are.
I want to acknowledge that the Senator from Oklahoma has some
interesting ideas, and I would like to know more about it because I am
pretty frustrated about what has happened with the taxpayer rescue
money we have gotten.
First, let me say, though, I am pretty frustrated with the Senate
right now. I am frustrated that we are lame in this lameduck session. I
was telling my constituents as I moved around Maryland, as is my habit
and joy, that I have used this as a November work session--you know,
get back to work. The election is over. We know who won. Now it is time
to govern and govern with responsibility, to come back and go to work.
So we come back, and here we are again whirling around with a lot of
parliamentary quagmires. Can we bring it up? I object. No. We could be
filibustered, et cetera. While we are fiddling and diddling to a
parliamentary tune here, our economy is burning. And the question is,
Do we burn the economic house down around us by inaction?
Now, you might not like this rescue plan or that rescue plan or what
about the automobile. I am a champion of jobs in the automobile
industry. I do not champion an industry, I champion the jobs in the
industry. I do not believe this Congress understands what the
automobile industry is. Yes, it is manufacturers, union and nonunion.
Whether it is the big three in Detroit and the UAW or whether it is
foreign logo cars being made in the Southern States of our country, the
Toyotas in Texas and Kentucky, the Nissans in Tennessee and so on, we
are talking about jobs. We are talking about people who make the cars,
and then we are talking about dealers who sell them, service them,
maintain them, and the support services. In many rural parts of my
State, the automobile dealers are the biggest employers outside of the
local school system and the local hospital. So I want to talk about
jobs, and that is what I have been talking about.
But while we are talking about the rescue plan, what is shocking to
me is the rigidity of the administration to help wrap up their time in
the White House and their time to get our economy going, the fact that
they are unwilling to look at the rescue package as a tool for saving
jobs rather than saving banks.
Now, this is where I believe we have gotten ourselves off on the
wrong track. When I voted for the rescue plan, I thought I was voting
for dealing with the credit crisis and bringing the financial system to
some form of stability. It was a little too trickle-down for me, but I
thought, we are in a crisis, square your shoulders and get out there
and do it. Well, what has happened is, instead of dealing with helping
with jobs, we have been helping with banks. The bailout has been simply
a handout to Wall Street banks. And you know what, they have made out
like bandits. Them that got want even more and do not promise to do
anything in return.
Let's review how we got there. We were facing Armageddon. We were
concerned about the collapse of our financial system that America
essentially helped create in terms of a financial system. We were
talking about a frozen credit system that would affect big business and
small business in our community. We were also concerned about the
homeowner who was losing their home. Well, what did we do? We said: OK,
we are going to make a public investment of $700 billion of taxpayers'
money in the economy, through our Secretary of the Treasury. Now, who
was this investor? Well, the taxpayers became investors.
You know, we use that term, ``taxpayers.'' What does it mean? Well, I
will tell you what it means to ``Senator Barb'' from Maryland. It means
that single mother, that single mother who is trying to hold her family
together, maybe in a job that pays $10 or $12 an hour, trying to keep
her kids together, collect her child support, make sure she has an 8-
year-old car still running and make sure those kids are in school to do
something. She does not have a lot of money, and we take a chunk of it.
What about the farmer and what about the waterman who right now is out
in this cold weather trying to bring oysters to our Thanksgiving table?
We are going to have a table of bounty; they have a table of trouble.
But no, we are going to take their money and give it to Paulson to give
it to AIG.
Mr. INHOFE. Would the Senator yield for one question?
Ms. MIKULSKI. Let me finish describing the taxpayer, and I will come
back to you.
What about the waitress--you know, somebody who carries, in that
diner, big plates of food? And what does she end up with at the end of
the day? A few tips, a bad back, varicose veins, and a government that
is not on her side. That is where Paulson got the
[[Page 24286]]
money from. OK. So that is where that $700 billion came from. Then I
will talk about what he did with it.
I turn to my colleague.
Mr. INHOFE. I thank the Senator for yielding. I appreciate the very
favorable comments she has made about my legislation. What is
interesting about this is it is supported by a whole host--Senator
Sanders is supporting it, as well as on the far right we have Senator
Coburn and Senator DeMint. So we are not the only ones who feel this
way.
But the point I would like to make and ask you if you agree is, $700
billion--you heard me describe how to put that in and understand how
much that means to the American people. It is $5,000 for each family
who files a tax return. We have an opportunity to save half of that
right now. I would encourage the Senator from Maryland to join in this
effort because I think it can get done and it could get done during
this time.
Ms. MIKULSKI. Well, I will consider looking at his legislation, I
assure him on the floor. I think we are in agreement with some of the
principles you articulated earlier.
But let me go on with my speech and see if we can't find that
sensible center, that common ground we both would like to perceive
because when I say, What were the Congress and the American people
promised for this astronomical sum of money we gave, we were promised
by the Secretary of the Treasury, on behalf of the President of the
United States, that the investment of the taxpayer would go to
stabilizing the financial system, get credit flowing again in our
communities, and get the economy rolling. What did we get? We got bait
and switched from Paulson. Paulson changed his plan. He originally said
he would use it to open credit and to also deal with the toxic
mortgages. Now he is using it for money to buy ownership in banks and
not asking anything in return. Paulson threw money at the banks with no
strings attached. We have now spent close to $350 billion, and where
are we? We are nowhere. The stock market is down and unemployment is
up. Things have actually gotten worse. People continue to lose their
homes. Now they are losing their life savings. And with our inaction on
unemployment, they will lose their jobs.
So let's talk about them that got. Do you remember their greed? Do
you remember their incompetence on Wall Street that got us into this
economic Superfund site?
What did Wall Street say over the last several years to regulators
and policymakers? Stay away. Get out of the way. It is our way or the
highway. Having gotten buckets of bucks from the taxpayer, what does
Wall Street say? Stay out of the way. Get out of the way. It is our
way. And by the way, give us more, and let us keep our high pay.
Well, it is not only what we hear from them, it is what we don't hear
from them. You know what is so shocking to me. After this money goes to
the big banks, there is no sense of gratitude. There is no sense of
gratitude that that waitress, that single mother, that farmer, that
firefighter is willing to do this--no sense of gratitude. There is also
no sense of remorse on how they got us into this terrible situation.
I know the Presiding Officer is a man of faith, as are our colleague
from Oklahoma and myself. In my faith, when you have sinned, the way
you get it right is you show remorse, you promise not to sin any more.
You say: Let's make amends. How can I get it right?
Have we heard that out of them? I have read every paper, heard every
conversation. There is not one bit of remorse. They swagger around and
say: There are three Americas--North America, South America, and
corporate America. They treat themselves like a free trade zone. Hello.
Do they promise to sin no more? Do we see a sense in the passion for
reform coming out of them, saying: Boy, did we screw up; we now want to
get it right? No. Do they say: Let's make amends? And the way they want
to say let's make amends would be to work with our economic people to
get jobs, credit, and our economy rolling. No. So what, instead, do
those who have gotten bailout money do? They give themselves lavish
salaries, bonuses, big perks such as spa retreats and golf tournaments
in the most luxurious places in the world. And we are told that in
order for them to keep talent, they have to pay big bonuses or people
will walk away. They say that in order to keep the big talent at the
big banks, they have to give big bonuses. I want to say, if they want
to go, it is OK by me. I am an investor. Not as a Senator, but as a
taxpayer, Why would we want to hold on to them? They got us into this
mess. So it is OK by me if they go. There are plenty of talented people
ready to go to work for our country.
This is what ``Senator Barb'' wants to say to Wall Street: We do not
want to be passive investors. We want to be active investors, not in a
socialist form of government, picking winners and losers, but, by God,
have a sense of reform. Cull out what is the best way to have sensible
regulation. Come up with the great ideas to get our economy going and
use the power and muscle of America's financial system. There is talent
there to do that. If you need a lavish bonus to do this, then leave.
Leave or get out of the way. There is a new sheriff coming to town, and
I am part of that posse. There are not only young people but a lot of
people who want to rebuild our country.
So I say to those on Wall Street who feel they can't work for less
than $14 million a year, you now work for the United States of America.
Once we started making that public investment in you, you now work for
the United States. Work for the United States. Give us your best
thinking. Give us your energy. Give us your ideas. What I want to say
to them is: It is time to restore our economy, restore our national
honor.
I say to those who are working in the economic system, pull up your
pants and your pantsuits and start to go to work. Let's rebuild the
economy.
I yield the floor.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Tennessee.
____________________
AUTOMAKER BAILOUT
Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, it is a pleasure to be back here this
week. I hope the Presiding Officer and his family have a wonderful
holiday season when we leave tomorrow. I rise today to talk about the
proposed automaker bailout. I have tremendous empathy for all of the
people involved. I spent most of my life in business. I am sure these
CEOs and others leading these companies are going through tumultuous
times. I empathize with them.
In my beginning period, I was a card-carrying union member. I know
there are a lot of workers who are very concerned about their future. I
have tremendous empathy for them and their families. This is actually a
very serious time in our history. Regardless of where you are, people
are concerned about the future. I was in other parts of the world last
week. All around the world, people are concerned about the future.
I do want to speak to the speech of the Senator from Maryland
regarding the financial component. Many of the car dealers who have
called into our office actually are far less concerned about the Big
Three. What they are more concerned about is having financing for
consumers who are coming into their dealerships. Like her, I want to
see people throughout our country be able to operate their businesses.
I am certainly not here to defend any of the Secretaries or anybody
else. I will say that I did have a conversation yesterday with
Secretary Paulson and with Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke. They are
putting in place a facility to deal with consumer finance that
hopefully will be in place by year end to help deal with some of the
financing components that are stressing the automakers.
I wish to specifically address the request by the automakers. I was
privileged to be part of a hearing the other day in banking where the
three CEOs and the leader of the United Auto Workers testified. I was
struck by the lack of coherence, the fact that we had three leaders in
corporate America
[[Page 24287]]
whom I actually have a degree of respect for. I was in some ways
embarrassed for some of them. They evidently had no plan. They felt in
the Senate and in the House today the time was good for receiving
moneys from taxpayers. It was sort of a ``get here while the getting is
good,'' if you will. It was embarrassing to hear their testimony and
the lack of thought that had been put into place as it related to the
request. They had come up with a number of $25 billion. They were
actually hesitant to tell us how, as a pact, the three of them had
decided to divide this money. After a lot of probing, we were able to
get them to say that they have decided to divide the money based on
their proportional share of the auto market.
I pressed them to find out if we did, in fact, agree to loan them
this $25 billion, would that be it? It was evident that, no, this was a
downpayment and that they had done nothing whatsoever to think about
what might happen after the taxpayers invested in them.
One of the questions I wish to ask is: Why would we address these
three automakers as some homogeneous group? They are three different
companies. They are in three different circumstances. It is interesting
to me that the head of the United Auto Workers knows that they are in
three different circumstances. What he said was that Ford was actually
in good shape. They had made some tough decisions and done some things
back in the year 2006 that have put them in place to actually survive.
They have about $23 billion of cash right now. He said he had been in
to look at the books and Chrysler was actually in second place. I would
have thought that Chrysler actually would have been the weakest of the
three. Their books are not public because they are a private company.
He laid out the fact that actually Chrysler was in a stronger position
but that GM was a company that was in more disarray. So as we look at
this, I find it so irresponsible that we would actually even talk about
a rescue package, looking at these companies as a group. They are three
very different companies that have addressed their issues in three very
different ways. I find it incredibly irresponsible to even consider
looking at them as a group.
I wonder, in a market with 10 million cars being sold, why we need
three domestic automakers. I wonder whether we would be better off if
possibly we had two or we had one that was strong. Again, that is
something that the market can decide.
One of the greatest disservices we could actually do to these
automakers and to the many people who depend upon them for employment,
whether they be direct employees or tier 1 or 2 suppliers, is to grant
them this money. That would be a major mistake. These companies have
all kinds of legacy issues they have not been able to deal with. Let me
point out one. General Motors has 7,000 dealers. They probably need
about 1,500 dealers. What the dealers did years ago is, they went
around and got States to pass laws that said that GM could not do away
with their dealerships. We have had the strong dealers actually calling
our office and telling us they actually have hurt themselves by putting
these State laws in place, because there are so many dealers that each
of them is having trouble making a profit. It would be a tremendous
disservice for us to grant money to these companies without causing
them to reorganize.
There is something we have in this country called bankruptcy
protection. There is something that allows companies to go in and
reorganize, to put their strengths in order, do away with their
weaknesses and actually carry on. I do hope as we debate this--I
realize nothing is going to happen this week; this was kind of a
preapplication; that we will probably be dealing with this in January--
but I do hope we will look at this in a mature way and realize that
these companies have not done the things they should have done, maybe
that they could have done, and that possibly we can be of service to
them by making them do the things they need to do.
Another example: Chrysler Company has a situation where when they
idle a plant, they actually, in some cases, are obligated to pay the
workers of those plants for up to 4 years beyond the time the plant is
idle. I don't know of any business in the world that can survive in a
healthy fashion with those types of obligations.
I have tremendous empathy for the people involved. One of these
companies has a plant in our State. But I say to my colleagues, the
worst thing we could possibly do in this situation is to acquiesce to
this request that lacked coherence, lacked thoughtfulness, lacked a
plan as to how these companies would be successful in the future, and
let them go about their business in the way that they have been going
about it. They will be back, if this money is granted. I hope we will
stand firm, that we will be responsible with taxpayer moneys, and that
even though I am opposed to this, even if the money ends up being
granted in some form or fashion, we will cause them to make the
decisions that need to be made for them to actually be successful in
the future.
I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Rhode Island.
____________________
EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise in support of extending unemployment
insurance to help the 10 million jobless Americans, the most in a
quarter century, who are searching for work.
In the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis, turmoil on Wall Street,
and decline in consumer spending, workers throughout this country are
being given pink slips by the thousands. In fact, we are seeing record
numbers today, further amplifying the depth and the seriousness of this
employment crisis in the United States. The situation continues to
worsen. This does not appear to be a passing trend, but, unfortunately,
unless we do something quickly and appropriately, we can anticipate
continuing job losses. We have already seen across the country
individuals whom we know--family members, cousins, friends--who, one,
are either losing their job, or, two, are being very concerned that
their employment status is tenuous and at any moment they could be
given the word that they have lost their job. Over the course of 1
month, national job loss numbers jumped from 6.1 percent to 6.5
percent--an extraordinary jump in 1 month. Updated State numbers, which
will be released on Friday, will unfortunately likely continue to
reflect this deterioration in our job markets.
Despite this bad news, a resolution of this employment crisis does
not seem to be approaching. As I suggested, there are indications this
will get worse before it gets better--another reason to act now to try
to provide support and assistance to those people who have worked and
now find themselves without a job, through no fault of their own.
In my home State of Rhode Island, these national trends are amplified
dramatically. Nearly 9 percent of Rhode Islanders are now unemployed.
That is 50,200 people. We are a small State with a relatively small
population. Mr. President, 50,200 people are without work. They are
searching for work. They are searching for answers. They are searching
for help. We have to provide the help, and then the long-term answers.
Job losses in Rhode Island are occurring in all sectors. This is not
just one area of economic endeavor that is under stress. Every area is
under stress. Workers in manufacturing plants have been particularly
hurt, and that is another consequence or another aspect of this
discussion of the support for the auto industry. We have thousands of
jobs in Rhode Island that in some way depend upon the auto industry. So
their fate is linked to what we do effectively, constructively to
assist these companies to maintain their presence, but also to change
their practices so they are not only here for a few more months, but
they can evolve into a sustainable manufacturing industry that will
lead the world, as it once did, in the manufacture of high-quality,
economically, and environmentally sound vehicles.
[[Page 24288]]
We are seeing layoff notices in the financial and services industries
despite all the efforts we have made to support these industries
through the legislation we passed last September. These losses are from
small mom-and-pop manufacturing shops in Rhode Island and go up into
national financial companies that are shedding workers.
This is a problem that must be addressed. We have done it in the
past. In 1991 and 2002, Congress worked with the White House to
successfully extend temporary benefits when unemployment rates were
significantly high. In June, I was pleased that Congress came together
and passed a 13-week emergency extension of unemployment insurance for
all States. This was an important step to help desperate families make
ends meet. But jobs are becoming scarcer. The action we took in June
has actually been overtaken by events in the world marketplace.
We have to deal with this issue, particularly in those States such as
Rhode Island that are seeing unusually high unemployment rates. So far,
4,416 Rhode Islanders have already exhausted their federal benefits.
They are still searching for work, unsuccessfully, but now they have
lost the support of unemployment insurance.
There are 20,000 Rhode Islanders who are receiving unemployment
insurance benefits. In the first week of November, another 1,347 Rhode
Islanders were added to our State's unemployment rolls. These are very
dispiriting numbers. They call for action, and I hope we can act.
Nationally, it is estimated that nearly 1.2 million Americans will
exhaust their current benefits by the end of the year. Where do they
go? They have no direct financial support through the unemployment
compensation program. They have seen the value of their homes whittle
down to, in some cases, less than the mortgage they owe. They are
seeing pressures in every area. Unless we provide them some assistance,
their ability to simply keep their heads above water--to keep their
families fed, to keep a bit of hope alive--will be extinguished. We
cannot let that happen.
These benefits are not handouts. These people have worked. They have
paid into the program. They receive a modest weekly benefit to keep
them close to making ends meet.
There is something else too. We have a task before us not simply to
deal individually with men and women who have worked hard and now--
through no fault of their own, through the action of the huge economic
forces worldwide--find themselves without jobs. We have to get this
country moving again. We have to stimulate the economy.
Unemployment insurance helps do that. These benefits are spent right
away in the local communities. These benefits are going to people who
are not going to, unfortunately, be able to put it away for a rainy
day. Today is their rainy day. They are going to have to go to the
supermarket. They are going to have to go to the pharmacy. They are
going to have to go put some gas in their automobiles to get around, to
get their families around. This money is spent almost immediately on
food, medicine, and gasoline. Economists of virtually every stripe
believe this is one of the most effective ways to stimulate the
economy, to increase consumer demand.
This is something we have to do. It generates approximately $1.64 in
gross domestic product per $1 spent. So for every dollar of
unemployment compensation benefits, we are generating additional
support.
In September, I introduced bipartisan legislation to provide an
additional 7 weeks of unemployment insurance to people who have
exhausted their benefits, and 13 more weeks of benefits to unemployed
workers in States such as Rhode Island that have unemployment rates
above 6 percent.
Despite the urgent need for these extra benefits, a minority of
Senators prevented this bill from moving forward. What we have seen
since that date is not an improvement in the situation but a
significant deterioration in the situation. We can no longer ignore
acting on this critical issue.
Today there are more disturbing numbers. There is an indication also
in the press that President Bush would sign a bill, but he cannot sign
a bill unless we pass a bill. We have the opportunity to do that before
we leave today. Since the economy continues to unravel, we cannot sit
back and wait. We have to act.
In October, the House overwhelmingly passed a measure virtually
identical to my legislation. We must do the same. I hope we take this
action this week. We cannot wait until January. There will be more
people without jobs, unfortunately, by January, and those who are
having the opportunity to collect benefits bill exhaust those benefits
by January. We have to act.
We have to do more than just an unemployment insurance program. We
have to focus on other forms of relief that will provide not only help
to Americans but stimulate our economy, such as funding for food stamps
and food banks. Families are turning more to these institutions every
day. It is not just the marginal American, someone who might be on the
street struggling with mental health issues, who needs the assistance
of those institutions. More and more families--working families--are
coming to food banks and asking for a handout, for food, to feed their
children.
We can do better, and we must do better.
We also have to make investments to improve job creation and provide
long-term benefits. I think this means investing in our infrastructure,
putting people to work, putting people to work to rebuild this country,
not in a transient, temporary fashion but in projects that will last
beyond this economic crisis.
When I was a child in Rhode Island, walking around on the sidewalks,
looking down, I would ask my mom and dad: What is this plaque: ``WPA''?
Well, it is the Work Projects Administration. That was from 1935, 1934.
Well, in 1955, in 1958, in 1968, and, indeed, in 1998, and now in 2008,
walk around, look at those facilities, those public infrastructures
that are still serving the communities. They were investments to help
people work, but investments that have spurred this economy for more
than 60 years.
We have to do a lot, and we can do a lot. There are so many needs
here: aging infrastructure, roads, bridges, public transportation
systems, transit systems so people can get to work and get to school,
drinking water systems and wastewater systems.
In Rhode Island, proposed funding for these initiatives would support
$50 million for road improvements. Some of the discussions we have had
about a package--$50 million for road improvements. It would also
support $14 million for transit operations which would assure transit
operations for particularly the poorest citizens of Rhode Island. It
would also support $19.1 million for water infrastructure projects.
Across this country, these projects could generate more than 470,000
jobs. We are losing about 500,000 jobs, it seems, every reporting
period. If we could reverse that and report an increase in jobs, that
would not only put a lot of money into people's pockets and families'
pockets, but it would also send a signal to the country that confidence
can be restored, that hope can indeed be engendered.
Finally, I believe we need to provide some funding for the States and
communities that are strapped by this crisis. We are looking at severe
deficits. States are looking at them. Many States do not have the
ability to operate beyond a balanced budget. They are going to have to
make excruciatingly difficult cuts. I think we should put more money
into our matching Federal Medicaid programs which will help States and
help people receive health care. These investments, again, are not only
compelling because of the needs of our fellow Americans, but justified
because of their ability to stimulate the economy and to pick us up and
move us forward.
Events over the last several months have dramatically highlighted the
economic challenges we face. We are grappling with the most severe
economic downturn we have seen perhaps since post-World War II and
perhaps since the Great Depression--the worst set of
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economic circumstances. We must do something. To sit back and watch
Americans continue to lose hope, to lose their jobs, to lose their
sense of the potential of this country is unacceptable. We need swift
action. No more debate; we need to vote. We need to pass an
unemployment compensation extension bill before we leave today.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
____________________
EXTENSION OF MORNING BUSINESS
Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the time for
morning business be extended until 12 noon, with Senators permitted to
speak for up to 10 minutes each.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, I 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.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Florida is
recognized.
Mr. NELSON of Florida. 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. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, is the Senate in morning
business?
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. It is. The Senator from Florida is
recognized.
Mr. NELSON of Florida. I thank the Chair.
(The remarks of Mr. Nelson of Florida pertaining to the introduction
of S. Con. Res. 106 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on
Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I
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. WARNER. 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. WARNER. Mr. President, what is the parliamentary situation? Is
the Senator from Virginia able to address the Senate?
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senate is in a period of
morning business.
Mr. WARNER. I ask unanimous consent to proceed for no more than 5
minutes.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SENATORS
Ted Stevens
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, this may well be my last opportunity to
speak on the floor of the Senate. I see my senior colleague, the senior
Senator from Alaska. I come for the purpose of saying some remarks
about several colleagues, including my longtime friend. If it is
convenient, I will take the 5 minutes I have just been granted by the
Presiding Officer because I have to go out to the CIA for a meeting
that has been established for some time. I shall leave shortly after I
finish my remarks.
Again, I see my friend from Alaska, and it evokes many long years of
interesting and happy memories. I recall so well that when I came here
30 years ago to the Senate, Senator Stevens was one of those who sort
of took the ``youngsters,'' as we called ourselves in those days, under
his wing. He had been here 11 years, I think, when I arrived. I
remember serving under the Senator when he was the whip. I remember
that whip; he exercised it judicially but with determination. All in
our freshman class remember that very well.
I suppose what I remember most is that I had a very modest and brief
tour of military service in World War II. I was only 17. I went in the
last year of the war, as did all the kids on my block. We joined and
went in. I don't know if I ever shared this story with the Senator. In
those days, the boys on the block who were a year or two older than me
had already gone in and started military service and were coming back
on leave to visit their families. Some were severely wounded and having
to stay for long periods of hospitalization. It was a dramatic period
in American history.
I remember the Army Air Corps and those fellows who would come back
having flown their missions in Europe, Southeast Asia, north Africa, or
wherever the case may be. All of us who were 16 and 17 and getting
ready to take up our responsibilities stood in awe because the nearest
thing we had connected with an airplane was building model airplanes.
We built all the military model airplanes, and we knew them by heart.
There were those magnificent flying jackets, and they were the envy of
all of us. I tried to join the Army Air Corps and went down and signed
up and joined the Navy. As happenstance would have it, the Navy first
called me in. I had a modest career with my generation in the training
command.
The record reflects that Senator Stevens, at a very young age,
displayed courage, determination, wisdom, and leadership. His service
in the Army Air Corps in World War II won him two Distinguished Flying
Crosses, several Air Medals, and other decorations for flying those
aircraft. He and I have reminisced many times over the different types
of planes he flew--primarily the old C-47, if my recollection serves
me--and flying over the hump, which was a perilous, dangerous mission
not only from enemy resistance, but if anything malfunctioned on that
plane, there was no landing field below you, just miles and miles of
rugged mountain terrain, much of it totally uninhabitable.
I think the Senator was under 21 when he flew those missions, and his
crew exemplified the courage of the World War II generation. He, among
many, deserves credit as being a member of the ``greatest generation.''
In subsequent years, when I came to the Senate and joined the Armed
Services Committee, it was my privilege to travel to many places in
this world with Ted Stevens to visit the men and women in the Armed
Forces. How many times did we work together on this floor--I as an
authorizer and him as an appropriator--shaping that annual bill which I
regard with a sense of humility as the most important bill this body
passes every year; that bill that cares for the men and women of the
Armed Forces and provides the economic resources for them to train, to
modernize, and to preserve and protect the freedom of this Nation.
Speaking on behalf of the men and women of the Armed Forces, they are
grateful to Senator Stevens for all he has done for them through his
distinguished career in the Senate.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska is recognized.
____________________
FAREWELL TO THE SENATE
Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I am grateful to the Senator from
Virginia for his comments. I understand that duty calls him to go to
his meeting at the CIA. I am grateful for his support.
Mr. President, just before Christmas in 1968, I was appointed to
succeed Alaska's first senior Senator, Bob Bartlett. Next month will
mark the 40th year I have had the honor and privilege to serve in this
great Chamber.
First, and most important, I thank my family. After my wife Ann's
tragic death in 1978, I thought the end of my career had come, but my
dear wife Catherine entered my life in 1980, and joined by my six
children, Susan, Beth, Ted, Walter, Ben, and Lily, and my 11
grandchildren, my family has given me love, support, and sacrifice,
which made my continued career in the Senate possible and gave it
meaning. I dearly love each member of my family.
Forty years. It is hard to believe that so much time could pass so
quickly, but it has. I want everyone listening to know that I treasure
every moment I spent here representing Alaska and Alaskans, the land
and the people I love.
[[Page 24290]]
As a Member of this body, I served as whip from 1976 to 1984, as
chair of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, as chair of the
Arms Control Observer Group, as chair of the Ethics Committee, as chair
of the Rules Committee, as chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee,
as chair of the Appropriations Committee, as chair of the Commerce
Committee, and also had functions as the ranking member as the
political change took place back and forth across this aisle. I also
served as President pro tempore and President pro tempore emeritus.
I am having really a difficult time today articulating my feelings,
and I hope if I puddle up a little bit, as my old friend used to say, I
will be excused.
When I came to the Senate, Alaska had been a State for less than a
decade. We were then more of an impoverished territory than a full-
fledged State. The commitments made by the Federal Government in our
Statehood Act were unfulfilled, and some are still unfulfilled. Alaska
had not received the land and resources it had been promised. Poverty
and illness reigned supreme in rural regions of our State. I remember
so well when Senator Kennedy and I went to the Arctic and examined some
of those villages. It was a disaster. Our fisheries were in peril,
primarily from the intrusion of foreign vessels that were anchored just
a few miles offshore 12 months out of the year.
Many people doubted whether Alaska had what it took to be a
successful State, and they asked whether Alaska was still Seward's
Folly. We proved those doubters were wrong. Working with one another as
Alaskans and with great friends in the Senate, Alaskans took control of
our own destiny.
In 1958, as legislative counselor for the Department of Interior, I
worked on Alaska's Statehood Act. Section 4 of that act committed
Congress to settle the Alaska Native land claims.
In 1971, Congress did enact the Alaska Natives Land Claims Settlement
Act, settling aboriginal claims in our State. Native corporations,
established at my request to manage $1 billion paid to our State by the
Federal Government, and the 44-million acre land settlement are now
driving forces in the Alaska economy.
In 1973, after a dramatic tie-breaking vote by the Vice President of
this Chamber on an amendment which closed the courts of this country to
further delay by extreme environmentalists, the President signed into
law the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act. That act dramatically
improved America's energy security and secured the economic future of
Alaska.
In 1976, Congress passed what became known as the Magnuson-Stevens
Act to fight foreign fishing fleets which endangered America's
fisheries. Because of that act, America's fisheries today are the most
productive and the best managed in the world.
Working within the framework of these basic laws, Alaskans have
labored in the appropriations and administrative process to make
statehood a reality. Where there was nothing but tundra and forest,
today there are now airports, roads, ports, water and sewer systems,
hospitals, clinics, communications networks, research labs, and much,
much more. Alaska was not Seward's folly and is no longer an
impoverished territory. Alaska is a great State and an essential
contributor to our Nation's energy security and national defense. I am
proud to have had a role in this transformation. Working to help Alaska
achieve its potential has been and will continue to be my life's work.
My motto has been here ``to hell with politics, just do what's right
for Alaska,'' and I have tried every day to live up to those words. I
take great pride in the work of the Appropriations Defense
Subcommittee, the leadership of which I have shared for almost three
decades with my brother Senator Dan Inouye, and I thank him for being
here. He is a great American patriot and a true friend. Together, we
have worked to rebuild our Armed Forces to provide the support and
training needed by our warfighters to meet the challenges of a rapidly
changing world.
I don't have time today to recount the highlights of 40 years of work
in this body. That will take a lot of time. I will take time, however,
to acknowledge the friendships I have enjoyed with so many of my
colleagues and Senate staffers.
I really am grateful to every Member of the Senate for their
friendship, and I bear no ill will toward any Member of this body. I am
most grateful for the support and counsel of my colleagues in the
Alaska congressional delegation, my old friend in the House,
Congressman Don Young, who has done so much for our State, and my
steadfast partner in the Senate, Senator Lisa Murkowski, to whom I owe
so much and admire so much. She has been a true friend and true
partner. I wish her well in the future here.
I also want to acknowledge the tremendous contribution made by
hundreds of young Alaskans who have come to Washington to serve on my
staff. In particular, let me express my gratitude to my current staff,
all of whom have worked hard for Alaska during the toughest of times. I
know all will go on to do great things for Alaska and our country.
I feel blessed by God to have had the opportunity to serve in this
body. I deeply appreciate the trust Alaskans have reposed in me for 40
years. When Alaska needed a strong voice to speak up for its interests,
I did my part to the best of my ability. When an administration
submitted legislation or a budget that ignored Alaska's legislative
concerns, I urged Congress to exercise its constitutional power to
redress the balance. When an Alaskan--any Alaskan--or any Alaskan
entity needed help, my office was ready and did help to the maximum
extent possible.
I feel the same way now that I did in 1968. I really must pinch
myself to fully understand that I am privileged to speak on the floor
of the U.S. Senate. Coming from the boyhood I had, I could never even
have dreamed of being here today. And home is where the heart is, Mr.
President. If that is so, I have two homes--one is right here in this
Chamber, and the other is my beloved State of Alaska. I must leave one
to return to the other.
As I leave the Senate and the work that has given me so much
happiness and satisfaction over the years, I know Senator Murkowski and
Congressman Young will continue to be strong voices for our 49th State.
This is the last frontier. I also pray for my successor's success as he
joins in that effort.
My mission in life is not complete. I believe God will give me more
opportunities to be of service to Alaska and to our Nation. And I look
forward with glad heart and with confidence in its justice and mercy.
I told members of the press yesterday that I don't have any rearview
mirror. I look only forward, and I still see the day when I can remove
the cloud that currently surrounds me.
That's it, Mr. President, 40 years distilled into a few minutes, I
close by saying and asking that God bless Alaska and our Governor, God
bless the United States of America and our President, and God bless the
Senate and every Member of this body.
I yield the floor for the last time.
(Applause; Senators rising.)
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Brown). The majority leader is recognized.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise to say farewell to our distinguished
colleague, the senior Senator from the State of Alaska. Ted Stevens'
public service has been more than a career, it has really been his
life's calling.
After serving in World War II, where he rose to the rank of first
lieutenant, Ted Stevens completed undergraduate work at UCLA and
received a law degree from Harvard. He then came to Washington, DC, for
the first time to work for President Eisenhower. His career in elected
office started in 1964 with his election to the Alaska House of
Representatives. He became majority leader in his second term.
Appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1968, Ted Stevens was returned by the
voters of Alaska six times and last year became the longest serving
U.S. Republican Senator in our Nation's history.
His career has been more than about longevity. He has been an
advocate for
[[Page 24291]]
his State. And that is an understatement. He has served as President
pro tempore of the Senate, and now emeritus. He has been a senior
member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committees. He has
been heavily involved, as I know, in the Appropriations Committee,
Homeland Security Committee, and Rules Committee.
That is where I have become so well acquainted with Ted Stevens, is
on the Appropriations Committee. I had the good fortune of helping on
the floor on a number of appropriations bills. I consider a mark of
distinction and something I will always remember my Hulk tie Senator
Stevens gave me. I don't know anyone else he gave one to, but it was
his way of saying thanks for getting that appropriations bill done; I
liked the way you worked to get it done.
Events have transpired in Senator Stevens' life these past 2 years
that are deeply unfortunate. He and I had a number of conversations
about what was going on. I wish nothing but the best for Ted,
Catherine, and his daughter, whom I have known since she was a little
girl, now a distinguished lawyer.
Although I said in the past that Senator Stevens flew in World War II
with the Flying Tigers, on the Senate floor he will always be
remembered as a lion.
I have two final stories. I was a brandnew Senator, and my friend
Alan Bible died. Alan Bible served the State of Nevada with distinction
for 20 years. A military aircraft was provided to take those who wished
to go to Nevada for the funeral. There were two people on that
airplane--Harry Reid and Ted Stevens. Think about that. We flew to
Reno, NV, for a funeral. We went out and back in 1 day. It takes 5
hours to go out that way and 5 hours to come back.
I said--and I was a new Senator: Senator Stevens, why are you on the
airplane? I framed it a little differently than that. He said: I have a
long memory. The Alaska pipeline bill would not have passed but for
Alan Bible. It was very hard for him to make up his mind what he wanted
to do, and when he did, he was the culminating vote that allowed that
to pass. He said: I had to go to Reno to honor what Alan Bible did for
me.
Finally, everyone knows I have a unique relationship with Dan Inouye.
When he ran for leader, I supported him above anyone else. I did it
because he had been so good to me personally and, I felt, good to the
Senate. And, of course, I admired this man for what he had done for our
country, not only in the House of Representatives and in the Senate but
as a soldier in Italy where he was badly wounded.
It doesn't take much intelligence to understand that the most secure,
lasting friendship in this Senate and one that probably is a friendship
I have never seen before is the one with Senator Stevens and Senator
Inouye. Terms are thrown around a lot: ``He's my brother.'' With Dan
Inouye and Ted Stevens, they are brothers.
The Bible tells us in the Old Testament: ``Two are better than one;
because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the
one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he
falleth, for he hath not another to help him up.'' Dan Inouye may not
be the most powerful physical person in the world, but I think he is
the most powerful friend a person could have. And as Scripture
indicates, he will always be there for his friend, Ted Stevens.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican leader is recognized.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, Senate colleagues, how does one sum up
the extraordinary accomplishments of the longest serving Republican
Senator in U.S. history? The majority leader has summarized Senator
Stevens' career, but I think there is a way to measure it and to
summarize it that is even shorter. I think it is safe to say, without
any fear of contradiction, there is no Senator in the history of the
United States who has ever done more for his State than Senator Ted
Stevens. Alaska would not be what it is today----
Mr. BYRD. That is right.
Mr. McCONNELL. But for him.
Mr. BYRD. That is right.
Mr. McCONNELL. So we say farewell to our friend from Alaska and wish
him well in coming years. He can always be proud of the fact that no
Senator in the history of this country has ever done more for his State
than Senator Ted Stevens.
Mr. BYRD. That is right, Ted. That is right.
(Applause.)
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The junior Senator from Alaska.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I would like to speak this morning from
the perspective of an Alaskan. Sometimes it is not appropriate for a
woman to acknowledge her age, but when Senator Stevens first came to
this body, I was 11 years old. Senator Stevens, Ted Stevens, has been
``Alaska'' in this Senate for four decades now. Many Senators earn
their place in the history of their States during the course of service
in the Senate. But by the time Ted came to the Senate back in 1968, he
had already earned his place in Alaskan history. He had earned his
place in Alaska's history for his work a decade earlier.
As an Interior Department attorney in the late 1950s, Ted was the
Eisenhower administration's point man on Alaska statehood. Well, this
year, our State is celebrating its 50th anniversary of statehood. But
for the persistence of Ted Stevens at that time, our statehood
anniversary date might be celebrated some years off in the future. It
was that persistence that Ted brought to the Senate.
Historians will record the life of Ted Stevens and the history of
post-statehood Alaska and suggest they are all interwoven. But I think
there is an easier way to express that. When I think of the good
things, the positive things, that have come to Alaska in the past 50
years, I see the face and I see the hands of Ted Stevens in so many of
them.
Some of them are so small, like a washeteria for Golovin, a village
of 67 people people near Nome. Ted Stevens, through funding from the
Denali Commission, has enabled that village to have that washeteria.
You might not think much of that, but when you don't have a water and
sewer system and you don't have a place for basic sanitary services,
providing a washing facility in a little community is a big deal.
There are also the big projects, whether it is our 800-mile trans-
Alaska pipeline that Senator Stevens helped to create or the settlement
of our Alaska Native land claims, the fact that we have F-22s at
Elmendorf Air Force Base, or a compromise recently that allowed Eielson
Air Force Base to remain a vibrant and strategic center for our
military. And then the big things that are yet to come, as we are
working to advance a natural gas pipeline to bring that energy source
to the lower 48. We will also have a new VA outpatient clinic in
Anchorage that Ted has been responsible for.
When Alaskans think about the difficult debates, the issues Congress
has dealt with over the years as they relate to Alaska--and primarily
these are debates where the Nation has sought to tell Alaskans what we
should be doing to manage our lands, to develop our economies, to live
our lives. Every time there has been an argument, a debate, a victory,
it has been the forceful voice of Ted Stevens defending the right of
Alaskans that prevails.
We all knew when he would come to the floor wearing his Incredible
Hulk tie, he was fighting a battle for Alaska that day, and look out.
Whether it was our timber issues or the battle over ANWR or our
fisheries, he was there working, fighting, compromising, negotiating
these battles for the State of Alaska.
There are a lot of things we know about Ted and his passions, as he
has demonstrated them here on the floor, but there are some other
things you might not know about Senator Stevens and what drives him,
such as his care and his passion and support for world-class fishing
out on the Kenai River, his support for public broadcasting, which
earned him two national awards, and his undying commitment for the
Olympic movement and amateur athletics.
[[Page 24292]]
Somebody mentioned it would take a long time to enumerate the
accomplishments of Ted Stevens. Mr. Majority Leader, I might suggest
that in order to do that, it would take as long as it took you when you
read your book about Searchlight on the floor when I was sitting in the
Presiding Officer's chair. We don't have time to do that this morning,
and that is not my purpose today. But I would like to refer to Ted's
accomplishments in two small areas to illustrate a point I wish to make
about his character and his personal commitment to public service.
These are in the areas of what he has done to improve the lives of
Alaska's Native people and also his legacy to America's fisheries.
It is often said a society is judged by the way it treats its most
vulnerable members, and it is appropriate we judge the character of our
elected leaders in a similar way. In Alaska, the most vulnerable among
us are our Alaska Native people--the 120,000 or so Aleuts, Eskimos, and
Indians who are the descendants of Alaska's first inhabitants. We
recognize that the statistics about the condition of our Alaskan
Natives are not something of which we are proud, with incomes that are
half of other Alaskans and high rates of domestic violence, suicide,
child abuse, violent deaths, and a prison rate among our population
which is not acceptable.
For decades, Alaska's most vulnerable people have had no better
friend than Ted Stevens. If you go to Ted's Web site, it lists his
milestone legislative accomplishments, and 8 of the 13 are directed to
improving the conditions of Alaska's first people. So many of them are
so basic. You have all heard the stories; Ted has stood on the floor
and talked about the economic conditions we face--the fact that we
don't have road systems, the fact we have to fly to most of the
villages or go by boat--but the reality is that in so many of our
communities, in so many of our villages, we still don't have basic
water and sanitation for those who live there. Before Ted Stevens came
to the Senate, many of these villages had no running water, no flush
toilets, no plumbing, no place to wash clothes or take a shower--the
basic needs when it comes to sanitation and health.
In so many instances, our Native people have lived, and some still
live, in what could be called Third World conditions, conditions that
wouldn't be tolerated anywhere in this country, and conditions that Ted
Stevens would not tolerate. He determined he was going to change it and
he did. In 1980, only about 20 percent of the rural houses in Alaska
had indoor sanitation facilities. Thanks to Ted Stevens, that
percentage has risen to well over 75 percent. Now, we still have a ways
to go, but what he has done is pretty remarkable.
Talking about health improvements and conditions, it is almost
impossible to recruit health professionals to our small and remote
areas. So Ted looked into the future and wondered how we were going to
provide access, how we were going to provide for the needs of those who
live out here. And he said: Well, let's think ahead, and he brought
statewide telemedicine. It is the backbone of what we have in Alaska in
terms of how we provide for our health care needs. It is the largest
telemedicine program in the world. It gives first responders an ability
to consult with doctors in the larger cities. Thanks to Ted Stevens,
people's lives have been saved. He has made an enormous difference in
our community. He has championed the construction of hospitals in our
rural hubs out in Kotzebue, Barrow, Nome, and Dillingham. He has
brought about the community health centers and health clinics.
I know a lot of you have had an opportunity to come to Alaska, and
your first stop is the airport in Anchorage, and you notice that the
airport is named after Ted Stevens. Well, you might not know that there
is a large monument at the entrance to the Alaska Native Medical Center
that has been erected to remind Alaskans that this facility would not
have been possible without the work of Ted Stevens. So our Alaska
Natives today enjoy an integrated, high quality health care system
thanks to Ted Stevens.
This is important for us to remember because so much of what we see
in the Senate, the record that is created, we don't have the
opportunity to see how that translates to the people Ted Stevens has
represented for some 40 years.
Other areas he has worked for Alaska's Natives involve work to
preserve their cultural lifestyles through preservation of their
subsistence traditions and making sure the Inupiaq people can continue
their whaling and helping with economic opportunities and reducing
transportation costs. We are seeing a migration from our smaller
villages into our larger cities, but I can tell you, without the
lifestyle improvements Ted Stevens has brought to rural Alaska, our
Native people would have left their villages decades ago. So I wish to
thank you, Ted, for all you have done there.
I mentioned the fishery resource, and Senator Stevens himself
mentioned that in his comments, but it was nearly 40 years ago that Ted
joined with Warren Magnuson and developed a new management regime for
our fisheries. This was at a time when our fisheries in the United
States, including Alaska, were heavily overfished by foreign fleets.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act helped put America back in the fishing
industry. This legislation also created the Regional Fishery Management
Council. It is largely responsible for the development of Alaska's
sustainable fisheries. We are very proud of the fact that to this day
we supply about half the seafood that is caught in this country.
It was at Ted Stevens' insistence that the United States negotiated
an agreement to stop the illegal fishing in the international waters of
the Bering Sea. This agreement has restored the Alaska pollock fishery
from near collapse. He has been an absolute champion of ocean
conservation. He pushed the U.N. to ban high seas drift net fishing, a
practice that was devastating our salmon fisheries. Alaska fishermen
will never forget Ted Stevens, the conservationist, the advocate who
has truly helped bring our fisheries where they are.
Ted's departure from the Senate truly leaves a void in our hearts and
some very big shoes to fill here in the Senate. There are a lot of us
in Alaska who are wondering if anyone can fill these shoes. We agonize
over whether the Federal Government's interest in Alaska is going to
dwindle without Ted here to fight for us. But I am optimistic, Ted,
that is not going to be the case.
You have said many times in speeches you have given here on the floor
and back at home--you voiced the words of GEN Billy Mitchell back in
1935 when he said:
I believe that, in the future, whoever holds Alaska will
hold the world. . . . I think it is the most important
strategic place in the world.
Those words of Billy Mitchell, I think you and I agree, hold true
today. Alaska continues to provide this top cover for the defense of
the North American Continent. Our troops tell us our communities in
Alaska support the military like nowhere else in the country. The
heartfelt appreciation is genuine. We offer unencumbered military
training areas that are simply not available anywhere else. Our
resources--our natural gas, our mineral resources--will support and
continue to support America's national security for generations to
come.
Through his investments in the development of our State and our
people, Ted Stevens has helped to prepare Alaska to meet its future
challenges. We are a strong and confident and skilled people, and we
are empowered--we are empowered by all Ted's work has brought to us
over 40 years of service in the Senate.
While Ted may leave this body, I think all of us will continue to
seek his advice, his counsel, and his wisdom for as long as he is
willing to offer it.
Ted, you have earned a very special place in the golden hearts of
Alaskans, and you hold a very special place in my heart. Thank you for
your service to Alaska.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The senior Senator from Hawaii is recognized.
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Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, all of us realize the events of recent
weeks have been less than pleasant and at times dismal and
heartbreaking. But to my friend, I say stand tall, Ted, because you
have every reason to do so. Your good and courageous service to our
Nation is part of our history. It can never be obliterated. Your
service to the people of Alaska is legendary, and I am certain that in
decades to come, Native Alaskans--Eskimos and Indians--will be singing
you songs of praise. But above all, I thank you for your four decades
of friendship. I will cherish them. Thank you.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate President pro tempore is
recognized.
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I have been thinking, while sitting here
listening to the eloquent remarks of the senior Senator from Alaska on
this day, I have been here a long time, and so has he, the Senator from
Alaska, although he is just a youngster compared to me. Some in this
town would say we have both lived too long.
A long life is a blessing for many reasons. One of the reasons is one
learns a lot. One learns to take the bad with the good. One learns to
separate the phonies from the friends. One learns that family is the
most important gift. One learns to appreciate small, special moments
and the really good things in life--like a good laugh, a good cry, a
good dog, and a good meal.
Politics is a rough business, with lots of highs and lots of lows.
After a long time in politics, I come to understand that the point of
it all is helping people. Ted Stevens has helped a lot of people.
We all make mistakes. I have made more of them than I have hair
follicles. But thank God we will be judged in the next world by the
good we do in this world. Ted Stevens has done a lot of good.
I wish for you, my friend Ted Stevens, many happy years. I know you
will never stop working for the people of your beloved State of Alaska.
Bless your heart, Ted. I love you.
I offer an Irish blessing: May all the roads that you have built,
Ted, rise up to meet you, and may the wind, Ted, be always at your
back. May the Sun shine warmly upon your face, Ted, and may the rains
fall softly upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold
you, Ted, in the hollow of His hand.
Bless your heart, Ted. I love you.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico is recognized.
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise now because I look around and I
don't think there is any Senator left on the floor who has served
longer than I with him. He has had his 40; I have had my 36.
Senator, I just want to say this to you. The Constitution of the
United States said that there will be a difference between the Senate
and the House. They said the way to get a constitution is to make sure
they provide that individually the States would be adequately
represented. And they said: We will make sure of that by creating a
U.S. Senate where two Senators represent the State.
My friend, I want to say to you, obviously I have traveled a little
bit different path in my 36 years, but many times the paths have
crossed--you and this Senator. I do want to say that, more than anyone
else, you have taught me the meaning of representing my State. You are
unabashed about that. That caused me on many occasions to think about
what I was doing and whether I was representing my State correctly, to
the full extent of my ability, and whether I did that with gusto,
knowing that we needed things. For we are comparable in that we are a
very poor State. We are among the last that came in, and we have many
of the same problems you have.
It has truly been a luxury of my life to work with you, to see how
you got things done, and, from time to time, to be able to help you
because you asked--you were unabashed in that regard too--to help your
State. You would ask any of us to join you in your cause, and most of
us did that willingly.
Mr. BYRD. You bet.
Mr. DOMENICI. But, Senator, I wish to say just a word to the people
of your State.
We know Ted Stevens as a Senator representing you people. A big event
has occurred in the life of Ted Stevens that you people of Alaska quite
properly have been involved in. But none of us who have worked with him
could let this day pass with anyone not knowing--whether they be in
Alaska, a Native of Alaska or resident of Alaska or a Native, true
Native--all of you must know of the high respect and great esteem in
which we hold your Senator. We are most grateful that you sent him here
for 40 years. For some of us, it ends too abruptly, but every ride
seems to have an end.
All I hope is, with what you have left in your life, that you will
feel this day is a special one, when Senators have put their hearts out
here on the Senate floor to tell you who you were to them, what you
meant to them. I hope I have done my share in my few moments. Nobody
will know how many times we have talked and met, how many times you and
I have shared personal things and gone on with our own business, but we
were certain to mention our personal problems along with it, things we
wanted to share as men. I thank you for every bit of that.
To the extent that some of our prayers and the prayers of some of our
relatives whom I asked personally to pray for you--I hope it has had
some good. I hope when you were down, you were lifted a bit. I hope
that today you are going to be lifted more so that you can stand what
is ahead of you with a high head and come out of it with more of the
successes of your life right out in front of you for you to feel and
touch, as those hard issues still remain.
Thank you for your friendship.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut is recognized.
Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, much that has been true and honest has
been said by our colleagues this morning to support and pay tribute to
the unique, the great and historic service of Senator Ted Stevens to
Alaska and to our country. I will come back to that, but I wish to take
a moment to speak about Ted Stevens as a friend and a neighbor.
It happened that when I first came to the Senate 20 years ago, our
wives, Catherine and Hadassah, became friends. As usual, they led us in
the right direction--which is toward each other. In fact, it was
Catherine and Ted's counsel and urging to Hadassah and me that led us,
after 6 years living somewhere else, to the neighborhood we live in
now, which is where they used to live. In the last several years, they
have come back to that neighborhood.
Maybe, beyond the news that comes out of the Senate in Washington and
the politics that dominates the news, a lot of people back home and
around the country do not realize we are actually just normal people--
we live in neighborhoods here, we have friends, and we get to know our
friends.
I speak of Ted in that regard. Once years ago somebody said: What can
you tell me about Ted Stevens? I can tell you a lot and others can
about what he is like as a Senator. I will tell you this, that Hadassah
and I talked the other day and we said: Who would we call, of our
colleagues in the Senate, if something happened in the family?
Now I think about it, it was said at 3 a.m. in the morning. That was
before the commercials in the last campaign. But this was not about a
national emergency, this was about something that happened in the
family and you needed somebody's help to come over and watch the kids
or something such as that. We said we would call Ted and Catherine
Stevens. I never had to make that call, but I have no doubt they would
have responded.
I have gotten to know Ted Stevens very well. This is a good and
honorable man. He is a wise man, reads a lot. And in recent years we
have exchanged books, usually adventure novels, with one another. He
has a tremendous sense of history, and more than some might appreciate,
he has a great sense of humor as well.
So I salute him as a good and honorable man, a man of faith who has
served our country with great effect. I
[[Page 24294]]
want to take a moment before I close to talk about the extraordinary
service and supportive leadership Ted Stevens has given to the Armed
Forces of the United States and, therefore, to the security of every
American, the freedom of every American, and I would say the security
and freedom of people in countries all over the world who have
benefited from the courage of our military, the skill of our military,
and even more directly because of the support Ted Stevens and Dan
Inouye have given to our allies militarily around the world.
The distinguished Republican leader said he could not think of any
Senator who had done more for his State in the history of the Senate
than Ted Stevens has done for Alaska. I would say something else at
this moment. Remember, we have constitutional responsibilities that we
swear to uphold when we take the oath of office as Senators. One of the
great ones, perhaps the first one, which precedes all others, is to
provide for the common defense. I honestly cannot think of two Senators
who have done more to protect the security of the United States of
America, and therefore our freedom, than Ted Stevens and Dan Inouye.
You know, we talk a lot around here about partisanship. All of us
agree that there has been too much of it, that it gets in the way of us
getting things done. I have been privileged in the years I have been on
the Homeland Security Committee to have had a wonderful relationship
with Senator Collins, whether she has been chairman or I have been
chairman. But this relationship between Ted Stevens and Dan Inouye is
unique. Regardless of which one was in the majority and which was in
the so-called minority, these two were cochairs. They shared staff,
they helped each other, because the party affiliation ultimately did
not matter.
What did you say your oath was? To hell with politics, I have got to
do what is good for Alaska. I am going to say, in so many ways,
particularly working with Dan Inouye, you have said throughout this 40
years, particularly in the years you have worked together on the
Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, to hell with politics, we, Dan
Inouye and I, are going to do what is good for America.
I salute you for that. I thank you for that. I love the fact that you
said in your remarks that you are confident God has more work for you
to do. I share that confidence and that faith. I wish you and your
wonderful family, your beloved wife Catherine and your children, all of
God's blessings in the years ahead.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.
Mr. HATCH. I remember the first time I met Ted Stevens. It was back
in 1976 when I was a young candidate for office, citizen candidate,
hardly knew where the Senate floor was. I have loved and admired him
ever since. We have been in the presence of three great senior lions in
the Senate. Bob Byrd, as we all know, has served this Senate many
years. And I love these three people.
Dan Inouye. I admire him so much for the courage, honor, and
friendship he has displayed to so many of us. But above all, to Ted
Stevens. Ted Stevens is truly one of the greatest Senators who ever sat
here. All three of them are. They have been exemplary to all of us, but
especially me.
I have watched them. I have learned from them. Hopefully I have not
heard the last of my dear friend Ted. Ted Stevens personifies a person
with real guts, with real ability, that dedication to his State,
dedication to every person in his State regardless of politics,
religion, or anything else. He has worked his behind off for 40 years,
and actually longer than that, in public service--one of the greatest
men I have ever met.
I always loved him when he wore the Incredible Hulk tie. I always got
a big kick out of it. I even liked his crankiness, because there was
always a little smile behind it. He never held a grudge against
anybody, and he was always willing to lend a helping hand and give good
advice.
Frankly, I admire him so much. Ted, I believe this cloud will be
lifted from you. It should be. The fact is that you are a great man in
a great body here where so few rise to the top level. You really have.
You have shown such kindness and graciousness to virtually everybody
here, and enough toughness too, when we have needed it. You are a great
leader. I for one am going to miss you as a Member of this body. I hope
we will not miss you as a friend and colleague in the future, because
you will always be my colleague. You will always be somebody I look up
to. You will always be somebody who I learn from. You will always be
somebody who has stood for things that count: family, home, State,
country.
I do not know if I can say anything much better than that. But all I
can say is this is a good man. He deserves to be remembered as a great
man as well. We all love you. We wish you the best. We hope we continue
to see a lot of you.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington State.
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of many citizens
of Washington State who are friends of the Senator from Alaska. On
their behalf today, I say thank you for all of the work that you have
done for your neighbor to the South.
Obviously, everyone here has listed the many accomplishments of the
senior Senator from Alaska in his many decades of service. We are a
State that considers Alaska a neighbor. He has been an ally of ours
many times over, and throughout his long service in serving his own
State, has also helped the citizens I represent. I thank him for that
today. I thank him for his years of service on the Appropriations
Committee where I watched him as the Chair and ranking member, where
though he may be a strong adversary, he also understood that everyone
had a right to speak and had a right to offer arguments and respected
that. I think that is truly a lesson all of us should remember.
But I want to share a lesson that the Senator from Alaska also taught
me that I think is important for this time as well. Several years ago I
was privileged to join the Senator from Alaska and the Senator from
Hawaii on a delegation trip to China where we met with officials across
the country to talk about the important issues facing our country and
China.
Senator Inouye was called away, and I was left as the senior Democrat
on the trip. We met with leaders from China across the table from us.
Senator Stevens led many of these meetings but on several occasions
turned to me to ask me to lead those. As we were leaving China, I
thanked him for that respect he gave me in front of our delegation and
in front of theirs. He said to me he thought it was important that the
people of China see that even though we have two different parties here
with very strong opinions we respect each other and out of that respect
are able to lead this country facing the challenges we have in front of
us.
He used that as a lesson to China, but it was a lesson to me as well,
that we do have two strong parties, but in the end we serve the people
of America, and we do it by respecting each other. So I stand today and
join my colleagues in thanking the Senator from Alaska for being the
leader he has been here, for the work he has done, and wish him the
very best in his future.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kansas is recognized.
Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, first impressions are always important. I
think many times they are completely false. I was a Member of the House
when I first met Ted Stevens. It was at a retreat our party was having,
and I sat there wondering what on Earth makes this man tick. Here was
the most obstreperous if not outrageous person expressing his opinion,
despite any other person who had an objection, who insisted on making
his point.
I went away from that meeting and said: That Ted Stevens fellow is
one of the most unique people I have ever met. I would just as soon not
meet him again. Then I found out that he was running for leadership of
the Republican party in this distinguished body against my friend and
colleague, mentor, hero, Bob Dole, and came within
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one vote. There is a story there, but we will not get into that. And so
that was the history as I regarded Ted Stevens.
I came to the Senate, had the privilege of being elected to the
Senate in 1996. I was standing right over there. All of a sudden there
was Ted Stevens standing in front of me. That was sort of a frightening
experience for a new Senator. But he came up and he jabbed his finger
on my chest--Ted, you will not remember this--and he said, ``I know who
you are.''
I said, ``Well, I sure as hell know who you are.''
He said, ``You allegedly know something about agriculture. Bob Dole
told me about you, said you were a stand-up guy.''
I said, ``Thank you. That is a real compliment.''
He said, ``You serve on Armed Services and Intelligence?''
I said, ``Yes, sir, I do.''
He said, ``How would you like to go to the Russian Far East with
me?''
I thought to myself: Why on Earth would I want to go to the Russian
Far East?
He said, ``We are going to go to Habarodfk. I can assure you,
Habarodfk is not one of the places that you would want to go to if you
had free time to go anywhere.'' And he said, ``Then we are going to go
to Vladivostok. We are going to meet with the admiral of the Russian
navy. He is closer to Alaska than he is to Moscow. I know him.''
I thought, this is a man who has unusual relationships with people
all around the world.
``And then we are going to go to South Korea to meet one of the many
presidents that come and go in South Korea to indicate our strong
support. But then we are going to be the first delegation allowed into
North Korea.''
Well, that got my attention. He said, ``That is why I would like to
have you come along, because if we could arrange a third-party grain
sale''--and I guess this is not classified anymore, but at any rate--
``arrange a third-party grain sale, and using agriculture as a tool for
peace, there are things we can do in North Korea to at least establish
a relationship.''
This man has tried to do that all around the world with our
adversaries. People talk about that a lot, that he actually just does
it. He does not make any press releases about it, does not talk about
it much.
So I said, ``Well, sure, I will sign up.''
And he said, ``I understand that you are a journalist.''
I said, ``Yep, that is an unemployed newsman.''
And he said, ``You could be the scribe in regard to this CODEL.'' I
might say that any CODEL you went on with Ted Stevens, you always had a
T-shirt saying: ``I survived CODEL Stevens'' because you would go to
the South Pole, you would go to other places, but you didn't go to the
water holes where apparently the business executives of our financial
institutions go now to think about things.
In any case, we went to Habarovsk where I had a little discussion
with Senator Inouye about where we were staying, our accommodations,
and got to know Danny very well. We went to Vladivostok. We talked to
that admiral who felt closer to Ted Stevens than he did the Russian
Government at that particular time. We went to Sakhalin Island. There
are tremendous oil reserves there. He was trying to work out some kind
of arrangement where American oil companies could come in and take
advantage of all of the oil reserves. We had to work our way through
the saber-toothed tigers; I am not making that up.
Then we went to South Korea because you have to go to South Korea if
you are going to go to North Korea. That is just required. Then we went
into North Korea. Darnedest experience I have ever had in my life. It
was a situation where that is a theocracy. It is a robotic theocracy.
If there is a trudging contest in the Olympics, the North Koreans will
win without any question. It was the first delegation allowed into
North Korea. Senator Inouye and Senator Stevens met with the North
Koreans. It was Senator Cochran who insisted on going to a farm. I say
that with a smile. We did that. I will just say from an agricultural
standpoint, it was just a field with nothing there except a 1938 Case
tractor with a camouflage net over it. That sort of tells you where
they are: not a Third World country but, as I said, a theocracy. But
back to the story. It was about 11 or 12 midnight. This was a very
unusual trip. We left everything on the plane, and we stayed at an
alleged VIP headquarters. There wasn't any heat. I won't go into all
that.
At any rate, this discussion had gone on and on and on, and there was
an interpreter with the two people with whom we were meeting. We had
hoped to meet with Kim Jong-il. That was not possible. So he sent two
of his puppets down there to meet with us. They were just going back
and forth with propaganda and we were serious. We had permission from
the Treasury to waive certain requirements so we could arrange for a
third party grain sale to assist North Korea which goes through a
famine every harvesting year. In response, we could ask for other
things.
So you had two World War II veterans who told these two individuals:
We are World War II veterans. We want to make Pammunjon a tourist
attraction. We want to make real progress about that. Finally, Ted had
it up to here. He said: Knock off the BS. I know you understand
English. Just take the interpreter out of it and let's get to the
bottom line.
The bottom line was that they couldn't do anything. They were there
to learn what we were about. They really couldn't make any decisions.
That was a real lost opportunity at that particular time. I will never
forget his leadership.
At any rate, I would just like to say on another CODEL, I don't even
know which one it was, we landed at 11 and we got to the hotel about
midnight. This man is a great connoisseur of military movies, military
history, almost any other movie. He is a great devotee of that great
documentary ``Band of Brothers.'' So we were playing ``Band of
Brothers'' to virtually staff and to all present. And this is at 12:30
at night. We had reached episode 5; we were going to episode 6. So
there we all were. And, of course, it was playing and playing. I looked
around. All the staff were asleep. Loyal, they were still there, but
they were asleep. Then all the Members who were still there, because
you didn't leave in regards to the Stevens entourage and whatever
performance he decided that we should see, so consequently, I was
having a hard time keeping my eyelids open.
I looked over at him and his eyes were closed. I thought, the great
man has his eyes closed. Everybody else is asleep. So I will get up,
the scribe of the CODEL, and look around and gently turn off the
television and then I can gently wake him up and say: ``Ted, it is
pretty late, 1 o'clock. We all ought to go to bed.''
As I reached for the button to turn off the power, he said: ``This
next part is the best part.'' He wasn't watching it; he was listening
because he had seen it about three times. Well, needless to say, we saw
episode 6 in its entirety. Thank the Lord, we didn't go into episode 7.
We would have been there all night.
Let me just say, I was present for the ceremonies in Alaska when Ted
was named the Alaskan of the Century. How can a sitting Senator or a
sitting Member of Congress or anybody get citizen approval or approval
from his State or accolades from his State at that particular time. But
he was Alaskan of the Century. His name was everywhere. I told him the
Anchorage Daily News should have been the ``Ted Stevens News.''
But I had the unique privilege of roasting this man, which I enjoyed
thoroughly, and then got pretty serious toward the end. At any rate, he
flew in on a World War II plane. He had his combat jacket. He came in
with Catherine and took his place on two very posh chairs. And I quoted
again that saying he has said, and it has been said today by the
Senator himself and by others: ``The hell with politics; let's do what
is good for Alaska.'' I will add: And the country and our national
defense and for every man and woman in uniform; they owe this man a
great
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debt. That is a true thing that he has done in terms of his service.
I am a journalist. I am an old newspaper guy. My great-grandfather
founded the second oldest newspaper in the State of Kansas, John Wesley
Roberts. He was an abolitionist. I have printer's ink in my blood. The
only thing I would say to my fellow colleagues who have now left the
galleries because the show is over, or at least up to this point, I
would only say to my colleagues that I don't know who sang the song,
``You Don't Know Me.'' Maybe that was Patsy Cline; maybe it was
somebody else. I will have to Google it. But at any rate, you don't
know him. You really don't know him. This is a man with a very gruff
exterior, but he is a teddy bear when you really get to know him. I
know that because that is exactly what my daughter labeled him when she
worked part-time for him some years ago.
As a matter of fact, she called him the mad penguin. She never called
him that to his face. I don't know if you knew that or not, Ted. But
that was the label.
So under this great, gruff facade--i.e., the mad penguin--there is a
compassionate, caring, wise and, yes, a man with a very good sense of
humor which I enjoyed immensely.
When you come to this body and you come to public service, you know
that you risk your ideas, your thoughts, your hopes, and your dreams
before the crowd. Sometimes the crowd says yes, and you have friends
who will stand behind you when you are taking the bows. Then when
something happens in your life, when it is most unfortunate--and my
family has experienced this as well--you wonder where your friends are
who will stand beside you when you are taking the boos as opposed to
the bows.
I want to tell you that being the Alaskan of the Century and the
Alaskan or the Senator who has done so much for the country and my
State of Kansas, I stand next to you, Ted, and as many have said: You
are a dear friend. I love you. God bless.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Tester). The Senator from Texas.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I so appreciate hearing the many
stories that Ted Stevens has generated in this body. He has been a
friend to everyone who has served all of the time with him. People say:
Ted took care of Alaska. Ted did take care of Alaska. But from my
standpoint, what I saw is that Ted made sure that every State was taken
care of, that every Senator's priorities were met, if at all possible.
He took care of the military. He took care of upgrading the military
bases because, of course, he served in the military. And he wanted more
than anything for our military people to have the quality of life they
deserved. So I see him as someone who has been what people say is so
rare in this city, and that is a true friend.
It has been mentioned a couple of times that he has a gruff exterior.
When I see pictures of him in the newspaper and he is looking like
this, it is not the Ted Stevens we know. It is not the person who has
endeared himself to our colleagues for years and years and years in the
Senate. That is his manner, but I always said behind his back: He is
all bark and no bite. He is the most loyal friend and the person you
could go to when you needed advice, as I know his great colleague from
Alaska, Senator Murkowski, has done many times, as have I, but also
when you needed help.
I, too, have traveled with Ted Stevens and Danny Inouye because I was
fortunate enough, with Ted's help, to get on the Defense Appropriations
Committee. So we went to the garden spots of the world such as Bosnia,
when the Serbs had been shooting from the hills, and when we went
undercover with flight jackets, undercover of delivering 2,000 pounds
of peas to the many refugees who were in Bosnia at the time. We came
into the Sarajevo airport with our helmets on and our flight jackets.
Of course, it was a war-torn city. We saw later, when we went there,
the former Olympic fields that were burial grounds because they had no
place else to put the people who had died in these terrible, tragic
circumstances in Bosnia.
I went with Ted Stevens and Danny Inouye to Saudi Arabia where I was
told later that it was actually discouraged that a woman would be in a
delegation. But Ted Stevens said: No way was there ever going to be
discrimination against a Senator. I was a part of that delegation. I
went to our airbase there. I went and met with everyone we met with as
a delegation. I spoke in my turn, just as every member of our
delegation did, because Ted Stevens was always going to stand up for
the right of every Senator to be a part of a foreign delegation.
I went to the farm bureau air show with Ted Stevens. There is nothing
more joyous than Ted Stevens when he is in an air museum or at an air
show. He is an aviator to his core. He asked all the questions. He knew
most of the answers already because he knows airplanes and he knows
aviation.
I know what this man has been through for the last few months. I know
the toll it takes on himself and his family.
I am proud to stand with Ted Stevens because I value his friendship
and all he has done for me in my term in the Senate and what he has
done for Texas every time I have needed for Texas to be taken care of.
I will say two things in conclusion about Ted Stevens. His country
has never called that he has not answered the call--from the military,
to being in the Eisenhower administration, to fighting for Alaska to be
a State, and then fighting to make Alaska a great State. It is a great
State.
It would not be the State it is without your leadership, Ted.
But I want to say the most important thing I think you could say
about anyone you know; that is, those who know him best love him most.
Thank you.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
____________________
EXTENSION OF MORNING BUSINESS
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the time for
morning business be extended until 2 p.m., with Senators permitted to
speak for up to 10 minutes each.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from Hawaii.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SENATORS
ted stevens
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to pay honor to Senator Ted Stevens
of Alaska. While our country may not realize this, Ted has been a great
advocate on a number of important issues for our country. Reminding our
country of its responsibility to its indigenous people has been one of
the major causes that Ted Stevens has pursued and advanced. It has been
a delight to work with him to expand opportunities and help our
indigenous peoples of the noncontiguous States of Alaska and Hawaii, as
well as those across the country.
We have worked well together to improve the lives of Federal
employees. We tried hard this Congress to enact meaningful reforms on
telework opportunities in the Federal Government and, most importantly,
to provide retirement equity to Federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii,
and the territories by extending locality pay to those areas. Your
leadership on those issues was invaluable to our efforts to move the
bills forward. Thank you for your efforts to expand opportunities for
Federal employees.
Also, I want to mention something that is probably an unknown part of
history, and that is a number of years ago I discovered that since 1965
the model of the Statue of Freedom was in storage at the Smithsonian. I
worked to try to bring that statute here to the Capitol, and I was
having a hard time with that until Ted Stevens joined me. With his help
we were able to move that statue from storage in the Smithsonian to the
Capitol.
It was, as you may now know, the model which was erected in the
Russell rotunda. I am pleased to say that on December 2, 2008, the new
Capitol Visitor Center will be dedicated and that
[[Page 24297]]
Statue of Freedom will be placed between the two escalators that will
lead to the Capitol. For me and for Ted Stevens, this symbolizes that
freedom is returning to the Capitol of the United States. And on
December 2, 2008, the Center will be open and the Statue of Freedom
will be an eminent part of the Visitor Center.
I thank Ted Stevens for all the help that he has given us in Hawaii
and other States. He has brought strength and passion to the Senate and
has been a constant presence in this institution. And for Millie and
me, Ted, I want to say aloha, and a warm aloha and mahalo nui loa to
you for all the friendship that we have had and continue to have. I
want to say God bless you and Catherine and your family in the years
ahead.
Mahalo.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Minnesota.
Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I think the length of my service is a
blink of the eye compared to those who have spoken before. And as I
stand here, I cannot tell you whether it is going to be two blinks.
But I was on the CODEL with the Senator from Washington. We were in
China with Senator Stevens, and I would like to offer some insight, if
I can, as to the question raised by my colleague from Kansas as to what
makes Ted Stevens tick.
When we were in China, Senator Stevens was treated as a hero. And he
is a hero because of his service in World War II. He flew under General
Chennault and went over, I think it was, the China-India-Burma bump. He
landed in places in China to refurbish supplies, ammunition, I think,
bring in intelligence sources, as described to me, where landing fields
were cut out. There may have been a foot on one side and a foot on the
other side, and this young guy was flying in there because he loved his
country.
When we talk about Ted Stevens and his service to our country--so
many talk about 40 years in the Senate--as I reflected on who that
young guy was, flying in there with absolute fearlessness, with
courage, with love of country, he is the same guy. He is the same guy.
That is what he has given to this country his entire adult life, and it
has been given in great service to this country. I think that is pretty
special.
He has the veneer of a tough guy. And Ted Stevens can be tough. There
is no question about that. But those of us who know him also see the
love, the love that is in his heart, reflected in love of country, but
love of family, love for his magnificent wife, love for his daughter.
You see the gleam in his eye anytime he talks about her or she is in
his presence. We see the love he has for this body, the love he has for
his colleagues, even, by the way, for those with whom he disagrees. I
have not been on the side of ANWR with my colleague from Alaska. But if
you simply tell him where you are and you give your word and live by
that, he is always there with you.
Senator Smith is not with us today, but few of us will ever forget
when he stood on the floor of this Senate after the tragic death of his
son and reflected upon the support of his colleagues and took special
note of the fact that he was not with Ted Stevens on the most important
issue to Ted at that time: ANWR. Yet when Senator Smith suffered
tragedy in his life, who was the first person to step up to try to
provide support, to try to ensure that cause get there? It was Senator
Stevens.
That is the person we know. He has given his entire adult life to
service to this Nation--extraordinary service to this Nation--and he
has done it with fearlessness, courage, love, and commitment, as with
everything he did as a young man. He has never lost any of those
qualities, and we see them today. This Nation has been blessed by his
service, and many of us have been blessed by his friendship, and we
wish him our very best.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho.
Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I come to the floor this afternoon with
tremendously mixed emotions to visit with all of you and with our
country about Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska.
Many have said much about this great man. I will not say a great
deal, but I will try to express it in an emotional way for a fellow I
have known of for 28 years and have known personally for 18 years.
So let me visit for a moment as a westerner, as somebody from a
public lands State, where the Federal Government is, in many instances,
dominant over the lives of small communities and citizens in a way that
most of you from nonpublic lands States wouldn't ever appreciate. I
know that passion. I, every day of my life, in working with Ted
Stevens, sensed that passion in a way that if you are not from a public
lands State, if you do not have an agency or a bureaucrat dictating to
you about the lives of your citizens and your people, you would simply
never understand.
But Ted grasped that early on and without question has been the
champion of his State and their citizens in a way that no other Senator
has been. I have so tremendously respected that.
I have been in and out of Alaska several times in my tenure as a
Senator or as a Congressman. I will close with an expression given to
me by a cab driver in Anchorage that says more to me about this man
than anything I could possibly say myself.
I was en route from downtown Anchorage, Ted, to the Ted Stevens
International Airport. We rounded the curve and pulled up. As I exited
the cab, I looked up, and there was your name. I said: Oh, my, Ted's
got an airport. That is neat.
And the cab driver said, ``Do you know Uncle Ted?''
I said, ``Well, yes, I do. I work for him in the Senate.''
He said ``You do?''
I said ``Sure do.''
He said, ``Give him my best when you get back to Washington because,
as an Alaskan, I know of no other person who has done more for my State
than Uncle Ted.''
Well, Ted Stevens now knows why I call him Uncle Ted more often than
not. I view that as a much more affectionate term than Senator Stevens
because, as I was flying out of that great State and headed down the
coast, looking off to my left at those phenomenal mountains and
expanses of wilderness and public lands and resources, I thought: If
any one person deserves the credit for taking this phenomenal region of
our world and providing reasonable points of life for so many of its
citizens, it is Uncle Ted Stevens.
Uncle Ted, I am going to miss you. This Senate will miss you. Your
State will miss you. And America will miss you.
Thank you for your service.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kentucky.
Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I have had the good fortune of coming to
the Congress in 1987 as a Member of the House of Representatives.
Therefore, I did not get to mingle and get to know Ted Stevens really
well--just in conferences. If you want to get through to the other side
of Ted Stevens--not the one we have heard about so much on the floor
today--go to a conference with Ted Stevens, and he will defend his
issues and his particular beliefs in that conference as good as anyone
I know of these 100 people who are in the Senate.
But then, in 1998, I had the good fortune of being elected to the
Senate. When you come to the Senate for the first time, and you have
had an encounter with Ted Stevens in any manner, it is kind of like:
Oh, my God, is he really that tough to deal with all the time or is
that a facade we see?
Well, I have gotten to know, over the last 10 years, the true Ted
Stevens. If you want someone who represents America representing you in
the Senate, it is Ted Stevens--not only for his State, for the defense
of our country, for the principles of the United States on which we
stand, our Founders embedded in Ted Stevens' mind, but for all the
other things this country stands for: the goodness of its people,
giving to others, allowing them to get to know you to the point of
changing that gruff outside into pure love. I have found Ted Stevens to
be the most
[[Page 24298]]
straightforward, honest Senator I have ever dealt with. He has given
me, just by association for the last 10 years, the basis on which I
serve here in the Senate. He has given me the example. He has given me
the principles and the things that each and every one of us here on the
Senate floor should demonstrate daily. Sure, we all look out for our
State; he does it better than everyone. Sure, we look out for the
United States of America as a whole--and he has done it better than
anyone--but for family values or love of family, for love of fellow
citizens and fellow Senators, this man is a shining example of what a
Senator should be. I will hold his friendship dear until we both die. I
thank him for his service.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi.
Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, this is not my desk. I choose to speak
from this place because the vantage point is better, because I will
also have something to say about the delightful wife of Senator Ted
Stevens. I am the junior-most Member of this body. I am here today with
the junior Senator from Alaska and two of the longest serving Members
of the Senate. It is almost presumptuous for me to even rise to speak
at this occasion, but I do so because as the least ranking Member of
the Senate, I wish to express my profound respect for Senator Ted
Stevens.
The previous speaker, my friend from Kentucky, said one way to get to
know Members such as Ted Stevens is to go to a conference with them. As
a Member of the House of Representatives, I had occasion to go to
conferences sponsored by the Aspen Institute where we would discuss
matters of importance to our Nation and to the world. It was at a
conference in Istanbul on the subject of political Islam that I learned
about the keen intellect of Senator Ted Stevens, and also the fact that
a participant in that conference could be less than half Senator
Stevens' age, but he was willing to engage with you, to listen to you,
to have the give and take you can have in small group sessions such as
that. I appreciate the opportunity I had as a Member then of the House
of Representatives in having that sort of interaction with this great
man.
There has been expression today about the seemingly gruff exterior or
facade of the man we speak of today. I will tell my colleagues who he
is gruff about. He is not too happy about people such as Islamic
jihadists, about the opponents of freedom around the world. He is a
little gruff about anyone around the globe who would wish our country
ill, and he makes no bones about that.
I wish to commend Senator Stevens and to express my admiration to him
for the good judgment and good fortune he has had in having as a spouse
someone such as Catherine Stevens.
I mention two very small stories that I think tell a lot about both
Senator Stevens and Catherine. We were at this conference and my wife
was not able to accompany me. According to the rules, I was able to
bring my college-age daughter Caroline. It happened that she needed to
take an earlier flight to get back and I would stay with the conference
for another day. I found out later what happened. She said: Daddy, Mrs.
Stevens gave me some money before I left. It happened this way: Mrs.
Stevens asked Caroline how much money she had to make it through the
various airports and Caroline told her and, as usual, her cheapskate
dad had shortchanged her. Mrs. Stevens said, That is not enough money,
and she pulled out a couple of hundred dollar bills to make sure
Caroline got through the airport system safely. Here was the wife of
the President pro tempore of the Senate being kind and being careful
that a college-age girl was well taken care of. I paid the money back,
I wish to assure my colleagues, but I don't know that I will ever be
able to pay back the friendship.
I have only been in the Senate some 10 months. Early on I offered an
amendment which was important to my State and my region. It was obvious
that the amendment did not have the support of a majority. It was going
to go down and go down in flames, as it did. I was down close to the
front and had already abandoned all hope for the amendment passing. I
am sure Ted does not even remember this, but he walked by the desk
there and cast an aye vote for the Wicker amendment. He was one of the
few people to do so. Someone was taking Senator Stevens to task for
voting yes. He did not know I was listening, but I heard him say, ``I
did it to help Wicker.'' I am sure that was the only reason he cast
that vote. I can tell my colleagues I appreciated that act of kindness,
just as I appreciated Catherine Stevens' act of kindness toward my
daughter.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said:
Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives
sublime, and departing, leave behind us footprints on the
sands of time.
Now, the junior Senator from Alaska did a wonderful job of outlining
the many footprints our friend Ted Stevens has left for both the United
States of America and the people specifically of his beloved State of
Alaska. The people of Alaska will long live better, Alaskans yet unborn
will live better because of the efforts of Ted Stevens. Americans today
and Americans yet unborn will be safer and live freer because of the
service and the leadership of Ted Stevens. I am honored down to my
bones to be able to stand on the floor of the Senate today and pay
tribute to this great man.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi is recognized.
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to have been here to hear
most of the comments and remarks of our colleagues about the
distinguished career of the Senator from Alaska, Ted Stevens. I haven't
had a better friend in the Senate than Ted Stevens and his example and
his friendship have been very vital to my service in the Senate, and
the people of my State have benefited from the relationship I have had.
So I am glad to have this opportunity here today, when so many are
saying the things that come to their mind and are in their heart about
the impact Ted Stevens has had on the work of this Senate and on
individual Senators and their careers.
I am one of those who had the privilege of being by his side as a
member of the Appropriations Committee. After 2 years in the Senate, I
was able to get on that committee and moved up pretty quickly, because
of the retirements of other Senators, to sit by his side and to benefit
from his example. I am grateful to have had that opportunity, and I
thank him for his generosity, for his time and his efforts to help
assure that I was assisted. I tried to be helpful to not only my State
but to programs and activities within the Department of Defense that I
had strong feelings about and thought were very vital to our national
security interests. Missile defense comes to mind as one of those
issues that we dealt with in a way that led our country to move forward
quickly. Senator Inouye was very much a part of that as well. I think
their experience and the way they worked together served as an example
to the rest of us as to how working through the committee system of the
Senate benefits our country and how it is important to this institution
that traditions be respected and observed. It is not just for
procedural standpoint benefits, but it truly does improve the quality
of the work and the importance of the influence of the Senate in our
government today.
So I can't say enough in terms of praise and expression of
appreciation, except that we are going to miss the benefit and the
example of Ted Stevens here in this Senate. There is no way around
that. We are suffering a loss by his departure from the Senate. We wish
him well. We know he is going to be around and we look forward to
continuing the friendship and the opportunities to get advice. He may
volunteer some advice that he thinks we might need, and I hope he will.
I invite him to. We will continue to benefit from his service and the
things he has done in his great career to help this institution and our
great country.
It is a sad day for me but one that I know he appreciates very much
in terms of the people who have spoken and the things that have been
said about him. These are words of praise that are very well earned.
Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
[[Page 24299]]
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, there have been some beautiful tributes
made to my colleague, the senior Senator from Alaska today, and I am
certain that others will be coming to the floor to speak of their
relationship, their experiences, and to speak of the good works of
Senator Stevens. I would encourage them to come to the floor or to
certainly submit their written comments for the Record so that Senator
Stevens can have the full opportunity of those, and I ask unanimous
consent for that.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, are we in a quorum call?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are not.
Mr. ISAKSON. I ask unanimous consent to be recognized to pay a brief
tribute to our dear friend, the senior Senator from Alaska, Senator
Stevens.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I wish to say that when I was elected 4
years ago, a gentleman by the name of Mack Mattingly called me on the
telephone, a former Senator from 1981 to 1986, and he said, ``Johnny,
when you get to Washington and you get to the Senate, you go meet Ted
Stevens. Ted Stevens is the best friend you will ever have.''
I stand here today, 4 years later, telling you he was exactly right.
There is not a person in this Chamber you have not been willing to
help. There is not an Alaskan you have not helped. You are a steadfast
friend, and you are as tough as nails. I wish to tell you how much I
appreciate, from the bottom of my heart, what you have done to help me
and the citizens of Georgia. Your work on Commerce, your work on
Appropriations, your work on Armed Forces, and your work on the
military, all of it is important to Georgia. You have been a champion
all along. You are a true hero.
The tributes today are well deserved to a great man, a great Alaskan,
and a great Senator. God bless you.
I yield the floor.
Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I wanted to take a moment to say how much
I have appreciated the friendship of Ted Stevens. He and his wife are a
wonderful team.
Since I was elected a short--to him--12 years ago, it has been truly
enjoyable to work with Ted on the numerous western issues before this
body. Often, those issues correspond to Alaska issues, working for a
strong military, missile defense, sound land management practices,
energy development. He has been very helpful to Colorado.
I have particularly admired his work for our Nation's military. Ted
and I worked together, and worked hard, on missile defense. He was an
appropriator, I was an authorizer. I should also say, he was a titan of
the Senate, I was a freshman Senator. So the workload was a little
unfair, in my favor. But we, along with many others, got the missile
defense established. I am delighted that after such a rocky fight the
system is now a cornerstone of not only our national defense, but of
our NATO relationship as well. European militaries understand the value
of what we can do, and what protections we can afford them. Ted saw
this, he knew what the results would be, and he shouldered the burden,
fought the fight, and dragged the system into reality.
I have had the pleasure of helping Ted raise money for his
conservation efforts on the World Famous Kenai River. I have been
fortunate enough to join him on the river. I had the even greater
fortune to win his annual tournament a couple times. Some rivers are
just lucky for some fisherman, and while I might wish my lucky river is
a little closer to home than Kenai, AK, being lucky on a river famous
for its prize salmon is not so bad. And what he is doing for that
river, his conservation efforts, is remarkable. I have noticed a
difference between my first visit and my last.
My wife Joan and I wish Ted and his wife Catherine the best. God
Bless.
____________________
NOMINATION OF ERIC HOLDER
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to speak about some of the things we
have seen recently in the press about the President-elect nominating
Eric H. Holder, Jr. to be Attorney General.
Eric Holder would make an outstanding and historic nominee if
President-elect Obama were to choose to nominate him. Mr. Holder would
be the first African American to be nominated and confirmed to serve as
Attorney General, the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the
country. But far more important than that, he would be as qualified a
person as could be found in either party in this country.
Over the last 8 years, political manipulation and influence from
partisan political operatives in the White House have undercut the
Department of Justice and its mission, severely undermined the morale
of its career professionals, and shaken public confidence in our
Federal justice system. We need the new Attorney General to be a person
not only of integrity and experience, but also somebody who can inspire
the thousands of hard-working prosecutors, agents and employees who do
their best every day to enforce the law and promote justice without
regard to partisan politics. We need an Attorney General in the mode of
Robert H. Jackson, and Eric Holder fits that mold.
Investigations by the Judiciary Committees of the Senate and House
and by the Department of Justice's own inspector general have
substantiated some of our worst fears. As you go around the courts in
this country, we now see a corrosive situation in which defendants
routinely question whether Federal prosecutions are politically
motivated; not whether the law was broken but whether political
considerations determined whether the prosecution would be brought.
Great damage has been done to the credibility and effectiveness of the
Justice Department.
I have known Eric Holder for years. If he is President-elect Obama's
selection to be the next Attorney General, he will bring the kind of
leadership, temperament, experience, and judgment we need to restore
the rule of law and rebuild the reputation of the Department of Justice
so it is worthy of its name.
In October, before the results of the current election were known, I
wrote with Senator Specter about the kind of person who should be
appointed the next Attorney General of the United States. Eric H.
Holder, Jr., surely fits the bill. The next Attorney General has to
understand our moral and legal obligations to protect the fundamental
rights of all Americans. The Attorney General must ensure that the
Department of Justice is working to uphold the Constitution and the
rule of law, not working to circumvent them in order to promote the
President's political agenda.
We need an Attorney General who realizes that no one is above the
law. The Attorney General is not above the law and no Member of this
body, but especially the President of the United States, is above the
law.
I know Mr. Holder appreciates and respects the work and commitment of
the thousands of men and women who work at the Justice Department in
their dedication to enforcing the law and promoting justice. They know
him from his days at the Public Integrity Section, from his time as a
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, from his years as the
Deputy Attorney General, the second highest ranking official in the
Department. I think this choice would be welcomed by career
professionals and prosecutors at the Department of Justice. He can do a
great deal to restore morale as well as the rule of law.
His career has been one of ``firsts''. It would be fitting for him to
become the first African American nominated and
[[Page 24300]]
confirmed to serve as the Attorney General of the United States.
Shortly after his graduation from Colombia Law School, he joined the
Department of Justice as part of the Attorney General's honors program.
He was assigned to the newly formed Public Integrity Section in 1976.
He worked there for 12 years investigating and prosecuting corruption.
While at the Public Integrity Section, Mr. Holder participated in a
number of prosecutions and appeals involving such defendants as the
State treasurer of Florida, a former Ambassador to the Dominican
Republic, a local judge in Philadelphia, and assistant U.S. attorney in
New York City, an FBI agent, and a capo in an organized crime family.
After a dozen years as a prosecutor, one of the best there was,
President Ronald Reagan nominated him to be an associate judge on the
Superior Court of the District of Columbia. When Ronald Reagan
nominated him to be a judge, he was easily confirmed, and he served in
that position for 5 years. He left the bench--becoming, incidentally
again, the first African American U.S. attorney for the District of
Columbia. That is the largest U.S. Attorney's Office in the country.
While in that post, he oversaw prosecution of a powerful Democratic
Congressman.
Four years later he was nominated to the important post of Deputy
Attorney General. I worked with the then-chairman of the Senate
Judiciary Committee, Senator Orrin Hatch to report his nomination
favorably to the Senate. I was disturbed that an anonymous Republican
hold delayed consideration of his nomination for 3 weeks. But when that
hold was lifted and we had a vote--open, in the daylight--all 100
Senators voted to confirm Eric Holder to be the Deputy Attorney General
of the United States. He became the first African American in the
history of the Department to achieve that high position and later
served briefly as the Acting Attorney General.
But, notwithstanding my friendship with Mr. Holder, notwithstanding
my friendship with the President-elect, should he be nominated, Mr.
Holder should be voted for or against on his merits. His race will be a
historic footnote, but that is not what should make the difference.
Whoever is nominated to the position of the chief law enforcement
officer of this country should be considered on his or her merits. And
what wonderful merits he has. He has prosecuted high-level public
officials and organized crime; developed comprehensive programs to
combat domestic violence, child abuse, violent crime; revitalized
programs to assist crime victims. He has helped guide the Department's
efforts in the criminal prosecution of corporations, health care fraud,
computer crimes, software piracy, helped develop a community
prosecution model. He has served in nearly every level of the
Department of Justice he would lead. That is what makes him qualified.
We need an Attorney General, as Robert H. Jackson said 68 years ago
about the Federal prosecutor, ``who serves the law, not factional
purposes, and who approaches his task with humility.'' That is the kind
of prosecutor Eric Holder always was, and that is the kind of Attorney
General he would be.
This is very personal to me. I consider the 8 years I spent as a
prosecutor in Vermont after returning from law school one of the best
opportunities I ever had to serve the public.
I came close to serving in that area in the Federal Government. The
then-Attorney General had invited me in to talk and to encourage me to
come to the Department of Justice. He had reviewed my grades, he had
reviewed where I was in the Georgetown Law Center, and he talked to me
about coming in to the Department. I said to him, ``Mr. Attorney
General, tell me again how the Department of Justice works. Are you
free of political influence from the White House?'' I remember him
saying, and I can see his eyes today as he looked me straight in the
eye and said, ``I have told the President that neither he nor anyone
from the White House can interfere with prosecutions. We will make
those determinations here in the Department of Justice based on the
facts and the law.'' I remember even at that time I thought if I was
ever a prosecutor, that is the kind of prosecutor I would want to be.
And this Attorney General whom I talked with did exactly that. When a
person who was key to the election of the President of the United
States had committed a crime, this Attorney General prosecuted that
person. This was particularly significant because that Attorney General
was Robert F. Kennedy. The President of the United States was his
brother, John F. Kennedy. But he said: We will protect the integrity of
the Department of Justice.
I want to see that again. I had that in my mind when I was a
prosecutor. I believe strongly that we need to enforce the law with
neither fear nor favor when. There is no question in my mind that Eric
Holder would do that.
I think of the thousands of men and women who work for the Department
of Justice, some of the finest people you will ever see anywhere, many
I have known for decades. For most of them, I have no idea what their
political allegiances are, whether they are Republicans or Democrats or
Independents. But I know one thing about every single one of them: they
are the best of the best. They deserve, as an Attorney General, the
best of the best.
I commend President-elect Obama for considering Eric Holder for this
position. He is a public servant who has broad support within the law
enforcement community and on both sides of the aisle. I was pleased to
see that the initial reactions of Senator Hatch, Senator Sessions, and
Senator Coburn--all Republican members of the Senate Judiciary
Committee--and many others, were to acknowledge his public service, his
integrity, and good qualities. Mr. Holder should have the support of
Senators from both sides of the aisle if the President-elect chooses to
nominate him. I can assure you if he is nominated that the Senate
Judiciary Committee will hold prompt and fair nomination hearings.
I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Salazar.) The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. GREGG. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call
be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SENATORS
John Sununu
Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, a large number of very special and
extraordinary individuals will be leaving the Senate at the end of this
session, many friends and many people I have admired for a number of
years and had the privilege to serve with. I wished to speak
specifically to one, and that is my colleague from New Hampshire, John
Sununu.
John is the youngest Member of the Senate. He came here as the
youngest Member, and he is still the youngest Member after 6 years, but
he is one of the most accomplished and capable people in the Senate,
one of the brightest, as we all know, and also one of the people who
brings the most common sense to issues. Time and time again, I would
come to the floor, and this was throughout his term but especially
during the last few months when he was in a very challenging election,
and there would be votes being cast that were very difficult political
votes, votes which, when you cast these votes, most people knew they
were not going to be understood and, in many instances, they were going
to be misinterpreted or subject to misrepresentation but votes which
were necessary to cast in order to preserve especially the fiscal
responsibility of this Government. John Sununu never backed away from
any of those votes. He always cast the difficult vote, knowing in many
instances that politically it was going to be characterized in a way
which might hurt him; votes, the basic purpose of which, in most
instances, were to protect the taxpayer, keep the size of Government
under control, and be a force for a better country and for more
individual rights. He understands as well
[[Page 24301]]
as anyone in this body the basic values of making Government live
within its means, of having a government which people can afford but is
still compassionate and accomplishes the goals of delivering adequate
services. He has worked very hard in order to pursue those goals.
He also brought to the body a unique sense of humor, New Hampshire
humor, quiet, witty, and comfortable with himself but also willing to
make fun of himself, and an essential common sense, which I like to
think is characteristic of New Hampshire, and also an integrity, a
commitment to public service for the purposes of public service--the
fact that he was here not to benefit himself in any way but simply to
do what he felt was right in order to make our Nation better and make
New Hampshire better. He served New Hampshire for 12 years, both in
Congress and in the Senate.
As I mentioned, he is the youngest Member of the Senate and his
service is hardly completed, I hope. His opportunities are virtually
limitless because his abilities are limitless. He has talent and
capability, intelligence, drive, the personality to pretty much do
whatever he wants as he moves forward.
He also has one other resource which is very special and that is his
wife and family. Kitty is an exceptional individual. Kathy and I have
come to enjoy not only working with John and Kitty but getting to know
them as friends, as fellow travelers. Kathy has been through many years
being a political wife, and she has put up with a lot of ups and downs.
She and Kitty naturally bonded, as they understood the importance of
what we do. Kitty is an individual who brings a smile whenever you see
her because she is a person filled with good will to everyone. Their
children, Grace and Charlie, John Hayes, great kids, very enthusiastic
people, a wonderful family. That family is a tremendous support to
John, and he is a tremendous support to them. That unit, as it moves
forward, will always be successful.
It is obviously with great regret that I look on John's leaving the
Senate. His talent will be lost here, and it will be a loss to the
body. He is a special individual who had a special group of skills that
uniquely worked for the benefit of New Hampshire and the people of New
Hampshire. I hope he will stay engaged.
Kathy and I wish him and Kitty and their children the best of luck as
they go forward and that the road always rises to meet them.
I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
EXTENSION OF MORNING BUSINESS
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the period
for morning business be extended to 3 p.m., with Senators permitted to
speak for up to 10 minutes each.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
HEALTH CARE REFORM
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, we do not intend to wait until the new
Congress convenes in January to begin work on health care reform
legislation. The fact is, health care reform was one of the signature
changes promised by President-elect Barack Obama during the campaign.
This legislation is too important and too urgent to put off until
tomorrow, to wait until the new President and the new Congress are
sworn in.
I applaud both Senator Baucus, Chair of the Finance Committee, and
Senator Kennedy, Chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee, for plunging right into the ambitious and historic task of
creating a comprehensive health care reform bill.
Last week, Senator Baucus came forward with a 98-page white paper
setting broad parameters for prospective legislation. Earlier this
week, Senator Kennedy brought together members of the Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to kick off the long process
of crafting a bill.
At that meeting, Senator Kennedy designated three working groups to
oversee the principal components of the bill. Senator Clinton was asked
to chair the health insurance coverage working group. Senator Mikulski
will chair the health system quality working group. I will chair the
prevention and public health working group.
As I said, the working group I will chair will focus on the wellness,
disease prevention, and public health components of this legislation.
Again, this has been a longstanding focus of mine. Indeed, in the past,
I have already introduced comprehensive wellness legislation. Several
elements of that bill, and others, have been enacted into law.
Prevention and wellness as a component are absolutely critical to
transforming the way we approach health care in the United States.
To be honest about it, we don't have a health care system in America;
we have a sick care system in America. Well, think about it. If you get
sick, you get care, either through insurance, Medicare, Medicaid,
community health centers, charity--one way or the other--but that is
the most expensive way to do things. That is sort of trying to patch it
up later on. We have spent untold hundreds of billions of dollars a
year on pills, on surgery, hospitalization, disability, but we spend
peanuts--3 percent--less than 3 percent of our health care money for
prevention and wellness.
Again, there are huge untapped opportunities in this area of wellness
and prevention. If we think about where we are right now, we will see
that we spend a staggering $2 trillion annually on health care--more
than any other nation in the world and more than most nations put
together. Yet the World Health Organization ranks U.S. health care 37th
among the nations of the world--37th. We are 20th of 21 industrialized
nations in the quality of health care for children. We are No. 20--20
out of 21 industrialized nations--in terms of the quality of children's
health care.
If you want evidence of the failure of our current sick care system,
consider these facts: Tens of millions of Americans suffer from
preventable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and, of
course, some forms of cancer. In tandem with a childhood obesity
epidemic now, we have new guidelines from the American Academy of
Pediatrics advising that some children as young as 8 years old should
be put on cholesterol-lowering drugs. That is the American Academy of
Pediatrics. We have an epidemic of children with adult-onset diabetes--
unheard of until just recently. Unheard of until just recently. We are
now seeing young Americans, as young as age 25, getting heart bypass
surgery because of clogged arteries. So again, it is almost as though
we have lost our capacity to be shocked when we hear these statistics.
How much evidence do we need that America's approach to health care or,
as I say, sick care is simply not working?
The good news is that President-elect Barack Obama, Senator Baucus,
Senator Kennedy, and other key players here in the Senate and in the
House kind of get it when it comes to real health care reform. It is
not enough to just talk about how to extend insurance coverage or how
to pay the bills, as important as those things are. That is not enough.
If all we are going to do is figure out a better way to pay the bills,
we are sunk. We have to start keeping people healthier and preventing
disease in the first place.
Again, I would lay down this marker right now. If we pass a health
care reform bill that greatly extends health insurance coverage but
does nothing to implement a national prevention and wellness structure
and agenda, then we will have failed the American people. It simply
makes no sense to legislate broader access to a health care system that
costs too much, delivers too little, largely because it neglects
wellness and prevention. We need to craft a bill that mobilizes our
society to prevent
[[Page 24302]]
these unnecessary diseases and conditions, including obesity, type 2
diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. It is time to
recognize obesity as a disease that needs to be attacked--not cured but
prevented.
A robust emphasis on wellness is about saving lives and saving trips
to the hospital and saving money. It is the only way--the only way--we
are going to get a grip on these skyrocketing health care costs. As I
said, there are a lot of opportunities here in terms of cost savings
but also in terms of helping people live healthier, happier, and more
productive lives. We want to be more productive in this country. Not
all of this is going to come under what we think of as the health care
umbrella. Not all will come under what I would say we think of as
medicine and doctors and hospitals and things such as that. A lot of
this is going to be outside of that sort of health care regimen.
I think of things such as schools. The Presiding Officer and I serve
on the Agriculture Committee in the Senate. Next year, we are going to
be reauthorizing the child nutrition bill. This is a bill that
basically sets up the parameters for school lunch, school breakfast,
school snacks, the WIC Program, the Women, Infants and Children
Program.
It seems to me this ought to be thought of also as a part of
preventive health care. Our kids in school have to start eating better,
more wholesome foods, less starches, less fats, less sugars, less
sodium. I just mentioned the onset of type 2 diabetes and childhood
obesity. We have to get a grip on this. We can't continue to do the
things with our school lunch and school breakfast programs as we have
been doing in the past.
Obviously, another component of this--it doesn't fall within our
Agriculture Committee jurisdiction, I say to the Presiding Officer, the
Senator from Colorado--we also have to start making sure that schools
that get any sort of Federal funds have exercise programs. Schools are
being built in America today without a playground, without a gym,
without any kind of exercise equipment for kids. It is nonsense.
I don't know about the Senator from Colorado, but I would wager that
when he was in grade school, he had to go outside and run around for a
half an hour or so a day. In my grade school, we had 15 minutes in the
morning, 15 minutes in the afternoon, and a half hour after lunch. One
hour a day we were out running around, sometimes in the snow, and it
was pretty cold in the wintertime. We always had exercise. We were
always doing something. Of course, we didn't have Game Boys and a lot
of TV and things such as that at that time.
My point is that schools--as we attack feeding programs and the
vending machines and what goes into vending machines in schools--again,
when the Senator from Colorado was in school, I bet they didn't have
vending machines. Now we see Pepsi and Coke and candy bars and all
sorts of things in vending machines. Why should that be so? School is
where you go to learn, to be healthy, not to get stoked up with junk
food and sugar and starches and sodium.
So I digress a little, but that is another component of it that we
have to be thinking about. It may not be in the health care reform bill
as such. I intend to have it in the health care reform bill as guidance
directions for other committees that are involved in other things to be
able to start looking at wellness and prevention components.
I would go this far: I think we need a direction in this health care
reform bill to every committee of Congress that whatever you are
working on, you have to think about how it impacts prevention and
wellness--does it add to that or does it subtract from that and are
there things we ought to be doing in this legislation?
Again, I digress a little bit, but take the recent highway
reauthorization bill. That was 3 or 4 years ago, and now we are going
to reauthorize it again in 2010. I offered an amendment which didn't
succeed, but I think, over the passage of the years, the more I have
talked to others about it and we have conferred about it, I hope it has
a good chance on the next reauthorization bill. It was simply this: any
community or region or State that uses Federal highway monies, the
Federal gasoline tax monies for road improvements and such, if they are
building roads, improving them, or building bridges or whatever, they
have to incorporate in their planning bike paths and walking paths
along with them. I am not saying they have to build those; I am just
saying that at least they ought to have them in their plans. Again,
thinking about kids going to school, they ought to have sidewalks along
their streets going to school so they can walk to school. Many places
don't have sidewalks and bike paths and walking paths.
My point is that there are a lot of things outside of the health care
environment we normally think of that can be very helpful for
prevention and wellness--workplaces, workplace wellness. There are some
companies in this country doing a great job with this. They have set up
wellness programs, nutrition guidance programs, antismoking programs
for employees, and in every case I have ever looked at where you have
the incentives and the company really goes to work at this, they find
some amazing results. They find their absenteeism goes down, they find
workers are much more productive than they had been in the past, and
they find their health care costs going down. Now, we need to make this
available to every business in this country--small businesses, people
who employ 10 people or more. There has to be something including a
component of prevention in the workplace.
So I mentioned schools, workplaces, communities. Communities have to
be involved. We need to promote community wellness programs.
The Trust for America's Health earlier this year came out with a
study they had done on community-based wellness programs and the return
on investment. Most times when you talk with people about prevention
and wellness, they say: Oh, that is all fine, but you don't get a
payback for 20 or 30 years. The Trust for America's Health did a study
State by State and they showed that in these cases where the
communities had community wellness programs, that actually, in the
first year--in the first year--there was almost a 2-to-1 return. For
every dollar they invested, they got $2 back the very next year, and it
increased every year after that. So we have to think about how we
promote community-based wellness programs.
The elderly. I can't think of how many times I have been to senior
citizens centers, congregate meal sites, some independent living
centers, and those types of places where we see so many elderly on
drugs. They are on so many drugs. They can't keep track of the 15 pills
they have to take every day. Well, there have been some very good
studies done, on the fact that if you give the elderly better
nutrition, better exercise, better social ability, you can get them off
some of those drugs--maybe not all of them, but you can get them off of
half of the drugs or more that they are taking. So there are a lot of
things we can do just, as I say, outside.
Within health care, there are a lot of things too. Students are going
to medical school today, taking all of these courses on medicine and
drugs and pharmacology year after year; very intensive, very hard
studies. I think I would not be wrong in saying that most medical
school students today, at most they might have one 3-hour credit course
at the end of their study where they take something dealing with
prevention. It is just not a factor in medical schools. It should be.
It should be a factor in nursing schools. Any health care professional,
any health care profession should have that component, including
physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, and anyone involved in the
health professions. So that is another part also.
We need to be thinking about how we can beef up our public health
service in this country. When I was a young kid going to public school,
we had school nurses, and they came around and made sure we had our
vaccinations and
[[Page 24303]]
things such as that, and that we exercised. We don't do that anymore.
We have to restructure our public health service in this country, to
think about how we better utilize the public health service.
If you go to medical school now, Medicare is one of the biggest
funders of medical schools now, or if you go into the military, the
military will put you through medical school and then you pay it back
in 8 to 10 years for your medical school training. But what if you
wanted to be a public health service officer, you wanted to go to
medical school and maybe take one of the courses in public health?
Well, that would apply there too. Why not pay their way through
college, and then they pay it back for working in the public health
service for a number of years.
We think about the several hundred community health centers we have
in this country, doing a great job. Why aren't they a part of the
Public Health Service Corps in America, and utilize them for prevention
and wellness, diagnostics? Quite frankly, people should not have to pay
a copay or a cost share to get a colonoscopy, or breast cancer
screening or a host of other things for diagnosis. Annual physical
checkups; there shouldn't be a copay or cost share for that. That is
just keeping people from doing it. When you detect things early and you
can intervene early, that is part of prevention also, earlier
diagnostics.
Again, this has to be a big part--I think the centerpiece--of health
care reform because it is the only way we are going to actually save
money. Well, you may save money in a bigger pool and better insurance,
that type of thing, yes, but the big bucks we will save and will make
our people more productive and healthy is to have prevention and
wellness.
Yesterday, I convened a meeting of the key groups that have been
active in the wellness and prevention field, including the Trust for
America's Health, the Partnerships for Prevention, the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, the American
Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the YMCA, the American
Medical Association, and many others. This was yesterday. It was an
excellent session, with a room full of people who all realize this is
the time for bold thinking and real change. In addition, I intend to
hold additional hearings in December.
This working group that Senator Kennedy asked me to chair will reach
out broadly. We wish to capture the best ideas, the best practices. Our
goal is nothing less than to transform America into a genuine
``wellness society.''
To borrow a phrase, that is change you can believe in. It is also
change that is long overdue.
To date, wellness and prevention have been the missing pieces in the
national conversation about health care reform. It is time to make them
the centerpiece of the conversation--not an asterisk or a footnote but
centerpiece of our conversation on health care reform.
As chair of the Prevention and Public Health Working Group, I look
forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to
solicit ideas and input. Promoting wellness and preventing disease is
not about party or ideology; it is about pragmatism and common sense.
It is about what works--keeping people healthy and keeping costs down,
making people more productive in their daily lives.
We have a big job ahead of us, but I am confident the new President
and the new Congress can deliver on health care reform, and we can do
it in the next calendar year. Yes, we can greatly expand access to the
health care system--or as I call it, the ``sick care'' system. At the
same time, if that is all we do, we will have failed. We can and must
transform America's sick care system into a true health care system,
one that makes preventing illness and staying well every bit as
important as curing the illness later on.
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. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Nelson of Nebraska). Without objection, it
is so ordered.
____________________
UNANIMOUS-CONSENT AGREEMENT--H.R. 6867
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 3 p.m.
today, the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on
the motion to proceed to H.R. 6867; that if cloture is invoked on the
motion to proceed, then all postcloture time be yielded back and the
motion to proceed be agreed to; that after the bill is reported, it
then be read a third time, and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of
the bill, without further intervening action or debate; that if cloture
is not invoked on the motion to proceed, then a motion to reconsider
the failed cloture vote be considered as entered, and the Senate then
proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to
speak for up to 10 minutes each.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Mr. REID. If the Chair will withhold, I appreciate very much all
Senators' thoughtful consideration of what we are trying to accomplish.
I especially extend my appreciation to the Republican leader for his
stepping out of important meetings to take calls from me and being
available to help us work our way through these difficult times.
We are all trying to accomplish the same thing. We have an economy
that is in peril, and we want to make sure we do everything we can
within reason and keeping with our responsibilities to succeed.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Mr. ALEXANDER. No objection.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. REID. This will be the last vote this week.
____________________
CONCLUSION OF MORNING BUSINESS
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The hour of 3 p.m. having arrived, morning
business is now closed.
____________________
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2008--MOTION TO PROCEED
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will
resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R. 6867, which the
clerk will now report.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Motion to proceed to the consideration of Calendar No.
1123, H.R. 6867, an act to provide for additional emergency
unemployment compensation.
Cloture Motion
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, pursuant to rule
XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion,
which the clerk will report.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Cloture Motion
We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the
provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
hereby move to bring to a close debate on the motion to
proceed to Calendar No. 1123, H.R. 6867, the Unemployment
Compensation Extension Act of 2008.
Harry Reid, Max Baucus, Patrick J. Leahy, Bernard
Sanders, Kent Conrad, E. Benjamin Nelson, John D.
Rockefeller, IV, Dianne Feinstein, Robert P. Casey,
Jr., Patty Murray, Richard Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse,
Barbara A. Mikulski, Barbara Boxer, Carl Levin, Daniel
K. Akaka, Mark L. Pryor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum
call has been waived.
The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on the
motion to proceed to H.R. 6867, an act to provide for additional
emergency unemployment compensation, shall be brought to a close?
The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule.
[[Page 24304]]
The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Biden) and
the Senator from Arkansas (Mrs. Lincoln) are necessarily absent.
Mr. KYL. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator
from Georgia (Mr. Chambliss) and the Senator from New Hampshire (Mr.
Sununu).
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Klobuchar). Are there any other Senators
in the Chamber desiring to vote?
The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 89, nays 6, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 214 Leg.]
YEAS--89
Akaka
Alexander
Allard
Baucus
Bayh
Bennett
Bingaman
Bond
Boxer
Brown
Brownback
Bunning
Burr
Byrd
Cantwell
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Clinton
Cochran
Coleman
Collins
Conrad
Corker
Cornyn
Craig
Crapo
Dodd
Dole
Domenici
Dorgan
Durbin
Ensign
Feingold
Feinstein
Graham
Grassley
Gregg
Hagel
Harkin
Hutchison
Inouye
Isakson
Johnson
Kennedy
Kerry
Klobuchar
Kohl
Kyl
Landrieu
Lautenberg
Leahy
Levin
Lieberman
Lugar
Martinez
McCain
McCaskill
McConnell
Menendez
Mikulski
Murkowski
Murray
Nelson (FL)
Nelson (NE)
Pryor
Reed
Reid
Roberts
Rockefeller
Salazar
Sanders
Schumer
Sessions
Shelby
Smith
Snowe
Specter
Stabenow
Stevens
Tester
Thune
Vitter
Voinovich
Warner
Webb
Whitehouse
Wicker
Wyden
NAYS--6
Barrasso
Coburn
DeMint
Enzi
Hatch
Inhofe
NOT VOTING--4
Biden
Chambliss
Lincoln
Sununu
The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this vote, the yeas are 89, the nays are 6.
Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in the
affirmative, the motion is agreed to.
Under the previous order, all postcloture time is yielded back and
the motion to proceed is agreed to.
Mr. KENNEDY. Madam President, next week we will celebrate
Thanksgiving--a holiday to be with family and to give thanks for the
many blessings we enjoy. But this year, American families gathering
around the Thanksgiving table are burdened with serious worries: Are we
going to lose our home? Can we afford to retire when our savings have
been wiped out? Will we have to choose between sending our children to
college and paying our medical bills?
One of the greatest hardships millions of Americans are facing is the
loss of their jobs. The current job market is the worst in the past
quarter century. Over 1 million people have lost their jobs this year--
half a million in September and October alone. Last week, more workers
filed for unemployment benefits than at any time since the tragedy of
September 11, 2001. Economists predict the unemployment rate will
continue to climb from its current 14-year high of 6.5 percent to well
over 8 percent in the coming year.
Earlier this year, Congress approved additional unemployment benefits
for workers. That was an important step, but families need additional
support. Unemployment benefits have expired for many workers, and
finding a new job is far more difficult as the recession deepens. More
than 2 million Americans have been unable to find work for more than 6
months. If Congress fails to extend benefits again this year, nearly
1.2 million Americans will have exhausted their benefits by the end of
the year.
That's why this legislation is so essential. It provides 7 additional
weeks of unemployment assistance to workers whose benefits have
expired, and an additional 13 weeks for jobless workers in high-
unemployment states. This bill has already passed the House
overwhelmingly, with strong bipartisan support. By acting today, we
will deliver immediate aid to many of the neediest Americans who are
unable to find work.
Not only does the extension of unemployment benefits provide a
lifeline for struggling families, it also serves as a needed and
immediate stimulus for the economy--each dollar of unemployment
benefits generates $1.64 in economic growth. I urge my colleagues to
join me in supporting this critical extension of unemployment
assistance.
Providing these additional unemployment benefits, however, is not the
only step we must take to help working families meet the tough
challenges that lie ahead. Jumpstarting our economy and restoring
American prosperity will take bolder vision and more decisive action.
We need to create good jobs for the millions of Americans who want to
work. That means investing in our workers, investing in our
infrastructure, and investing in technology for the future. It also
means repairing the broken safety nets, so that more families who are
being hurt by this downturn can get back on their feet.
I wish we could have done more in this lame-duck, but at least we are
taking an important step. I look forward to working with our new
President and the new Congress in January to meet these difficult
challenges and to restore the vitality of our economy.
Mr. KYL. Madam President, I support H.R. 6867, the Unemployment
Compensation Act of 2008. The unemployment level is high, it is
increasing, and it is likely that this condition will prevail for many
months. Thus, the need for this extension.
According to the Labor Department, claims for unemployment benefits
have increased dramatically, last week reaching a 16-year high. The
unemployment rate in October was 6.5 percent; last year the rate
averaged 4.6 percent. The Federal Reserve also released estimates
Wednesday that project the jobless rate will climb to between 7.1
percent and 7.6 percent next year.
As everyone knows, the economy has slowed dramatically. Retail and
business spending has decreased. The next several months are projected
to be a period of contraction. As long as the economy continues to
struggle, the people of Arizona and the rest of our country will face
difficult job prospects, given the limited number and types of jobs
available.
This dramatic downturn in the economy and surge in unemployment
convinced me to support this extension of unemployment coverage. But
this step simply treats a symptom of the bad economy; it is not a
solution. We must try to take steps to improve the economy and, thus,
create new jobs. As I have said in the past, I do not believe an
extension or expansion of Federal unemployment benefits stimulates the
economy. In fact, most economists believe that continual, temporary
extension of unemployment benefits has little effect on the economy,
and, in some circumstances, actually lengthens the time individuals
remain unemployed because of the incentive to remain on unemployment
insurance.
Accordingly, I support this extension with a steadfast commitment to
work to pass pro-growth measures that will actually help the economy
recover and create new jobs. In the long run, people would rather have
a job than have to take unemployment insurance; and, at some point, it
will have to end.
What can we do immediately to help Americans get back to work? First,
we must maintain existing tax rates. During an economic downturn, the
last thing Government should do is take more money out of the economy
by increasing taxes. Everyone benefits when lower tax rates enable
businesses and entrepreneurs to expand and create more jobs.
When Congress returns to Washington, its first priority should be to
reassure taxpayers that taxes will remain low by maintaining existing
income-tax rates, marriage penalty relief, current rates on capital
gains and dividend income, and relief from the death tax. Under
existing law, the tax relief enacted in 2001 and 2003 will expire after
2010. Extending current tax rates now would give individuals and small
businesses the certainty they need to plan their family budgets and
permit small businesses to make critical long-term investments in our
Nation's economy that will increase job growth now and in the future.
Unless the tax relief is extended, 43 million working families with
children
[[Page 24305]]
will face a $2,300 tax increase. Small businesses will see their taxes
increase by an average of $4,100. The death tax will rebound from zero
in 2010 to a whopping 55 percent. The tax on capital gains will
increase 33 percent, and the dividend tax rate will increase an
astounding 164 percent, affecting 18 million senior citizens who will
see their taxes rise by an average of $2,200. We shouldn't be asking
Americans to pay out more of their hard-earned money at a time when
they need it most; but if Congress doesn't act, we will be asking
exactly that.
The current economic downturn has also affected the Nation's
investors, especially seniors who rely on their investments for their
income. We need to continue to encourage responsible savings and
investment, and one of the things we should do to ensure savings is to
allow unlimited contributions to retirement accounts such as 401(k)s
and IRAs. We should also raise the age at which holders of tax-deferred
retirement savings accounts must begin making minimum required annual
withdrawals. I believe that Congress will likely suspend the mandatory
withdrawal rules for one year. While that is a positive step, a more
permanent measure would provide certainty to seniors.
The United States also needs to improve its competitiveness. We need
to encourage trade between our country and others, and we need to
enact, as soon as possible, the Colombia, Panama, and South Korea free
trade agreements. We also need to stop taxing overseas corporate income
and decrease our corporate tax rate--let's not provide additional
reasons for valuable companies here in the U.S. to move all their
operations overseas.
The United States has the second highest corporate tax rate in the
world. We can make the United States more attractive to foreign
investment by reducing our own corporate tax rate, perhaps from its
current rate of 35 percent to 25 percent.
I will vote for the unemployment extension today. But I am also
calling on the President-elect and Congress to quickly pass measures
that will actually help the economy to maintain and create jobs. I look
forward to working with my colleagues toward such an end in the coming
weeks.
Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, passing an unemployment insurance
extension today is urgent. More than a million people have lost their
jobs this year alone, and there are 10.1 million unemployed
individuals. We must ensure that these individuals who have lost jobs
and are looking for work, during a time when industries are cutting
jobs and the price of food and other necessities is rising, are not
also struggling to put food on their table, pay their utility bills,
and provide shelter for their families.
During economic downturns in the past, we have always provided longer
periods of unemployment benefits. The bill that I hope we pass today
will provide a much needed unemployment insurance extension. This
extension would ensure that out of work Americans in high unemployment
States like Michigan will receive an additional 20 weeks of insurance,
for a total of up to 59 weeks.
In October, Michigan's unemployment rate increased from 8.7 percent
to 9.3 percent, the highest unemployment rate since July 1992. The
Nation's unemployment rate also increased to 6.5 percent. These are
very hard economic times. Unemployment rates are rising dramatically,
and since January 2001 we have lost 3.7 million manufacturing jobs
nationally and more than 250,000 manufacturing jobs in Michigan. There
are currently 429,000 unemployed people in Michigan. Between August
2007 and July 2008, the long-term unemployed--those who have been
unemployed and looking for a job for 27 weeks or more--comprise about
27 percent of the total unemployed in Michigan. This is approximately,
100,000 unemployed persons.
The numbers of unemployed are rising all over the country. We must do
something now to protect American workers and their families.
Mrs. LINCOLN. Madam President, I regret that I will be unable
to be present for today's vote on the Unemployment Compensation
Extension Act, H.R. 6867, due to a hunger awareness event previously
scheduled in Arkansas. If I were present for the vote, I would vote to
support this important piece of legislation as I did in June when the
Senate passed a 13-week unemployment insurance extension as part of the
Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, Public Law 110-252.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the question is on
third reading and passage of the bill.
The bill (H.R. 6867) was ordered to a third reading, was read the
third time, and passed.
____________________
ADVANCING AMERICA'S PRIORITIES ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED--Resumed
Mr. REID. Madam President, I now move to proceed to Calendar No. 894,
S. 3297.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The motion is now pending.
____________________
MORNING BUSINESS
Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that we now
proceed to 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.
The Senator from Oregon is recognized.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SENATORS
Gordon Smith
Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, at this moment, exactly 13 years ago, I
was locked in the toughest political battle of my life against Gordon
H. Smith. I went on to narrowly win that race and continue to hold that
Senate seat today. But Gordon Smith dusted himself off only a few
months later and took on yet another very tough battle, and that time
he won the Senate seat that had been held for 30 years by our
remarkable Senator Mark Hatfield.
At that point, Oregonians did not know what to make of their Senate
delegation. They had two Senators, myself and Senator Smith, who were
replacing Bob Packwood and Mark Hatfield. Those two individuals were
the chairman of the Finance Committee and the chairman of the Senate
Appropriations Committee. And, of course, the old story was that Bob
Packwood got to raise all of the money because he was chairman of the
Finance Committee, and Mark Hatfield got to spend it all because he was
chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
Of course, I was very much concerned about what was ahead because I
thought it was very possibly going to be a long and uncomfortable 6
years serving with the fellow with whom I had just duked it out over
many months of a political campaign that, as the two of us like to say,
was not exactly for the faint hearted.
One of the great surprises of my career came, however, when I
discovered that my new colleague, Gordon Smith, was as thoughtful and
kind and decent outside the political arena as he was tough and
competitive inside the political arena. It was that charm and that
decency and his desire to meet me halfway on Oregon's interests that
got me closer to Gordon over the years and led to an unusually strong
working relationship and what became a strong and genuine friendship.
Gordon lost a very tough reelection race a few weeks ago in a State
that has changed rapidly from what was a very small Democratic voter
edge, back when we ran against each other in 1996, to what has become a
significant Democratic voter edge in 2008. Gordon and his skillful
campaign team battled hard and tough as they always have. They did
everything they could to withstand a formidable political tide and a
very strong Democratic challenger, a challenger whom I support. So it
is with mixed and conflicting emotions that I come today to pay tribute
to my colleague and my friend of 12 years, Gordon H. Smith.
Gordon and I have had plenty of political differences, enough
differences, differences that we knew would be the case, that made us
say from our very first meeting, when Gordon won that race to replace
Mark Hatfield, that we
[[Page 24306]]
would be supporting each other's opponents in years ahead.
Political campaigns are important, and each of us was called upon to
separate our friendship from our beliefs every 2 years. Yet I will say
this afternoon that I have come to genuinely loathe much of what has
become of the political process in our country. The relentless and
omnipresent negative ads obscure and distort to the point that it can
be difficult for the typical citizen to maintain anything resembling a
healthy perspective on fundamentally good and decent individuals who
seek public office.
Thankfully, the negative ads are now off the air, and I want to make
sure Oregonians once again remember the Gordon Smith I have known for
12 years. Gordon has been a good and decent and selfless public
servant.
The fact is, Gordon Smith did not need to serve another term in the
Senate. He and his wife Sharon have built a strong and prosperous
business, and they could have done countless things with their time
that would have been more glamorous and certainly produced less strain
and wear and tear on their personal lives. But Gordon ran because of
his belief in the role that he believed he could play in shaping our
country's future. That, in my view, is the essence of being a good
public servant. No one in this body or in the State of Oregon ought to
lose sight of the extraordinary sacrifices that Gordon and his wife
Sharon have made over the course of almost two decades of public
service.
Among Gordon's many personal triumphs in the Senate, I would like to
highlight two that are especially important to our State, to our
country, and to me personally. I wanted to remind my colleagues and the
people of our country of the very difficult decisions made by Gordon
and Sharon to share with the public and the Congress their heartrending
struggle on behalf of their son, Garrett. They did this selflessly to
further the cause of mental health treatment, and particularly the
cause of mental health parity.
If not for Gordon's courage in sharing their family's story, I
believe Congress might not have acted on mental health parity this past
fall, and thousands of parents might never know that they are not alone
in their difficult struggle.
There were other critical tasks that Gordon shouldered and one that I
was especially appreciative for his leadership on, and that was being
the voice for rural folks, for people whose way of life and quality of
life is connected to natural resources that are bountiful in our State.
Gordon spoke for the farmer, and he spoke for the rancher. He spoke
for the logger, for the mill worker, and the miner. He spoke for the
rural communities they live in, communities that struggle to retain a
voice in increasingly urban America.
It was written fairly frequently in Oregon's papers, and was in the
New York Times at one point, that there was something in the State of
Oregon that people came to say was the Senate's odd couple. In fact, I
think the headline in the New York Times when they talked about us was
wildly inflationary, and Gordon and I came to laugh about it. I think
the headline was, ``Oregon's Odd Couple Makes It Work.'' It was
essentially all about how there were two Senators from Oregon; one of
them was a Mormon fellow. He was a Republican. He was from somewhere
called Pendleton. Gordon and I were never convinced that folks in the
New York Times knew exactly where Pendleton was, but that is how Gordon
was described.
Then they said, the other Senator was a Jewish guy, and he was from
Portland and he was a legal aide lawyer for the senior citizens, and he
was an activist with the Gray Panthers. What in the world would these
two people ever have in common?
Well, I want people to know that gentle spirit, that Mormon from
wheat and pea country taught this Jewish fellow from the city an awful
lot about the too often forgotten voices, particularly those in our
rural communities.
In his absence, I will do everything I can to remind colleagues,
particularly Democratic colleagues on my side of the aisle, of the
challenges faced in rural communities, of the people and the issues
that Gordon H. Smith championed every single day in the Senate. I wish
Gordon and Sharon well in whatever their future endeavors are. I have
already made it clear they will always have my friendship and
assistance in any project they pursue in the days ahead. But most
importantly, I come to the floor and thank Gordon for his personal
friendship to me and his service to our State. I ask my colleagues here
and the people of our home State to voice their thanks today to two
very special people, Sharon and Gordon H. Smith.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania.
Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I have listened to the eloquent
comments of the Senator from Oregon, Mr. Wyden. I had planned to insert
a statement in the Record complementing Senator Gordon Smith on his
tenure, but I would like to add my voice of laudatory comments at the
conclusion of the statement of Senator Wyden. I agree with him that
Senator Gordon Smith has made an enormous contribution to the Senate in
his two terms, and he will be sorely missed. He is a member of a small
band of moderates on this side of the aisle. I suggest that Gordon
Smith's brand of Republicanism is very much in need in this body. Very
frequently, Members on the Democratic side of the aisle seek
cosponsors. I have been told on a number of occasions that the
``pickins are slim.'' Gordon's absence will make it more difficult.
Gordon Smith has been outspoken on many of the very important causes
which require bipartisanship. He was one of the few on this side of the
aisle to sponsor legislation to fight hate crimes, for example. At the
outset, support for Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
was limited. Gordon Smith was at the forefront of that effort, as I
was. Gordon Smith made a very eloquent speech from his chair a few rows
behind me on the Iraq war. He was moved one day to come over and spoke
from the heart, something which happens relatively infrequently in this
Chamber. Sometimes people in this Chamber speak from the head. Even
that has its limited aspects, if we take a close look at the
Congressional Record. But Gordon Smith was a big plus here.
I would like to associate myself with the remarks of Senator Wyden. I
know Gordon is a young, vigorous man. He has a bright future ahead of
him. I think he will live to fight another day on the political wars.
Some of us have had an election loss or two. It is a learning
experience, not one I recommend, but there are ways to move forward.
That can be a lesson which could stand anyone in good stead. I am sure
Senator Gordon Smith has a great future ahead of him.
John Sununu
Madam President, I also wish to pay tribute to my friend Senator John
Sununu for his service to the country and his contributions to the U.S.
Senate. Senator Sununu's departure from the Senate will be a great loss
to this body, as well as to the state of New Hampshire.
I have known Senator Sununu since he joined the Senate in 2002. I
have always found him to be an intelligent, engaged, and capable
legislator who cares deeply for the well-being of his constituents and
doing what is right for the Nation, regardless of the political cost.
Senator Sununu followed his father and mother into public service,
when he ran for public office in 1996 and won the election in New
Hampshire's First Congressional District. John served three terms in
the U.S. House of Representatives where he quickly established a
reputation as an innovative legislator. John effectively applied his
extensive background in science, engineering, and small business during
his six years in the House of Representatives where he rose to become
vice-chairman of the Budget Committee and took a leading role in
shaping our Nation's annual budget priorities.
In 2002, John joined the Senate after defeating both an incumbent
Senator
[[Page 24307]]
and an incumbent Governor to become the youngest Member of the United
States Senate. I have admired John's work on his committees: the
Finance Committee, the Commerce Committee, and the Homeland Security
and Government Affairs Committee. On these committees, Sununu played a
major role on the lobbying reform legislation, and he got the Bush
Administration to make some crucial changes in the Patriot Act before
he voted to reauthorize it.
Sununu has also gained a reputation as a well respected fiscal
conservative.
On a personal note, Senator Sununu has been a very good friend to me.
When I underwent chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease and lost my hair,
Senator Sununu showed up one day on the Senate floor with a shaved
head. He said that he had shaved his head in a sign of solidarity for
what I was going through.
I wish John, his wife Kitty, and his three lovely children the best
of luck as they move forward. I have no doubt that Senator Sununu has a
bright future and will continue to make important contributions to New
Hampshire and the entire Nation.
Elizabeth Dole
Senator Elizabeth Dole is a colleague leaving the U.S. Senate not in
defeat but in the wake of a career dedicated to public service and an
unwavering commitment to her country. She has had an illustrious career
as a two-time cabinet member, President of Red Cross, and U.S. Senator.
Elizabeth is a model for all young women considering a career in
government, for in times when the ceiling had but few cracks she bore
through the naysayers and showed a woman belongs in the Nation's
highest positions.
After graduating from Harvard Law as one of just 29 woman in a class
of 550, ``Liddy'' went to work in the White House Office of Consumer
Affairs where she worked under both President Johnson and Nixon.
Pledging her allegiance to her job and duty to the country, Senator
Dole opted to switch parties in order to continue her stay in the White
House. After a stint on the Federal Trade Commission, President Reagan
appointed Elizabeth Secretary of Transportation in 1983. She served
valiantly in that position for 4\1/2\ years, proving her skill at
managing a Federal Department, and became the Secretary of Labor under
President George H.W. Bush. With this position, Elizabeth became the
first woman to hold two different cabinet positions under two different
administrations.
In 1991 Elizabeth accepted a different challenge becoming the
President of the American Red Cross, dedicating her time to building an
institution whose impassioned mission is to aid our Nation's citizens
who are in need of emergency assistance. During her tenure with the Red
Cross, Elizabeth took a brief hiatus to stand by her husband, Senator
Bob Dole, as he represented our party as the nominee for President in
1996. After a hard-fought race Elizabeth began looking into the idea of
running for our Nation's highest office on her own right. This came to
fruition in 1999 as she again led the way for women and became the
first official female candidate for President. She exhibited toughness
and political tact in a race that history had not been very welcoming
to women.
In 2001 Elizabeth's path to the U.S. Senate took her through her
birth home of Salisbury, NC. Using her full career serving our Nation
as a foundation, Elizabeth won her seat to the U.S. Senate and
immediately made her presence known. Spending her time on the Armed
Services, Banking, Small Business and Aging committees, Elizabeth
worked for North Carolinians with the same passion and dedication she
possessed throughout her career. Her achievements were many, but to
name a few she successfully opposed potential closings of U.S. military
bases, protected delicate wetlands and woodlands in northeastern North
Carolina from ruination from an ill-advised Navy landing strip
proposal, and also served as the chairwoman of the National Republican
Senatorial Committee for the 2004 election cycle.
I wish to thank Elizabeth for her service, friendship, and for being
there for my dear friend Bob throughout the years. Senator Dole, your
contributions to this chamber and our Nation will forever be
remembered.
I yield the floor.
Ted Stevens
Madam President, the departure of the senior Senator from Alaska will
surely deprive the Senate of an exemplary leader who has made a
profound effect on this body. Being the longest serving Republican in
Senate history, Senator Stevens has made countless contributions to
this body. His achievements include serving as the chairman of the
Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, former chairman of the full
Appropriations Committee, and President Pro Tempore.
Ted's temper is generally misunderstood except by those who know him
best. He doesn't lose it, but he does use it--and effectively. However,
it is true that on occasion he makes Vesuvius look mild. I recollect
one all-night session during Senator Howard Baker's tenure as majority
leader when Ted expressed himself in an unusually emphatic way. As I
recall it, the debate arose over Senator Proxmire's comments about
submitting vouchers for travel expense in Wisconsin on his contention
that Washington, DC, was his home base. That prompted a reaction from
Ted, who was aghast at the thought of Washington, DC, being any
Senator's home when he had the majestic Alaska to claim as his home.
Senator Stevens' service during WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corps has
given him a special understanding of defense matters. He is a
distinguished veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, having flown support
missions for the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force during World War
II, for which he was awarded numerous medals, including the
Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon his arrival in the U.S. Senate in 1968
it became evident Ted would become a leader on military and defense
issues. His hard work as the chairman of the Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee earned him high praise from President Bush for his
management of $87 billion supplemental appropriations bill in 2003.
Recently, Senator Stevens has found himself in the midst of the
debate on energy policy and finding innovative approaches to our
dependency on oil. He labored intensely over these matters which he
believed so strongly to be best not only for the country in particular
but especially for Alaska. Ted's work ethic and tenacity always made
this Chamber a better place. His passion for serving his State and
country will forever be remembered. Thank you, Ted, for everything you
have done for the United States and Alaska.
____________________
AUTO INDUSTRY BAILOUT
Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, earlier today, Senators Levin, Bond,
Voinovich, Stabenow, Brown, and I announced a legislative proposal to
deal with the crisis being faced by the automobile manufacturers. For a
protracted period of time, Congress has wrestled with this issue. There
have been many conflicting points of view as to what ought to be done.
There has been little public sympathy for the plight of the auto
manufacturers because they have been on notice for a long while of the
need to reorganize and to approach the manufacture of automobiles
differently in order to compete with foreign cars. There have been
repeated efforts in the Congress to impose mileage standards. Finally,
that was done last year. Now, with the severe economic problems facing
the country, the automobile manufacturers find themselves in dire
straits. The chief executive officers of General Motors, Chrysler, and
Ford have been on Capitol Hill with very gloomy predictions as to the
future of their companies if they do not get economic aid.
It is a difficult matter to provide economic aid to all those who are
in need. It is true the Federal Government has provided economic
assistance to Bear Sterns and AIG, turned them down with Lehman
Brothers. We are well aware of the fact that there could be very
serious repercussions for the economy as a whole if the auto
manufacturers fail. There has been considerable talk that they could go
into a reorganization and bankruptcy and could
[[Page 24308]]
emerge. That may well be true. But that could be risky as to what would
happen.
The Congress authorized some $700 billion to assist on an economic
recovery. That legislation has not been warmly received by the American
people. During the month of October, I traveled broadly in Pennsylvania
and found very strong public sentiment in opposition. The Congress
acted in the face of having our backs to the wall or a gun at our heads
or any other metaphor of a critical nature that one would choose.
On September 29, the House of Representatives failed to pass an
economic recovery program. Senators were notified to be in the Chamber
at 7:30 on Wednesday evening to vote. Regrettably, that legislative
process did not follow regular order. It started off with a bill with
papers from the Treasury Department. It wasn't a bill. It was a 4-page
memorandum, later expanded to more than 100 pages, ultimately to more
than 400 pages. But when regular order is not followed, the consequence
is likely to be not so good. Regular order requires a bill that one can
read and study. It requires hearings before a committee where people
are proponents and opponents. There is examination and cross-
examination to get at the facts. Then the committee--in this case, the
Banking Committee--would sit down and have what is called a markup to
go through the bill line by line.
I explain this in some detail so there might be some understanding,
if anybody is listening on C-SPAN this afternoon. Certainly, the
Chamber is customarily barren, as is frequently the case. Senators are
busy with other matters. Then after the markup, the committee files a
report. Then it comes to the floor. There is debate, discussion,
amendments. Then the Senate works its will. On the House side across
the Rotunda, down the hall, the House of Representatives goes through a
similar process. Then representatives of the two bodies meet for a
conference. Then that is presented to the President. So there is a
great deal of refining.
That didn't happen with the $700 billion economic aid proposal. It
turned out there was a lot of pork in the final draft that no one had a
chance to strike, to offer amendments. It was embarrassing to have to
defend that kind of a bill as I traveled my State in October to explain
it. So there is great skepticism, fairly stated, among the American
people as to the wisdom of the Congress in putting up $700 billion.
Now, with the automakers coming in asking for economic aid, the
question arises, who next? Last Friday, I wrote to our leaders urging
that we not rush to judgment. I made a similar request, made an
extensive floor statement earlier this week on Monday. That letter and
others are in the Record, and I will not encumber the Record further
because they are available for anyone who cares to look at them.
Secretary of the Treasury Paulson has been unwilling to use the $700
billion to assist the automakers. He may be right about that or he may
be wrong about that. But that is the position the Treasury Department
has taken, saying that money is for the economy generally.
Then the idea has been proposed--and has been embodied in what
Senators Levin, Stabenow, Voinovich, Bond, Brown, and I announced
earlier today--to use funds up to $25 billion from the 2007
appropriations which had been designated to meet the mileage
requirements but not a blank check. Before any of those funds could be
utilized at the direction of the Secretary of Commerce, there would
have to be a plan. There would have to be a factual statement as to
what the condition of the automobile manufacturers is, what would be
done with the additional funds, what would be undertaken to guarantee
that the moneys would not be used for increased executive pay or
corporate jets or golden parachutes. There would have to be some hard,
concrete facts laid out.
Last Friday, as I put in the Record this week, I wrote a letter to
the chief executive officers of the three companies. I got no response
from General Motors. I got no response from Ford. Frankly, I'm a little
surprised that when an inquiry is made in that context, there is not an
effort to respond, not to reach out but to respond. But executives from
Chrysler came to see me, and I raised the questions as to what their
condition was, how much cash they had on hand, how much cash they
needed, what they would do with an infusion of economic aid, and what
were the prospects for a recovery.
That matter has now been put over by the leaders until December 8. So
we now have 2 weeks, next week and the week after. Presumably, on the
week of December 1, there will be hearings. The automobile
manufacturers are going to have a fairly heavy burden of demonstrating
that there is a plan which will be viable, which would have a realistic
likelihood of success.
I understand the concern of the environmentalists. My record for
environmental protection is very strong. But those in the environmental
community have raised the concern that the $25 billion ought not to be
directed away from changes on gas mileage. We are talking about a
bridge loan. The concern is, if action is not taken now before a new
administration, that there could be a disastrous result. As Senator
Voinovich pointed out, the recession or economic problems could be even
more serious. The expression he used, which I think is not
inappropriate, it could go over the cliff. Nobody knows. But that is a
risk, if we are going to wait until January 20. It may even be a risk
in waiting until mid-December, but that is the course which we are on
now. Of course, Secretary Paulson has the discretion, as he has
conceded, to act with the funds which are now available. But in any
event, I believe the legislation which was announced today by the six
Senators,--three Democrats, three Republicans, on a bipartisan basis--
is a useful approach for the future. This is very important. This is
not an extra appropriation. We are not putting up more money. It is a
different use of moneys already put up. The environmental issues could
be safeguarded after January 20. With the Democrats in control of both
Houses and the White House, they could write their own ticket to
replenish that fund, if they choose to do so. But at least we are on a
course now in the reasonably near future to provide a legislative
approach if--and it is a big ``if''--the auto manufacturers can come
forward with a hard statement of facts as to where they are, a hard
statement of facts of what they could do with these funds to show their
viability.
So we will await those hearings, and we will await what they do. But
I would emphasize they will have to persuade the Congress to vote for
the plan. But in order to persuade the Congress, they are going to have
to persuade the American people over the course of the next 2 weeks
with something a lot more specific than they came to town with over the
course of the past several days and a lot more responsive than two of
the companies not even responding to my request for a statement as to
their case, as to how they propose to remain viable with the economic
aid.
I thank the Chair, and, in the absence of any other Senator on the
floor, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia is recognized.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SENATORS
Gordon Smith
Mr. WARNER. Madam President, today may mark the last day of this
session, although I shall not try to make that prediction. However, I
would not want this day to pass without availing myself of the
opportunity and the privilege to come to this floor and say a few words
on behalf of the very dear and valued friends whom I have served with
in this Chamber as they depart and go on the road of life to, I expect,
in each case great challenges.
[[Page 24309]]
Gordon Smith and I have become friends for ever so many reasons. One,
we both love the outdoors. He and his devoted wife Sharon and my wife,
we have all been close friends through these years. As I look back, I
will always remember Gordon. I remember when I was chairman of the
Armed Services Committee and entrusted with the extraordinary
responsibilities--along with other committee members, as well as,
indeed, every Member of this Chamber--entrusted with those decisions
relating to this Nation's Armed Forces who were fighting so valiantly
then, today, and for the foreseeable future--I hope the short future--
in Iraq.
Gordon and I had many very quiet and private conversations about his
deep concerns and convictions. His convictions emanated from the depths
of his heart. Politics played no role in his approach to the conflict
in Iraq. He was gravely concerned about the loss of life and limb, the
image of this Nation, and, indeed, the families of the loved ones who
are fighting in that conflict. So I say: Gordon, we had our
differences, but I respected your stance. I can see him standing back
there as erect as he always was, standing and voting against me and
voting against others, but again, drawing on his own deeply held
personal convictions. Time will tell and history will tell if I was
right or if I was wrong, but I found his counsel, his willingness to
listen, his willingness to share with me his most inner thoughts about
that conflict a very valuable asset as I and others in leadership
positions carried the heavy burden of that conflict. So I am grateful
to him. He is a very sensitive man, and he showed that sensitivity
every so often as he plunged into the complex issues with regard to
health care, the almost insoluble problems--problems that he recognized
have to be solved, particularly so that people of lesser means can
achieve a measure of health care equivalent to those who have the means
can receive for themselves. It is a hallmark of how this man proudly
walked his way through life, with a loving wife by his side and the
family whom he loves so dearly, and always thinking about those who
perhaps have not had the opportunities that he and I and others have
had, particularly as it relates to health care.
He also loves the outdoors. A great golfer, we played together from
time to time. His skill is far superior to mine in every way. He is a
lover of art. We shared our interest in paintings, particularly
paintings that had come from Scotland. To have had the friendship of
Gordon Smith is to have shared the life of a wonderful human being, and
I thank Gordon for all that he has done for me and for this great
Nation, and for his beloved State. I wish him well in his next venture,
and I look forward to meeting him along the way.
Elizabeth Dole
I have known her for quite a few years. We had a wonderful evening
last night where the leadership of the Republican Party--indeed, almost
all of the Members of the Republican caucus--came to say not farewell,
but to listen to the words of those of us who are moving on and will
not be a part of the next Congress. Elizabeth got up, and she is such a
very forceful speaker. She truly speaks from the heart. She has a
remarkable memory. She recalled how when both of us were bachelor and
spinster, we danced together. My lovely wife, who is a dear friend of
hers, kind of looked at me and I winked and said, She was the best. It
is just one of her marvelous traits. Talk about glass ceilings: She
shattered her share. She has taken on many challenges in the private
and public sector, some of which only men have ever had, and performed
her duties with great distinction, and always with a quiet sense of
what we call southern humility. She is very proud of her roots and her
family. How often she has referred to her mother.
She is a Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University and went on to Harvard
for a master's degree and a law degree. Secretary of Transportation,
Secretary of Labor. Few women have had that much stamina, conviction,
self-confidence to achieve those goals; and then, of course, to have
become a U.S. Senator. That was a special challenge because she was
fortunate to have as a husband Robert Dole, the Republican leader of
the U.S. Senate, if I can say with a deep sense of humility, one of the
best friends I ever had in this institution.
I remember talking to him one time, of course, concerning the events
of that particular period, and I said he ought to think about running
for leader of the Senate. Oh, no, no. No, I don't think they will ever
elect me. Well, this conversation went on for some period of weeks,
months, it may have been, I don't recall. Finally, I said: I have so
much faith that you can win that election that I would be happy to
appoint myself as one of your managers of the campaign to get it. So I
took that, along with several other very fine colleagues, both of whom
moved on years ago from this Chamber. And he won. He was amazed that he
had won. I wasn't. I always recognized the leadership in him. He did a
wonderful job as our Republican leader. His portrait proudly hangs
right here in the corridor off of our Chamber. I never walk by that I
don't just quietly give him a hand salute, because I was a part of the
World War II generation, but a very small part, serving only in the
final year of the war and always in a training command, ready as a 17-,
18-year-old kid to become a replacement for those serving abroad. Bob
Dole was truly one of those who earned the accolade of the ``greatest
generation.'' He fought in Europe. He was a young lieutenant and in
leading his men in the toughest of battles in Italy, he received what
for others I think would have been mortal and fatal wounds.
Because he had such an internal strength and constitution, he
survived those wounds and came on to have a distinguished career. As I
look back on his Senate days--and they pass so quickly, as did my 30
years--I remember taking trips with him. We went to Russia together,
which was the Soviet Union at that time. He was a staunch believer that
one day Russia would become just Russia once again and those people
would have some measure of a voice in their Government. That did come
to pass, and that was an extraordinary trip.
What I best remember is the time of the D-day anniversary. He was
asked to speak in Italy, where he had fought. And then, together, we
traveled to the Normandy beaches to join the President and others. In
the course of that trip, we went back to the very ground on which he
was wounded. He walked over to the stone wall that is still there--he
remembers it ever so well--where he dragged his badly wounded body to
give him a measure of protection until help could come, after which he
began that very long, arduous, challenging period of his life. It took
years to rebuild that body, but the mind was always there fully intact.
But he would once again have an important role serving America as a
public servant in the Senate.
I don't know of a husband and wife team who any admire with a greater
level of affection than we do Bob and Elizabeth Dole. So I wish them
both very well. She was on our Armed Services Committee. She was a
strong advocate for the men and women in the Armed Forces. She had a
place in her heart for all who served at Fort Bragg and the Marines'
Camp Lejeune, and Pope Air Force Base. But that is further evidence of
the deep affection she has for her husband Bob.
John Sununu
Lastly, I turn to John Sununu. I confess not to have known him very
well. I had met him when he came from the House of Representatives to
the Senate. I suppose all of us who have been here for a period of
time, having been given that marvelous accolade of an old bull, presume
we can judge others quickly. I saw in John Sununu a man who would take
charge from the day he came, and that he did. From the very moment he
walked on the floor of the Senate, he was possessed of his own self-
confidence, his own driving, almost a fierce desire to be a leader--a
leader in the sense of advocating as a true fighter, advocating for
those issues in which he had a belief in the principles that were dear
to his heart.
The field of economics is quite a challenge, and with little
provocation
[[Page 24310]]
he would give you a tutorial on the most complex issues as they relate
to economics. Indeed, in the weeks before the election, as this body
was coming to a close and we voted on such measures as the rescue
package and so forth, he frequently stood. When he spoke, our caucus
and those around him listened very carefully. I mention this because he
exhibited real academic strength at both MIT and Harvard. He did a lot
of interesting things in his short life before he came to the Senate,
not the least of which was being in the House of Representatives.
John also had a special niche for his interest in education. He
wanted to make sure people less fortunate than we would have an
opportunity to get an education and that those in the system and
struggling are given any help possible to succeed in their own goals of
educating themselves. He also held--very unusual--a special regard for
the families of law enforcement officers, men or women in uniform, and
particularly those families who lost a spouse or loved one in the line
of duty.
He is an extraordinary man, John Sununu--very sensitive, very
thoughtful, a man who loves his State, particularly the rivers of his
State. He commended me for leading the charge in my State to remove an
old dam that, for 80 years, blocked the migration of a fish from the
Atlantic Ocean to the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was challenged to try to
remedy a similar situation that existed in his State. I will miss John,
his wife Kitty, and his lovely family. Kitty and my wife shared a few
words on our departure last night from the dinner.
I am not one who makes many predictions, but I predict this man
continues to not walk but run down that road of life, one who makes
those twists and turns, climbs those mountains, and crosses those
rivers. He will leave his mark on many successful ventures. We will
hear from this man not once, not twice but many times again. I wish him
well.
Lastly, I simply say to my State two words: Thank you. I thank all
those Virginians who have supported me these 30 years. It was a humble
challenge for me. I accepted it and I look back on it with the deepest
of respect for the trust and confidence you gave me--all Virginians--
over these 30 years.
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. LEVIN. 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 Senator from Michigan is recognized.
Mr. LEVIN. I thank the Chair.
(The remarks of Mr. Levin pertaining to the introduction of S. 3715
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills
and Joint Resolutions.'')
Mr. LEVIN. 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. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Whitehouse). Without objection, it is so
ordered.
____________________
AUTHORITY TO SIGN DULY ENROLLED BILLS
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority
leader be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills today, November 20.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. 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. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
THE ECONOMY
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, today there has been much discussion once
again here on the floor of the Senate and certainly in the news and in
various other venues, I am sure at the Secretary of the Treasury's
office, about the economy and what is happening in this country.
One only has to look at the stock market--today it moved down very
quickly and very aggressively once again; it has happened many times in
recent days. There are very serious problems. But it is not just the
stock market that reflects those problems. It is perhaps if you were
sitting in a home tonight or last night or last week or last month to
hear someone come home from work to stay to the spouse: Honey, I have
lost my job. And 1.2 million people did that in the last 10 months,
half of them in the last quarter. There were 240,000 last month who
came home and said: I have lost my job.
No, not because they are bad workers; because people are being laid
off. This economy is in a recession. It appears to be a very deep
recession, with a great deal of trouble coming from a range of
activities that went way beyond the pale.
The subprime loan scandal, an almost unbelievable economy that was
providing substantial additional benefits and salaries and bonuses to
people at the top of the economic ladder. It is almost unbelievable
what has happened with the reckless behavior with respect to some of
the financial firms in this country. The result is that the amount of
leverage and the development of a house of cards built on an illusion
of assets has caused a collapse, and it is affecting virtually every
corner of this country.
Tonight there are people who will ask the question: What has happened
to my retirement account? What about my 401(k) account? What about my
individual retirement account? How far has it gone down? How much have
I lost? What will it mean to my retirement? How much longer will I have
to work?
I have been on this floor plenty of times talking about what has
caused all of this. If you do not think about it and talk about it and
take steps to correct it, it will happen again.
The only way the American people will have confidence about the
future is if they believe we are taking steps to correct that which
caused this problem. I have talked about the companies that started
this mess, the brokers, the mortgage companies, the folks who buy and
sell securities, the hedge funds, those who trade in derivatives such
as credit default swaps. I have talked about all of them. All of them
made massive amounts of money. Do you know the highest income earner in
the country last year earned $3.7 billion? One person. That is $10
million a day. If the spouse said: How did it go today? That person had
to say, pretty well, I made $10 million. That day and every day.
That is unbelievable to me. It is an example of what has been
happening at the top. Massive bonuses and salaries; everybody making
money hand over fist by creating this financial house of cards. It
collapses and injures everybody in this country, and a whole lot of
folks are thrown out of work.
The source? Subprime loans, companies saying to people: Hey, how
about a loan? You do not have to pay even the principal at all. You do
not have to pay all of the interest. You have bad credit, you cannot
get any credit, you have been bankrupt, you are a slow payer, you do
not pay your bills, but it does not matter. Come to us.
That was the advertising. Is it any wonder that all of this
collapsed? And as they put all of those bad loans together, they
securitized them and chopped them all and sold them as securities. They
securitize everything these days. They sold them as securities and
moved them around the country and around the world.
All of a sudden we have a bunch of firms that decided, hey, these are
pretty good-paying securities. They have a big return. We are going to
buy some of
[[Page 24311]]
these. So they bought them all up. And now guess what. They have got
all of these rotten assets in their portfolio, and it is pulling them
all under and causing a massive problem.
So here we sit with a collapse of a financial system, names that are
household names, the biggest firms in the country going belly up,
getting bailed out.
The Treasury Secretary comes to us and says: I need $700 billion on
an emergency basis in 3 days, and if not, the sky is going to fall in.
So the Secretary does not get it in 3 days or with a 3-page bill, but
he gets it in a couple of weeks.
Now he has $700 billion, but he does not know what he wants to do it
with it. He said: I need it and I need it urgently right now because I
want to buy toxic assets and I want to get these toxic assets off the
balance sheets of these companies.
Well, he got the money. Then he said: You know what, that is not
right either. I do not want to buy toxic assets. What I want to do is
provide money, capital, to big banks. He takes $125 billion and aimed
it at nine banks, some of whom did not want it. The problem was, it was
the biggest gift in the world. There were no strings attached. Can you
imagine taking $125 billion and saying to nine big banks: You take this
money, and, by the way, I will not require you to expand your lending.
That is the reason I am giving it to you, but I will not require it. I
will have no prohibition on you using it for bonuses. Go right ahead.
And, by the way, my agency is also going to encourage you to merge
because we like bigger banks; merging will be beneficial, we are told.
Is it any wonder people do not have confidence? Is it any wonder people
are not inspired by this? This is not a consistent, well-managed
approach to deal with a crisis, in my judgment. I know it is easy to be
critical, but it is hard not to be critical of something that seems so
random in terms of policy.
Now, I sat with a banker in North Dakota recently at a table. I said
to him, a small town banker: Do you have money to lend? I said: They
say the credit markets are frozen. Do you have money to lend?
Oh, yes, he said. He said: If somebody comes in, I have got money to
lend them, because he did business the old-fashioned way. He said: I
take deposits and I make loans. But when I make loans, I make sure
those to whom I lend the money are going to have a reasonable
opportunity and are able to repay the money.
That is business the old-fashioned way. He said: I did not get
involved in all of those reckless practices. I did not buy those
securitized notes with subprime loans. I did not do all of that.
Well, the biggest financial companies in this country did. They were
like hogs in a corn crib, buying and selling, making lots of money,
everybody is wading in cash. Now they are up to their necks in trouble,
and the Treasury Secretary says if we do not bail them out, the whole
economy is going to collapse. So this bailout occurs without any
conditions at all.
Did anybody say, with these hundreds of billions of dollars--and by
the way, it is not really hundreds of billions. If you take a look at
what Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board have done, it is somewhere
between $2 and $3 trillion that has been pledged to those big firms.
Not many people know that. And you cannot get all of the details. But
the Federal Reserve Board opened up its window, first time in history,
to say: We will do direct lending with investment banks whose assets
are not insured by the Federal Government. First time in history. So we
have around $2 to $3 trillion out there extended on behalf of the
American people with some of these companies that were engaged in
unbelievably reckless practices and behavior.
The issue, it seems to me, is what did the Treasury Secretary require
of these companies that got this massive amount of money? What did the
Federal Reserve Board require of these companies? The answer is
nothing. No restrictions. No restrictions on bonuses. We now read that
somewhere around $20 to $30 billion of bonuses will be paid in the next
month or two. Any restrictions on parking the corporate jets? No. Any
restrictions on income at all? No. No restrictions at all. No strings
attached.
Now, there is a great discussion here on the floor of the Senate and
in this town about bailing out the automobile industry. That proposal
is $25 billion, about 4 percent of the $700 billion. As far as I am
concerned, the automobile industry has plenty to answer for. But if we
are talking about a potential loss of 3 to 5 million additional jobs if
that industry goes belly up, at a time when this economy is in such
desperate condition, putting 3 to 5 million additional people out of
work would, I think, be devastating to this economy.
So that is a very important consideration. But I am not about to
propose bailing out anybody unless there are tough restrictions and
conditions. I know those executives from Detroit got a pretty tough
time, and should have, yesterday. They flew here in their private jets,
making about $20 million a year, saying: We need help from the American
taxpayer.
Look, if we are going to lose 3 to 5 million jobs, I want to help for
a couple of reasons. No. 1, I don't want millions more people out of
work that would further jeopardize this economy. No. 2, I want to
retain a strong manufacturing base. Part of that is the automobile
industry. You don't long remain a strong world economic power unless
you have a strong manufacturing base. But I am not about to support a
bailout for anybody unless there are strong, tough, and rigorous
conditions. Park those corporate jets, 24 roundtrip flights from
Detroit to Washington, DC, and they flew in corporate jets, making $20
million a year, saying: Give us a little help. Where is the self-
sacrifice?
I am not just talking on the part of that industry. They were singled
out yesterday, and I am not excusing them. They got what they deserved
in the House hearing. But did anybody ask the question, when the
Treasury Secretary was ladling money around by the hundreds of billions
of dollars or the Federal Reserve Board was ladling money around to the
point of $2 to $3 trillion, did anybody say to those biggest financial
firms: By the way, here are some restrictions. Maybe you ought to park
your airplanes. Maybe you ought to be concerned about these
unbelievable incomes. Talk about $20 million a year for people running
an automobile company, we are not talking about $20 million when we
talk about some of these hedge funds. We are talking about an average
of the top 25 hedge funds, somewhere around $700 million a year. Did
anybody impose conditions on them? No. Should they have? You darn right
they should have. If the automobile industry wants help from the
American people and this Congress to preserve 3 to 5 million jobs, then
they are going to have to be responsible to adhere to significant
restrictions.
Those restrictions ought to be rigorous and tough. There must be
independent oversight on anything that is given to that industry, or
other industries for that matter. They ought to agree to a prohibition
on dividend payments so that money going to those companies isn't going
to go out in dividends. That would make no sense. There ought to be
prohibited golden parachutes for executives as well as executive
bonuses during the duration of the loan. Again, I say park those
corporate jets. How about announcing that you are willing to take $1 a
year for the sake of trying to repair what is wrong with your company
and trying to put that company back on track?
I understand it wasn't their fault that sales dropped 30 percent.
They are victims, as are all Americans, of this economic crisis. It is
not their fault that sales dropped 30 percent. So if they need some
help to save 3 to 5 million jobs, I think most Americans would say:
Let's save those jobs. But most Americans would also ask the question:
Where is the self-sacrifice on the part of those folks who are running
these companies? Let's see a little and let's hear a little self-
sacrifice from people who say: I will own up to this. I will put
something significant on the table in terms of trying to turn this
[[Page 24312]]
economy and these companies we run around.
Let me finally say, there are a whole lot of folks across the country
who are doing business the right way, Main Street businesses, community
banks. They come to work in the morning. They turn the key. They open
the lock on that door. They are at risk. They are just trying to make a
living. Yet they, too, are victims, not because they got engaged in the
kind of behavior in which some of the biggest companies in this country
were engaged. Some of the biggest financial companies were engaged in
reckless behavior. When the Financial Modernization Act passed the U.S.
House of Representatives and the Senate nine years ago, an act that was
a devastating piece of legislation that led us down this path to a
financial collapse, I said back then when I voted against it--and I was
one of eight Senators to vote no--I said: If you want to gamble, go to
Las Vegas. No, instead they were allowed to gamble by creating holding
companies and merging bank enterprises with securities and with real
estate and other risks.
We knew you shouldn't do that. We learned it in the Great Depression.
It caused the closure of massive numbers of banks. Some of my
colleagues brought a bill to the Congress and got almost everybody to
agree to it that said: These lessons are old-fashioned. Let's let these
financial institutions merge and fuse together risky things with
banking, securities, and real estate. What an unbelievably ignorant
thing to do. We had learned that lesson before and forgot it.
Guess what. From that day on we began to see the kind of inherent
risk established in financial enterprises that someday most of us
believed would create the house of cards that would collapse. And it
has. Now the question is, how do we put this back together?
Let me say this: If I didn't have great hope for the future of this
country, I would hardly be able to get up and go to work, but I think
this is a resilient, wonderful place. We have made very big mistakes. A
lot of people have made very big mistakes, perhaps all of us. But this
country is a great place. Think about what America has been through:
the Civil War, the Great Depression, beating back the forces of fascism
and nazism. We have done so much in this country to prevail. This
generation of Americans is not about to lose. This generation of
Americans, too, will prevail. But it is going to require all of the
effort of every one of us.
This isn't about politics. It is certainly not about Republicans and
Democrats. It is about creating good public policy that gives the
American people confidence and hope in the future. That is what will
get us out of this rut. Those who caused the financial wreckage, who
drove this economy into the ditch, are not going to get us out. It is
good public policy by thoughtful people that will begin mirroring what
happens on Main Streets and community banks all across the country,
doing business the right way. When that happens, we will put this
country back on track. I hope that is sooner rather than later. I hope
the American people do not lose hope because we believe, all of us
believe, in the great promise of this country.
It is true that we face great challenges, but we are turning a page.
We will have a new Congress. We will have a new President and a new
determination to try to fix what is wrong and put this country on a
better path.
I yield the floor.
____________________
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am pleased that the President has
proclaimed November as National American Indian Heritage Month and the
Congress has designated November 28, 2008, as Native American Heritage
Day.
This is the time when our country traditionally offers thanks for the
bounty and protections we enjoy. This year, Congress and the President
have chosen to specifically acknowledge and be thankful for the
contributions and achievements of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and
Native Hawaiians. Together, we have called on Federal, State, and local
governments, tribal governments, and others to come together to
celebrate and share with one another the cultures, traditions, and
languages of more than 500 tribes.
In my home State of Nevada, our tribes represent three distinct
cultures and languages Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe. Throughout my
career, I have promoted programs and education efforts to preserve
these native languages and others and expand cultural programs for
children, young adults and elders. Nevada's tribal leaders and youth
tell me this cultural exchange with tribal members and with those in
their school and local communities bridges differences and leads to
individual successes. Nevadans can be proud of our State's diversity.
And while Nevada's 26 tribes are distinct, they share goals common to
nearly all sovereigns--to care for their people, to keep them safe, to
help them prosper, to protect and use their resources wisely, to engage
in the larger world while being mindful of their histories.
During this session, the Senate worked with tribal leaders and
advocates and our colleagues in the House to help tribes achieve these
goals. Working together, we reauthorized the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act, reauthorized the
Special Diabetes Program for Indians, and amended laws to strengthen
families and improve the care and development of children in foster
care. We passed legislation that helps tribes develop their natural
resources, expand their commercial activities, and encourage investment
in Indian Country. During this time of war, we made it a priority to
help our Native American veterans and their families--who continue a
long history of serving in our Armed Forces--by expanding benefits and
services under the G.I. bill. Under the leadership of Chairman Byron
Dorgan and Vice Chairperson Lisa Murkowski of the Indian Affairs
Committee, the Congress has worked to honor our first Americans and
fulfill our promises to them.
During this month especially, we recognize the leadership and efforts
of tribes and others to improve the lives of Native Americans. But our
work is not finished and we will not rest on the accomplishments of the
110th Congress. As majority leader, I am committed to work with my
colleagues to reform health care and reauthorize the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act. I hope that the Senate will be able to again consider
a package similar to one the Senate passed earlier this year.
As we approach the end of this Congress, I am pleased that we take a
moment to recognize and celebrate the gifts Native Americans and Alaska
Natives share with all of us daily.
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, each November we celebrate American
Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month to honor the first inhabitants
of this land and recognize the relationship this country has with
American Indian people. In that same spirit, I would also like to
specifically recognize the nine treaty tribes that I am honored to
represent in South Dakota.
American Indians are unique among other groups in this country
because of the government-to-government relationship established
through countless treaties--documents affirmed in article VI of our
Constitution as the supreme law of the land. This special status and
the strength of these age-old contracts have enabled American Indians
to shape this country's history in profound ways, as tribal history is
deeply entwined with America's. The continued fulfillment of our treaty
and trust obligations along with a respect for the tenets of tribal
sovereignty are thus essential responsibilities of this country.
South Dakota's tribes have a special place in this history due to
their proactive leadership in the Federal-tribal relationship. For
example, the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie was entered into by Indian
tribes in South Dakota that desired a peaceful relationship with the
United States and a mutual recognition of sovereignty. In this treaty,
like many others, the
[[Page 24313]]
United States entered an agreement to end hostilities and for the
cession of land, in return entering into a contract to provide
assistance with education, health care, farming and other necessities;
these responsibilities continue today. During this month of recognition
and remembrance it is only appropriate to recognize the special status
of the treaty tribes.
In addition to this unique governmental relationship, American
Indians actively enrich the fabric of our Nation's character in many
ways. Tribal members have courageously served to protect America in
every conflict since the Revolutionary War, and they have served at the
highest rate of any group in the country. Tribal educational models are
rapidly gaining respect for an approach that stresses the importance of
history and culture as well as the skills necessary for students to
prosper in an increasingly global world.
American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month falls in the same
month as Thanksgiving and I hope this affords us with the time to give
thanks for the sacrifices of the first Americans. Once reduced to a
population of less than 50,000, the American Indian population is now
some 4.5 million strong. Their story, like that of the country as a
whole, is a proud, resilient history and I am committed to supporting
tribes as they continue to build a strong future. Observance of
American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month honors the unique
heritage of this country's first inhabitants, and most importantly
reaffirms our responsibility to honor Indian treaties.
____________________
RETIREMENT OF MARGO CONNOR
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Margo Connor, who
has retired after 33 years of service to the Senate community. During
the past three decades, Margo Connor has assisted in providing catering
for Senate functions on Capitol Hill. In a fast-paced environment with
a high turnover rate, she remained dedicated and personal, with a keen
ability to establish close relationships.
Margo spent 17 years in the special functions office for the former
Dirksen Senate Dining Room. She compiled menus and prepared the former
Senate Dining Room for functions. Meeting and interacting with many
different people were her favorite aspects of her service; she was on a
first-name basis with former Senators such as David Pryor, Thomas
Eagleton, Gary Hart, and Jennings Randolph. Margo's commitment to
providing a pleasant, comfortable, and professional environment for
Senate functions resulted in close friendships. Senator Randolph would
often call her at home, making requests for a special bread with nuts
on it. After returning from their honeymoon, Senator Joe Biden and his
wife shared their pictures with her. Instead of calling it the Senate
Dining Room, Senator Pryor referred to the Senate Dining Room as simply
``Margo's Room.''
After working in the Senate Dining Room, Margo took a position in the
accounting office processing bids for the Senate Restaurant. Several
years later, she moved to the Capitol Senator's Dining Room where she
was a hostess. After working as a hostess, she worked in the Senate
catering office, where she has been for the last 13 years.
In her years on Capitol Hill, Margo has seen a great variety of
events. She hosted functions with the NFL, the Dalai Lama, and a number
of other notable people. Among others, she met Paul Newman, whose
suitcase she watched in the kitchen as he spoke at an event. During
annual events at Union Station commemorating Columbus Day, Dr. David R.
Curfman, president of the National Columbus Celebration Association,
told her that she was the only one who understood what he needed.
Margo will miss the people she works with, whom she considers to be
like family. In turn, I know she will be missed greatly by those who
have had the opportunity to know and work with her. In fact, Margo has
been such a presence in the Senate, and has befriended so many over the
years, that it is difficult to express how much she will be missed. I
am pleased to join the entire Senate community in thanking Margo for
her years of service and wishing her a happy retirement.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO GENERAL JIM SHANE
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today I rise to salute the service of a
distinguished Kentuckian. This gentleman recently ended a long career
devoted to the service of his country and our commonwealth.
His name is Jim Shane, and I am proud to say Jim is a friend of mine.
Jim recently stepped down as executive director of the Kentucky
Commission on Military Affairs, a post he held since 1997. During his
tenure, Jim can point to many accomplishments, but he was particularly
instrumental in preparing Kentucky for the rigors of the 2005 Base
Realignment and Closure--BRAC--process. The commonwealth, in particular
Fort Knox, was a big winner in the BRAC process, and no one was more
instrumental in this success than Jim.
Jim had a vision for Fort Knox, one in which the installation would
again be a home to combat troops and to a number of major Army
commands. He then worked tirelessly with Federal and State officials,
the BRAC Commission and the Department of Defense to make that
conception of Fort Knox a reality. The result was that Fort Knox
emerged revitalized from the BRAC process. Consequently, central
Kentucky stands to gain immeasurably from the economic benefits
stemming from the installation's enhancement, and our armed forces will
be the better for Fort Knox's improved stature.
Prior to his service for Kentucky, Jim served his country with great
distinction. He spent 27 years of commissioned service in the Army,
rising to the rank of brigadier general. His career highlights include
service as Deputy Commanding General, United States Recruiting Command,
in which he was responsible for manning the Army's all-volunteer force.
Jim also received numerous medals, awards and decorations for his
efforts in the Army including the Distinguished Service Medal, the
Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star
Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the
Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army
Achievement Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Identification badge.
I am proud to say that Jim is also a fellow alumnus of the University
of Louisville.
Mr. President, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring this fine
Kentucky patriot for his long and notable career of public service.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR JOHN LEE McELROY
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, it is never too late to honor great
heroism and sacrifice. That is why I am proud to say that after 40
years, a brave Kentuckian lost in battle will finally return home with
honor to American soil.
On May 12, 1968, MAJ John Lee McElroy of the U.S. Air Force undertook
what would be his final mission. Stationed in the Quang Tin province of
the Republic of Vietnam, he was the navigator on a C-130 Hercules
aircraft when his plane was struck by intense enemy fire and crashed.
There were no survivors.
``On this particular day [Major McElroy] was flying a most important
mission of aerial evacuation for American and allied personnel,'' wrote
COL Marion F. Garuthers, the major's commander, in a letter to his
parents. ``His example of Christian living significantly influenced all
persons with whom he associated.''
Sadly, while the family of Major McElroy knew his final fate, they
did not get to say their final goodbyes. For four decades, his remains
went unrecovered. His wife, Regina M. McElroy, and his parents, Oscar
L. and Gladys V. McElroy, passed away never knowing if their loved
one's remains would be found and brought back to the United States.
[[Page 24314]]
Now, thanks to the work of some dedicated men and women in the
Department of Defense, Major McElroy's remains have been identified.
Along with the rest of his flight crew, Major McElroy will return from
Vietnam and join the honored few who rest in Arlington National
Cemetery.
Born in Eminence, KY, in 1932, Major McElroy served his country in
the Armed Forces for 12 years. Several months after his tragic death,
he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air
Medal and the Purple Heart for his valor in uniform.
At that medal ceremony were Major McElroy's three children--Russell
Lee McElroy, Mary McElroy Tucker, and Linda Anne McElroy Starnes.
Russell, the oldest, was just 14 years old at the time.
Now every one of them is older than their father ever was. And now
it's their turn to take care of the father who cared for them, by
seeing him laid to rest this December 18 in a hero's grave.
Our Nation and the Commonwealth of Kentucky cannot be grateful enough
for MAJ John Lee McElroy's service and immense sacrifice. We owe the
McElroy family a debt that cannot be repaid, because he died defending
all of us and our freedoms.
I know the entire U.S. Senate joins me in expressing comfort and
pride that this courageous airman has finally returned home. It is
never too late to honor our heroes. And it is never too late for one
Kentucky family to say their farewells and see a hero rest in peace.
____________________
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, another 4 months have passed, and more
American troops have lost their lives overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I wish to memorialize their service and sacrifice by including their
names in the Congressional Record.
Since I last included the names of our fallen troops on July 15, the
Pentagon has announced the deaths of 162 troops in Iraq and in
Operation Enduring Freedom, which includes Afghanistan. They will not
be forgotten and today I submit their names into the Record:
CPL Aaron M. Allen, of Buellton, CA;
CWO Christian P. Humphreys, of Fallon, NV;
CWO Donald V. Clark, of Memphis, TN;
SGT Jonnie L. Stiles, of Highlands Ranch, CO;
SGT James M. Clay, of Mountain Home, AR;
SPC Corey M. Shea, of Mansfield, MA;
SGT Jose Regalado, of Los Angeles, CA;
SPC Armando A. De La Paz, of Riverside, CA;
SSG Timothy H. Walker, of Franklin, TN;
PFC Theron V. Hobbs, of Albany, GA;
SPC Adam M. Wenger, of Waterford, MI;
SGT Daniel W. Wallace, of Dry Ridge, KY;
PFC Bradley S. Coleman, of Martinsville, VA;
SSG Scott J. Metcalf, of Framingham, MA;
1LT Trevor J. Yurista, of Pleasant Valley, NY;
SSG Kevin D. Grieco, of Bartlett, IL;
SGT Nicholas A. Casey, of Canton, OH;
PFC Cody J. Eggleston, of Eugene, OR;
LCpl San Sim, of Santa Ana, CA;
CPL Adrian Robles, of Scottsbluff, NE;
SSgt Brian P. Hause, of Stoystown, PA;
SGT Deon L. Taylor, of Bronx, NY;
LCpl Stacy A. Dryden, of North Canton, OH;
MAJ Robert D. Lindenau, of Camano Island, WA;
SPC Heath K. Pickard, of Palestine, TX;
SPC Justin A. Saint, of Albertville, AL;
SGT Federico G. Borjas, of San Diego, CA;
SGT John M. Penich, of Beach Park, IL;
SPC Cory J. Bertrand, of Center, TX;
SPC Stephen R. Fortunato, of Danvers, MA;
SGT Preston R. Medley, of Baker, FL;
SPC Christopher A. McCraw, of Columbia, MS;
CPL Scott G. Dimond, of Franklin, NH;
SGT Michael K. Clark, of Sacramento, CA;
SPC Geoffrey G. Johnson, of Lubbock, TX;
SGT Reuben M. Fernandez III, of Abilene, TX;
CPL Jason A. Karella, of Anchorage, AK;
COL Michael R. Stahlman, of Chevy Chase, MD;
SGT William P. Rudd, of Madisonville, KY;
SPC Jason E. von Zerneck, of Charlotte, NC;
PFC Tavarus D. Setzler, of Jacksonville, FL;
SPC Christopher A. Bartkiewicz, of Dunfermline, IL;
CPT Richard G. Cliff Jr., of Mount Pleasant, SC;
SFC Jamie S. Nicholas, of Maysel, WV;
SFC Gary J. Vasquez, of Round Lake, IL;
SPC Christopher T. Fox, of Memphis, TN;
PFC Jamel A. Bryant, of Belleville, IL;
SGT William E. Hasenflu, of Bradenton, FL;
CPT Michael J. Medders, of Ohio;
SSG Ronald Phillips Jr., of Conway, SC;
1LT Thomas J. Brown, of Burke, VA;
CH COL Sidney J. Marceaux Jr., of Beaumont, TX;
CPT Bruno G. Desolenni, of Crescent City, CA;
SSG Matthew J. Taylor, of Charleston, SC;
PO3 Matthew J. O'Bryant, of Duluth, GA;
SSG Nathan M. Cox, of Walcott, IA;
PVT Joseph F. Gonzales, of Tucson, AZ;
SGT Jerome C. Bell Jr., of Auburn, NY;
SSG Brandon W. Farley, of Grand Prairie, TX;
SSG Jason A. Vazquez, of Chicago, IL;
1LT Mohsin A. Naqvi, of Newburgh, NY;
CPT Bruce E. Hays, of Cheyenne, WY;
SGT Joshua W. Harris, of Romeoville, IL;
MAJ Rodolfo I. Rodriguez, of El Paso, TX;
1LT Robert Vallejo II, of Richland Hills, TX;
CPL Michael E. Thompson, of Harrah, OK;
CWO Brady J. Rudolf, of Oklahoma City, OK;
SGM Julio C. Ordonez, of San Antonio, TX;
SSG Anthony L. Mason, of Springtown, TX;
SGT Daniel M. Eshbaugh, of Norman, OK;
CWO Corry A. Edwards, of Kennedale, TX;
LTC James L. Wiley, of North Bend, OR;
CPT Darrick D. Wright, of Nashville, TN;
PFC Leonard J. Gulczynski I, of Carol Stream, IL;
HM3 Eichmann A. Strickland, of Arlington, WA;
LTC Ralph J. Marino, of Houston, PA;
PVT Michael W. Murdock, of Chocowinity, NC;
SGT Wesley R. Durbin, of Hurst, TX;
SSG Darris J. Dawson, of Pensacola, FL;
CWO Michael Slebodnik, of Gibsonia, PA;
SFC Daniel R. Sexton, of Wentzville, MO;
SPC Marques I. Knight, of San Juan Capistrano, CA;
CPO Jason Richard Freiwald, of Armada, MI;
SCPO John Wayne Marcum, of Flushing, MI;
CPT Jesse Melton III, of Randallstown, MD;
1LT Nicholas A. Madrazo, of Bothell, WA;
PVT Vincent C. Winston Jr., of St. Louis, MO;
PVT Michael R. Dinterman, of Littlestown, PA;
[[Page 24315]]
PVT Jordan P. P. Thibeault, of South Jordan, UT;
PFC Bryan R. Thomas, of Battle Creek, MI;
SSG Kenneth W. Mayne, of Fort Benning, GA;
SFC Gregory A. Rodriguez, of Weidman, MI;
PFC Patrick W. May, of Jamestown, NY;
PO1 Joshua Harris, of Lexington, NC;
SPC Steven J. Fitzmorris, of Columbia, MO;
SPC Jorge L. Feliz Nieve, of Queens Village, NY;
SPC Carlo E. Alfonso, of Spokane, WA;
SPC Michael L. Gonzalez, of Spotswood, NJ;
SGT David K. Cooper, of Williamsburg, KY;
PFC Tan Q. Ngo, of Beaverton, OR;
SSG Brian E. Studer, of Ramsey, MN;
SSG David L. Paquet, of Rising Sun, MD;
SFC David J. Todd Jr., of Marrero, LA;
SFC George Stanciel, of Greenwood, MS;
SGT Nickolas Lee Hopper, of Montrose, IL;
LCpl Travis M. Stottlemyer, of Hatfield, PA;
PFC Jonathon L. Luscher, of Scranton, PA;
1LT Donald C. Carwile, of Oxford, MS;
PFC Paul E. Conlon Jr., of Somerville, MA;
PVT Janelle F. King, of Merced, CA;
SSG Kristopher D. Rodgers, of Sturgis, MI;
CPL Anthony G. Mihalo, of Naperville, IL;
LCpl Juan Lopez-Castaneda, of Mesa, AZ;
LCpl Jacob J. Toves, of Grover Beach, CA;
PFC Daniel A. C. McGuire, of Mashpee, MA;
CPL James M. Hale, of Naperville, IL;
SGT Michael H. Ferschke Jr., of Maryville, TN;
CPL Adam T. McKiski, of Cherry Valley, IL;
CPL Stewart S. Trejo, of Whitefish, MT;
PFC John A. Mattox, of Daingerfield, TX;
SGT Kenneth B. Gibson, of Christiansburg, VA;
SGT Jose E. Ulloa, of New York, NY;
PO2 Anthony M. Carbullido, of Agat, GU;
MSG Danny E. Maybin, of Columbia, SC;
SGT Errol M. James, of St. Croix, VI;
SPC Ronald A. Schmidt, of Newton, KS;
PVT Timothy J. Hutton, of Dillon, MT;
CAPT Garrett T. Lawton, of Charleston, WV;
SGT Gary M. Henry, of Indianapolis, IN;
SPC Jonathan D. Menke, of Madison, IN;
SGT Jaime Gonzalez Jr., of Austin, TX;
SSG Brian K. Miller, of Pendleton, IN;
SGT Ryan P. Baumann, of Great Mills, MD;
PFC Jennifer L. Cole, of American Canyon, CA;
SPC Andre D. Mitchell, of Elmont, NY;
SPC David J. Badie, of Rockford, IL;
2LT Michael R. Girdano, of Pennsylvania;
SPC William J. Mulvihill, of Leavenworth, KS;
PVT Jair De Jesus Garcia, of Chatsworth, CA;
SPC Kevin R. Dickson, of Steelville, MO;
SGT James A. McHale, of Fairfield, MT;
SSGT Faoa L. Apineru, of Yorba Linda, CA;
SPC Seteria L. Brown, of Orlando, FL;
PFC Ivan I. Wilson, of Clearlake, CA;
1LT Nick A. Dewhirst, of Onalaska, WI;
SSGT Danny P. Dupre, of Lockport, LA;
BM3 Daniel R. Verbeke, of Exton, PA;
PFC Willington M. Rhoads, of Las Vegas, NV;
1LT Jason D. Mann, of Woodlynne, NJ;
TSgt Jackie L. Larsen, of Tacoma, WA;
LCpl Jeffery S. Stevenson, of Newton, NJ;
SSG David W. Textor, of Roanoke, VA;
SSG Jeremy D. Vrooman, of Sioux Falls, SD;
1LT Jonathan P. Brostrom, of Hawaii;
SGT Israel Garcia, of Long Beach, CA;
CPL Jonathan R. Ayers, of Snellville, GA;
CPL Jason M. Bogar, of Seattle, WA;
CPL Jason D. Hovater, of Clinton, TN;
CPL Matthew B. Phillips, of Jasper, GA;
CPL Pruitt A. Rainey, of Haw River, NC;
CPL Gunnar W. Zwilling, of Florissant, MO;
SPC Sergio S. Abad, of Morganfield, KY.
We cannot forget these men and women and their sacrifice. These brave
souls left behind parents and children, siblings, and friends. We want
them to know the country pledges to preserve the memory of our lost
soldiers who gave their lives for our country.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to 28 young
Americans who have been killed in Iraq since April 16. This brings to
859 the number of service members either from California or based in
California that have been killed while serving our country in Iraq.
This represents 20 percent of all U.S. deaths in Iraq.
PO1 Cherie L. Morton, 40, died April 20 in Galali, Muharraq, Bahrain.
Petty Officer 1st Class Morton was assigned to Naval Security Force,
Naval Support Activity Bahrain. She was from Bakersfield, CA.
SGT Guadalupe Cervantes Ramirez, 26, died on April 23, 2008, in Camp
Arifjan, Kuwait, of injuries suffered in a vehicle incident. Sergeant
Cervantes Ramirez was assigned to the 2nd Transportation Company,
National Training Center Support Brigade, Fort Irwin, CA. He was from
Fort Irwin, CA.
SPC William T. Dix, 32, died April 27 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of
injuries suffered in a noncombat related incident. Specialist Dix was
assigned to the 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, I
Corps, Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Culver City, CA.
SGT Merlin German, 22, died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center,
San Antonio, TX, from wounds he suffered while conducting combat
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq, on February 22, 2005. Sergeant
German was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st
Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA,
while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant German's
parent unit was the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was
medically retired September 28, 2007, as a result of his injuries.
SSG Bryan E. Bolander, 26, died April 29 in Baghdad from wounds
suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Staff
Sergeant Bolander was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry
Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Air
Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from Bakersfield, CA.
SGT Glen E. Martinez, 31, died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq,
supporting combat operations. Sergeant Martinez was assigned to the
Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine
Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
LCpl James F. Kimple, 21, died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq,
supporting combat operations. Lance Corporal Kimple was assigned to the
Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine
Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
CPL Miguel A. Guzman, 21, died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq,
supporting combat operations. Corporal Guzman was assigned to the
Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine
Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. He
was from Norwalk, CA.
[[Page 24316]]
LCpl Casey L. Casanova, 22, died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq,
supporting combat operations. Lance Corporal Casanova was assigned to
the Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st
Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton,
CA.
PFC Aaron J. Ward, 19, died May 6 in Al Anbar, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when his unit came under small arms fire while conducting
cordon and search operations. Private First Class Ward was assigned to
the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion,
42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, WA. He was from San Jacinto,
CA.
SPC Mary J. Jaenichen, 20, died May 9 in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of a
noncombat related injury. Specialist Jaenichen was assigned to the
Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry
Division, Fort Stewart, GA. She was from Temecula, CA.
SSG Frank J. Gasper, 25, died May 25 in Najaf, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Staff Sergeant Gasper was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special
Forces Group, Fort Carson, CO. He was from Merced, CA.
SGT Cody R. Legg, 23, died June 4 in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered
in Sharqat, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using
small arms fire and hand grenades. Sergeant Legg was assigned to the
1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division, Light Infantry, Fort Drum, NY. He was from
Escondido, CA.
SGT John D. Aragon, 22, died June 12 in Kadamiyah, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Sergeant Aragon was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry
Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Air
Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from Antioch, CA.
SSG Du Hai Tran, 30, died June 20 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit
while on patrol during combat operations. Staff Sergeant Tran was
assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck,
Germany. He was from Reseda, CA.
SGT Alejandro A. Dominguez, 24, died June 25 in Mosul, Iraq, from
wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive
device on June 24. Sergeant Dominguez was assigned to the 1st Squadron,
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX. He was from San Diego, CA.
LCpl Jeffery S. Stevenson, 20, died July 13 from a nonhostile
incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Stevenson was
assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics
Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
SSG Faoa L. Apineru, 31, died July 2, 2007, from wounds sustained
while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Staff
Sergeant Apineru was assigned to Headquarters Company, 23rd Marines,
4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve. He was wounded on May 15,
2005. After his death on July 2, 2007, the initial medical examiner
concluded that Staff Sergeant Apineru did not die from injuries
sustained during his deployment, but a subsequent opinion by the Armed
Forces Institute of Pathology indicated that his death was a result of
his injuries sustained in Iraq. He was from Yorba Linda, CA.
PFC Jennifer L. Cole, 34, died August 2 in Bayji, Iraq, of injuries
suffered in a noncombat related incident. Private First Class Cole was
assigned to the 426th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division, Air Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. She was from
American Canyon, CA.
CPL Adam T. McKiski, 21, died August 7 while supporting combat
operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal McKiski was assigned to
the 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
CPL Stewart S. Trejo, 25, died August 7 while supporting combat
operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal Trejo was assigned to the
1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
PVT Janelle F. King, 23, died August 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries
suffered in a non-combat related incident. Private King was assigned to
the 115th Combat Support Hospital, Fort Polk, LA. She was from Merced,
CA.
COL Michael R. Stahlman, 45, died October 5 from injuries sustained
in a July 31 nonhostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. Colonel
Stahlman was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Air
Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Michael K. Clark, 24, died October 7 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when he encountered small arms fire while on dismounted
patrol. Sergeant Clark was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson,
CO. He was from Sacramento, CA.
LCpl Stacy A. Dryden, 22, died October 19 from injuries sustained in
a nonhostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Dryden
was assigned to 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp
Pendleton, CA.
SPC Armando A. De La Paz, 21, died November 13 in Baghdad, of
injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Specialist De La Paz was
assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. He was
from Riverside, CA.
SGT Jose Regalado, 23, died November 12 in Mosul, Iraq, when an Iraqi
Army soldier wearing a uniform approached him and opened fire. Sergeant
Regalado was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Los Angeles, CA.
CPL Aaron M. Allen, 24, died November 14 while supporting combat
operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal Allen was assigned to 1st
Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was
from Buellton, CA.
I would also like to pay tribute to the 29 soldiers from California
who have died while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom
since April 16.
Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, 24, died April 29 near Bagram,
Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an
improvised explosive device. Senior Airman Yelner was assigned to the
28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South
Dakota. He was from Lafayette, CA.
SFC David L. McDowell, 30, died on April 29, in Bastion, Afghanistan,
of injuries sustained when he received small arms fire. Sergeant First
Class McDowell was assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger
Regiment, Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Ramona, CA.
SPC Christopher Gathercole, 21, died May 26 in Ghazni, Afghanistan,
of wounds suffered from small arms fire during combat operations.
Specialist Gathercole was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger
Regiment, Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Santa Rosa, CA.
PFC Chad M. Trimble, 29, died May 28, near Gardez, Afghanistan, of
wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive
device. Private First Class Trimble was assigned to the 1st Squadron,
61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division, Air Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from West Covina, CA.
SFC David Nunez, 27, died May 29 in Shewan, Afghanistan, of wounds
suffered when he encountered small arms fire while conducting combat
operations. Sergeant First Class Nunez was assigned to the 3rd
Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC. He was from Los
Angeles, CA.
PFC Michael Robert Patton, 19, died June 14 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Private First Class Patton
was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
PFC Dawid Pietrek, 24, died June 14 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Private First Class Pietrek
was assigned to 2nd
[[Page 24317]]
Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary
Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
LCpl Layton Bradly Crass, 22, died June 14 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Crass was
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington, 20, died June 14 while
supporting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant
Washington was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
Hospitalman Marc A. Retmier, 19, died June 18 as a result of wounds
suffered from an enemy rocket attack in northern Paktika Province,
Afghanistan. Hospitalman Retmier was assigned to Provincial
Reconstruction Team Sharana in Afghanistan. He was from Hemet, CA.
LCpl Andrew Francis Whitacre, 21, died June 19 while conducting
combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal
Whitacre was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
CPT Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, died June 19 while conducting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Captain Terhune was assigned
to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
Hospitalman Dustin Kelby Burnett, 19, died June 20 while conducting
combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Hospitalman Burnett
was assigned to First Marine Division Detachment, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Matthew E. Mendoza, 24, died June 20 while conducting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Mendoza was
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Ryan J. Connolly, 24, died June 24 in Khogyani, Afghanistan, of
wounds suffered when his vehicle struck a suspected landmine. Sergeant
Connolly was assigned to the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd
Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany. He was from Vacaville,
CA.
SSGT Christopher D. Strickland, 25, died June 25, while supporting
combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant
Strickland was assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
SGT James M. Treber, 24, died June 29 in Khosrow-E Sofla,
Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his vehicle rolled into a
canal. Sergeant Treber was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special
Forces Group, Airborne, Fort Bragg, NC. He was from Imperial Beach, CA.
SGT Israel Garcia, 24, died July 13 in Wanat, Afghanistan, of wounds
suffered when his outpost was attacked by small arms fire and rocket
propelled grenades from enemy forces. Sergeant Garcia was assigned to
the 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, Airborne, 173rd Airborne
Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy. He was from Long Beach, CA.
PFC Ivan I. Wilson, 22, died July 21 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Private First Class Wilson
was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was from
Clearlake, CA.
PFC Jair De Jesus Garcia, 29, died August 1 in Chowkay Valley,
Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an
improvised explosive device. Private First Class Garcia was assigned to
the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Chatsworth, CA.
LCpl Jacob J. Toves, 27, died August 14 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Toves was
assigned to the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III
Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. He was from Grover Beach,
CA.
SPC Marques I. Knight, 24, died September 6 in Aliabad, Afghanistan,
of wounds suffered when he received small arms fire while on dismounted
patrol. Specialist Knight was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort
Hood, TX. He was from San Juan Capistrano, CA.
SGT Jerome C. Bell Jr., 29, died September 19 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Bell was assigned
to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
CPT Bruno G. Desolenni, 32, died September 20 in Kandahar,
Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device
detonated near his vehicle. Captain Desolenni was assigned to the Joint
Forces Headquarters, Element Training Team, Oregon Army National Guard.
He was from Crescent City, CA.
Cpl Jason A. Karella, 20, died October 9 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Karella was
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Federico G. Borjas, 33, died October 16 in Bermel District
Center, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from small arms fire during a
dismounted patrol. Sergeant Borjas was assigned to 416th Civil Affairs
Battalion, 351st Civil Affairs Command, San Diego, CA. He was from San
Diego, CA.
LCpl San Sim, 23, died October 22 while supporting combat operations
in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Sim was assigned to
1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary
Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was from Santa Ana, CA.
Cpl Adrian Robles, 21, died October 22 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Robles was
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
1LT Trevor J. Yurista, 32, died October 27 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. First Lieutenant Yurista
was assigned to 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
Staff Sergeant Timothy H. Walker
Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise
today to honor the life and heroic service of SSG Timothy H. Walker.
Staff Sergeant Walker, a member of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort
Carson, was killed in Sadr City, Iraq on November 8, 2008, when an
improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was 38 years
old.
A native of Tennessee, Staff Sergeant Walker joined the Army in 1990.
He served in Bosnia from 1999 to 2000, Kuwait in 2001, and also served
two tours of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his
most recent deployment, Staff Sergeant Walker, a combat medic himself,
was actively involved in training Iraqis to treat combat wounds on the
battlefield, and he served as the medical material coordinator for the
Iraqi Security Forces logistics coordination team, which teaches Iraqi
police officers and soldiers how to track and receive medical supplies.
Throughout his 18 years of service, and in every capacity, Staff
Sergeant Walker distinguished himself through his courage, his
dedication to duty, and his willingness to take on any challenge--no
matter how dangerous, no matter how big or small. His extraordinary
bravery and talent earned him more than 20 awards and medals, including
the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Staff Sergeant Walker is remembered by those who knew him as a
consummate professional and friend who they could turn to in times of
need, and who they could always count on to raise their spirits in
times of sadness. They recall his knack for giving people nicknames,
and the infectiousness of his laughter. And, most of all, they remember
his devotion to his wife and children, and to his country.
The Greek historian Thucydides wrote that ``the bravest are surely
[[Page 24318]]
those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and
danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.'' Throughout
our Nation's history, the bravest have gone out to meet every danger
that has imperiled our way of life. They stormed the beaches of
Normandy and Iwo Jima facing long odds, and now, in 2008, they traverse
the mountains of Afghanistan and navigate the cities of Iraq under
constant threat of insurgent attacks. The bravest have kept us safe and
strong. They will always make us proud.
Staff Sergeant Walker's service was in keeping with this American
tradition. At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat
zones throughout the world to attend to the injuries of his men. And
though their fate on the battlefield was uncertain, his men knew that,
in Staff Sergeant Walker, they were in good hands. For the lives he
saved, and for the lives he touched, Staff Sergeant Walker will be
forever remembered as one of the bravest.
To Staff Sergeant Walker's mother Barbara, his father Wayne, his wife
Dawn, his children Gregory and Madison, his sister Shelly, and all his
friends and family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I
hope that, in time, the pain of your loss is assuaged by your pride in
Tim's service to his country and by your knowledge that his country
will never forget him. We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.
Sergeant Jon L. Stiles
Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor
the life and heroic service of Sergeant Jon L. Stiles. Sergeant Stiles,
assigned to the 927th Engineer Company, 769th Engineer Battalion, was
killed on November 13, 2008, when an improvised explosive device
detonated near his patrol in Shubhuyan, Afghanistan. He was 38 years
old.
Sergeant Stiles grew up in Highlands Ranch, CO, and after graduating
from high school, spent nearly 13 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and 2
years in the Army. Two years following his discharge, he moved back to
Colorado, joined the Colorado National Guard, and was deployed to
Afghanistan, where he worked to clear transportation routes of IEDs and
insurgents in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
This past October, Sergeant Stiles saved the lives of three fellow
soldiers when he rescued them from underneath a burning vehicle that
was struck by a suicide bomber, an act of incredible bravery that
earned him the Bronze Star. He suffered serious damage to his lungs and
vocal chords as a result of this incident, but instead of taking
medical leave, he insisted on returning to battle. He believed strongly
in our mission in Afghanistan, cared deeply for his men, and wanted to
make a difference.
Sergeant Stiles' friends and family remember him as a soldier's
soldier with a passion for military service in his DNA. He was an avid
outdoorsman known to brave sub-zero temperatures to get in a day of
fishing. He was generous with hugs and incredibly loyal to his friends.
He was a loving husband who wanted to live peacefully with his wife in
the mountains of Colorado. And he was a proud American willing to
sacrifice everything in defense of the country he held dear.
Adlai Stevenson once asked, ``what do we mean by patriotism in the
context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense
of national responsibility . . . a patriotism which is not short,
frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication
of a lifetime.'' Sergeant Stiles felt this sense of responsibility at a
young age and served with the steady dedication that reminds us of what
it is to be a true patriot. In his memory, and with his inspiration,
may we all continue to work to make our union more perfect, and our
world safer for all.
To Sergeant Stiles' mother Linda, his father Lynn, his wife Launa,
his sister Natalie, his brother Charles, his grandparents Maxine and
Kenney, and all his friends and family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you
must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss is
assuaged by your pride in Jon's service to his country and by your
knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his
service and his sacrifice.
SERGEANT JAMES CLAY
Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, Arkansas is grieving for a young hero, a
courageous soldier who was serving in Iraq as a member of the 224th
Maintenance Company. This team keeps our troops safe and their
equipment and vehicles running. It is a mission paramount to our
soldiers' success.
A member of the National Guard for almost 7 years, Sergeant James
Clay of Mountain Home, AR, showed great commitment and patriotism
throughout his assignment with the 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry
Regiment, 39th Brigade Combat team. Of his service, MG William Wofford,
adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard recalls, ``He was
called to serve, and he answered that call with valiant service. He was
a true patriot and will not soon be forgotten.''
Sergeant Clay's untimely death has brought me to the Senate floor
today, but I want to take a minute to honor his life. He overcame major
obstacles in his personal life, including the death of his father, yet
he graduated from Cotter High School in 2002 where teachers describe
him as outstanding, considerate, and spirited. Friends remember
Sergeant Clay as a role model who persevered with dignity and humanity.
Everyone who knew this young hero recalled his great smile and his
compassion for others. It is no surprise that he died fighting for the
peace and security of others.
My prayers go out to Sergeant Clay's family and friends, particularly
his high school sweetheart and wife, Mellissa Clay. During his second
Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln pledged, ``to care for him who shall
have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphans.'' Mrs. Clay,
we will never forget the sacrifice of your loved one, and we work to
honor his memory, courage, and service to our great Nation.
Corporal Adrian Robles
Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Marine
Cpl Adrian Robles, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on October
22, 2008.
Corporal Robles, who was a native of Scottsbluff, NE, was assigned to
the Second Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, based at Twentynine Palms, CA. He had worked his
whole life to become a marine. At age 16, Corporal Robles told his
parents about his plans to enlist and, at 17, asked that they sign
forms which would allow him to join before his 18th birthday. His
parents told him to wait, so he finished high school and then enlisted
immediately.
Corporal Robles had previously served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in
2006, and was on a tour serving in Afghanistan at the time of his
death. Corporal Robles received three good conduct medals--an unusual
achievement for such a young marine--as well as medals for his service
in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as a rifleman, the backbone of the
Marine Corps. Originally deployed to help train Afghan Army recruits,
his unit's mission changed as the security situation deteriorated; and
Corporal. Robles was ``in the fight'' right to the end.
Fully aware of the dangers he faced, Corporal Robles made the
courageous choice to serve his country and help the people of Iraq and
Afghanistan achieve peace and security. He made the ultimate sacrifice
so that others might enjoy the freedoms he had known all his life.
Corporal Robles represents all that we have to be proud of in our
Armed Forces. I commend his bravery and selflessness while offering my
deepest condolences to the family members he left behind. It is small
comfort for those who must now go on without one they loved so dearly,
but they know that Corporal Robles gave his life for a noble goal. I
join all Nebraskans--indeed, all Americans--in mourning the loss of
such a fine young man.
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TRIBUTE TO SENATORS
Gordon Smith
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President. I thank you for the opportunity today to
pay tribute to a very special man, caring husband and father, and great
Senator Gordon Smith.
Sadly, he will be leaving this august body soon and returning to
private life. The United States Senate will be losing a great leader, a
man of high integrity, and a true statesman.
Gordon joined the United States Senate in January 1997, after winning
an election as a rural conservative in a State defined by a more
liberal landscape. After his election, Senator Smith quickly made his
mark as someone both sides of the aisle could work with for the good of
his State and our Nation. He displayed the characteristics of what I
believe makes a truly great Senator--someone who is willing to roll up
his sleeves and battle for what he believes is right.
His commitment to Oregon was exemplary. He focused on issues that
were critical to the citizens of his State including education, health
care, natural resources, and bridging the rural-urban divide. Along the
way he displayed a true independent streak, bucking his party when he
believed he needed to go a different direction for the good of those he
represented.
Senator Smith's leadership and abilities were greatly appreciated by
the committee members he served with, and the positions he was asked to
assume. As chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging he
presided over critical issues facing our Nation's aging population. In
addition, he made tremendous contributions to four additional
committees: Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Energy and Natural
Resources; Indian Affairs; and the Finance Committee.
He was also selected four times by the leadership of our party to
become the Deputy Whip, an important position we could all look to for
guidance and support.
I had the distinct pleasure of traveling with Senator Smith on two
occasions to Iraq to assess the situation first-hand, visit with the
troops, and become more intimately familiar with the challenges facing
our country overseas. We shared a genuine interest and concern in the
events taking place in that country, and I will forever be grateful to
Senator Smith for taking that journey with me.
Before joining the Senate, Gordon made his mark in the business
world--assuming the helm of his family's frozen vegetable processing
company. His strength and commitment steered this company to new
success, and established himself as a business leader with qualities to
emulate.
You can't talk about Gordon Smith without talking about the love he
has for people, especially his wonderful family. Gordon and his wife
Sharon have raised three wonderful children: Brittany, Garrett, and
Morgan. Even while meeting the demands of his job, you always knew his
thoughts and actions centered on home.
During his second term in office, Gordon and Sharon had to face a
tragedy almost impossible to bear. Their son, Garrett, lost his battle
with depression and grief. As I watched this deeply grieving father, I
was so powerfully reminded that life isn't always about what happens in
the walls of the United States Capitol but it is about our families,
our friends, and the love we share with those closest to our souls.
Senator Smith didn't just let his grief consume him--he took action.
Perhaps his proudest accomplishment in Senate service would be the
passing of a suicide prevention law, named after his son. This law
passed unanimously and has made a real difference in programs across
the country that are designed to help those in critical emotional need.
I am truly grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve with
this great man for 12 years. In a town where true friendships can be
rare, I have been blessed to find a true friend in Gordon Smith.
Although we didn't always agree, our deepest fundamental beliefs were
shaped in the same bedrock of less government, opportunities for all,
and integrity in public service.
I always knew that whether in times of trouble or success, I had
found a true comrade in service, someone I could trust to do what is
right and hold fast to the notion of public service for the people.
Robert Louis Stevenson stated, ``We are all travelers in the
wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an
honest friend.'' Gordon has been just that friend to me.
I will miss working alongside this great Senator, and true American.
However, I know that throughout his life he will continue to work for
the good of others in whatever endeavors he chooses to follow. I want
to wish Gordon and his wife Sharon and their children many years of
continued success, happiness and peace as they travel life's path
together. Thank you for the opportunity to honor this extraordinary
man.
John Warner
Mr. President, I wish to speak today in honor of my good friend, the
senior Senator from Virginia. As you know, Senator Warner is retiring
at the conclusion of this the 110th Congress, and I wanted to take a
moment to express my appreciation for his friendship and his years of
public service.
Senator Warner's retirement marks the end of a career in the service
of the United States that has spanned more than 6 decades. John, having
been born in 1927 and raised right here in Washington, DC, enlisted in
the Navy during World War II in January 1945. After the conclusion of
the war, he left the military to pursue a legal education at the
University of Virginia, only to rejoin the Navy, this time with the
Marines, to serve in the Korean War.
In 1953, he finished his legal studies while still serving in the
Marine Corps Reserves and spent the next 7 years as a government
attorney, first as a clerk for a U.S. appeals court judge, then as an
assistant U.S. attorney. Senator Warner left the public sector in 1960
to pursue a career in private legal practice, though it would not be
long until he was called into service again.
In 1969, he was appointed by President Richard Nixon to serve as the
Under Secretary of the Navy. Just over 3 years later, he succeeded John
H. Chafee as the Secretary of the Navy. This, of course, was a unique
era in the history of U.S. diplomacy and, as Naval Secretary, John was
involved in a number of diplomatic efforts involving the Soviet Union,
most notably the Sea Executive Agreement.
John's political career began in 1978 when he was elected to
represent the State of Virginia in the Senate. He is the second longest
serving Senator in Virginia's history and, by a margin of many years,
the longest serving Republican from the State. Of course, John and I
have crossed paths many times during our years in the Senate. We served
together on the HELP Committee and the Select Committee on
Intelligence. But, for me, one of the most memorable times I shared
with John took place outside the Halls of the Senate.
During the August recess of 1985, my son Jess and I were joined by
John and his son on a fishing and boating trip in Utah. During one day
of the trip, after returning from a hike, I was surprised to see a
ghostly-looking creature sitting in our campsite. As it turned out,
John and some of the others had formed a mud hole down near the river,
and he had been diving in and out of it. By the time I had returned to
the campsite, John was covered head to toe in pumice mud. Apparently,
the mud was good for the skin, but at the time I was unaware of this
fact.
On the last day of the trip, John and I were fishing on Lake Powell
and I was lucky enough to catch an 8 pound 60 striped bass. He was
impressed with my catch and he asked if he could keep it, apparently he
wanted it as a trophy. That evening, we flew up north to an event in
Deer Valley, UT, but because we didn't have time to change after the
flight, we showed up in our fishing clothes. John strode into the fancy
ski lodge to meet the shirt-and-tied crowd sporting his jeans and
carrying my fish around with him! Though I can't be certain, it sure
seemed like he was proud of it.
[[Page 24320]]
But, seriously, Mr. President, Senator Warner will always be
remembered for his even-tempered nature and for his work on behalf of
our men and women in the military. He has never been one to follow the
crowd for partisanship's sake, always choosing to follow his own
conscience. I must admit that, over the years, John and I have found
ourselves in disagreement over issues that I believed to be of vital
importance. But he was always one to respect the views of his
colleagues in either party, even if he went a different way in the end.
I wish John and his wife Jeanne the best of luck in all their future
endeavors. I think I speak for all my Senate colleagues when I say that
the Senate will be a lesser place without John in it.
Elizabeth Dole
Mr. President, I wish to speak today regarding Senator Elizabeth
Dole, who will be departing from the United States Senate. I have known
Senator Dole well and I am sure I am joined by many of my colleagues in
saying that she will be missed.
Senator Dole has shown her enthusiasm and commitment firsthand
through her vast contributions over the last 6 years. Her true courage
is the powerful force behind her remarkable public service career. Most
important, Senator Dole can conceive and articulate goals that lift
people and unite them in the pursuit of objectives worthy of their best
efforts.
As we look back on the challenges of our economy, Senator Dole has
become a robust leader in helping our country focus on creating jobs,
strengthening national security, improving education, and making
quality health care more affordable and accessible. Her initial
determination was demonstrated as she graduated from Duke University
and Harvard Law School, then entering her public career by serving
under multiple U.S. Presidents, including Ronald Regan and George H.W.
Bush. Throughout her career, she served as Secretary of Transportation,
Secretary of Labor, and head of the American Red Cross. She continued
her public service by bringing her zeal to the Senate as the first
female U.S. Senator from North Carolina.
As a fellow Senator, Elizabeth displays qualities of a true southern
belle. She is a powerful role model. Her efforts to make North Carolina
and America safer, stronger, and healthier have not gone unnoticed.
Most importantly, she has played a key role in serving on the Senate
Armed Services, Banking, Small Business and Aging Committees.
Mr. President, I extend my deepest gratitude to Senator Dole. I can
say, without reservation, that she is a dedicated public servant and
friend.
John Sununu
Mr. President, I rise to speak today regarding the departure of my
esteemed colleague from New Hampshire, Senator John Sununu. I have
known Senator Sununu and his family for many years now, and I have
worked closely with Senator Sununu since he first joined Congress in
1996 in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate since 2002.
Today, I am sure that I am joined by many of my colleagues in saying
that his service, his thoughtfulness, and his friendship in this
institution will be missed.
Often referred to as one of the smartest people in Congress, Senator
Sununu earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees in
mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT). Setting the bar even higher, he also went on to earn a Master of
Business Administration from Harvard University. Armed with that kind
of education, it would have been easy for Senator Sununu to spend the
rest of his days on a career track that would have compensated him and
his family in ways that most of us only dream about. Instead, after
only a few short years in the private sector, Senator Sununu chose to
put his mind to work in Congress at solving some of the most pressing
problems and issues of our day. It is for that dedication of service to
his country to which I pay tribute today.
In addition to being one of the smartest people in Congress, Senator
Sununu also holds the well-known title of being the youngest Senator
currently serving in our legislative body. While that feat alone is
impressive in its own right, I also like to think of Senator Sununu as
one of the most thoughtful Senators currently serving in the Senate.
Specifically, Mr. President, I mention Senator Sununu's act of
friendship and solidarity in 2005 when he shaved his own hair and stood
alongside our mutual friend, Senator Arlen Specter, as he underwent
chemotherapy treatment. A simple act, indeed, but it is one that has
not gone unnoticed and it is one that illustrates the thoughtfulness of
a man and a Senator who stood by his colleague in a time of great need.
It is that compassionate thoughtfulness of which we will all miss.
From his thoughtful work on energy and climate change legislation to
his valued friendship while working together on the Finance Committee,
Senator Sununu has done a tremendous job for the people of New
Hampshire and our nation. As a colleague, I appreciate his instrumental
support of the Flag Desecration Amendment in 2006. As a friend, I
convey my highest admiration and respect for what he has been able to
accomplish while here in the Senate. It is that spirit of friendship of
which all of us could always gain a little something from.
I wish Senator Sununu and his lovely family the best and thank them
for the years of service Senator Sununu has been able to provide to
this body as a result of their sacrifice. Senator Sununu's journey in
the U.S. Senate would not be complete without their support, and I am
sure that they will all be happy to have their loving husband and
father around the house a little more often. Without hesitation, Mr.
President, I can say that our loss is their gain. To Senator Sununu and
his family, I extend my deepest gratitude for the countless hours of
service, the simple acts of thoughtfulness, and the years of friendship
they have extended to me, my colleagues, and the people of the United
States. Given Senator Sununu's track record, I am certain that we will
be hearing more about him for many years to come.
WAYNE ALLARD
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, when the final gavel brings an end to the
current session of Congress, my good friend Wayne Allard has chosen to
retire from the U.S. Senate. I know we will all miss him and the strong
and powerful voice he has been for Colorado and the West. His eye for
detail and focus on the issues that are of such great importance to his
constituents and mine will be very difficult to replace.
Wayne is quite a remarkable guy. He knew at a very young age that he
wanted to be a veterinarian and so he directed all his efforts to
pursuing that calling. He graduated from Colorado State University with
a degree in veterinary medicine and opened a veterinary practice in
Loveland, CO, with his wife Joan.
As he worked at the profession he loved he got to know the people of
the area and the problems they faced every day. He wanted to do more
than just take care of their animals and livestock, so he started to
branch out to a career in politics. He knew he could find the time for
both his practice and for politics and the challenge of learning
something new interested him.
Wayne had one great advantage as he began--his family's deep Colorado
roots. Wayne's great-great-grandfather was a trapper and an explorer
and he was one of the first permanent settlers of northern Colorado.
His family was among the first to move into the area and establish a
home there.
Wayne grew up on the family ranch. He learned at an early age the
importance of a hard day's work and of always doing your best. His days
were spent baling hay and helping out with whatever needed to be done
around the ranch from dawn to dusk. Life on the ranch taught him a lot
and instilled in him the values and principles that have served him
well throughout his life and his political career.
Wayne is a strong believer in the idea of a citizen-politician. He
believes that the more experience we have in the workforce, the better
we are able to find legislative solutions to address
[[Page 24321]]
the problems faced by families across the Nation.
That philosophy guided Wayne's efforts in the House and helped him
win his present seat in the Senate in 1997. That was the same year that
I came to Washington and Wayne was one of the first people I met. Our
shared commitment to the people of the West made us natural allies.
It was soon after we were sworn in as freshman Senators that Wayne
told me about his plans to hold an annual conference to get his
constituents more involved in the day-to-day operations of the
Government. His dream took shape as the Allard Capital Conference. This
annual event gives those who attend an opportunity to learn more about
how their Government works, and to share their good ideas about how to
change things. When it is over, it sends all those who attend back home
to Colorado with a hefty dose of encouragement to continue the dialogue
they began here. It has been a great success and Wayne has been able to
attract many of Washington's leaders to participate along with an
impressive list of Senators from both sides of the aisle.
History will show that Wayne has been so successful in the Senate
because he is committed to getting things done--and not in making sure
he gets the credit. It is another philosophy we share. You can get just
about anything done if you don't care who gets the credit for it. Wayne
has been a workhorse more than a showhorse and that has always pleased
his constituents.
Over the years, Wayne's commitment to fiscal sanity has been so
strong and so compelling that it drove him to give up his seats on the
Armed Services and Environmental and Public Works Committees to join
the Appropriations Committee. From there he took the reins of the
Legislative Branch Subcommittee and began the difficult and demanding
task of overseeing the construction of the Capitol Visitor Center. Up
till then, the project had been the center of a lot of attention
because there were so many cost overruns, delays in its construction,
and questions about how the project was being managed. Wayne brought
some sanity to the process. He started checking in on the work being
done on a regular basis and his oversight brought a much needed sense
of accountability to the project which is now about to open its doors
to the people who come to visit our Nation's Capitol every year. In the
years to come, the Capitol Visitor Center will be part of the legacy of
Wayne's service to the people of our Nation.
There is another area of achievement that Wayne is probably more
proud of--and that is his work on the Great Sand Dunes National Park,
his successful effort to convert Rocky Flats, which was formerly a
nuclear weapons facility, to a national wildlife refuge, and his
determination to protect and preserve the area around the Rio Grande
River. All these projects were important to him because they enabled
him to make a difference back home in Colorado.
Now that his Washington years are drawing to a close, Wayne would be
the first to give a lion's share of the credit for all he has
accomplished to his wife Joan. She was there from the start, working
alongside him in his veterinary clinic and she is still by his side,
the most important part of his work in the Senate. They have long been
a remarkable team and it can truly be said that he and I both
overmarried. Joan has been his best friend, his most trusted adviser,
and his wisest political adviser and counselor.
Now they will return to Colorado and to the life that they love. I
don't know what Wayne's plans are for the future, but I hope and expect
I will continue to hear from him whenever he thinks that we just aren't
getting it right when it comes to the budget, the environment, or any
of the other issues that have driven him during his service in the
Senate. Whatever he decides to do, I know we will continue to hear from
him and that is something that can only continue to serve us all well.
Wayne is a special guy who loves Colorado and his country and he has
dedicated his life to making them better places for us and for future
generations to live. He can retire secure in the knowledge that he has
succeeded because he cared enough to serve.
Thank you, Wayne, for your heartfelt commitment to Colorado and the
Nation, for your willingness to serve the people in the Senate and most
of all, thank you for your friendship. Diana joins in sending all the
best for a continued rich and rewarding life to you and Joan. And
Wayne, for me, please keep track of and share the good fishing spots. I
know most of them will be in Wyoming.
larry craig
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I appreciate having this opportunity to wish
Larry Craig all the best as he retires and returns home to his beloved
Idaho. I have enjoyed having a chance to work with him on issues of
concern to the people of our States. He has been an important part of
the work we have done on many of the issues that have come to the floor
of the Senate and he will be difficult to replace.
Ever since he first arrived in the Senate, Larry has been a champion
for the West and a strong and powerful voice on the issues that concern
the people of Wyoming and Idaho. His dedication to making his home
State a better place to live and his determination to make a difference
in the Nation through his service in the Senate has made him a force to
be reckoned with for many years.
Larry has long Idaho roots that date back to his family's arrival in
Idaho more than a century ago. He was born on the family ranch that his
grandfather had homesteaded back in 1899. The ranch has been the proud
home of the Craig family ever since.
Sometime during the days when Larry was a young man growing up in
Idaho, he was bitten by the political bug. It got him started on the
path toward what would be a career of public service. Then, in 1974,
Larry was elected to the Idaho State Senate. It set him on a path that
would take him to the United States Senate.
Because of his background as a rancher and a farmer, Larry knows the
importance of the land and the need for us to be good stewards of all
the resources under our control. After all, as we have heard so very
often, when it comes to the land, they aren't making any more of it.
That is why Larry has always been determined to ensure that Idaho's
natural treasures were well taken care of. It is not an exaggeration to
say that Larry has been the guardian at the gate to ensure the Federal
Government didn't overstep its boundaries and overregulate the land in
Idaho during his watch.
His commitment to the land and to the people of Idaho who rely on it
for their livelihood particularly showed itself during his service on
the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He took full advantage of
the opportunity to work against any effort that would adversely affect
the ability of the people of Idaho to make good use of their State's
land. Also on his agenda was the Endangered Species Act and the
problems that had come with its application. It was a fight Larry was
determined to win and he did more than just express his concern. He
rolled up his sleeves and got to work. The new law he helped to write
is not only more effective, but it is also designed to minimize its
impact on property rights, employment and our State and local
economies.
In the years to come I will most remember Larry for his ability to
present his case with power and emotion whenever he would speak in
committee or on the floor. Larry's speaking and his debating skills are
second to none. He has been called one of the most influential of all
the western Senators and his conservative style has proven to be one of
his greatest strengths.
Larry is probably best known for his work on immigration and his
support for the ability of seasonal workers to come to the United
States to work on our farms. He knows the importance of developing
solutions to tough problems like immigration that do not hurt State
economies or make life harder for our family farms and ranches.
The habits that he learned on the family ranch have been with him his
[[Page 24322]]
entire life and that is why you will usually find him hard at work in
his garden. It is his favorite activity when he is away from his office
and it is one he can share with his grandchildren. As the grandfather
of three children myself, I can identify with his interest and the time
he sets aside to be with his eight grandchildren.
Speaking of his favorite hobby, he once said, ``My wife knows she's
not a golf widow or a skiing or a hunting widow. She's a gardening
widow.'' Larry is also a tremendous artist. His ``works'' are widely
prized and collected.
Larry, I will be sorry to see you and Suzanne leave, saddlebags
flapping in the wind as you ride off into the sunset. Now there will be
time for all the things you have been putting off for some day, for now
there will be plenty of some days for you to share with Suzanne. Diana
and I wish you all the best in whatever you choose to do in the coming
years. As we have found, the end of one great adventure is only the
beginning of the next. So it will be for you. Good luck and God bless.
pete domenici
Mr. President, it is always a bittersweet moment in time for me when
we come to the close of a session of Congress. As the clock counts down
the final hours of our legislative activities, it also signals the day
when several of our colleagues will be retiring and ending their
service in the United States Senate. When the current session ends, one
of my good friends and great allies in the Senate will be returning
home to his beloved New Mexico. He is Senator Pete Domenici and I know
we will all miss him and his powerful presence in the Senate.
In the months to come, Pete may no longer be serving with us, but he
will not be forgotten. He has left his mark on the Senate and on us all
in too many ways for us not to remember him and how hard he has been
working for the people of New Mexico, the West, and the Nation over the
years. Every day he came to the Senate he was focused on what he could
do today to make our tomorrows better for us all. The leadership he
provided on so many issues will be very difficult to replace.
Pete began his career right out of college when he was deemed to be a
good enough pitcher to be signed by a Brooklyn Dodgers farm team. It
was a good life, but it wasn't the one for Pete. He decided after the
season was over that baseball wasn't what he wanted to do and so he
decided instead to do a different kind of pitching--to the people of
the city he lived in. That pitch helped launch him on his true life's
work--serving the people of his State and helping to make New Mexico a
better place to live.
When Pete decided to get involved in politics his friends told him he
was making a big mistake. They warned him that it was a tough way to
make a living and that it would be a rough life. Politics is a harsh
affair, they told him, and they warned him that people would attack him
and his reputation. They wondered why a guy who had such great gifts
wanted to take on what would be a very difficult challenge.
We are very fortunate that Pete didn't take their advice. Instead, he
decided to run for the Senate and to bring his case to the people. To
no one's surprise they liked what they heard and Pete came to
Washington after the 1972 elections. They have been sending him back
here with enthusiasm ever since.
It is not an easy thing to sum up a career in the Senate that has
spanned four decades. That is the mark of an individual who has dared
to try to achieve great things--and succeeded. He came to the Senate
with a great awareness of what needed to be done and with a combination
of his own brand of style and substance he has been part of a great
effort to make those goals a reality.
Looking over his record in the Senate, it shows that Pete has been a
key player in our work to achieve energy independence. Together with
his New Mexico colleague, Jeff Bingaman, Pete worked to bring a
national energy bill that seemed doomed to be stalled forever to the
floor for a vote and on to the President's desk for his signature. Pete
was always willing to work with any Member, no matter their place on
the political spectrum, if it meant making progress on a key issue.
That is why I would sum up Pete's career in one word--success. Pete has
a knack of finding a way to make things happen and we have all
benefited from his abilities.
For my part, I also worked with him on the Mental Health Parity bill.
For too long the provisions of our health care system provided
unequally for physical health and mental health problems. Pete knew
that was unfair, and he was determined to do something about it.
Working together with me and the chairman of the Senate Committee on
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Senator Edward Kennedy, Pete was
able to help bring a bill to the floor that required health insurance
plans that offer mental health coverage to provide it on an equal level
with that afforded to physical illnesses. It is a major change in
health care coverage that will make life better for millions and
millions of Americans. It is a major accomplishment and it will serve
as a special part of his legacy of achievements in the Senate.
In the months to come we will also miss Pete's leadership and his
wise counsel as we continue to work on the economic problems facing the
Nation. Pete is an expert on budget issues and he has served as our
Budget Committee chairman. As I have served alongside him over the
years, I have appreciated having the opportunity to observe him in
action and work with him on measures of concern to us both. He has been
a tireless worker in the effort to bring the Nation's expense account
to a biennial budget. He has also fought long and hard to try to put a
rein on runaway Federal spending. He was willing to do whatever was
necessary to reach an agreement that would balance the budget. He got
that done by once again working with Members of both sides of the aisle
and a Democrat administration. That was just like him. If there was a
way to get something done, Pete usually found it, and the new way he
helped develop usually got the bill passed and signed into law.
For me and for most of us, what I will most remember is Pete's
personality and his great warmth. He is a genuine good guy who is very
down to Earth. He is a gentle man and a gentleman in every sense of the
word. He is a man of great faith who believes that public service is
the rent we pay for the space we occupy on God's green Earth. Simply
put, he is the kind of person you would want to have for a friend. That
is why so many of us treasure his friendship. He is loyal and close to
other Members and to all his staff. He treats his staff like Members of
his extended family and not like staff. I think that is why they work
so hard for him. They love him like a father because he treats them, as
he treats everyone he knows, with kindness and respect.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention his wife, Nancy. She has been a
pillar of strength and a source of great support and encouragement to
him in his life. I like to say that Pete and I both overmarried. She
has been an essential member of his team since they met and I know he
would say that whatever success has come to him in his life he owes in
great degree to her influence. She is his greatest friend, his wisest
counselor and his closest confidante. Together they have done a
tremendous job for the people of New Mexico and the influence they have
had on it can be seen from one corner of the State to the other. She
has been a partner in the fight for mental health parity.
The story is told that when Pete was accepted into law school his
father made him a deal. I will finance your law school education, he
told him, but only if you agree to my terms. If you do well, I will be
proud to pay your way. If you bring home an ``F'' I will expect to be
repaid.
Well, my friend, as you return home, your father would be very proud
of the report card you will take with you from the Senate and from the
people of New Mexico. You have done a great job and everything you have
done in your life and in your career you have done very well. You take
with us our great
[[Page 24323]]
praise and an ``A'' from us all for effort, for the work you have done
and for the results you have achieved. God bless and be with you, Pete
and Nancy. I know we will all miss you and think of you often. Make
sure you leave your number with us for I know we will be reaching out
to you for your advice and thoughtful suggestions in the days to come.
That is one thing that will never change.
John Warner
Mr. President, I appreciate having this opportunity to join with my
colleagues in wishing John Warner all the best as he retires from the
United States Senate after 30 years of service to the people of
Virginia. John has had a long and distinguished career and he will be
greatly missed.
Like so many of us, John's early years had a great influence on his
life and helped to shape his character and mold his destiny. John's
father was a surgeon and he saw to it that John's education began at an
early age and included samples of just about everything there was to
learn. John was soon picking up on a course of study that included
math, music, science, Latin and much, much more.
During those early years, John felt the call to serve his country, so
he joined the Navy when he was 17 years old so he could be part of our
Nation's heroic effort in World War II. He then joined the Marines in
1950 to be part of our forces fighting the Korean war.
John's service in our Armed Forces and his tenure as our Secretary of
the Navy has made him one of the Senate's strongest and most
knowledgeable voices on the use of our Nation's military. He has been
one of the Congress' most respected and most sought after experts on
our actions in Iraq, the war against terrorism, and our efforts in Iraq
and Afghanistan. His experience has also made him a leader in the
Senate's oversight on defense spending.
Through the years, John has been an important part of the debate on
global warming. His concern about the issue and the future of our
Nation led him to ask us for our good ideas and common sense proposals,
regardless of our party affiliation, in an effort to reach a consensus
on the issue that would ultimately lead us to a workable solution.
There are two important reasons why John has been such a tireless
worker on this and other similar issues. John shares my love of the
great outdoors and all that it has to offer. He enjoys taking time from
his busy schedule to hunt and fish with his grandchildren. He remembers
the days he spent with his father taking part in those great activities
and he wants to give his grandchildren the same gift. So do I. I think
that shows John Warner has a streak of Wyoming in him and has fished
there.
In the years that I have served with John I have always been
impressed with his unique style and his ability to present his
positions on the issues with great power and force. John has always
been one to reach out to members on both sides of the aisle, and his
ability to bring us together on the issues has helped us to develop
answers to problems that seemed to elude us. I don't think anyone has a
better grasp of the importance of finding a third way to do things than
John. He knows that there are always three ways of beginning our work
on the issues. The first two lead to gridlock as they are the extreme
positions on the issue. The third way is closer to the middle and has
elements in it that everyone can agree on. That is usually what gets
things done.
That has always been John's measure of success. He has never been one
who was concerned about making points, he has always been interested in
making progress.
John will always be remembered for the leadership he brought to the
Senate on a number of issues that concerned him. As he worked on them
all he showed his independence and his willingness to consider all
viewpoints to find the one that he thought stood the best chance of
succeeding, on the floor and in the field. John would be an excellent
diplomat because he knows how to disagree without being disagreeable.
He has forged good working relationships with us all and that is why he
has so many friends in the Senate.
John has been a great public servant and his career shows the results
he has been able to achieve in every area of his life. I am proud of
his service in the Senate on behalf of the people of Virginia, his
service in our Armed Forces, and especially, I am proud to call him my
friend.
It is always difficult at the end of the session to say goodbye to
our colleagues who are retiring. We have worked together for so many
years that we will miss their thoughtful suggestions, their well chosen
words and their commitment to the issues we have worked on together.
For John, the good part of goodbye is the knowledge that we will meet
again and, I am sure, we will work together again, laugh again, and
continue to enjoy all that life has to offer again. This is not a time
to say goodbye, just a reminder to be well until we see each other
again.
Diana joins in sending our best wishes to you, John and to Jeanne.
You deserve nothing but the best life has to offer and you shall have
it. I look forward to the days ahead and a time when we can get out our
fishing poles and explore some of Virginia's best rivers and streams.
Good luck and God bless.
Chuck Hagel
Mr. President, soon the last remaining items of business on the
legislative calendar will be taken up and the current session of
Congress will draw to a close. When it does, several of our colleagues
will be returning home and leaving public service. We will miss them,
their good ideas and the touch of creativity they brought to our work
in the Senate during their years of service to the people of their home
States.
When I am asked about the members with whom I have had the privilege
to serve during my Senate career, Chuck Hagel will certainly come to
mind. I don't think anyone has a more interesting life story to tell
than Chuck and certainly few have achieved the level of success he has
been able to attain in his public life and in the business world.
Chuck grew up in a small Nebraska town where he learned the value of
a day's work at an earlier than usual age. Chuck found his first job
when he was only nine and he's been hard at work ever since. When he
lost his father at the age of 16 it fell to him, as the oldest child,
to help raise the younger ones of his family.
That was also about the time that Chuck made his first run for
office. When he was in high school he decided to run for Student
Council President. He knew he would have to do something different in
his campaign to separate himself from the others who were running, so
he tied a chicken to the hood of his car and drove around the school
announcing the reasons why he was in the race. No one had ever seen
anything quite like that before and he won quite easily I am sure.
After his high school years, Chuck heard the call to serve his
country and he and his brother joined the Army and served in Vietnam.
He was seriously wounded twice and received two Purple Hearts during
his military service. During one of his missions, he and his brother
were trapped in their armored personnel carrier when an enemy mine
exploded beneath them. Chuck pulled his unconscious brother to safety
and probably saved his life. It took 10 years for him to fully heal
from the effects of the injuries he suffered that day.
When he graduated from the University of Nebraska he began his
political career in earnest. He joined the staff of a Republican
congressman from Nebraska and impressed him and his staff so much that
he steadily rose in responsibility to be his top aide.
Equally impressive has been Chuck's success as a businessman. He sold
almost all he had to begin a cellular phone company with two partners.
His hard work and determination to succeed paid off and his investment
was multiplied many times over.
That kind of success would have been enough for most people, but not
for Chuck. Chuck felt the call to bigger things and he set his sights
on going to Washington to make life a little better for the people back
home in Nebraska.
That was his platform when Chuck ran for the Senate in 1996. The
experts
[[Page 24324]]
thought he was a long shot and a lot of people said he didn't stand a
chance. Once again, Chuck defied the odds and relied on the judgment of
the people of Nebraska instead of the predictions of the experts. The
people of Nebraska knew a good thing when they saw it and Chuck was
sent to the Senate to represent them.
Chuck and I were part of the same freshman class and when we arrived
we both looked forward to being named to the committees on which we
would serve so we could make a difference for our States and the
Nation. Chuck was very pleased and proud when Senator Lugar offered him
an invitation to join the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Chuck took full advantage of the opportunity and made it the focus of
his efforts in the Senate. He made a point of visiting other countries
and meeting with foreign leaders to increase his expertise on foreign
policy. Working closely with Senator Lugar and Senator Biden, he has
been a voice on the committee that is sought after for his perspective
on the issues that involve our relations with other countries.
Over the years I have enjoyed serving with Chuck and working with him
on two of his top priorities, cutting Federal spending and making our
tax system more workable and more responsive to the needs of our
national economy. He can be very proud of all he has achieved,
especially his support of fast track authority so the President could
negotiate trade deals that cannot be changed by the Congress. His work
in the area of international trade has made a great difference
throughout the United States and helped improve our relationship with
our trading partners.
Now Chuck's Washington years are coming to a close and he will be
moving on together with Lilibet to something new and different in their
lives. Diana and I have always found that when one great adventure ends
another one takes its place. That is our wish for you. Whatever the
future holds for you and Lilibet we wish you all the best. The only
good part about saying goodbye is the knowledge that you will keep in
touch with us and continue to offer your good advice and the unique
brand of common sense that you learned from your service in Washington,
your success in your business, and your years growing up in Nebraska,
Wyoming's neighbor to the East.
____________________
FURTHER CHANGES TO S. CON. RES. 70
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, pursuant to section 223 of S. Con. Res.
70, I previously filed adjustments to the 2009 budget resolution for
H.R. 2095, the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. Those adjustments
reflected the Congressional Budget Office's estimate at that time of
the budgetary effects of H.R. 2095.
CBO has since revised that estimate, increasing the amount of net
savings over both 5 and 10 years. As such, H.R. 2095 still meets the
conditions required for the release of the reserve fund under section
223, including being fully paid for over both the 6- and 11-year time
periods.
Consequently, I am revising the adjustments made on September 29
pursuant to section 223 to reflect CBO's updated estimate. This
adjustment affects both the budgetary aggregates and the allocation
provided to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the following
revisions to S. Con. Res. 70.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009--S. CON. RES.
70; FURTHER REVISIONS TO THE CONFERENCE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION
223 DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR INVESTMENTS IN AMERICA'S
INFRASTRUCTURE
[In billions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 101
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)(A) Federal Revenues:
FY 2008................................................ 1,875.401
FY 2009................................................ 2,029.667
FY 2010................................................ 2,204.701
FY 2011................................................ 2,413.291
FY 2012................................................ 2,506.069
FY 2013................................................ 2,626.577
(1)(B) Change in Federal Revenues:
FY 2008................................................ -3.999
FY 2009................................................ -67.732
FY 2010................................................ 21.303
FY 2011................................................ -14.779
FY 2012................................................ -151.526
FY 2013................................................ -123.642
(2) New Budget Authority:
FY 2008................................................ 2,564.237
FY 2009................................................ 2,538.268
FY 2010................................................ 2,566.829
FY 2011................................................ 2,692.492
FY 2012................................................ 2,734.106
FY 2013................................................ 2,858.848
(3) Budget Outlays:
FY 2008................................................ 2,466.678
FY 2009................................................ 2,573.280
FY 2010................................................ 2,625.754
FY 2011................................................ 2,711.453
FY 2012................................................ 2,719.533
FY 2013................................................ 2,851.944
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009--S. CON. RES.
70; FURTHER REVISIONS TO THE CONFERENCE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION
223 DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR INVESTMENTS IN AMERICA'S
INFRASTRUCTURE
[In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Allocation to Senate Commerce, Science, and
Transportation Committee:
FY 2008 Budget Authority 13,964........................
FY 2008 Outlays........................................ 9,363
FY 2009 Budget Authority............................... 14,435
FY 2009 Outlays........................................ 10,253
FY 2009-2013 Budget Authority.......................... 75,947
FY 2009-2013 Outlays................................... 49,989
Adjustments:
FY 2008 Budget Authority............................... 0
FY 2008 Outlays........................................ 0
FY 2009 Budget Authority............................... 0
FY 2009 Outlays........................................ 0
FY 2009-2013 Budget Authority.......................... -8
FY 2009-2013 Outlays................................... -8
Revised Allocation to Senate Commerce, Science, and
Transportation Committee:
FY 2008 Budget Authority............................... 13,964
FY 2008 Outlays........................................ 9,363
FY 2009 Budget Authority............................... 14,435
FY 2009 Outlays........................................ 10,253
FY 2009-2013 Budget Authority.......................... 75,939
FY 2009-2013 Outlays................................... 49,981
------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAUCUS
Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about a subject that
is near and dear to my heart, the Senate Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency Caucus.
Would the distinguished gentlemen from North Dakota and Idaho engage
in a colloquy with me on this topic?
Mr. DORGAN. I would be pleased to engage in such a colloquy.
Mr. CRAPO. I would also like to join my colleagues in a colloquy on
this matter.
Mr. ALLARD. I thank my colleagues. The need for a strong renewable
energy policy has never been more timely. This is something I have
worked on for many years. As a member of the House of Representatives I
was a member of the House Renewable Energy Caucus, and when I was
elected to the Senate, discovered that no such similar caucus existed
here. So I, along with Senators Jeff Bingaman, Tim Johnson, Jim
Jeffords, and Bob Kerry, founded the Senate Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency Caucus.
The caucus is still going strong today with leadership from Senator
Byron Dorgan, Senator Joe Lieberman, and myself. It is a nonpartisan
group that strives to increase awareness of the various forms of
renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in the United
States.
I have been honored to serve as the Republican cochair since the
inception of the Senate caucus, during this time we have seen the
caucus membership grow and today more than a third of the Senate is a
member. The caucus has hosted numerous events and briefings and helped
hundreds of renewable energy groups display their ideas and
technologies. It has also been a forum for sharing thousands of news
articles relating to renewable energy and energy efficiency.
As many of you know, I am retiring from the Senate at the end of this
term and will no longer serve as cochair of the caucus. I am proud of
the work that the caucus has done, and I am confident it will continue
to do great work in the future.
I know it will do great work in the future because it will have
strong leadership. I greatly appreciate the work of the other cochairs,
Senators Dorgan and Lieberman. They have a remarkable dedication to
renewable energy.
[[Page 24325]]
With the addition of the new Republican cochair, I have no doubt that
the caucus will be as strong as ever.
The man replacing me on the caucus is an ardent advocate for
renewable energy, Senator Mike Crapo. As a member of the Senate Finance
Committee, Senator Crapo has helped craft successful legislation to
provide tax credits for production and investment in renewable energy
such as wind, solar, and geothermal, and as a member of the Senate
Agriculture Committee, he supported expanded usage of renewable
biofuels.
Senator Crapo also represents a State that is passionate about
renewable energy and energy efficiency. The State of Idaho has received
awards for its dedication to renewable energy and cutting edge research
is taking place every day at the fine colleges and universities in
Idaho.
Mr ALLARD. Senator Dorgan, you have helped me cochair the caucus for
several years, and your efforts have been invaluable. Do you share my
estimation that Senator Crapo will make a strong co-chair?
Mr. DORGAN. Yes.
Mr. ALLARD. Senator Crapo you have been a strong advocate for
renewable energy for years, and I am sure are looking forward to
cochairing the caucus. Do you have any comments?
Mr. CRAPO. Yes. I have long admired the work of Senator Allard in
forming and developing the caucus over the years. I am honored to be
chosen as the next cochair of the caucus and am eager to build on the
work he has accomplished thus far.
As you mentioned, my home State of Idaho is one of the Nation's
leaders in renewable energy. Idaho has significant and developed
hydropower, wind, and geothermal energy resources, which has led us to
have one of the five lowest per capita and total emissions profiles of
any State. The research being done on these technologies, as well as
energy efficiency, biofuels, and alternative energy resources such as
nuclear power at the Idaho National Laboratory, University of Idaho,
Boise State and Idaho State Universities, is remarkable and nationally
recognized.
Energy issues have arrived at center stage in the public eye and
energy supply, prices, and environmental effects are at the forefront
of concern. All of us here, regardless of political affiliation, can
agree that developing a sound domestic energy plan that provides an
adequate supply of clean and affordable energy is a benefit to our
Nation. I look forward, along with Senators Dorgan and Lieberman, to
educating members and promoting renewable energy and efficiency
measures in the upcoming Congress to achieve that goal.
____________________
SBIR/STTR REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008
Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, in July, the Committee on Small Business
and Entrepreneurship passed S. 3362, the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act
of 2008, by a unanimous 19-0 vote. Since then, Senator Snowe, myself,
and others have worked diligently to address concerns that have been
expressed to us by our colleagues and the administration, and we
reached an agreement with the administration on the terms of the bill.
Unfortunately, at the last minute, a colleague had objections and we
cannot pass the bill.
As the title suggests, the purpose of S. 3362 was to reauthorize the
Small Business Administration's Small Business Innovation Research and
Small Business Technology Transfer programs, otherwise known as SBIR
and STTR. The bill makes improvements to these programs that will allow
them to work better for small businesses, while contributing to our
economy, fulfilling the priority research needs of the nation, and
expanding and diversifying our military's supply base.
Small businesses continue to receive only about 4 percent of Federal
research and development dollars despite the fact that they employ
nearly 40 percent of America's scientists and engineers, produce more
than 14 times more patents than large businesses and universities, and
produce patents that are of higher quality and are more than twice as
likely to be cited. Unlike large businesses, which tend to focus more
on improving existing product lines, and university research, which
leans toward education and publications, America's small businesses and
entrepreneurs are the ones willing to take on the high-risk, high-
reward research that truly drives innovation.
The SBIR and STTR programs are two of the very few Federal programs
that tap into the scientific and technical community found in America's
small businesses. These programs foster government-industry
partnerships by making competitive awards to firms with the best
scientific proposals in response to the research needs of our agencies
and by helping to move technologies from the lab to the marketplace or
from the lab to insertion in a government program or system.
Since the inception of the SBIR program in 1982, recipients of SBIR
and STTR awards have gone on to produce more than 84,000 patents and to
generate millions of well-paying jobs across all 50 States. Both
programs have garnered high praise from well-respected sources,
including from the National Academy of Sciences, which completed its
comprehensive assessment of SBIR last year. Governments around the
world are increasingly adopting SBIR-type programs to encourage
innovation in their countries.
Among the technologies pioneered by SBIR-funded small businesses are
a machine that uses lasers and computer cameras to sort and inspect
bullets at a much finer level than the human eye can manage, the
technology that creates the ``invisible'' condensation trail of the B-2
bomber, a therapeutic drug to treat chronic inflammatory disease, and a
nerve gas protection system. With regard to the bullet sorting
technology, developed by CyberNet Systems, a small, women-owned
business located in Ann Arbor, MI, and currently in use in Iraq and
Afghanistan, that SBIR technology is estimated to have saved taxpayers
more than $300 million. Those are real cost savings and tangible
technological improvements and we could have more such technologies if
we increased the SBIR and STTR allocations, as the legislation that
passed Committee proposed to do.
S. 3362 is the result of much deliberation and compromise and
reflects a truly bipartisan effort to strengthen and improve the SBIR
and STTR programs. I am proud that Senator Snowe, Senator Bond, myself,
and others were able to come together to reach agreement on a number of
very difficult issues, including on the involvement of firms majority-
owned and controlled by multiple venture capital companies in the SBIR
program, and that we unanimously passed this legislation out of
committee. And as I said at the start of my remarks, I am also proud
that we were able to resolve our differences with the administration to
craft a bill that would keep these programs going strong.
It is truly a shame that one Republican in this Chamber has blocked
this bill from passing, and that all of the effort and all of the
compromises that went into getting the legislation to this point will
be lost. I ask my colleagues to be aware that the SBIR program is
temporarily authorized through March 20, 2009, that the STTR program
expires on September 30, 2009, and that we should act fast in the new
year to extend or comprehensively authorize these programs to help keep
our country ahead in technology.
____________________
INTEREST ON LAWYERS' TRUST ACCOUNT PROGRAM
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. Presdient, last week, I joined Senator Cardin and
Senators Specter, and others in sending a letter to the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, FDIC, in an effort to preserve the viability of
the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account program, IOLTA. We have asked
the FDIC to ensure that the Transaction Account Guarantee Program,
TGLP, through which the FDIC guarantees funds in bank accounts, will
also cover lawyer trust accounts. The IOLTA program, which distributes
interest on client funds held in lawyer trust accounts to
[[Page 24326]]
legal aid programs, has been an enormous success in securing legal
representation for lower-income Americans. All 50 States have IOLTA
programs, and many States mandate participation by practicing
attorneys. This program provides funding to important legal aid
programs and helps ensure that no person goes without legal
representation because of a lack of resources.
Our concern stems from the fact that the TGLP Interim Rule concerning
account insurance issued on October 23 would not extend unlimited FDIC
insurance to interest bearing lawyer trust accounts, ultimately hurting
the public benefit generated by these accounts. According to the FDIC's
proposed rules for the TGLP, noninterest-bearing accounts would be
insured to protect an unlimited amount of funds. But the insurance for
interest-bearing accounts would be limited to $250,000. The lack of an
exception for lawyer trust accounts threatens the IOLTA program because
it poses a potential conflict for attorneys. Many lawyer trust accounts
contain pooled client funds, often in excess of $250,000. As a result
of the FDIC's proposed rules, there is legitimate concern that
attorneys would move client funds in excess of $250,000 to noninterest-
bearing accounts in order to gain the insurance protection, and in an
effort to manage client funds as responsibly as possible. This
potential ethical dilemma could be prevented by a modification of the
proposed rules.
Senator Cardin, Senator Specter, and I have suggested to the FDIC
that it modify its proposed rules to make an exception for lawyer trust
accounts and provide unlimited insurance on interest bearing accounts
containing client funds. This would be an important step towards
preserving the success of the IOLTA program, and would remove any
potential ethical dilemma for attorneys. Such a modification would
ensure that the interest generated by IOLTA accounts continues to be
distributed through local nonprofit organizations in each State to fund
invaluable legal aid services for low-income families.
I am hopeful that the FDIC will recognize the national importance and
success of this program, and will create the exception we have
proposed. I would like to particularly thank the Vermont Bar
Association for its advocacy in this regard, as well as the American
Bar Association for its attention to this issue. Legal representation
for everyone is an imperative for a fair and effective judicial system.
The IOLTA program has been successful in helping to ensure legal
representation for more Americans, and where these goals can be
accomplished without the use of tax dollars, such a program should be
preserved.
____________________
REMEMBERING COLONEL JOHN W. RIPLEY
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I regret to have to inform the Senate of
the passing of a truly great American: John W. Ripley, a retired Marine
Corps colonel and hero of the Vietnam war.
Colonel Ripley will be best known for his achievements and self-
sacrifice during the Vietnam war--particularly on April 2, 1972, when
he singlehandedly blew up the Dong Ha bridge. That bridge over the Cua
Viet River was a major thoroughfare for an invasion force from North
Vietnam. Colonel Ripley, serving with a marine unit from South Vietnam,
moved around the bridge like it was a trapeze and hung charges that
would blow it up and prevent the enemy's advance.
That story is the subject of innumerable books and articles. It is an
absolutely incredible feat, showing us how an act of individual bravery
can have a large strategic impact that affects an entire force. Indeed,
the removal of that bridge created a bottleneck that allowed allied
forces to apply overwhelming air power and blunt that invasion.
After Vietnam, Colonel Ripley had a distinguished career that
included going through some of the most challenging training programs
among the world's militaries, including U.S. Army Ranger School. In his
willingness to undergo the ardors of combat and training, he emerged a
marine's marine, a steely and strong individual always ready to put his
country and his fellow marines before himself.
John Ripley is a symbol for the vibrancy of the Marine Corps, one of
the most storied military forces in the globe's history, and a
testament to how--amid the enormity and vast confusion of war--a single
person can make a difference.
I will miss seeing him at various events, including those of the
Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. We will continue to honor his
service through support of the Marine Corps and of all of our soldiers,
sailors, airmen, and marines.
I ask unanimous consent that an obituary on Colonel Ripley, which
appeared in the November 4 edition of the New York Times, be printed in
the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From the New York Times, Nov. 4, 2008]
Col. John W. Ripley, Marine Who Halted Vietnamese Attack, Dies at 69
(By Dennis Hevesi)
John W. Ripley, a highly decorated former colonel who
entered Marine Corps lore when he single-handedly blunted a
major North Vietnamese offensive during the Vietnam War by
blowing up a strategically placed bridge, died Oct. 28 at his
home in Annapolis, Md. He was 69.
The cause has not been determined, his son Stephen said.
Colonel Ripley, who at the time was a captain and a
military adviser to a South Vietnamese Marine unit, blew up
the southern end of the Dong Ha Bridge over the Cua Viet
River on Easter Sunday, April 2, 1972. On the north side of
the bridge, which was several miles south of the
demilitarized zone, some 20,000 North Vietnamese troops and
200 tanks were poised to sweep into Quang Tri Province, which
was sparsely defended.
Going back and forth for three hours while under fire,
Captain Ripley swung hand over hand along the steel I-beams
beneath the bridge, securing himself between girders and
placing crates holding a total of 500 pounds of TNT in a
diagonal line from one side of the structure to the other.
The I-beam wings were just wide enough to form pathways along
which he could slide the boxes.
When the boxes were in place on the bridge, Captain Ripley
attached blasting caps to detonate the TNT, then connected
them with a timed-fuse cord that eventually extended hundreds
of feet.
``He had to bite down on the blasting caps to attach them
to the fuses,'' John Grider Miller, author of ``The Bridge at
Dong Ha,'' said on Monday. ``If he bit too low on the
blasting cap, it could come loose; if he bit too high, it
could blow his head apart.''
Captain Ripley bit safely, and the timed-fuse cord gave him
about half an hour to clamber off the bridge. Moments later,
his work paid off with a shock wave that tossed him into the
air but otherwise left him unharmed.
By placing the crates diagonally along the bridge, Mr.
Miller said, Captain Ripley had created ``a twisting motion
that ripped the bridge apart from its moorings so it couldn't
fall back in place, but collapsed into the river.''
There were about 600 South Vietnamese marines near the
south end of the bridge. ``South Vietnam would have been in
big trouble,'' said Fred Schultz, senior editor of Naval
History Magazine, a publication of the United States Naval
Institute. ``The force numbers defending on that side could
not have held against that North Vietnamese force.''
The destruction of the bridge created a bottleneck for the
North Vietnamese, allowing American bombers to blunt what
became known as the Easter offensive.
Captain Ripley was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions
at the bridge. He served two tours in Vietnam and remained on
active duty until 1992, eventually rising to colonel. Among
other decorations, he received the Silver Star, two Bronze
Stars and a Purple Heart.
John Walter Ripley was born on June 29, 1939, and grew up
in Radford, Va., the son of Bud and Verna Holt Ripley. He
enlisted in the Marines out of high school in 1956, and a
year later received approval from the secretary of the Navy
to attend a preparatory school leading to his appointment to
the Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1962.
Besides his son Stephen, Colonel Ripley is survived by his
wife of 44 years, the former Moline Blaylock; a sister, Susan
Goodykoontz; two other sons, Thomas and John; a daughter,
Mary Ripley; and eight grandchildren.
``Colonel Ripley is well known in marine circles,'' Mr.
Schultz said, ``but he's the most revered war hero no one's
ever heard of.''
``This was 1972,'' he added, ``and people didn't pay too
much attention to war heroes at that time.''
[[Page 24327]]
____________________
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS CHALLENGES
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I have long been a champion of the
intellectual property rights enshrined in the Constitution, and have
sponsored much of the significant legislation in that realm over the
decades I have served in the Senate. On October 24, 2008, Judge Richard
Linn of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the court
entrusted exclusively with Federal appeals involving patent issues,
gave the keynote address before the American Intellectual Property Law
Association's annual meeting. In that address, Judge Linn discusses the
challenges facing the intellectual property system in the coming years,
offers advice on moving forward as a nation to meet those challenges,
and provides food for thought for anyone interested in this important
part of our national economy.
I ask unanimous consent that the statement of Judge Richard Linn from
October 24, 2008, be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Challenges Ahead
I would like to thank the AIPLA for the invitation to speak
before you today. I am truly honored to speak before the
AIPLA, an organization I have belonged to since the late
60's. I see in the audience many of my friends and former
colleagues of the patent bar. I feel very much at home here,
and it is nice to be asked to speak before this distinguished
group.
Before I begin, I would like to take a moment to personally
recognize someone who has played a unique role in the
progress of the U.S. patent system for over 40 years, someone
who has led this organization for the past decade and a half,
someone who has been a special friend to so many of us, and
someone who is now moving on to a well deserved retirement--
Mike Kirk. Please join me in a round of applause to show our
appreciation for Mike and all that he has done.
We all know that Mike has done some very special things for
the AIPLA. But the best thing he did was to bring his wife,
Mary Catherine, into our AIPLA family. I think she, too,
deserves to be recognized for all she has done.
One measure of a leader is the caliber of the person
selected to replace him. And here again, the AIPLA has risen
to the challenge of Mike Kirk's departure in selecting one of
the few members of our profession who has the character,
knowledge, and recognized leadership skills to honor Mike's
legacy of accomplishment. That person is, of course, Q. Todd
Dickenson, and I think he deserves a vote of confidence with
a round of applause.
The program lists my topic as ``Challenges Ahead.'' I
selected that topic intentionally to give me lots of latitude
in what I might say. If that phrase was a limitation in a
patent claim, the meaning would be hard to discern with
specificity and no doubt would generate considerable
litigation. In a way, it's the perfect topic. So, what is it
that I am going to talk about?
John Whealan yesterday focused on recent history and ended
with a few comments on the future. Instead, I will focus on
some of the challenges I see for the future and will begin
with a few comments on the changes of the recent past.
We hear a lot about change these days. Change in our
economy, global climate change, and of course, change in our
government. Change has been in the air for some time. It
seems like the only thing we have heard, or seen, or read in
the media for the past 20 months or so has been about change.
And intellectual property law has been no stranger to it in
the past few years. While one can debate the extent of the
changes and the reasons underlying them, there is no question
that the rights of patentees have been impacted in one way or
the other by a number of recent decisions. And while the pace
of change may slow down at least for a while, the fallout of
all of this change will directly impact all of us. This is
evident, for example, from an examination of three key
decisions: KSR v. Teleflex, dealing with the test for
obviousness; eBay v. MercExchange, dealing with the test for
injunctive relief; and In re Seagate, dealing with the
standard applicable to prove willful infringement. There have
been others, such as Medlmmune v. Genentech, which made it
easier to challenge patents in declaratory judgment actions,
and DSU v. JMS, requiring proof of specific intent for
induced infringement, but I will limit my remarks to the
holdings and possible implications of KSR, eBay, and Seagate.
In KSR, the Supreme Court reviewed the test for obviousness
under 35 U.S.C. Sec. 103. The Supreme Court began by
emphasizing that its 1966 decision in Graham v. John Deere
informed the obviousness inquiry. It went on to reject what
it perceived to be a rigid approach taken by our court in
applying the teaching, suggestion and motivation test. The
Supreme Court observed that ``when it first established the
requirement of demonstrating a teaching, suggestion, or
motivation to combine known elements in order to show that
the combination is obvious, the Court of Customs and Patent
Appeals captured a helpful insight.'' It then noted, however,
that helpful insights need not become rigid and mandatory
formulas, and ``when a court transforms a general principle
into a rigid rule that limits the obviousness inquiry, as the
Court of Appeals did here, it errs.''
The Supreme Court summed up its position on obviousness in
observing that what is important is to use common sense and
to identify a reason that would have prompted a person of
ordinary skill in the relevant field to combine the elements
in the way the claimed new invention does. It added that any
need or problem known in the field of endeavor at the time of
invention and addressed by the patent can provide a reason
for combining the elements in the manner claimed.
The court also made some interesting observations on the
propriety of summary judgment on issues of obviousness. The
court said that ``where, as here, the content of the prior
art, the scope of the patent claim, and the level of ordinary
skill in the art are not in material dispute, and the
obviousness of the claim is apparent in light of these
factors, summary judgment is appropriate.'' ``The obviousness
of the claim is apparent in light of these factors?'' What
does that mean? Does this mean obviousness is sort of like
obscenity--you know it when you see it? I'm not sure what it
means, but I am sure someone is going to ask me for an answer
to that question in a brief in the not too distant future.
The net result of KSR is that defendants may have a renewed
interest in raising and pressing obviousness contentions,
despite the high ``clear and convincing'' standard that
applies to validity challenges. They can now argue that
``reasons'' and common sense support a conclusion that the
claimed invention doesn't pass muster even when application
of a teaching, suggestion, and motivation test might
otherwise have failed. It also means that patentees will have
to be more prepared to gather up evidence to show secondary
considerations as a way to overcome expected challenges from
accused infringers. Finally, the Supreme Court's comments
about summary judgment will mean that patentees will have to
start thinking about how to assist courts in answering
questions about what the Supreme Court's comments on summary
judgment meant as to the way obviousness issues should be
presented to juries, if at all. For example, is it still
proper for a district court to present the ultimate question
of obviousness to the jury or is the district court required
to decide obviousness as a matter of law in every case,
leaving only the factual underpinnings for the jury? No
matter how all this is sorted out, KSR makes evident that
patentees are likely to face more challenges based on section
103. We are already seeing this in recent cases filed with
our court.
In eBay, the Supreme Court rejected the categorical grant
of injunctive relief in patent cases and held that in those
cases, just as in other cases, a plaintiff seeking a
permanent injunction must demonstrate that it has suffered
irreparable injury; that remedies available at law are
inadequate; that the balance of hardships warrants injunctive
relief; and that the public interest would not be disserved
by a permanent injunction. What the Supreme Court did not
tell us is what happens after infringement is found and a
court determines that the equitable remedy of a permanent
injunction is not warranted. This is already presenting
patentees and the courts with interesting new challenges.
eBay also leaves open the question of whether there remains a
rebuttable presumption of irreparable harm in patent cases.
The bottom line for patentees is that they, like all other
plaintiffs, will have to tow the line and be prepared to make
a convincing showing on each of the four equitable factors.
This will present new challenges, particularly to non-
practicing patentees and alters some of the leverage
patentees assumed they enjoyed before the eBay decision.
In re Seagate presented our court with the opportunity to
pick up where Knorr-Bremse left off and to reconsider the
question of the duty of due care owed to patentees and the
standard for determining when infringement is willful and
subject to treble damages. The case came to us on a motion
for a writ of mandamus seeking to overturn an order from a
district court that would have given the patentee's counsel
virtually unfettered access to all attorney-client
communications and work-product of the accused infringer.
That order stemmed from the patentee's assertion of willful
infringement and the accused infringer's good faith reliance
on the advice of counsel. Because of the abuses we perceived
in the routine allegation of willful infringement and the
tension it produced between assertion by the accused
infringer of the attorney-client privilege and reliance on
the advice of counsel, we overruled the duty of due care
standard set out in Underwater Devices and held that proof of
willful infringement, permitting enhanced
[[Page 24328]]
damages, requires at least a showing of objective
recklessness. Because we abandoned the affirmative duty of
due care, we also remarked that in the context of willful
infringement, there is no affirmative obligation to obtain an
opinion of counsel.
Following Seagate, it can be anticipated that there will be
continuing debate over application of the objectively
reckless standard and the parameters of willful infringement.
The one thing that is no longer in debate, however, is that
patentees can no longer bank on a determination of
willfulness and enhanced damages merely because infringement
was found against an accused who had prior notice of the
patent.
The net result of all of these decisions is that patentees
are likely to have to confront more obviousness challenges,
patentees are less likely to obtain enhanced damage awards
based on willfulness, and patentees will be more challenged
to obtain injunctive relief than just a few years ago. These
cases thus will cause patentees to reassess their strategies
and to revalue their patent portfolios.
But patentees are not only struggling to cope with recent
decisions of the Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit.
Patentees continue to suffer needlessly from self-inflicted
wounds. These are the walking wounded, who regularly report
to the MASH units-the district courts-for help. And if they
don't get the help they need at the district court MASH unit,
they come to the general hospital-the Federal Circuit, to
cure all that ails them.
What self-inflicted wounds am I talking about? There are
two in particular that I want to highlight. The first relates
to the continuing propensity of patentees, particularly in
the electrical and mechanical arts, to disclose in their
applications only one embodiment of the invention, while
arguing that the claims cover something broader than the one
disclosed embodiment might suggest. I have no idea why so
many patentees continue to limit the number of embodiments
disclosed when, in so many cases we hear, the entire
controversy is about the scope of a claim supported only by a
single disclosed embodiment. Patentees who desire broad
coverage and only disclose a single embodiment are shooting
themselves in the foot.
Scientists and engineers are familiar with the concept that
an area cannot be defined by a single point or even two
points. To define an area requires at least three points. It
is surprising, then, that patent attorneys, who are trained
both in the law and in science or engineering, often forget
this three-point concept in drafting patent applications.
Careful prosecutors follow a general rule and include in
patent specifications not merely one embodiment of an
invention, but multiple embodiments to better illustrate the
full area of the discovery embraced by the claims. This is a
sound practice that helps to inform the public of the proper
scope of the claims and avoids uncertainty and interpretive
disputes. The uncertainty of single embodiment specifications
has brought us a steady stream of cases, and I urge all of
you not to shoot yourselves or your clients in the foot by
disclosing only one embodiment, particularly in mechanical
and electrical cases.
The second example of a self-inflicted wound is the
continuing practice of adding terminology to claims,
particularly after an interview, to place the claims in
condition for allowance without explaining the reason for the
change or pointing out where in the specification support for
the added language can be found. Again, in case after case
before our court, we are called upon to construe the scope of
claim language which appears nowhere else but in the claims.
Without any support in the written description, we are left
to infer meaning from parts of the specification that often
do not directly relate to the limitation in question or from
the prosecution history of events leading up to the
amendment. These are often poor guides for interpretation and
frequently lead to protracted and costly litigation, not to
mention unpredictable outcomes. Here again, the wound is
self-inflicted and patentees are well advised to avoid
shooting themselves in the foot by leaving the meaning of
critical limitations to unguided inference.
The message for those who regularly write and prosecute
patent applications for clients is that while the swinging of
the patent pendulum of court decisions is largely beyond any
patentee's ability to alter, there are things that are
entirely within your control, such as including multiple
embodiments in patent applications to make broad construction
of claim terms more likely and providing support or an
explanation for claim terms added during prosecution. Those
things you can control. And they will help your client avoid
going through life as a walking wounded patentee.
I would like to turn now to some challenges I see for the
PTO. With a new administration soon to occupy the White
House, a change in leadership at the PTO can be expected
within the next year. The new leaders at the PTO will face
many difficult challenges. The past leadership has much to be
proud of. Director Dudas successfully oversaw the completion
of a modern new facility and the end to fee diversion. He and
his colleagues have upgraded technology resources for
examiners, have ramped up hiring, and have instituted
comprehensive training programs, to name just a few of their
many accomplishments. All of that is commendable.
But it seems to me that what is needed now goes beyond
facilities or finances to the heart of the PTO's mission to
thoroughly, carefully, and promptly examine the applications
of those who seek the protection of patents and who rely on
the effective operation of our patent system. With the solid
foundation of the achievements of the current Director, the
PTO now needs the leadership of those with intimate knowledge
of patents and patent law. People who understand first-hand
the problems faced by users of the system and who have the
ability to comprehensively relate to the practicing bar. That
leadership is best found in the ranks of experienced
practitioners, many of whom are in this very room.
The next group of leaders at the PTO will need to be
creative in finding new ways to improve not only productivity
but quality as well. The number of new applications that are
projected over the next several years is staggering.
Technology will continue to get more complicated. And the
demands of managing such a sizable organization will be
rigorous. To keep pace will take bold new measures to improve
efficiency and effectiveness of almost every aspect of PTO
operations. That may entail cooperative efforts with other
patent offices around the world to find ways to share search
results. It may entail establishing a program of deferred
examination to give applicants an opportunity to fully
evaluate the need for patent protection before the office is
called upon to conduct any examination. My point here is not
to suggest specific initiatives. It is not my place to tell
the PTO how it should operate. I only cite these as examples
of the kinds of things the new leadership of the PTO will
need to seek out if it is to avoid getting buried in the
avalanche of new applications looming on the horizon.
I know the PTO has engaged in a vigorous effort to hire and
train new examiners. I have been privileged to speak at a
graduation ceremony for an impressive class of new examiners
from the PTO's new patent academy. But that's only half of
the equation. It serves no real purpose to hire new examiners
if an equal number of examiners--especially experienced
examiners--resign. The PTO will need to go back to basics and
creatively apply a new version of the Three R's we all
learned as kids. The rule for how to treat examiners couldn't
be simpler: Respect, Reward, and Retain. In this regard, it
may be time for the PTO to develop new standards of examiner
performance that mirror the standards of attorney performance
used by law firms and corporate law departments. Just as
attorney performance is not measured by billable hours alone,
examiner performance measured principally by the number of
disposals may not be the best approach. Counting disposals
may be a raw indicator of performance but does not recognize
the judgment, thoroughness, and legal skills provided by
first-rate examiners and expected by the public.
Other patent offices around the world are involved not only
in giving birth to patents but in assessing questions of
validity raised over the life of a patent. That may explain
why examiners in many countries are treated differently than
U.S. examiners. It is not that U.S. examiners are less
competent or any less dedicated. Far from it. But if the
primary role of an examiner is limited to ex parte matters
that end on the day the patent issues, there will
understandably be a different interest on the part of the
public in what examiners do and who they are than if they
played an essential role in the determination of validity
challenges throughout the life of the patent. One way U.S.
examiners would have a greater opportunity to be recognized
in much the same way as their counterparts in other countries
is if the new leadership at the PTO decides to energize the
current reexamination system to make it the attractive
alternative to litigation it was originally intended to be.
This would require a much expanded corps of experienced
reexamination examiners and the implementation of streamlined
procedures to accelerate the processing of all reexamination
applications.
While it is evident that the PTO will face unprecedented
challenges in the years ahead, the leaders and examiners I
know are capable, dedicated, and clearly up to the task. I
have every confidence that the PTO will meet the challenges
ahead and will continue to be a model for the rest of the
world.
Many have said that this is the golden age of intellectual
property. In the years to come, we can expect to see
significant advances in energy technology, green technology,
nanotechnology, and a host of other things. The need for
effective protection for the discoveries of tomorrow's
scientists, engineers, and researchers will be greater than
ever before. And the changing legal landscape and the pace of
technological progress will present us all with new and
difficult challenges. The challenges ahead are many, but we
are all fortunate to have the chance to enjoy the
opportunities and to confront the challenges the golden age
of IP offers to each of us.
[[Page 24329]]
I have enjoyed being with you and thank you for your
attention.
____________________
VERMONT'S 12TH ANNUAL WOMEN'S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CONFERENCE
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today I would like to share with my friends
in the Senate a great story of personal triumph and success as told by
Vermont Supreme Court Associate Justice Marilyn Skoglund, the keynote
speaker for Vermont's 12th Annual Women's Economic Opportunity
Conference.
Marilyn forged her own remarkable path to success. She received her
bachelor's degree in fine arts from Southern Illinois University, and
after moving to Vermont, passed the bar exam on her first try all while
raising her 7-year-old daughter. Marilyn continued to rise through the
ranks of the Vermont Office of the Attorney General where she served as
both chief of the civil law division and chief of the public protection
division before her appointment in 1994 to the district court, and
subsequently the Vermont Supreme Court in 1997. In addition to her
accomplishments, Marcelle and I admired Marilyn's candidness as she
walked us through her journey. She offered more than 300 Vermont women
a very honest and inspirational perspective on the realities of
balancing both a career and a family.
Marcelle and I have hosted the Vermont Women's Economic Opportunity
Conference for 12 years, and we look forward to attending each year
because we consider it one of the most important events in which we
take part. Though our economy may be facing difficult challenges, this
year's conference, and Marilyn's story, showed that adversity can be
overcome and met with great success--especially by motivated and
talented women of all ages.
Vermont's economic future depends on the countless talented women who
drive it. According to the Vermont Center for Women's Business Studies,
women-owned firms generate an impressive $1.5 billion annually and
currently employ more than 35,000 Vermonters. In 2006, approximately 39
percent of all Vermont businesses were owned, or partially owned, by
women. Even though the number of Vermont women-owned businesses is on
the rise, we must continue working to encourage greater growth.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Justice Skoglund's
speech, written for Vermont's 12th annual Women's Economic Opportunity
Conference, detailing her journey to success, be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Senator Leahy's 12th Women's Economic Opportunity Conference
I begin with a disclaimer. In Senator Leahy's letter,
asking me to be the keynote speaker, he wrote as follows:
``We invite you to share your compelling personal experiences
of how you molded your successful career path to the Vermont
Supreme Court, all the while raising two daughters as a
single mother.''
I was of course so excited to learn that Senator Leahy knew
my name. And, that he thought I had done a good job of
balancing a career and a family. But, after skipping around
the kitchen a bit, I settled down. Sen. Leahy did not really
know what those compelling personal experiences were. Perhaps
he was lured into inviting me because a staff member had
heard rumors that my ``successful career path'' was pretty
funny. Someday I will be old enough to know better than to
discuss my past in public just because I was so flattered
someone of Sen. Leahy's stature asked, but, here I am. Ready
to reveal. I accept Sen. Leahy's invitation to share my
compelling, maybe, but more accurately, my ridiculous,
oddball, clueless, experiences of how I managed to crawl my
way into the best job on the planet, all the while dragging
two innocent, courageous daughters along in my wake. The
journey through the thicket of experiences was not always
pleasant, and mistakes were made. Truth is; I may have
nothing to offer to this audience. This is an economic
conference. I am not an economist. I am not a psychologist.
So, if you all just want to go get coffee and skip the gory
details, I will understand.
To begin, how does one grade ``success'' in balancing work
and family? I am a justice on the Vermont Supreme Court. I
have a good reputation as a jurist. I was a very good lawyer.
I have no arrest record. So far so good. I raised one
daughter, let's call her Martha, who is an ObGyn doctor
delivering babies in New Hampshire. She seems very content
and satisfied with her life. She just got married to a
wonderful man on August 30th. Most important indicia of
success: She loves me. I raised another daughter; I will call
her Ruby, who is working on a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
She is currently very annoyed at how hard life is, but feels
good about her work. She loves me. This sounds great! By the
way, I have changed their names to protect their privacy.
They each bear their father's last names, as do I, so
hopefully, I have shielded them from any further
embarrassment from their mother, at least for today.
Because, while they may be well adjusted women, the truth
is, they adjusted to what their mother put them through. And,
if ``successfully balancing'' includes a solid marriage, I am
not your girl. Two creative, interesting, unique men, neither
ever bored me. I love them to this day, I danced with each at
Martha's wedding, but it did not work out.
In addition to my inadequacies standing up here before you,
I would also point out that everyone in this audience is
clearly way ahead of where I was when I wandered into
adulthood. Obviously, you are all women with a high degree of
confidence in yourselves and your ideas, ambitions, and
goals. You are at an economic conference, for heaven's sake.
You have given some thought to your life. At the beginning of
my meandering road to the Supreme Court, I had little concept
of who I was and had not considered who I wanted to be.
To begin, my parents were the Swedish equivalent of Ozzie
and Harriet. I was raised in a nice middle class home in a
nice midwestern suburb. There literally was a white picket
fence around the yard. And, a little dog. My mother wore a
dress every day of her life, so she did her house work
looking like Donna Reed. By the time I came along, my father
was working in a steel plant and Mom had stopped being a hair
dresser to raise two kids. There were no drugs in my school.
My father's biggest complaint about me was that my bangs were
too long. It was an idyllic childhood. Just like on T.V. So I
assumed everyone pretty much lived like I did. Father made
enough so I could go to college. Back in those olden days,
in-state tuition at SIU was $97 a semester. And, I had part
time jobs to help pay my expenses. After four years, I got
married, continued going to school and working part time,
because it was cheap and it was fun. Finally, after seven
years in college, I decided to graduate, mainly because I was
pregnant and did not know how long it would be until I could
get back to going to classes. That should give you some idea
of how totally clueless I was about the changes a child
brings to a life.
The baby was great, but then things quickly stopped being
cheap and fun. There is something about the arrival of a
child, and one parent not working, that causes money
problems. My husband was working, but not getting paid much.
I was not working (day care didn't exist in southern
Illinois). And, there came a time when I had to apply for
food stamps. Three months of food stamps. We were two middle
class kids and we thought this was shameful, so of course, we
never told our folks and we couldn't ask them for money for
the same reason. But, of course, we weren't middle class kids
anymore--we were young parents with very little money,
renting a grimy little house with giant slugs in the
basement.
I'll cut this gruesome chapter short. In 1973 we moved to
Vermont, my husband got laid off and then, after eleven years
of marriage, he left. The reasons are not important. By now
my daughter was in first grade. and I was working a part-time
job for very little money. Those seven years in college? I
walked out with a degree in fine arts--sculpture. See, I
didn't go to college with an actual career in mind. I
expected to become my mom, making lunches, and ironing in my
pearls. My father always said, if a woman has to work outside
the home, it should be in one of the helping professions:
teaching or nursing. Things were not working out. What would
Donna Reed do? I pondered.
I decided to be a lawyer. Now, I do admit to having a
selective memory about some things. I do not remember my
first husband asking me to marry him and I have no
recollection of why I thought I could become a lawyer. Law
school wasn't an option--there was no money for tuition and
besides, I had to work.
I got a job working as a paralegal, law clerk at the
attorney general's office and participating in that marvelous
Vermont jewel, the four year reading clerkship. This path to
the bar required me to apprentice myself for four years to a
lawyer, and if I passed the bar exam, I was a real lawyer. I
began work in the AG's office at a salary of $7,000 a year,
which quickly went up to $12,000. Here's an interesting fact:
I had to borrow a dress for the job interview at the attorney
general's office. Now, at the time I knew I didn't have any
money, but I never thought I was poor. I was doing all right.
But if you ask my daughter, Martha, you'd get a different
picture. While I was working all day every day in Montpelier,
she was
[[Page 24330]]
walking half a mile home from the school bus stop to the
adorable tiny three-room, un-insulated cottage in the country
with the only source of heat being a wood burning furnace in
the cellar. Walking home to a cold, empty house. But, the
good news was that I rented this cottage from Walter Smith. I
am pleased to have this opportunity to pay tribute to my very
own personal version of welfare: Walter Smith. Walter was a
beloved dairy farmer in Plainfield, about 68 years old when I
met him, who was my landlord for eleven years and my friend
for twenty. He died several years back. I loved him.
So, at the age of eight, Martha was expected to stoke the
furnace when she got home. Sometimes, Walter would come over
to help her. But most times he could not. And, you know, I
did not agonize over this. Donna Reed and June Cleaver would
be horrified, but I had to work. It was that simple. Walter,
who by then had become my surrogate father, had the hired
hands bring over truck loads of free split wood--an early
version of ``fuel assistance.'' I could dip raw milk from the
bulk tank for free. My very own WIC program. He'd give me
meat when he butchered a cow whose milking days were over.
Very, very chewy, but free. Free eggs if I fought the hens
for them, and maple syrup. He would give me bushels of
tomatoes and I would put them up and give him half. If my
cupboard was really bare, Martha and I could always wander
over to the farm house where Walter had cases and cases of
chicken noodle soup, which he ate every day with mayonnaise
sandwiches. He was my food shelf. Once, when Martha was about
ten, I sent her to school with a coconut and a hammer for
snack as I hadn't had time to grocery shop. Walter had given
me the coconut as a joke, asking me what kind of turkey I
thought had laid the brown hairy thing? The teacher sent a
note home thanking me for providing an interesting project
for the class. I thought that was nice.
See, I was not poor. I had Walter. And, there was a certain
satisfaction about supporting myself and my child.
But, I was also in love. Madly and passionately in love
with the law. The law is amazing. It is the infrastructure of
society. Sensible, mostly. Logical, usually. Enduring. It
adapts to changing mores and technologies, but only slightly
faster than the movement of the earth's tectonic plates. How
did the founding father's accept the constitution to deal
with the development of cyber-space and artificial
insemination? Heavy stuff. I love it. I had decided to go
into law thinking I liked writing, words, and arguing. I
hadn't expected to discover that it felt like ginger ale
poured over my brain. This is how I can describe the joy,
excitement, and the thrill of learning and understanding the
basis of the rules that manage our civilized life.
If you have a passion, if you find your passion, you are a
very lucky person. And, I had found my passion while Martha
was stoking the furnace.
But, here is an amazing fact: children have their own
memories, and their own perceptions about life. When she was
in high school, unbeknownst to me, Martha applied for a
Horatio Alger Scholarship, given to kids who have endured
hardship and managed to be successful students in spite of
it. And, she got one. When she told me about this wonderful
thing, I was so proud and delighted. Eventually it dawned on
me to ask in perfect ignorance: ``What was your hardship?''
``You,'' she answered. She had written about those days
when she came home to an empty cold house and had to face the
cellar and the furnace alone and cold. I have never read her
winning essay. I am not that strong.
So, eventually, I connected again with an interesting,
creative, blah, blah, blah man and Ruby came along. At this
time I am a lawyer in the civil law division of the AG
office. Yes, I had passed the bar. Ruby started day care at
six months of age. And, having found what I was supposed to
be doing with my life, I wanted to keep working. Oh the
guilt. Her father was on the road most of the time, and 2\1/
2\ years after Ruby was born, that road did not pass by our
house any more.
One day, the call came from the day care that Ruby was sick
and I needed to pick her up. Naturally, I was scheduled to
prosecute a physician before the Board of Medical Practice
that day. I had prepared the case for months. Witnesses had
answered subpoenas to appear. No other attorney in the office
knew the case. What I knew was that just outside the hearing
room in the Secretary of State's office was a couch. So, I
went and got Ruby, swung by the house for a blanket and
pillow and a juice box, and put her to bed in the hall of the
Secretary of State's office.
I know that bundling up a sick little girl in a hallway
will not win me any parenting awards. But, helpful,
understanding people working at the office kept an eye on
Ruby while she slept. Ruby, too, adjusted to me.
But, being a mom with a profession that really requires
adherence to a schedule also had benefits. My first oral
argument before the Vermont Supreme Court was scheduled. I
was a nervous wreck. ``Got to get plenty of sleep the night
before so I'm sharp.''
Instead Martha got the flu and we spent most of the night
with me holding her hair while she drove the porcelain bus.
As soon as Walter was done milking, I trundled Martha over to
his house, told him I would be back in two hours, and went to
Montpelier to the hearing. Being worried about Martha put the
argument into a manageable perspective--I just did the job
then ran home to be a mom.
Eventually, after 17 years at the Attorney General's
office, I applied to be a trial judge. I made it past the
Judicial Nominating board and my name was sent to Governor
Dean for consideration. Then, I got worried. Martha was 21 by
then, but Ruby was only 8 and I knew I'd be away from home
for long hours every day. I was scared so I withdrew my name
from consideration. When I told my daughters what I had done,
the outcry was loud. Ruby was really insulted and said she'd
be fine. Martha said she would help out. They convinced me it
could work. I called back the Governor's office and said I
had changed my mind. When I had my interview with the
Governor, I explained how my concerns for my children had
caused me to chicken out. He understood and appointed me as a
judge.
And, it was hard. On me, and on Ruby. I got home late and
left early. I was at least an hour away if she got sick or
hurt. There was one year when I was family court judge in
Washington county--where we live. Ruby was in sixth grade
when a big eighth grade boy approached and asked, ``Is your
mom a judge?''
She admitted I was.
``She sent me to juvenile hall,'' he said.
``I'm sorry,'' said little Ruby nervously.
``Oh, that's all right, I screwed up.'' He reassured her.
``She's the one with black nail polish, right?''
Finding herself in the familiar territory of mortification
by her mother's behavior, Ruby admitted, ``Yeah, that's
her.''
I used to wear something odd on juvenile day to relax the
kids, and this boy noticed. Of course Ruby was pretty much
always embarrassed by me. Now I am on the Supreme Court, but
what did Ruby say when she heard about the appointment at the
age of twelve?
``Oh no, now you'll be home all the time!''
What did I learn that I can offer to you? I tried to think
of an inspirational saying or two, but could not. I do get a
lot of catalogs. One particularly annoying one is chock full
of heart warming sayings like, ``Life isn't about waiting for
the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the
rain.'' Oh please. Storms are scary, rain is cold and wet,
and one can get muddy. Let's get real. Life is hard, get over
it.
Number 1: Take help that is offered. Would I have survived
without Walter Smith's care and kindness? I do not know. And
I am glad I did not have to find out.
Number 2: If you do not have a snack, send a coconut. In
other words, be flexible. When it came time to study for the
bar examination, I was on my own. I made little 3x5 filing
cards on all the subjects and set them around the house so
that whatever I was doing, I could incorporate a little
study. Some areas of law are governed by certain factors that
you just have to remember. Over the kitchen sink I placed the
filing card that listed the elements of a secured
transaction. Next to the toilet I posted the card that laid
out the parts of a bulk sale. I read them over and over and
over. And, poor Martha endured one pizza after another
because I did not cook much while I studied.
Number 3: Pity parties are a waste of time, and a breeding
ground for excuses. In other words, if your circumstances are
not the most conducive to success, try anyway.
Would I have liked to go to law school? Of course. Could I?
No. So what! Here's my favorite true example of making due
with what you have available. I watch the Canadian television
coverage of the summer Olympic games because it is so much
better than that of the U.S. coverage. They celebrate
individual athletes' ``personal bests'' rather than the medal
counts. And, they covered really weird events that I had
never heard of, like dory racing. I thought it was very cool.
They did a background piece on Jerad Connaghten, an athlete
training for the 200 meters in track and field. He was from
somewhere in Canada that had no running track. So he and his
coach improvised. To train for strength they did sand starts
taking off in deep sand on the sea shore. They set up their
own practice course. At the end of a dirt road was a little
cottage and that cottage marked 200 meters. The little
mulberry tree was 50 meters out and the larger mulberry tree
was the 150 meters mark. Competing against the world's best,
Jerad made it through the preliminary heats to the finals of
the 200 meter event. I was so impressed. Work with what
you've got. Excuses weigh you down.
Number 4: Do not insult your children by thinking life is
too hard for them. In other words, children are resilient.
What might appear to have been my heartless expectation of
little Martha's abilities to care for herself at a very young
age may have been influenced by my maternal grandmother,
Olga. All four of my grandparents were born in Sweden. Olga
was the daughter of a farm family the Dahlbergs--with too
many children to feed. First the Dahlbergs sent their oldest
daughter Margaret over to live with relatives in Chicago, the
Larsons. Margaret died within months of her arrival of
diphtheria. Then the Dahlbergs put there next daughter, my
grandma Olga, on the boat all alone at the age of 12 and sent
her to live with the Dahlbergs. Throughout my life,
[[Page 24331]]
whenever I thought life was too hard and I was scared, I
thought of my grandma traveling alone across the ocean to the
family where her older sister had died. How did she do that?
What were her nightmares? My grandmother was sweet, and kind,
and patient, and loving. Her early years did no apparent
damage. I know I could have done better by Martha. I wish I
could have done better by Martha. I did the best I could and
that is my only consolation.
Number 5: Play dough is far more important than doing the
dishes. Get your priorities straight. I was blessed with a
job I loved, and then had the added joy of coming home,
forgetting about the law, and playing with my daughters. Next
confession: My housekeeping would not win any awards either.
Sometimes the food in the refrigerator grew little sweaters.
What housecleaning I did happened when the children were in
bed. And, they had clean clothes and decent food and, most
importantly, they knew their mom loved playing with them.
Legos, play dough, Barbies, puzzles. Whatever activity that
allowed the analytical part of my mind to go into sleep cycle
was welcomed by me. So, don't get so busy making a living
that you forget to make colorful messes and memories.
Number 6: Never, ever coast. After a few years at the
Attorney General's office, the AG asked me to become chief of
the civil division. I was one of two women in the division
and all the men had more years of experience than I as
lawyers. Here's a John Wayne quote: ``Courage is being scared
to death but saddling up anyway.'' Well, I moseyed on into
the AG's office and said, ``Yes, I would be pleased to be
chief of the division. But, I would like a bigger badge.''
To maintain respect and to get the members of the division
to be their best, I had to set an example. I worked as hard
or harder than anyone else. I gave them no reason to complain
about the AG's choice. So if you're running your own business
or supervising employees, it is more important to the bottom
line the quality of work to set a positive example than to
offer token prizes to the employee of the month who actually
manages to get to work on time five days in a row. I expected
the attorneys to be terrific and so they were.
To conclude, what do I know? My children have forgiven me
for most of my blunders, they are fiercely independent, and
can think on their own. I'm proud of my work and even more
proud of my daughters. And, I am grateful for the chances I
have been given and the courage to take them. My main message
to you is: Work hard. Then work harder. And then, work harder
still.
But, I will leave you with another of those pithy homey
sayings from the annoying catalog, and one that makes no
sense to me at all.
``May the light always find you on a dreary day. When you
need to be home may you find a way. May you always have
courage to take a chance and never find frogs in your
underpants.''
____________________
ENTREPRENEURIAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF HARDWICK, VT
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today to highlight an emerging rural
economic model that some say serves as the perfect example of how rural
America can survive and thrive in today's global markets.
My good friend Marian Burros recently wrote an article in the New
York Times highlighting the sustainable agricultural economy of
Hardwick, VT, and Hardwick's surrounding communities. These Northeast
Kingdom communities have begun attracting the attention of local,
regional and national media after the area began attracting some unique
characters with great ideas. From a community-owned restaurant to
renowned cheese makers, Hardwick and its surrounding towns are at the
center of an experiment in social agricultural entrepreneurship.
I ask unanuimous consent that the text of Marian Burros October 8,
2008, New York Times article entitled ``Uniting Around Food to Save an
Ailing Town'' be printed in the Record to allow my colleagues an
opportunity to hear about the future of Vermont.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Uniting Around Food To Save an Ailing Town
Hardwick, VT--This town's granite companies shut down years
ago and even the rowdy bars and porno theater that once
inspired the nickname ``Little Chicago'' have gone.
Facing a Main Street dotted with vacant stores, residents
of this hardscrabble community of 3,000 are reaching into its
past to secure its future, betting on farming to make
Hardwick the town that was saved by food.
With the fervor of Internet pioneers, young artisans and
agricultural entrepreneurs are expanding aggressively,
reaching out to investors and working together to create a
collective strength never before seen in this seedbed of
Yankee individualism.
Rob Lewis, the town manager, said these enterprises have
added 75 to 100 jobs to the area in the past few years.
Rian Fried, an owner of Clean Yield Asset Management in
nearby Greensboro, which has invested with local agricultural
entrepreneurs, said he's never seen such cooperative effort.
``Across the country a lot of people are doing it
individually but it's rare when you see the kind of
collective they are pursuing,'' said Mr. Fried, whose firm
considers social and environmental issues when investing.
``The bottom line is they are providing jobs and making it
possible for others to have their own business.''
In January, Andrew Meyer's company, Vermont Soy, was
selling tofu from locally grown beans to five customers;
today he has 350. Jasper Hill Farm has built a $3.2-million
aging cave to finish not only its own cheeses but also those
from other cheesemakers.
Pete Johnson, owner of Pete's Greens, is working with 30
local farmers to market their goods in an evolving community
supported agriculture program.
``We have something unique here: a strong sense of
community, connections to the working landscape and a great
work ethic,'' said Mr. Meyer, who was instrumental in moving
many of these efforts forward.
He helped start the Center for an Agricultural Economy, a
nonprofit operation that is planning an industrial park for
agricultural businesses.
Next year the Vermont Food Venture Center, where producers
can rent kitchen space and get business advice for adding
value to raw ingredients, is moving to Hardwick from Fairfax,
40 miles west, because, Mr. Meyer said, ``it sees the benefit
of being part of the healthy food system.'' He expects it to
assist 15 to 20 entrepreneurs next year.
``All of us have realized that by working together we will
be more successful as businesses,'' said Tom Stearns, owner
of High Mowing Organic Seeds. ``At the same time we will
advance our mission to help rebuild the food system, conserve
farmland and make it economically viable to farm in a
sustainable way.''
Cooperation takes many forms. Vermont Soy stores and cleans
its beans at High Mowing, which also lends tractors to High
Fields, a local compositing company. Byproducts of High
Mowing's operation--pumpkins and squash that have been
smashed to extract seeds--are now being purchased by Pete's
Greens and turned into soup. Along with 40,000 pounds of
squash and pumpkin, Pete's bought 2,000 pounds of High
Mowing's cucumbers this year and turned them into pickles.
For the past two years, many of these farmers and
businessmen have met informally once a month to share
experiences for business planning and marketing or pass on
information about, say, a graphic designer who did good work
on promotional materials or government officials who've been
particularly helpful. They promote one another's products at
trade fairs and buy equipment at auctions that they know
their colleagues need.
More important, they share capital. They've lent each other
about $300,000 in short-term loans. When investors visited
Mr. Stearns over the summer, he took them on a tour of his
neighbors' farms and businesses.
To expand these enterprises further, the Center for an
Agricultural Economy recently bought a 15-acre property to
start a center for agricultural education. There will also be
a year-round farmers' market (from what began about 20 years
ago as one farmer selling from the trunk of his car on Main
Street) and a community garden, which started with one plot
and now has 22, with a greenhouse and a paid gardening
specialist.
Last month the center signed an agreement with the
University of Vermont for faculty and students to work with
farmers and food producers on marketing, research, even
transportation problems. Already, Mr. Meyer has licensed a
university patent to make his Vermont Natural Coatings, an
environmentally friendly wood finish, from whey, a byproduct
of cheesemaking.
These entrepreneurs, mostly well educated children of baby
boomers who have added business acumen to the idealism of the
area's long established hippies and homesteaders, are in the
right place at the right time. The growing local-food
movement, with its concerns about energy usage, food safety
and support for neighbors, was already strong in Vermont, a
state that the National Organic Farmers' Association said had
more certified organic acreage per capita than any other.
Mr. Meyer grew up on a dairy farm in Hardwick and worked in
Washington as an agricultural aide to former Senator Jim
Jeffords of Vermont. ``From my time in Washington,'' Mr.
Meyer said, ``I recognize that if Vermont is going to have a
future in agriculture we need to look at what works in
Vermont, and that is not commodity agriculture.''
The brothers Mateo and Andy Kehler have found something
that works quite well at their Jasper Hill Farm in nearby
Greensboro. At first they aged their award-winning cheeses in
a basement. Then they began aging for other cheesemakers.
Earlier this
[[Page 24332]]
month they opened their new caves, with space for 2 million
pounds of cheese, which they buy young from other producers.
The Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese at the University
of Vermont is helping producers develop safety and quality
programs, with costs split by Jasper Hill and the producers.
``Suddenly being a cheesemaker in Vermont becomes viable,''
Mateo Kehler said.
Pete Johnson began a garden when he was a boy on his
family's land. Now his company, Pete's Greens, grows organic
crops on 50 acres in Craftsbury, about 10 miles north of
here. He has four moveable greenhouses, extending the growing
season to nine months, and he has installed a commercial
kitchen that can make everything from frozen prepared foods
and soup stocks to baked goods and sausages. In addition he
has enlarged the concept of the C.S.A. by including 30
farmers and food producers rather than just a single farm.
``We have 200 C.S.A. participants so we've become a fairly
substantial customer of some of these businesses,'' he said.
``The local beef supplier got an order for $700 this week;
that's pretty significant around here. We've encouraged the
apple producer who makes apple pies to use local flour, local
butter, local eggs, maple sugar as well as the apples so now
we have a locavore apple pie.''
``Twelve years ago the market for local food was
lukewarm,'' Mr. Johnson added. ``Now this state is primed for
anything that is local. It's a way to preserve our villages
and rebuild them.''
Like Mr. Johnson, Mr. Stearns of High Mowing Organic Seeds
in Wolcott, who is president of the Center, knew he wanted to
get into agriculture when he was a boy. His company, which
grew from his hobby of collecting seeds, began in 2000 with a
two-page catalog that generated $36,000 in sales. Today he
has a million-dollar business, selling seeds all over the
United States.
Woody Tasch, chairman of Investors Circle, a nonprofit
network of investors and foundations dedicated to
sustainability, said: ``What the Hardwick guys are doing is
the first wave of what could be a major social
transformation, the swinging back of the pendulum from
industrialization and globalization.''
Mr. Tasch is having a meeting in nearby Grafton next month
with investors, entrepreneurs, nonprofit groups,
philanthropists and officials to discuss investing in Vermont
agriculture.
Here in Hardwick, Claire's restaurant, sort of a clubhouse
for farmers, began with investments from its neighbors. It is
a Community Supported Restaurant. Fifty investors who put in
$1,000 each will have the money repaid through discounted
meals at the restaurant over four years.
``Local ingredients, open to the world,'' is the motto on
restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows. ``There's Charlie who
made the bread tonight,'' Kristina Michelsen, one of four
partners, said in a running commentary one night, identifying
farmers and producers at various tables. ``That's Pete from
Pete's Greens. You're eating his tomatoes.''
Rosy as it all seems, some worry that as businesses grow
larger the owners will be tempted to sell out to companies
that would not have Hardwick's best interests at heart.
But the participants have reason to be optimistic: Mr.
Stearns said that within one week six businesses wanted to
meet with him to talk about moving to the Hardwick area.
``Things that seemed totally impossible not so long ago are
now going to happen,'' said Mr. Kehler. ``In the next few
years a new wave of businesses will come in behind us. So
many things are possible with collaboration.''
____________________
TRIBUTE TO PETER CHERNIN
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I yield to no one in my support of the
freedoms set out in the first amendment to the Constitution, and I have
devoted considerable time and energy to their protection and
preservation. On October 21, 2008, I enjoyed a very special evening
honoring Peter Chernin, the CEO of Fox News, and a man who shares my
belief in the need to vigorously defend the first amendment. That
night, I congratulated Peter on receiving the Media Institute's First
Amendment Award, an award that he richly deserved for his stand against
rigid and unyielding application of so-called indecency rules at the
Federal Communications Commission. I believe that his words in defense
of the first amendment should be heard and heeded by all Americans, not
just by those who were fortunate enough to attend that event.
I ask unanimous consent that the statement of Peter Chernin from
October 21, 2008, be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Politics, Indecency, and the First Amendment
Thank you so much for that introduction, Senator Leahy.
Your strong and unambiguous support for the First Amendment
is legendary on Capitol Hill, and I could not be more pleased
to have you, a former recipient of this award, as my
presenter tonight. And thank you to the Media Institute for
bestowing this honor on me. As the head of a media company, I
am at times painfully aware of how important the First
Amendment is to our ability to create thought-provoking and
controversial content. And as a citizen of this country, I am
thankful every day for the freedoms that we too often take
for granted: the freedom to speak freely, the freedom to
pursue our religious beliefs without persecution, and the
freedom of the press to criticize our government.
We live in a pluralistic society. One where diversity
rules, where disagreement is a constant, and where there is
more than one right answer for every question. It's messy.
And for creators of content, if we're doing our jobs right,
we sometimes offend people. It's that simple. And, believe
me, we wrestle with that fact. We struggle with complex
issues every day. Are we guilty of contributing to the
vulgarization of our society or simply of mirroring it? Is it
our responsibility to be the arbiters of good taste, or is it
our duty to push boundaries? Is it even possible to create
innovative programming for a mass audience that is diverse on
every level--from age, to religious affiliation, to
ethnicity?
We don't take these issues lightly. We are constantly
thinking about the important role we play in shaping our
culture. Whether we're creating television shows, making
films, or working at a newspaper or publishing house.
Certainly, we must entertain, we must inform and we must
provoke. But, at the same time, we must take very seriously
the power we have to affect millions through our work. That's
why we stress the importance of individual editorial
responsibility across all of our businesses. But, yes,
sometimes we do make mistakes. Everyone does. The
alternative? Well, it's chilling. If the media is ruled by
fear of crossing an ambiguous line, our product will be less
vital and more homogenous. Our ability to create news and
entertainment that is thoughtful, provocative, and accurately
reflects our society will be compromised. And Americans will
have far fewer choices. That's why it's so critical that we
don't chip away at the First Amendment until it becomes
toothless. It must remain absolute in its protections.
Two weeks from today the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing
arguments in FCC v. Fox Television Stations, the first
indecency case it has heard since the ``7 Dirty Words'' case
was decided in 1978. At issue is whether Fox violated the
indecency law when it aired two live award programs in which
actresses blurted out one or two so-called ``fleeting
expletives.'' While a case with Cher and Nicole Richie at its
center is probably not one we would have chosen to argue
before the Supreme Court, the truth is, we don't get to pick
our cases. In fact, if anyone had told me that my company
would be before the U.S. Supreme Court defending inane
comments by Cher and Nicole Ritchie, I would have said you're
crazy. But I would contend that the nature of this speech,
and who said it, makes absolutely no difference. Because at
the core of this case is an absolute threat to the First
Amendment. It hinges on utterances that were unscripted on
live television. If we are found in violation, just think
about the radical ramifications for live programming--from
news, to politics, to sports. In fact, to every live
broadcast television event. The effect would be appalling.
There is a certain symmetry to the fact that the oral
argument in this case and the election of the 44th President
of the United States are taking place on the same day: The
Fox case, if successful, is an affirmation of the First
Amendment. The election is an affirmation of our democratic
process. And the two are inextricably intertwined. The First
Amendment is central to our democratic process because it
ensures a full and open dialogue about the candidates for
office. Without the First Amendment, our democracy could not
be sustained.
But the truth is, people don't think about defending
broadcasters' right to utter expletives in the same way they
think about defending one's right to speak critically of our
government. But they should. The First Amendment is at stake
in both cases. As a media company, we have not just a right
but a responsibility to stand up to the government when it
crosses that First Amendment line in the sand--even if the
content we are defending is in bad taste. And in the
indecency context, that line has not only been crossed, it
has been obliterated. That is why Fox is fighting the FCC in
this and several other indecency cases.
I'll admit: some of the content we are defending is not
particularly tasteful: the expletives, the brief nudity, the
carefully placed whipped cream and, of course, the pixels. I
would not have allowed my own children, when they were
younger, to watch some of these shows. But, I vow to fight to
the end for our ability to put occasionally controversial,
offensive, and even tasteless content on the air.
Why? Because, if the government gets its foot in the
censorship door with respect to
[[Page 24333]]
unpopular entertainment content, it is the beginning of the
steep slide toward censoring unpopular political content. And
we have seen the beginnings of this downward slide in a
recent case where the FCC initially found indecent content in
a news program. If we allow our government to intrude into
the creative process to censor the ``bad words'' at issue in
the Fox case, I am afraid we will soon reach the bottom of
the slide--to America's detriment.
Groups that claim to be interested in ``protecting
children'' are helping the government along in its attempts
to censor television. While I don't agree with these groups,
I do fully support their right to criticize what's on
television. But the job of protecting children is far too
important to leave to government bureaucrats or so-called
public interest groups. The job of protecting children lies
with parents. The job of the government is to resist the
views of interest groups with particular agendas and instead
to enforce the law in a way that is consistent, fair, and
constitutional. So I don't blame these groups for the
degradation of the First Amendment. I blame our government,
which has succumbed to the views of a particularly vocal
minority.
Look, I am not insensitive to the fact that young children
need to be protected. And that's difficult in an era of
single parent, or two working parent households. But the
protection of children must be considered in a Twenty-First
Century light. Nearly every TV set sold today includes a V-
Chip, which allows parents to block content they think may be
inappropriate for their children. Cable, satellite, and telco
video providers have finely-tuned, comprehensive parental
controls. And let's not forget the most powerful technology
available to parents: the on-off switch. These tools allow
adults to protect their kids while still being able to access
shows they love.
We as media companies also have a responsibility: to rate
shows accurately and consistently so the V-Chip works as it
should. And, as I said earlier, we need to be responsible
with our creative output. This is something we do on a daily
basis through our Standards and Practices departments, not
only by exercising editorial judgment but by constantly fine-
tuning and improving our internal controls.
Let's step back for a minute and get some perspective on
this issue. The indecency law applies only to broadcast TV:
that's a handful of channels. Over 85 percent of the country
receives their broadcast channels through a cable, telco
line, or satellite signal. Sitting right next to the
broadcast channels on these multichannel systems are hundreds
of other channels that are not subject to the indecency law.
And those other channels are just a click away on the
remote control. Nor does the indecency law apply to video-on-
demand, pay per view, DVDs, or the mother of all content
providers: the Internet. Does it really make sense to
continue government censorship of the occasional bad word,
brief nudity, or sexual innuendo on a handful of broadcast
channels when we live in an environment of infinitely
unregulated choices? In the media-rich world we live in,
singling out a few channels for indecency enforcement is not
legally sustainable.
Quite simply, it is time for the government to get out of
the business of regulating ``indecent'' speech on broadcast
TV. The threat it poses to core First Amendment values cannot
be justified in our technologically diverse world. Parents
have the tools to decide what is appropriate for their
children. Let's let parents do their job and fire the
government from the job of censoring speech. The First
Amendment is too important to our democratic society--in this
and future elections--to allow any encroachments to threaten
our country's critical freedoms.
Thank you.
____________________
IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH ENERGY PRICES
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in mid-June, I asked Idahoans to share with
me how high energy prices are affecting their lives, and they responded
by the hundreds. The stories, numbering well over 1,200, are
heartbreaking and touching. While energy prices have dropped in recent
weeks, the concerns expressed remain very relevant. To respect the
efforts of those who took the opportunity to share their thoughts, I am
submitting every e-mail sent to me through an address set up
specifically for this purpose to the Congressional Record. This is not
an issue that will be easily resolved, but it is one that deserves
immediate and serious attention, and Idahoans deserve to be heard.
Their stories not only detail their struggles to meet everyday
expenses, but also have suggestions and recommendations as to what
Congress can do now to tackle this problem and find solutions that last
beyond today. I ask unanimous consent to have today's letters printed
in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
We are glad to hear that at least one of our politicians is
concerned about how the gasoline prices are affecting the
middle class. Most of us feel that our government is
extremely out of touch with the majority of the country.
We are retired on a fixed income and we worked hard all our
lives and saved to get a motor home for vacations, but
unfortunately we now cannot use it because of the price of
gasoline and it just sits there. We try to go out shopping
for groceries and any other necessities just once a week,
making a list of items and stores, color coding so we do not
forget anything. The cost of energy also has increased the
price of groceries tremendously, so basic foods and produce
are the norm--doing away with any treats. We have never seen
the price of gasoline increase day by day and a nickel to a
dime at a time.
We desperately need to have alternate sources of energy,
such as coal, windmills, solar and nuclear. We should have
been building new refineries and recovering oil off all of
our coasts since the 1970s when this same problem came up at
that time, but, to our shame, we did not.
Automobiles should get a lot more than the 35 mpg that we
have heard mentioned for future vehicles. It should be at the
very least 60 mpg, and there is no reason in this world with
our technology that this could not be a reality. Something
should be done to increase the mileage on all of the vehicles
that are already on the road. This is never mentioned. We
cannot just go out and buy a hybrid or other fuel efficient
vehicle at the drop of a hat to help the situation. We drive
our 2002 Honda 4 cylinder between 55 and 60 mph on the
highway to increase our fuel efficiency and you should see
the bad looks we get. Highway mileage should be lowered to 55
mph like in the 70s to help conserve.
We do hope that our government does something quickly to
improve this situation and that it is not handled like it was
in the 70s--all talk and no action. We need to be dependent
on no one but ourselves for our energy needs. No one is going
to take care of the USA and its citizens but the USA itself.
We need some action now--Please.
Robert and Roberta, Idaho Falls.
____
Thanks for the opportunity to respond to your e-letter
regarding energy costs and gasoline prices. I agree that we
in the US are far too dependent on petroleum for energy. But
I think it is a selfish and short-sighted view to defeat the
climate change legislation. Our focus should be, as you
mentioned, on using less petroleum, not searching for
petroleum everywhere we can, no matter the ecological cost.
It is true; we do not have good mass transit in Idaho and
especially in the more densely populated Treasure Valley. I
think tax dollars would be well spent to improve the mass
transit situation in the Valley.
We need to give tax incentives to clean, renewable energy
sources and rescind the tax breaks given to the huge oil
companies who have been reaping record profits at the expense
of all Americans. The answer is in conservation which
includes improved mass transit and in alternative
transportation where there would be improved avenues for
bicycling and walking.
It is true. I will not be driving as far for vacation this
year, though I would like to explore areas in Idaho I have
not yet seen. It now becomes an expensive venture just to get
to the Sawtooths or White Clouds.
Tim, Boise.
____
I am contacting my Congressman about energy just as you
have encouraged your constituents to do. I am in dismay,
however, at the continued opportunism and political
grandstanding. That is, the only answer I see from many is to
drill more oil. Every credible energy scientist and economist
knows that this will do little or nothing to curb our foreign
oil imports and zero to reduce the cost of fuel. Yet, despite
this ever-predictable call for more domestic oil production,
you flatly concede that ``speculation [is] now driving up the
cost of oil.'' So I ask: why are you and your colleagues
still calling for more drilling when you know what it is you
can do now to reduce fuel costs? Why are you not regulating
``the speculation now driving up the cost of oil''?
Commodities speculators are at the heart of extreme oil
prices, not supply and demand imbalances. We do not want to
hear any red herring arguments about the average Joe's
retirement portfolio owning the bulk of oil company shares.
The issue is speculation; the answer is regulation of
speculation.
Jason, Moscow.
____
Last week I heard on the news that you have received many
letters and e-mails related to high gas prices. Hence, I have
decided to write in and give you my two cents on the matter.
I believe that the primary culprit that is causing high gas
prices is globalization; particularly in the emerging
economies of China and India. The rapid growth of their
economies has drastically increased their demand for
petroleum.
Along with developing a comprehensive energy policy, the
executive and legislative
[[Page 24334]]
branches of our federal government need to re-examine our
economic policies, particularly in areas of foreign trade.
During the past two decades, the American middle class has
gotten the short end of the straw when it has come to
previous trade policies. One does not have to look farther
than our orchard industry in the Treasure Valley. These trade
policies have really only benefitted the very wealthy in our
country. When I was in college ten years ago, we talked about
globalization in one of my classes and how if China copied
the U.S.'s consumption then we would be paying a premium for
gas. This is now reality.
In conclusion, too often our government fails to look long-
term. It is time for a change. We need to do in-depth
independent analysis on our trade policies to determine what
the long term effect will be on the average American.
Government policies need to benefit society as a whole rather
than a few. Our society is too self-centered on the ``me''
rather than on the collective ``community''. We also need to
have a comprehensive energy policy. This policy needs to be
long term and address conservation, efficiency, alternative
and renewable sources of energy, and possibly take into
consideration additional domestic production of oil with
stringent environmental safeguards and firm consequences for
those companies that fail to comply with those safeguards.
Brent Danielson, Boise.
____
I am a single father of two sons, 3 years and 13 months
old. I am a truck driver. I make decent money and have good
benefits. But these fuel prices have gone too far for our
society! I am lucky I work at a place where I can get a free
bag of potatoes every once in a while because I cannot go
grocery shopping because it is all too expensive! Wages have
not changed a bit. I am sick of it and I am losing almost all
of my faith in our government and the people representing the
common people like me. One of my best friends who was an
owner-operator had to quit because diesel got too high for
him to profit much at all. Now it is been three weeks and
they just got their phone shut off two days ago and their
power shut off today. My stimulus money has gone to my power
bill, gas bill, rent etc. Sure you do not like to fill up
your gas tank but does it cripple you financially like it
does many, many people?! I think not. I have always stuck up
for our local and federal government on many issues and
criticized them on other issues, but this time I as well as
many people are fed up. Seriously this time, I am to the
point now where I am struggling to make ends meet. I have
spent over $60 in the last three days in gas just to get to
work and back--that is it! And I am close to empty again and
I have to get diapers for my son before I go to work
tomorrow. The diaper money is coming out of the power bill
money I had put back. You need to sound off and be heard. At
least make it known to us that you are voicing our concerns!
Cameron, Boise.
____
My husband and I are retired, he is military retired and we
recently purchased a small travel trailer since he can no
longer ride his motorcycle and our maiden voyage with it cost
$300 in gas to go 200 miles round trip! Between gas and food
prices, we cannot afford to go anywhere, much less eat out.
We have changed our daily living dramatically, and it is not
a happy way to be in your retirement years.
We urge you and all of Congress to start drilling in our
nation and bring back more nuclear power plants. We must
relieve ourselves of dependence on foreign oil ASAP. Lord
only knows what our grandchildren have to look forward to at
this insane rate!
Angelo, Hayden Lake.
____
I will get right to the point--my wife and I are out of
money. Our incomes have not changed and our incomes used to
pay our bills with money to spare. We have a 91 Honda wagon
and a 99 minivan, we pay $50 and $70 to fill them up. Grocery
prices are up 100% in the last couple years because gas
prices are killing the trucking industry. Expensive gas has
made almost everything else expensive. Today, after filling
both our cars with gas and grocery shopping, (with a list,
mind you), we ran out of money. For the first time ever, we
put groceries on a credit card. We are not credit card
people, so this is anathema to us.
When I turn on the TV or radio I hear some politician
telling us that drilling will not make a difference for ten
years. As an engineering student, I cannot stomach that level
of [deception]. First of all, I do not believe that is true
and second, if it were true, then we sure better get started.
What if every time an education bill were introduced, we
responded by saying that we would not see the results for 12
years so let us not do it. What if I told my child not to go
to college because they would not see a payoff for at least
four years so do not bother. We are financially dying and our
so-called leaders are regurgitating some of the stupidest
things I have ever heard.
The bottom line is this: This planet does not exist for its
own sake, it exists for ours. We are not here by some cosmic
accident; we are here by design and our designer gave us the
tools we need to live and prosper. The failure to drill for
new oil and create new refineries is the result of
environmental philosophies, which are based on evolutionary
thinking. To the environmentalist, our purpose here is no
more significant than that of any other animal, and we, by
accident of evolution, happen to have the power to sustain or
destroy this environment. Without a cosmic caretaker, the
earth itself becomes our only god and the environmentalist
shows his worship by reducing or eliminating human impact
upon it and by treating humans as vermin. It is an old
religion and I am tired of suffering at the hands of it is
misguided priests.
Please do your best to release energy, specifically nuclear
and oil, to the free market system. Irrational environmental
policy and regulation have prohibited natural market forces
from creating more supply and oil-pricing based on
speculation has prevented the market from determining price.
Imagine going to Wal-Mart to buy a t-shirt and finding that
they now cost $100; and when you ask the owner why this was
so, he replies that speculators determined that cotton crops
would fail next year, so in preparation they have raised
prices early. As you know, this is not how prices are
determined. The cotton producer charges as much as he can
based on his costs and competitors prices and Wal-Mart
charges a markup. If cotton crops indeed fail next year, then
the buyer pays more for the rare product and they pass the
increase to the consumer. When oil speculators set price, we
pay increases at the pumps whether those speculations came
true or not. There is no real connection to supply. Please
work to make this kind of price setting illegal and please
work to release drilling and refinement. The further we
remove a commodity from the free market grid by socialist
controls and uneducated environmental policy the more the
people, you claim to represent, are hurt. Make the American
dream possible by making it affordable.
Jason, Boise.
____
The rising cost of fuel has a tremendous effect on my
household consisting of my husband and myself. I am sole
support for our family. Senator, as you know, wages in Idaho
fall behind many other states. The cost of gas is outrageous
and I blame the Congress for a lot of it. Why are we not
drilling in Alaska? Why are we not building refineries away
from coasts where hurricanes have a tendency to hit? Why are
not all of our refineries running full bore?
There was a Democratic senator from the South who retired,
I forget his name but he wrote a book, ``A Grand Party No
More''. Before he retired, he went to see for himself where
we would drill in Alaska. He said there would be no harm to
anyone or anything, it is so far out in no man's land. He
said if there was a leak it would be of no consequence as it
would freeze the minute it hit the ground. It is time we push
the environmentalists to the wall and out of the way. I
believe in saving trees and wildlife, but there is no danger
to any of these where we would drill. I recognize that we
need to become independent of so much oil but how do we do
that. I drive a `95 Forerunner and it is paid for. Not the
best gas mileage but it is paid for. I cannot afford any kind
of a car payment for one of those new hybrids. Rebates are
nothing, $2,000 in exchange for $26,000? The cost of a new
car buys an awful lot of gas. My income does not allow for
any car payment.
Everything is going crazy! A loaf of bread that cost $2.89
last year is now $4.29. Anything with corn or wheat is gone
out of sight. We pay farmers not to grow wheat and now I hear
we have to import it? How sad for America. America has sold
its soul to China, Mexico, Japan. If we were ever to go into
another world war, we could not even build what we would need
to fight it. Is there a steel mill left in America? Is there
a textile mill left in America? You would be pretty hard
pressed to find one, a sad statement on us.
As to what I do? No trips during the week except to work
and back. If I can do any errand on the way, great,
otherwise, it waits till the weekend. I plan one trip, one
circle. If something is missed, too bad, it is missed. The
real clincher is this, I tithe to my church, I give the Lord
10% of my gross income. It costs me almost as much, $10 less,
to keep my car in gasoline between paychecks. Now I think it
is pretty awful when I have to give the gas company as much
as I give the Lord. He gives me everything I have, the gas
company gives me nothing except anger when I hear of the
profits they make. And I think that pretty well sums it up,
10% to the Lord vs. almost as much to the gas company!
Dianne, Hayden Lake.
____
I am a taxi driver here in Boise. In a year's time, the
cost to fill my tank has increased nearly 100% but my average
fare has remained static. If it were not for my military
retirement, I would no longer make enough to cover basic
costs and make a profit. I am 61 years old and am not
practiced in a marketable skill so the prospect of making a
move to another occupation is nil. My only reasonable hope is
that Boise will increase our per mile fees in the near
future; it is unlikely that fuel prices will decrease in the
near future.
[[Page 24335]]
I have been watching your position on domestic drilling
with interest. Though alternative energy sources are
imperative for the future of America, I am pleased to see
that you share my position that energy self-reliance is the
immediate solution to our present crisis. I applaud you and
urge you to continue your good work and prosecute this agenda
with rigor.
Earle, Boise.
____
Not only is the fuel much too high but I cannot find
employment. I am over 60, have experience, but it seems I am
``over-qualified'' or I need more ``experience''. What a lot
of rubbish! I call it age discrimination, but that is
difficult to prove. With the fuel prices so high, if I do
find employment, it will take a huge chunk of my pay just to
get back and forth to work. Are unemployment benefits going
to be extended for Idaho residents? My benefits ended this
week, no hope of a job in sight and my husband can not work
due to medical reasons. What is a person to do?
Getting Desperate.
Janet, Emmett.
____
As Director of Gritman Adult Day Health which provides day
health care for elders who want to remain in their own home
in Moscow and Latah County, I am including an article from
the NY Times which talks about the cost of gas and how it
affects rural elderly. It is very sad that these folks who
often aren't able to drive are so affected by the cost of
gas. Please do everything you can to remedy this: http://
online.wsj.com/article/
SB121263496261947543.html?mod=googlenews_ wsj
Barb, Moscow.
____
Gasoline prices are now far too high for the average
family, and causing increasing rises in the cost of living in
many other areas. For instance, every time one goes to the
grocery store, an increase in pricing is noted on items, and
thus causing many to have to go without needed supplies.
Saving a percentage of income has become just a dream for
many, and others cannot make ends meet without going into
further debt.
Beverly, Parma.
____
Yes, gas has gotten way out of hand. Do what you can to
decrease the costs and return to a life with some normalcy.
Diana, Kootenai.
____
Thank you for at least noticing that we have a problem with
the cost. I do not believe, however, that anything can be
done with out us paying somewhere else. I make a good living
working for the military here in Boise but am still unable to
put any money aside. It is funny that every time we receive a
pay raise that the price of fuel goes up and our health care
premiums grow as well, so you never see any savings. Thanks
again; good luck with this effort.
Clinton, Emmett.
____________________
RETIREMENT OF WAYNE RIDDLE
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I welcome this opportunity to pay tribute
to Wayne Riddle, who is retiring at the end of this year from the
Congressional Research Service. Wayne is the model of a dedicated and
talented public servant. He has spent his career working out of the
public eye for the greater good, providing excellent assistance to all
of us in Congress for over three decades, and also taking time to
mentor younger staffers.
Wayne is a graduate of the University of Virginia. He earned a
master's degree in economics from George Washington University while
working at the Congressional Research Service, where he has spent the
past 36 years serving as a key analyst on elementary and secondary
education, and twice as head of the Education and Labor Section at CRS.
Throughout that time, Congress has given high priority to
strengthening the Nation's schools, and Wayne has been helping us
immensely every step of the way. He began not long after the passage of
the original Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965--the
Federal Government's major program to improve educational opportunities
for low-income students. Wayne has been indispensable in our work on
every subsequent reauthorization of the act and on all our other
efforts on elementary and secondary education, including the Goals 2000
Act during the Clinton administration and the No Child Left Behind Act
during the current Bush administration. His guidance, support and
knowledge on issues big and small have been invaluable to us time and
again.
As Wayne retires to devote more time to his family, I know that his
colleagues at CRS will miss him, and so will we. I wish him a long,
healthy, and happy retirement. He certainly deserves it, because he has
served our country well, and made a very real difference in the lives
of countless children who have benefited in their education because of
his expertise and dedication.
____________________
REMEMBERING TONY DEAN
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the passing of
a very close friend of mine, Tony Dean. As one of this Nation's
foremost conservationists, one would be hard put to find someone who
cared more about wildlife and the environment. Tony passed away on
October 19.
I had known Tony for years with his radio and television
broadcasting, but I was fortunate enough to get to know him much better
in my 2002 Senate campaign. He told me that he was willing to do
whatever I needed him to do, and he was honest to his word. With his
natural and effective connection to television viewers, Tony starred in
two commercials that were critical to the success of my 2002 campaign.
I have no doubt that Tony's support was crucial, though it resulted in
many tests to his courage. Even amidst the backlash of his supporting
my campaign, he said, ``Tim, I know I did the right thing, and I'd do
it again in a second.'' Tony stared down the people who threatened him,
and he refused to blink.
During Senator Ted Kennedy's eulogy of his brother Robert, Senator
Kennedy stated that, ``Few are willing to brave the disapproval of
their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their
society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or
great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for
those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to
change.'' Tony had all those qualities, though most importantly, moral
courage. And Tony Dean had moral courage in spades.
It was my pleasure to have worked with Tony and I would like to offer
my condolences to his family, friends, and fellow advocates. They have
much to be proud of, and it is my hope that their memories will be rich
with the great many accomplishments he achieved during his career.
Those of us who loved him pray that what he was to us and what he
wished for others will someday come to pass for the world. We will miss
you, Tony. More than any of us can say.
____________________
FORT POLK BARRACKS PRIVATIZATION PILOT PROGRAM
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, on September 27, the Senate passed the
Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009,
which the President signed into law on October 14. The legislation
includes critical provisions that will directly improve the quality of
life for our men and women in uniform, support needed reforms in the
operations of the Department of Defense and provide our soldiers,
sailors, Air Force personnel and marines with the tools they need to
defend our freedom. I thank and commend Senator Levin and our
colleagues on the Armed Services Committee for the thorough work on
this detailed legislation and their perseverance in crafting the
legislation in a difficult and at times uncertain process.
There were a number of filed floor amendments to the bill that were
not able to be considered because of the procedural situation on the
floor in September. The managers of the bill, Senator Levin and Senator
Warner, stated that they had prepared a set of over 90 cleared
amendments in a managers' package for which they believed they had
unanimous consent to include in the bill. It is my understanding that
one of those amendments was the provision I had filed to expand the
existing pilot authority in section 2881a of title 10, to authorize the
Army to carry out a pilot program using the private sector for the
acquisition or construction of military unaccompanied housing for all
ranks in an arrangement similar to what we have carried successfully
with the privatization of family housing and senior unaccompanied
soldiers. While I was very disappointed that the amendment could not be
adopted because of
[[Page 24336]]
the procedural situation, I want to thank Senator Levin and the other
members of the committee for their willingness to support inclusion of
the public-private sector partnership approach for ensuring improved
housing for all ranks of our single soldiers.
The Army already has five similar privatization projects underway for
senior unaccompanied enlisted personnel or officers. The business case
for these projects shows that they are not only less costly than
traditional government-funded construction and sustainment, but more
importantly, the living conditions are vastly improved as soldiers have
access to larger, modern apartments on post. The living conditions for
these soldiers and officers will be enhanced to the same level as that
of military members with families.
Given our Nation's current financial crisis, defense spending is
likely to come under great stress over the next few years. Historically
the Army and the other services have had great challenges in
maintaining even minimum levels of housing sustainment and
revitalization funding to keep our barracks fit for our soldiers. I can
speak from personal experience about the serious deficiencies in the
barracks at Fort Polk in Leesville. Despite the recent increase in Army
funding for barracks revitalization there, I worry that needed long-
term funding will be difficult to secure under the traditional model to
prevent deterioration in the longer run. Improved quality of life,
including housing, is critical to the retention of our enlisted
soldiers, and critical to keeping our All Volunteer force strong.
Partnerships between the Army and the private sector for this segment
of our military housing will be needed as a fundamental long-term
solution to providing the best housing for our soldiers.
Despite the procedural setback in September, I appreciate the support
we received for our amendment and am committed to continue working with
the Armed Services Committee to advance this issue in 2009. We are also
hopeful that the Army will use its existing authorities to begin
extending the successful privatization model to construction and
revitalization of Barracks for all of our soldiers.
____________________
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
______
TRIBUTE TO DR. XIAOMING TIAN
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the
outstanding achievements of Dr. Xiaoming Tian. For many years, Dr. Tian
has been recognized as a leading practitioner of Chinese medicine,
acupuncture and alternative medicine in the United States. I am very
pleased that Dr. Tian's recognition was extended worldwide when he
received the prestigious World Federation of Chinese Medicine
Societies, WFCMS, world award for distinguished physician earlier this
year.
This award is the highest honor the WFCMS can bestow, and it is only
presented to a handful of physicians each year. This year, only 10
clinical physicians worldwide were honored and Dr. Tian received the
distinction of the only recipient in the United States.
The World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies was founded in
2003 and is headquartered in Beijing. Currently, the federation is
chaired by Dr. She Jing, Vice-Minister of Health and Director of the
State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's
Republic of China. The WFCMS includes 174 Chinese medical associations
from 55 countries and is the highest global organization of Chinese
medicine.
In honoring Dr. Tian, the WFCMS reports, ``Dr. Xiaoming Tian's great
contributions include many different areas such as clinical medicine,
research, new Chinese herbal medicine development, education and health
care policy. Dr. Tian is highly respected by medical professionals and
patients in the United States.''
As the WFCMS noted, in May of 1991 Dr. Tian established the first
Chinese acupuncture clinic at the National Institute of Health, NIH,
Clinical Center. This clinic represented the first time that the NIH
had formally recognized acupuncture as a routine treatment and had
developed a procedure code for it. Dr. Tian became the first clinical
consultant on acupuncture within NIH's medical staff.
In addition to his work at NIH, Dr. Tian has taken part in a variety
of different research endeavors including an intramural study on the
efforts of using acupuncture to treat cancer patients from 1992-1993
and an appointment by President Clinton as one of 20 members of the
White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy
set up to report on policy changes that would ensure the potential
benefits of complementary and alternative medicine from 2000-2002.
More recently, as a co-investigator, Dr. Tian participated in a
Georgetown University Medical Center study of using acupuncture to
treat fibromyalgia. The study, conducted under the auspices of an NIH
grant, was a pioneer study in rheumatism research. Dr. Tian has also
served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Internal Medicine
and Rheumatology at Georgetown University Medical School. He has been
the Director of the Wildwood Acupuncture Center and Academy of
Acupuncture and Clinical Medicine since 1986 and, with Professor
Shangaing Chen, Dr. Tian established an osteoporosis and osteoarthritis
research center at Beijing Medical University in China. Finally, in
2006, Dr. Tian was appointed to a four-year term on the Cancer
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Editorial Board of the National
Cancer Institute's Physician Data Query, PDQ, system, the comprehensive
cancer database.
It is fitting that we pay tribute to the achievements of Dr. Xioming
Tian, who has done so much to help patients with his groundbreaking
research and treatment in the emerging field of complementary and
alternative medicine. I congratulate Dr. Tian on his distinguished
award and ask that he continue his fine work.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO DR. JAMES TEGNELIA
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to
Dr. James Tegnelia who will be retiring from his position as the
Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, DTRA, in February 2009
and returning to New Mexico.
The DTRA is charged with safeguarding the United States and its
allies from the threat of weapons of mass destruction, WMD, and
consists of a 2,000 member team. Dr. Tegnelia has been the Director of
this prestigious Agency since February of 2005 and has been an integral
part of its many accomplishments.
Prior to his appointment as the Director of the DTRA, Dr. Tegnelia
was the vice president, Department of Defense Programs, at Sandia
National Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM, starting in 1998. He has been
involved in defense-related fields since 1971 and has a long and
distinguished career in championing innovative causes. From increasing
the DTRA's efforts in science and technology investment in nuclear
detection, nuclear forensics and advanced energetic capabilities, to
working on the global stage in the international effort to counter
WMD--in part through the establishment of regional and global
nonproliferation partnerships--Dr. Tegnelia has been a true leader in
protecting our great Nation.
In addition to his leadership in securing our country and its allies
from the threat of WMD, Dr. Tegnelia has worked to strengthen the
capabilities of the DTRA, transforming the Agency into a combat
support-focused, technically agile and operationally relevant
organization.
Dr. Tegnelia has been a great asset to the DTRA and to the protection
of our Nation. My wife Nancy and I wish Dr. Tegnelia and his family the
best in his retirement and subsequent return to our great State of New
Mexico.
____________________
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United
States, a new
[[Page 24337]]
school year is well underway. As you know, Iowa public schools have an
excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are
among the highest in the Nation.
I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute several
dedicated public servants at the Iowa Department of Education, and to
report on their successful involvement in a unique Federal partnership
to repair and modernize school facilities.
This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121
million for the Iowa Department of Education, which selects worthy
school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and
repair efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to
building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases,
this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local
funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local
school district.
The Federal funding has made a real difference for the 304 Iowa
school districts that have received Harkin grants over the past decade.
The grants have helped school districts from Waukon to Glenwood and
from Keokuk to Rock Rapids build new schools, add new classrooms,
renovate facilities and bring buildings up to fire codes.
The progress we have witnessed is due, in large part, to the hard
work and leadership of the Iowa Department of Education. When this
program began, the department did not have experience in administering
a grant program of this kind, but key personnel stepped up to plate to
create and implement the successful program we have today.
In the last 10 years, department staff have received, reviewed,
processed and scored 1,370 grant applications which resulted in 820
grant awards and completion of 773 projects. The department processed
thousands of payment requests for project costs, conducted more than
300 site visits to monitor the program and provided the professional
administration that taxpayers deserve.
I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance of the Iowa
Department of Education for their excellent work. In particular, I
would like to recognize C. Milton Wilson, Leland Tack, Ann McCarthy and
Ted Stilwill for their leadership in helping create the program in
1998. They provided a strong foundation that was built on by their
highly capable successors--Gary Schwartz, Janice Evans, Jeff Berger,
Jim Addy and Judy Jeffrey.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the individuals who
have served on the School Budget Review Committee--Cynthia Eisenhauer,
Michael Tramontina, Charlie Krogmeier, Clark Yeager, Wayne Drexler,
Marilyn Perkins, Connie Cook, Su McCurdy, Don Hansen, and Jane
Babcock--for their skilled oversight of the program and to the Iowa
State Board of Education for their leadership and support.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study,
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United
States is nearly 50 years.
Too often, our children visit ultra modern shopping malls and
gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in
rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message
to our young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals at the Iowa
Department of Education. There is no question that a quality public
education for every child is a top priority in our state. I salute them
and wish them well.
____________________
CONGRATULATING THE WASHINGTON PAVILION OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I honor the board of
directors and dedicated staff at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and
Science in Sioux Falls, SD, on their accreditation by the American
Associate of Museums. Since its creation in 1999, the Washington
Pavilion of Arts and Science has provided education and inspiration to
those of all ages in the Sioux Falls region.
The Washington Pavilion has three main program areas, all designed to
make art and science a part of everyday life. The Kirby Science
Discovery Center introduces visitors to things like hands-on
archeology, weather, and space shuttles. The Wells Fargo CineDome
Theatre allows viewers to travel the universe or witness nature in
vivid detail. Lastly, the Visual Arts Center brings art to all
generations with its six galleries and changing exhibits.
I wish to congratulate the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science on
reaching this milestone in their mission, and for their service to the
community. Once again, I commend the individuals involved in this
enterprise and am pleased to see them publicly honored with
accreditation by the American Association of Museums.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM D. WAGONER
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I welcome this opportunity to
commend William D. Wagoner of Royal Oak, MI, who last week retired from
a long and distinguished career in public service. For the past 35
years, Dr. Wagoner dedicated his career to the public good, working to
establish innovative and sustainable practices in urban planning,
emergency management, and teaching the next generation of planners and
emergency responders. His extraordinary career spanned the entire
spectrum of government service, from the local level to the Federal
level.
Dr. Wagoner began his career in service by teaching history and
political science at a public high school in Clarkston, MI. He went on
to earn his master's degree in urban planning and his doctorate in
public administration.
For 18 productive years, he served as assistant city manager in
Berkley, MI, a large suburb of Detroit, and for the past 16 years has
been director of planning and community development for Livingston
County, the fastest growing county in Michigan. Dr. Wagoner has written
several books on urban planning and emergency response, and has served
for decades as an instructor for the Federal Emergency Management
Agency.
President Kennedy asked a generation of Americans to give of
themselves for our country and for its future. Dr. Wagoner answered
President Kennedy's call and has inspired countless others, who have
worked with him or who have been his students, to do the same. I
congratulate Dr. Wagoner for his remarkable public service, and I wish
him a long and healthy and happy retirement. He has served America
well.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO STANLEY E. REED
Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I
rise today to honor and recognize over 25 years of service by Stanley
E. Reed to our great State of Arkansas. A third-generation cotton
farmer from Marianna, AR, Stanley has served the Arkansas agriculture
community with steady leadership for over 20 years as a member of the
Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation board, including the last five as
president. At the upcoming Farm Bureau State Convention on December 4,
Stanley will hand over the gavel as president, and I wanted to take
this opportunity to recognize his many contributions to our State.
Born in Marianna in 1951, Stanley attended the University of Arkansas
where he graduated in 1973 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering
and was awarded Highest Honors. Although Stanley was a tremendous
student, he also displayed his leadership skills early on, serving as
President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, President of
[[Page 24338]]
the Inter Fraternity Council, and President of the Cardinal XX Honorary
Society. Upon graduation, Stanley attended the University of Arkansas
School of Law were he received his Juris Doctorate in 1976 and was also
awarded Highest Honors. Upon taking the Arkansas Bar Exam that year,
Stanley scored the highest grade in the State.
Although licensed as an attorney, Stanley returned to the family
farm, producing cotton in Lee and St. Francis Counties. He soon became
active within the agricultural community and served as president of the
Lee County Farm Bureau from 1982-1984. Soon after, he joined the board
of directors of the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation in 1988, later
serving as secretary-treasurer for 6 years, vice president for 4 years,
and, as I mentioned before, president for the past 6 years. He has also
served on the American Farm Bureau Board of Directors since 2004.
His involvement in the Arkansas agriculture community has led him on
trade missions to Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, Brazil, South
Korea, and Peru. In addition, I had the good fortune to be joined by
Stanley and other Arkansas farmers on a trade mission to Cuba in 2000
to discuss the opening of the Cuban market to Arkansas goods.
What makes Stanley so unique, though, is that his service to Arkansas
extends beyond the agriculture world. Education has always been a
priority for him. He served for 4 years on the Lee Academy School
Board, where his children attended, and he just recently completed a
10-year term on the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, where he
served as chairman for 2 years. He is a member of the Arkansas Academy
for Agriculture Engineers and has been honored as Distinguished Alumni
of the College of Engineering. Additionally, he has served on the board
of directors for Baptist Health and as a board member of Simmons First
National Bank.
Faith is an important part of Stanley's life. A member of the First
Baptist Church in Marianna, Stanley has served as a Deacon in the
church and taught youth and adult Sunday School classes for over 20
years. More importantly, he has been involved in prison ministries
locally and oversaw the fundraising and construction of the prison
chapel at an Arkansas Department of Corrections facility.
And last but certainly not least, Stanley's family--his wife Charlene
and three children, Haley Davis, Nathan, and Anna--has been a
tremendous source of pride and inspiration for him. In fact, Nathan is
carrying on the family farming tradition and works with Stanley on the
farm. Stanley is also the proud grandfather to Anna Kate, Jack, and
Haven Davis.
As you can see, Stanley Reed is Arkansas through and through. So as
he steps down as president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, I want to thank
him for all that he has done for Arkansas and in particularly, the
Arkansas agriculture community. Stanley, although you are ending your
tenure, I know you will not be far away. I look forward to working with
you and know you will continue to make your impact felt in your
community and in the State you love so much.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO DR. CHARLES E. LEA
Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, today I wish to speak about the
life of a truly outstanding Missourian. On October 7, 2008, this nation
lost a son, a soldier, and a community servant when Dr. Charles E. Lea
of Lexington, MO, passed away. While we mourn his passing, we are
extraordinarily grateful for all that he gave to his community, his
State, and his country during his lifetime.
I believe that Dr. Lea is a wonderful example and reminder of the
brave men and women who have served our country in the past and
continue to serve it today in this time of great need.
In 1957, Dr. Lea graduated from the United States Military Academy at
West Point, and after putting himself through medical school at the
University of Missouri, volunteered for service in Vietnam. Widely
regarded and recognized as a humble servant, Dr. Lea was awarded the
Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Soldier's Medal, four Air Medals,
the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Combat
Medical Badge, and the Parachutist Badge for his service.
While awards and commendations obviously show a great deal about a
person, I am a believer that the strength of a person's character is
revealed in his or her daily actions. Those who knew Dr. Lea best
shared an anecdote with me regarding his time in Vietnam. Dr. Lea was
featured in newspapers and on television here at home for his efforts
during the war to save a village elephant that had been shot. Seemingly
insignificant at the time, those efforts placed the United States, and
our servicemen and women, in high regard in the eyes of the Vietnamese
village. This small effort, not part of his duty or orders, but
undertaken by a man trying to make a difference, had an extensive
impact.
Following his military service, Dr. Lea became a general practice
family physician and served countless families in Oklahoma and Missouri
throughout his medical career.
As I reflect on Dr. Lea's life today, I am reminded not only of the
value of his personal service and sacrifice, but of the committed
service and selfless sacrifice of all the men and women who have served
this country in uniform. America owes a large debt to all of the
remarkable men and women who have served this great nation. I would
like to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Lea and his family, and in
remembrance of his life and his service, my utmost gratitude goes to
all those who have served.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO DR. RONALD DAVIS
Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, today I honor a truly great man
and a good friend, Dr. Ronald Davis, who died on November 6, 2008 at
his home near East Lansing, MI.
Dr. Davis was an outstanding physician, a great leader, and an
effective, impassioned advocate for the uninsured. As President of the
American Medical Association, Ron helped focus our attention on making
sure health care was available and affordable for all Americans.
We worked together earlier this year on the Farm Bill--an unusual
issue for physicians to get involved in--but Ron and I were committed
to making sure our Federal farm policy promoted health and nutrition.
With his help, we passed a truly groundbreaking farm bill that
increased the Federal commitment to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Last February, Ron was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This cancer,
which affects over 37,000 Americans each year, is unfortunately one of
the hardest to treat. But Ron didn't see it that way. He told his
fellow doctors, ``Never take away someone's hope,'' and he lived by
those words.
Even while undergoing painful and difficult cancer treatments, Ron
was on the front lines, educating the public about support Web sites
for cancer patients that allow families to stay informed while building
a support network for the patient.
A champion for preventative medicine and public health, Dr. Davis was
a leading advocate for healthier lifestyles. He traveled the country
urging Americans to quit smoking, exercise more, and eat better.
He also led the effort for the historic apology by the AMA to
African-American doctors for the organization's past exclusion of Black
physicians. He believed that ``by confronting the past we can embrace
the future,'' and pushed to increase enrollments by minorities in
medical schools and health professions.
I want to express my deepest sympathies to his wife Nadine and his
three sons, Jared, Evan, and Connor. America has lost a great doctor,
and his family has lost a great man. Ron's extraordinary record of
community service, dedication, and courage should serve as an
inspiration to us all.
____________________
MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT
Messages from the President of the United States were communicated to
[[Page 24339]]
the Senate by Mrs. Neiman, one of his secretaries.
____________________
EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED
As in executive session the Presiding Officer laid before the Senate
messages from the President of the United States submitting sundry
nominations and a treaty which were referred to the appropriate
committees.
(The nominations received today are printed at the end of the Senate
proceedings.)
____________________
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE
At 3:01 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered
by Mr. Zapata, one of its reading clerks, announced that pursuant to
section 1238(b)(3) of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (22 U.S.C. 7002), amended by
division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (22
U.S.C. 6901), and the order of the House of January 4, 2007, the
Speaker reappoints the following member on the part of the House of
Representatives to the United States-China Economic and Security Review
Commission, effective January 1, 2009: Mr. Michael Wessel of Falls
Church, Virginia.
____
At 5:01 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered
by Mr. Zapata, one of its reading clerks, announced that pursuant to
section 125(c)(1) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
(Public Law 110-343), and the order of the House of January 4, 2007,
the Minority Leader appoints the following Member on the part of the
House of Representatives to the Congressional Oversight Panel: Mr.
Hensarling of Texas.
____________________
ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED
The message also announced that the Speaker had signed the following
enrolled bills:
S. 602. An act to develop the next generation of parental
control technology.
S. 1193. An act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to
take into trust 2 parcels of Federal land for the benefit of
certain Indian Pueblos in the State of New Mexico, and for
other purposes.
H.R. 5714. An act to require the Secretary of the Treasury
to mint coins in recognition and celebration of the
establishment of the United States Army in 1775, to honor the
American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and
in peace, and to commemorate the traditions, history, and
heritage of the United States Army and its role in American
society, from the Colonial period to today.
H.R. 6867. An act to provide for additional emergency
unemployment compensation.
The enrolled bills were subsequently signed by the Acting President
pro tempore (Mr. Reid).
____________________
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-8736. A communication from the Administrator,
Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Walnuts Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate''
(Docket No. AMS-FV-08-0054) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-8737. A communication from the Administrator,
Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``National Organic Program (NOP), Sunset Review (2008)''
(RIN0581-AC76) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-8738. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Review Group, Department of Agriculture, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Cotton
Program Changes for Loans, Loan Deficiency Payments, Upland
Cotton, and Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton'' (RIN0560-AH81)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-8739. A communication from the Under Secretary of
Defense (Comptroller), transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a violation of the Antideficiency Act that occurred
within the Third United States Army, U.S. Army Central
Command, and has been assigned case number 05-17; to the
Committee on Appropriations.
EC-8740. A communication from the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
violation of the Antideficiency Act that occurred in the
Department of the Treasury in the Direct Loan Financing
Account; to the Committee on Appropriations.
EC-8741. A communication from the Under Secretary of
Defense (Personnel and Readiness), transmitting, pursuant to
law, a report entitled ``Special Working Group on Reserve
Component Members Returning from Deployment in Operation
Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom''; to the
Committee on Armed Services.
[S20NO8-330]{S10735}EC-8742.
EC-8742. A communication from the Under Secretary of
Defense (Personnel and Readiness), transmitting, pursuant to
law, a report entitled ``Long-Term Operational Missions
Performed by Reserve Component Members Providing Operational
Support Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 115(b)''; to the Committee on
Armed Services.
EC-8743. A communication from the Under Secretary of
Defense (Comptroller), transmitting, pursuant to law, a
quarterly report entitled, ``Acceptance of Contributions for
Defense Programs, Projects, and Activities; Defense
Cooperation Account''; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-8744. A communication from the Under Secretary of
Defense (Personnel and Readiness), transmitting a report on
the approved retirement of Lieutenant General Stephen G.
Wood, United States Air Force, and his advancement to the
grade of lieutenant general on the retired list; to the
Committee on Armed Services.
EC-8745. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of
the Navy (Installations and Environment), transmitting,
pursuant to law, a report relative to the notification of the
decision to cancel the Office of Management and Budget
Circular A-76 public-private competition for the Commander,
Navy Installations Command Emergency Management Dispatch
Support Services; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-8746. A communication from the President of the United
States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the
continuation of the national emergency with respect to Iran
that was declared in Executive Order 12170 on November 14,
1979; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
EC-8747. A communication from the President of the United
States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the
continuation of the national emergency with respect to the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that was
declared in Executive Order 12938 on November 14, 1994; to
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8748. A communication from the Secretary of the
Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic
report on the national emergency with respect to Syria that
was declared in Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004; to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8749. A communication from the Secretary of the
Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic
report on the national emergency with respect to Iran that
was declared in Executive Order 12170 of November 14, 1979;
to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8750. A communication from the Chairman and President,
Export-Import Bank of the United States, transmitting,
pursuant to law, a report relative to a transaction involving
U.S. exports to Ireland; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8751. A communication from the Chairman and President,
Export-Import Bank of the United States, transmitting,
pursuant to law, a report relative to transactions involving
U.S. exports to The Netherlands; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8752. A communication from the Associate Director,
Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Iranian Transactions Regulations'' (31 CFR Part 560)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
EC-8753. A communication from the Associate General Counsel
for Legislation and Regulations, Office of the Secretary,
Department of Housing and Urban Development, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pet
Ownership for the Elderly and Persons With Disabilities''
(RIN2501-AD31) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8754. A communication from the Associate General Counsel
for Legislation and Regulations, Office of Fair Housing and
Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Design and Construction Requirements;
Compliance With ANSI A117.1 Standards'' (RIN2529-AA92)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
[[Page 24340]]
EC-8755. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Changes in Flood Elevation Determinations'' (Docket No.
FEMA-B-1011) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8756. 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'' ((44 CFR Part 67)(73
FR 63647)) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8757. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Suspension of Community Eligibility'' (Docket No. FEMA-
8047) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Banking, Housing,
and Urban Affairs.
EC-8758. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for
Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security,
Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Conforming Changes to Certain
End-User/End-Use Based Controls in the EAR; Clarification of
the Term ``Transfer'' and Related Terms as Used in the EAR''
(RIN0694-AD59) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8759. A communication from the Director, Office of Legal
Affairs, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Deposit
Insurance Regulations; Temporary Increase in Standard
Coverage Amount; Mortgage Servicing Accounts'' (RIN3064-AD36)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
EC-8760. A communication from the Special Assistant to the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Prohibition on Funding of Unlawful Internet Gambling''
(RIN1505-AB78) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8761. A communication from the Acting Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, Department of Commerce, and the
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the
Interior, transmitting jointly, the 2007 Biennial Report on
Striped Bass Populations; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8762. A communication from the Secretary of the Federal
Trade Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
Commission's fourth annual report on ethanol market
concentration; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8763. A communication from the Acting Director of the
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the
Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean
Quahog Fisheries; Suspension of Minimum Atlantic Surfclam
Size Limit for Fishing Year 2009'' (RIN0648-XJ86) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12,
2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8764. A communication from the Director of the Office of
Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf
of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf
of Mexico; Reopening of the 2008 Deepwater Grouper and
Tilefish Commercial Fisheries'' (RIN0648-XK40) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12,
2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8765. A communication from the Director of the Office of
Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the Exclusive
Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel by Vessels in the
Amendment 80 Limited Access Fishery in the Western Aleutian
District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management
Area'' (RIN0648-XK85) received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8766. A communication from the Director of the Office of
Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the Exclusive
Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Catching
Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore Component in the
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska'' (RIN0648-
XK86) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8767. A communication from the Acting Director of the
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the
Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Non-
American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for
Processing by the Inshore Component in the Central Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska'' (RIN0648-XK79) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8768. A communication from the Acting Director of the
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the
Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Commercial
Period 2 Quota Harvested'' (RIN0648-XL29) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8769. A communication from the Acting Director of the
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the
Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area'' (RIN0648-
XL42) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8770. A communication from the Acting Director of the
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the
Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Yellowfin
Sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area''
(RIN0648-XL44) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8771. A communication from the Acting Director of the
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Magnuson-Stevens Act
Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management
Measures; Inseason Adjustments'' (RIN0648-AX30) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12,
2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8772. A communication from the Acting Director of the
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the
Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels
Subject to Amendment 80 Sideboard Limits in the Western
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska'' (RIN0648-XK96)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8773. A communication from the Assistant Administrator
for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, Department
of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Endangered And Threatened Species; Endangered
Status for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale'' (RIN0648-XL30)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8774. A communication from the Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of
the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Atlantic
Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions;
Atlantic Coast Red Drum Fishery off the Atlantic States;
Transfer of Management Authority'' (RIN0648-AT13) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12,
2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8775. A communication from the Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Pacific
Halibut Fisheries; Subsistence Fishing; Correction''
(RIN0648-AU14) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8776. A communication from the Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries
Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries;
Reporting Requirements and Conservation Measures'' (RIN0648-
AX31) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
[[Page 24341]]
EC-8777. A communication from the Director, Statutory
Import Programs Staff, Department of Commerce, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Changes in
the Insular Possessions Watch, Watch Movement and Jewelry
Programs 2008'' (RIN0625-AA80) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8778. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Modification to the Norton Sound Low, Woody Island Low,
Control 1234L and Control 1487L offshore Airspace Areas; AK''
((Docket No. FAA-2007-28391)(Airspace Docket No. 07-AAL-10))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8779. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Establishment of Class E Airspace; Kwethluk, AK'' ((Docket
No. FAA-2008-0453)(Airspace Docket No. 08-AAL-12)) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17,
2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8780. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``IFR Altitudes; Miscellaneous Amendments'' ((Docket No.
30635)(Amendment No. 477)) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8781. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff
Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous
Amendments'' ((Docket No. 30633)(Amendment No. 3292))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8782. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff
Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous
Amendments'' ((Docket No. 30634)(Amendment No. 3293))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8783. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company (Type
Certificate previously held by Columbia Aircraft
Manufacturing) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG
Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2007-27628))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8784. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -
200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-
AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-1147)) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8785. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 727 Airplanes''
((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0151)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8786. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747SP Series
Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0585))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8787. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series
Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0849))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8788. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300,
and A340-300 Series Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No.
FAA-2008-0667)) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8789. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and 757-300
Series Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2007-
28160)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8790. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737 Airplanes''
((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-1166)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8791. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-535E4-37,
RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4-B-75 Series Turbofan''
((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2007-29343)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8792. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332, C,
L, L1 and L2 Helicopters'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-
2008-0430)) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8793. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, and 702), CL-600-2D15
(Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet
Series 900) Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-
0623)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8794. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model
SAAB 2000 Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-
0848)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8795. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon
900, Falcon 900EX, and Falcon 2000 Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-
AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0729)) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8796. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Rolls Royce plc RB211 Trent 553-
61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61,
and 560A2-61 Turbofan Engines'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No.
FAA-2008-1063)) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8797. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320,
and A321 Series Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-
2008-0342)) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8798. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica
S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 Airplanes, and Model EMB-145, -
145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP Airplanes''
((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0483)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8799. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
[[Page 24342]]
Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-
AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2007-27011)) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8800. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc.
Model G-164 Series Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No.
FAA-2008-0854)) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8801. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000EX
Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0830))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8802. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10
and S10-V Gliders'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-
1161)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8803. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-
1000S and DG-1000T Gliders'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-
2008-0989)) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8804. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-6
Series Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0990))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8805. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company 150
Series Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0790))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8806. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10
(Regional Jet Series 700 & 701) Series Airplanes and Model
CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) Series Airplanes''
((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0555)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8807. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-
AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0643)) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8808. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company (GE)
CT58 Series Turboshaft Engines'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No.
FAA-2008-0808)) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8809. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Hawker Beechcraft Corporation
Model 390 Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-
1127)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8810. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company CF6-80C2
Series and CF6-80E1 Series Turbofan Engines'' ((RIN2120-
AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2007-28367)) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8811. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Directives; Maryland Air Industries, Inc.,
Model Fairchild F-27 and FH-227 Series Airplanes'' ((RIN2120-
AA64)(Docket No. FAA-2008-0734)) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8812. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Airworthiness Standards; Propellers; Correction'' (RIN2120-
AI95) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8813. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Special Awareness Training for the Washington, DC
Metropolitan Area; OMB Approval of Information Collection''
(RIN2120-AI63) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8814. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport;
Correction'' (RIN2120-AI70) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8815. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport;
Correction'' (RIN2120-AI70) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8816. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport;
Clarification of Final Rule'' (RIN2120-AI70) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8817. A communication from the Program Analyst, Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Congestion Management Rule for John F. Kennedy
International Airport and Newark Liberty International
Airport; Correction'' (RIN2120-AJ28) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8818. A communication from the Trial Attorney, Federal
Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brake Systems''
(RIN2130-AB84) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8819. A communication from the Chief of Staff, Media
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations; Hendersonville, Tennessee'' (MB Docket
No. 08-128) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 19, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
EC-8820. A communication from the Chief of Staff, Media
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of
Section 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast
Stations; Linden, Tennessee'' (MB Docket No. 07-280) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 19,
2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8821. A communication from the Chief of Staff, Media
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations; La Grande, Oregon'' (MB Docket No. 08-
121) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 19, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8822. A communication from the Chief of Staff, Media
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of
Section 73.622(i), Final DTV Table of Allotments, Television
Broadcast Stations; Honolulu and Waimanalo, Hawaii'' (MB
Docket No. 08-98) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 19, 2008; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8823. A communication from the Chief of Staff, Media
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to
[[Page 24343]]
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of Part 90 of
the Commission's Rules to Provide for Flexible Use of the
896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz Band Allotted to the Business and
Industrial Land Transportation Pool'' (WT Docket No. 05-62)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 19, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8824. A communication from the Chief of Staff, Media
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendment of
Section 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast
Stations; La Grande and Prairie City, Oregon'' (MB Docket No.
08-67) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 19, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8825. A communication from the Chief of Staff, Media
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``2000
Biennial Regulatory Review--Streamlining and Other Revisions
of Part 25 of the Commission's Rules Governing the Licensing
of, and Spectrum Usage by, Satellite Network Earth Stations
and Space Stations; Streamlining the Commission's Rules and
Regulations for Satellite Applications and Licensing
Procedures'' ((IB Docket No. 00-248)(IB Docket No. 95-117))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 19, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
EC-8826. A communication from the Regulatory Ombudsman,
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Hours of Service of Drivers'' (RIN2126-
AB14) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 19, 2008; to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
EC-8827. A communication from the Acting Director of the
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Fisheries of the
Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area'' (Docket No.
071106673-8011-02) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 19, 2008; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-8828. A communication from the Administrator and Chief
Executive Officer, Bonneville Power Administration,
Department of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
Administration's Annual Report for fiscal year 2008; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-8829. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of
Land and Minerals Management, Minerals Management Service,
Department of the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ``Royalty Relief--Ultra-Deep
Gas Wells and Deep Gas Wells on Leases in the Gulf of Mexico;
Extension of Royalty Relief Provisions to Leases Offshore of
Alaska'' (RIN1010-AD33) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 19, 2008; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-8830. A communication from the Director, Office of
Congressional Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NAC-UMS Revision
5'' (RIN3150-AI48) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
EC-8831. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation
Plans; Delaware; Control of Stationary Combustion Turbine
Electric Generating Unit Emissions'' ((EPA-R03-OAR-2008-
0068)(FRL-8738-3)) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
EC-8832. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation
Plans; Illinois; CILCO (AmerenEnergy) Edwards'' ((EPA-R05-
OAR-2004-IL-0003)(FRL-8730-4)) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8833. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans;
Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes; State
of California; PM-10; Revision of Designation; Redesignation
of the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin PM-10 Nonattainment Area
to Attainment; Approval of PM-10 Maintenance Plan for the San
Joaquin Valley Air Basin; Approval of Commitments for the
East Kern PM-10 Nonattainment Area'' ((EPA-R09-OAR-2008-
0306)(FRL-8724-7)) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
EC-8834. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans;
Revisions to the Nevada State Implementation; Clark County''
((EPA-R09-OAR-2008-0728)(FRL-8729-1)) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8835. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for
Aerosol Coatings'' ((EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0971)(FRL-8738-7))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works.
EC-8836. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Revised National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Permit Regulation and Effluent Limitations Guidelines for
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in Response to the
Waterkeeper Decision'' ((EPA-HQ-OW-2005-0037)(FRL-8738-9))
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works.
EC-8837. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances''
((EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0251)(FRL-8371-3)) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8838. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Silane, trimethoxy[3-(oxiranylmethoxy)propyl]-, hydrolysis
products with silica; Tolerance Exemption'' ((EPA-HQ-OPP-
2008-0571)(FRL-8386-1)) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8839. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Withdrawal of the Federal Water Quality Standards Use
Designations for Soda Creek and Portions of Canyon Creek,
South Fork Coeur d'Alene River, and Blackfoot River in
Idaho'' ((EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0495)(FRL-8737-9)) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008;
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8840. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation
Plans; Pennsylvania; 2002 Base Year Inventory for the
Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley 8-Hour Ozone Nonattainment Area''
((EPA-R03-OAR-2007-0453)(FRL-8741-5)) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on November 19, 2008; to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8841. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation
Plans; Tennessee; Approval of Revisions to the Knox County
Portion of the Tennessee State Implementation Plan - ``Permit
by Rule'' Provision'' ((EPA-R04-OAR-2008-0052-200803(a))(FRL-
8743-8)) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 19, 2008; to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works.
EC-8842. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act (CERCLA) or Superfund, Section 128(a); Notice
of Grant Funding Guidance for State and Tribal Response
Programs'' (FRL-8742-3) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 19, 2008; to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8843. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Ipconazole; Pesticide Tolerances'' ((EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-
0226)(FRL-8389-1)) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 19, 2008; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
EC-8844. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Polyoxin D Zinc Salt; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance'' ((EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0417)(FRL-8389-5)) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on November 19,
2008; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8845. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting,
[[Page 24344]]
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Regulation
of Fuel and Fuel Additives: Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Test
Methods'' (RIN2060-AP17) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 19, 2008; to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8846. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan,
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, Mojave Desert
Air Quality Management District, South Coast Air Quality
Management District, and Ventura County Air Pollution Control
District'' ((EPA-R09-OAR-2008-0590)(FRL-8732-4)) received in
the Office of the President of the Senate on November 19,
2008; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-8847. A communication from the Director, Regulatory
Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``The Treatment of Data Influence by Exceptional Events
(Exceptional Event Rule): Revised Exceptional Event Data
Flagging Submittal and Documentation Schedule for Monitoring
Data Used in Designations for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS''
(RIN2060-AP28) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 19, 2008; to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works.
EC-8848. A communication from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report
relative to the Demonstration of Coverage of Chiropractic
Services under Medicare; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-8849. A communication from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report
entitled ``Evaluation of Medicare Advantage Special Needs
Plans''; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-8850. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Update of Weighted Average Interest Rates,
Yield Curves, and Segment Rates'' (Notice 2008-105) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 17,
2008; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-8851. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``2008 Section 43 Inflation Adjustment''
(Notice 2008-72) received in the Office of the President of
the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-8852. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule relative to real estate investment trusts (Rev. Proc.
2008-69) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 17, 2008; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-8853. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Information Reporting for Discharges of
Indebtedness'' (RIN1545-BH99) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 17, 2008; to the
Committee on Finance.
EC-8854. A communication from the President of the United
States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to
the export to the People's Republic of China of items not
detrimental to the U.S. space launch industry; to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-8855. A communication from the Assistant Secretary,
Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of State,
transmitting, pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act, the
certification of a proposed manufacturing license agreement
for the manufacture of significant military equipment abroad
with Italy and Germany; to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.
EC-8856. A communication from the Assistant Secretary,
Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of State,
transmitting, pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act, the
certification of a proposed transfer of defense articles or
defense services in the amount of $100,000,000 or more to
Denmark, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, and Portugal; to
the Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-8857. A communication from the Assistant Secretary,
Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of State,
transmitting, pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act, the
certification of a proposed license for the export of defense
articles that are firearms controlled under Category I of the
United States Munitions List sold commercially under contract
in the amount of $1,000,000 or more to Ecuador; to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-8858. A communication from the Assistant Secretary,
Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of State,
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the status of
family reunions between U.S. citizens and their relatives in
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; to the Committee
on Foreign Relations.
EC-8859. A communication from the Assistant Legal Adviser
for Treaty Affairs, Department of State, transmitting,
pursuant to the Case-Zablocki Act, 1 U.S.C. 112b, as amended,
the report of the texts and background statements of
international agreements, other than treaties (List 2008-
192--2008-202); to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-8860. A communication from the President and CEO,
Overseas Private Investment Corporation, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a vacancy in the position of
Executive Vice President, received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 19, 2008; to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC-8861. A communication from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a petition to add workers from the Connecticut Aircraft
Nuclear Engine Laboratory, to the Special Exposure Cohort; to
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-8862. A communication from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
Department's financial report for fiscal year 2007 relative
to the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act; to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-8863. A communication from the Senior Regulatory Officer
of the Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards
Administration, Department of Labor, transmitting, pursuant
to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Family and Medical
Leave Act of 1993'' (RIN1215-AB35) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-8864. A communication from the Assistant General Counsel
for Regulatory Services, Office of English Language
Acquisition, Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant
to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Title III of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as
Amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)''
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions.
EC-8865. A communication from the Assistant General Counsel
for Regulatory Services, Office of Postsecondary Education,
Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Federal Perkins Loan Program,
Federal Family Education Loan Program, and William D. Ford
Federal Direct Loan Program'' (RIN1840-AC94) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008;
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-8866. A communication from the White House Liaison,
Department of Education, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a vacancy and designation of an acting officer for
the position of Assistant Secretary, Office of Communications
and Outreach, received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-8867. A communication from the Director, Office of
Government Ethics, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
Office's Performance Accountability Report for fiscal year
2008; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8868. A communication from the Attorney General,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's Performance
and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2008; to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-8869. A communication from the Chairman, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
Commission's Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal
year 2008; to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
EC-8870. A communication from the Chairman, U.S.
International Trade Commission, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the Commission's Performance and Accountability Report
for fiscal year 2008; to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
EC-8871. A communication from the Secretary, Department of
Housing and Urban Development, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the Department's Performance and Accountability Reports for
fiscal year 2008; to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
EC-8872. A communication from the Chairman, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
Commission's Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal
year 2008; to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
EC-8873. A communication from the Secretary, Department of
Labor, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's
Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2008;
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8874. A communication from the Acting Director, Office
of Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report entitled ``Employment of Veterans in the Federal
Government - Fiscal Year 2007''; to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
[[Page 24345]]
EC-8875. A communication from the Special Inspector General
for Iraq Reconstruction, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
Quarterly Report for October 2008; to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-8876. A communication from the District of Columbia
Auditor, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled
``OCFO's Policy Regarding Background Checks on Specific OCFO
Employees Who Handle Cash and/or Cash Equivalents''; to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-8877. A communication from the Executive Director,
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the two audit reports issued during fiscal
year 2008 relative to the Agency and the Thrift Savings Plan;
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8878. A communication from the Commissioner, Social
Security Administration, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report relative to disciplinary best practices and advisory
guidelines; to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
EC-8879. A communication from the Chairman, Securities and
Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report
relative to the inventory of activities for fiscal year 2008
under the FAIR Act; to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
EC-8880. A communication from the Chairman, Securities and
Exchange Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report
of notification of availability of the Commission's
Performance and Accountability Report for fiscal year 2008;
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8881. A communication from the Chairman, Council of the
District of Columbia, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report
on D.C. Act 17-278, received in the Office of the President
of the Senate on November 20, 2008; to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-8882. A communication from the Acting Director,
Strategic Human Resources Policy Division, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Changes in Pay Administration
Rules for General Schedule Employees'' (RIN3206-AK88)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
EC-8883. A communication from the Acting Director,
Strategic Human Resources Policy Division, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Time-in-Grade Rule Eliminated''
(RIN3206-AL18) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-8884. A communication from the Acting Director,
Strategic Human Resources Policy Division, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Suitability'' (RIN3206-AL38)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
EC-8885. A communication from the Acting Director,
Strategic Human Resources Policy Division, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Prevailing Rate Systems; Change
in Nonappropriated Fund Federal Wage System Survey from
Fiscal Year to Calendar Year'' (RIN3206-AL63) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008;
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8886. A communication from the Acting Director, Center
for Pay and Leave Administration, Office of Personnel
Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Emergency Leave Transfer Program'' (RIN3206-
AL26) received in the Office of the President of the Senate
on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
EC-8887. A communication from the Acting Director,
Strategic Human Resources Policy Division, Office of
Personnel Management, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Prevailing Rate Systems;
Abolishment of Santa Clara, California, as a Nonappropriated
Fund Federal Wage System Wage Area'' (RIN3206-AL74) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12,
2008; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-8888. A communication from the National Treasurer, Navy
Wives Clubs of America, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report relative to the latest audit of the organization; to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-8889. A communication from the Federal Liaison Officer,
Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Fiscal Year 2009 Changes to Patent Cooperation Treaty
Transmittal and Search Fees'' (RIN0651-AC28) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008;
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-8890. A communication from the Federal Liaison Officer,
Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Miscellaneous Changes to Trademark Rules of Practice''
(RIN0651-AB89) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
EC-8891. A communication from the Federal Liaison Officer,
Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Changes to Representation of Others before the United
States Patent and Trademark Office'' (RIN0651-AB55) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12,
2008; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-8892. A communication from the Director of Regulations
Management, Board of Veterans Appeals, Department of Veterans
Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Board of Veterans' Appeals: Expedited Claims
Adjudication Initiative - Pilot Program'' (RIN2900-AM77)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
EC-8893. A communication from the Director of Regulations
Management, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report
of a rule entitled ``Increase in Rates Payable Under the
Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty and Other Miscellaneous
Issues'' (RIN2900-AM45) received in the Office of the
President of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
EC-8894. A communication from the Director of Regulations
Management, Veterans Health Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report
of a rule entitled ``Elimination of Co-payment for Weight
Management Counseling'' (RIN2900-AM59) received in the Office
of the President of the Senate on November 12, 2008; to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
EC-8895. A communication from the Director of Regulations
Management, Veterans Health Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report
of a rule entitled ``Civilian Health and Medical Program of
the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA): Expansion of
Benefit Coverage for Prostheses and Enuretic (Bed-wetting)
Devices; Miscellaneous Provisions'' (RIN2900-AM22) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 12,
2008; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
EC-8896. A communication from the Director of Regulations
Management, Veterans Health Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report
of a rule entitled ``Disclosure of Information to Organ,
Tissue and Eye Procurement Organizations'' (RIN2900-AM65)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on
November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
EC-8897. A communication from the Director of Regulations
Management, Veterans Health Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report
of a rule entitled ``Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Eye''
(RIN2900-AH43) received in the Office of the President of the
Senate on November 12, 2008; to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
EC-8898. A communication from the Deputy Secretary of
Defense, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Department's
financial report for fiscal year 2008; to the Committee on
Armed Services.
EC-8899. A communication from the Senior Counsel of
Domestic Finance, Department of the Treasury, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Tarp Capital
Purchase Program'' (31 CFR Part 30) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on November 19, 2008; to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8900. A communication from the Senior Counsel,
Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law,
the report of a rule entitled ``Prohibition on Funding of
Unlawful Internet Gambling'' (RIN1505-AB78) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 19, 2008;
to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-8901. A communication from the Associate General Counsel
for Legislation and Regulations, Office of Housing,
Department of Housing and Urban Development, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Real Estate
Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA): Rule To Simplify and
Improve the Process of Obtaining Mortgages and Reduce
Consumer Settlement Costs'' (RIN2502-AI61) received in the
Office of the President of the Senate on November 19, 2008;
to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
____________________
EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
The following executive reports of nominations were submitted:
By Mr. LEVIN for the Committee on Armed Services.
Air Force nomination of Brig. Gen. David J. Scott, to be
Major General.
[[Page 24346]]
Air Force nomination of Col. James N. Stewart, to be
Brigadier General.
Air Force nomination of Maj. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, to be
Lieutenant General.
Air Force nomination of Maj. Gen. John C. Koziol, to be
Lieutenant General.
Air Force nomination of Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog, to be
Major General.
Air Force nomination of Maj. Gen. Loren M. Reno, to be
Lieutenant General.
Air Force nomination of Col. James K. McLaughlin, to be
Brigadier General.
Air Force nomination of Maj. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, to be
Lieutenant General.
Navy nomination of Rear Adm. John M. Mateczun, to be Vice
Admiral.
Army nomination of Brigadier General Gina S. Farrisee, to
be Major General.
Army nomination of Maj. Gen. Scott C. Black, to be
Lieutenant General.
Army nomination of Maj. Gen. James H. Pillsbury, to be
Lieutenant General.
Army nomination of Col. David N. Blackorby, to be Brigadier
General.
Army nomination of Brig. Gen. James E. Rogers, to be Major
General.
Army nomination of Col. Margaret W. Boor, to be Brigadier
General.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, for the Committee on Armed Services I
report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in
the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save
the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these
nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of
Senators.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Air Force nominations beginning with Darryl D. Bybee and
ending with Marco V. Galvez, which nominations were received
by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
September 26, 2008.
Air Force nominations beginning with Richard Brinker and
ending with Nadia C. Shockley, which nominations were
received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional
Record on September 26, 2008.
Air Force nomination of Kathleen V. Reder, to be Major.
Air Force nominations beginning with Samantha S. Bousigues
and ending with John J. Linnett, which nominations were
received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional
Record on November 17, 2008.
Air Force nominations beginning with John M. Beene II and
ending with Mark E. Sanborn, which nominations were received
by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
November 17, 2008.
Air Force nomination of Richard W. Jost, to be Lieutenant
Colonel.
Air Force nomination of Clevis T. Parker, to be Major.
Army nomination of Britt B. Hill, to be Major.
Army nomination of Kenneth Carlson, to be Major.
Army nominations beginning with Raymond L. Capps and ending
with Shane Russelljenkins, which nominations were received by
the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
September 26, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Anthony H. Savage and
ending with Karl F. Woodmansey, which nominations were
received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional
Record on September 26, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Grace Lacara and ending
with Chesley D. Overby, which nominations were received by
the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
September 26, 2008.
Army nomination of John F. Kasel, to be Major.
Army nominations beginning with Max L. Divine and ending
with Norma Torres, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on September
26, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Michael L. Nippert and
ending with Robert C. Turner, which nominations were received
by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
September 26, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Laurence W. Gebler and
ending with Viseth Ngauy, which nominations were received by
the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
September 26, 2008.
Army nomination of Gregg A. Bliss, to be Colonel.
Army nomination of Stuart A. Mellon, to be Colonel.
Army nomination of Robert S. Gatewood, to be Colonel.
Army nomination of Steven P. Jahner, to be Colonel.
Army nomination of William H. Smithson, to be Major.
Army nomination of James O. McLinnaham, to be Lieutenant
Colonel.
Army nomination of Gregory R. Ebner, to be Lieutenant
Colonel.
Army nomination of Paul E. Webb, to be Major.
Army nominations beginning with Randy R. Cote and ending
with Michael P. Steely, which nominations were received by
the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
November 17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Erol Agi and ending with
Patrick C. Sean, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Richard S. Glass and ending
with Victor F. Wallace, which nominations were received by
the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
November 17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Jerzey J. Chachaj and
ending with John E. Williams, which nominations were received
by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
November 17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Malissa A. Hill and ending
with Soma R. Webb, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Dwight Y. Shen and ending
with Jeffrey R. Long, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Michael C. Ahn and ending
with Richard P. Martin, which nominations were received by
the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
November 17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Charles K. Aris and ending
with John R. Worster, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Eric C. Bush and ending
with Jon A. Jensen, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Edward J. Briand and ending
with John C. Smith, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Melanie J. Craig and ending
with Paul D. Stoneman, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Cynthia J. Abbadini and
ending with Justin A. Woodhouse, which nominations were
received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional
Record on November 17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Derrick F. Arincorayan and
ending with D060674, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
17, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with William J. Adams and ending
with D060291, which nominations were received by the Senate
and appeared in the Congressional Record on November 17,
2008.
Army nominations beginning with Richard K. Addo and ending
with D060598, which nominations were received by the Senate
and appeared in the Congressional Record on November 17,
2008.
Army nominations beginning with Kenneth P. Adgie and ending
with D070487, which nominations were received by the Senate
and appeared in the Congressional Record on November 17,
2008.
Army nomination of Lynn F. Abrams, to be Colonel.
Army nomination of Catherine A. Oliver, to be Major.
Army nomination of Timothy S. Allisonaipa, to be Major.
Army nomination of Daniel A. Strode, to be Major.
Army nomination of Joseph S. Selken, to be Major.
Army nominations beginning with Thomas A. Bryant and ending
with James P. Mcginnis, which nominations were received by
the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
November 19, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with James A. Griggs and ending
with Paul R. Hunt, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
19, 2008.
Army nominations beginning with Peter H. Guevara and ending
with Walter W. Shratz, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
19, 2008.
Marine Corps nominations beginning with Christopher M.
Brannen and ending with Erich H. Wagner, which nominations
were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional
Record on November 17, 2008.
Navy nomination of John E. Murrain, to be Lieutenant
Commander.
Navy nomination of Dana Stombaugh, to be Captain.
Navy nomination of Paul J. Foster, to be Captain.
Navy nomination of Deborah A. Hinkley, to be Captain.
Navy nomination of Mark C. Holley, to be Commander.
Navy nomination of Michael C. Collins, to be Commander.
Navy nomination of Channing J. Thomas, to be Lieutenant
Commander.
Navy nomination of Evan B. Williams, to be Lieutenant.
Navy nominations beginning with Gerald C. Lowe and ending
with Victor D. Oliver, which nominations were received by the
Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on November
17, 2008.
Navy nominations beginning with Edward J. Arrison and
ending with Clevis T. Parker,
[[Page 24347]]
Sr., which nominations were received by the Senate and
appeared in the Congressional Record on November 17, 2008.
Navy nominations beginning with Gregory R. Adams and ending
with Donovan B. Wortham, which nominations were received by
the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on
November 17, 2008.
(Nominations without an asterisk were reported with the
recommendation that they be confirmed.)
____________________
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. MARTINEZ:
S. 13. A bill to temporarily extend increases in certain
home loan limits; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
By Mr. CRAIG:
S. 16. A bill to provide for certain land to be held in
trust for the Burns Paiute Tribe; to the Committee on Indian
Affairs.
By Mr. VITTER:
S. 17. A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act
to allow workers who attain age 65 after 1981 and before 1992
to choose either lump sum payments over four years totaling
$5,000 or an improved benefit computation formula under a new
10-year rule governing the transition to the changes in
benefit computation rules enacted in the Social Security
Amendments of 1977, and for other purposes; to the Committee
on Finance.
By Ms. SNOWE:
S. 18. A bill to improve the authority of the Special
Inspector General charged with overseeing the Troubled Asset
Relief Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
By Mrs. CLINTON:
S. 19. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax
payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mrs. CLINTON (for herself and Mrs. Murray):
S. 20. A bill to prohibit the implementation or enforcement
of certain regulations; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. Harkin):
S. 3709. A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 to expand the Rural Energy for America
Program to include schools in rural areas; to the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr.
Menendez, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Cardin):
S. 3710. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security
Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
to provide access to Medicare benefits for individuals ages
55 to 65, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow
a refundable and advanceable credit against income tax for
payment of such premiums, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Finance.
By Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Leahy, Mr.
Hatch, Mr. Grassley, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr.
Bingaman):
S. 3711. A bill to authorize a cost of living adjustment
for the Federal judiciary; considered and passed.
By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. Enzi, and Mr.
Domenici):
S. 3712. A bill to make a technical correction in the Paul
Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and
Addiction Equity Act of 2008; considered and passed.
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Akaka):
S. 3713. A bill to provide for the integration of the
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and the
Great Lakes Naval Health Clinic, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Armed Services.
By Mr. HARKIN:
S. 3714. A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to
ensure that all agreements, contracts, and transactions with
respect to commodities are carried out on a regulated
exchange, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
By Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mr. Bond, Ms. Stabenow, Mr.
Voinovich, Mr. Brown, Mr. Specter, and Mr. Casey):
S. 3715. A bill to provide for emergency bridge loan
assistance to automobile manufacturers and component
suppliers; to the Committee on Appropriations.
By Mrs. McCASKILL (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Ms.
Collins, Mr. Lieberman, and Mr. Bunning):
S. 3716. A bill to amend the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-343) to provide the
Special Inspector General with additional personnel, audit,
and investigation authorities; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
By Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. Cornyn):
S. 3717. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
to allow reimbursement from flexible spending accounts for
certain dental products; to the Committee on Finance.
____________________
SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS
The following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were
read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated:
By Mr. CRAPO (for himself, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Lieberman,
Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Bayh):
S. Res. 710. A resolution designating the week of February
2 through February 6, 2009, as ``National Teen Dating
Violence Awareness and Prevention Week''; to the Committee on
the Judiciary.
By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Snowe,
Ms. Landrieu, Ms. Stabenow, and Mrs. Clinton):
S. Res. 711. A resolution condemning the tragic and
senseless death by stoning of a 13-year-old girl from
Somalia; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Menendez,
Mr. Lautenberg, and Mr. Bunning):
S. Res. 712. A resolution congratulating the Philadelphia
Phillies on winning the 2008 World Series; considered and
agreed to.
By Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Leahy,
Mr. Harkin, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Dodd, Ms.
Snowe, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Isakson, Ms.
Klobuchar, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Bond, Mr.
Coleman, Mr. Lautenberg, and Mr. Nelson of Florida):
S. Res. 713. A resolution calling on all parties to the
escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
to implement an immediate ceasefire and work with the support
of the international community toward a comprehensive and
lasting solution to the crisis; considered and agreed to.
By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
S. Res. 714. A resolution honoring the firefighters and
emergency workers who courageously fought fires in California
in 2008; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. REID:
S. Res. 715. A resolution extending the authority for the
Senate National Security Working Group; considered and agreed
to.
By Mr. VITTER:
S. Res. 716. A resolution acknowledging the accomplishments
and goals of the Youth Impact Program; to the Committee on
the Judiciary.
By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Ms. Snowe):
S. Res. 717. A resolution designating December 13, 2008, as
``Wreaths Across America Day''; to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
By Mr. CHAMBLISS (for himself, Mrs. Lincoln, and Mr.
Isakson):
S. Res. 718. A resolution designating November 30, 2008, as
``Drive Safer Sunday''; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. DORGAN (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Boxer,
Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Feingold,
Mr. Tester, Mr. Domenici, Mr. McCain, Mr. Wyden, Mr.
Baucus, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mrs.
Feinstein, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Thune, Mr. Bingaman, Mr.
Conrad, and Mr. Johnson):
S. Res. 719. A resolution recognizing National American
Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and celebrating the
heritage and culture of American Indians and Alaska Natives
and the contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives
to the United States; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
By Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mr. Casey, and Mr.
Specter):
S. Res. 720. A resolution supporting the goals and ideals
of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. NELSON of Florida:
S. Con. Res. 106. A concurrent resolution commending the
Government of Switzerland for ongoing assistance in the case
of Robert Levinson, urging the Government of the Islamic
Republic of Iran to intensify cooperation with the Government
of Switzerland and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the
case of Robert Levinson, and expressing sympathy to the
family of Robert Levinson; to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.
____________________
ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS
S. 2743
At the request of Mr. Casey, the name of the Senator from North
Carolina (Mr. Burr) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2743, a bill to
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the
establishment of financial security accounts for the care of family
members with disabilities, and for other purposes.
S. 2756
At the request of Mr. Bayh, his name was added as a cosponsor of S.
2756, a bill to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to
establish a permanent background check system.
[[Page 24348]]
S. 3490
At the request of Mr. Cardin, the name of the Senator from Florida
(Mr. Nelson) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3490, a bill to amend the
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act to reauthorize the Act.
S. 3672
At the request of Mr. Baucus, the names of the Senator from Idaho
(Mr. Crapo) and the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Conrad) were added
as cosponsors of S. 3672, a bill to amend title 23, United States Code,
to improve economic opportunity and development in rural States through
highway investment, and for other purposes.
At the request of Mr. Thune, his name was added as a cosponsor of S.
3672, supra.
S. 3673
At the request of Mr. Baucus, the names of the Senator from Idaho
(Mr. Crapo) and the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Conrad) were added
as cosponsors of S. 3673, a bill to amend title 23, United States Code,
to improve highway transportation in the United States, including rural
and metropolitan areas.
At the request of Mr. Thune, his name was added as a cosponsor of S.
3673, supra.
S. 3683
At the request of Mr. Inhofe, the names of the Senator from
Mississippi (Mr. Wicker) and the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Enzi) were
added as cosponsors of S. 3683, a bill to amend the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act to require approval by the Congress for certain
expenditures for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
S. 3698
At the request of Mrs. Feinstein, the names of the Senator from
Massachusetts (Mr. Kerry) and the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Coleman)
were added as cosponsors of S. 3698, a bill to prohibit any recipient
of emergency Federal economic assistance from using such funds for
lobbying expenditures or political contributions, to improve
transparency, enhance accountability, encourage responsible corporate
governance, and for other purposes.
S. RES. 640
At the request of Mr. Cardin, the name of the Senator from North
Dakota (Mr. Conrad) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 640, a
resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that there should be an
increased Federal commitment to public health and the prevention of
diseases and injuries for all people in the United States.
S. RES. 709
At the request of Mr. Kerry, the names of the Senator from Hawaii
(Mr. Inouye) and the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) were
added as cosponsors of S. Res. 709, a resolution expressing the sense
of the Senate that the United States should pursue the adoption of
bluefin tuna conservation and management measures at the 16th Special
Meeting of the International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas.
____________________
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. CRAIG:
S. 16. A bill to provide for certain land to be held in trust for the
Burns Paiute Tribe; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, the purpose of introducing this bill today
is to start the process of granting the Burns-Paiute Tribe of Eastern
Oregon land in trust. This is an opportunity to allow this tribe to
become self-sufficient by producing a viable gaming operation. The
project would be designed to have a minimal component tied to gaming
with a much larger share of the development related to entertainment
and tourism. One of the goals would be to develop activities and bring
in components that enhance the overall Treasure Valley and southwest
Idaho economic environment. The goal is to create new reasons for
people to travel to the region and to work with local businesses to
generate ongoing supply and support ongoing business opportunities.
This legislation, should it be implemented, will create new jobs and
provide an economic boost for eastern Oregon and western Idaho.
______
By Ms. SNOWE:
S. 18. A bill to improve the authority of the Special Inspector
General charged with overseeing the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, with the size and complexity of the
Treasury Department's efforts to administer the Troubled Asset Relief
Program, TARP, which is unprecedented in recent U.S. history, it is
essential to have a Special Inspector General, IG, who is focused
exclusively on conducting effective oversight. When Congress passed the
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, I was proud to join Senator
Baucus, as well as 31 of my other colleagues, to insist that the
legislation direct the Treasury Secretary to appoint a Special IG as
soon as possible. Notably, we tasked the Special IG with ensuring
program transparency by collecting data on the Treasury's actions and
reporting regularly to Congress. One might say that the Special IG is
the cop on the beat dedicated to protecting taxpayers' interests.
Many would argue that the Treasury's current authority is almost
completely unrestrained. There is a saying about what absolute power
does to people and organizations, namely that absolute power corrupts
absolutely. We must not allow unrestrained power to corrupt the
Treasury Department's authority or mission. It is essential that proper
oversight exists so that the Treasury Department is held accountable
for how it expends taxpayer dollars.
A strong IG is even more critical now that the Treasury Department is
directly injecting capital into banks, as well as potentially aiding
other entities that provide consumer credit. The oversight requirements
originally designed by Congress to scrutinize the purchase of toxic
assets do not accurately or adequately describe the Treasury's equity
investments and, therefore, do not provide the strong taxpayer
protections Congress requires.
With the Treasury Department changing the plan day-by-day, there is
growing market uncertainty about how best to address the economic
crisis. The Treasury needs to inspire confidence. It must not follow
Wall Street's example and play fast and loose on the public's dime. The
bottom line is we must ensure the government respects the public's
money more than Wall Street ever did. That will be the Special
Inspector General's job. It is imperative then that the Special IG be
adequately equipped with authority and resources to carry out this
mission.
On Monday, the Finance Committee held a hearing to consider the
nomination of Neil Barofsky to be the Special IG for TARP. Mr. Barofsky
has had a distinguished career as a Federal prosecutor investigating
white-collar crimes, but regardless of how impressive his resume might
be, he cannot succeed at his job if his hands are tied with inadequate
authority and resources. At this hearing, I noted a number of concerns
that I have with the authority, or lack thereof, given to the Special
IG, and for this reason, I rise today, to offer legislation, the
Troubled Asset Relief Program Inspector General Improvement Act, that
will give the Special IG the teeth that he needs to provide the
oversight that taxpayers deserve with their precious tax dollars at
stake.
Time is of the essence with the Treasury already having committed
$290 billion without the Special IG's oversight. We cannot afford any
further delay in the office of the Special IG becoming operational.
Accordingly, because the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA)
did not specify the timing the Treasury Department must observe to
transfer $50 million to the Special IG to set up his office, my
legislation would direct the Treasury Secretary to provide the TARP IG
with $50 million within three days after he is confirmed by the Senate.
In addition, because the TARP IG must hire personnel to get up and
running, my bill includes a proposal to waive applicable civil service
rules that could
[[Page 24349]]
delay that process. I am concerned that without this change, it may be
summer before the TARP IG's office is sufficiently staffed to discharge
its responsibilities.
Notably, EESA requires the TARP to address deficiencies that the
Comptroller General identifies, or to certify to the appropriate
committees of Congress that no action is necessary, but it places no
similar requirement on the TARP regarding audit findings by the Special
IG. My bill would place the same requirements on the TARP to address
recommendations by the Special IG as are required by the findings of
the Comptroller General.
Additionally, now that the Treasury Department has changed course and
decided to inject capital directly into financial institutions rather
than purchase toxic and illiquid assets as originally contemplated,
Congress must be sure that the Special IG has the authority to fully
investigate any other type of transaction undertaken by TARP. Although
many contend that the underlying statute provides the Special IG with
the ability to investigate equity injections, with Treasury Secretary
Paulson hinting that TARP may be expanded to benefit credit card,
student loan, and car loan companies, and with the possibility that the
incoming administration might enlarge the program further still in ways
that we are not fully able to anticipate, it is imperative that the
Special IG have the ability to conduct oversight over whatever way
funds are ultimately expended. My legislation mandates that the Special
IG can go wherever necessary to protect taxpayers.
Last but not least, as there is tremendous concern in many quarters
that financial institutions will use the $250 billion in equity
injections they have been allocated pursuant to TARP to either purchase
their weaker competitors or simply pay dividends to shareholders, I
believe it is absolutely critical that the public understand exactly
how these funds are being committed. Although I hope the funds will be
used to promote lending, which is so critical to restoring economic
growth and job creation, we must be sure that such lending occurs.
Accordingly, my bill would require the TARP IG to prepare by July 1,
2009, an analysis for Congress of what exactly banks did with the $250
billion they have received.
Finally, Mr. President, I would be remiss not to acknowledge similar
legislation introduced yesterday by my colleagues Senators McCaskill,
Grassley, Collins, and Lieberman. Although their legislation would
speed the hiring process to allow the TARP IG to quickly begin
operations, as well as allow the IG to investigate any initiative
created as part of the program, it would not make some of the other
changes I believe are absolutely vital. All that said, I hope that we
can work together on a consensus, bipartisan package that can
expeditiously clear the Senate.
Mr. Prsident, 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. 18
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 ``Troubled Asset Relief
Program Inspector General Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. FUNDING OF THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR
GENERAL.
Section 121(g)(1) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization
Act of 2008 (division A of Public Law 110-343) is amended by
inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, not
later than 3 days after the date on which the nomination of
the Special Inspector General is first confirmed by the
Senate''.
SEC. 3. OBLIGATION TO RESPOND TO AUDITS.
Section 121 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of
2008 (division A of Public Law 110-343) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), and (h) as
subsections (g), (h), and (i), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Corrective Responses to Audit Problems.--The
Secretary shall--
``(1) take action to address deficiencies identified by the
Special Inspector General or other auditor engaged by the
TARP; or
``(2) certify to appropriate committees of Congress that no
action is necessary or appropriate.''.
SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT MECHANISMS.
Section 121(c)(1) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization
Act of 2008 (division A of Public Law 110-343) is amended by
striking ``purchase, management'' and all that follows
through ``including'' and inserting ``activities of the
Secretary in the expenditure or obligation of funds under
this title, including''.
SEC. 5. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.
Section 121(g) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act
of 2008 (division A of Public Law 110-343), as so designated
by this Act, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Not later than July 1, 2009, the Special Inspector
General shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing,
and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report
analyzing the use of any funds received by a financial
institution under the TARP.''.
SEC. 6. PERSONNEL AUTHORITIES.
Section 121(e)(1) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization
Act of 2008 (division A of Public Law 110-343) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(1)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the Special Inspector
General may exercise the employment authorities of
subsections (b) through (i) of section 3161 of title 5,
United States Code (without regard to subsection (a) of that
section).
``(ii) In exercising the employment authorities under
subsection (b) of section 3161 of title 5, United States
Code, (as provided under clause (i)) the Special Inspector
General may not make any appointment on or after the date
occurring 1 year after the date of the first confirmation of
a nomination for the Special Inspector General.''.
______
By Mrs. CLINTON (for herself and Mrs. Murray):
S. 20. A bill to prohibit the implementation 'or enforcement of
certain regulations; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions.
Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, as this session comes rapidly to a
close, my colleague Senator Murray and I are introducing critical
legislation to suspend the Bush administration's latest attempt to put
ideology before women's health. The rule being proposed by the
administration would limit patients' access to basic reproductive
health care services and information.
The Protecting Patients and Health Care Act would prevent HHS from
implementing this ill-conceived, midnight regulation.
As you know, Senator Murray and I have been speaking out against this
rule since July. The rule, as it was then proposed in August by the
Department of Health and Human Services, is a serious threat to
patients' access to information and care.
Then in September, Senator Murray and I had a very frank conversation
with Secretary Leavitt about how this rule could create a slippery
slope leading to patients being denied access to contraception and
other important information or care. However, despite the important
concerns we raised to the Secretary, the New York Times reported this
past Monday that in the coming days, HHS plans to release a final
regulation that would undermine women's health.
I am hopeful that my Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle
will join me today in supporting this important piece of legislation to
protect patients' rights and health care.
______
By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. Harkin):
S. 3709. A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 to expand the Rural Energy for America Program to include
schools in rural areas; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation, along
with my colleague Senator Harkin, to create opportunities for schools,
located in rural communities across this country, to compete for grants
and loans to purchase energy systems or make energy efficiency
improvements.
The recently passed Farm Bill authorized roughly $1 billion in
mandatory spending for renewable energy programs. One of those programs
is
[[Page 24350]]
The Rural Energy for America Program, REAP. This program provides
loans, loan guarantees, and grants to agricultural producers and rural
small businesses to invest in energy saving improvements to their
current energy systems or to purchase renewable energy systems.
Examples include purchasing or replacing equipment with more efficiency
units, such as lighting or insulation, or the wholesale installment of
energy projects that produce energy from wind, solar, biomass,
geothermal, and hydrogen-based sources to produce any form of energy
including, heat, electricity, or fuel.
My legislation would authorize an additional $100 million over 5
years for these grants and in effect expand the scope of the program,
allowing it to better meet the needs of rural communities and creating
important incentives for institutions to invest in renewable
technology. It is my hope that Congress will support this legislation
and its goal of helping rural communities play a key role in our
Nation's energy future.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3709
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 9007 of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and rural small businesses'' each place
it appears and inserting ``, rural small businesses, and
rural schools''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(6) and (c)(3)(A), by striking ``or
rural small business'' each place it appears and insert ``,
rural small business, or rural school''.
(b) Definition of Rural School.--Section 9007(a) of the
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.
8107(a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting
appropriately; and
(2) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) Definition of rural school.--In this section, the
term `rural school' means a school in a rural area (as
defined in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a))).
``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary''.
(c) Mandatory Funding.--Section 9007(g)(1) of the Farm
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.
8107(g)(1) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) as
clauses (i) through (iv), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(2) by striking ``Of the funds'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) In general.--Of the funds''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Funding for rural schools.--In addition to amounts
made available under subparagraph (A), of the funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to
provide assistance to rural schools under this section,
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013, to
remain available until expended.''.
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I am proud to cosponsor this
legislation to expand the Rural Energy for America Program, REAP, to
include schools in rural areas. This amendment to the program will
encourage our rural schools to carry out energy efficiency projects and
install renewable energy systems, thus reducing their dependence on
fossil energy and reducing future energy costs. I am proud to join my
colleague, Senator Reid of Nevada, as a cosponsor of this bill.
The Rural Energy for America Program, enacted in the 2008 farm bill--
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008--is an expansion of the
very successful section 9006 program which was established by the 2002
farm bill. The program has supported over 2,000 renewable energy and
energy efficiency projects for farmers, ranchers, and rural small
businesses since its enactment. Most impressive is the fact that the
Federal investments in these projects were matched by almost 10 times
as much in funding from the developers of the projects and other
sources. This truly is a hallmark of a successful Federal program,
exactly the kind of program that deserves expansion, especially because
it supports rural economic development while helping to provide us with
cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. Expanding this program to
rural schools just makes sense--they foster rural economic development
and should be able to take part in this transition to better energy
systems and to realize the associated environmental and economic
benefits.
I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in passing this important
legislation.
______
By Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Hatch,
Mr. Grassley, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Bingaman):
S. 3711. A bill to authorize a cost of living adjustment for the
Federal judiciary; considered and passed.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the
bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
placed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3711
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR THE FEDERAL
JUDICIARY.
Pursuant to section 140 of Public Law 97-92, justices and
judges of the United States are authorized during fiscal year
2009 to receive a salary adjustment in accordance with
section 461 of title 28, United States Code.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Akaka):
S. 3713: A bill to provide for the integration of the Captain James
A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and the Great Lakes Naval Health
Clinic, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
placed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3713
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 ``Captain James A. Lovell
Federal Health Care Center Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. TRANSFER OF PROPERTY.
(a) Transfer.--
(1) Transfer authorized.--Upon the conclusion of a
resource-sharing agreement between the Secretary of Defense
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs providing for the joint
use by the Department of Defense and the Department of
Veterans Affairs of a facility and supporting facilities in
North Chicago, Illinois, and Great Lakes, Illinois, and for
joint use of related medical personal property and equipment,
the Secretary of Defense may transfer, without reimbursement,
to the Department of Veterans Affairs the Navy ambulatory
care center (on which construction commenced in July 2008),
parking structure, and supporting facilities, and related
medical personal property and equipment, located in Great
Lakes, Illinois.
(2) Designation of joint use facility.--The facility and
supporting facilities subject to joint use under the
agreement and transfer under this subsection shall be
designated as known as the ``Captain James A. Lovell Federal
Health Care Center''.
(b) Reversion.--
(1) In general.--If any of the real and related personal
property transferred pursuant to subsection (a) is
subsequently used for purposes other than the purposes
specified in the joint use specified in the resource-sharing
agreement described in that subsection or otherwise
determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be excess
to the needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall offer to transfer such
property, without reimbursement, to the Secretary of Defense.
Any such transfer shall be completed not later than one year
after the acceptance of the offer of transfer.
(2) Reversion in event of lack of facilities integration.--
(A) Within initial period.--During the 5-year period
beginning on the date of the transfer of the real and related
personal property described in subsection (a), if the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense
jointly determine that the integration of the facilities
described in that subsection should not continue, the real
and related personal property of the Navy ambulatory care
center, parking structure, and support facilities described
in that subsection shall be transferred, without
reimbursement, to the Secretary of Defense. Such transfer
shall occur not later than 180 days after the date of such
determination by the Secretaries.
(B) After initial period.--After the end of the 5-year
period described in subparagraph (A), if either the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary of Defense determines
[[Page 24351]]
that the integration of the facilities described in
subsection (a) should not continue, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall transfer, without reimbursement, to the
Secretary of Defense the real and related personal property
described in paragraph (1). Such transfer shall occur not
later than one year after the date of the determination by
the Secretary concerned.
SEC. 3. TRANSFER OF CIVILIAN PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE.
(a) Authorization for Transfer of Functions.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may transfer to
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs may accept from the Department of Defense,
functions necessary for the effective operation of the
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center.
(2) Treatment of transfers.--Any transfer of functions
under this subsection is a transfer of functions within the
meaning of section 3503 of title 5, United States Code.
(b) Terms of Agreement.--
(1) Resource-sharing agreement.--Any transfer of functions
under subsection (a) shall be effectuated in a resource-
sharing agreement between the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(2) Elements.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
including but not limited to any provisions of title 5,
United States Code, relating to transfers of function or
reductions-in-force, the agreement described in paragraph (1)
shall be controlling and may make provision for--
(A) the transfer of civilian employee positions of the
Department of Defense identified in the agreement to the
Department of Veterans Affairs and of the incumbent civilian
employees in such positions;
(B) the transition of transferred employees to pay,
benefits, and personnel systems of the Department of Veterans
Affairs in a manner which will not result in any reduction of
pay, grade, or employment progression of any employee or any
change in employment status for employees who have already
successfully completed or are in the process of completing a
one-year probationary period under title 5, United States
Code;
(C) the establishment of integrated seniority lists and
other personnel management provisions that recognize an
employee's experience and training so as to provide
comparable recognition of employees previously with the
Department of Veterans Affairs and employees newly
transferred to such Department; and
(D) such other matters relating to civilian personnel
management as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs consider appropriate.
(c) Preservation of Authority.--Notwithstanding subsections
(a) and (b), nothing in this section shall be construed as
limiting the authority of the Secretary of Defense to
establish civilian employee positions in the Department of
Defense and utilize all civilian personnel authorities
otherwise available to the Secretary if the Secretary
determines that such actions are necessary and appropriate to
meet mission requirements of the Department of Defense.
SEC. 4. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF JOINT INCENTIVE FUND.
(a) Ten-Year Extension of Authority for Joint Incentives
Program.--Paragraph (3) of section 8111(d) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``2010'' and
inserting ``2020''.
(b) Funding of Maintenance and Minor Construction From the
Joint Incentive Fund.--Paragraph (2) of such section is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
``Such purposes shall include real property maintenance and
minor construction projects that are not required to be
specifically authorized by law under section 8104 of this
title and section 2805 of title 10.''.
SEC. 5. HEALTH CARE ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES AT THE CAPTAIN
JAMES A. LOVELL FEDERAL HEALTH CARE CENTER.
(a) In General.--For purposes of eligibility for health
care under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, the
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center authorized
by this Act may be deemed to be a facility of the uniformed
services to the extent provided in an agreement between the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
under subsection (b).
(b) Elements of Agreement.--Subsection (a) may be
implemented through an agreement between the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense. The agreement
may--
(1) establish an integrated priority list for access to
available care at the facility described in subsection (a),
integrating the respective priority lists of the Secretaries,
taking into account categories of beneficiaries, enrollment
program status, and such other factors as the Secretaries
determine appropriate;
(2) incorporate any resource-related limitations for access
to care at that facility established by the Secretary of
Defense for purposes of administering space-available
eligibility for care in facilities of the uniformed services
under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code;
(3) allocate financial responsibility for care provided at
that facility for individuals who are eligible for care under
both title 38, United States Code, and chapter 55 of title
10, United States Code; and
(4) waive the applicability to that facility of any
provision of section 8111(e) of title 38, United States Code,
as specified by the Secretaries.
______
By Mr. HARKIN:
S. 3714. A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to ensure that
all agreements, contracts, and transactions with respect to commodities
are carried out on a regulated exchange, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today, I am introducing legislation--the
Derivatives Trading Integrity Act--which calls for establishing
stronger standards of openness, transparency and integrity in the
trading of financial swaps and other over-the-counter derivatives as a
critical step toward rebuilding and restoring confidence in the
financial system. With the total face value of swaps reaching a high of
some $531 trillion at the middle of this year--8-and-a-half times the
world GDP of $62 trillion--it is long past time for accountability in
these markets. Over the years, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
and Congress have responded to concerns of the the swaps industry by
allowing instruments that are in form and function futures contracts to
be privately negotiated without the safeguards provided through
exchange trading.
The economic downturn in this country is forcing us to examine all
contributing factors to the crisis in our financial markets. By
restoring reasonable safeguards and regulation of swaps, including
credit default swaps, along with all other futures contracts, this
legislation will go a long way to restore confidence in the markets and
reestablish soundness and integrity in the financial system. My bill
will end the unregulated ``casino capitalism'' that has engendered
great risks in swaps trading. And it will bring these transactions out
into the sunlight where they can be monitored and appropriately and
responsibly regulated. This legislation will establish authority and
safeguards to ensure that parties can meet their obligations to manage
and reduce danger and risk to the entire financial system and economy.
Virtually all contracts now commonly referred to as swaps fall under
the definition of futures contracts and function basically in the same
manner as futures contracts. This bill amends the Commodity Exchange
Act to eliminate the distinction in futures contracts among
``excluded'' and ``exempt'' commodities and regulated, exchange-traded
commodities; futures contracts for all commodities would be treated the
same.
In addition, the bill eliminates the statutory exclusion of swap
transactions from regulation, and it ends the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission's authority to exempt such transactions from the general
requirement that a contract for the purchase or sale of a commodity for
future delivery can only trade on a regulated board of trade. In
effect, this means that all futures contracts must trade on a
designated contract market or a derivatives transaction execution
facility.
Last month, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and
Forestry heard dramatic testimony about the impact of unregulated
financial derivatives on the U.S. economy. We have seen large negative
consequences from the lack of price transparency and the failure to
properly measure and collateralize the risk in trading over-the-counter
derivatives. The problems have not been in the trading of financial
futures on regulated futures markets, subject to the oversight of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
This legislation I am introducing will establish the standards that
all futures contracts trade on regulated exchange. The regulated
exchanges will work with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to
ensure that trading on the exchange is fair and equitable and not
subject to abuses. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has the
experience and expertise to oversee these matters.
Bringing necessary openness, transparency, soundness, and integrity
to
[[Page 24352]]
trading in contracts which are now unregulated over-the-counter swaps
and related derivatives is a key element in restoring trust and
confidence in the financial system so that we can rebuild our economy
on a solid foundation.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3714
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 ``Derivatives Trading
Integrity Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. REGULATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS, AND
TRANSACTIONS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act
(7 U.S.C. 1a) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraphs (10), (11), (13), (14), and
(33); and
(2) by redesignating--
(A) paragraph (12) as paragraph (10);
(B) paragraphs (15) through (32) as paragraphs (11) through
(28), respectively; and
(C) paragraph (34) as paragraph (29).
(b) Exclusions.--Section 2 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7
U.S.C. 2) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (d), (e), (g), (h), and (i);
and
(2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (d).
(c) Restriction of Futures Trading to Contract Markets or
Derivatives Transaction Execution Facilities.--Section 4 of
the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``Unless exempted by the Commission pursuant
to subsection (c), it shall'' and inserting ``It shall'';
(2) by striking subsection (c); and
(3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
(d) Exempt Boards of Trade.--Section 5d of the Commodity
Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 7a-3) is repealed.
SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a)
(as amended by section 2(a)(2)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (10)(A)(x), by striking ``(other than an
electronic trading facility with respect to a significant
price discovery contract)'';
(2) in paragraph (25)--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (E); and
(3) in paragraph (27), by striking ``section 2(c), 2(d),
2(f), or 2(g) of this Act'' and inserting ``subsection (c) or
(d) of section 2''.
(b) Section 2(c) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
2(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``5d,''; and
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``in an excluded
commodity''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(B)(i)(II)--
(A) in item (cc), by striking ``section 1a(20) of this
Act'' each place it appears and inserting ``section 1a(16)'';
and
(B) in item (dd), by striking ``section 1a(12)(A)(ii) of
this Act'' and inserting ``section 1a(10)(A)(ii)''.
(c) Section 4a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6a)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ``or on electronic
trading facilities with respect to a significant price
discovery contract''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``or on an
electronic trading facility with respect to a significant
price discovery contract,'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or electronic trading
facility with respect to a significant price discovery
contract''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding the proviso,
by striking ``or electronic trading facility with respect to
a significant price discovery contract''; and
(3) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the first sentence--
(i) in the matter preceding the proviso--
(I) by striking ``or by any electronic trading facility'';
(II) by striking ``or on an electronic trading facility'';
and
(III) by striking ``or electronic trading facility''; and
(ii) in the proviso, by striking ``or electronic trading
facility''; and
(B) in the second sentence, in the matter preceding the
proviso, by striking ``or electronic trading facility with
respect to a significant price discovery contract''.
(d) Section 4g(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
6g(a)) is amended by striking ``and in any significant price
discovery contract traded or executed on an electronic
trading facility or''.
(e) Section 4i of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6i)
is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``or
any significant price discovery contract traded or executed
on an electronic trading facility''; and
(2) in the matter following paragraph (2), by striking ``or
electronic trading facility''.
(f) Section 5a of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 7a)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by inserting ``or'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``; or'' and inserting
a period; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (F); and
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Election To Trade
Excluded and Exempt Commodities'' and inserting ``Excluded
Securities''; and
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``excluded or exempt commodities other
than'' and inserting ``commodities other than an agricultural
commodity enumerated in section 1a(4) or''; and
(ii) by striking ``, 2(d), or 2(g) of this Act, or exempt
under section 2(h) of this Act''.
(g) Section 5b of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 7a-
1) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``section
2(a)(1)(C)(i), 2(c), 2(d), 2(f), or 2(g) of this Act or title
IV of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, or
exempted under section 2(h) or 4(c) of this Act'' and
inserting ``subsection (a)(1)(C)(i), (c), or (d) of section 2
or title IV of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of
2000 (Public Law 106-554; 114 Stat. 2763A457)''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``section 2(c), 2(d),
2(f), or 2(g) of this Act or title IV of the Commodity
Futures Modernization Act of 2000, or exempted under section
2(h) or 4(c) of this Act'' and inserting ``subsection (c) or
(d) of section 2 or title IV of the Commodity Futures
Modernization Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-554; 114 Stat.
2763A457)''.
(h) Section 5c of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 7a-
2) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``and section 2(h)(7)
with respect to significant price discovery contracts,'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, derivatives
transaction execution facility, or electronic trading
facility with respect to a significant price discovery
contract'' and inserting ``or derivatives transaction
execution facility''; and
(B) in paragraphs (2) and (3), by striking ``, derivatives
transaction execution facility, or electronic trading
facility'' each place it appears and inserting ``or
derivatives transaction execution facility''; and
(3) in subsection (d)(1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``or 2(h)(7)(C) with respect to
a significant price discovery contract traded or executed on
an electronic trading facility,''.
(i) Section 5e of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 7b)
is amended by striking ``or revocation of the right of an
electronic trading facility to rely on the exemption set
forth in section 2(h)(3) with respect to a significant price
discovery contract,''.
(j) Section 5f(b)(1) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7
U.S.C. 7b-1(b)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``section 5f'' and inserting
``this section''.
(k) Section 6(b) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
8(b)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``or to revoke the right of an electronic
trading facility to rely on the exemption set forth in
section 2(h)(3) with respect to a significant price discovery
contract,''; and
(B) by striking ``or electronic trading facility''; and
(2) in the second sentence, in the matter preceding the
proviso, by striking ``or electronic trading facility''.
(l) Section 12(e) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
16(e)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Effect.--This Act supersedes and preempts the
application of any State or local law that prohibits or
regulates gaming or the operation of bucket shops (other than
antifraud provisions of general applicability) in the case of
an agreement, contract, or transaction that is excluded from
this Act under--
``(A) subsection (c) or (d) of section 2; or
``(B) title IV of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act
of 2000 (Public Law 106-554; 114 Stat. 2763A457).''.
(m) Section 15(b) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
19(b)) is amended by striking ``4(c) or''.
(n) Section 22(b)(1)(A) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7
U.S.C. 25(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``by section
2(h)(7) or sections 5 through 5c'' and inserting ``under
sections 5 through 5c''.
(o) Section 13106(b)(1) of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2 note; Public Law 110-246) is
amended by striking ``section 1a(32)'' and inserting
``section 1a''.
______
By Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mr. Bond, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Voinovich,
Mr. Brown, Mr. Specter, and Mr. Casey):
[[Page 24353]]
S. 3715. A bill to provide for emergency bridge loan assistance to
automobile manufacturers and component suppliers; to the Committee on
Appropriations.
Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce with my colleagues the Auto
Industry Emergency Bridge Loan Act.
This legislation is the product of a bipartisan effort to provide
bridge loans of up to $25 billion to the auto industry. Auto industries
around the world, including China and Europe, are requesting loans from
their governments because of the dramatic decline of the global economy
and the drastic reduction in car purchases and the availability of
credit.
Our proposition is not only bipartisan. It is a hybrid proposal
combining provisions from many sources.
We incorporate Leader Reid's provisions on strong taxpayer
protections, including stock warrants for the government, provisions
restricting executive compensation, including bonuses and golden
parachutes, and provisions requiring long term plans for financial
viability. Suppliers are also made eligible for the loans.
The language of Chairman Barney Frank, of the House Financial
Services Committee, was heavily utilized including retention of Section
136's environmental standards, such as 25 percent improvement in fuel
economy and Tier II emissions standards. His oversight board membership
approach is also included.
The White House opposed the use of any of the $700 billion, already-
appropriated stabilization fund, and the Majority Leader said yesterday
that there were not enough votes in the Senate to pass an amendment
using those funds. We cannot allow the issue of which source of already
appropriated funds will be used for the essential purpose of preventing
the economy from sliding into a depression, which is a real possibility
if one or more of the domestic auto companies goes under, given the
impact of the auto industry on millions of jobs, on suppliers that are
in most of our States and on all of our communities which have Big 3
auto dealers.
So we agreed that the only alternative which can prevent those
disastrous results is for the funding stream for the loans to come from
the so-called Section 136 appropriation that we provided earlier this
year in the consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2009. However, the structure of Section 136 is
preserved in permanent law for the balance of its appropriation not
utilized for loans, and the environmental standards of section 136,
including strengthened fuel economy and emissions standards, are
preserved. Also, loan repayments will be used to replenish Section 136,
along with any proceeds from the sale of company stock owned by the
government.
Under our proposal, this emergency bridge loan program would be
administered by the Secretary of Commerce.
The time for Congress to act on this pressing issue is growing short.
People in communities across this country are anxiously watching to see
what we are going to do. They are sick with worry. Not acting on a
solution will provoke anger and frustration in hundreds of communities
which supply components or have auto dealers. This is a Main Street
issue--a direct jobs issue for millions of families.
I know there is frustration with the past actions of the U.S. auto
companies. Some blame them for the quality problems of the 1970s, or
for paying their executives and their workers too much, or for not
moving aggressively enough to produce advanced technology, fuel
efficient cars. But we can't throw millions of jobs, a vital segment of
our industrial base and our economy overboard just because of this
frustration.
President Bush, President-elect Obama, and the leadership and
probably a majority of the Congress all agree that we needed to provide
bridge loans to support the U.S. auto industry, and I am pleased that
the leadership of the Congress has said that we will address this issue
beginning December 8.
The stakes for our future economic security and well-being are
enormous. One way or another, we must provide the bridge loans for the
domestic auto industry--for the sake of millions of workers and their
future and to keep our economy from being pushed into a depression.
I want to thank the cosponsors of this legislation, Senator Bond,
Senator Stabenow, Senator Voinovich, Senator Brown, Senator Specter and
Senator Casey for their assistance in preparing this bipartisan
legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting it.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3715
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 ``Auto Industry Emergency
Bridge Loan Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Automobile manufacturer or component supplier.--The
term ``automobile manufacturer or component supplier'' means
an automobile manufacturer or component supplier or any
successor thereto.
(2) Golden parachute payment.--The term ``golden parachute
payment'' means any payment to a senior executive officer for
departure from a company for any reason.
(3) Financial viability.--The term ``financial viability''
means, using generally acceptable accounting principles, that
there is a reasonable prospect that the applicant will be
able to make payments of principal and interest on the loan
as and when such payments become due under the terms of the
loan documents, and that the applicant has a net present
value that is positive.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(5) Senior executive officer.--The term ``senior executive
officer'' means an individual who is 1 of the top 5 most
highly paid executives of a public company, whose
compensation is required to be disclosed pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any regulations issued
thereunder, and nonpublic company counterparts.
SEC. 3. AUTO INDUSTRY EMERGENCY BRIDGE LOAN PROGRAM.
On or before March 31, 2009, the Secretary shall make loans
from funds provided under this section to automobile
manufacturers or component suppliers that have--
(1) operations in the United States, the failure of which
would have a systemic adverse effect on the overall United
States economy or a significant loss of United States jobs,
as determined by the Secretary;
(2) operated a manufacturing facility for the purposes of
producing automobiles or automobile components in the United
States throughout the 20-year period ending on the date of
the enactment of this Act; and
(3) submitted a complete application for a loan under this
section pursuant to section 4(a), which has been determined
eligible under section 4(b).
SEC. 4. PLAN TO ENSURE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF BORROWER.
(a) In General.--At the time of application for a loan
under this Act, an automobile manufacturer or component
supplier shall submit to the Secretary a detailed plan that
describes how the requested Government funds--
(1) would be utilized to ensure the financial viability of
the manufacturer or supplier; and
(2) would stimulate automobile production in the United
States; and
(3) would improve the capacity of the manufacturer or
supplier to pursue the timely and aggressive production of
energy-efficient advanced technology vehicles.
(b) Plan Contents.--A plan submitted under this section
shall detail cost control measures and performance goals and
milestones.
SEC. 5. APPLICATIONS, ELIGIBILITY AND DISBURSEMENTS.
(a) Applications.--On and after the date that is 3 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall accept applications for loans under this Act.
(b) Determination of Eligibility.--Not later than 15 days
after the date on which the Secretary receives a complete
application for a loan under subsection (a), the Secretary
shall, after consultation with other Executive Branch
officials, determine whether--
(1) the applicant meets the requirements described in
sections 3 and 4;
(2) the disbursement of funds and the successful
implementation of the required plan would ensure the
financial viability of the applicant; and
(3) the applicant is therefore eligible to receive a loan
under this Act.
(c) Disbursement.--The Secretary shall begin disbursement
of the proceeds of a loan under this Act to an eligible
applicant not later than 7 days after the date on which the
Secretary receives a disbursal request from the applicant.
[[Page 24354]]
(d) Warrants and Debt Instruments.--The Secretary may not
make a loan under this Act unless the Secretary receives from
the automobile manufacturer or component supplier a warrant
or senior debt instrument from the manufacturer made in
accordance with the requirements for a warrant or senior debt
instrument by a financial institution under section 113(d) of
the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (division A
of Public Law 110-343).
SEC. 6. REPLENISHMENT OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLE
MANUFACTURING INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
(a) Equity Sales.--
(1) Sales authorized.--The Secretary may sell, exercise, or
surrender any equity instrument received under this Act.
(2) Turnaround profits to restore advanced vehicles
manufacturing incentive program.--Proceeds received from a
sale, exercise, or surrender under paragraph (1) may be
credited to the appropriate Government financing account made
available to fulfill the advanced technology vehicle
manufacturing incentive purpose under section 136 of the
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-
140; 42 U.S.C. 17013) until the amount loaned under this Act
has been repaid.
(3) Reduction of public debt.--Proceeds received from a
sale, exercise, or surrender under paragraph (1) that takes
place after the amount loaned under this Act has been repaid
in accordance with paragraph (2) may be used to reduce the
public debt.
(b) Repaid Loan Funds.--
(1) In general.--Loan amounts repaid under this Act may be
credited to the appropriate Government financing account made
available to fulfill the advanced technology vehicle
manufacturing incentive purpose of section 136 of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 until the amount loaned
under this Act is repaid.
(2) Reduction of public debt.--Loan amounts repaid under
this Act after the amount loaned under this Act has been
repaid may be used to reduce the public debt.
SEC. 7. LIMITS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
(a) Standards Required.--The Secretary shall require any
recipient of a loan under this Act to meet appropriate
standards for executive compensation and corporate
governance.
(b) Specific Requirements.--The standards established under
subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) Limits on compensation that exclude incentives for
senior executive officers of a recipient of a loan under this
Act to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the
value of such recipient during the period that the loan is
outstanding.
(2) A provision for the recovery by such recipient of any
bonus or incentive compensation paid to a senior executive
officer based on statements of earnings, gains, or other
criteria that are later found to be materially inaccurate.
(3) A prohibition on such recipient making any golden
parachute payment to a senior executive officer during the
period that the loan under this Act is outstanding.
(4) A prohibition on such recipient paying or accruing any
bonus or incentive compensation during the period that the
loan under this Act is outstanding to any executive whose
annual base compensation exceeds $250,000 (which amount shall
be adjusted by the Secretary for inflation).
(5) A prohibition on any compensation plan that could
encourage manipulation of the reported earnings of the
recipient to enhance compensation of any of its employees.
SEC. 8. PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS FOR LOBBYING
ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--A recipient of a loan under this Act may
not use such funds for any lobbying expenditures or political
contributions.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Lobbying expenditures.--The term ``lobbying
expenditures'' has the meaning given the term in section
4911(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2) Political contributions.--The term ``political
contribution'' means any contribution on behalf of a
political candidate or to a separate segregated fund
described in section 316(b)(2)(C) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441b(b)(2)(C)).
SEC. 9. PROHIBITION ON PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS.
No common stock dividends may be paid by any recipient of a
loan under this Act for the duration of the loan.
SEC. 10. AUTO INDUSTRY EMERGENCY BRIDGE LOAN OVERSIGHT BOARD.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Auto Industry
Emergency Bridge Loan Oversight Board (in this section
referred to as the ``Board''), which shall be responsible for
reviewing and providing advice concerning the exercise of
authority under this Act, including--
(1) the progress of the applicant in meeting the
performance goals and milestones under its financial
viability plan required under section 4;
(2) recommending changes, as necessary and appropriate, to
the Secretary in meeting the goals and milestones under the
financial viability plan, and senior management and board of
directors to the automobile manufacturers and component
suppliers assisted under this Act; and
(3) reporting any suspected fraud, misrepresentation, or
malfeasance to the Inspector General of the Department of
Commerce or the Attorney General of the United States,
consistent with section 535(b) of title 28, United States
Code.
(b) Membership.--The Board shall be comprised of--
(1) the Secretary of Commerce;
(2) the Secretary of Energy;
(3) the Secretary of Transportation;
(4) the Secretary of the Treasury;
(5) the Secretary of Labor; and
(6) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency.
(c) Chairperson.--The chairperson of the Board shall be the
Secretary of Commerce.
(d) Meetings.--The Board shall meet--
(1) not later than 14 days after the first disbursement of
funds provided under this Act; and
(2) not less frequently than monthly thereafter.
(e) Reports.--The Board shall report to the appropriate
committees of Congress, not less frequently than quarterly,
on the matters described under this section.
(f) Oversight of Transactions and Financial Condition.--
(1) Duty to inform.--During the period in which any loan
extended under this Act remains outstanding, the recipient of
such loan shall promptly inform the Secretary and the Board
of--
(A) any asset sale, investment, or commitment for any asset
sale or investment proposed to be entered into by such
recipient that has a value in excess of $25,000,000; and
(B) any other material change in the financial condition of
such recipient.
(2) Authority of the secretary.--During the period in which
any loan extended under this Act remains outstanding, the
Secretary, in consultation with the Board, may--
(A) promptly review any asset sale or investment described
in paragraph (1) or any commitment for such asset sale or
investment; and
(B) direct the recipient of the loan that it should not
consummate such proposed sale or investment or commitment for
such sale or investment.
(3) Regulations.--The Board may establish, by regulation,
procedures for conducting any review under this subsection.
(g) Termination.--The Board, and its authority under this
section, shall terminate not later than 6 months after the
date on which the last loan amounts under this section are
repaid.
SEC. 11. PRIORITIZATION OF LOAN ALLOCATIONS.
In allocating loan amounts under this Act, the Secretary
shall consider the magnitude of the impact of the
manufacturing operations of the applicant in the United
States on the overall economy of the United States and other
segments of the automobile industry, including the impact on
levels of employment, domestic manufacturing of automobiles
and automobile components, and automobile dealerships.
SEC. 12. RATE OF INTEREST.
The annual rate of interest for a loan under this Act shall
be--
(a) 5 percent during the 5-year period beginning on the
date on which the Secretary disburses the loan; and
(b) 9 percent after the end of the period described in
paragraph (1).
SEC. 13. NO PREPAYMENT PENALTY.
A loan made under this Act shall be prepayable without
penalty at any time.
SEC. 14. DISCHARGE.
A discharge under title 11, United States Code, shall not
discharge the borrower from any debt for funds authorized to
be disbursed under this Act.
SEC. 15. FEES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may charge and collect fees
for disbursements under this Act in amounts that the
Secretary determines are sufficient to cover applicable
administrative expenses.
(b) Availability.--Fees collected under this section--
(1) shall be deposited by the Secretary into the Treasury
of the United States;
(2) shall be used by the Secretary to pay administrative
expenses of making awards and loans under this Act; and
(3) shall remain available until expended, without further
appropriation.
SEC. 16. JUDICIAL REVIEW AND RELATED MATTERS.
(a) Standards.--Actions by the Secretary pursuant to the
authority of this Act shall be subject to chapter 7 of title
5, United States Code, including that such final actions
shall be held unlawful and set aside if found to be
arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or not in
accordance with law.
(b) Limitations on Equitable Relief.--
(1) Injunction.--No injunction or other form of equitable
relief shall be issued against the Secretary for actions
pursuant to this Act, other than to remedy a violation of the
Constitution.
(2) Temporary restraining order.--Any request for a
temporary restraining order against the Secretary for actions
pursuant to this Act shall be considered and granted or
denied by the court within 3 days of the date of the request.
(3) Preliminary injunction.--Any request for a preliminary
injunction against the Secretary for actions pursuant to this
Act shall
[[Page 24355]]
be considered and granted or denied by the court on an
expedited basis consistent with the provisions of rule
65(b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or any
successor to such rule.
(4) Permanent injunction.--Any request for a permanent
injunction against the Secretary for actions pursuant to this
Act shall be considered and granted or denied by the court on
an expedited basis. Whenever possible, the court shall
consolidate trial on the merits with any hearing on a request
for a preliminary injunction, consistent with the provisions
of rule 65(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or
any successor to such rule.
(5) Limitation on actions by participating companies.--No
action or claims may be brought against the Secretary by any
person that divests its assets with respect to its
participation in a program under this Act, except as provided
in paragraph (1), other than as expressly provided in a
written contract with the Secretary.
(6) Stays.--Any injunction or other form of equitable
relief issued against the Secretary for actions pursuant to
this Act shall be automatically stayed. The stay shall be
lifted, unless the Secretary seeks a stay from a higher court
within 3 calendar days after the date on which the relief is
issued.
(c) Savings Clause.--Any exercise of the authority of the
Secretary pursuant to this section shall not impair the
claims or defenses that would otherwise apply with respect to
persons other than the Secretary.
SEC. 17. FUNDING.
(a) In General.--The $7,500,000,000 appropriated for fiscal
year 2009 for direct loans under section 129 of the
Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2009 (division A of Public Law 110-329)
is rescinded.
(b) Appropriations.--There is appropriated to the Secretary
of Commerce $7,500,000,000 to the ``Department of Commerce -
Emergency Bridge Loan Program Account'' for the cost of
direct loans authorized under this Act, which shall remain
available until expended. Commitments for direct loans using
such amount shall not exceed $25,000,000,000 in total loan
principal. The cost of such direct loans, including the cost
of modifying such loans, shall be calculated in accordance
with section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2
U.S.C. 661a).
(c) Transfers for Direct Loans.--Following the receipt of a
notice from the Secretary of Energy certifying the approval
of a loan under the program authorized under section 136 of
the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law
110-140; 42 U.S.C. 17013), the Secretary may transfer amounts
made available under this Act to the Secretary of Energy, in
an amount sufficient for the cost of the direct loans if such
transfer would not cause the Secretary to exceed the total
appropriation and total commitment level authorized under
subsection (b). Any amounts so transferred shall be available
to the Secretary of Energy without fiscal year limitation and
subject to the terms and conditions described in section 129
of the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.
(d) Use of Remaining Amounts.--Amounts appropriated under
subsection (b) which remain available after March 31, 2009,
shall be transferred to the Secretary of Energy and shall be
used to carry out section 136 of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007, subject to the terms and conditions
described in section 129 of the Consolidated Security,
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.
SEC. 18. COORDINATION WITH OTHER LAWS REGARDING PROMOTION OF
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLE MANUFACTURING.
Nothing in the Act may be construed as altering, affecting,
or superseding the provisions of section 136 of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007, relating to the
technology requirements for energy efficient vehicles.
______
By Mrs. McCASKILL (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Ms. Collins, Mr.
Lieberman, and Mr. Bunning):
S. 3716. A bill to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of
2008 (Public Law 110-343) to provide the Special Inspector General with
additional personnel, audit, and investigation authorities; to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, seven weeks ago Congress faced an
extremely difficult decision of whether or not to pass an unprecedented
$700 billion economic stabilization bill to help our Nation's economy
and financial markets. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, the
Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, was
designed to provide new, expanded authority to the Department of the
Treasury to take immediate action to stabilize our financial markets by
purchasing troubled assets through a program called the Troubled Asset
Relief Program or TARP. This new authority was designed to stop the
continued declines in the financial services industry and the credit
markets.
Like many of the thousands of constituents from Iowa I've heard from,
I shared their concerns that the stabilization plan put hundreds of
billions of taxpayer dollars at risk. During the debate on this
legislation I made it clear that I would only support this package if
it included significant checks on the spending through various
oversight mechanisms. I wanted to make sure the legislation wasn't a
blank check for Government bureaucrats to spend taxpayer dollars with
impunity. I'm glad that Congress listened to my concerns and I'm glad
that specific oversight reforms I recommended were included in the
final package. For instance, the creation of a Special Inspector
General for the Troubled Assets Relief Program (Inspector General) was
something I worked to include in the final legislation to ensure that
an independent watchdog would be looking out for taxpayer funds
allocated to the TARP.
The legislation also has a number of additional oversight provisions
such as the creation of a Financial Stability Oversight Board that is
responsible for reviewing the exercise of the program to ensure the
Treasury is operating as envisioned. Additionally, the legislation
included provisions requiring regular reports from the Treasury to
Congress, Tranche reports outlining any assets Treasury chooses to
purchase, and reports from the Comptroller General at the Government
Accountability Office. The Act also places controls on executive
compensation and corporate governance at participating entities. Taken
together, these provisions were aimed to provide a sturdy foundation
for ensuring the program is properly overseen.
However, despite these controls, many of these oversight provisions
have been slowly implemented or outright ignored until recently. To
date, the Senate has only held hearings on the nomination for the
Special Inspector General and it is unclear when the nomination will be
approved. Until then, the Inspector General at the Department of the
Treasury has devoted some resources to overseeing the TARP, but we need
to act expeditiously to approve the Special Inspector General to ensure
someone is watching over all these taxpayer funds.
I do believe once we confirm a nominee to be the Special Inspector
General that this office will face an uphill battle to work quickly to
hire staff and to get operations moving to find out where all the
billions of dollars are and how they were spent. This isn't an
impossible task, but it is one that will take serious effort and great
leadership to accomplish.
One concern I have with the Special Inspector General is the lack of
authority that office will have to oversee the TARP and new, evolving
programs under the TARP such as the Capital Purchase Plan, or CPP. The
Secretary of the Treasury has indicated publicly that he intends to
continue utilizing his authority under the Act to use the TARP and the
CPP to continue to provide taxpayer funds via equity injections and
stock warrant purchases to banks, financial institutions, and other
entities, as opposed to purchasing distressed assets as the TARP was
originally envisioned. While the Secretary is acting within his
authority, this change was not necessarily envisioned from the
oversight perspective when the Special Inspector General authorization
was drafted. Instead, the current Act could be construed to only give
the Special Inspector General the authority to review purchases of
distressed assets and not the purchases and equity injections currently
ongoing under the CPP. As a result, the Special Inspector General could
be limited in authority to review the TARP before he takes office.
To rectify this, Senator McCaskill and I are here today to introduce
a simple legislative fix to this provision that would amend the Act to
allow the Special Inspector General to review all actions taken under
the TARP, including those of the CPP. This is a straight forward
solution to ensure that the Special Inspector General has all the
[[Page 24356]]
authority necessary to oversee the taxpayer dollars that are being used
to stabilize the financial industry.
This legislation makes one other change to the Act that will help the
Special Inspector General hit the ground running once the Senate
confirms the nomination. Looking back to the last Special Inspector
General Congress created, the Special Inspector General for Iraq
Reconstruction, SIGIR, we noted that Congress provided SIGIR the
authority to utilize special hiring authority to fill these important
jobs quickly and not have them tied up in bureaucratic red tape. This
section of our bill simply states that the Special Inspector General
may utilize special expedited hiring authority authorized under 5
U.S.C. Sec. 3161 for the first six months after the date of enactment
to get the office up and running. Further, the section also removes
statutory limits for how long these special appointments may serve
because we do not want to limit the length of time these employees can
work for the Special Inspector General given we don't know how long
they will be needed to oversee this program.
Taken together, these two simple provisions are necessary to ensure
that the Special Inspector General is the aggressive, independent
watchdog we envisioned when we passed the Act and not just a paper
tiger. As a long time supporter of Inspectors General, I believe this
legislation is necessary to ensure the success of the Special Inspector
General. I urge my colleagues to support this urgent legislative fix to
help ensure that American taxpayer dollars are not lost to fraud,
waste, or abuse because of a simple oversight in the drafting of the
original legislation.
______
By Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. Cornyn):
S. 3717. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow
reimbursement from flexible spending accounts for certain dental
products; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague, Ms.
Stabenow, in introducing the Dental Health Promotion Act of 2008. This
bill would make expenditures on dental products used to prevent or
treat diseases of the mouth to be considered ``qualified'' medical
expenses eligible for reimbursement from a flexible spending
arrangement, FSA. It is identical to H.R. 3109, which was introduced in
the House of Representatives in July 2007.
FSAs are vehicles that allow individuals to use pretax dollars to pay
for ``qualified'' medical and dental expenses that are not reimbursed
by other sources, such as a health insurance plan. Qualified medical
and dental expenses are defined in Section 213(d) of the Internal
Revenue Code and its accompanying regulations and include prescription
and over-the-counter products. For example, an individual can use FSA
dollars to pay for items such as cold medicine, Band-Aids, or pain
relievers. In addition, some dental expenses are currently
reimbursable, such as a crown or a regular dental checkup. But the
money spent on dental products such as fluoride toothpaste, a spin
toothbrush, or dental floss is not currently reimbursable, even though
they help prevent tooth decay. In fact, toothpaste is specifically
excluded from the definition of a qualified expense.
I believe this is an inequity in our tax law that needs to be
corrected. More and more medical research is demonstrating the link
between good oral health and overall health. For example, research
shows that pregnant women with poor oral health tend to deliver lower
birth rate babies. Unfortunately, the definition of dental expenses has
not kept up with medical research.
The legislation Senator Stabenow and I are introducing today would
update the rules governing FSAs to ensure that funds spent on dental
products used to treat or prevent oral disease are treated the same as
other over-the-counter medical expenses. For those concerned about
abuse, this bill makes it clear that money spent on cosmetic products
would not be considered a qualified expense that can be reimbursed by
an FSA.
Mr. President, it makes sense to invest in disease prevention on the
front end. Allowing individuals to set aside money in their FSA to pay
for dental products that can help prevent cavity or periodontal disease
will help to reduce future expenditures on more costly treatments.
____________________
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
______
SENATE RESOLUTION 710--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2 THROUGH
FEBRUARY 6, 2009, AS ``NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND
PREVENTION WEEK''
Mr. CRAPO (for himself, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Murkowski,
Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Bayh) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 710
Whereas 1 in 11 adolescents reports being a victim of
physical dating violence;
Whereas dating violence occurs more frequently among black
students (13.9 percent) than among Hispanic (9.3 percent) or
white (7 percent) students;
Whereas 1 in 5 teenagers in a serious relationship reports
having been hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner;
Whereas more than 1 in 4 teenagers have been in a
relationship where a partner is verbally abusive;
Whereas 30 percent of teenagers in a dating relationship
have been text messaged 10, 20, or 30 times per hour by a
partner attempting to find out where they are, what they are
doing, or who they are with;
Whereas 40 percent of the youngest ``tweens'', those
between the ages of 11 and 12, report that their friends are
victims of verbal abuse in dating relationships;
Whereas nearly 3 in 4 tweens say that dating relationships
usually begin at age 14 or younger;
Whereas 29 percent of girls who have been in a relationship
said that they have been pressured to have sex or to engage
in sexual activities that they did not want;
Whereas 69 percent of all teenagers who had sex by age 14
said they have experienced 1 or more types of abuse in a
dating relationship;
Whereas 1 in 5 teenagers (20 percent) between the ages of
13 and 14 say their friends are victims of dating violence;
Whereas in 2003, in a national survey of over 14,000 high
school students conducted by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, just over 8 percent of boys and girls
reported physical dating violence victimization and were more
likely to engage in risky behaviors including sexual
intercourse, attempted suicide, episodic heavy drinking, and
physical fighting;
Whereas Native American women experience higher rates of
interpersonal violence than any other population group;
Whereas violent relationships in adolescence can have
serious ramifications for victims, putting them at higher
risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual
behavior, suicide, and adult revictimization;
Whereas the severity of violence among intimate partners
has been shown to be greater in cases where the pattern of
violence has been established in adolescence;
Whereas more than 3 times as many tweens (20 percent) as
parents of tweens (6 percent) admit that parents know little
or nothing about the tweens' dating relationships;
Whereas a majority of parents surveyed either believe
dating violence is not an issue or admit they do not know if
it is an issue; and
Whereas the establishment of National Teen Dating Violence
Awareness and Prevention Week will benefit schools,
communities, and families regardless of socio-economic
status, race, or sex: Now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week of February 2 through February 6,
2009, as ``National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and
Prevention Week''; and
(2) calls upon the people of the United States, high
schools, law enforcement, State and local officials, and
interested groups to observe National Teen Dating Violence
Awareness and Prevention Week with appropriate programs and
activities that promote awareness and prevention of the crime
of teen dating violence in their communities.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 711--CONDEMNING THE TRAGIC AND SENSELESS DEATH BY
STONING OF A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL FROM SOMALIA
Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Landrieu,
Ms. Stabenow, and Mrs. Clinton) submitted the following resolution;
which ws considered and agreed to:
[[Page 24357]]
S. Res. 711
Whereas a child from Somalia, identified as Aisha Ibrahim
Duhulow, was raped by 3 men, and when her family reported the
rape to authorities of the al-Shabaab militia that control
the city of Kismayu, Somalia, she was accused of adultery and
ordered to be stoned;
Whereas, in October 2008, Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow was stoned
to death by 50 militant men before 1,000 witnesses in a
public stadium;
Whereas al-Shabaab, some of whose members are affiliated
with al Qaeda, is a violent and brutal extremist group that
has used intimidation and committed human rights violations
to undermine the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia
and threaten activists in civil society working to bring
about peace through political dialogue and reconciliation;
Whereas, on February 29, 2008, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice designated al-Shabaab as a foreign terrorist
organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189) and placed the organization
on the list of specially designated global terrorists
established under the International Emergency Economic Powers
Act and initiated under Executive Order 13224;
Whereas the 2007 Country Report on Human Rights Practices
in Somalia, released on March 11, 2007, by the Department of
State, cited the ``poor human rights situation'' in Somalia,
including ``unlawful and politically motivated killings,
official impunity, and discrimination and violence against
women'';
Whereas stoning is a grave and serious violation of human
rights law, in which the victim is killed in an especially
brutal way;
Whereas stoning is practiced particularly on girls and
women accused of adultery;
Whereas the United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom has condemned the death of Aisha Ibrahim
Duhulow and called on the United States Government to join
other states in speaking out decisively in international fora
against such grave human rights abuses; and
Whereas the United States Government continues to support
the efforts of those working to transform the troubled region
of Somalia through commitment to sound human rights
practices, democratic and representative government, economic
recovery, and lasting peace and reconciliation: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the tragic and senseless death by stoning of
Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow;
(2) urges the international community to join the Senate in
speaking out against this brutal act; and
(3) urges the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia--
(A) to undertake robust efforts to protect women and
children and to prevent acts of institutionalized violence
against women in Somalia;
(B) to work to strengthen the rule of law as part of the
effort by the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to
establish its authority;
(C) to promote equal and fair treatment of women; and
(D) to end the culture of impunity in Somalia.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 712--CONGRATULATING THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ON
WINNING THE 2008 WORLD SERIES
Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Lautenberg,
and Mr. Bunning) submitted the following resolution; which ws
considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 712
Whereas, on October 29, 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies
defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to win the 2008 World Series;
Whereas the 4 to 3 Phillies victory in Game 5 of the Fall
Classic secured for Philadelphia a World Series title for the
first time since 1980, and for the second time in team
history;
Whereas the Tampa Bay Rays deserve congratulations for a
stellar 2008 season, in which, after 10 consecutive losing
seasons, they posted a regular season record of 97-65 and won
the American League Championship Series;
Whereas Tampa Bay Rays Manager and Hazelton, Pennsylvania-
native Joe Maddon established himself as among the premier
managers in Major League Baseball during the 2008 season, and
aptly was named American League Manager of the Year;
Whereas Philadelphia sports fans have consistently
demonstrated their love for, and devotion to, Philadelphia
teams, even after 25 years without winning a major sports
championship;
Whereas, since taking the helm as manager in 2005, Phillies
Manager Charlie Manuel has guided the young Phillies team to
become the best in Major League Baseball;
Whereas recently-retired General Manager Pat Gillick, who
joined the Phillies in 2006, played an integral role in
assembling the World Series-winning team;
Whereas 24-year old pitcher Cole Hamels was named the Most
Valuable Player for both the National League Championship
Series and the World Series, with a 4-0 record and 1.80
Earned Run Average in the post-season;
Whereas starting pitchers Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Joe
Blanton, and Souderton, Pennsylvania-native Jamie Moyer
delivered outstanding performances throughout the post-
season;
Whereas the Phillies' bullpen distinguished itself as among
the greatest in Major League Baseball, particularly closer
Brad Lidge, who finished the 2008 season with 48 out of 48
save opportunities, including the final game of the World
Series;
Whereas the Phillies were led by a talented and tough group
of players including: 2006 MVP Ryan Howard; All-Star Chase
Utley; 2007 MVP and 2007 and 2008 Gold Glove winner Jimmy
Rollins; third baseman Pedro Feliz; veteran outfielder Pat
Burrell; 2008 Gold Glove winner, the ``Flyin' Hawaiian'',
Shane Victorino; outfielder Jayson Werth; and catcher Carlos
Ruiz;
Whereas numerous reserve players made significant
contributions to the Phillies' World Series title run,
including Geoff Jenkins, Chris Coste, Eric Bruntlett, Greg
Dobbs, and Matt Stairs; and
Whereas more than 1,000,000 fans packed the streets of
Philadelphia on October 31, 2008 for a parade along Market
and Broad Streets ending at Citizens Bank Park;
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates--
(A) the Philadelphia Phillies for winning the 2008 World
Series;
(B) the Phillies manager, coaches, and support staff, whose
commitment to the Phillies franchise has sustained this proud
organization and allowed the team to reach the pinnacle of
success in 2008;
(C) all Phillies fans, whose tenacity, perseverance, and
enthusiasm are matched only by that of the team to which the
fans are dedicated; and
(D) the Tampa Bay Rays on an outstanding 2008 season; and
(2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an
enrolled copy of this resolution to--
(A) Phillies manager Charlie Manuel;
(B) Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr.;
(E) Phillies advisor Pat Gillick.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 713--CALLING ON ALL PARTIES TO THE ESCALATING
VIOLENCE IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO TO IMPLEMENT AN
IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE AND WORK WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS
Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Harkin, Mr.
Durbin, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Dodd, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Menendez,
Mr. Isakson, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Bond, Mr.
Coleman, Mr. Lautenberg, and Mr. Nelson of Florida) submitted the
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 713
Whereas the Democratic Republic of Congo was devastated by
civil wars lasting from 1996 to 1997 and 1998 to 2003,
spawning some of the world's worst human rights violations
and involving at least 6 neighboring countries;
Whereas, despite the signing of a peace agreement and
subsequent withdrawal of foreign forces in 2003, eastern
Congo has continued to suffer from high levels of poverty,
insecurity, and absent or inadequate institutions, allowing
armed and criminal groups to operate freely;
Whereas continuing abuses committed by the national
military against civilians in Congo and apparent ties between
the military and armed groups in the region have tainted
attempts to restore the rule of law in the eastern region of
the country;
Whereas, according to a study by the International Rescue
Committee released in January 2008, the conflict and related
humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo have
taken the lives of an estimated 5,400,000 people since 1998
and continue to cause as many as 45,000 deaths each month;
Whereas sexual violence and rape remain a pervasive tool of
warfare used by all parties in eastern Congo to terrorize
communities, affecting hundreds of thousands of women and
girls and frequently resulting in traumatic fistula and other
severe genital injuries;
Whereas the continued plunder and trade of eastern Congo's
rich mineral base, notably cassiterite, coltan, and gold, by
armed groups and members of the national military make war
profitable and undermine peace efforts;
[[Page 24358]]
Whereas the Governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo
and Rwanda signed the Nairobi Communique in November 2007,
committing to work together to address the continued activity
of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and
other armed groups operating in their shared border region;
Whereas, on January 23, 2008, with the active support of
the international community, the Government of the Democratic
Republic of Congo, and 22 armed groups in the eastern region
signed the Goma accord, committing to an immediate ceasefire
and buffer zones for troop disengagement and ultimately
disarmament;
Whereas these agreements together provided the first
working framework in years for peace and lasting stability in
eastern Congo, but a continued culture of impunity and
suspicion has impeded their implementation;
Whereas the United Nations reported more than 200
violations of these agreements between January and July of
2008, as well as 2,000 cases of rape and hundreds of people
killed;
Whereas hate speech inciting ethnic violence by local and
national leaders in Congo continued during this period,
feeding the concerns and perceived insecurity of minority
Tutsi communities;
Whereas, since August 28, 2008, fighting has resumed in
North Kivu Province between the national military and the
forces of General Laurent Nkunda, known as the National
Congress for the Defense of the People, the latter of which
has taken control of several government military bases and
major towns around the city of Goma;
Whereas, according to Human Rights Watch, an estimated
250,000 people have been forced to flee their homes as a
result of this renewed fighting in eastern Congo, often
without access to shelter, water, food, and medicine, and
adding to the over 1,000,000 people already displaced from
North and South Kivu;
Whereas the United Nations Mission in Congo, known by its
French acronym MONUC, has proven unable to protect civilians
in light of this new offensive by General Nkunda's forces,
causing resentment and protests by local communities;
Whereas allegations of troops from Angola, Rwanda, and
Zimbabwe crossing into eastern Congo have strained existing
regional tensions and increased fears of a wider war that
could draw other countries from the region into the fighting,
as happened in 1998;
Whereas the United Nations' Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Alan
Doss, and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have
called for more troops and better capabilities for MONUC to
stop the rebel offensive and protect civilians;
Whereas United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, on November 7, 2008, and convened
a summit of regional leaders, including the heads of state of
the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which led to a
joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and the
creation of humanitarian corridors; and
Whereas, in 2006, Congress passed the Democratic Republic
of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of
2006, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush
on December 22, 2006 (Public Law 109-456), stating that it is
the policy of the United States to work for peace and
security throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo by
supporting efforts to protect civilians, to disarm illegal
armed groups, and to hold accountable individuals, entities,
and countries working to destabilize the country: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the continuing violence, forcible recruitment
of children as soldiers, and abuses against civilians in
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo;
(2) calls on the national military in Congo, the National
Congress for the Defense of the People, and all armed groups
operating in eastern Congo to cease hostilities, end all
human rights abuses, and respect an immediate ceasefire based
on the principles of the Goma agreement;
(3) calls on the Government of the Democratic Republic of
Congo to meet its obligations under the Lusaka Agreement of
1999, the Pretoria Agreement of 2002, and the Nairobi
Communique of 2007 to take action to end the threat posed by
the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda;
(4) calls on the Governments of the Democratic Republic of
Congo and Rwanda--
(A) to fully restore bilateral relations;
(B) to work together to mitigate escalating tensions in the
region; and
(C) to break any ties that still exist between them and
illegal armed groups in eastern Congo;
(5) calls on all governments in the Great Lakes region of
Africa and those of the Southern African Development
Community to support a peaceful resolution to the crisis
while ensuring that the volatile situation does not spark a
wider regional war;
(6) supports the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-
General, his newly appointed United Nations Special Envoy,
former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, and the
international facilitation team to bring all parties to the
negotiating table and establish a clear roadmap to implement
the signed peace agreements;
(7) encourages the international community to take
immediate measures to enhance the effectiveness of the United
Nations Mission in Congo to protect civilians, specifically
through increased troops and additional capabilities as
requested by the Secretary-General;
(8) urges the President to sustain high-level diplomatic
engagement together with the African Union, the European
Union, and the United Nations to avert a wider regional war
and revive a comprehensive peace process in eastern Congo;
(9) urges the United States and the international community
to develop and support monitoring and verification mechanisms
that can hold the parties in Congo accountable to the signed
peace agreements, investigate alleged ceasefire violations,
and ultimately challenge the continued culture of impunity in
Congo; and
(10) urges the President and the international community to
adopt measures to help the regional governments to identify
and ultimately address the factors underlying the conflict in
eastern Congo, especially weak governance and the
exploitation of the region's lucrative minerals.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 714--HONORING THE FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY WORKERS
WHO COURAGEOUSLY FOUGHT FIRES IN CALIFORNIA IN 2008
Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 714
Whereas, in 2008, there have been more than 10,000
wildfires in California started by natural causes and human
activity;
Whereas more than 1,440,000 acres of Federal, State, and
local land in California burned in 2008;
Whereas, in June 2008, fires started by lightning strikes
burned approximately 1,200,000 acres of Federal, State, and
local land in California, making the June fires the largest
single wildfire event in California's recorded history;
Whereas 41 counties across California were impacted by
wildfires in 2008;
Whereas more than 1,400 homes were destroyed by fires in
California in 2008;
Whereas State and local firefighters have been called to
duty for increasingly long fire seasons, working on the front
lines of these fires for weeks;
Whereas firefighters have risked their lives and endured
great hardship to protect lives, property, and the
environment in California;
Whereas many firefighters were injured and 14 firefighters
tragically lost their lives in California in 2008;
Whereas 25,000 firefighters and emergency response
personnel from California, 41 other States, and other nations
worked side-by-side to fight the wildfires;
Whereas members of the National Guard from California and
other States provided essential support to the firefighting
effort; and
Whereas the people of California and the United States
recognize the steadfast dedication of the firefighters
throughout the ongoing fire suppression and subsequent repair
and rebuilding efforts: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends the firefighters and emergency workers from
California, 41 other States, and other nations for their
courageous actions and sacrifices in fighting wildfires in
California;
(2) supports the continued work of firefighters to protect
National Forest System land, other public lands, and private
property from further damage;
(3) praises the people of California for their great
courage in the face of the fires; and
(4) extends heartfelt sympathy to the people who have lost
loved ones, homes, and businesses in the wildfires.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 715--EXTENDING THE AUTHORITY FOR THE SENATE NATIONAL
SECURITY WORKING GROUP
Mr. REID submitted the following resolution; which was considered and
agreed to:
S. Res. 715
Resolved, That Senate Resolution 105 of the One Hundred
First Congress, 1st session (agreed to on April 13, 1989), as
amended by Senate Resolution 149 of the One Hundred Third
Congress, 1st session (agreed to on October 5, 1993), as
further amended by Senate Resolution 75 of the One Hundred
Sixth Congress, 1st session (agreed to on March 25, 1999), as
further amended by Senate Resolution 383 of the One Hundred
Sixth Congress, 2d session (agreed to on October 27, 2000),
as further amended by Senate Resolution 355 of the One
Hundred Seventh Congress, 2d session (agreed to on November
13, 2002), as further amended by Senate Resolution 480 of the
One Hundred Eighth Congress, 2d session
[[Page 24359]]
(agreed to November 20, 2004), and as further amended by
Senate Resolution 625 of the One Hundred Ninth Congress, 2d
Session (agreed to on December 6, 2006), is further amended
in section 4 by striking ``2008'' and inserting ``2010''.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 716--ACKNOWLEDGING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS OF
THE YOUTH IMPACT PROGRAM
Mr. VITTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 716
Whereas many at-risk young men in the inner cities of the
United States face a challenging and uncertain future;
Whereas the future success of at-risk young men can be
greatly enhanced through sustained mentorship;
Whereas effective working partnerships between and within
the public and private sectors can have a lasting and
positive impact on the future of at-risk young men;
Whereas participation in organized sports has provided a
creative and disciplined outlet and a path to a better life
for many at-risk young men;
Whereas the Youth Impact Program combines the disciplines
of football, mentoring, and academics in partnerships between
local National Football League franchises and universities to
promote discipline, learning, and positive values;
Whereas the Youth Impact Program is a community-based
program that has proven its value over the past 2 years in
raising the outlook and aspirations of at-risk young men and
has provided at-risk young men greater exposure to academics,
core values, and life skills;
Whereas the Youth Impact Program provides year-round
mentoring to its participants, a proven formula for building
success;
Whereas the National Football League, the National Football
League Players Association, the University of Southern
California, and Tulane University have provided critical
support to the Youth Impact Program;
Whereas the Youth Impact Program will be expanded to 3
additional cities in partnership with local National Football
League franchises and universities;
Whereas the Youth Impact Program seeks to establish a
presence in each city with a local National Football League
franchise; and
Whereas under the vision and leadership of Mr. Riki
Ellison, the founder of the Youth Impact Program, a 10-year
veteran of the National Football League, a 3-time Super Bowl
champion, and a University of Southern California alumnus,
the Youth Impact Program has expanded from a regional program
to a program with a growing national presence: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates Mr. Riki Ellison for his leadership and
vision in founding the Youth Impact Program;
(2) recognizes the ongoing and significant contributions of
the National Football League, the University of Southern
California, and Tulane University to the Youth Impact
Program; and
(3) encourages the expansion of the Youth Impact Program to
inner cities across the United States.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 717--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 13, 2008, AS ``WREATHS
ACROSS AMERICA DAY''
Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Ms. Snowe) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Comittee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 717
Whereas, more than 15 years ago, the Worcester Wreath
Company, a for-profit business in Harrington, Maine, began a
tradition of donating, transporting, and overseeing the
placement of Maine balsam fir holiday wreaths on the graves
of the fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery each
December;
Whereas, since the Worcester Wreath Company began that
tradition, through the hard work and generosity of the people
involved in the Wreaths Across America project, hundreds of
thousands of wreaths have been sent to more than 200 national
cemeteries and veterans' memorials in all 50 states;
Whereas, in December 2008, the Patriot Guard Riders, a
motorcycle and motor vehicle group dedicated to patriotic
events, with more than 65,000 members nationally, will
continue their tradition of escorting a tractor-trailer full
of donated wreaths from Harrington, Maine to Arlington
National Cemetery;
Whereas hundreds of volunteers participate in the escort
each December;
Whereas Morrill Worcester, President of Worcester Wreath
Company, has been nominated for, and received, several awards
for his humble service and exemplary patriotism to our Nation
through this project; and
Whereas Wreaths Across America will continue this proud
legacy on December 13, 2008: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates December 13, 2008, as ``Wreaths Across
America Day'';
(2) honors Wreaths Across America, the Worcester Wreath
Company, Morrill Worcester, the Patriot Guard Riders, and all
other companies and individuals involved in this worthy
legacy; and
(3) recognizes the sacrifices our veterans and service
members and their families have made, and continue to make,
for our great Nation.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 718--DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 30, 2008, AS ``DRIVE SAFER
SUNDAY''
Ms. CHAMBLISS (for himself, Mrs. Lincoln, and Mr. Isakson) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Comittee on the
Judiciary:
S. Res. 718
Whereas motor vehicle travel is the primary means of
transportation in the United States;
Whereas everyone driving on the roads and highways needs to
do so more safely to reduce deaths and injuries resulting
from motor vehicle accidents;
Whereas, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, wearing a seat belt saved 15,434 lives in
2004, 15,632 lives in 2005, and 15,383 lives in 2006;
Whereas Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters has urged
all people of the United States to understand the life-saving
importance of wearing a seat belt and has encouraged
motorists to drive safely, not just during the holiday
season, but each time they get behind the wheel; and
Whereas the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest
highway traffic day of the year: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) encourages--
(A) high schools, colleges, universities, administrators,
teachers, primary schools, and secondary schools to launch
campus-wide educational campaigns to urge students to drive
safely;
(B) national trucking firms to alert truck drivers to focus
on driving safely on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and to
publicize the importance of the day using Citizen's Band
(``CB'') radios and truck stops across the United States;
(C) clergy to remind members to travel safely en route to
religious services and gatherings;
(D) law enforcement personnel to remind drivers and
passengers to drive safely on the Sunday after Thanksgiving;
and
(E) all people of the United States to use the Sunday after
Thanksgiving as an opportunity to educate themselves about
highway safety; and
(2) designates November 30, 2008, as ``Drive Safer
Sunday''.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 719--RECOGNIZING NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA
NATIVE HERITAGE MONTH AND CELEBRATING THE HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF
AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN
INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES TO THE UNITED STATES
Mr. DORGAN (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Clinton, Mr.
Schumer, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Tester, Mr. Domenici, Mr.
McCain, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Baucus, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska,
Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Thune, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Conrad, and Mr.
Johnson) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Indian Affairs:
S. Res. 719
Whereas from November 1, 2008, through November 30, 2008,
the United States celebrates National American Indian and
Alaska Native Heritage Month;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are descendants
of the original, indigenous inhabitants of what is now the
United States;
Whereas, in 2000, the United States Census Bureau reported
that there were more than 4,000,000 people in the United
States of American Indian and Alaska Native descent;
Whereas, on December 2, 1989, the Committee on Indian
Affairs of the Senate held a hearing exploring the
contributions of the Iroquois Confederacy, and its influence
on the Founding Fathers in the drafting of the Constitution
of the United States with the concepts of freedom of speech,
the separation of governmental powers, and checks and
balances among the branches of government;
Whereas the Senate has reaffirmed that a major national
goal of the United States is to provide the resources,
processes, and structure that will enable Indian Tribes and
tribal members to obtain the quantity and
[[Page 24360]]
quality of health care services and opportunities that will
eliminate the health disparities between American Indians and
the general population of the United States;
Whereas Congress recently reaffirmed its trust
responsibility to improve the housing conditions and
socioeconomic status of American Indians and Alaska Natives
by providing affordable homes in a safe and healthy
environment;
Whereas, throughout its course of dealing with Indian
Tribes, the United States Government has engaged in a
government-to-government relationship with Tribes;
Whereas the United States Government owes a trust
obligation to Tribes, acknowledged in treaties, statutes, and
decisions of the Supreme Court, to protect the interests and
welfare of tribal governments and their members;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have
consistently served with honor and distinction in the Armed
Forces of the United States, some as early as the
Revolutionary War, and continue to serve in the Armed Forces
in greater numbers per capita than any other group in the
United States;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives speak and
preserve indigenous languages and have contributed hundreds
of words to the English language, including the names of
people and locations in the United States;
Whereas Congress has recognized Native American code
talkers who served with honor and distinction in World War I
and World War II, using indigenous languages as an
unbreakable military code, saving countless American lives;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are deeply
rooted in tradition and culture, which drives their strength
of community; and
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages
celebrate the great achievements of their ancestors and
heroes and continue to share their stories with future
generations: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the celebration of National American Indian
and Alaska Native Heritage Month during the month of November
2008;
(2) honors the heritage and culture of American Indians and
Alaska Natives and the contributions of American Indians and
Alaska Natives to the United States; and
(3) urges the people of the United States to observe
National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
with appropriate programs and activities.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, on October 30, 2008, President Bush issued
a proclamation designating November 2008 as National American Indian
and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The President follows a tradition of
Presidents since 1990 of issuing proclamations making November the
month for recognizing the significant contributions of tribal
governments and individual Native Americans to our Nation's history and
development.
Congress also has traditionally recognized the contributions of
Native Americans to the United States in the form of resolutions,
findings, coins and medals. The resolution, which I am sending to the
desk to ask for its immediate consideration, continues in that
tradition.
This resolution recognizes some of the many contributions that Native
Americans have made to help build our great Nation as well as the
continued contributions of Native Americans to the growth of the United
States. From contributions to the United States and the world in the
fields of agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art to
influencing the founding documents of our Federal Government to the use
of native languages to develop an unbreakable military code that helped
defeat the Axis powers in World War II, Indian Tribes and individual
Native Americans have shaped our Nation's history in remarkable ways.
Through this resolution, we celebrate these and many other
contributions of tribal governments and Native Americans during the
month of November. I urge all citizens, and local, State, tribal and
Federal Governments and agencies to take time this month to learn more
about the many facets of Native American history, traditions, and their
important contributions to the formation of the United States.
This year, the United States Senate and the Congress as a whole acted
on two important pieces of legislation that seek to meet our Nation's
legal, treaty and trust obligations to promote health care and housing
for the residents of Indian Country.
S. 1200, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 2008, passed the
Senate in February of this year with a margin of 83-10. As Chairman of
the Committee on Indian Affairs, this legislation has been the priority
for the Committee in the 110th Congress. The Indian health care act was
last authorized in 1992, and this bill would help bring Indian health
care into to 21st century. I am proud to report that we were able to
pass this legislation out of the Senate for the first time in almost a
decade. A number of Senators were instrumental moving this legislation
forward in the Senate. Unfortunately, our work was not completed. The
House was unable to pass the legislation and it remains unauthorized as
the health care needs of Native Americans remain sorely under-funded
and services remain outdated. Indian health care will continue to
remain a priority for the committee and every effort will be made to
reauthorize this legislation as soon as possible.
In addition to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Senate
approved a $1 billion authorization for additional funding for the
Indian Health Service as a part of the Senate Budget Resolution.
Congress also passed a $250 million authorization for Indian health
care through an amendment to the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United
States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
Reauthorization Act of 2008.
In September of this year, Congress succeeded in enacting the Native
American Housing and Self-Determination Assistance Reauthorization Act
of 2008. This bill makes long needed improvements to Native housing
programs, and authorizes the flexible use of funding to strengthen
Native communities through economic and community development.
While health care and housing are critically important to Indian
Country and represent significant steps forward in fulfilling the trust
obligation between Congress and the First Americans, it is important to
acknowledge several other achievements in the 110th Congress.
Congress passed into law the Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008
which provides well-deserved Congressional gold medals to each tribe
that had members who were Code Talkers in any foreign conflict. Each
next of kin to the valiant Code Talker who served their country will
receive a silver duplicate.
The Higher Education Reauthorization Act was passed into law, which
reauthorized the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities
Assistance Act, increasing the amount of money per student in tribal
colleges and universities. A study has been requested of the General
Accountability Office which will allow for an evaluation of public
schools on Indian lands to assist Congress in meeting its obligations
to Indian education.
Congress also passed the Fostering Connections to Success and
Increasing Adoptions Act allowing Tribes for the first time to directly
administer foster care and adoption programs offered by the Federal
government, allowing tribes to continue strengthening their communities
by ensuring safe and caring homes for their Native children.
Congress passed the Native American $1 Coin Act, which recognizes the
contributions of Native Americans to the development of the United
States through an annually changing image on the reverse of the
Sakakawea $1 coin that is now in circulation.
Congress also passed into law a joint resolution designating November
28, 2008 as Native American Heritage Day, honoring the contributions
and achievements of our First Americans.
The Treaty of Fort Laramie and other treaties acknowledged the
specific obligations that the United States owes to the Tribes located
in my State of North Dakota. Much has been done this Congress to begin
to fulfill this legal responsibility and the more general trust
responsibility that Congress owes to all Indian Tribes.
However, as is evident with Congress' failure to pass the Indian
Health Care Improvement Act of 2008, much still remains to be done. The
resolution before the Senate today would simply honor the hard work,
traditions, culture, and contribution of the First Americans.
I ask that this resolution be adopted quickly and that it act as an
encouragement to all people of the United
[[Page 24361]]
States to observe the month of November as National American Indian and
Alaska Native Heritage Month.
____________________
SENATE RESOLUTION 720--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PANCREATIC
CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Specter) submitted the
following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions:
S. Res. 720
Whereas approximately 37,680 people will be diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer this year in the United States;
Whereas pancreatic cancer is the 4th most common cause of
cancer death in the United States;
Whereas Randolph (``Randy'') Frederick Pausch, who was
diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006, delivered his
``Last Lecture'' on September 18, 2007, which gave a voice to
victims of pancreatic cancer, and inspired people to live
life to the fullest;
Whereas the lecture by and advocacy of Randy Pausch have
brought, and will continue to bring, renewed advocacy and
commitment to the field of pancreatic cancer research and
treatment;
Whereas the lecture by and advocacy of Randy Pausch have
touched countless people throughout the United States and the
world and encouraged them to change their lives for the
better;
Whereas 75 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within
the first year of their diagnosis and only 5 percent survive
more than 5 years, making pancreatic cancer the deadliest of
any cancer;
Whereas there has been no significant improvement in
survival rates in the last 30 years and pancreatic cancer
research is still in the earliest scientific stages;
Whereas there are no early detection methods and minimal
treatment options for pancreatic cancer;
Whereas when symptoms of pancreatic cancer present
themselves, it is generally too late for an optimistic
prognosis, and the average survival rate of those diagnosed
with metastasis of the disease is only 3 to 6 months;
Whereas the incidence rate of pancreatic cancer is 40 to 50
percent higher in African Americans than in other ethnic
groups; and
Whereas it would be appropriate to observe November as
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month to educate communities
across the Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need for
research funding, early detection methods, effective
treatments, and treatment programs: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
____________________
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 106--COMMENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF
SWITZERLAND FOR ONGOING ASSISTANCE IN THE CASE OF ROBERT LEVINSON,
URING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO INTENSIFY
COOPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF SWITZERLAND AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU
OF INVESTIGATION ON THE CASE OF ROBERT LEVINSON, AND EXPRESSING
SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF ROBERT LEVINSON
Mr. NELSON of Florida submitted the following concurrent resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:
S. Con. Res. 106
Whereas United States citizen Robert Levinson is a retired
agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a resident of
Florida, the husband of Christine Levinson, and father of
their 7 children;
Whereas Robert Levinson traveled from Dubai to Kish Island,
Iran, on March 8, 2007;
Whereas, after traveling to Kish Island and checking into
the Hotel Maryam, he disappeared on March 9, 2007;
Whereas neither his family nor the United States Government
has received further information on his fate or whereabouts;
Whereas March 9, 2009, marks the second anniversary of the
disappearance of Robert Levinson;
Whereas the Government of Switzerland, which has served as
Protecting Power for the United States in the Islamic
Republic of Iran in the absence of diplomatic relations
between the United States Government and the Government of
Iran since 1980, has continuously pressed the Government of
Iran on the case of Robert Levinson and lent vital assistance
and support to the Levinson family during their December 2007
visit to Iran;
Whereas officials of the Government of Iran promised their
continued assistance to the relatives of Robert Levinson
during the visit of the family to the Islamic Republic of
Iran in December 2007; and
Whereas the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stated during an interview with NBC News
broadcast on July 28, 2008, that officials of the Government
of Iran were willing to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation in the search for Robert Levinson: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That Congress--
(1) commends the Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran and the
Government of Switzerland for the ongoing assistance to the
United States Government and to the family of Robert
Levinson, particularly during the visit by Christine Levinson
and other relatives to Iran in December 2007;
(2) expresses appreciation for efforts by Iranian officials
to ensure the safety of the family of Robert Levinson during
their December 2007 visit to Iran, as well as for the promise
of continued assistance;
(3) urges the Government of Iran, as a humanitarian
gesture, to intensify its cooperation on the case of Robert
Levinson with the Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran and to
share the results of its investigation into the disappearance
of Robert Levinson with the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(4) urges the President and the allies of the United States
to engage with officials of the Government of Iran to raise
the case of Robert Levinson at every opportunity,
notwithstanding other serious disagreements the United States
Government has had with the Government of Iran on a broad
array of issues, including human rights, the nuclear program
of Iran, the Middle East peace process, regional stability,
and international terrorism; and
(5) expresses sympathy to the family of Robert Levinson
during this trying period.
Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I am introducing a resolution
in the Senate that touches on one of the tragic cases of a Floridian,
Bob Levinson, who has been missing in Iran since he visited Kish Island
off the coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf in early 2007. I have spoken
on this issue ad infinitum before to call the attention of the Congress
to the plight of Mr. Levinson as well as to the difficulties that are
faced by his wife Christine and their seven children.
Bob Levinson, a businessman and a former FBI agent, vanished after
checking out of his hotel on the resort island of Kish on March 9,
2007. It is no doubt the wish of everyone who knows this man that Bob
Levinson be reunited with his loved ones. It has been very difficult to
get information out of the Government of Iran. The State Department has
delivered a number of requests for information and cooperation to the
Iranian Government through our diplomatic intermediary, which is the
Government of Switzerland. Unfortunately, Iran continues to claim it
has no information on the fate of Bob Levinson.
Mrs. Levinson and her eldest son, Daniel, and her sister, Ms. Halpin,
traveled to Tehran and Kish Island in December of last year in the
hopes of finding information about Bob Levinson's disappearance. The
Iranian authorities, to their credit, extended courtesies to her and
they promised her at the time they would help in the case, but those
promises have not been fulfilled.
This resolution I am introducing urges Iranian officials to fulfill
their promises of assistance to the Levinsons. It calls for Iranian
investigators to meet with the FBI to discuss the Levinson case. It
calls for the U.S. Government and our allies to press Iran on this case
at every opportunity and at every level--something I think the U.S.
Government is beginning to do. Also, this resolution thanks the Swiss
for their continued assistance in the case. It furthermore expresses
appreciation for the efforts of Iranian officials who have ensured the
safety of the family during their visit of December of last year. This
resolution also expresses sympathy to the Levinson family during this
trying period. This is a wife and seven children of a missing former
FBI agent in the country of Iran, missing now since the early part of
2007.
In this year, on July 28, the President of Iran stated during an
interview with
[[Page 24362]]
NBC that Iranian officials were willing to cooperate with the FBI on
this case. Why is the FBI involved? The FBI is involved because he is a
former FBI agent. This resolution calls upon the Tehran government to
make this meeting happen as soon as possible to discuss the evidence
the Iranians have uncovered about Mr. Levinson's disappearance.
Now, I wish to underscore that because on July 28 of this year the
President of Iran stated in an NBC interview that Iranian officials
were willing to cooperate with the FBI on this case. They have not.
I wish to be blunt. We obviously have serious disagreements with Iran
on its nuclear program and a whole range of other issues. I haven't
hesitated over the years, as a member of the Senate Armed Services
Committee, the Senate Intelligence Committee, and the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, to express my opposition to a number of Tehran's
policies--and I will continue to press for change in Iran's positions
and activities--but I am calling on the Government of Iran out of human
compassion and humanitarian assistance to a family of a wife and seven
children to come forth and cooperate in trying to find and get evidence
of the whereabouts of Bob Levinson.
We want to see an Iran where individuals are respected, not locked up
in Evin Prison--we want to see an Iran that is respected--for signing a
petition calling for women's rights. We want to see an Iran that
champions the Middle East peace process rather than supporting
terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. We want to see an Iran
whose leaders do not make despicable threats to ``wipe Israel off the
map.''
We clearly have our differences with Iran, and those differences,
especially under a new administration, can start to be bridged with
Iran stepping forth with discussions regarding the safe return of an
American citizen whose family desperately wishes to be reunited with
him, that American citizen being former FBI agent Bob Levinson.
So this resolution calls upon the U.S. Government and our friends and
allies to engage with Iranian officials to raise Mr. Levinson's case at
every opportunity and at every level. I understand many of our allies
already have raised Mr. Levinson's case on our behalf, and I wish to
encourage them to continue to do so. This Senator has done it as well,
both publicly and privately, and I will continue to do so.
The resolution I have filed additionally commends the Swiss for their
ongoing assistance to the U.S. Government and to the family of the
Levinsons. The assistance of the Swiss Ambassador and his staff at the
American Interests Section in Tehran was essential during Mrs.
Levinson's visits in the past, and will be, I think, to her visits in
the future.
I wish to express--the word ``sympathy'' does not conjure up what I
am trying to express to Christine Levinson and to her family. No one
should have to experience what they have been through. I have met with
her on a number of occasions. She is a loving mother. She is clearly an
eloquent advocate. She is a tough fighter on behalf of her husband. She
is relentless. She is not going to give up, nor should she. I deem it a
great privilege that I may in some little way try to assist her and her
family.
I want to bring more of our colleagues into this issue of trying to
find Bob Levinson in Iran and get the world's attention focused on this
missing American. I am going to ask Mrs. Levinson to come back in
January when we reconvene, and I want some of our colleagues to meet
her.
Remember, Senators, that as representatives of the American people,
that means we have to help individual American citizens in distress.
This is clearly a family who is in distress. We cannot--and I believe I
can speak for the Senate--we are not going to forget Bob Levinson and
his family.
____________________
AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND PROPOSED
SA 5696. Mr. MARTINEZ submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed by him to the bill H.R. 6867, to provide for
additional emergency unemployment compensation; which was
ordered to lie on the table.
SA 5697. Mr. DODD (for himself and Mr. Martinez) submitted
an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R.
6867, supra; which was ordered to lie on the table.
SA 5698. Mr. DORGAN (for Mr. Rockefeller (for himself, Mrs.
Hutchison, and Mr. Dorgan)) proposed an amendment to the bill
S. 3663, to require the Federal Communications Commission to
provide for a short-term extension of the analog television
broadcasting authority so that essential public safety
announcements and digital television transition information
may be provided for a short time during the transition to
digital television broadcasting.
____________________
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS
SA 5696. Mr. MARTINEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill H.R. 6867, to provide for additional emergency
unemployment compensation; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. ___. TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF LOAN LIMIT INCREASE.
(a) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.--Section 201(a) of the
Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-185, 122 Stat.
619) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2008'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2009''.
(b) FHA Loans.--Section 202(a) of the Economic Stimulus Act
of 2008 (Public Law 110-185, 122 Stat. 620) is amended by
striking ``December 31, 2008'' and inserting ``December 31,
2009''.
______
SA 5697. Mr. DODD (for himself and Mr. Martinez) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 6867, to
provide for additional emergency unemployment compensation; which was
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. __. MANDATORY LOAN GUARANTEES AND CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
EFFORTS.
Section 109(a) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act
of 2008 (division A of Public Law 110-343) is amended--
(1) by striking the last sentence;
(2) by striking ``To the extent'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--To the extent''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Loan guarantees and credit enhancements required.--
``(A) In general.--In addition to actions required under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, not later than 15 days
after the date of enactment of this paragraph, designate the
Corporation, on a reimbursable basis, to design and carry out
a plan to use loan guarantees or credit enhancements to
facilitate loan modifications to prevent avoidable
foreclosures.
``(B) Aggregate amounts.--The Secretary shall make and fund
guarantees and credit enhancements developed under this
paragraph in amounts of--
``(i) $10,000,000,000 in aggregate estimated subsidy costs,
and amounts specified under paragraph (2) of section 115(a)
shall be reduced by the subsidy cost of any guarantees or
credit enhancements funded by the Secretary under this
clause; and
``(ii) an additional $15,000,000,000, in aggregate
estimated subsidy costs, and amounts specified under
paragraph (3) of section 115(a) shall be reduced by the
subsidy cost of any guarantees or credit enhancements funded
by the Secretary under this clause.
``(C) Contracting authority.--In carrying out this
paragraph, the Corporation may use its contracting authority
under section 9 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.''.
______
SA 5698. Mr. DORGAN (for Mr. Rockefeller (for himself, Mrs.
Hutchison, and Mr. Dorgan)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 3663,
to require the Federal Communications Commission to provide for a
short-term extension of the analog television broadcasting authority so
that essential public safety announcements and digital television
transition information may be provided for a short time during the
transition to digital television broadcasting.; as follows:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Short-term Analog Flash and
Emergency Readiness Act''.
SEC. 2. COMMISSION ACTION REQUIRED.
(a) Program Required.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the Federal Communications Commission shall, not
later than January 15, 2009, develop and implement a program
to encourage and permit, to the extent technically feasible
and subject to such limitations as the Commission finds to be
consistent with the public interest and the requirements of
this Act, the broadcasting in the analog television service
of
[[Page 24363]]
only the public safety information and digital transition
information specified in subsection (b) during the 30-day
period beginning on the day after the date established by law
under section 3002(b) of the Digital Television Transition
and Public Safety Act of 2005 for termination of all licenses
for full-power television stations in the analog television
service and the cessation of broadcasting by full-power
stations in the analog television service.
(b) Information required.--The program required by
subsection (a) shall provide for the broadcast of--
(1) emergency information, including critical details
regarding the emergency, as broadcast or required to be
broadcast by full-power stations in the digital television
service;
(2) information, in both English and Spanish, and
accessible to persons with disabilities, concerning--
(A) the digital television transition, including the fact
that a transition has taken place and that additional action
is required to continue receiving television service,
including emergency notifications; and
(B) the steps required to enable viewers to receive such
emergency information via the digital television service and
to convert to receiving digital television service, including
a phone number and Internet address by which help with such
transition may be obtained in both English and Spanish; and
(3) such other information related to consumer education
about the digital television transition or public health and
safety or emergencies as the Commission may find to be
consistent with the public interest.
SEC. 3. LIMITATIONS.
In designing the program required by this Act, the
Commission shall--
(1) take into account market-by-market needs, based upon
factors such as channel and transmitter availability;
(2) ensure that broadcasting of the program specified in
section 2(b) will not cause harmful interference with signals
in the digital television service;
(3) not require the analog television service signals
broadcast under this Act to be retransmitted or otherwise
carried pursuant to section 325(b), 338, 339, 340, 614, or
615 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 325(b), 338,
339, 340, 614, or 615);
(4) take into consideration broadcasters' digital power
levels and transition and coordination plans that already
have been adopted with respect to cable systems and satellite
carriers' systems;
(5) prohibit any broadcast of analog television service
signals under section 2(b) on any spectrum that is approved
or pending approval by the Commission to be used for public
safety radio services, including television channels 14-20;
and
(6) not include the analog spectrum between channels 52 and
69, inclusive (between frequencies 698 and 806 megahertz,
inclusive) reclaimed from analog television broadcasting
pursuant to section 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934
(47 U.S.C. 309(j)).
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act, the term ``emergency information'' has
the meaning such term has under part 79 of the regulations of
the Federal Communications Commission (47 C.F.R. part 79).
____________________
FOREIGN TRAVEL FINANCIAL REPORTS
In accordance with the appropriate provisions of law, the Secretary
of the Senate herewith submits the following reports for standing
committees of the Senate, certain joint committees of the Congress,
delegations and groups, and select and special committees of the
Senate, relating to expenses incurred in the performance of authorized
foreign travel:
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON
AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND FORESTRY FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephanie Mercier:
Switzerland............................ Franc...................................... ........... 2,975.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 2,975.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,514.00 ........... ........... ........... 7,514.00
Hayden Milberg:
Switzerland............................ Franc...................................... ........... 6,840.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 6,840.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,519.63 ........... ........... ........... 7,519.63
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 9,815.00 ........... 15,033.63 ........... ........... ........... 24,848.63
SENATOR TOM HARKIN,
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition and Forestry, Sept. 26, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON
APPROPRIATIONS FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katherine Eltrich:
China.................................. Yuan....................................... ........... 290.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 290.00
Korea, North........................... Dollar..................................... ........... 1,284.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,284.00
Mongolia............................... Tugrik..................................... ........... 309.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 309.00
Korea, South........................... Won........................................ ........... 340.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 340.00
Japan.................................. Yen........................................ ........... 860.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 860.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 12,597.38 ........... ........... ........... 12,597.38
Paul Grove:
China.................................. Yuan....................................... ........... 290.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 290.00
Korea, North........................... Dollar..................................... ........... 1,284.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,284.00
Mongolia............................... Tugrik..................................... ........... 309.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 309.00
Korea, South........................... Won........................................ ........... 340.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 340.00
Japan.................................. Yen........................................ ........... 860.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 860.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 12,567.38 ........... ........... ........... 12,567.38
Michele Wymer:
China.................................. Yuan....................................... ........... 290.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 290.00
Korea, North........................... Dollar..................................... ........... 1,284.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,284.00
Mongolia............................... Tugrik..................................... ........... 309.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 309.00
Korea, South........................... Won........................................ ........... 340.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 340.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 10,107.34 ........... ........... ........... 10,107.34
Senator Judd Gregg:
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 5,561.60 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 5,561.60
Senator Richard Shelby:
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 5,561.60 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 5,561.60
Brian Potts:
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 5,561.60 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 5,561.60
Bruce Evans:
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 5,561.60 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 5,561.60
Anne Caldwell:
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 5,561.60 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 5,561.60
[[Page 24364]]
Laura Friedel:
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 5,561.60 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 5,561.60
Dr. John Eisold:
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 5,561.60 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 5,561.60
Howard Sutton:
Denmark................................ Krone...................................... ........... 1,524.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,524.00
Estonia................................ Kroon...................................... ........... 1,324.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,324.00
Poland................................. Zloty...................................... ........... 1,420.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,420.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 8,497.77 ........... ........... ........... 8,497.77
Erin Corcoran:
Denmark................................ Krone...................................... ........... 1,524.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,524.00
Estonia................................ Kroon...................................... ........... 1,324.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,324.00
Poland................................. Zloty...................................... ........... 1,420.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,420.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 8,497.77 ........... ........... ........... 8,497.77
Colleen Gaydos:
Denmark................................ Krone...................................... ........... 1,524.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,524.00
Estonia................................ Kroon...................................... ........... 1,324.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,324.00
Poland................................. Zloty...................................... ........... 1,420.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,420.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 8,497.77 ........... ........... ........... 8,497.77
Arthur E. Cameron, Jr.:
Denmark................................ Krone...................................... ........... 1,524.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,524.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,711.63 ........... ........... ........... 6,711.63
Nikole M. Manatt:
Peru................................... Dollar..................................... ........... 758.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 758.00
Ecuador................................ Dollar..................................... ........... 295.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 295.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 3,281.00 ........... ........... ........... 3,281.00
Charles Houy:
Czech Republic......................... Koruna..................................... ........... 789.78 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 789.78
Poland................................. Zloty...................................... ........... 580.67 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 580.67
Hungary................................ Forint..................................... ........... 468.06 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 468.06
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,528.35 ........... ........... ........... 6,528.35
Elizabeth Schmid:
Czech Republic......................... Koruna..................................... ........... 789.78 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 789.78
Poland................................. Zloty...................................... ........... 517.48 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 517.48
Hungary................................ Forint..................................... ........... 568.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 568.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,528.35 ........... ........... ........... 6,528.35
Katherine M. Kaufer:
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 382.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 382.00
Kenya.................................. Shilling................................... ........... 1,604.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,604.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 14,702.79 ........... ........... ........... 14,702.79
Sara Kathleen Hagan:
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 382.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 382.00
Kenya.................................. Shilling................................... ........... 1,604.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,604.00
Ethiopia............................... Dollar..................................... ........... 332.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 332.00
Djibouti............................... Franc...................................... ........... 286.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 286.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 18,152.00 ........... ........... ........... 18,152.00
Erik K. Raven:
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 382.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 382.00
Kenya.................................. Shilling................................... ........... 1,604.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,604.00
Ethiopia............................... Dollar..................................... ........... 332.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 332.00
Djibouti............................... Franc...................................... ........... 286.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 286.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 18,152.00 ........... ........... ........... 18,152.00
Sudip Parikh:
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 1,046.95 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,046.95
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,427.64 ........... ........... ........... 1,427.64
Jeff Kratz:
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 918.53 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 918.53
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,427.64 ........... ........... ........... 1,427.64
Delegation Expenses \1\
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 484.11 ........... 484.11
Mary C. Fitzpatrick:
El Salvador............................ Dollar..................................... ........... 663.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 663.00
Colombia............................... Peso....................................... ........... 1,230.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,230.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 3,174.00 ........... ........... ........... 3,174.00
Tim Rieser:
Colombia............................... Dollar..................................... ........... 445.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 445.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 982.00 ........... ........... ........... 982.00
Paul Grove:
Portugal............................... Euro....................................... ........... 504.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 504.00
Spain.................................. Euro....................................... ........... 215.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 215.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,675.66 ........... ........... ........... 6,675.66
Senator Judd Gregg:
Portugal............................... Euro....................................... ........... 336.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 336.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,501.44 ........... ........... ........... 6,501.44
Sid Ashworth:
Norway................................. Krone...................................... ........... 450.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 450.00
Turkey................................. Lira....................................... ........... 734.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 734.00
Czech Republic......................... Koruna..................................... ........... 832.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 832.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,812.05 ........... ........... ........... 11,812.05
Alycia Farrell:
Norway................................. Krone...................................... ........... 450.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 450.00
Turkey................................. Lira....................................... ........... 734.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 734.00
Czech Republic......................... Koruna..................................... ........... 832.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 832.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,812.05 ........... ........... ........... 11,812.05
Brian Potts:
Norway................................. Krone...................................... ........... 450.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 450.00
Turkey................................. Lira....................................... ........... 734.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 734.00
Czech Republic......................... Koruna..................................... ........... 832.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 832.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,812.05 ........... ........... ........... 11,812.05
Brian T. Wilson:
Norway................................. Krone...................................... ........... 450.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 450.00
Turkey................................. Lira....................................... ........... 734.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 734.00
Czech Republic......................... Koruna..................................... ........... 832.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 832.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,812.05 ........... ........... ........... 11,812.05
Thomas L. Gonzales:
Kuwait................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 1,027.47 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,027.47
Iraq................................... Dollar..................................... ........... 29.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 29.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 13,406.30 ........... ........... ........... 13,406.30
Howard Sutton:
Colombia............................... Peso....................................... ........... 1,230.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,230.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,833.30 ........... ........... ........... 1,833.30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 24365]]
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 89,317.92 ........... 217,497.71 ........... 484.11 ........... 307,299.74
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Delegation expenses include payments and reimbursements by the Department of State under the authority of Section 502(b) of the Mutual Security Act of 1954, as amended by Section 22 of
Pub. L. 95-384, and expenses paid pursuant to S. Res. 179, agreed to May 25, 1977.
SENATOR ROBERT BYRD,
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, Nov.
14, 2008.
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, AMENDED, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON
APPROPRIATIONS FOR TRAVEL FROM APR. 1 TO JUNE 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tim Rieser:
Ireland................................ Dollar..................................... ........... 190.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 190.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 803.00 ........... ........... ........... 803.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 190.00 ........... 803.00 ........... ........... ........... 993.00
SENATOR ROBERT BYRD,
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, Nov.
14, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PRO TEMPORE FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James J. Tuite III:
Kuwait................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 1,027.47 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,027.47
Iraq................................... Dollar..................................... ........... 29.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 29.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 9,673.29 ........... ........... ........... 9,673.29
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 1,056.47 ........... 9,673.29 ........... ........... ........... 10,729.76
SENATOR ROBERT BYRD,
President Pro Tempore, Nov. 14, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON ARMED
SERVICES FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory T. Kiley:
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 8,040.65 ........... ........... ........... 8,040.65
Belgium................................ Euro....................................... ........... 420.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 420.00
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 500.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 500.00
Italy.................................. Euro....................................... ........... 650.00 ........... 94.00 ........... ........... ........... 744.00
Senator James M. Inhofe:
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 417.00 ........... 87.00 ........... ........... ........... 504.00
Anthony Lazarski:
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 191.00 ........... 39.00 ........... ........... ........... 230.00
Madelyn R. Creedon:
Belgium................................ Euro....................................... ........... 229.46 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 229.46
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 590.00 ........... ........... ........... 55.00 ........... 645.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,672.00 ........... ........... ........... 6,672.00
Senator Lindsey Graham:
Ukraine................................ Dollar..................................... ........... 325.26 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 325.26
Georgia................................ Dollar..................................... ........... 83.50 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 83.50
Poland................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 204.82 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 204.82
Senator Mark Pryor:
Italy.................................. Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 50.00 ........... 126.00 ........... 176.00
Senator Jack Reed:
Kuwait................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 112.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 112.00
Afghanistan............................ Dollar..................................... ........... 18.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 18.00
Jordan................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 120.00 ........... ........... ........... 24.00 ........... 144.00
Elizabeth King:
Kuwait................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 127.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 127.00
Afghanistan............................ Dollar..................................... ........... 18.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 18.00
Jordan................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 115.00 ........... ........... ........... 10.00 ........... 125.00
Senator Joseph I. Lieberman:
Ukraine................................ Hryvnia.................................... ........... 335.67 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 335.67
Poland................................. Zloty...................................... ........... 336.58 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 336.58
Vance Serchuk:
Ukraine................................ Hryvnia.................................... ........... 319.84 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 319.84
Poland................................. Zloty...................................... ........... 204.82 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 204.82
Matt Rimkunas:
Ukraine................................ Hryvnia.................................... ........... 319.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 319.00
Poland................................. Zloty...................................... ........... 204.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 204.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 5,840.95 ........... 14,982.65 ........... 215.00 ........... 21,038.60
SENATOR CARL LEVIN,
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services,
Sept. 30, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 24366]]
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON BANKING,
HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peggy Kuhn:
Belgium................................ Euro....................................... ........... 1,265.10 ........... ........... ........... 150.00 ........... 1,415.10
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 461.00 ........... ........... ........... 50.00 ........... 511.00
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 1,650.00 ........... ........... ........... 150.00 ........... 1,800.00
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 822.00 ........... ........... ........... 100.00 ........... 922.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,735.25 ........... ........... ........... 7,735.25
Aaron Klein:
Belgium................................ Euro....................................... ........... 1,265.10 ........... ........... ........... 150.00 ........... 1,415.10
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 461.00 ........... ........... ........... 50.00 ........... 511.00
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 1,650.00 ........... ........... ........... 150.00 ........... 1,800.00
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 822.00 ........... ........... ........... 100.00 ........... 922.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,735.25 ........... ........... ........... 7,735.25
Senator Richard Shelby:
New Zealand............................ Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 528.00 ........... 528.00
Australia.............................. Dollar..................................... ........... 2,303.15 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 2,303.15
Vietnam................................ Dollar..................................... ........... 540.00 ........... ........... ........... 444.00 ........... 984.00
Singapore.............................. Dollar..................................... ........... 542.00 ........... ........... ........... 384.00 ........... 926.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 20,383.45 ........... ........... ........... 20,383.45
William D. Duhnke III:
New Zealand............................ Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 528.00 ........... 528.00
Australia.............................. Dollar..................................... ........... 2,303.15 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 2,303.15
Vietnam................................ Dollar..................................... ........... 540.00 ........... ........... ........... 444.00 ........... 984.00
Singapore.............................. Dollar..................................... ........... 542.00 ........... ........... ........... 384.00 ........... 926.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 20,383.45 ........... ........... ........... 20,383.45
Mike Buttry:
Panama................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 142.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 142.00
Colombia............................... Peso....................................... ........... 340.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 340.00
Brazil................................. Real....................................... ........... 249.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 249.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 4,244.00 ........... ........... ........... 4,244.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 15,897.50 ........... 60,481.40 ........... 3,612.00 ........... 79,990.90
SENATOR CHRIS DODD,
Chairman, Committee on Banking, Housing,
and Urban Affairs,
Oct. 30, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dabney Hegg:
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,241.11 ........... ........... ........... 1,241.11
Great Britain.......................... Pound...................................... ........... 1,053.67 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,053.67
Netherlands............................ Euro....................................... ........... 542.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 542.00
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 1,187.25 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,187.25
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 2,782.92 ........... 1,241.11 ........... ........... ........... 4,024.03
SENATOR DANIEL INOUYE,
Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation,
Nov. 14, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON FINANCE FOR
TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Johanson:
Switzerland............................ Franc..................................... ........... 4,136.85 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 4,136.85
United States.......................... Dollar.................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,258.76 ........... ........... ........... 1,258.76
Ted Serafini:
Switzerland............................ Franc..................................... ........... 4,194.51 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 4,194.51
United States.......................... Dollar.................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,106.63 ........... ........... ........... 1,106.63
Darci Vetter:
Switzerland............................ Franc..................................... ........... 2,592.51 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 2,592.51
United States.......................... Dollar.................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,106.63 ........... ........... ........... 1,106.63
Claudia Poteet:
United Kingdom......................... Pound..................................... ........... 754.47 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 754.47
Netherlands............................ Euro...................................... ........... 314.55 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 314.55
France................................. Euro...................................... ........... 345.84 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 345.84
United States.......................... Dollar.................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,155.37 ........... ........... ........... 1,155.37
Joshua Odintz:
Belgium................................ Euro...................................... ........... 653.38 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 653.38
France................................. Euro...................................... ........... 744.53 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 744.53
United States.......................... Dollar.................................... ........... ........... ........... 913.38 ........... ........... ........... 913.38
Nancy McCarthy:
Belgium................................ Euro...................................... ........... 906.09 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 906.09
France................................. Euro...................................... ........... 989.01 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 989.01
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 917.38 ........... ........... ........... 917.38
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 13,607.70 ........... 6,458.15 ........... ........... ........... 20,065.85
SENATOR MAX BAUCUS,
Chairman, Committee on Finance, Nov. 18,
2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 24367]]
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON FINANCE FOR
TRAVEL FROM APR. 1 TO JUNE 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darci Vetter:
Denmark................................ Krone...................................... ........... 1,400.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,400.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,152,07 ........... ........... ........... 1,152.07
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 1,400.00 ........... 1,152.07 ........... ........... ........... 2,552.07
SENATOR MAX BAUCUS,
Chairman, Committee on Finance, Aug. 24,
2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, AMENDED FROM 2ND QUARTER, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C.
1754(b), COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, FOR TRAVEL FROM APR. 1 TO JUNE 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Greene:
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 856.12 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 856.12
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,979.69 ........... ........... ........... 6,979.69
Keith Luse:
Indonesia.............................. Rupiah..................................... ........... 1,429.65 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,429.65
Timor-Leste............................ Dollar..................................... ........... 124.75 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 124.75
Singapore.............................. Dollar..................................... ........... 340.60 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 340.60
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 5,695.88 ........... ........... ........... 5,695.88
Debbie Yamada:
Kazakhstan............................. Tenge...................................... ........... 225.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 225.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 2,976.12 ........... 12,675.57 ........... ........... ........... 15,651.69
SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
Oct. 23, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN
RELATIONS FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr.:
Georgia................................ Lari....................................... ........... 185.40 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 185.40
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 9,334.78 ........... ........... ........... 9,334.78
Senator Bob Corker:
Georgia................................ Lari....................................... ........... 550.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 550.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 10,405.52 ........... ........... ........... 10,405.52
Senator Chuck Hagel:
Kuwait................................. Dinar...................................... ........... 135.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 135.00
Jordan................................. Dinar...................................... ........... 135.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 135.00
Panama................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 68.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 68.00
Colombia............................... Peso....................................... ........... 218.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 218.00
Brazil................................. Real....................................... ........... 90.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 90.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 4,244.00 ........... ........... ........... 4,244.00
Senator Richard Lugar:
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 302.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 302.00
Georgia................................ Lari....................................... ........... 301.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 301.00
Azerbaijan............................. Manat...................................... ........... 301.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 301.00
Turkey................................. Lira....................................... ........... 301.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 301.00
Romania................................ Lei........................................ ........... 301.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 301.00
Ukraine................................ Hryvna..................................... ........... 301.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 301.00
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 301.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 301.00
Belgium................................ Euro....................................... ........... 301.36 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 301.36
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 3,055.64 ........... ........... ........... 3,055.64
Antony Blinken:
Kuwait................................. Dinar...................................... ........... 150.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 150.00
Jordan................................. Dinar...................................... ........... 150.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 150.00
Neil Brown:
Azerbaijan............................. Manat...................................... ........... 347.50 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 347.50
Turkey................................. Lira....................................... ........... 350.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 350.00
Romania................................ Lei........................................ ........... 350.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 350.00
Ukraine................................ Hryvna..................................... ........... 350.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 350.00
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 350.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 350.00
Belgium................................ Euro....................................... ........... 350.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 350.00
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 350.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 350.00
Georgia................................ Lari....................................... ........... 350.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 350.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,886.04 ........... ........... ........... 6,886.04
Jason Bruder:
Tajikistan............................. Somoni..................................... ........... 507.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 507.00
Kyrgyzstan............................. Som........................................ ........... 568.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 568.00
Kazakhstan............................. Tenge...................................... ........... 704.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 704.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 14,271.23 ........... ........... ........... 14,271.23
Perry Cammack:
Yemen.................................. Rial....................................... ........... 496.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 496.00
Qatar.................................. Riyal...................................... ........... 67.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 67.00
Egypt.................................. Pound...................................... ........... 523.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 523.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 12,688.87 ........... ........... ........... 12,688.87
Steven Feldstein:
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 354.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 354.00
Tanzania............................... Shilling................................... ........... 1,401.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,401.00
Djibouti............................... Franc...................................... ........... 82.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 82.00
Chad................................... Franc...................................... ........... 670.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 670.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,348.28 ........... ........... ........... 11,348.28
Andrew J. Fisher:
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 338.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 338.00
[[Page 24368]]
Georgia................................ Lari....................................... ........... 338.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 338.00
Azerbaijan............................. Manat...................................... ........... 337.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 337.00
Turkey................................. Lira....................................... ........... 337.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 337.00
Romania................................ Lei........................................ ........... 337.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 337.00
Ukraine................................ Hryvna..................................... ........... 337.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 337.00
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 338.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 338.00
Belgium................................ Euro....................................... ........... 338.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 338.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,886.04 ........... ........... ........... 6,886.04
James Greene:
China.................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 900.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 900.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 9,816.45 ........... ........... ........... 9,816.45
James Greene:
Ghana.................................. Cedi....................................... ........... 1,072.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,072.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 10,596.86 ........... ........... ........... 10,596.86
Mark Helmke:
Ghana.................................. Cedi....................................... ........... 756.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 756.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 10,596.86 ........... ........... ........... 10,596.86
Frank Jannuzi:
Australia.............................. Dollar..................................... ........... 1,173.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,173.00
Hong Kong.............................. Dollar..................................... ........... 582.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 582.00
China.................................. Yuan....................................... ........... 2,155.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 2,155.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 16,263.23 ........... ........... ........... 16,263.23
Mark Lippert:
Kuwait................................. Dinar...................................... ........... 50.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 50.00
Afghanistan............................ Afghani.................................... ........... 50.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 50.00
Jordan................................. Dinar...................................... ........... 50.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 50.00
Erin Logan:
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 628.89 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 628.89
Tanzania............................... Shilling................................... ........... 1,633.55 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,633.55
Djibouti............................... Franc...................................... ........... 84.75 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 84.75
Chad................................... Franc...................................... ........... 315.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 315.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,747.88 ........... ........... ........... 11,747.88
Mark Lopes:
Peru................................... Dollar..................................... ........... 945.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 945.00
Ecuador................................ Dollar..................................... ........... 590.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 590.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 5,598.30 ........... ........... ........... 5,598.30
Greta Lundeberg:
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 104.90 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 104.90
Djibouti............................... Franc...................................... ........... 84.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 84.00
Tanzania............................... Shilling................................... ........... 1,638.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,638.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 10,517.78 ........... ........... ........... 10,517.78
Keith Luse:
Malaysia............................... Ringgit.................................... ........... 1,205.55 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,205.55
Thailand............................... Baht....................................... ........... 44.26 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 44.26
Taiwan................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 16.75 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 16.75
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 5,695.88 ........... ........... ........... 5,695.88
Sarah Margon:
Nigeria................................ Naira...................................... ........... 1,181.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,181.00
Ghana.................................. Cedi....................................... ........... 227.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 227.00
Sierra Leone........................... Leones..................................... ........... 532.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 532.00
Liberia................................ Dollar..................................... ........... 475.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 475.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,537.44 ........... ........... ........... 7,537.44
Carl Meacham:
Argentina.............................. Peso....................................... ........... 268.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 268.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 5,547.80 ........... ........... ........... 5,547.80
Kenneth Myers, Jr.:
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 317.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 317.00
Georgia................................ Lari....................................... ........... 316.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 316.00
Azerbaijan............................. Manat...................................... ........... 316.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 316.00
Turkey................................. Lira....................................... ........... 316.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 316.00
Romania................................ Lei........................................ ........... 316.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 316.00
Ukraine................................ Hryvna..................................... ........... 316.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 316.00
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 316.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 316.00
Belgium................................ Euro....................................... ........... 317.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 317.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,886.04 ........... ........... ........... 6,886.04
Kenneth Myers III:
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 352.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 352.00
Georgia................................ Lari....................................... ........... 351.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 351.00
Azerbaijan............................. Manat...................................... ........... 352.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 352.00
Turkey................................. Lira....................................... ........... 352.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 352.00
Romania................................ Lei........................................ ........... 352.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 352.00
Ukraine................................ Hryvna..................................... ........... 352.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 352.00
Germany................................ Euro....................................... ........... 352.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 352.00
Belgium................................ Euro....................................... ........... 352.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 352.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,886.04 ........... ........... ........... 6,886.04
Rexon Ryu:
Kuwait................................. Dinar...................................... ........... 308.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 308.00
Jordan................................. Dinar...................................... ........... 190.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 190.00
Rexon Ryu:
Panama................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 148.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 148.00
Colombia............................... Peso....................................... ........... 334.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 334.00
Brazil................................. Real....................................... ........... 209.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 209.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 4,244.00 ........... ........... ........... 4,244.00
Shannon Smith:
Nigeria................................ Naira...................................... ........... 1,238.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,238.00
Ghana.................................. Cedi....................................... ........... 231.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 231.00
Sierra Leone........................... Leones..................................... ........... 467.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 467.00
Liberia................................ Dollar..................................... ........... 480.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 480.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,537.44 ........... ........... ........... 7,537.44
Chris Socha:
Tajikistan............................. Somoni..................................... ........... 507.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 507.00
Kyrgyzstan............................. Som........................................ ........... 568.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 568.00
Kazakhstan............................. Tenge...................................... ........... 879.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 879.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 14,271.23 ........... ........... ........... 14,271.23
Puneet Talwar:
Switzerland............................ Dollar..................................... ........... 475.29 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 475.29
Greece................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 1,031.67 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,031.67
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 9,697.27 ........... ........... ........... 9,697.27
Puneet Talwar:
Netherlands............................ Dollar..................................... ........... 469.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 469.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,457.39 ........... ........... ........... 7,457.39
[[Page 24369]]
Tomicah Tillemann:
Georgia................................ Lari....................................... ........... 386.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 386.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 9,334.78 ........... ........... ........... 9,334.78
Todd Womack:
Georgia................................ Lari....................................... ........... 577.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 577.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 10,375.52 ........... ........... ........... 10,375.52
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 45,564.87 ........... 249,728.59 ........... ........... ........... 295,293.46
SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
Oct. 23, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND
SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joel Spangenberg:
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,301.01 ........... ........... ........... 1,301.01
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 769.21 ........... 226.51 ........... ........... ........... 995.72
Netherlands............................ Euro....................................... ........... 428.20 ........... 187.85 ........... ........... ........... 616.05
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 839.35 ........... 25.30 ........... ........... ........... 864.65
Tara Shaw:
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,241.01 ........... ........... ........... 1,241.01
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 232.35 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 232.35
Netherlands............................ Euro....................................... ........... 456.54 ........... 300.65 ........... 14.68 ........... 771.87
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 835.21 ........... 134.89 ........... ........... ........... 970.10
Jason Yanussi:
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,241.01 ........... 10.00 ........... 1,251.01
United Kingdom......................... Pound...................................... ........... 784.92 ........... 259.60 ........... 9.73 ........... 1,054.25
Netherlands............................ Euro....................................... ........... 463.62 ........... 261.55 ........... 7.52 ........... 732.69
France................................. Euro....................................... ........... 848.16 ........... 28.27 ........... 14.88 ........... 891.31
Jennifer Hemingway:
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 12,937.52 ........... 100.00 ........... 13,037.52
Pakistan............................... Rupee...................................... ........... 616.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 616.00
Lebanon................................ Dirham..................................... ........... 20.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 20.00
United Arab Emirates................... Dirham..................................... ........... 1,305.00 ........... 82.00 ........... 75.00 ........... 1,462.00
Kenya Wiley:
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 12,967.52 ........... ........... ........... 12,967.52
Pakistan............................... Rupee...................................... ........... 668.10 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 668.10
United Arab Emirates................... Dirham..................................... ........... 1,389.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,389.00
Thomas Richards:
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 12,937.52 ........... 122.75 ........... 13,060.27
Pakistan............................... Rupee...................................... ........... 605.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 605.00
Lebanon................................ Dirham..................................... ........... 50.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 50.00
United Arab Emirates................... Dirham..................................... ........... 1,319.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,319.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 11,629.66 ........... 44,132.21 ........... 354.56 ........... 56,116.43
SENATOR JOSEPH LIEBERMAN,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs,
Oct. 21, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON THE
JUDICIARY FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bradley Hayes:
Denmark................................ Krone...................................... ........... 1,524.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,524.00
Estonia................................ Kroon...................................... ........... 1,324.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,324.00
Poland................................. Zloty...................................... ........... 1,420.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,420.00
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 8,497.77 ........... ........... ........... 8,497.77
Senator Arlen Specter:
Mexico................................. Peso....................................... ........... 595.57 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 595.57
Venezuela.............................. Bolivar.................................... ........... 390.58 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 390.58
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 2,310.38 ........... ........... ........... 2,310.38
Nicholas A. Rossi:
Mexico................................. Peso....................................... ........... 650.77 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 650.77
Venezuela.............................. Bolivar.................................... ........... 511.43 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 511.43
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 2,686.27 ........... ........... ........... 2,686.27
Senator Patrick Leahy:
Canada................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 585.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 585.00
Edward Brady:
Canada................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 515.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 515.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 7,516.35 ........... 13,494.42 ........... ........... ........... 21,010.77
SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, Oct.
24, 2008.
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[[Page 24370]]
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), COMMITTEE ON
INTELLIGENCE FOR TRAVEL FROM JULY 1 TO SEPT. 30, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Maguire............................... ........................................... ........... 1,907.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,907.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 12,771.60 ........... ........... ........... 12,771.60
Eric Chapman............................... ........................................... ........... 736.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 736.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 10,378.26 ........... ........... ........... 10,378.26
David Koger................................ ........................................... ........... 1,296.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,296.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,983.91 ........... ........... ........... 6,983.91
Gordon Matlock............................. ........................................... ........... 1,528.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,528.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 6,951.00 ........... ........... ........... 6,951.00
David Koger................................ ........................................... ........... 2,013.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 2,013.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,914.00 ........... ........... ........... 11,914.00
Caroline Tess.............................. ........................................... ........... 598.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 598.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,661.60 ........... ........... ........... 1,661.60
John Dickas................................ ........................................... ........... 483.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 483.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,661.60 ........... ........... ........... 1,661.60
Gregory Thielmann.......................... ........................................... ........... 1,220.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,220.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,243.00 ........... ........... ........... 11,243.00
Jennifer Wagner............................ ........................................... ........... 1,921.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,921.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,273.80 ........... ........... ........... 11,273.80
Louis Tucker............................... ........................................... ........... 1,705.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,705.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 2,959.30 ........... ........... ........... 2,959.30
Richard Girven............................. ........................................... ........... 1,705.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,705.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 2,959.30 ........... ........... ........... 2,959.30
Daniel Jones............................... ........................................... ........... 2,273.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 2,273.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 2,959.30 ........... ........... ........... 2,959.30
Alissa Starzak............................. ........................................... ........... 1,976.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,976.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 9,846.40 ........... ........... ........... 9,846.40
Andrew Kerr................................ ........................................... ........... 2,432.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 2,432.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 9,846.40 ........... ........... ........... 9,846.40
Caroline Tees.............................. ........................................... ........... 550.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 550.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,700.11 ........... ........... ........... 1,700.11
Richard Girven............................. ........................................... ........... 190.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 190.00
Senator Christopher Bond................... ........................................... ........... 1,705.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,705.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 3,760.80 ........... ........... ........... 3,760.80
Louis Tucker............................... ........................................... ........... 3,162.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 3,162.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 11,901.09 ........... ........... ........... 11,901.09
Richard Girven............................. ........................................... ........... 3,162.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 3,162.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 12,160.13 ........... ........... ........... 12,160.13
Jennifer Wagner............................ ........................................... ........... 1,399.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,399.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 13,932.68 ........... ........... ........... 13,932.68
James Smythers............................. ........................................... ........... 664.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 664.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 12,410.25 ........... ........... ........... 12,410.25
Bryan Smith................................ ........................................... ........... 1,231.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 1,231.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 13,932.68 ........... ........... ........... 13,932.68
Randall Bookout............................ ........................................... ........... 672.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 672.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 2,420.96 ........... ........... ........... 2,420.96
Eric Pelofsky.............................. ........................................... ........... 956.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 956.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,953.25 ........... ........... ........... 7,953.25
Paul Matulic............................... ........................................... ........... 989.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 989.00
Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 8,803.39 ........... ........... ........... 8,803.39
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 36,473.00 ........... 192,384.81 ........... ........... ........... 228,857.81
SENATOR JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER,
Chairman, Committee on Intelligence, Nov.
5, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL BY MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. SENATE, UNDER AUTHORITY OF SEC. 22, P.L. 95-384--22 U.S.C. 1754(b), MAJORITY LEADER FOR
TRAVEL FROM AUG. 24 TO AUG. 31, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diem Transportation Miscellaneous Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name and country Name of currency Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marcel Lettre:
United States.......................... Dollar..................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,896.07 ........... ........... ........... 7,896.07
Qatar.................................. Dollar..................................... ........... 936.00 ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 936.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................ ........................................... ........... 936.00 ........... 7,896.07 ........... ........... ........... 8,832.07
SENATOR HARRY REID,
Majority Leader.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____________________
____________________
EXECUTIVE SESSION
______
NOMINATIONS DISCHARGED
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to executive session and the Foreign Relations Committee be
discharged of PN2128; that the Commerce Committee be discharged from
PN1994, except the nomination of Robert E. Day; PN2117 and PN2118; that
the Senate proceed en bloc to their consideration; that the nominations
be confirmed en bloc; the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table
en bloc; that any statements related thereto be printed in the Record;
that no further motions be in order; and the President be immediately
notified of the Senate's action.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows:
Foreign Service
Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of
Career Minister:
Asif J. Chaudhry, of Washington
Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of
Minister-Counselor:
Gary C. Groves, of Texas
Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of
Counselor:
Alan D. Hrapsky, of Texas
In the United States Coast Guard
To be rear admiral (lower half)
Captain John H. Korn,
Captain William D. Lee,
Captain Charles D. Michel,
Captain Roy A. Nash,
Captain Michael N. Parks,
[[Page 24371]]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
To be lieutenant (junior grade)
Kyle W. Ryan
Oliver E. Brown
To be ensign
Gregory R. Schweitzer
John H. Petersen
Benjamin S. Bloss
John F. Rossi
Charlene R. Felkley
Emily M. Rose
Kevin W. Adams
Matthew M. Forney
Patricia E. Raymond
Matthew J. Nardi
Adam R. Reed
Adrienne L. Hopper
Rachel M. Sargent
Jonathan E. Owen
Ryan A. Wartick
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
To be lieutenant (junior grade)
Andrew R. Colegrove
Anna-Elizabeth B. Villiard-Howe
Nicholas C. Morgan
Jeffrey G. Pereira
Colin T. Klewer
Harold B. Emmons III
Paul M. Chamberlain
Michael W. O'Neal
Julie L. Earp
Kyle A. Byers
Loren M. Evory
Andrew J. Ostapenko
Laura T. Gallant
Gregory R. Schweitzer
Mark S. Andrews
Megan R. Guberski
Nathan E. Witherly
Christine L. Schultz
Claire V. Surrey
Ronald L. Moyers, Jr.
Brian D. Prestcott
Glen A. Rice
Patrick M. Redmond
Russell A. Quintero
Nathan B. Parker
Jonathan R. Heesch
Matthew C. Griffin
Faith C. Opatrny
____________________
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR AND NOMINATIONS DISCHARGED
Mr. DORGAN. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider Calendar
No. 757, the nomination of William Carr; and that the Judiciary
Committee be discharged of PN1113, the nomination of Ricardo H.
Hinojosa; that the Senate proceed en bloc to their consideration; that
the nominations be confirmed en bloc; the motions to reconsider be laid
on the table en bloc; that any statements related thereto be printed in
the Record; that no further motions be in order; and that the President
be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The nominations considered and confirmed en bloc are as follows:
united states sentencing commission
William B. Carr, Jr., of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of
the United States Sentencing Commission for a term expiring
October 31, 2011.
Ricardo H. Hinojosa, of Texas, to be a Member of the United
States Sentencing Commission for a term expiring October 31,
2013.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign
Relations Committee be discharged of PN730; the HELP Committee be
discharged of PN2019, PN2020, PN2022, PN2132, PN2024, PN2104, and
PN2119; and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee be
discharged of PN2058 and PN2086; and that the Senate proceed en bloc to
their consideration; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc, and the
motions to reconsider be laid upon the table; that no further motions
be in order, and any statements relating to the nominations be printed
in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the
Senate's action, and the Senate return to legislative session.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The nominations considered and confirmed en bloc are as follows:
department of state
Gene Allan Cretz, of New York, a Career Member of the
Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotenitiary of the United States of
America to Libya.
national science board
Douglas D. Randall, of Missouri, to be a Member of the
National Science Board, National Science Foundation, for a
term expiring May 10, 2014.
Ray M. Bowen, of Texas, to be a Member of the National
Science Board, National Science Foundation, for a term
expiring May 10, 2014.
France A. Cordova, of Indiana, to be a Member of the
National Science Board, National Science Foundation, for a
term expiring May 10, 2014.
U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
To be medical director
Paul J. Andreason
Wanda D. Barfield
Charles H. Beymer
Susan Blank
Michael J. Boquard
Brenton T. Burkholder
Jay C. Butler
Michael A. Carome
Martin S. Cetron
Susan T. Cookson
Michael M. Engelgau
Carol Friedman
Richard P. Hedlund
Dale J. Hu
Stephen G. Kaler
Newton E. Kendig
Jeffrey B. Kopp
Eric A. Mann
Aubrey K. Miler
Eric D. Mintz
Allyn K. Nakashima
Elena H. Page
Brent Pennington
Calman P. Prussin
Steven G. Scott
Robert J. Simonds
Mark J. Tedesco
Douglas B. Trout
Jonathan T. Weber
Jane R. Zucker
To be senior surgeon
Kenneth L. Brooks
Erlinda R. Casuga-Marquez
Ahmed M. Elkashef
Douglas H. Esposito
Alicia M. Fry
Rosemarie Hirsch
Stephen P. Kachur
Charles E. Lee
Sarah R. Linde-Feucht
Julie M. Magri
Katherine C. Palatianos
Mary C. Porvaznik
Stephen M. Rudd
Taraz Samandari
Julia A. Schillinger
Michael G. Wilcox
Jason J. Woo
Darius S. Yorichi
To be surgeon
Anthony M. Dunnigan
Mark R. Dybul
Nancy W. Knight
Dianna L. Mahoney
Kelton H. Oliver
Pragna Patel
Tobe M. Propst
Jeffrey D. Schulden
David L. Sprenger
Greggory J. Woitte
David Wong
To be senior assistant surgeon
Daisy Y. Eng
Daniel Molina
To be dental director
Michael C. Arnold
Timothy S. Bishop
William F. Catelli II
John F. Caudill II
Jeffery R. Combs
Dean J. Coppola
Steven D. Florer
Carl J. Gustke
Daniel J. Hickey
Joseph G. Hosek
Thomas E. Jordan
Mary G. Murphy
Rebecca V. Neslund
James T. Owen
Thomas A. Reese
Suzanne K. Saville
To be senior dental surgeon
Anita Arnold
Ronald C. Cox
Glen A. Eisenhuth
Richard L. Firnhaber
Ronald L. Fuller
Stanley K. Gordon
Christine K. Heng
Arlene M. Lester
John E. Lorincz
Aaron R. Means, Sr.
Kathleen M. Oconnor-Moran
Richard D. Stricklin
Todd M. Tovarek
To be dental surgeon
Ruben S. Acuna
Joyce D. Biberica
William J. Esposito
Katrina J. Leslie
Anthony L. Likes
Kimberly Woods Montoya
Adrian R. Palmer
Stella Yuk Kwan Lau Wisner
To be nurse director
Ana Marie L. Balingit-Wines
Eileen D. Bonneau
Sheila D. Carnes
Laurie S. Irwin-Pinkley
David W. Kelly
David L. Kerschner
Kathleen M. Kobus
Carol L. Konchan
[[Page 24372]]
Mary M. Leemhuis
Michael D. Lyman
Robert W. Mayes
Jerilyn Anderson McClain
Genise Y. Nixon
Monique V. Petrofsky
Gilbert P. Rose
Cindy L. Wilson
Beverly R. Wright
To be senior nurse officer
Victoria L. Anderson
Linda J. Belsito
Susan K. Brown
Michael P. Bryce
Annette R. Debisette
Joanne Derdak
Mary Y. Elkins
Susan K. Fritz
Byron C. Glenn
Wanda W. Gonzalez
Joan F. Hunter
Mary L. Kinkade
Colleen O. Lee
Jaime Muniz
Priscilla J. Powers
Doris L. Raymond
Letitia L. Rhodes
Bonnie A. Saylor
Sylvia Trent-Adams
Joyce B. Watson
Daniel J. Weskamp
To be nurse officer
Dawn A. Anderson-Gary
Ileana Barreto-Pettit
Patricia A. Barrett
Valene N. Bartmess
Jason M. Bischoff
Marie A. Casey
Susanna N. Choi
Brian R. Cronenwett
Derwent O. Daniel
John W. David, Jr.
Diane Douglas
Kimberly J. Elenberg
Eileen M. Falzini
Dion E. Franklund
Barbara A. Fuller
Serina A. Hunter-Thomas
Jackie Kennedy-Sullivan
Carol S. Lincoln
Lisa A. Marunycz
Tami L. McBride
Alberta M. McCabe
Sherry L. McReynolds
Anita E. Pollard
Letitia B. Robinson
Thomas M. Scheidel
Jeffery R. Semak
Judith B. Sutcliffe
Victoria F. Vachon
To be senior assistant nurse officer
Mark D. Cruz
Kaori Donohue
Bryan H. Emery
Coleen R. Fett
Joshua E. Hardin
James E. Thomas
William T. Williamson
Anh P. Wright
To be assistant nurse officer
James K. Lyons
Adriana M. Meyer-Alonzo
To be engineer director
David M. Apanian
Bryan L. Fischer
Michael G. Gressel
Robert B. McVicker
Robert J. Reiss
Keith P. Shortall
Mark A. Stafford
George W. Styer
Maurice C. West
To be senior engineer officer
Steven L. Bosiljevac
Gary S. Earnest
Cheryl Fairfield Estill
Chucri A. Kardous
James H. Ludington
Jamie D. Natour
Steven E. Raynor
Daniel C. Tompkins
Dennis J. Wagner
Marjorie E. Wallace
Mary M. Weber
Richard S. Wermers
To be engineer officer
Steven J. Dykstra
Keith E. Foy
David E. Harvey
Kelly G. Hudson
David E. Johnson
Mathew J. Martinson
Jennifer E. Mosser
Brent D. Rohlfs
Chad A. Snell
To be senior assistant engineer officer
Sean T. Bush
Jennifer Lynn Caparoso
Jeremy B. Nickels
To be scientist director
Peter I. Hartsock
Lauren C. Iacono-Connors
Rosa J. Key-Schwartz
Helena O. Mishoe
Joyce L. Smith
William H. Taylor I, II
To be senior scientist
Christine J. Benally
John J. Eckert
Laurence M. Grummer-Strawn
Leslie A. MacDonald
To be scientist
Rachel N. Avchen
Dan-My T. Chu
Danice K. Eaton
Lisa N. Pealer
Diana L. Schneider
To be environmental health officer director
Alan S. Echt
Robert F. Hennes
Michael E. Herring
Joseph L. Hughart
Robert S. Newsad
Douglas C. Pickup
Richard E. Turner
Paul T. Young
To be senior environmental health officer
Eric J. Esswein
Deborah A. Greco
William J. Greim
Michael P. Keiffer
Joe L. Maloney
David H. McMahon
Gary D. Perlman
Edward A. Pfister
Edwin Vazquez
To be environmental health officer
Charles M. Blue
William C. Crump
Timothy E. Jiggens
Mary B. O'Connor
Harrichand Rhambarose
Daniel J. Yereb
To be senior assistant environmental health officer
Robert A. Gibbs
Christopher T. Smith
To be veterinary director
Sean F. Altekruse
Stephanie I. Harris
Hugh M. Mainzer
Stephanie R. Ostrowski
To be senior veterinary officer
Terri R. Clark
Victoria A. Hampshire
Alfred W. Montgomery
Daniel R. Oleary
To be veterinary officer
Gregory L. Langham
To be pharmacist director
J. R. Eric Edwards
Mary A. Fong
Marie B. Greenwood
George J. Havens II
Martin Jagers
Anthony E. Keller
Michael R. Lilla
M. Carlene McIntyre
Murray F. Potter
Nicholas A. Quaglietta
Renee J. Roncone
Margaret A. Simoneau
Thomas J. Troshynski
To be senior pharmacist
Christine Hee-Kyung Chung
Michelle Dillahunt
Terry A. Hook
Mary E. Kremzner
Nitin K. Patel
Robert G. Pratt
Nita Sood
Brenda L. Stodart
Matthew J. Tarosky
Lisa L. Tonrey
To be pharmacist
Matthew R. Baker
David A. Bates
William H. Bender
Sye D. Bennefield
Mary A. Bickel
Bradley M. Bishop
Michael P. Bourg
Catherine Y. Chew
Chae Un Chong
Tamara A. Close
Michael A. Eddy
Rebecca E. Garner
Gary B. Hobbs
Marci C. Kiester
Kristy M. Klinger
Vlada Matusovsky
Nina C. Mezu-Nwaba
Margaret A. Rincon
Spencer S. Salis
Tina M. Spence
Jacqueline K. Thomas
Vasavi T. Thomas
Gerardo Z. Vazquez
Chi-Ann Yu Wu
To be senior dietitian
Juli M. Haws
Ann M. Staten
To be dietitian
Robert M. Collison
To be senior therapist
Jessie Whitehurst
Rita B. Shapiro
To be therapist
Corey S. Dahl
Frederick V. Lief
Henry P. McMillan
Robert E. Roe, Jr.
Jon M. Schultz
To be health services director
William M. Gosman
Greg A. Ketcher
Robert J. Lyon
W. Henry MacPherson
Margaret A. McDowell
Michael R. Miner
[[Page 24373]]
Janet Reen Saul
To be senior health services officer
Carol E. Auten
Gregory D. Cliff
Valerie A. Darden
Michael J. Flood
Mark S. Floss
Richard R. Kauffman
Elijah K. Marlin, Jr.
Philip S. McRae
Sheila P. Merriweather
David J. Miler
Sunil Patel
Anthony Sanchez
Phillip L. Toy
Jeanean D. Willis-Marsh
To be health services officer
David J. Bellware
Keith W. Cespon
Rhondalyn R. Cox
Gregory J. Flaitz
Anna T. Gonzales
Dione Marie Harjo
Beth Anne Henson
Theresa A. Minter
Daisy D. Mitchell
Michelle A. Pelkey
Jacqueline D. Rodrigue
Tobey Manns Royal
Scott J. Salvatore
Angela K. Shen
To bie senior assistant health services officer
Brian T. Burt
Sean R. Byrd
Torrey B. Darkenwald
Eduardo R. Faytong
James D. Hall, Jr.
Carl A. Huffman I, II
Jason S. Jurkowski
Raquel A. Peat
Angel E. Sanchez
Stephen C. Smith
Anthony A. Walker
Darin S. Wiegers
Elaine C. Wolff
NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD
G.P. Peterson of Colorado, to be a Member of the National
Science Board, National Science Foundation, for a term
expiring May 10, 2014.
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS
Barbara Ernst Prey, of New York, to be a Member of the
National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3,
2014.
u.s. public health service
To be medical director
Matthew T. McKenna
Zachary Taylor III
To be senior surgeon
Timothy R. Cote
Juliette Morgan
To be surgeon
Henry C. Baggett III
Edward C. Doo
Paul D. Heiderscheidt
John T. Redd
Joseph P. Simon
To be senior assistant surgeon
Scott J. Filler
Monique R. Fountain
Ana I. Guzman
Karen C. Lee
Lori A. Pollack
James J. Sejvar
Michael C. Thigpen
To be senior dental surgeon
Seyed H. Mortazavi
To be dental surgeon
Juan K. Packer
Phillip A. Wilson
Paul A. Wong
To be senior assistant dental surgeon
Jodine C. Anderson
Carol L. McDaniel
To be nurse director
Holly A. Williams
To be senior nurse officer
Ann M. McCarthy
To be nurse officer
Kristal E. Dye
Susan E. Erwin
Martin A. Foreman
Brant B. Goode
Veronica M. Gordon
Jerri L. McGinnis
Dorothy R. Merchant
Elvira D. Mosely
Rebecca S. Noe
Arlene M. Patuc
Carolyn R. Stacy-Wilkin
Debra Tubbs
To be senior assistant nurse officer
Anne M. Arceo
Helen E. Ballantyne
Demetrius Chapman
Summer A. Cutting
Dan Fletcher III
Melissa A. George
Shawna L. Hutchins
Deborah N. Lamping
To be engineer officer
Jeffrey A. Murray
To be senior assistant engineer officer
Varsha B. Savalia
To be scientist
David J. McIntyre
Danisha L. Robbins
To be senior environmental health officer
Paul M. Lewis
To be environmental health officer
Brian L. Lewelling
Mathew J. Thomas
John T. Whitesides
To be senior assistant environmental health officer
Jeffrey T. Dickson
Molly E. Patton
To be pharmacist
Steven A. Labrozzi
Judy L. Rose
Jamie L. Shaddon
To be senior assistant pharmacist
Kristina J. Ballinger
Jefferson Fredy
Katie E. Johnson
Randi R. Lanier
Jeffrey J. Mallette
Lori B. Moore
Allison M. Paynter
Vincent S. Sansone
Courtney M. Suggs
Judith B. Thompson
Leo B. Zadecky
To be senior assistant therapist
James M. Cowher
To be health services officer director
Clifford D. Brown
To be health services officer
Irwin W. Fish
To be senior assistant health services officer
Julia H. Bryan
Alnissa T. Carter
Michael C. Clay
Martha S. Fermin
Lori A. Goodman
Rachael Trimpert Schmidt
Cameron C. Scott
Michael R. Tilus
Emily J. Williams
To be junior assistant health services officer
Kristi R. Anderson
Keren Arkin
Sarah E. Coleman
Matthew R. Daab
James C. Decker
Dimana Dimitrova
Elizabeth A. Franklin
David M. Gianferante
Marilou Gonzalez
Rebecca Hardy
Amy J. Hatcher
Sara A. Kierpiec
Tina Pattaratornkosohn
Jeffrey R. Strich
Xi Hua Yang
John I. Young
judiciary
Alfred S. Irving, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be
an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of
Columbia for the term of fifteen years.
Kathryn A. Oberly, of the District of Columbia, to be an
Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals
for the term of fifteen years.
____________________
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will now
return to legislative session.
____________________
DR. WALTER CARL GORDON, JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 6859, which is at the
desk.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 6859) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 1501 South Slappey Boulevard
in Albany, Georgia, as the ``Dr. Walter Carl Gordon, Jr. Post
Office Building.''
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements
relating thereto be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 6859) was ordered to a third reading, was read the
third time, and passed.
____________________
JOSEPH A. RYAN POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from
further consideration of S. 3681 and that the Senate proceed to its
immediate consideration.
[[Page 24374]]
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 3681) to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 5070 Vegas Valley Drive in
Las Vegas, Nevada, as the ``Joseph A. Ryan Post Office
Building.''
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related
to the bill be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (S. 3681) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading,
was read the third time, and passed, as follows:
S. 3681
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. JOSEPH A. RYAN POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 5070 Vegas Valley Drive in Las Vegas,
Nevada, shall be known and designated as the ``Joseph A. Ryan
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 ``Joseph A. Ryan Post Office Building''.
____________________
AUTHORIZING A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3711, introduced earlier
today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 3711) to authorize a cost of living adjustment
for the Federal judiciary.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise to express support for a bill
introduced by myself, the minority leader, and others to provide a
cost-of-living salary adjustment to Federal judges.
The Framers of our Constitution were men of great vision and
foresight. One of their great innovations was the establishment of an
independent judiciary, which is to function as a coequal branch of
government.
The Framers knew that justice and the rule of law would only prevail
if judges are free from executive and legislative interference. In
order to preserve the autonomy of judges, the Framers established
safeguards. One of these safeguards was the assurance that judicial pay
could not be diminished during a judge's service on the bench. This
safeguard was important enough that it was included in the first
section of article III of the Constitution.
Unfortunately, in terms of real dollars, we in Congress have allowed
judicial pay to dwindle. Since 1969, the salaries of Federal judges
have significantly declined when adjusted for inflation. The Office of
the United States Courts estimates judicial pay has declined by 25
percent.
Preserving judicial integrity is a bipartisan goal. Earlier this
Congress a bipartisan bill was put forward which would have given
judges a long-awaited pay raise. The Federal Judicial Salary
Restoration Act of 2008 would have brought judicial salaries more
closely in line with what the position merits. Although this bill had
support on both sides of the aisle, we were unable to pass it this
year. We will return to that proposal in the very near future.
The bill we have introduced today simply provides a cost-of-living
increase for this year. I favor a proposal, included in the Salary
Restoration Act, which would guarantee judges a cost-of-living
adjustment every year. But at the very least, we must provide such an
increase for this year.
Between 1993 and 2001, the Federal judiciary has received only three
out of eight proposed cost-of-living adjustments. Because of Congress's
failure to act, judicial pay has declined relative to the rest of the
economy, and judicial independence is threatened. It is time we stop
allowing judicial pay to diminish.
If we are to preserve the judicial independence envisioned by our
country's Founders, we must not allow judicial pay to continue to ebb.
Passage of this bill would be a small downpayment on the more
meaningful steps we need to take to treat judges with the respect they
deserve.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, at the very beginning of the 110th
Congress, I joined with Senators Reid, Specter, Feinstein, and Cornyn
to pass legislation to authorize a cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, for
the salaries of U.S. Justices and judges for fiscal year 2007. Now as
we wrap up this session, we are again compelled to take remedial
action, because a COLA for our Federal judiciary was not included in
the continuing resolution for fiscal year 2009.
Earlier today, we attempted to pass a bipartisan bill to repeal the
section of the U.S. Code that is a barrier to Federal judges receiving
an automatic cost-of-living adjustment. The Administrative Office of
the United States Courts notes that when adjusted for inflation the pay
rate for Federal judges has declined by 25 percent since 1969. In 1975,
Congress enacted the Executive Salary Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act,
intended to give judges, Members of Congress, and other high-ranking
executive branch officials automatic COLAs as accorded other Federal
employees unless rejected by Congress. However, in 1981, Congress
enacted section 140 of Public Law 97-92, mandating specific
congressional action to give COLAs to judges. This action has resulted
in judges failing to receive a cost-of-living adjustment when other
Federal employees have received one. Unfortunately, there was an
objection on the other side of the aisle that prevented passage of the
measure to repeal this antiquated section and to ensure that the wages
of our Federal judges can keep up with inflation.
The bipartisan legislation we are now trying to move provides a COLA
for Federal judges consistent with the law and with fairness. I hope
that this measure, providing judges with a COLA for fiscal year 2009,
can pass by both sides of the aisle by unanimous consent. I had
sincerely hoped that we could have passed a more comprehensive judicial
pay bill this Congress given all the work we dedicated to the issue in
the Judiciary Committees of both the Senate and the House of
Representatives but at a minimum we should not allow judicial salaries
to slip even further behind.
Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, a strong and independent judiciary is
essential to the administration of justice in our country.
It is my understanding that the Senate has been unable to clear
bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Reid and McConnell which
would repeal the requirement that Congress specially authorize a cost-
of-living increase each year for the Federal judiciary. Repealing this
provision, which is known as section 140, would in essence ensure that
Federal judges are treated in the same manner as Members of Congress
regarding salary adjustments.
I am disappointed that this bipartisan effort is being blocked, but I
am pleased that the Senate is expected to pass another measure, which I
have cosponsored, that would provide a cost-of-living increase to
judges for at least the next year. Without this fix, Members of
Congress will receive a COLA increase in January along with most of the
Federal workforce, but not the judiciary. I don't see any reasonable
justification for giving Members of Congress and the Federal workforce
a cost-of-living increase and denying the judiciary a similar
adjustment.
There are ongoing discussions about the extent we should provide for
an overall increase in judicial compensation, but the issue we are
discussing today isn't about making major adjustments to judicial
salaries. I support reforming judicial salaries, and I hope the next
Congress will be able to pass legislation to this end, but in the
meantime I believe it is important that we don't deny the judiciary a
reasonable cost-of-living increase.
[[Page 24375]]
Leaving the judiciary behind would be wrongheaded and shortsighted.
By denying these dedicated public servants adequate compensation, we
are making it more difficult to attract and retain judges of the
highest caliber.
I would also like to note my appreciation for the majority leader's
efforts to address this issue. Although attempts to repeal section 140
have stalled at this point, I know Senator Reid, along with Senator
Leahy, are committed to ensuring that we maintain a strong judiciary
and to enacting necessary reforms. I will continue to do everything I
can to support these efforts.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 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 (S. 3711) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading,
was read the third time, and passed, as follows:
S. 3711
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR THE FEDERAL
JUDICIARY.
Pursuant to section 140 of Public Law 97-92, justices and
judges of the United States are authorized during fiscal year
2009 to receive a salary adjustment in accordance with
section 461 of title 28, United States Code.
____________________
MAKING A TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO THE PAUL WELLSTONE AND PETE DOMENICI
MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND ADDICTION EQUITY ACT OF 2008
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3712 introduced earlier
today by Senator Kennedy.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 3712) to make technical corrections in the Paul
Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and
Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
read three times and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements
related to the bill be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read
the third time, and passed, as follows:
S. 3712
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TECHNICAL CORRECTION IN MENTAL HEALTH PARITY
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Section 512(e)(2)(B) of the Paul Wellstone and Pete
Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of
2008 (subtitle B of title V of division C of Public Law 110-
343) is amended by striking ``January 1, 2009'' and inserting
``January 1, 2010''.
____________________
SHORT-TERM ANALOG FLASH AND EMERGENCY READINESS ACT
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 3663 and the
Senate proceed to its consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk
will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 3663) to require the Federal Communications
Commission to provide for a short-term extension of the
analog television broadcasting authority so that essential
public safety announcements and digital television transition
information may be provided for a short time during the
transition to digital television broadcasting.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss a very
important change that is set to occur all across America on February
17, 2009: The final switch from analog to digital broadcast television
called the DTV, or Digital TV, Transition.
In many respects this is not a new issue. The wheels have been in
motion on this change since 2005--spurred by the horrible tragedy of
September 11th which starkly highlighted our desperate need for a
national, interoperable communications network. The transition to
digital TV will free up spectrum for public safety use so the national
emergency communications network America needs can be put in place.
But there have been serious concerns about our readiness to make the
shift to digital TV, and several of my colleagues and I have been
raising red flags about them for years now. Not because we believe the
change is a mistake, but because we believe that not enough has been
done to prepare, to educate, and to help American consumers so that the
screens on their television sets do not go black 88 days from now.
What is the change from analog to digital broadcast? Over-the-air
broadcasters will send their signal over digital spectrum, not analog
spectrum that is currently used. The change won't affect consumers with
cable or satellite TV or those who have a converter box for their older
analog TV set. And the switch to digital will improve the definition
and clarity of the TV picture.
Why are we making this change? Primarily to modernize our airwaves
and use the more efficient digital spectrum for a smarter use of our
limited spectrum resources for the public good. The change will, again,
free up critically needed spectrum so that we can move toward the
nationally interoperable public safety communications network we need.
It will also allow over-the-air broadcasters to offer new and
innovative programming and provide new spectrum for wireless
technologies.
The DTV Act was enacted as part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
It directs the Federal Communications Commission, FCC, to require all
full power television stations to cease analog broadcasting following
February 17, 2009. That day is 88 days from now. What this means--and
let me be very clear--is that any consumer with traditional analog
televisions--regular TV sets that use an antenna to get a signal--will
not be able to watch free, over-the-air television without taking one
of three steps to adapt their TV to receive a digital signal. The most
common and least expensive way that consumers can adapt their TV will
be to buy a digital-to-analog converter box to hook up to their analog
television set. While seemingly a highly technical issue to some, this
is no small matter to the 10-13 million Americans who might well lose
their TV signal on February 18th of next year.
I firmly believe that our Nation is not ready to make this transition
without substantially more involvement from every level of government,
the entire communications industry, and willing community organizations
across America. At present, most experts agree that the transition will
unleash a massive amount of consumer confusion. And when people are cut
off from their televisions, it is not just a matter of convenience, but
it is a matter of public safety. We simply cannot stand by and let
people lose access to emergency alerts and public safety
communications.
I am especially concerned because this transition is going to hit our
most vulnerable citizens--the poor, the elderly, the disabled, and
those with language barriers--the hardest. We risk leaving those who
are most reliant on over-the-air broadcast television for their contact
with the outside world literally in the dark. These consumers are
disproportionately rural.
In 2005, the outgoing administration and its proponents decided to
leave almost all of the implementation of the transition to the private
sector--broadcasters, cable and satellite companies, and consumer
electronics retailers. While there are claims that hundreds of millions
of private sector dollars have been spent making Americans aware of the
DTV transition, it seems that most Americans have no idea what it
really is even if they have heard of it. New surveys suggest more
consumers are growing aware of the transition, but that consumers
remain
[[Page 24376]]
confused about what steps they need to take to get ready for it.
Consumer Reports has found that 63 percent have major misconceptions
about what steps they need to take to prepare.
The recent DTV transition test market of Wilmington, NC demonstrated
that, even with extraordinary levels of outreach, some still did not
know anything about the DTV transition. I would note that Wilmington
received far more attention than any market in West Virginia is likely
to receive, or any other part of the country for that matter.
Even in the test market, several thousand people called into the FCC
for assistance--they could not set up their converter box, they could
not receive certain digital signals, or their antennae needed
adjustment--just to name a few of the problems. Consumers, especially
the elderly and those with limited English proficiency, are going to
need help in managing the transition. On February 18, 2009, those
thousands of calls will become millions.
There is no question the transition to DTV could have and should have
been far better managed and far better planned. But at this point, we
must focus on fixing it, not laying blame.
Last night, I asked unanimous consent for the Senate to take up S.
3663, the Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act, as
amended. This piece of legislation will help make sure those consumers
who fail to make the DTV transition by February 17, 2009 are not left
without access to emergency information. This bill will also allow
those consumers to understand what steps they need to take in order to
restore their television signals by allowing an analog signal to
continue to be broadcast in each regional market for an additional 30
days past February 17th.
Let me be clear: This bill is far from a silver bullet that will fix
all the problems associated with the transition.
I can assure my colleagues that the new Democratic leadership in
Congress and the White House is committed to protecting the American
consumer. Over the next few months, I will work with my colleagues on a
more comprehensive plan of action to make sure millions of Americans
receive the support and assistance they need to make this transition.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a Rockefeller
substitute amendment which is at the desk be agreed to; the bill be
read a third time and passed; the motions to reconsider be laid upon
the table, with no intervening action or debate; and any statements
related to the bill be placed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment (No. 5698) was agreed to, as follows:
(Purpose: To provide for the short-term partial extension of analog
broadcasting)
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Short-term Analog Flash and
Emergency Readiness Act''.
SEC. 2. COMMISSION ACTION REQUIRED.
(a) Program Required.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the Federal Communications Commission shall, not
later than January 15, 2009, develop and implement a program
to encourage and permit, to the extent technically feasible
and subject to such limitations as the Commission finds to be
consistent with the public interest and the requirements of
this Act, the broadcasting in the analog television service
of only the public safety information and digital transition
information specified in subsection (b) during the 30-day
period beginning on the day after the date established by law
under section 3002(b) of the Digital Television Transition
and Public Safety Act of 2005 for termination of all licenses
for full-power television stations in the analog television
service and the cessation of broadcasting by full-power
stations in the analog television service.
(b) Information required.--The program required by
subsection (a) shall provide for the broadcast of--
(1) emergency information, including critical details
regarding the emergency, as broadcast or required to be
broadcast by full-power stations in the digital television
service;
(2) information, in both English and Spanish, and
accessible to persons with disabilities, concerning--
(A) the digital television transition, including the fact
that a transition has taken place and that additional action
is required to continue receiving television service,
including emergency notifications; and
(B) the steps required to enable viewers to receive such
emergency information via the digital television service and
to convert to receiving digital television service, including
a phone number and Internet address by which help with such
transition may be obtained in both English and Spanish; and
(3) such other information related to consumer education
about the digital television transition or public health and
safety or emergencies as the Commission may find to be
consistent with the public interest.
SEC. 3. LIMITATIONS.
In designing the program required by this Act, the
Commission shall--
(1) take into account market-by-market needs, based upon
factors such as channel and transmitter availability;
(2) ensure that broadcasting of the program specified in
section 2(b) will not cause harmful interference with signals
in the digital television service;
(3) not require the analog television service signals
broadcast under this Act to be retransmitted or otherwise
carried pursuant to section 325(b), 338, 339, 340, 614, or
615 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 325(b), 338,
339, 340, 614, or 615);
(4) take into consideration broadcasters' digital power
levels and transition and coordination plans that already
have been adopted with respect to cable systems and satellite
carriers' systems;
(5) prohibit any broadcast of analog television service
signals under section 2(b) on any spectrum that is approved
or pending approval by the Commission to be used for public
safety radio services, including television channels 14-20;
and
(6) not include the analog spectrum between channels 52 and
69, inclusive (between frequencies 698 and 806 megahertz,
inclusive) reclaimed from analog television broadcasting
pursuant to section 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934
(47 U.S.C. 309(j)).
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act, the term ``emergency information'' has
the meaning such term has under part 79 of the regulations of
the Federal Communications Commission (47 C.F.R. part 79).
The bill (S. 3663), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading, was read the third time, and passed.
____________________
AUTHORIZING THE USE OF EMANCIPATION HALL
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 435 received
from the House.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent
resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 435) authorizing the
use of Emancipation Hall on December 2, 2008, for ceremonies
and activities held in connection with the opening of the
Capitol Visitor Center to the public.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
concurrent resolution.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
concurrent resolution be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid
upon the table, and that any statements related to the concurrent
resolution be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 435) was agreed to.
____________________
THE ADOPTION OF BLUEFIN TUNA CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Commerce
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 709 and
the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 709) expressing the sense of the
Senate that the United States should pursue the adoption of
bluefin tuna conservation and management measures at the 16th
Special Meeting of the International Commission on the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. 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 with no intervening action or debate,
and any statements related to the resolution be printed in the Record.
[[Page 24377]]
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 709) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 709
Whereas Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery is valuable
commercially and recreationally in the United States and many
other countries;
Whereas the International Convention for the Conservation
of Atlantic Tunas entered into force on March 21, 1969;
Whereas the Convention established the International
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas to
coordinate international research and develop, implement, and
enforce compliance of the conservation and management
recommendations on the Atlantic bluefin tuna and other highly
migratory species in the Atlantic Ocean and the adjacent
seas, including the Mediterranean Sea;
Whereas in 1974, the Commission adopted its first
conservation and management recommendation to ensure the
sustainability of Atlantic bluefin tuna throughout the
Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, while allowing for the
maximum sustainable catch for food and other purposes;
Whereas in 1981, for management purposes, the Commission
adopted a working hypothesis of 2 Atlantic bluefin tuna
stocks, with 1 occurring west of 45 degrees west longitude
(hereinafter referred to as the ``western Atlantic stock'')
and the other occurring east of 45 degrees west longitude
(hereinafter referred to as the ``eastern Atlantic and
Mediterranean stock'');
Whereas, despite scientific recommendations intended to
maintain bluefin tuna populations at levels that will permit
the maximum sustainable yield and ensure the future of the
stocks, the total allowable catch quotas have been
consistently set at levels significantly higher than the
recommended levels for the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean
stock;
Whereas despite the establishment by the Commission of
fishing quotas based on total allowable catch levels for the
eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery that
exceed scientific recommendations, compliance with such
quotas by parties to the Convention that harvest that stock
has been extremely poor, most recently with harvests
exceeding such total allowable catch levels by more than 50
percent for each of the last 4 years;
Whereas insufficient data reporting in combination with
unreliable national catch statistics has frequently
undermined efforts by the Commission to assign quota
overharvests to specific countries;
Whereas the failure of many Commission members fishing east
of 45 degrees west longitude to comply with other Commission
recommendations to conserve and control the overfished
eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna stock has
been an ongoing problem;
Whereas the Commission's Standing Committee on Research and
Statistics noted in its 2006 report that the fishing
mortality rate for the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean
stock may be more than 3 times the level that would permit
the stock to stabilize at the maximum sustainable catch
level, and continuing to fish at the level of recent years
``is expected to drive the spawning biomass to a very low
level'' giving ``rise to a high risk of fishery and stock
collapse'';
Whereas the Standing Committee's 2008 report recommended
that the annual harvest levels for eastern Atlantic and
Mediterranean bluefin tuna be reduced from 32,000 metric tons
to 15,000 metric tons or less to halt decline of the resource
and initiate rebuilding;
Whereas the Standing Committee has stated that time and
area closures could greatly facilitate the implementation and
monitoring of rebuilding strategies and recommended a closure
of the Mediterranean Sea in May, June, and July, as well as a
minimum size limit of 25 kilograms;
Whereas in 2006, the Commission adopted the
``Recommendation by ICCAT to Establish a Multi-Annual
Recovery Plan for Bluefin Tuna in the eastern Atlantic and
Mediterranean'' containing a wide range of management,
monitoring, and control measures designed to facilitate the
recovery of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin
tuna stock;
Whereas the Recovery Plan is inadequate and allows
overfishing and stock decline to continue, and initial
information indicates that implementation of the plan in 2007
by many eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna
harvesting countries has been poor;
Whereas since 1981, the Commission has adopted additional
and more restrictive conservation and management
recommendations for the western Atlantic bluefin tuna stock,
and these recommendations have been implemented by Nations
fishing west of 45 degrees west longitude, including the
United States;
Whereas despite adopting, fully implementing, and complying
with a science-based rebuilding program for the western
Atlantic bluefin tuna stock by countries fishing west of 45
degrees west longitude, catches and catch rates remain very
low;
Whereas many scientists believe that mixing occurs between
the western Atlantic bluefin tuna stock and the eastern
Atlantic and Mediterranean stock, and as such, poor
management and noncompliance with recommendations for one
stock are likely to have an adverse effect on the other
stock; and
Whereas additional research on stock mixing will improve
the understanding of the relationship between eastern and
western bluefin tuna stocks and other fisheries, which will
assist in the conservation, recovery, and management of the
species throughout its range: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the
United States delegation to the 16th Special Meeting of the
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas, should--
(1) pursue a meaningful assessment of Commission member
compliance with the ``Recommendation by ICCAT to Establish a
Multi-Annual Recovery Plan for Bluefin Tuna in the eastern
Atlantic and Mediterranean'' (Recommendation 06-05),
including seeking detailed explanations from Commission
members that have failed to effectively implement the terms
of the recommendation;
(2) pursue the adoption by the Commission of measures
designed to eliminate non-compliance, including, as
appropriate, deducting a portion of a future quota for a
party to compensate for such party exceeding its quota in
prior years, and where appropriate, steps should be taken to
link non-compliance with reductions in fishery or market
access;
(3) seek a temporary suspension of the eastern Atlantic and
Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery, including all trade, if
significant progress toward establishing science-based
management measures, improving monitoring and control
measures, and addressing compliance issues is not made at the
Commission this year;
(4) seek to strengthen the conservation and management of
the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna by making
recommendations to halt the decline of the stock and begin to
rebuild it, including reducing annual harvest levels so that
they do not exceed recommendations of the Standing Committee
and expanding the time and area closure for the Mediterranean
purse seine fleet to include May, June, and July; and
(5) pursue additional research on the relationship between
the western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean
bluefin tuna stocks and the extent to which the populations
intermingle.
____________________
CONDEMNING STONING IN SOMALIA
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 711, which was submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 711) condemning the tragic and
senseless death by stoning of a 13-year-old girl from
Somalia.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to
reconsider be laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 711) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 711
Whereas a child from Somalia, identified as Aisha Ibrahim
Duhulow, was raped by 3 men, and when her family reported the
rape to authorities of the al-Shabaab militia that control
the city of Kismayu, Somalia, she was accused of adultery and
ordered to be stoned;
Whereas, in October 2008, Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow was stoned
to death by 50 militant men before 1,000 witnesses in a
public stadium;
Whereas al-Shabaab, some of whose members are affiliated
with al Qaeda, is a violent and brutal extremist group that
has used intimidation and committed human rights violations
to undermine the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia
and threaten activists in civil society working to bring
about peace through political dialogue and reconciliation;
Whereas, on February 29, 2008, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice designated al-Shabaab as a foreign terrorist
organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189) and placed the organization
on the list of specially designated global terrorists
established under the International Emergency Economic Powers
Act and initiated under Executive Order 13224;
[[Page 24378]]
Whereas the 2007 Country Report on Human Rights Practices
in Somalia, released on March 11, 2007, by the Department of
State, cited the ``poor human rights situation'' in Somalia,
including ``unlawful and politically motivated killings,
official impunity, and discrimination and violence against
women'';
Whereas stoning is a grave and serious violation of human
rights law, in which the victim is killed in an especially
brutal way;
Whereas stoning is practiced particularly on girls and
women accused of adultery;
Whereas the United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom has condemned the death of Aisha Ibrahim
Duhulow and called on the United States Government to join
other states in speaking out decisively in international fora
against such grave human rights abuses; and
Whereas the United States Government continues to support
the efforts of those working to transform the troubled region
of Somalia through commitment to sound human rights
practices, democratic and representative government, economic
recovery, and lasting peace and reconciliation: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the tragic and senseless death by stoning of
Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow;
(2) urges the international community to join the Senate in
speaking out against this brutal act; and
(3) urges the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia--
(A) to undertake robust efforts to protect women and
children and to prevent acts of institutionalized violence
against women in Somalia;
(B) to work to strengthen the rule of law as part of the
effort by the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to
establish its authority;
(C) to promote equal and fair treatment of women; and
(D) to end the culture of impunity in Somalia.
____________________
CONGRATULATING THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ON WINNING THE 2008 WORLD
SERIES
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 712, which was submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 712) congratulating the Philadelphia
Phillies on winning the 2008 World Series.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to submit a
resolution congratulating the Philadelphia Phillies on winning the 2008
World Series. On October 29, 2008, the Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay
Rays 4 to 3 in Game 5 to secure a World Series title for the first time
since 1980 and second time in team history.
This historic victory was the culmination of a hard-fought 2008
regular season and an exhilarating postseason run for the Phillies. On
September 27, the Phillies beat the Washington Nationals to clinch the
National League East Division for the second consecutive year. They
would go on to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers in
the Division Series and National League Championship Series,
respectively, to advance to their first World Series since 1993.
In the World Series, the Phillies faced a young and talented Tampa
Bay Rays team, led by Manager, and Pennsylvania native, Joe Maddon.
With strong performances from their starting pitchers, an outstanding
bullpen and well-timed hitting, the Phillies beat the Rays in five
games to clinch the title.
On behalf of the Senate and as an ardent Phillies fan myself, I
congratulate the Philadelphia Phillies on winning the 2008 World Series
and bringing to my hometown of Philadelphia a major sports championship
for the first time in 25 years. In particular, I offer my heartfelt
congratulations to manager Charlie Manuel, who, since taking the helm
as manager in 2005, has guided this young Phillies team to become the
best in Major League Baseball. Further due special recognition is 24-
year-old pitcher Cole Hamels, who was named the Most Valuable Player
for both the National League Championship Series and World Series with
a 4-0 record and 1.80 earned run average in the postseason.
Also deserving of much praise are the 2008 American League
Championship Rays. Though they had endured 10 consecutive losing
seasons and the worst record in baseball last season, the Rays won
their division and the 2008 American League Championship Series. The
Rays have a bright future and I wish them continued success.
Finally, and perhaps more importantly, I congratulate all Phillies
fans, who could finally enjoy that parade down Broad Street they so
well deserve. Philadelphia sports fans have consistently demonstrated
their love for and devotion to Philadelphia teams, even after 25 years
without winning a major sports championship. While we have a reputation
of being somewhat rough around the edges, Philadelphia fans are
enthusiastic about sports and fiercely loyal to our teams. We also have
a reputation for not resting on our laurels and demanding a lot from
those players and coaches privileged to wear our teams' uniforms. I
therefore urge my Phillies to keep fighting and bring home another
title next year.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions, to
reconsider be laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 712) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 712
Whereas, on October 29, 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies
defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to win the 2008 World Series;
Whereas the 4 to 3 Phillies victory in Game 5 of the Fall
Classic secured for Philadelphia a World Series title for the
first time since 1980, and for the second time in team
history;
Whereas the Tampa Bay Rays deserve congratulations for a
stellar 2008 season, in which, after 10 consecutive losing
seasons, they posted a regular season record of 97-65 and won
the American League Championship Series;
Whereas Tampa Bay Rays Manager and Hazelton, Pennsylvania-
native Joe Maddon established himself as among the premier
managers in Major League Baseball during the 2008 season, and
aptly was named American League Manager of the Year;
Whereas Philadelphia sports fans have consistently
demonstrated their love for, and devotion to, Philadelphia
teams, even after 25 years without winning a major sports
championship;
Whereas, since taking the helm as manager in 2005, Phillies
Manager Charlie Manuel has guided the young Phillies team to
become the best in Major League Baseball;
Whereas recently retired General Manager Pat Gillick, who
joined the Phillies in 2006, played an integral role in
assembling the World Series-winning team;
Whereas 24-year old pitcher Cole Hamels was named the Most
Valuable Player for both the National League Championship
Series and the World Series, with a 4-0 record and 1.80
Earned Run Average in the post-season;
Whereas starting pitchers Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Joe
Blanton, and Souderton, Pennsylvania-native Jamie Moyer
delivered outstanding performances throughout the post-
season;
Whereas the Phillies' bullpen distinguished itself as among
the greatest in Major League Baseball, particularly closer
Brad Lidge, who finished the 2008 season with 48 out of 48
save opportunities, including the final game of the World
Series;
Whereas the Phillies were led by a talented and tough group
of players including: 2006 MVP Ryan Howard; All-Star Chase
Utley; 2007 MVP and 2007 and 2008 Gold Glove winner Jimmy
Rollins; third baseman Pedro Feliz; veteran outfielder Pat
Burrell; 2008 Gold Glove winner, the ``Flyin' Hawaiian'',
Shane Victorino; outfielder Jayson Werth; and catcher Carlos
Ruiz;
Whereas numerous reserve players made significant
contributions to the Phillies' World Series title run,
including Geoff Jenkins, Chris Coste, Eric Bruntlett, Greg
Dobbs, and Matt Stairs; and
Whereas more than 1,000,000 fans packed the streets of
Philadelphia on October 31, 2008 for a parade along Market
and Broad Streets ending at Citizens Bank Park;
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates--
(A) the Philadelphia Phillies for winning the 2008 World
Series;
(B) the Phillies manager, coaches, and support staff, whose
commitment to the Phillies franchise has sustained this proud
organization and allowed the team to reach the pinnacle of
success in 2008;
(C) all Phillies fans, whose tenacity, perseverance, and
enthusiasm are matched only by that of the team to which the
fans are dedicated; and
[[Page 24379]]
(D) the Tampa Bay Rays on an outstanding 2008 season; and
(2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an
enrolled copy of this resolution to--
(A) Phillies manager Charlie Manuel;
(B) Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr.;
(E) Phillies advisor Pat Gillick.
____________________
CALLING FOR A CEASEFIRE AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IN THE
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 713, which was
introduced earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 713) calling on all parties to the
escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo to implement an immediate ceasefire and work with the
support of the international community toward a comprehensive
and lasting solution to this crisis.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I wish to express my deep concern about
the rapidly deteriorating situation in the eastern region of the
Democratic Republic of Congo. Over recent weeks, eastern Congo has been
making international headlines since new fighting broke out between the
Congolese military and rebels loyal to General Laurent Nkunda. The
rebels overran several government military bases and major towns as
they surrounded the strategic city of Goma. Meanwhile, the Congolese
military--a feckless force that often rapes and pillages the very
people it is meant to protect--retreated, leaving UN peacekeepers to
fend off the rebels' advance and attempt to protect civilians.
Fortunately, the rebels stopped before marching on Goma, but the
situation remains extremely volatile.
I traveled last year to the very region, North Kivu Province, where
this violence is taking place and saw firsthand the grave suffering of
people who have lived through a decade of conflict and humanitarian
crisis. The numbers are staggering: an estimated 5.4 million deaths
over the last decade and 1,500 people still dying each day. In
addition, millions have been displaced from their homes, living in
squalid camps where children are subject to forced recruitment and
women suffer unspeakable levels of sexual violence.
In my travels to many parts of Africa over the years, the suffering
of women and girls in eastern Congo particularly stands out. I met with
women and girls who had been gang raped, often leaving them with
irreparable physical and psychological damage. I met with women who had
lost their husbands, their homes, and their livelihoods and yet against
all odds they refused to give up--if only for the sake of their
children. There may be no worse place to be female than eastern Congo.
And yet it is the strength of these women that continues to give hope.
The renewed fighting in eastern Congo is worrisome not only because
it will further exacerbate this humanitarian tragedy, but also because
it risks engulfing the neighboring countries in a new regional war.
Last month, the Congolese Government accused Rwanda of sending troops
across the border in support of Nkunda's forces. The rebels in turn
have recently alleged that Angolan and even Zimbabwean troops are
supporting the Congolese military. Despite vows by these governments to
avoid another regional conflict, tensions remain high. It is not hard
to imagine a minor incident sparking a repeat of 1998 when at least six
neighboring countries were drawn into Congo's war.
Such a scenario would destabilize the Great Lakes region of Africa.
Over recent years, the United States and our international partners
have made significant investments--both financial and diplomatic--to
assist in consolidating peace and restoring the rule of law in this
region. No one wants to see those investments lost and the progress
made reversed, and we may not have to. If we take bold and strategic
action now, we can prevent a new regional conflict and revive the peace
process in eastern Congo.
I was pleased that our top diplomat for Africa, Jendayi Frazer,
traveled to the region with high-level diplomats from the UK and France
2 weeks ago. In addition, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon convened an
emergency summit of regional leaders in Nairobi. But this diplomatic
engagement must remain consistent and get all key actors, including
Rwanda, to commit to a clear roadmap for implementing the already
signed peace agreements. To be successful, we must also establish
monitoring and verification mechanisms to hold the parties accountable
and challenge the continued culture of impunity.
At the same time, while achieving a political solution is vital to
ending the crisis in eastern Congo, the international community should
also take measures to help protect civilians and enforce a ceasefire in
the short term. The UN Secretary General has called for an additional
3,000 troops and police specially trained and equipped for rapid
response to reinforce the peacekeeping force in Congo, known by its
French acronym MONUC. The United States and other Security Council
members should act immediately to fulfill those requests. In addition,
the Security Council should clarify MONUC's mandate to prioritize
civilian protection and conflict prevention in the east and ensure it
is implemented equally by all brigades. A renewed MONUC will not only
save lives, but can also deter military involvement from neighboring
countries.
Ultimately though, lasting peace in eastern Congo and the wider
region will require measures to transform the underlying causes of
conflict. The continued exploitation of Congo's rich mineral base,
particularly cassiterite, coltan, and gold, makes war a profitable
enterprise. The international community should work with governments in
the region to bring greater transparency and regulation to the trade in
these minerals. The next administration and Congress must look
seriously at how the United States can contribute meaningfully to this
process as it is a critical step toward the larger goal of reforming
Congo's economic and political institutions.
Congo has vast potential and its stability can have a positive impact
across Africa. We have made notable progress in that direction over
recent years, but we are once again standing at a precipice. In the
face of a potential regional war, we can no longer rely on piecemeal
tactics and half-measures. It is time for a comprehensive and concerted
international effort to ensure protection and basic rights for all
Congo's people. It is for that reason that
I am today introducing a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire
in eastern Congo and a comprehensive solution to this crisis. I am
pleased to introduce this resolution with the distinguished senior
Senator from Kansas, who has long been a champion on this issue, and I
hope our colleagues will join us in this urgent plea for peace.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or
debate, and that any statements related to the measure be printed in
the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 713) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 713
Whereas the Democratic Republic of Congo was devastated by
civil wars lasting from 1996 to 1997 and 1998 to 2003,
spawning some of the world's worst human rights violations
and involving at least 6 neighboring countries;
Whereas, despite the signing of a peace agreement and
subsequent withdrawal of foreign forces in 2003, eastern
Congo has continued to suffer from high levels of poverty,
insecurity, and absent or inadequate institutions, allowing
armed and criminal groups to operate freely;
Whereas continuing abuses committed by the national
military against civilians in
[[Page 24380]]
Congo and apparent ties between the military and armed groups
in the region have tainted attempts to restore the rule of
law in the eastern region of the country;
Whereas, according to a study by the International Rescue
Committee released in January 2008, the conflict and related
humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo have
taken the lives of an estimated 5,400,000 people since 1998
and continue to cause as many as 45,000 deaths each month;
Whereas sexual violence and rape remain a pervasive tool of
warfare used by all parties in eastern Congo to terrorize
communities, affecting hundreds of thousands of women and
girls and frequently resulting in traumatic fistula and other
severe genital injuries;
Whereas the continued plunder and trade of eastern Congo's
rich mineral base, notably cassiterite, coltan, and gold, by
armed groups and members of the national military make war
profitable and undermine peace efforts;
Whereas the Governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo
and Rwanda signed the Nairobi Communique in November 2007,
committing to work together to address the continued activity
of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and
other armed groups operating in their shared border region;
Whereas, on January 23, 2008, with the active support of
the international community, the Government of the Democratic
Republic of Congo, and 22 armed groups in the eastern region
signed the Goma accord, committing to an immediate ceasefire
and buffer zones for troop disengagement and ultimately
disarmament;
Whereas these agreements together provided the first
working framework in years for peace and lasting stability in
eastern Congo, but a continued culture of impunity and
suspicion has impeded their implementation;
Whereas the United Nations reported more than 200
violations of these agreements between January and July of
2008, as well as 2,000 cases of rape and hundreds of people
killed;
Whereas hate speech inciting ethnic violence by local and
national leaders in Congo continued during this period,
feeding the concerns and perceived insecurity of minority
Tutsi communities;
Whereas, since August 28, 2008, fighting has resumed in
North Kivu Province between the national military and the
forces of General Laurent Nkunda, known as the National
Congress for the Defense of the People, the latter of which
has taken control of several government military bases and
major towns around the city of Goma;
Whereas, according to Human Rights Watch, an estimated
250,000 people have been forced to flee their homes as a
result of this renewed fighting in eastern Congo, often
without access to shelter, water, food, and medicine, and
adding to the over 1,000,000 people already displaced from
North and South Kivu;
Whereas the United Nations Mission in Congo, known by its
French acronym MONUC, has proven unable to protect civilians
in light of this new offensive by General Nkunda's forces,
causing resentment and protests by local communities;
Whereas allegations of troops from Angola, Rwanda, and
Zimbabwe crossing into eastern Congo have strained existing
regional tensions and increased fears of a wider war that
could draw other countries from the region into the fighting,
as happened in 1998;
Whereas the United Nations' Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Alan
Doss, and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have
called for more troops and better capabilities for MONUC to
stop the rebel offensive and protect civilians;
Whereas United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, on November 7, 2008, and convened
a summit of regional leaders, including the heads of state of
the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which led to a
joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and the
creation of humanitarian corridors; and
Whereas, in 2006, Congress passed the Democratic Republic
of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of
2006, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush
on December 22, 2006 (Public Law 109-456), stating that it is
the policy of the United States to work for peace and
security throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo by
supporting efforts to protect civilians, to disarm illegal
armed groups, and to hold accountable individuals, entities,
and countries working to destabilize the country: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the continuing violence, forcible recruitment
of children as soldiers, and abuses against civilians in
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo;
(2) calls on the national military in Congo, the National
Congress for the Defense of the People, and all armed groups
operating in eastern Congo to cease hostilities, end all
human rights abuses, and respect an immediate ceasefire based
on the principles of the Goma agreement;
(3) calls on the Government of the Democratic Republic of
Congo to meet its obligations under the Lusaka Agreement of
1999, the Pretoria Agreement of 2002, and the Nairobi
Communique of 2007 to take action to end the threat posed by
the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda;
(4) calls on the Governments of the Democratic Republic of
Congo and Rwanda--
(A) to fully restore bilateral relations;
(B) to work together to mitigate escalating tensions in the
region; and
(C) to break any ties that still exist between them and
illegal armed groups in eastern Congo;
(5) calls on all governments in the Great Lakes region of
Africa and those of the Southern African Development
Community to support a peaceful resolution to the crisis
while ensuring that the volatile situation does not spark a
wider regional war;
(6) supports the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-
General, his newly appointed United Nations Special Envoy,
former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, and the
international facilitation team to bring all parties to the
negotiating table and establish a clear roadmap to implement
the signed peace agreements;
(7) encourages the international community to take
immediate measures to enhance the effectiveness of the United
Nations Mission in Congo to protect civilians, specifically
through increased troops and additional capabilities as
requested by the Secretary-General;
(8) urges the President to sustain high-level diplomatic
engagement together with the African Union, the European
Union, and the United Nations to avert a wider regional war
and revive a comprehensive peace process in eastern Congo;
(9) urges the United States and the international community
to develop and support monitoring and verification mechanisms
that can hold the parties in Congo accountable to the signed
peace agreements, investigate alleged ceasefire violations,
and ultimately challenge the continued culture of impunity in
Congo; and
(10) urges the President and the international community to
adopt measures to help the regional governments to identify
and ultimately address the factors underlying the conflict in
eastern Congo, especially weak governance and the
exploitation of the region's lucrative minerals.
____________________
HONORING THE FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY WORKERS IN CALIFORNIA IN 2008
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 714, which was
submitted earlier today by Senator Boxer.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 714) honoring the firefighters and
emergency workers who courageously fought fires in California
in 2008.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. 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, with no intervening action or
debate, and that any statements related to the resolution be printed in
the Record at the appropriate place as if read.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 714) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 714
Whereas, in 2008, there have been more than 10,000
wildfires in California started by natural causes and human
activity;
Whereas more than 1,440,000 acres of Federal, State, and
local land in California burned in 2008;
Whereas, in June 2008, fires started by lightning strikes
burned approximately 1,200,000 acres of Federal, State, and
local land in California, making the June fires the largest
single wildfire event in California's recorded history;
Whereas 41 counties across California were impacted by
wildfires in 2008;
Whereas more than 1,400 homes were destroyed by fires in
California in 2008;
Whereas State and local firefighters have been called to
duty for increasingly long fire seasons, working on the front
lines of these fires for weeks;
Whereas firefighters have risked their lives and endured
great hardship to protect lives, property, and the
environment in California;
Whereas many firefighters were injured and 14 firefighters
tragically lost their lives in California in 2008;
Whereas 25,000 firefighters and emergency response
personnel from California, 41 other States, and other nations
worked side-by-side to fight the wildfires;
[[Page 24381]]
Whereas members of the National Guard from California and
other States provided essential support to the firefighting
effort; and
Whereas the people of California and the United States
recognize the steadfast dedication of the firefighters
throughout the ongoing fire suppression and subsequent repair
and rebuilding efforts: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends the firefighters and emergency workers from
California, 41 other States, and other nations for their
courageous actions and sacrifices in fighting wildfires in
California;
(2) supports the continued work of firefighters to protect
National Forest System land, other public lands, and private
property from further damage;
(3) praises the people of California for their great
courage in the face of the fires; and
(4) extends heartfelt sympathy to the people who have lost
loved ones, homes, and businesses in the wildfires.
____________________
SENATE NATIONAL SECURITY WORKING GROUP
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 715, submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 715) extending the authority for the
Senate National Security Working Group.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, and that any statements relating to the resolutione be printed
in the Record, without further intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 715) was agreed to, as follows:
S. Res. 715
Resolved, That Senate Resolution 105 of the One Hundred
First Congress, 1st session (agreed to on April 13, 1989), as
amended by Senate Resolution 149 of the One Hundred Third
Congress, 1st session (agreed to on October 5, 1993), as
further amended by Senate Resolution 75 of the One Hundred
Sixth Congress, 1st session (agreed to on March 25, 1999), as
further amended by Senate Resolution 383 of the One Hundred
Sixth Congress, 2d session (agreed to on October 27, 2000),
as further amended by Senate Resolution 355 of the One
Hundred Seventh Congress, 2d session (agreed to on November
13, 2002), as further amended by Senate Resolution 480 of the
One Hundred Eighth Congress, 2d session (agreed to November
20, 2004), and as further amended by Senate Resolution 625 of
the One Hundred Ninth Congress, 2d Session (agreed to on
December 6, 2006), is further amended in section 4 by
striking ``2008'' and inserting ``2010''.
____________________
REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 110-23
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous
consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following
treaty transmitted to the Senate on November 20, 2008, by the President
of the United States: Investment Treaty with Rwanda, Treaty Document
No. 110-23. I further ask unanimous consent that the treaty be
considered as having been read the first time; that it be referred,
with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign Relations and
ordered to be printed; and that the President's message be printed in
the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The message of the President is as follows:
To the Senate of the United States:
I transmit herewith, with a view to receiving the advice and consent
of the Senate to ratification, the Treaty between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda
Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment,
signed at Kigali on February 19, 2008. I transmit also, for the
information of the Senate, the report prepared by the Department of
State with respect to the Treaty.
This is the first bilateral investment treaty (BIT) concluded between
the United States and a sub-Saharan African country since 1998. The
Treaty will help to promote cross-border investment by providing legal
protections for investors of each country for their investments in the
other country. The Treaty underscores the shared commitment of both
countries to open investment and trade policies.
Rwanda has opened its economy, improved its business climate, and
embraced trade and investment as a means to boost economic development
and help alleviate poverty. The U.S.-Rwanda BIT will reinforce these
efforts.
The Treaty is fully consistent with U.S. policy to secure protections
for U.S. investment abroad and to welcome foreign investment in the
United States. Under this Treaty, the Parties agree to accord national
treatment and most-favored nation treatment to investments. They also
agree to customary international law standards for expropriation and
for the minimum standard of treatment. The Treaty includes detailed
provisions regarding the payment of prompt, adequate, and effective
compensation in the event of expropriation; free transfer of funds
related to investment; freedom of investment from specified performance
requirements; prohibitions on nationality based restrictions for the
hiring of senior managers; and the opportunity for investors to resolve
disputes with a host government through international arbitration. The
Treaty also includes extensive transparency obligations with respect to
national laws and regulations and commitments to transparency in
dispute settlement. The Parties also recognize that it is inappropriate
to encourage investment by weakening or reducing the protections
afforded in domestic environmental and labor laws.
I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to
the Treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification.
George W. Bush.
The White House, November 20, 2008.
____________________
APPOINTMENT
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair, on behalf of the President pro
tempore, pursuant to Public Law 106-398, as amended by Public Law 108-
7, in accordance with the qualifications specified under section
1238(b)(3)(E) of Public Law 106-398, and upon the recommendation of the
Majority Leader, in consultation with the chairmen of the Senate
Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Finance,
reappoints the following individual to the United States-China Economic
Security Review Commission: Mr. Peter Videnieks of Virginia, for a term
beginning January 1, 2009 and expiring December 31, 2010.
____________________
TRIBUTES TO RETIRING SENATORS
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
from September 27 regarding tributes to retiring Senators be modified
so that Senators be permitted to submit such tributes for inclusion in
a Senate document until Friday, December 12, 2008.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
APPOINTMENTS AUTHORITY
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
notwithstanding the upcoming recess or adjournment of the Senate, the
President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the majority
and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions,
committees, boards, conferences or interparliamentary conferences
authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses or by order
of the Senate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
ORDERS FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2008, THROUGH MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2008
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the
Senate completes its business today, it
[[Page 24382]]
stand in recess until the following days and times for pro forma
sessions only, with no business being conducted: Monday, November 24 at
9:30 a.m.; Wednesday, November 26 at 10 a.m.; Saturday, November 29 at
2 p.m.; Tuesday, December 2 at 10:30 a.m.; and Friday, December 5 at 11
a.m.; and that when the Senate recesses on Friday, it stand in recess
until 3 p.m., Monday, December 8; that following the prayer and pledge,
the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two
leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate
proceed to a period of morning business for up to 1 hour, with Senators
permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________
PROGRAM
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, over the next few weeks, Senators will be
continuing to negotiate a bill to provide assistance to the auto
industry. If an agreement is reached--for the information of the
Members--the Senate will turn to its consideration when the Senate
returns on December 8.
That is a message from the majority leader, Senator Reid.
____________________
RECESS UNTIL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2008, AT 9:30 A.M.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come
before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand in recess
under the previous order.
There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:03 p.m., recessed until
Monday, November 24, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.
____________________
NOMINATIONS
Executive nominations received by the Senate:
FOREIGN SERVICE
THE FOLLOWING-NAMED CAREER MEMBER OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF
THE INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING BUREAU FOR PROMOTION INTO THE
SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE TO THE CLASSES INDICATED:
CAREER MEMBER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF
COUNSELOR, AND CONSULAR OFFICER AND SECRETARY IN THE
DIPLOMATIC SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
DAVID J. STRAWMAN, OF ILLINOIS
IN THE ARMY
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED
STATES ARMY TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C.,
SECTION 624:
To be major general
BRIG. GEN. JAMES E. ROGERS
____________________
DISCHARGED NOMINATIONS
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further
consideration of the following nominations and the nominations were
confirmed:
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ASIF J. CHAUDHRY
AND ENDING WITH ALAN D. HRAPSKY, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE
RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD ON NOVEMBER 17, 2008.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was
discharged from further consideration of the following nomination and
the nomination was confirmed:
COAST GUARD NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH CAPTAIN JOHN H. KORN
AND ENDING WITH CAPTAIN MICHAEL N. PARKS, WHICH NOMINATIONS
WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2008.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was
discharged from further consideration of the following nominations and
the nominations were confirmed:
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION NOMINATIONS
BEGINNING WITH KYLE W. RYAN AND ENDING WITH RYAN A. WARTICK,
WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN
THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON OCTOBER 1, 2008.
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION NOMINATIONS
BEGINNING WITH ANDREW R. COLEGROVE AND ENDING WITH FAITH C.
OPATRNY, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND
APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON OCTOBER 1, 2008.
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary was discharged from further
consideration of the following nomination and the nomination was
confirmed:
RICARDO H. HINOJOSA, OF TEXAS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE UNITED
STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION FOR A TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 31,
2013.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was discharged from further
consideration of the following nomination and the nomination was
confirmed:
GENE ALLAN CRETZ, OF NEW YORK, A CAREER MEMBER OF THE
SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR
EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA TO LIBYA.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions was
discharged from further consideration of the following nominations and
the nominations were confirmed:
DOUGLAS D. RANDALL, OF MISSOURI, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, FOR A
TERM EXPIRING MAY 10, 2014.
RAY M. BOWEN, OF TEXAS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL
SCIENCE BOARD, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, FOR A TERM
EXPIRING MAY 10, 2014.
FRANCE A. CORDOVA, OF INDIANA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, FOR A
TERM EXPIRING MAY 10, 2014.
G. P. PETERSON, OF COLORADO, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL
SCIENCE BOARD, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, FOR A TERM
EXPIRING MAY 10, 2014.
BARBARA ERNST PREY, OF NEW YORK, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS FOR A TERM EXPIRING SEPTEMBER 3,
2014.
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MATTHEW T.
MCKENNA AND ENDING WITH JOHN I. YOUNG, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE
RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD ON OCTOBER 1, 2008.
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH PAUL J.
ANDREASON AND ENDING WITH ELAINE C. WOLFF, WHICH NOMINATIONS
WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD ON NOVEMBER 17, 2008.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
was discharged from further consideration of the following nominations
and the nominations were confirmed:
ALFRED S. IRVING, JR., OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO BE
AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA FOR THE TERM OF FIFTEEN YEARS.
KATHRYN A. OBERLY, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO BE AN
ASSOCIATE JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE TERM OF FIFTEEN YEARS.
____________________
CONFIRMATIONS
Executive nominations confirmed by the Senate, Thursday, November 20,
2008:
IN THE COAST GUARD
THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE UNITED
STATES COAST GUARD TO THE GRADE INDICATED UNDER TITLE 14,
U.S.C. SECTION 271:
To be rear admiral (lower half)
CAPTAIN JOHN H. KORN
CAPTAIN WILLIAM D. LEE
CAPTAIN CHARLES D. MICHEL
CAPTAIN ROY A. NASH
CAPTAIN MICHAEL N. PARKS
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
GENE ALLAN CRETZ, OF NEW YORK, A CAREER MEMBER OF THE
SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR
EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA TO LIBYA.
NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES
BARBARA ERNST PREY, OF NEW YORK, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS FOR A TERM EXPIRING SEPTEMBER 3,
2014.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
DOUGLAS D. RANDALL, OF MISSOURI, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, FOR A
TERM EXPIRING MAY 10, 2014.
RAY M. BOWEN, OF TEXAS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL
SCIENCE BOARD, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, FOR A TERM
EXPIRING MAY 10, 2014.
FRANCE A. CORDOVA, OF INDIANA, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, FOR A
TERM EXPIRING MAY 10, 2014.
G. P. PETERSON, OF COLORADO, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL
SCIENCE BOARD, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, FOR A TERM
EXPIRING MAY 10, 2014.
THE JUDICIARY
ALFRED S. IRVING, JR., OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO BE
AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA FOR THE TERM OF FIFTEEN YEARS.
KATHRYN A. OBERLY, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO BE AN
ASSOCIATE JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE TERM OF FIFTEEN YEARS.
UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION
RICARDO H. HINOJOSA, OF TEXAS, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE UNITED
STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION FOR A TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 31,
2013.
WILLIAM B. CARR, JR., OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO BE A MEMBER OF
THE UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION FOR A TERM EXPIRING
OCTOBER 31, 2011.
FOREIGN SERVICE
FOREIGN SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH ASIF J. CHAUDHRY
AND ENDING WITH AALAN D. HRAPSKY, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE
RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD ON NOVEMBER 17, 2008.
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION NOMINATIONS
BEGINNING WITH KYLE W. RYAN AND ENDING WITH RYAN A. WARTICK,
WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN
THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON OCTOBER 1, 2008.
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION NOMINATIONS
BEGINNING WITH ANDREW R. COLEGROVE AND ENDING WITH FAITH C.
OPATRNY, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND
APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ON OCTOBER 1, 2008.
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH MATTHEW T.
MCKENNA AND ENDING WITH JOHN I. YOUNG, WHICH NOMINATIONS WERE
RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD ON OCTOBER 1, 2008.
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE NOMINATIONS BEGINNING WITH PAUL J.
ANDREASON AND ENDING WITH ELAINE C. WOLFF, WHICH NOMINATIONS
WERE RECEIVED BY THE SENATE AND APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD ON NOVEMBER 17, 2008.
[[Page 24383]]
EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS
____________________
A TRIBUTE TO BISHOP EUGENE J. BLOUNT
______
HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor
Bishop Eugene J. Blount. Bishop Blount has, from an early age, always
placed a devotion to community betterment and a passion for Christ and
his church at the forefront of every endeavor he has undertaken.
Bishop Eugene J. Blount, in 1990, joined the Elim International
Fellowship, where he introduced a renewed enthusiasm for the scriptures
and an appreciation for the supernatural, serving in the prophetic
ministry as one of the ``King's Seers'' and as Chief of Staff in the
full time ministry under the leadership of Archbishop Wilbert S.
McKinley, where he molded and implemented the mission of the church.
Bishop Eugene J. Blount, an outstanding and well-respected member of
the Brooklyn clergy, will undoubtedly prove to be a tremendous asset to
the Bedford-Stuyvesant community as he is consecrated as a Bishop of
the Elim International Fellowship.
Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Bishop Eugene J. Blount for
his extraordinary accomplishments and to congratulate him on his
consecration at the Elim International Fellowship.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to
Bishop Eugene J. Blount.
____________________
HONORING IWAN SHULJAK
______
HON. MARCY KAPTUR
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Iwan Shuljak of
Cleveland, Ohio who passed away October 6, 2008. This record stands as
first published in the Ukrainian Weekly, November 2, 2008, written by
Andrew Fedynsky. In addition to this beautiful narrative of the life of
Iwan Shuljak, I fondly remember his warm smile and welcoming heart. He
will be missed by his family, friends and the entire Ukrainian-American
community. May his generous and loving spirit be comfortable at its
final resting place.
``This is a fairytale, only the story is true. And because it's true,
it ends with death, but it's a fairytale and therefore has a happy
ending. It's about an elderly man who devoted his life to Ukrainian
Culture and how the global village cared for him.
I first met Iwan Schuljak in the early 1960s at the Plast Scouting
Home in Cleveland where he was the live-in caretaker. Twenty-five years
later, he was still there when I returned to Cleveland to become
director of the Ukrainian Museum-Archives (UMA), which had purchased
the building from Plast.
In 1987 the UMA was adrift. Having been in the Tremont neighborhood
for a century, the Ukrainian community left for the suburbs after
highway construction demolished half the houses and nearby factories
were closing. UMA leaders had either passed away or retired. And so, a
staggering collection of memorabilia, documents, books and artifacts
was sitting neglected in an aging wooden building in a neighborhood
where the major industry had become arson and insurance fraud.
Mr. Schuljak lived in a spare room on the second floor. Invariably,
he sat on the porch reading or prowled the streets of Tremont to let
people know the UMA was viable and someone was caring for it. In the
winter he shoveled the snow; in the summer, he mowed the grass;
throughout the year, he cleaned and was there to welcome the occasional
visitor.
I was 39 years old and ready for a change after nearly a decade on
Capitol Hill. My father had been UMA director and I felt an obligation
to help preserve his legacy. And so, with old friends like Ihor
Kowalysko and new ones like Vlodko Storozynsky, we started working on
the collection and raising the profile of the institution.
At the age of 76, Mr. Schuljak welcomed the changes and made
appropriate accommodations. He announced that he was now restricting
his garlic to weekends only and told me that I was to avoid it
altogether. People were noticing, he said, and we had to present a
certain image.
Before long, the world around us changed dramatically: communism
collapsed and Tremont began gentrifying. The arsonists went to jail,
and urban pioneers were restoring historic buildings, opening art
galleries, coffee shops and restaurants. Developers built townhouses
and condominiums. And the UMA was part of all that, with young
volunteers and board members. Throughout, Mr. Schuljak was a mainstay:
not only a caretaker, but also an advisor, a confidant and a beloved
figure in the neighborhood.
He had a thousand stories: you know the guy at the Friendly Bar with
no fingers on his left hand? Back in the 1930s, the NKVD demanded he
turn his gold over to the state. He didn't have any, he said, so they
chopped off a finger and kept on until they were finally persuaded he
was telling the truth . . . The macabre punch line: the joke was on
them! He had the gold all along, and it's still there, buried in the
ground. The guy hated the Communists so much he wouldn't give them the
satisfaction.
Well, Mr. Schuljak, the son of farmers, hated them too. When
communism came and with it collectivization and famine, he became a
``class enemy.'' Arrested and brutally interrogated, he carried scars
the rest of his life where a Chekist cracked his skull with a revolver,
depriving him of hearing in his right ear.
Once the Terror subsided, Mr. Schuljak was released to work on the
railroad. When the Nazis invaded in 1941, he, along with 2 million
other Ukrainians, was forced to work in the German economy. His blue
and white OST patch identifying him as a slave is now part of the UMA
collection. When the war ended, Mr. Schuljak wisely decided to
immigrate to America. There, he maintained contact with his family,
exchanging letters and phone calls, sending them money.
As he reached his mid-80s, Mr. Schuljak was slowing down and the
village in Cleveland began to pay attention to his plight. Daria Sopka,
who worked at the UMA, signed him up for the Cuyahoga County Passport
Program for the elderly. Lida, a young immigrant from Lviv, assisted
Mr. Schuljak with everyday needs, shopping, etc. At MetroHealth,
nurses, doctors and Ukrainian interpreters knew him by name.
Then in January 2007, he slipped and broke his leg. The leg healed,
but at 95, he could no longer live unassisted and Myron Pakush--also
with the UMA--arranged for him to be admitted to Avon Oaks, a nursing
home owned and operated by the Reidys, Ukrainian Americans from Lorain
County.
Not having heard from him for some time, Mr. Schuljak's family became
concerned and called. When they learned what had happened, they
immediately offered to take care of him in Ukraine. Well, Avon Oaks is
a gracious and caring community and he had regular visitors, especially
Father John Nakonachny from St. Vladimir's Cathedral, but it was still
a nursing home and Mr. Schuljak was ecstatic at the prospect of ``going
home.''
But there was a problem: he had never become an American citizen and
since Ukraine did not exist when he was born, he wasn't a citizen of
that country either. So he couldn't get a passport.
I explained the situation to Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., Dr.
Oleh Shamshur, who directed his consular office to help. To establish
that Mr. Schuljak had been born in what is today Ukraine, his relatives
retrieved his birth certificate from 1911. He also needed an updated
``green card.'' Alerted to the urgency of his case, the Department of
Homeland Security turned things around in less than a week. Ukraine's
honorary consul for Ohio, Andrew Futey, and Roman Andarak at the
Embassy in D.C. did the rest and earlier this year, Mr. Schuljak became
a Ukrainian citizen. In June, accompanied by Ihor Mychkovsky, he
arrived in Kyiv to meet his relatives. His life had come full circle.
Because he was nobody's responsibility, Mr. Schuljak became
everyone's. People all over helped out, making amends, in a way, for
how
[[Page 24384]]
brutally he'd been treated in the first half of his life and repaying
him in part for his dedication and selflessness. He died on October 6,
and is buried within walking distance of where he was born.''
____________________
HONORING ROBERT AYERS GOULD, SR.
______
HON. JEB HENSARLING
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, today I would like to honor Mr. Robert
Ayers Gould, Sr. on the occasion of his retirement after twelve years
of service on the City Council of Athens, Texas, where he has overseen
many projects benefiting his community.
After graduating from Athens High School in 1957, Bob joined the
United States Navy where he served aboard the USS Coral Sea. Following
an Honorable Discharge, he returned to Athens where he opened the Gould
Insurance Agency in 1962, which he has owned and operated for over
forty years.
Among his many civic activities, Bob has been the Director and Vice-
President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Co-Founder of the Texas
High School Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Charter Director for the
Henderson County YMCA. He has also received many awards from his
community including the Roadhand Award from the Texas Highway
Commission and the Athens Citizen of the Year Award in 1984.
In addition to faithfully serving his community, Bob is a husband to
Mrs. Peggy Lorene Lubben Gould, and father of four children: Robert
Jr., Joseph, Patricia, and Mary.
I want to recognize Bob for his service and commitment to his
community. Due to Bob's leadership in the city and throughout the
business community, Athens remains a strong, supportive, and vibrant
community.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the 5th District of Texas, it is my
pleasure to congratulate Mr. Robert Ayers Gould, Sr. on his retirement
from the City Council and thank him for a job well done.
____________________
HONORING PHILADELPHIA'S PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM
______
HON. CHAKA FATTAH
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. FATTAH. Madam Speaker, an extraordinary win-win development has
recently expanded and enriched the cultural scene in the City of
Philadelphia. And it is thrilling for countless youngsters across our
region.
Philadelphia has always been remarkable for its museum experiences,
from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, the
Academy of Natural Sciences, to museums that interpret the history and
origins of our nation and liberty, museums that extol the experiences
of African Americans, Jewish Americans, Polish Americans and many, many
more.
But there is nothing quite like the Please Touch Museum for hands-on,
visceral (and subtly educational) appeal to our youngest and most
curious citizens. Please Touch has been the must-stop for youngsters
and young-at-heart adults since it opened in 1976 not far from
Philadelphia's museum-chocked Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Its name was
Rule One. Everything was up-close and available. No longer did parents
have to tell their kids, ``Don't touch that!'' Please Touch moved and
expanded several times, but inevitably, its popularity outpaced every
new location.
Meanwhile stately Memorial Hall, grand icon and last vestige of the
world-shattering 1876 Centennial Exhibition, stood almost unused and
slowly deteriorating in Fairmount Park, a few miles to the west.
Under the leadership of President and CEO Nancy Kolb, the search for
a new home for Please Touch began in earnest a decade ago. When a
riverfront plan failed to materialize, the search turned to Memorial
Hall. A landmark agreement among the City of Philadelphia, the
Fairmount Park Commission and Please Touch resulted in an 80-year lease
signed in 2005, and the project was underway.
On October 18, 2008, the ``new'' Memorial Hall, fresh from an $88
million renovation, opened its doors as home for the dramatically
expanded, 38,000 square foot Please Touch Museum. At the same time,
Please Touch won coveted accreditation by the American Association of
Museums, one of just 775 institutions out of the nation's 17,500
museums to be currently accredited.
Please Touch now joins the nearby Philadelphia Zoo and other
attractions--as well as Fairmount Park itself--in the exciting
Centennial District of West Philadelphia. The October 18 official
opening drew a record attendance, and the crowds keep on coming--to
ride the century-old restored carousel or the monorail, to ``drive'' a
kid-size SEPTA bus, to ``shop'' in a scaled down ShopRite grocery store
(complete with checkout counters), to float water duckies, to visit
Fairytale Garden and Alice's wonderland adventures . . .
And always, always to ``Please Touch.''
____________________
TRIBUTE TO SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY COLLEGE TRUSTEES CHUCK BEEMAN AND
ALLEN GRESHAM
______
HON. JERRY LEWIS
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I would like today to pay
special tribute to San Bernardino Community College District Trustees
Chuck Beeman and Allen Gresham, who over the past several decades have
overseen the rapid growth and maturing of the major community colleges
in my district in California.
A respected attorney in San Bernardino County, Allen Gresham was
first elected as college trustee in 1971 and is now the third-longest-
serving in California. Chuck Beeman, a retired pharmacist and owner of
Beeman's Pharmacy, was appointed to the board in 1983. The two men are
leaving the board this year after a combined 62 years of public
service.
While they have been on the board, the district's two campuses have
grown significantly--now serving more than 18,000 students with nearly
500 full- and part-time faculty members. Since Allen Gresham joined the
board, more than 150,000 students have received degrees and
certificates. The two campuses--San Bernardino Valley College and
Crafton Hills College--have two of the most diverse student bodies in
California.
As the student body has grown, Mr. Gresham and Mr. Beeman have led
the board of trustees in meeting their needs through a continuing
building program that has expanded and significantly modernized both
campuses. With the help of Federal Emergency Management Agency
earthquake mitigation funding, Valley College has completely remade its
central facilities, building a new library, Health and Human Sciences
Building, administration building and a 37,000-square-foot Campus
Center. A new art building with a modern gallery--named in honor of
Clara and Allen Gresham for their devotion to art--opened last year.
At Crafton Hills College, ground was recently broken for a new
library and learning resource center, as well as a new swimming center.
The district has also built a new central headquarters at the former
Norton Air Force Base and upgraded facilities for its public-access
television and radio station, KVCR--which provides the only broadcast
local news for San Bernardino County. In addition, the college district
has opened a nationally-recognized academy at the former air base to
give firefighters hands-on training in dealing with jet fuel and
aircraft fires.
Madam Speaker, wary California taxpayers have turned back
construction bond measures for many cities and school districts in
recent years. But thanks in large part to the leadership of Allen
Gresham and Chuck Beeman, San Bernardino County taxpayers gave solid
approval to a $190 million bond in 2002 and a $500 million bond just
this year to continue the expansion of these fine college campuses.
In addition to academic excellence, the college district has won
intercollegiate athletics championships in many sports. These
accomplishments have especially delighted Chuck Beeman, who came within
a fraction of a second of qualifying for the 1956 U.S. Olympic team and
taught track at Valley College for many years. The college's track was
named in Mr. Beeman's honor last year.
Madam Speaker, Allen Gresham and Chuck Beeman can look back with
pride as they come to the end of their time on the San Bernardino
Community College District Board of Trustees. Please join me in
saluting them for their decades of service to education and our
community and wishing them well in their future endeavors.
[[Page 24385]]
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. KENNY C. HULSHOF
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. HULSHOF. Madam Speaker, consistent with the Republican
leadership's policy on earmarks, I am requesting funding for Special
Operations Forces Advanced Mission Planning Tools in fiscal year 2009,
in H.R. 2638, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008,
Continuing Resolution, from account 31 0603003A Aviation Advanced
Technology. The entity to receive funding for this project is the
Westar Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc., 4 Research Park Drive, St.
Charles, MO 63304-5685. The funding would be used for the continued
development of enterprise-enabled, integrated aviation tools and
provide this ability to all Army aviation systems. I certify that
neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge this request (1) is
not directed to an entity or program named or will be named after a
sitting Member of Congress; (2) is not intended for a ``front'' or
``pass through'' entity; and (3) meets or exceeds all statutory
requirements for matching funds where applicable. I further certify
that should this request be included in the bill, I will place a
statement in the Congressional Record describing how the funds will be
spent and justifying the use of Federal taxpayer funds.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO DR. RONALD M. DAVIS
______
HON. MIKE ROGERS
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life
of Dr. Ronald M. Davis, who sadly passed away on November 6 after a
courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. A resident of Michigan's
Eighth District in East Lansing, Dr. Davis will be sorely missed. Yet
his legacy of service and compassion will never be forgotten.
First and foremost, Dr. Davis was a committed father and loving
husband. He will also be remembered as a distinguished public health
advocate throughout his entire career, most notably during his time as
president of the American Medical Association. During his tenure at the
American Medical Association, he worked tirelessly to promote public
awareness of healthy lifestyles, encourage health insurance reform, and
push doctors to reduce medical errors and improve patient care.
Even while suffering from a terminal illness, Dr. Davis fought to
advance critical public health initiatives. A staunch opponent of
smoking, Dr. Davis worked every day to save lives by promoting tobacco
control. Over the years, Dr. Davis served the tobacco control community
in numerous ways, including as Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health and as chief
medical officer of the Michigan Department of Public Health. He was an
expert witness in litigation against the tobacco industry and a
National Cancer Institute-funded researcher. Dr. Davis was also the
founding editor of the world's very first scientific journal dedicated
to the field of tobacco control.
Through his cancer treatment, Dr. Davis continued to work diligently
as a leader in the health care community. His remarks to the American
Medical Association last year were particularly memorable and moving as
he discussed his terminal illness, even joking about the baldness
caused by his chemotherapy. In spite of the odds against someone with a
diagnosis that included such a slim chance of long-term survival, Dr.
Davis told his fellow physicians to ``never take away someone's hope.''
They agreed and cheered his courage.
As a cancer survivor myself, I understand the challenges Dr. Davis
faced every day, and I deeply admire his indomitable spirit throughout
such a difficult battle. He will be remembered as a remarkable leader
and a determined public servant. My thoughts and prayers are with his
wife Nadine, their sons and entire family during this difficult time.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of
Dr. Ronald M. Davis. He is truly deserving of our respect and
admiration for his tremendous contributions to our Nation.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO REND LAKE WARRIORS MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
______
HON. JOHN SHIMKUS
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an
outstanding group of young men attending Rend Lake College in Ina,
Illinois. On November 8, 2008, Rend Lake Warriors Men's Cross Country
Team placed fourth in the National Junior College Men's Cross Country
Championship. After an impressive fourth place finish in 2007, the
Warrior's trained hard during the 2008 season to maintain their spot in
the top five cross country teams in the Nation.
The Warriors had an outstanding freshman on their team this year.
Kenyan native Stephen Sambu, also an All-American, was the National
Champion, or ``cross country king'' and helped lead the team to fourth
place.
My congratulations go out to Coach Brent McLain on this great
achievement. Most of all, I want to congratulate the members of the
2008 Men's Cross Country team: Dey Tuach, Bailey Bunyan, Scott Speare,
James Noonan, James Gramtham, Stephen Sambu, and Clay Locke.
I congratulate them on their achievement, and wish them all the best
in their future endeavors.
____________________
IN HONOR OF ENID SALES
______
HON. SAM FARR
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Enid
Sales, a unique woman and a fierce fighter for historic preservation,
who passed away at the age of 86. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June
3, 1922, she moved to Carmel, California with her family when she was
10. She attended Reed College in Oregon and was married for awhile to
jazz critic Grover Sales.
Enid operated a vineyard in Calistoga for 10 years. In 1962, she
became the first woman in California to hold a state general
contractor's license. In the mid-1970's she served as the head of the
rehabilitation department of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.
One of her most memorable accomplishments was organizing and moving 12
Victorian homes in a single night. She shut down the transit system and
traffic lights and completed the entire job in time for the next
morning's commute.
Enid moved back to Carmel in 1986. She was the first chairwoman of
the city's Historic Resources Board and founded her own Carmel
Preservation Foundation. She was also on the board of the Alliance of
Monterey Area Preservationists. Her ``roll up her sleeves and take no
prisoners'' approach is credited with saving Carmel's Sunset Center and
the George Marsh Building in Monterey, as well as many of the original
cottages that define Carmel's charm.
Enid's legacy is to be seen in the recent upswing of interest in
``heritage tourism.'' It was her vision that preserving our historic
buildings would make good economic sense, and not be done just for
esthetic or sentimental reasons. Enid was a giant in the world of
historic preservation. Few people can maintain such fierce tenacity to
fight through to the end against all odds. Enid Sales had that fighting
spirit, and she will be greatly missed.
Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Enid Sales for her dedication to
preserving history. She is survived by her daughter Rachel Lopez, her
grandchildren Esther and Valley, her sister-in-law Barbara Thompson,
and her nephews Peter, Matthew, and John Thompson. We will all miss her
dearly.
____________________
IN MEMORY OF DOROTHY GREEN
______
HON. JANE HARMAN
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, every so often we encounter an individual
who, wittingly or not, becomes a transformative figure--one who leaves
a profound and permanent impact on countless lives and their community.
Dorothy Green, founder of Heal the Bay and one of the most
influential environmental leaders in California in the last generation,
was such a person.
An unlikely activist, Dorothy was a housewife and mother in the early
1970s when her
[[Page 24386]]
brother was splattered with untreated sewage from an open drain at
Ballona Creek, which runs directly into the Santa Monica Bay. Outraged,
she convened a group of friends and activists in her living room to
form what grew into the 15,000-member strong Heal the Bay. Under
Dorothy's leadership, the organization has tackled everything from the
health of marine life to oil spills to ocean water quality.
But Dorothy's vision was much broader than the view from her living
room window. She also founded the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers
Watershed Council and the California Water Impact Network to educate
Californians on water policy and to redefine how we use and think of
water as a precious and limited resource.
I cannot remember when I first met Dorothy Green. But I do remember
being told that if I wanted to run for Congress she was the lode star
on water issues. And she was! No issue was too big or too small for
her, as long as it has something to do with water. From storm drains to
the Peripheral Canal, she knew about it all and inspired thousands to
join and support her efforts to fix dysfunctional policies.
On October 13, 2008, Dorothy lost her battle with cancer. Yet her
legacy will continue to motivate many. She fought for what she believed
until the end. Five days before her death, she penned an op-ed piece
from her hospice bed calling for sensible plans to preserve and treat
the natural resource she spent her adult life defending.
I am proud to have known Dorothy Green as a friend and colleague. She
always focused on getting things done and never accepted the status
quo. A brilliant grassroots organizer, her friends--and adversaries--
will all tell you of her relentless spirit, and modesty. She would
probably tell me get to work rather than offer this tribute, but she
deserves every bit of praise. The people of California and our
priceless environment have lost a dear friend. I assure you, Dorothy,
we will fight on.
____________________
GEORGE A. BEACH, PHILADELPHIA'S PIONEERING CREATIVE COMMUNICATOR
______
HON. CHAKA FATTAH
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. FATTAH. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues in the House of
Representatives to join me in saluting George A. Beach, a pioneering
African-American businessman in Philadelphia, who is being honored for
a half-century of achievement in the fields of design, advertising,
graphics and public relations.
George Beach is founder and chairman of Beach Creative
Communications, the nation's first and oldest African-American owned
advertising agency--a firm whose name and motto summarize the Beach
``brand'' for creativity and communication: ``A full service agency
providing creative solutions for today's diverse marketplace.''
George Beach has won numerous awards and commissions for his design
and artistic flair, his business skills and his broad and generous
reach into civic and charitable activities. Now he adds a new honor, as
the African-American Chamber of Commerce in Philadelphia presents ``A
Golden Tribute to George Beach,'' celebrating his 50 years in business,
on Friday, November 21, 2008.
George Albert Beach was born in Harlem, New York City, on August 14,
1936. By the age of 10 he had moved with his family to Philadelphia,
his adopted home town. His educational background stretches from Gratz
High School and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia to Paris,
where he studied at the L'Academie de la Grande Chaumiere and
L'Alliance Francaise.
Already an artist and designer, George Beach became a young man of
business in 1958 when, fresh from college, he founded the Creative Art
and Design Studio as a ground-breaking minority enterprise. In another
pioneering step, he was the first African American elected president of
the Artist Guild of Delaware Valley, a position he held from 1964 to
1967. In 1970, he and two colleagues launched the fully illustrated
African American Historical Calendar, which is marking publication of
its 40th annual edition.
The Studio evolved into Beach Advertising in 1974, assuming its
present name in 2001. The Beach roster of clients and accounts has
included Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the
University of Pennsylvania, McDonald's, plus health firms, governmental
agencies and public utilities.
George Beach's personal artistic work was impacted by the onset of
rheumatoid arthritis. Pain and joint destruction forced him to set
aside painting for a quarter century. But as with everything else in
his achieving life, this became a challenge and an opportunity. Today,
painting once again, Mr. Beach brings his special expertise to the
Advisory Council of the National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NAIMS), where he serves under
appointment by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
And his career as an artist flourishes. He has completed a new series
of oil on canvas paintings that include ``Indivisible,'' a haunting
skeleton of the World Trade Center Towers embracing an American flag
under a full moon, which has been exhibited at the San Francisco Museum
of Modern Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Now, as his varied, productive career continues beyond the half-
century mark, with wife Mary and sons Timothy and Matthew, George
Albert Beach carries forward with his varied, productive career--always
communicating, ever creative. He has earned the gratitude and
admiration of Philadelphians and many beyond our city. Thank you,
George.
____________________
EARMARK DISCLOSURE
______
HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. TANCREDO. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership
standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for
publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received
as part of H.R. 2638.
Defense Division of H.R. 2638--OM, ARNG--Non-foam, Special Polymer
Twin Hemisphere Pad Sets for Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops
Helmet Retrofit Kits--$1,280,000.
Defense Division of H.R. 2638--OM, N--Personnel Armor System for
Ground Troops Helmet Retrofit Kits to Sustain Navy IPE Pool--
$1,120,000.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: SKYDEX Technologies, Inc.
Address of Requesting Entity: 12503 E. Euclid Drive, Suite 60,
Centennial, Colorado 80111.
Description of Request: Both earmarks will address an unfunded
requirement of the Army National Guard and the Navy to improve shock-
absorption padding to retrofit helmets. The replacement material is a
durable and protective polymer. This funding would build on roughly $2
million that has been allocated for this purpose over the last two
years.
____________________
HONORING HARRY OVITT
______
HON. KEVIN McCARTHY
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor
Harry Ovitt, a resident and community leader from San Miguel,
California, for his outstanding and exemplary service and leadership to
the residents of San Luis Obispo County during his tenure as County
Supervisor from 1989 through 2008.
Harry has been a longtime leader in local government who has
established and participated in a extensive list of civic
organizations, all in the pursuit of improving the community he
represents. During his 19-year tenure on the Board of Supervisors, he
served as Chairman in 1993, 1999, and 2004, and Vice-Chairman in 1992,
1998, and 2003. He also was active on various local boards, including
the Children-At-Risk Task Force, the Mental Health Advisory Board, the
Economic Vitality Committee, and the Resource Conservation District.
During his time on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors,
Harry devoted himself to many issues to improve the lives of the
residents within the County. He worked to secure funds to help
construct both the Heritage Ranch Fire Station and the Meridian Fire
Station. He established the North County Government Center in
Templeton, which has a Sheriff's Substation and a County Agricultural
Office. He was also instrumental in bringing a new courthouse to Paso
Robles.
Harry understood the importance of having adequate transportation
infrastructure, and worked tirelessly to ensure residents had
sufficient and safe roads as the County continued to grow. To that end,
he has been a passionate advocate of making State Highway 46 safer for
drivers through a widening project of this 2-lane highway as well as
developing the North County Shuttle. He also worked to obtain mobile
healthcare units, which visit communities around the County to provide
basic medical services to residents so they do not
[[Page 24387]]
have to incur the cost of traveling long distances to obtain medical
services. Harry also worked to improve water quality and accessibility
in the County. He formed the North County Water Forum, which examines
the impacts of residential and agricultural development on the Paso
Robles Water Basin, chaired the Lake Nacimiento Commission that has
worked on the Nacimiento Water Pipeline Project, and is chairman of the
North County Water Task Force.
Prior to serving on the County Board of Supervisors, Harry was a Paso
Robles City Councilman, a member of the Paso Robles Airport Planning
Commission, and a past chairman of the Paso Robles Planning Commission.
In addition to the public offices he has held, Harry always remained
active in the local community. He was the Elks Club Citizen of the Year
in the late 1980s and an Outstanding Jaycee of the Year. He was also a
member of the Paso Robles Historical Society, the Santa Lucia Boy
Scouts Executive Council, the Paso Robles Trail Riders, and a past
chairman of the United Way North County Campaign. He is also a founder
of the Clark-Ovitt Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has served
the County since 1992.
A true mark of leadership is the generosity of time and talents that
one gives on behalf of his neighbors and community. Harry Ovitt
exemplifies this time-honored tradition. I commend Harry for his
service and leadership in San Luis Obispo County, and wish him well.
____________________
HONORING WILLIAM NEUFELD
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressmen
Radanovich, to congratulate William Neufeld upon his induction into the
Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Neufeld will be honored at the 50th
anniversary enshrinement dinner of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame on
Thursday, November 6, 2008.
Born third in a family of nine children in the Ukraine at the turn of
the 20th century, William Neufeld moved to the United States and
blossomed into a world-class track and field performer in the javelin
and other throwing events. His father, a Mennonite minister, eventually
settled the family in Reedley, California, where the 6-foot-2, 201-
pound teenager played football, basketball, baseball and track and
field in high school while earning money working in the fields. He went
to Bethel College in Kansas where he played basketball and starred in
track and field. Mr. Neufeld then decided to follow his brother Henry
to the University of California, Berkley. It was a perfect match, as he
dominated the throwing events and led the Bears to the national
collegiate title in 1923.
The following year, Mr. Neufeld won the discus title at the
collegiate nationals, but he was just getting started. He won the
javelin competition at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Cambridge,
Massachusetts, by more than five feet, throwing for 191\1/2\ feet.
Following a week-long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, he placed fifth
in the javelin in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. William Neufeld was a
familiar face at many Olympics to follow.
After coaching at Riverside College and Harvard, Mr. Neufeld entered
the Navy during World War II and later returned to Harvard as the
Director of Physical Education. When Neufeld's competitive career
ended, he traveled the globe as a coach and athletics liaison for the
U.S. State Department. He served as a liaison to the 1952 Japanese
Olympic team and also coached sports in Iran, Taiwan and Africa. Mr.
Neufeld passed away at the age of ninety-one in Riverside, California
in 1992.
Madam Speaker, we rise today to posthumously honor William Neufeld's
achievements and for his induction into the Fresno Athletic Hall of
Fame. I invite my colleagues to join me in offering my congratulations
in memory of Mr. Neufeld's many accomplishments.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA KREBS
______
HON. DENNIS MOORE
of kansas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
Virginia Krebs, my former colleague on the Johnson County Community
College Board, JCCC, who recently stepped down from that position at
the age of 89.
My tenure on the JCCC overlapped with Virginia Krebs for 6 years in
the 1990s. She is truly a distinguished public servant whose concern
for our community has benefited her friends in neighbors, both in
tangible and intangible ways, since the 1960s. Today, Sun Publications
of Johnson County posted an editorial reflecting on her distinguished
service and an article detailing some of the ways in which she served
Johnson County and the JCCC over the past several decades. These two
pieces tell her story much better than could I. I include them in the
Record for review by the House membership and wish my good friend,
Virginia Krebs, many happy returns on her long-delayed retirement,
although I am certain she will continue to find ways of being
indispensable to the JCCC and Johnson County.
[From Sun Publications, Nov. 19, 2008]
A Model for Public Service
The departure of Virginia Krebs from the Johnson County
Community College Board of Trustees is a reminder of her long
and distinguished service to the college. Her leadership,
from JCCC's beginning, helped bring it recognition as one of
the nation's most prestigious community colleges.
Actually, her dedication predates the life of the college.
Krebs served on the task force, appointed by the county
commission in 1963, to examine the feasibility of a community
college here. That three-year chore led to establishment of
the college district and, in 1967, voter approval of a tax to
support it.
Rather than running for the board of trustees, as she was
urged to do, Krebs signed on as the first employee, a part-
time job as the board secretary. Later she became special
assistant to the governing body. In that role she worked
closely with the trustees in forming the mission and
fundamental objectives of the college, along with the hiring
of its first president.
Her career at the college mirrored the widespread entry of
women into the professions and work force. She was in her
late 40s and the mother of four sons, two of them elementary
school age and younger, in the early years of her time at the
college. She knew from personal experience the needs of
working women.
As the college's director of community services--its
first--in the 1970s and '80s, Krebs played a major part in
creating one of the most highly respected continuing
education programs in the Midwest.
Her awareness of societal and economic changes led to
creation of a program for women who, having raised their
families, were interested in work outside the home. It helped
prepare women for a new career.
Krebs was on the leading edge of many activities that
enriched our cultural and intellectual life. She helped
organize the first county arts council, a JCCC ``Evening With
the Stars,'' an astronomy venture for the public, and a
speakers bureau that arranged for faculty members to appear
at meetings of civic, service and community groups.
A year after she retired from the college in 1984, Krebs
found another way to serve. She ran for and was elected to
the JCCC Board of Trustees. Voters returned her to the board
six times, the most recent in 2005. She retired in mid-
October.
As a trustee, Krebs drew from her experience on the faculty
to bring the needs of continuing education to the board. She
was known as a good listener, well-read and with the ability
to analyze issues with keen insight. She was not a frequent
speaker at trustee meetings, but when she spoke, her comments
were considered a valuable addition to the discussion and
decision at hand.
Virginia Krebs has been an imaginative, innovative force in
this community. She deserves our praise and gratitude.
____
[From Sun Publications, Nov. 19, 2008]
Retiring JCCC Icon Will Be Missed
(By Kristin Babcock)
The history book about Johnson County Community College is
dedicated to her. As Charles Bishop, professor emeritus at
the college, researched and wrote the book, one influential
name appeared more than any other: Virginia Krebs.
``Dedicating it to her was a very easy decision,'' Bishop
said. ``When I looked at the history, she was someone who was
instrumental from the beginning. There was no easier choice
than Virginia Krebs.''
Krebs, who became the college's first employee in 1967,
recently resigned from her position on the college's Board of
Trustees. Krebs, who turned 89 this year, said she was ready
to stop driving to meetings. She also hopes to become more
involved in her retirement community, she said.
``It was not any big thing, and I still hope to do some
things with the college,'' Krebs said.
Her desire to be involved started in childhood, Krebs said.
In grade school she started her own civics clubs.
In adulthood she helped form and lead several parent-
teacher associations. She served as program chair for Kansas
State PTA. She served on state task forces to revise state
school codes and to consolidate area school districts.
``She just always had interest in organizing,'' Virginia's
son Fred Krebs said.
[[Page 24388]]
``There was always an emphasis of trying to group things that
brought people together in the community. The community
college came along and they were born to meet.''
In 1963, the board of county commissioners appointed
Virginia to study the feasibility of building a community
college in Johnson County. In 1967, county voters approved a
taxing district to fund the college. Before the college had
its own buildings, Virginia became the college's first
employee as assistant to the first board of trustees.
``Community colleges were kind of the new kid on the block
in the '60s and '70s,'' Bishop said. ``She always had her
ears to the community and tuned into the higher-end world as
well. She did a nice job of marrying higher education and
community needs.''
Those marriages were seen most prominently when Virginia
became JCCC's director of community services in 1969. Under
her leadership, organizations formed to include senior
citizens, art supporters and community civic groups. Through
her efforts, students, children and adults found a place to
be involved, educated and entertained at the college.
``She is kind of a matriarch of Johnson County Community
College,'' Charles Carlsen, former JCCC president, said.
``She was well-networked and promoted relationships between
groups and the college.''
Some groups Virginia called ``among the most interesting''
were programs that helped women educate themselves to enter
the working world in the 1960s and 1970s.
``It helped ease the transition for literally hundreds of
women in the county,'' Bishop said.
Virginia also helped form a speakers bureau at the college.
Professors spoke to civic organizations about a variety of
topics. Although it involved extra work with no extra pay for
professors, they would volunteer when she asked, Bishop said.
``A lot of professors like to squirrel down in their office
and read books, and she got them to get out there,'' Bishop
said. ``Her arms were long and her grip was wide. She reached
out to aspects of the community, involved people and got you
in there. She has a fire in her belly when she needs to.''
Virginia retired from work at the college in 1984. She ran
for a position on the board of trustees and was elected in
1985.
``I was not surprised when she ran for the board,'' Fred
said. ``She felt she had important things to do. She felt she
was making a contribution. It was very important to her.''
Fred predicted that even in retirement people will still
use his mother as a resource.
``She still has contributions to make,'' Fred said. ``Lots
of people still think of her as a mentor. She has a legacy we
all have to follow.''
Voters re-elected Virginia for six consecutive terms on the
board of trustees. After her retirement, the board named her
the first trustee emeritus.
``She was a stalwart throughout,'' Fred Logan, former JCCC
board chair, said. ``She is one of the founders but not just
a founder. She has been an important part for 40 years. That
kind of service will always be remembered.''
On Nov. 20, the JCCC Board of Trustees will interview eight
finalists to fill Virginia Krebs' term, which ends June 30.
The candidates are: Laura S. Byrne-Harris, Leawood; William
A. Dean, Overland Park; Ronnie Metsker, Overland Park;
Michael M. Morales, Olathe; Melody L. Rayl, Olathe; Kurtis M.
Ruf, Overland Park; Mary R. Tearney, Leawood; and Sandra K.
Willsie, Overland Park.
The new trustee will begin Dec. 11. The seat is up for
election in April 2009.
____________________
ROBERT MASSEY
______
HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, on November 8, 2008, Robert Massey died
in Fair Oaks, CA. Born on November 5, 1921, ``Farmer Bob'' (as he is
known) contributed to the community throughout his life. As a local
historian, Bob frequently shared his knowledge of the area and made a
habit of correcting media reports and the Fair Oaks Historical Society
whenever their reports conflicted with his own expertise. Bob was a
member of the Sunrise Center Toastmasters, sharing with others his
great oratory skills and motivational tactics. Many families enjoyed a
visit to Farmer Bob's pumpkin patch and truck farm.
While Bob made many great contributions to our region, perhaps his
most important work was his strong advocacy for the Auburn Dam. The
Auburn Dam Council's website describes Bob as President of the council
from 1921-2008. This is an appropriate title for someone who understood
the need for greater flood protection and was willing to work for the
safety of so many others living nearby. Unfortunately, the dam has yet
to be built, but when that day comes it will be in large part thanks to
Bob's efforts.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob's loving wife of 65 years,
Beryl, and the rest of his family and friends. Bob brightened the lives
of so many people, and he will be truly missed by those of us who were
fortunate enough to have known him.
____________________
PRESIDENTIAL RANK AWARD OF MERITORIOUS EXECUTIVE TO DR. L. BRUCE
SIMPSON
______
HON. JEFF MILLER
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the selection
of Dr. L. Bruce Simpson for Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious
Executive for 2008. Each year, the President recognizes and celebrates
no more than 5 percent of career Senior Executives with this award.
Recipients of this prestigious award are strong leaders, professionals,
and scientists achieving results and consistently demonstrating
strength, integrity, industry, and a relentless commitment to
excellence in public service to America.
Dr. Simpson is Director of the 308th Armament Systems Wing, Eglin Air
Force Base, Florida and is a 27-year veteran of the Federal civil
service. He leads a wing of over 900 personnel and executes a portfolio
of programs valued at more than $46 billion. The wing's programs
include the Joint Direct Attack Munition, Small Diameter Bomb, Advanced
Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile
Targeting System, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, Joint Air-to-
Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range, Miniature Air Launched Decoy,
Aerial Target Systems, P5 Combat Training System, Sensor Fuzed Weapon,
Wind-Corrected Munitions Dispenser and Joint Stand-Off Weapon System.
These programs are all key elements in enabling our warfighters to
engage high-value targets and are vital weapons in the Global War on
Terror.
Selected for Senior Executive Service in 2003, Dr. Simpson has served
as Deputy Manager of the Armament Product Group, Director of the Air
Armament Center Special Projects System Program Office, and Director of
the Directed Energy Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Dr. Simpson has been honored as a Distinguished Fellow at Mississippi
State University and received Annual Technical Achievement Awards from
the Air Force Research Laboratory and Air Force Systems Command.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like
to congratulate Dr. L. Bruce Simpson on this most prestigious
Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive. America and the
United States Air Force depend heavily on the selfless service and
leadership he provides. I sincerely wish Dr. Simpson many more years of
dedicated public service to this great country.
____________________
HONORING FRANK MECHAM
______
HON. KEVIN McCARTHY
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. McCARTHY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor
Frank Mecham, a resident and community leader from Paso Robles,
California, for his outstanding and exemplary leadership while serving
as the mayor of Paso Robles from 2000 through 2008.
Frank has been a longtime leader in local government, reflecting the
same success, enthusiasm, care, and commitment to his community as nine
generations of Mecham Californians and five generations of San Luis
Obispo County Mechams before him. His great-great grandfather, Don
Joaquin Estrada, was a member of the first County Board of Supervisors
in 1852, and his father was Fire Chief at Fort Hunter Liggett for over
20 years. Carrying on this tradition of public service, Frank served
our country in the United States Navy and later began his political
career on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning
Commission for the City of Paso Robles. He was elected to the City
Council in 1998 and served for two years. In 2000, Frank was the first
mayor of Paso Robles to be directly elected by the voters (in the past,
the mayoral post had rotated between elected city councilmembers).
In 2003, Paso Robles felt the devastating effects of the San Simeon
Earthquake. Frank showed strong leadership and composure throughout
this natural disaster and guided the City through the aftermath and
recovery efforts. Through his tireless efforts, the City of Paso Robles
was able to rebuild faster and move forward onto the road to recovery
[[Page 24389]]
quicker than anyone had expected. In addition, as mayor, he also
oversaw the completion of the Barney Schwartz Park, the Public Safety
Center, the Robert Rader Memorial 13th Street Bridge, and the Niblick
Bridge expansion.
In addition to his public service, Frank has also remained active in
the Paso Robles community. Frank is a member of the Twin Cities
Community Hospital Board of Governors, the Nacimiento Water Commission,
and the Paso Robles High School Technology Academy. He has also coached
youth baseball and football for over two decades in the community,
established a youth football league which continues to this day, and
created the first Youth Commission for the City in 1999. In 2004, Frank
was honored by the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce as Roblan of the
Year in recognition of his outstanding service to the local community.
In a City named for its strong oak trees, Frank has stood strong in
times of challenge, and helped create prosperity through a commitment
to fiscal responsibility and transparent and accountable government. I
commend Frank for his service and leadership as mayor of Paso Robles,
and wish him and his family well as he continues to serve our community
as a supervisor on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.
____________________
HONORING TRAVIS WEBB
______
HON. TIMOTHY WALBERG
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Corporal Travis
Webb from Adrian, Michigan who was injured in an improvised explosive
device (IED) blast in Mosul, Iraq on January 22, 2007. He lost both
legs and his best friend Nicholas Brown died in his arms after the
blast. The following poem is dedicated to a true American hero, Travis
Webb.
A Soldier's Story
Throughout our Nation's history
Such magnificent men of honor and glory, have so been seen
Who so went, where angel's feared to tread
Who went off to war
All for us, the ones who so lived and died and so bled
All so we could be here!
As this is a soldier's story!
All about Heartbreak, Faith and Glory
All about life and death
As he put himself in harm's way, as his best friend died in
his arms that day
When courage comes to crest!
All about a young man from Michigan . . . Travis, and his
heroic stand
As all of us, he would so bless
Who came out of such hell and fury!
A Hero from The 2-7 Cav . . . 11 Bravo, Corporal Webb, his
soldier's story
A fighting force to be feared, who gave all he had so very
clear
A Soldier's Story
Who, into that valley of death . . . so walked
All with his two fine legs, as was our freedom bought!
His charge, his thought's
The life of Travis Webb, so much to all has taught
All about courage and faith
As this mighty Michigander makes his way
As no other's could so take his place
As throughout his young life, his flow and ebb
Through the good and bad!
A work of art, to be said!
As it all began
With a young man with no direction
Until, he found his life's true passion . . . his reflection
Reaching, his greatest introspection
His fine reflection, in a Uniform
As A Soldier's Heart and soul, so proud and bold . . . so
very warm
All for his country 'tis a thee
As a future Hero was born, as we would see
While, on battlefields of honor and death and gore
Charging bravely so, so ever . . . ever forth!
When, Looking down
As there it was he so found, no more
His two strong fine legs, which made up this most valiant
force
While, there in that moment of truth
As in that moment we find the answer, the proof
All about what courage, and a magnificent heart can do!
To build where none lie left
To climb the highest of all mountains, no less
To Teach Us all . . . to so bless
To Reach Us . . . to so Beseech Us, all no less
To But Be The Best
When, Courage comes to Crest
Day by Day
Night after Night
To win the battle, to win that fight!
As he will not give up, will not rest!
As is this soldier's story, our hearts have blessed
As we watch him grow
For he has a life to live
And to this our world, so much more to give!
Could such faith and courage, we so know? Possess?
And, if I ever have a son
I, but hope and pray . . . that he could so be like this fine
one!
Shining, all in Faith's True Son
A Soldier's Story, Travis Webb our hearts have won!
All in our Lord's Heart, that will be done
Amen!
--Albert Carey Caswell
____________________
IN MEMORIAL OF SGT. TIMOTHY SIMPSON
______
HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, on November 17, 2008, Sgt. Timothy
Simpson, a 20-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and a
constituent of the 13th Congressional District was killed by a drunk
driver while responding to a robbery. He is the fourth Philadelphia
police officer killed this year in the line of duty.
Sgt. Simpson, 46, left behind his wife, Catherine, and three
children. His brother, Terry, is an officer on the Philadelphia Police
Department SWAT team.
He was a decorated officer, having recently earned superintendant of
the month in the 24th District. Other accolades included a heroism
award, four merit awards, and a letter of commendation.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said Simpson was ``a good officer
trying to do his duty.''
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said he was ``an excellent
sergeant, excellent police officer,'' adding ``you can't say enough
good things about him.''
Sgt. Simpson's death is a major shock to Philadelphia opening wounds
that have had little time to heal. He was the partner to Sgt. Stephen
Liczbinski, a 12-year veteran and former constituent, who was shot and
killed on May 3, 2008 while responding to a bank robbery.
The sacrifices that the Simpson and Liczbinski families have made to
protect the City of Philadelphia can never be repaid. All Philadelphia
residents owe a debt of gratitude to these families and the families of
the other fallen officers from Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional
District, including Gary Skerski, Charles Cassidy, Isabel Nazario, and
Patrick McDonald all of whom died in the line of duty in the last two
years.
I ask that the House of Representatives extend its condolences to
Catherine Simpson, her family, and the Philadelphia Police Department
for yet another significant loss.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. JIM SAXTON
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. SAXTON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership
standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for
publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received
as part of FY 2009 Defense Appropriations Bill.
Project: Monmouth University's Rapid Response Institute.
Funding Amount: $3,200,000.
Account: Research, Development, and Testing, Defense Wide.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lockheed Martin.
Address of Requesting Entity: 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ
07764.
Description of Request: Project will evaluate the software's ability
to improve the effectiveness of military (including National Guard)
preparedness and its support to the civilian first responders.
____________________
RECOGNIZING WILLIAM D. HENDERSON, JR.
______
HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr.
William D. Henderson, Jr. who has contributed over 24,000 volunteer
service hours over the course of 45 years to his local communities. Mr.
Henderson was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts in 1927
[[Page 24390]]
and began volunteering with the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad
in 1963 and later with the Northumberland County Rescue Squad in 1995.
Through this time he has served as an Emergency Medical Technician
(EMT), as an Advanced Life Support Provider and as a Training Officer.
Mr. Henderson's selfless dedication has been recognized throughout his
tenure as a volunteer EMT.
First, in 1973 he was awarded the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society's Citation of Merit, and in 1986 was selected for the
Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad's Captain's Choice Award. As
recognition of his commitment to the entire community, the Honorable
Thomas J. Vandever, then Mayor of Charlottesville, VA, proclaimed
``William D. Henderson Day'' in 1993. Two years later Mr. Henderson
would again be recognized by the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad
with the Joel Cochran Award for Outstanding Service.
Next, the Rappahannock General Hospital would recognize Mr. Henderson
in 2000 as the EMT of the year. The subsequent year he would be honored
by the Peninsula EMT council as the Outstanding Pre-Hospital Provider.
In 2002 the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad named its training
room after Mr. Henderson. He would then be recognized by the Governor
of Virginia in 2003 with the Governor's Award for outstanding Pre-
Hospital Provider.
2008 has been just as busy for Mr. Henderson as he was awarded the
President's Volunteer Service Award by the Charlottesville Albemarle
Rescue Squad. In December, the Northumberland County Rescue Squad will
award him a second lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Award and
the Point of Light Award. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in
congratulating and thanking William D. Henderson on his steadfast
service to the Commonwealth of Virginia and its citizens.
____________________
IN APPRECIATION OF MY SENIOR AND AGING ISSUES ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS'
SERVICE
______
HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute today to the
men and women of Southeastern Arizona who for the past two years have
served on my Senior and Aging Issues Advisory Council.
These 35 active and engaged citizens have selflessly shared their
time and expertise with me as important advisors. Each one brought
considerable personal and professional expertise to the table to help
me gain a greater understanding of the challenges faced by seniors and
their family members. Their advice and insights allowed me to better
represent my constituents in Arizona's 8th Congressional District.
The counsel they provided has been invaluable to me in making
legislative decisions and delivering constituent services. I am
grateful to them for the recommendations and issues they brought to my
attention during my first term in Congress and I look forward to their
continued assistance.
The Senior and Aging Issues Advisory Council members are: Harry
Anthros, David Braun, Marlene Bluestein, Fred Ebeling, Dr. Mindy Fain,
Karen Fields, Sharon Gartner, Doris Goldstein, Mary Gomez, Craig
Gordon, Clark Hay, Kathleen Heard, Felipe Jacome, Anna Jolivet, Al
Kaszniak, Joe La Cava, Cress Lander, Dr. Allan Levenson, David Likness,
Larry Linderman, Marian Lupu, Barbara Matteson, Dr. Fred Miller, Jim
Murphy, Steve Nash, Elizabeth Packard, Gordon Packard, Anita Royal,
L'Don Sawyer, Bill Santa Cruz, Mattie Stone, Jan Sturges, Helen Symes,
Russ Symes, Dr. Tony Vuturo and Carol West.
I commend each of them for their contributions to our work on behalf
of seniors and thank them for their service our community.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING
of mississippi
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. PICKERING. Madam Speaker, consistent with House Republican
Earmark Standards, I submit the following earmark disclosure and
certification information for one project request I made included
within the text of H.R. 2638, the ``The Consolidated Security, Disaster
Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009.''
Requesting Member: Congressman Chip Pickering.
Bill Number: FY 09 Defense Appropriations Bill.
Project: Advanced, Long Endurance Unattended Ground Sensor
Technologies.
Project Amount: $3.6 million.
Account: Defense-wide; RDT&E.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Special Operations Command.
Address of Requesting Entity: Tampa, Florida.
Description of Request: A significant challenge in modern military
operations is the ability to achieve and maintain real-time battlefield
situational awareness. Achieving battlefield situation awareness
requires the ability to robustly and persistently monitor the movements
of the adversary in near real-time across a wide range of operational
environments including foliage, mountainous, and urban terrain.
The funding will continue the research and development of small, low
power UGS technologies that support critical USSOCOM reconnaissance and
surveillance missions by providing robust: (1) target detection,
classification and tracking; (2) high bandwidth, covert communication
of data, voice and video, and (3) data/information exfiltration via
satellite communications (SATCOM) for displaying advanced visualization
technologies. The proposed UGS capability will provide USSOCOM with the
ability to relay critical, actionable intelligence from remote areas of
interest to analysts and commanders worldwide in near real-time--
ultimately allowing special operations forces (SOF) to think and react
more quickly than the adversary. The proposed research program will
also have applications in other areas such as border patrol.
____________________
HONORING PATRICK R. VECCHIO
______
HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a public
servant of rare devotion and accomplishment. My constituent, Patrick R.
Vecchio is marking his 30 year anniversary as supervisor of the town of
Smithtown, a historic community on the shores of Long Island Sound. His
tenure as supervisor is the longest in New York State's 231-year
history, and has few rivals anywhere in the Nation.
On October 23rd, I was proud to join the Smithtown Historical Society
at its gala in St. James in the town of Smithtown, New York, at which
it honored Supervisor Vecchio for his steadfast commitment and
countless contributions to the people of Smithtown.
Mr. Speaker, Supervisor Vecchio is a lifelong public servant, U.S.
Army veteran and retired NYPD detective sergeant. During his tenure as
supervisor, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to fiscal
responsibility and low taxes while protecting vital government
services. His legacy is clear: Today, Smithtown is on solid financial
footing and has the lowest debt level of the 10 towns in Suffolk
County.
Pat Vecchio is more than an exemplary public servant, he is a friend
and a role model. You can always trust that the words that come out of
Supervisor Vecchio's mouth will be the truth, to the chagrin of some.
As someone who was new to public service when I was elected to Congress
in 2002, I learned a lot simply by watching and talking to Pat.
In 1655, an English settler, Richard Smith, struck a unique bargain
with local Native Americans where he was entitled to settle all of the
area he could ride around on his bull in a day's time. Smith's ride on
his bull, Whisper, formed the boundaries of modern-day Smithtown.
Richard Smith's ride is the stuff of legends.
I don't know if Pat Vecchio ever rode a bull. But I know he has
gotten into a boxing ring with a champion fighter; I know he has
guarded the President of the United States; I know he has taken on
organized crime and I know he has done it all without a hint of ego. In
short, Mr. Speaker, Pat Vecchio's life is the stuff of legends. I am
honored and humbled to help honor his lifetime of service to the town
of Smithtown and our Nation.
____________________
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA DEVASTATED BY TORNADOES
______
HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, families from my district in eastern
North Carolina
[[Page 24391]]
are working to recover from tornadoes over the weekend that killed two
people and displaced up to 125 people.
Please join me in expressing our deepest sympathies to the families
affected by this damaging storm. They should know that our thoughts and
prayers are with them during this difficult time.
Tragically, the tornado claimed the life of 11-year-old Joshua
Wiggins, a bright, outgoing sixth-grader at Toisnot Middle School in my
hometown of Wilson, North Carolina. He played the drums, enjoyed
soccer, and sang in the chorus. The tornado also took the life of
Maryland Gomez, a 61-year-old mother from Kenly, North Carolina.
The tornadoes, believed to be EF-2 to EF-3, moved northeast along the
Interstate 95 corridor at 45 to 55 miles per hour with winds of 130 to
135 miles per hour.
I want to give thanks to the North Carolina Department of
Transportation workers who have been clearing fallen trees from
roadways and to the Progress Energy crews who are restoring power along
the storm's path.
North Carolina Governor Michael Easley has requested a U.S. Small
Business Administration disaster declaration for Wilson and Johnston
County areas affected by deadly tornadoes.
Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to the community and especially to
the families directly affected by this tragedy. Although this natural
disaster may have destroyed many homes and upended the lives of many
families, the people of North Carolina are generous and caring. I have
no doubt we will pull together to rebuild these communities to make
them stronger than ever. I look forward to working with my colleagues
to assist the families in need and to helping them to move forward from
this tragedy.
____________________
CONGRATULATING THOMAS SANTIAGO ON RECEIVING THE ``GREEN LIVING AWARD''
______
HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Thomas
Santiago for receiving the prestigious ``Green Living Award'' from the
Alley Pond Environmental Center, APEC, on November 13, 2008. APEC,
located in Douglaston, Queens, is a superb educational center committed
to environmental understanding and awareness. Tom's commitment to using
environmentally-friendly green building techniques and protocols for
Citigroup's new office tower in Long Island City is a truly
groundbreaking example of ``green living'' in an urban environment and
is truly worthy of public notice and praise.
In his role as the Managing Director of real estate for Citigroup in
the Northeast U.S., Tom was the driving force behind Two Court Square,
Citigroup's second 1.5 million square foot tower in Long Island City.
The building is Citi's first ever Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design, LEED, Gold certified green building, the national
benchmark for rating green buildings. Two Court Square serves as the
``green'' model for corporate America, not only for being
environmentally responsible, but also for demonstrating the economic
value of money-saving ``green'' building technologies and materials.
Under Tom's leadership, Two Court Square is LEED Gold certified
because it meets or exceeds stringent criteria in five categories:
Sustainable Sites, Energy and Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, Indoor
Environmental Quality and Materials and Resources. Some of the amazing
environmentally-friendly innovations include: Electricity requirements
are met by the purchase of 100 percent wind-power energy; over half the
wood used in construction did not originate from logging; low-emitting
volatile organic compound materials are used for paint and adhesives;
90 percent of its structural steel contains post-consumer content; 2
million gallons of water annually are saved by recycling rainwater for
building cooling and through the use of low flow plumbing fixtures; and
the carpet uses backing made from recycled soda bottles. This kind of
top-to-bottom environmental sensitivity is where our Nation and our
planet's future lies.
I would also like to acknowledge APEC's leadership in environmental
education and awareness. Every year, over 35,000 school students from
all over New York City and Long Island visit Alley Pond Park. At APEC-
run programs, students of pre-school, elementary school, middle and
high school ages learn about the environment and conservation policy.
APEC also runs wonderful teacher workshops to educate teachers in
methods to enrich and improve their natural sciences curriculum when
they return to the classroom. APEC restored and reclaimed Alley Pond
Park in the 1970s as a refuge where New Yorkers could experience
nature, wetlands and woodlands first hand. APEC features live animal
exhibits and several miles of trails in both wetland and woodland
areas, bird walks, nature hikes, craft sessions and workshops on
environmental topics. Through the ``Green Living Award'', APEC
continues its environmental mission by recognizing the ``green''
achievements of individuals throughout the New York area.
Madam Speaker, I am delighted to recognize Tom Santiago for his
exemplary work in green building construction and for receiving the
``Green Living Award'' from the Alley Pond Environmental Center. I know
my colleagues in the House of Representatives will join me in
congratulating Thomas Santiago and his colleagues at Citigroup for this
well-deserved honor.
____________________
IN RECOGNITION OF KENNETH OWENS UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS PRINCIPAL OF
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL IN MILTON, FLORIDA
______
HON. JEFF MILLER
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize
Kenneth Owens, who is retiring after almost 40 years of service as a
teacher, coach, and administrator in the Northwest Florida school
system. His passion and dedication proves that teachers can truly make
a difference in the lives of their students, and I am proud to honor
such an admirable leader of our community.
Mr. Owens began his life as a public servant almost forty years ago.
He spent his entire career enriching the lives of young people as both
a teacher and a coach. Seventeen years ago, he came to Central High
School in Milton, Florida as an assistant principal where he has
remained ever since. As principal, Mr. Owens transformed Central High
School from a ``C'' school to a ``B'' school under Florida's A+ Plan
for Education. This tremendous achievement exemplifies Mr. Owens'
commitment to Central's mission statement of providing an environment
that encourages students to achieve their fullest potential. He has
touched thousands of lives, and his devotion will never be forgotten.
Although he is retiring from his position as an educator, Kenny Owens
will always be a Central High School Jaguar.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the U.S. Congress, I would like to thank
Mr. Owens for his years of public service to the students and community
of Northwest Florida. Vicki and I wish him and his family best wishes
for continued success.
____________________
IN HONOR OF THE SONS OF THE REVOLUTION
______
HON. JERROLD NADLER
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate The Sons of
the Revolution in the State of New York as they commemorate the 225th
anniversary of Evacuation Day.
The Sons of the Revolution in New York is an organization which keeps
alive the memory of the men who achieved American independence through
military, naval, or civil service. They also promote and assist in
celebrating the anniversaries of events which relate to the War of the
Revolution.
November 25th is the anniversary of Evacuation Day, which signaled
the end of the Revolutionary War when the last British troops departed
Manhattan. Though the importance of this day is sometimes forgotten,
the Sons of the Revolution have kept its memory alive. This year they
are hosting a parade on November 22nd to commemorate the 225th
anniversary of the British evacuation of New York.
Once again, I offer my heart-felt congratulations to the Sons of the
Revolution at the time of this celebration. As representative of the
8th Congressional District of New York, I am honored to have such
distinguished citizens working in my district to keep the history of
America alive.
[[Page 24392]]
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I submit the following:
Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Act, 2009.
FEL Capabilities for Aerospace Microfabrication.
Account: U.S. Department of the Air Force, Research, Development,
Test and Evaluation.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Jefferson Science Associates on
behalf of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.
Address of Requesting Entity: 12000 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News,
VA 23606.
Description of Request: Provide $1.4 million for the expansion of the
Free-Electron Laser program at Jefferson Laboratory through the USAF
RDT&E Account. The FEL has delivered world-record levels of infrared
light for development of defense, science and industrial applications.
This joint project of the Aerospace Corporation and the Jefferson Lab
in support of the Air Force Research Lab has demonstrated the use of
kilowatt levels of ultraviolet light useful as a microfabrication
processing tool to produce miniature satellite components. The
completion of the ultraviolet processing capability will enable
microfabrication techniques for production of miniature satellites at
substantially lower cost and processing time than what is achievable
with current technology.
$11 million was appropriated for the UV FEL project in the FY 2001-FY
2004 period, as well as an additional $1.6 million appropriation in FY
2008, which has allowed the hardware to be 90 percent completed. The FY
2009 request of $1.4 million is needed to complete and commission this
project. There is no matching requirement. This request is consistent
with the intended and authorized purpose of the U.S. Department of the
Air Force, Research, Development, Test and Evaluation account.
____________________
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE MARILYN MASSENGILL
______
HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge
The Honorable Marilyn Massengill, Plymouth Township Clerk, upon her
retirement from the government of Plymouth Township after thirty-nine
years of dedicated service.
Throughout her life, Marilyn has striven to better our community.
Mrs. Massengill graduated from Plymouth High School in 1952 and went on
to work in several township departments. She began her dedicated career
in June, 1969 when she was hired to work in the Building Department
before advancing to the Planning Department and then the Clerk's
Office. Marilyn was first elected Plymouth Township Clerk in 1992, re-
elected in 1996 and again in 2000. She received official recognition as
a Certified Municiple Clerk in 1995 by the International Institute of
Municipal Clerks following completion of specialized training.
Marilyn has participated in multiple associations during her
committed service to Plymouth Township, including; The First United
Methodist Church, Plymouth Business and Professional Women's Club, BPW,
Wayne County Clerk's Association, International Institute of Municipal
Clerks, Plymouth Study Club, and as a Charter Member of the Plymouth
Canton Kiwanis Breakfast Club. Despite her numerous accomplishments and
community activities, Marilyn remains most proud of her four children,
all of whom attended and graduated from the Plymouth Canton Community
School District, and her eight grandchildren.
Madam Speaker, after over 30 tireless years, Clerk Massengill will be
retiring from her position of Plymouth Township Clerk. As she enters
the next phase of her life, she leaves behind a legacy of leadership,
integrity, and devotion to the citizens of Michigan. Today, I ask my
colleagues to join me in congratulating the Honorable Marilyn
Massengill, upon her retirement and recognizing her years of loyal
service to our community and our country.
____________________
HONORING THE SAFETY AND EXCELLENCE OF KEITH BRUCE AND CHARLES RHYNEHART
OF UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, U.P.S.
______
HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER
of louisiana
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the outstanding
efforts of Keith Bruce and Charles Rhynehart of the United Parcel
Service.
These two men who graciously serve Louisiana's 5th District, have
been inducted in to the elite ``Circle of Honor'' for their 25 years or
more of accident-free driving. The men and women who have achieved
membership in to the Circle of Honor are the best of the best. This is
an accomplishment I am proud to honor as these men have demonstrated a
commitment to safety and high standards in the workplace.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Keith Bruce
and Charles Rhynehart of the United Parcel Service, for their
dedication to the safety of their fellow drivers and those with whom
they share the roads.
____________________
SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL MAKES HISTORY!
______
HON. BOB FILNER
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize
Sweetwater High School in National City, California, a school in
California's 51st Congressional District, my district, with a statement
prepared by the school which touts its remarkable success.
In the United States of the 21st Century, no single institution has
received more attention, been the center of more controversy or
passionately advanced as ``the last best hope'' of passing on the
promise of national excellence than the public high school. The driving
force behind the passage by Congress of ``No Child Left Behind'' was to
create schools that reflect equity--where dynamic learning environments
driven by high academic standards will promote academic, social and
ethical growth for ALL students.
Schools are held accountable through a comprehensive assessment
program that measures achievement and yearly progress for every
student, their scores reported by gender, by ethnicity, by parent
education, by economic circumstance. No child was left undiscovered,
and in 2001, at Sweetwater High School, it was alarmingly clear that
many had been left behind.
Census reports from 2001 reported that National City ranked as the
second poorest city in San Diego County and had the fifteenth poorest
economy in the United States for a city of fewer than 59,000 residents.
Located seven miles north of the Mexican border, Sweetwater High
School, built in 1921, serves culturally and socially diverse low-
income families whose needs place unique demands on the school and
staff who serve them. Eight of ten students speak a language other than
English at home. More than 80 percent of the 2500 students qualify for
the free lunch program.
In its first reporting year for ``No Child Left Behind,'' Sweetwater
scored a lowly 461 out of a possible 1000 on the Academic Performance
Index (API) and more telling, did not meet adequate yearly progress by
its targeted populations. In the second year, while the API score
improved significantly and some gains had been made, the school did not
meet the goals established by the federal guidelines of ``No Child Left
Behind.'' Two consecutive years of unmet goals landed Sweetwater High
on the Federal List of Failing Schools.
What followed is Sweetwater High School at its best, Sweetwater High
School calling on 87 years of Spirit and Pride.
Under the leadership of new principal Wesley Braddock,
administrators, counselors, resource personnel, and teachers united to
develop a school-wide assault on poor and failing scores. District
curriculum and instructional staff provided resources and support
identified by Sweetwater teachers and administrators as key to moving
ALL students to academic success, with proficiency on state exams and
meeting and exceeding federal benchmarks for performance. Student data
became the map staff followed in search of the keys that would unlock
the treasure chest of achievement. Students who had previously missed
the proficiency cut were assigned an extra support class to assist them
in developing critical thinking strategies and test taking skills.
Incoming 10th grade students identified as below basic--those in the
lowest quartile--were given additional support. This strategy provided
in-depth remediation and academic
[[Page 24393]]
development prior to the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to
the Sophomore Class each February. Most striking was the challenge to
those sophomores who were ``not at risk,'' that they too should work
hard in their core academic classes.
Principal Braddock went personally to every 10th grade English class
and spoke from his heart about the importance of doing well, about the
Sweetwater Tradition to rise far beyond what others think we can do.
While 350 is the score required to pass the CAHSEE exam, this minimum
state score was not sufficient to move Sweetwater out of the federal
Program Improvement category. Principal Braddock then issued the ``380
Challenge.'' He challenged students to do what so many said Sweetwater
High would never do. He told them that together, they would accomplish
great things. To accomplish those great things, all of us, students,
staff, administration, parents and community would not only act, but
dream, and not just to dream, but to BELIEVE! Students did believe, and
many smashed the 380 goal, giving Sweetwater High the largest passing
percentage in English-Language Arts in the district.
The staff and students have learned over these past three years that
great things are not done by impulse, but by knowing the goal,
committing to the work, and hitting the target always saying, WE
BELIEVE.
Sweetwater High School has raised its Academic Performance Index
(API) from 461 to 706.
Sweetwater's API growth is the 5th highest in the entire state of
California.
Sweetwater High School's 97 percent Attendance Rate is the highest in
the 30,000 student/23 school Sweetwater Union High School District.
Sweetwater High School, in September of 2008, made history by being
one of only two schools to make it off the Federal Watch List. In fact,
its achievement has surpassed the achievement of 851 of California's
855 high schools.
Sweetwater High School, stands with firm resolve, both feet planted
in this 21st century. The staff and students of Sweetwater High
exemplify extraordinary courage as they continue to engage in attacking
and mastering the rigorous academic standards set forth by the state
and the nation. Their resilience and resolve rise up from their State
of the Heart Legacy and will take each generation of students into a
world where they not only believe in their ability but will achieve
success. For those looking for that ``Last Best Hope'' described in A
Nation at Risk, just Google . . . 2900 Highland Avenue, National City,
CA: Sweetwater High School--``Home of the Red Devils!''
As an educator, I applaud the achievements of the students, staff,
teachers, administrators, parents and the community of Sweetwater High
School! I was so moved by the efforts of these students that I was able
to obtain $292,000 in federal funds for students at Sweetwater High
School and neighboring high schools for their Compact for Success. This
Compact is a program that guarantees a place at San Diego State
University for every graduating high school student who maintains a
``B'' average and meets the goals of the Compact. Participation in the
Compact is yet one more way that the Sweetwater High School community
is challenging and rewarding its students, the students who are a
beacon of light and a remarkable example of what can be achieved when
everyone focuses on the goal, the goal of a quality education for each
and every student.
____________________
IN HONOR OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE'S MARVIN S. GILMAN SUPERSTARS IN BUSINESS AWARDS
______
HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE
of delaware
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise
today to recognize the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce's Marvin S.
Gilman Superstars in Business Awards. For ten years, the Delaware State
Chamber of Commerce has taken pride in honoring small businesses and
organizations for their outstanding services, quality of management,
and exemplary approach to business in our state.
Each year, winners of the Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business
Awards are companies that have met three criteria: the companies have
been established at least three years, have 150 employees or less, and
are members of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. In addition,
Awards of Excellence are given to commendable companies, and one award
is given to one outstanding non-profit organization. Over the years,
corporations within the development, arts, public utilities,
communications, and healthcare industries, among others, have been
recognized for playing a leading role in Delaware's economic well-
being. In November of 1998, the very first luncheon was held to present
these distinguished awards in the Gold Ballroom at the Hotel DuPont,
the very same location where many of the 40 winning companies, state
and local officials, Chamber members, and other notable members of the
community will gather to celebrate this milestone. In fact, I was among
the guests present at the first Superstars in Business Awards luncheon,
and a decade later I am pleased to join in saluting what has become a
distinguished tradition.
In recognizing this program, it is only fitting to also recognize the
program's entrepreneurial namesake, the late Marvin S. Gilman. Mr.
Gilman served as president of Gilman Development Co. in Wilmington for
more than forty years, during which time he earned the reputation of a
model small business owner and leader in the community. He used his
position in the housing industry to further the cause of desegregation,
sponsoring the Sutton Place high-rise facility project in Baltimore--
one of the first major real estate projects to welcome tenants of all
races--and serving on the National Committee Against Discrimination in
Housing. Recognized for their service to the community, Mr. Gilman and
his wife, Muriel, were the first couple to receive the Delaware State
Chamber of Commerce's Josiah Marvel Cup Award.
Once again, I recognize the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce's
Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Awards for ten years of
honoring exceptional small businesses and organizations. It is this
commitment to fostering economic and community excellence that keeps
Delaware one of the best environments to conduct business in the United
States.
____________________
IN HONOR OF RAFAEL ``FEYNNER'' ARIAS GODINEZ
______
HON. SAM FARR
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of a
special friend, Rafael ``Feynner'' Arias Godinez, on this occasion of
his 20th anniversary as a steward of the UC Landels-Hill Big Creek
Reserve in Big Sur, California. The Big Creek Reserve is operated by
the University of California's Santa Cruz campus. The land was part of
the Circle M Ranch until the ranch was broken up and sold; private
owners, including my father, the late Senator Fred Farr, later granted
the land to the university's Natural Reserve System.
Feynner Arias came to the United States from his native Costa Rica.
He was born near the town of Parrita, Costa Rica. His family was very
poor by American standards. Feynner's life in the jungles of Costa Rica
is full of stories that books and movies are made from; learning to
hunt and fish from his grandmother, his abuela, Elijia; battling school
bullies who abandoned him in a well; overcoming deadly snake bites in
the jungle; learning to survive with just a machete and his wits; and,
as a sawmill child laborer having to remove saw dust from a fast moving
sawmill blade. Through hard work and out of necessity, he developed a
jungle reputation as a person who could track down anything; he could
hunt and capture it for food or money to support his mother and seven
siblings.
Feynner's vast knowledge of the land and animals drew wildlife
scientists from around the world to hire him as a guide; his work
helped to establish the Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. Feynner
often traded his guiding services for food. One of his clients was a
woman PhD candidate at UC Berkeley. Together they lived in the rain
forest studying ants. After she returned to California he received a
letter asking him to come for a visit. He traded the gold that he had
panned for in Panama for an airline ticket to the U.S., going from the
rain forest of Cost Rica to the San Francisco Bay area. Soon married,
he landed a job at the Big Creek Reserve. By a stroke of luck, the
resident reserve manager at Big Creek had, many years prior, benefited
from Feynner's guide services in Costa Rica and was well familiar with
Feynner's wilderness experience and helped to guide Feynner through the
bureaucracy of the university's hiring practices.
Today, the entire Big Sur coast and the UC Natural Reserve System
have come to love and respect Feynner's knowledge of natural flora and
fauna and the coast range. His stories of sleeping near the mountain
lions, killing
[[Page 24394]]
a wild boar with a small knife, rescuing lost and injured hikers, and
leading fire crews to the best areas to fight raging fires are well
known on the coast. Whether working with world-renowned academics or
nondegreed people like himself, he is sought after like a celebrity. He
is known locally as the person who can fix anything, build anything, or
find anything. He is able to grow Costa Rican bushes in his home, spot
wildlife and whales that others can't find, and to understand the
natural world around him in ways that the more formally educated often
can't. His understanding and appreciation of the world around him and
us is unsurpassed.
Feynner is now celebrating 20 years with the Big Creek Reserve. Those
who know and love him celebrate this uncommon immigrant who has
captured their hearts and minds. We congratulate and celebrate his
service to the people of California and especially to his friends and
neighbors in Big Sur.
Madam Speaker, Speaker, I for one, will always treasure the Farr
family good fortune to have known, laughed and learned from Rafael
Arias. Gracias Amigo por todo!
____________________
THE CONCUSSION TREATMENT AND CARE TOOLS (ConTACT) ACT
______
HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure today to introduce the
Concussion Treatment and Care Tools (ConTACT) Act. This bipartisan
legislation provides our schools and coaches with the tools needed to
ensure that student athletes receive the proper care for sports-related
concussions. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation as soon as
possible.
On October 16, 2008, Ryne Dougherty, a 16-year-old from Montclair,
New Jersey, tragically died from a brain hemorrhage after returning to
play football without fully recovering from a concussion sustained
earlier in the season. Unfortunately, this is not the first story of a
young athlete losing his or her life early to a head injury.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, as
many as 3.8 million concussions related to sports and recreation are
estimated to occur in the United States each year. After sustaining one
concussion, an athlete becomes as much as four to six times more likely
to sustain a second concussion, and if an athlete is allowed to return
to play without fully recovering from a concussion, they may face
tragic consequences.
Repeat concussions can result in cumulative neurological damage and
have been shown to significantly worsen long-term outcomes including
depression and other psychological problems. In rare cases, a repeat
concussion can trigger ``second impact syndrome'' which can be marked
by the swelling of the brain, permanent brain damage, or even death.
Because damage to a maturing brain can be catastrophic, it is even more
important to ensure that the proper care is provided to young athletes.
Fortunately, repeat concussions and ``second impact syndrome'' are
highly preventable if sensible guidelines and procedures are adopted.
Many college and professional athletic associations--including the
National Collegiate Athlete Association, NCAA, the National Football
League, NFL, and the National Hockey League, (NHL)--and other national
provider organizations--including the American Academy of Neurology,
the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Athletic
Trainers' Association, and the Brain Injury Association of American--
have all adopted guidelines for the management of concussions. Despite
education efforts by CDC, however, much of this information has not
made its way to our local middle schools and high schools.
Furthermore, pre-season and post-concussion testing technologies are
widely used in college and professional sports to provide a baseline
against which coaches and providers can determine when athletes are
ready to return to play. These technologies are widely available and
fairly affordable at as little as $500 a year. Unfortunately, these
tests are not commonly used in middle and high school sports.
By providing coaches, athletes, and parents with the tools and
information needed to identify and understand the signs, symptoms, and
implications of concussions, we can help to prevent needless deaths and
countless injuries. The ConTACT Act will convene experts and
stakeholders to establish a consensus set of concussion management
guidelines and provide states with the resources to adopt, disseminate,
and ensure the implementation of concussion management guidelines for
student athletes.
Madam Speaker, Congress must act now to pass this vital piece of
legislation, so that we may provide our young athletes with the safety
and protections that they deserve.
____________________
HONORING THE TOP DOG ALUMNI
______
HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate all of
the 2008 Top Dog Award recipients from California State University,
Fresno. All award winners were honored on Friday October 10, 2008 at
the Awards Gala at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
The Top Dog Award is a great tradition for CSU Fresno. It allows the
University to honor alumni that continue to give back to the
University. There are three award categories: Distinguished Alumnus
Award, Outstanding Alumni Awards and the Arthur Safstrom Service Award.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor given to an
alumna of the University. The award is based on scholarship, leadership
and service to CSU Fresno, the San Joaquin Valley and the State of
California. It has been established to provide special recognition to
an individual who has distinguished themselves through outstanding
achievement during their post-collegiate career. The University
President and the Alumni Association present the award.
For 2008 the Distinguished Alumnus Award is being given to Nat
DiBuduo, class of 1972. Mr. DiBuduo has strong roots in the Central San
Joaquin Valley as a vineyard and winery owner. He attended CSU Fresno
where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science/
Viticulture and a minor in Business. He is also a graduate of the
California Ag Leadership Program, holds a Certified Pest Control
Advisor's license and a Department of Real Estate sales license. He has
worked as an independent consultant overseeing farm management of
24,000 acres of winegrapes, nuts and vegetables. Today, he is President
of Allied Grape Growers; a local organization that works with over 500
grower members from throughout California to competitively market the
crops. During his time at CSU Fresno, he was student body vice
president, but his service to the commundy did not stop there. He
generously gives to his alma mater, and serves on the boards of the Ag
One Foundation and the Fresno State Alumni Association.
The Outstanding Alumni Awards recognize CSU Fresno alumna for
outstanding accomplishments in their field and to present such alumni
to current CSU Fresno students as examples of exceptional achievement.
The Alumni Association works in conjunction with the deans of CSU
Fresno's eight schools/colleges, as well as the dean of student affairs
and the athletic director to identify and select candidates for the
awards.
This year there are twelve Outstanding Alumni Awards from the various
schools, colleges and divisions. The honorees are:
Dr. Robert C. Cannell (class of 1986) from the College of Agriculture
Sciences and Technology. Dr. Cannell is the supply chain director for
McDonald's USA and is responsible for the quality and safety of the
restaurant chain's beef and pork.
Brad Lewis (class of 1980) from the College of Arts and Humanities.
Mr. Lewis is a Pixar Animation Studios producer, whose movie
``Ratatouille'' received Oscar, Golden Globe and Clio awards.
Kern Donis (class of 1991) from the Athletics Department. Ms Donis is
a former Bulldog softball star; she played for two national titles. She
is now deputy chief for the Fresno Fire Department.
Steve Heinrichs (class of 1968) from the Craig School of Business.
Mr. Heinrichs is a managing partner of Bulldog Capital Partners, a
venture fund that invests in new business ideas and companies with
potential to contribute to the Central San Joaquin Valley economy.
Darlene Spano (class of 1969) from the Kremen School of Education and
Human Development. Ms. Spano has been an elementary school teacher in
Fresno for 32 years. She had embraced computer technology early enough
to educate and assist her students and colleagues.
Dr. Vida Ilderem (class of 1982) from the College of Engineering. Dr.
Ilderem is the vice president of physical and digital realization
research at Motorola Laboratories, the applied research arm of
Motorola.
Mabelle Selland (class of 1950 and 1972) from the Division of
Graduate Studies. Ms.
[[Page 24395]]
Selland's community service includes the preservation of the old
Administration Building at Fresno City College, the Veterans Memorial
Auditorium restoration and active participation in numerous
organizations.
Pamela Loewen (class of 1966) from the College of Health and Human
Services. Ms. Loewen has followed a career in military and public
health nursing with extensive service to the University's Department of
Nursing as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Kendall Manock (class of 1951) from the Henry Madden Library. Mr.
Manock is a local attorney and has been instrumental in obtaining
materials for the Library's Central Valley Political Archive. He has
also worked on many other library initiatives.
Dr. Roy James Shlemon (class of 1958) from the College of Science and
Mathematics. Dr. Shlemon has a consulting geological practice that
focuses on sites for nuclear power plants, waste facilities, large dams
and residential developments throughout the world.
Thomas Williams (class of 1970) from the College of Social Sciences.
Mr. Williams is the chairman and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts,
part of the NBC Universal division of GE.
Ambassador Phillip Sanchez (class of 1957 and 1972) from the Division
of Student Affairs. Ambassador Sanchez retired as a newspaper publisher
after government services included two ambassadorships and directing
the War on Poverty as the nation's highest-ranking Latino government
official.
The third award is the Arthur Safstrom Service Award; it is awarded
to an alumna or friend of CSU Fresno who has given outstanding service
to the Alumni Association and/or the University. This year the award is
presented to Dr. Arnold and Dianne Gazarian. The Gazarians' generous
donations to the university have included a gift to the Smittcamp
Alumni House, the Friends of the Madden Library, the President's Fund
and the Craig School of Business to establish the Arnold and Dianne
Gazarian Real Estate Center. The couple has also provided incentives to
attract others' gifts for the Haig and Isabel Berberian Endowed Chair
in Armenian Studies. Beyond the campus, the Gazarians are benefactors
of the Berberian Community Hospice Patient Services Center as well as
the Homeless and Transitional Living Center in Modesto, California.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate all of the
Top Dog Award recipients for their individual contributions. I invite
my colleagues to join me in wishing the honorees many years of
continual success.
____________________
RECOGNIZING DR. JAMES NAVIN OF HONOLULU, HAWAII
______
HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE
of hawaii
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. James
Navin, MD, FCAP. Dr. Navin, a resident of Honolulu, has made many
valuable contributions to the field of medicine not only in Hawaii, but
throughout the United States.
Dr. Navin began his medical career with the United States Army and
has also served in the United States Army Reserve as well as the Hawaii
Army Reserve National Guard, serving both Tripler General Hospital and
Fort DeRussey. Dr. Navin is a recipient of the Bronze Star, as well as
the Army Commendation Medal.
He is the current president of the Hawaii Society of Pathologists,
and a member of a variety of pathology related specialties, including
the Hawaii Medical Association, the Honolulu County Medical Society,
the College of American Pathologists and the American Society of
Cytopathologists.
I came to know Dr. Navin as a passionate healthcare advocate in the
1990s. I worked closely with him and the national pathology
organizations to increase the reimbursement for a common but vital
medical test. With his commitment, tenacity, and capacity to bring
people together we succeeded legislatively. More importantly, we
ensured that life saving medical testing was conducted according to
best practice.
An accomplished author, Dr. Navin has been published in over 30
medical publications, including the Hawaii Medical Journal. He has been
recognized by the American Pathology Foundation as the American
Pathologist of the Year, 2000, and has been recognized several times as
one of the Best Doctors in Hawaii.
Dr. Navin will be stepping down as a member of the College of
American Pathologists' Political Action Committee, but we are confident
he will continue to be a strong voice for pathology. I urge my
colleagues to join me in recognizing this outstanding physician for his
commitment to patient care.
____________________
HONORING AND REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF JOSEPH R. BURNS
______
HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the
life of an exemplary American citizen, a friend, a comrade in arms
during our service together on the frontlines of the Korean war, and a
true hero--Joseph R. Burns, who passed away on November 9, 2008.
Joseph R. Burns was born on August 21, 1930, in Charity Hospital, New
Orleans, LA. Joe dedicated his life to protecting the freedom of this
great country through his many years of public service. Joe served in
the U.S. Army during the Korean war conflict and underwent extreme
hardships as a prisoner of war for 33 months and 11 days.
After his service in the U.S. Army, Joe continued to build his career
in public service by obtaining a position as El Paso's Deputy Sheriff
and creating programs to help children. Joe's faith in his religion and
love for service manifested itself when he performed his duties and
responsibilities of a deacon at the Unity Missionary Baptist Church,
and when he served as a senior usher for the church.
Although Joseph R. Burns has passed, his legacy in public service
will not go unnoticed. His calm demeanor and quiet spirit will never be
forgotten. He was a great influence to his family, his community, and
our country. Joseph R. Burns is a national hero who will be greatly
missed.
He is succeeded by his beloved son Tyronne J. Burns, his family, and
friends.
____________________
RECOGNIZING CHIEF VERNON A. LOSH II OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
______
HON. MIKE THOMPSON
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my
colleague, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, to honor Chief Vernon A. Losh
II, who is retiring this month as chief/department director of the
Sonoma County Department of Emergency Services. He has held the
position since June, 1999, and also served concurrently for over 5
years as fire chief of Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District.
Chief Losh has had a long and distinguished career in fire and
emergency services, starting in 1974 with the South Placer Fire
Protection District where he eventually held every rank from volunteer
firefighter to full-time battalion chief. He came to Sonoma County in
1995 as deputy chief/fire marshal for the Department of Emergency
Services and became Chief a few years later with responsibility for all
aspects of the Department's work. He deftly managed 23 full time
employees, over 350 volunteers, and a budget of $7.5 million.
With extensive education in emergency management, including being one
of the first 12 people certified in the State of California as a fire
chief, Chief Losh has shared his expertise for years as a community
college fire service instructor and also as chair of the Santa Rosa
Community College Fire Tech Advisory Committee. A long list of
professional affiliations--from local to international--is a testament
to both his spirit of community volunteerism and the high regard with
which he is held by his peers. He has been president of the Sonoma
County Fire Chiefs Association, Sonoma County Department Heads
Association, and the Northern California Firefighters Association, to
name a few.
Shortly after the anthrax and 9-11 terrorist attacks on our country,
we met with Vern Losh and other Sonoma County officials. We were
particularly impressed by the level of emergency preparedness as well
as by plans to continuously upgrade and improve equipment and
procedures. These efforts, directed by a coordinated leadership effort,
clearly paid off when much of the County was affected by severe
flooding a few years ago. The response was swift and organized,
mitigating what could have been a serious disaster.
The Losh family is also a source of pride to Vern. His wife Teresa is
an accountant at the Sonoma County Office of Education and marathon
walker for several charitable causes; his son Allen is a Specialist in
the Army serving as a combat medic ready to be deployed to
[[Page 24396]]
Iraq on Thanksgiving Day; his daughter Whitney is a student at San
Francisco State in the Public Health field. Whitney just finished her
first marathon for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Perhaps since, as his biography states, he ``currently serves as the
Grand Emperor of the Cosmic Order of Fire Gods, an honor he has held
since birth,'' Vern Losh won't fully retire. He plans to continue as
Chair of the Sonoma-Mendocino Red Cross, Chair of the Volunteer Fire
Fighter Committee of the California State Fire Fighters Association,
and as the California representative to the National Volunteer Fire
Council. He will also become a volunteer firefighter for the City of
Healdsburg. And he will continue his teaching at the California
Community College.
Madam Speaker, Sonoma County will miss the skills of Chief Vernon
Losh, but we thank him for helping to make our emergency services
strong. We know he will appreciate having time for his family and his
hobbies--photography, football and all sports, attending Giants and
49er games . . . and firefighting.
____________________
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF NOEMI ANDERSON
______
HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Noemi Anderson
of Petaluma, California, for an unusual accomplishment. Noemi just
turned 111 years old, making her the oldest person in Sonoma County,
the 67th oldest person on earth, and even the oldest known member of
the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
Noemi doesn't know the secret of her longevity. She has always
exercised, eaten her vegetables, and quit smoking over 50 years ago.
But these activities alone cannot account for her years. That is
probably why researchers are studying her life and genetics to unravel
the secret.
Although her mind and body are in good shape, Noemi laments the loss
of her eyesight a few years ago. Until then, she was a sharp bridge
player, ardent about the game and with an astonishing memory for the
cards. Today, her memory is still quick as she talks about her life and
her past.
Born on September 28, 1897, Noemi Bernard grew up on a ranch in
Oregon and later attended UC Berkeley. She became a history teacher and
worked in various schools, marrying fellow teach Henry ``Andy''
Anderson in 1928. Shortly after their daughter Janice was born, she
left teaching to take care of her home, including designing a new house
for the family.
Andy and Noemi led a full life in Hanford and also traveled a great
deal. When Andy passed away in 1988, Noemi moved to the Bay Area to be
near Janice and her family. Today she lives in an assisted living
facility in Petaluma. Janice passed away in 2001.
Madam Speaker, although we know we can't all live to be 111 years
old, it is fitting to honor Noemi Anderson whose life exemplifies for
us the benefits of living with enthusiasm and grace. I hope she will
have many more birthdays to celebrate.
____________________
CONGRESS HOLDS AN EXHIBITION OF THE ARTWORK OF DR. YUHUA WANG
______
HON. CORRINE BROWN
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, on November 13th at the
Capitol in Washington DC, several Members of Congress and the
Congressional Arts Caucus held an exhibition of the artwork of
Professor Yuhua Wang and an official reception honoring her. The
exhibition hall was crowded with people, including numerous officials
and dignitaries. Many Members of Congress, council members of the
District of Columbia, ambassadors, and diplomats came to appreciate the
exhibits on display. They praised the beauty of the artwork as being
beyond imagination and praised Dr. Wang for bringing the light of
beautiful art into the Capitol. Even after the exhibition ended, there
were still Members of Congress who came to the exhibition hoping to
view Dr. Wang's works of art.
Professor Wang personally attended the official reception in her
honor. The hall was filled to capacity, making it a very grand
occasion. Members of Congress and members of the Congressional Arts
Caucus added their support by signing and presenting certificates of
commendation. During the official reception, Members of Congress gave
speeches expressing their respect for Professor Yuhua Wang. They
praised Professor Wang for her outstanding contributions to world color
painting, sculpture, oriental arts, and the development of cultural
exchange. A Congressional Commendation stated that Professor Wang is a
selfless person whose moral character is noble. It also stated that
through her practice of Buddhism, she benefits humanity and all living
beings. Members of Congress who initiated the exhibition proudly
presented that Congressional Commendation to Professor Wang as a symbol
of appreciation and gratitude for her service to America and humanity.
The Mayor of Washington DC, Adrian M. Fenty, presented to Professor
Wang a certificate welcoming the exhibition of her artwork in the
Nation's Capital and welcoming her to visit the entire area of
Washington DC. Members of Congress who initiated and held this art
exhibition included Corrine Brown, Danny Davis, Eliot L. Engel, Adam
Schiff, Neil Abercrombie, Chaka Fattah, David Wu, and others.
The exhibition displayed four of Professor Wang's hand-sculpted faux
coral painted in oil colors. Those works are entitled ``Glamour in
Pink,'' ``Arching Branches,'' ``Parched Antiquity,'' and ``Cinnabar
Nectar.'' Another exhibit is called ``Seventy-Seven Stones,'' which are
exquisitely hand-sculpted and painted faux cobblestones. Additionally
displayed were 10 ink-wash paintings called ``Spiritual Air,'' ``The
Appeal of Lotuses,'' ``Two Chicks Under the Wool Tree,'' ``Ink Alone
Excels Nature,'' ``Auspicious Atmosphere at the Lotus Pond,'' ``Light,
Elegant Ink; Three Lovely Flowers,'' ``Yuhua,'' ``Lotus Fragrance Blown
by the Wind,'' ``Golden Lotuses,'' and ``A Bit of Charming Autumn
Scenery.'' The three oil paintings on exhibition were ``Flying Object
in the Night,'' ``Heavenly World,'' and ``Exuberant Life.'' All of
these exhibits were authentic, and most of them were chosen by
International Arts Publishing to be included in the book World's
Highest-Level Color Paintings and Ink-Wash Paintings--the Art of
Professor Yuhua Wang. At the exhibition, news reporters asked Professor
Yuhua Wang which one of the works of art that she created is her
favorite. Her answer, which she gave without hesitation, has profound
meaning. She said, ``Whichever work of art is everyone's favorite is my
favorite work of art!''
Dr. Yuhua Wang was born in China and permanently resides in the U.S.
She is currently a research professor at the College of Liberal Arts at
Auburn University in Georgia. She has been highly commended by the
president and vice-president of Auburn University and by the dean of
the college where she is a visiting professor for her achievements in
the study of colors.
Professor Wang's hand-sculpted faux coral on which she painted oil
colors are even more genuine-looking and more beautiful in form and
color than real coral found at the bottom of the sea or on islands.
Such works of art are many times more beautiful than natural coral and
have become rare artistic treasures. It is no wonder that her art is
regarded as ``treasures of the world.''
The cobblestones that Professor Yuhua Wang hand-sculpted from light-
weight material and painted are exquisite and were made with meticulous
attention to detail. These intriguingly and unpredictably varied faux
cobblestones are not only genuine-looking, they are even more beautiful
than real cobblestones. Their spots, streaks, watermarks, weathered
appearance, reflecting light, and hues are all lifelike and exquisite.
In all of their myriad variations, these cobblestones capture the
spirit and form of real cobblestones yet surpass the beauty of natural
ones. None of her cobblestones duplicates any other cobblestone in
form, lines, color, or extent of weathered or aged appearance. Each
cobblestone is in and of itself a meticulously and realistically
painted work of art. Just like Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and
Vincent van Gogh's Sunflower Paintings, Dr. Wang's oil painting on
these cobblestones has been called wondrous color application and the
most superb art in the world.
The ink and wash paintings of Professor Wang are boldly arranged yet
lack the slightest trace of affectation. They have an air of ease and
smoothness and convey a sense of complete naturalness. They express
loftiness and broadmindedness and are imbued with deep charm and
liveliness. Those works of art by Professor Wang can indeed be called
ink and wash paintings of the highest order.
The modern paintings of Dr. Wang have a unique style to them. Their
lines flow smoothly and freely. Their diverse and unpredictable color
combinations can express bold intensity, overflowing enthusiasm,
traditional elegance,
[[Page 24397]]
inspiring vitality, rustic charm, or majestic splendor. Those paintings
are truly a feast for the eyes. Deeply embedded within them are
feelings and wondrous skills. Her modern paintings are very
sophisticated and should be carefully viewed. Actually, a magnifying
glass would reveal that each of the many different parts that make up
one of her modern paintings is a work of art in and of itself with its
own unending appeal.
____________________
HONORING SPIKE O'DELL ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM WGN RADIO
______
HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Spike O'Dell,
retiring host of the Spike O'Dell program on WGN Radio in Chicago.
Spike has brought his unique style of humor and knowledge to countless
Chicagoans every morning for the past two decades. I have appeared on
his morning show numerous times, and I can honestly say that it has
been a pleasure working with Spike and his staff, especially his
producer Jim Wiser. Spike will be sorely missed on the radio by all in
Chicagoland.
A native of East Moline, Illinois, Spike graduated from York College
in Nebraska before obtaining his certificate in broadcasting from a
local vocational school. His first radio job was at WEMO in his home
town of East Moline, Illinois, before moving on to KSTT in Davenport,
Iowa. Next, he moved to WBT in Charlotte, North Carolina, then on to
KIIK back in Davenport, Iowa. Spike's big break came in 1987 when he
was offered the afternoon show on WGN Radio in Chicago. He flourished
in this role at WGN, garnering a loyal following, and in 2000 he
succeeded the late Bob Collins as the host of morning programming.
Since his appointment, Spike's show is consistently rated the top
morning show in Chicago.
The Spike O'Dell show did not just report the news, it was where the
news was made. From exclusive interviews with everyone from
entertainers to politicians, on sight reporting from across the globe
and insightful editorials from Spike and a wide cast of contributors,
the Spike O'Dell show was always both informative and entertaining.
The self proclaimed ``worst kept secret'' in radio, Spike announced
his retirement nearly 2 years ago, telling listeners that on January 1,
2009 there would be a new host for the morning show. While a successor
has yet to be named, it is going to be extremely difficult to find
someone as hard working and who generates as loyal a fan base as Spike.
It is my great privilege to honor Spike O'Dell for his commitment to
radio in Chicago. I wish the best to Spike and his wife Karen. May his
retirement be as successful and rewarding as his show.
____________________
HONORING LINDA RAWLS
______
HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague,
Congressman Mike Thompson, to honor and acknowledge Linda Rawls, who
has been named the 2008 Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year, or simply
the Sonoma Treasure, by the City of Sonoma. Each year the City's
Cultural and Fine Arts Commission selects one of the hundreds of
artists living and working in the Sonoma Valley to receive this honor.
Ms. Rawls was singled out for her decade's long work in costume design.
By one account, she has fitted and costumed the stars and extras of
more than 132 productions, including those of the Sonoma City Opera,
the Sonoma Ballet Conservatory, schools plays at Sonoma Valley High and
each of the grade schools, Vintage House Senior Center, churches and
Hootchie Doo Productions, a community theatre group. Her talents have
led her to create designs for productions in neighboring counties,
including 42nd Street Moon productions in San Francisco.
According to Ms. Rawls, ``Costumes have to do everything. A show can
have no scenery, but with a woman's dress or a man's hat, you can
decipher the time and place in an instant.'' She calls costumes the
``elemental scenery of a play, telling more about character and context
than anything else on stage.''
Ms. Rawls stumbled into her artistic calling 26 years ago when the
costume designer for a school opera in which her 8-year-old son was
performing unexpectedly quit. She volunteered to step in and has been
following her passion ever since.
Her peers have acknowledged Ms. Rawls work by awarding her the Best
First Day Costume Award from the International Gilbert and Sullivan
Festival in Buxton, England in 1996 and the Dean Goodman Choice Award
for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre for Costume Design in 2003.
Madam Speaker, Linda Rawls is a true artist in every sense of the
word and it is appropriate that we honor her today as the 2008 Sonoma
Treasure Artist of the Year.
____________________
IN RECOGNITION OF COACH JIM BOEHEIM
______
HON. JAMES T. WALSH
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
Coach Jim Boeheim for helping to bring home a Gold Medal in Men's
Basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and for his decades of service
to Syracuse University basketball and the Syracuse community.
Jim Boeheim, an Upstate New York native from the Wayne County town of
Lyons, began his career with Syracuse basketball as a walk-on player in
1962. By the time he was a senior he had worked his way to being a co-
captain and helped lead his team to the NCAA tournament for the second
time in school history. After graduating from Syracuse, Jim had a
successful pro playing career until he turned to coaching when he
joined the Syracuse Men's Basketball coaching staff in 1969. He worked
his way up the ranks, starting as a graduate assistant coach to
ultimately being named head coach in 1976.
For 32 years Jim Boeheim has honorably served as head coach of the
Syracuse University Men's basketball team. During his tenure he has
become one of the most successful and respected coaches in college
basketball history. He has led all of his teams to a winning record,
including 30 seasons with 20 or more wins. His 30-20 win or better
seasons ties him with coaching legend Dean Smith for the most ever.
Under Coach Boeheim's direction, SU has made it to the post-season 31
times, including 25 trips to the NCAA Tournament where they made
appearances in three championship games. In 2003 Coach Boeheim led the
Syracuse Orange to its first ever NCAA National Championship Title.
With 771 career wins, Jim ranks 11th all time in wins among Division
I head coaches, 4th among active coaches. He is also the winningest
coach in Big East Conference history, with 342 conference wins, which
include five conference championships. In September 2005 he was
inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
In November 2005, Jim continued to add to his hall of fame resume
when he was named as one of three assistant coaches for USA Basketball
Men's National Team for a three year appointment. His coaching
expertise helped lead Team USA to an undefeated record in the 2008
Olympics, culminating in a 118-107 victory over Spain in the gold medal
game. Team USA's victory not only brought home a gold medal, but it
also restored pride and respect in American basketball, and Jim's role
in achieving both was instrumental. His role as part of the gold medal
men's basketball team gives us all another reason to applaud him. With
his Olympic success, Jim brought a piece of Syracuse to Beijing and a
piece of the gold back to Syracuse.
Jim is someone that I have admired for his entire career, not only
for being a great coach, but for also being a great human being. He has
always handled himself with class, even in the face of adversity from
critics, many of whom have never even played basketball. He has never
looked for credit in his teams' successes; he just goes out and does
his job and does it well. I also hold Jim in high regard for his
selfless contributions to his community through numerous charitable
initiatives, including Coaches vs. Cancer, for which he has been a top
fundraiser, nationwide, for many years.
On behalf of the people of the 25th District of New York, I thank
Coach Boeheim for his contributions to basketball, both at Syracuse and
at the Olympic games, and for being an outstanding community leader. I
also wish to thank Jim's wife Juli and his children for sharing him
with us for all these years. Thank you Jim for your service and
congratulations on all of your success. Best of luck in the upcoming
[[Page 24398]]
season; I know you and your team will continue to make us proud.
____________________
DANIEL WILLIAM BYRNE
______
HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, on October 5, 2008, Daniel William
Byrne passed away at his home in Tulelake, CA with his wife, Geri, and
his family at his side. Dan was one of the finest stewards of our great
natural resources that I have ever known, and his contributions to
northern California's agricultural community will be sorely missed.
Dan was born on Sept. 19, 1954, in Klamath Falls, Ore., to Robert A.
Byrne and Elizabeth (Betty Lou) Byrne (Dalton) Shirley. He attended
Newell Elementary School and graduated from Bellarmine College Prep in
San Jose in 1972, then earned his Bachelor of Science degree in farm
management from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis
Obispo in 1977. While at Cal Poly, he met his future wife and partner,
Geri Bielar, whom he married in 1978.
Dan returned home after graduation and operated the family ranch with
his father and his brothers. He demonstrated remarkable intelligence
and earned respect as a rancher who took great pride in running cattle
while also working in partnerships to improve stewardship of the land.
He and his brother, Mike, were awarded the Society for Range Management
California Section Award in Excellence in Range Management in 1968 as
well as the conservation award from the Klamath Soil and Water
Conservation District and the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair Farmer and
Rancher of the Year Award, both in 2007. Dan was also given the
California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award in 2008.
Dan was a good friend and a fine man.
His loved ones were an integral part of his life and his work, and I
wish to offer my condolences to the entire Byrne family. Dan is
survived by his wife, Geri, of Tulelake; sister, Elizabeth Flynn, of
Danville, Calif., and her sons, Michael and Thomas; a brother, Bob, and
his wife, Cory, of Tulelake and their daughters, Melissa, Gwen and
Katelyn; a brother, Mike, and his wife, Bev, of Tulelake, and their
son, Matt, and their daughter, Brianna; a sister, Pat Byrne, of Lodi,
Calif.; his stepfather, Bob Shirley, of Chico, Calif.; and his mother-
in-law, Joan Bielar, of Rocklin, Calif.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO PETER HART
______
HON. BILL SHUSTER
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Peter Hart for his
diligent and outstanding leadership as chairman of the Alleghenies
Chapter of SCORE, a nationwide organization providing free counseling
to small businesses around the country. As chairman of Alleghenies
SCORE from 2006-2008, Peter led a team of 45 volunteers in assisting
and counseling 400 small businesses around the region.
SCORE was most fortunate to have had Peter as its chairman for the
past two years. His background in the railroad and steel industries and
as a college educator has served him well in the dual role of counselor
and administrator. His accomplishments include providing formal
training for new counselors; establishing a chapter Web site; renaming
the chapter ``Alleghenies'' to better identify the wide region that is
served; and establishing a system for providing clients with counselors
who closely match their professional needs. Peter has zealously devoted
many extra hours into publicizing SCORE's mission and service in the
Allegheny region. He is an excellent recruiter for the chapter, and his
son has followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a counselor in the
Pittsburgh Chapter.
Peter has demonstrated extraordinary devotion toward providing
counseling for start-ups and continuing businesses located in Bedford,
Blair, Cambria, Fulton and Somerset Counties. Peter Hart's chairmanship
of the Alleghenies SCORE Chapter has inspired and enthused the
volunteer members of the chapter and many others who have benefited
from his selfless and tireless dedication and leadership. I and the
volunteers of Alleghenies SCORE would like to thank Peter Hart for his
devotion to assisting his community and for inspiring so many others to
do the same.
____________________
HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF RAY STEELE, JR.
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues from
California Mr. Cardoza, Mr. Nunes and Mr. Radanovich to pay tribute to
the distinguished public service of Ray Steele, Jr. After 41 years, Ray
Steele is retiring as publisher and president of the Fresno Bee in
Fresno, California.
Prior to embarking on his distinguished career with the Fresno Bee,
Ray worked at the Fowler Ensign and for the Associated Press Bureau in
Fresno. In 1967, he began what would result in 41 years of service to
the McClatchy Company. Mr. Steele worked tirelessly in various
positions with the Fresno Bee, the Sacramento Bee and with corporate
headquarters.
Ray started as a reporter with the Fresno Bee while he was still in
college. During his time there he held several positions in the news
room before moving to Sacramento in 1982 to take on the position of
administrative director of the Sacramento Bee, and then later becoming
publisher of community publications. In 1986, Mr. Steele returned to
Fresno, California and became the General Manager of the Fresno Bee,
with responsibility for all business operations. After only seven years
Mr. Steele moved on to corporate headquarters where he held several
different management positions. In 2001, he became publisher and
president of the Fresno Bee.
Throughout his distinguished career, Ray has served on numerous
boards and has given back to his community. He currently serves on the
board of directors of the Fresno Business Council, the Economic
Development Corporation of Fresno County and the Fresno Regional
Foundation. He also serves on the board of governors of California
State University Fresno Foundation as well as the advisory council of
the Criminology Department. Ray has also been a lifetime member of the
Fresno State Alumni Association and previously served on the board of
the Metropolitan Museum of Art & Science.
His service and accomplishments were recognized by California State
University, Fresno in 2005 when he received the Top Dog Award as the
outstanding alumnus of the College of Arts and Humanities. In 2007, he
was awarded with the Jim Tucker Media Service Award which is presented
by the Mass Communication and Journalism Department at California State
University, Fresno.
Throughout his career, Ray Steele has proven to be a highly effective
leader who has always been committed to excellence in journalism. As he
gets ready to spend more time with his wife Mary Lou, daughters and
grandchildren, along with endeavors of interest to him, we thank him
for his service and we wish him continued success and best of luck for
the future.
____________________
HONORING RAYMOND HATTER
______
HON. DALE E. KILDEE
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Raymond Hatter, as
he retired from his position as Executive Director of Salem Housing
Community Development Corporation. An open house was held in his honor
on November 7, 2008 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.
For the past 14 years, Raymond Hatter has provided leadership to the
Salem Housing organization. He has reinforced the Salem Housing
commitment to provide safe, affordable housing for limited income
families and to support families through education, property
management, and economic development. During his tenure, Salem Housing
has developed relationships with economic development organizations,
the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the Genesee County Land Bank
Authority, and community groups in an effort to bring re-investment
into City of Flint neighborhoods. Mr. Hatter's vision became reality
when the area of Wood Street, M.L. King Avenue and Garland Street was
cleared, cared for and became the Metawanenee Hills neighborhood. At a
cost of 4 million dollars the 24 new homes provide affordable, safe and
energy efficient housing to families.
In addition to his work revitalizing neighborhoods, Mr. Hatter is a
member of the Flint Board of Education, the Co-Chairperson of the
University of Michigan-Flint University Outreach Department, Advisory
Council Member
[[Page 24399]]
of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, Board Member of the Mass
Transportation Authority Board of Directors, Board Member of the City
of Flint Zoning Board of Appeals, and a Reader Representative of the
Flint Journal's Editorial Board. His work as Co-Chairperson of the City
of Flint ``Fifty Year Master Plan'' Planning Committee guided the
drawing up of comprehensive community development plans for the City.
Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and
applaud the work of Raymond Hatter. His foresight with Salem Housing
Community Development Corporation has laid the groundwork for thriving,
vibrant neighborhoods to take root in the City of Flint and his
leadership has transformed the lives of numerous families.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO PUI CHU YEE
______
HON. WM. LACY CLAY
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jinba Pui Chu
Yee, the world's youngest world-class artist and English language
calligrapher. When she was 12 years old, International Arts Publishing
published and distributed around the world a collection of her works
entitled Pui Chu Yee Sculptured Landscapes and Calligraphy--The World's
Youngest World-Class Artist and Calligrapher.
Although Jinba Pui Chu Yee is still in high school, her highly
creative powers in the field of art are incredible. The main theme of
her hand-molded landscapes is natural scenery. Her captivating
craftsmanship, which comes from nature yet transcends nature, takes the
viewer into a world of fantasy.
The New York Academy of Art evaluated her in 2004; the Academy issued
a certificate signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Stephen Farthing.
That certificate contained the following evaluation: ``It has been a
great pleasure for both me as Executive Director, and my Faculty at the
New York Academy of Art, to get to know the artwork of such an
internationally acclaimed artist as Ms. Pui Chu Yee. Her unique
approach transports the viewer beyond taste and fantasy to a point
where enchantment and contemporary art meet. Her work is a great
achievement.''
Pui Chu Yee is also an English language calligrapher. Jinba Pui Chu
Yee was invited to create signatures in calligraphic style at an
assembly. Attendees of that assembly included experts and scholars from
Taiwan, Tibet, Thailand, North America, and South America. Also in
attendance were outstanding alumni, doctorate holders, and university
professors, all of whom graduated from prestigious U.S. universities.
At the assembly, Jinba Pui Chu Yee wielded her pen to the astonishment
of all. Everyone expressed admiration.
Through her talent and hard work, Jinba Pui Chu Yee has opened a new
chapter in the appreciation of art in this world. Under the personal
guidance of Jinba Pui Chu Yee, a high-tech art studio is now producing
three-dimensional artistic images never before seen in this world that
are created from some of her sculptured landscapes.
Additionally, Jinba Pui Chu Yee has received numerous honors and
commendations from various governmental bodies, community
organizations, and entities representing all walks of life.
Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Ms. Jinba Pui Chu Yee, a
extremely talented and creative young lady who has excellent moral
character, deeply loves the United States, cares about the public good,
and takes pleasure in developing the talents of others. In her honor I
ask my congressional colleagues to join me in honoring her
accomplishments as a premier artist around the world.
____________________
IN HONOR OF TURBOMECA MANUFACTURING
______
HON. SUE WILKINS MYRICK
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mrs. MYRICK. Madam Speaker, the Safran Group Company, Turbomeca
Manufacturing, celebrated its grand opening on September 25, 2008. This
company proudly manufactures the engines that power the U.S. Coast
Guard HH-65 Search and Rescue Helicopter fleet and that of the U.S.
Army Light Utility Helicopter fleet.
Turbomeca Manufacturing provides resources, jobs and business growth
to the city of Monroe, North Carolina, and has shown tremendous
commitment to the community. This 100,000 square foot factory plans to
reach a production capacity of 200,000 hours per year by 2010, and will
encompass a team of approximately 180 employees.
Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I honor and recognize this
company in my district for the economic opportunities that they create
and the outstanding community presence they provide.
____________________
A TRIBUTE TO THE FLOWERS OF MEMORY
______
HON. BARNEY FRANK
of massachusetts
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I have for many years had
the benefit of learning from Jack Authelet, a journalist and the town
historian of the town of Foxborough--an important town in my district
known for a number of things, including being the home of our New
England Patriots.
Recently, Mr. Authelet wrote to me about a group that he accurately
describes as ``very appreciative and dedicated French citizens who have
. . . made a solemn vow'' that the Americans who gave their lives in
the defense of freedom in France will not be forgotten. The
organization of French citizens who have dedicated themselves to this
is Les Fleurs de la Memoire, or The Flowers of Memory.
Madam Speaker, what they have done and are doing is an inspirational
example of international cooperation, and I ask that the very
thoughtful and informative letter from Jack Authelet describing the
work that they do be printed here, along with the essay entitled ``A
Tribute,'' written by Claude Lavielle, who is president of Les Fleurs
de la Memoire. This essay was written for Memorial Day 2002.
Madam Speaker, Mr. Authelet asked that I do this on Veterans' Day,
but since we were not in session on that day, I have chosen the next
day in which it is possible to insert this into the Record as an
appropriate way of acknowledging their great work.
Foxborough Historical Commission,
Foxborough, MA.
Congressman Barney Frank,
Newton, MA.
Dear Barney, thank you for your dedication and leadership
role in resolving the fiscal crisis that grips this nation.
In the midst of all the uncertainty, I would like to call to
your attention a living tribute to the fallen of World War II
that I pray will move you to call for national recognition of
this unique volunteer effort on Veterans Day.
In the aftermath of World War II, some 15,000 American
military personnel who made the Supreme Sacrifice remain on
French soil in the Normandy and Brittany Cemeteries where
there families seldom--if ever--have an opportunity to visit
their graves.
We as a nation have honored the pledge we would never
forget their sacrifice in part by properly maintaining the
military cemeteries there and around the world.
There are some very appreciative and dedicated French
citizens who have also made a solemn vow: these brave
Americans will never be forgotten because they know that
every day they live in freedom, they become even more
indebted to those who lie buried in the countries they came
to liberate. They belong to the organization Les Fleurs de la
Memoire (The Flowers of Memory) and each volunteer is
assigned the grave of an American to decorate at every
opportunity and especially on the American Memorial Day. Many
volunteers adopt more than one grave, and also make every
attempt to locate family members of the deceased that they
might know someone is there looking over the grave of their
loved ones.
I became aware of The Flowers of Memory when Vincent
Robillard, the French volunteer assigned to the grave of
Airman Clinton Davison (Class of 1939, Foxborough High
School) was finally able to contact Clinton's brother, 93-
year-old Lewis Davison of Walpole, himself a World War II
veteran. I have been handling the correspondence for Lewis,
for whom contact with the French volunteers has brought the
comfort of knowing there are many who appreciate the family's
loss. Through Vincent, the family now has had many of its
questions answered about the death of Clinton, even to an eye
witness account of what happened that fateful day at the
height of the war when his plane failed to return following a
bombing run over Germany. I have attached a story I published
in The Foxboro Reporter about the French volunteers and what
this has meant to the Davison family.
The commitment by these French volunteers to honor those
brave Americans is both heartwarming and extraordinary.
However, most Americans don't even know the group exists.
I have provided background on The Flowers of Memory in
hopes that you would use your considerable influence by
taking the initiative to afford this group and its volunteers
some national exposure this Veterans' Day that the people of
America would know
[[Page 24400]]
about this magnificent tribute being paid every day to those
who gave their lives when their Nation called.
The attached information provides background on The Flowers
of Memory and their mission and I think it would bring
comfort to the American people to know that so many people in
France living in freedom today attribute that gift to those
whose graves they decorate as an outward symbol of an inner
vow that they will never be forgotten.
Thank you for your consideration and again, my personal
appreciation for your inspired leadership in a time of
crisis.
Jack Authelet,
Town Historian.
____
[From fleursdelamemoire.free.fr]
A Tribute
(By Claude Lavielle)
Worse than death, is to be forgotten . . . So that this
never happens to those to whom we owe so much, the
association ``Les Fleurs de la Memoire'' (Flowers of
Remembrance), came to life. It happened on December 15, 2000,
in Saint Lo, a city which, after the June 6, 1944, bombing
raids, was called the Capital of Ruins.
Since that day, along with our members, we have paved the
way along memory's roads. These paths of memory lead to the
American military cemeteries where those, swept along by the
Star-Spangled banner, listening only to their courage, came
to offer their life, so that we could reclaim our freedom.
At the core of Les Fleurs de la Memoire, the 720 members,
put aside their differences, religious beliefs, and their
origins, share the same gratitude towards the GI's who repose
at Colleville-sur-Mer or Saint James.
Together, on Memorial Day or individually on any other day
of the year, we come to meditate, in silence, or in prayer.
Then, in an affectionate gesture, as would a godparent for
their godchild, allowing the heart to speak, we place flowers
at the base of the headstone.
It is not uncommon to see grandparents, at times moved to
tears, accompanied by their children and grandchildren moving
along the rows on the way to find ``the'' grave.
Once at the gravesite, their heads filled with images. . .
. All listen, all meditate.
Is it the sound of the breeze? . . . Rather, isn't it the
sound of the souls, the living memory of the dead speaking to
our subconscious? . . . Then the terrible sounds of combat
invade the mind . . . those unbearable sounds of bombs which
explode . . . the whining cry of diving planes . . . the
agonizing cries of the suffering. All the horrors of war
assault our memories.
Finding the spirit of those who died for that we may live
in a better world, kneeling in front of the headstone,
placing these flowers, is this not a profound appeal for
peace?
That is, I believe, what each person feels when coming to
execute their pledge towards our association, ``Les Fleurs de
la Memoire''. A humble pledge always accomplished with the
infallible faith and immense fraternity with those whom we
honor. It is true we have so much to say to you who sleep
forever in our Normandy soil. Yes, so many things, which
however must be resumed in one word: ``Merci.'' Yes, ``Thank
You. Always!''
____________________
TRIBUTE TO MARY FRANCES HILLOW
______
HON. WM. LACY CLAY
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mary
Frances Hillow, a distinguished student at Visitation Academy located
in Town and Country, Missouri. Mary Fran continues to excel in and
outside of the classroom.
Mary Fran is an outstanding student. She shows a passionate drive to
achieve academic excellence. Mary Fran is also a member of National Jr.
Honor Society. The national junior honor society is one of the Nation's
premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school
and middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serve to
honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of
Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character (and Citizenship for
NJHS).
Aside from her academic endeavors, Mary Fran is also an established
varsity golfer at Visitation Academy. She dedicates at least 10 hours
every weekend to improving her golfing techniques. Mary Fran began
playing her first 18 holes of golf in December 2007, just 10 short
months later, she finished 10th in the Missouri State Golf Tournament.
Mary Fran again excelled on the golf course by winning her second
tournament after beating the second place player by 11 shots.
Mary Fran's athletic achievements as a golfer have landed a varsity
position for Visitation Academy, something unusual for a freshman to
achieve. She is one of five players on the varsity team. Her team was
undefeated for the 2008 season and won the state district tournament by
56 shots.
Again, Mary Fran excelled at the State District golf tournament with
a 17 hole lead and ended in a tie for first place at 3 over, 75. Her
team's score was an impressive 309 at the State District tournament.
This is the lowest score ever recorded in Missouri history.
Mary Fran played in the Missouri State Golf Tournament October 20-21,
2008. She was one of the few freshman players in the tournament. Her
team won the tournament by 55 shots and Mary Fran was the number 2
player on her team. Individually, Mary Fran finished the tournament in
10th place out of an astonishing 120 players.
Madam Speaker, Ms. Mary Frances Hillow has my absolute highest
recommendation to be honored today. I admire her demonstrated
commitment to academic excellence and her accomplishments as a golfer
and team player. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring such a
wonderful Missouri student athlete.
____________________
HONORING THE HOLY ROSARY CHURCH OF ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT AS THEY
CELEBRATE THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY
______
HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise
today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Holy Rosary Church,
its staff, and congregation as they commemorate their 100th
Anniversary. This is a remarkable milestone for this community treasure
and certainly cause for great celebration!
In the late nineteenth century, Italians began to settle in the City
of Ansonia and within a few short decades the Italian population had
risen to the hundreds. Families began to seek their own religious
center and so they approached the Assumption Parish to request the use
of the church and it was graciously granted. The first mass was
celebrated on October 4, 1908 and as this was the first Sunday of
October, it was also Rosary Sunday--and so the title was found, the
Holy Rosary Church.
The Holy Rosary Church has not only been a center for religious
worship, but a vehicle through which their members could give back to
the community. The St. Ann's Society for women, the St. Joseph's
Society for men, and the Children of Mary Sodality for young women were
all quickly founded following the establishment of the church and they
were later joined by the Catholic Men's Club, the Catholic Women's
Club, the Rosary Guild, and the parish's Catholic Youth Organization.
The societies can be credited with bringing the annual feasts honoring
patron saints to their neighbors as well as succeeding in raising the
capitol funds needed not only to purchase the property on which the
church resides, but also to completely renovate the church several
times throughout its history.
Our churches play a vital role in our communities-- providing people
with a place to turn to for comfort when they are most in need. The
members of the Holy Rosary Church have also given much to the City of
Ansonia. Throughout the years, as their membership grew so did its
commitment to the enrichment of this community. By strengthening our
bonds of faith, the Holy Rosary Church gives its members a place to
find their spiritual center and to solidify and support their values.
In its 100 year history, the Holy Rosary Church has built a strong
foundation and its success is due to the dedication and commitment of
each and every member of its congregation. Through their ministry and
outreach efforts, they have left an indelible mark on our community and
continue to enrich the lives of others. That is why I am so pleased to
stand today to offer my sincere congratulations as they mark this very
special centennial anniversary. The families, parishioners, and staff
have much to be proud of as they celebrate this 100th anniversary year.
[[Page 24401]]
____________________
CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION FOR MILITARY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
______
HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to five
retired United States Generals who, for the past two years, have served
as members of my Military Advisory Council.
These distinguished Americans have served the Nation as leaders of
our Armed Forces. They continue their service in our community. I am
fortunate to have the benefit of their advice on military affairs.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have often
turned to my Military Advisory Council as we considered legislation and
appropriations to meet the needs of our Armed Forces. I have benefited
immeasurably from their knowledge and experience.
I commend them for their commitment to our men and women in uniform
and thank them for making their expertise available to me. They are:
General John Wickham Jr., former Chief of Staff, United States Army,
General Donald Shepperd, former Director, Air National Guard, General
John Cronin, former Deputy Commander, Fleet Marine, General Bill Van
Dyke, former Adjutant General, Arizona National Guard, and General
Ronald Shoopman, former Commander Arizona 162nd Fighter Wing.
They all have proven themselves to be true patriots. It has been my
privilege to have them as advisors on military issues. On behalf of our
Armed Forces I thank them for their continued service.
____________________
HONORING THE WORK OF CHIEF VERNON A. LOSH II
______
HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague,
Congressman Mike Thompson, to honor Chief Vernon A. Losh II, who is
retiring this month as chief/department director of the Sonoma County
Department of Emergency Services. He has held the position since June
1999, and also served concurrently for over 5 years as fire chief of
Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District.
Chief Losh has had a long and distinguished career in fire and
emergency services, starting in 1974 with the South Placer Fire
Protection District where he eventually held every rank from volunteer
firefighter to full-time battalion chief. He came to Sonoma County in
1995 as deputy chief/fire marshal for the Department of Emergency
Services and became chief a few years later with responsibility for all
aspects of the department's work. He deftly managed 23 full-time
employees, over 350 volunteers, and a budget of $7.5 million.
With extensive education in emergency management, including being one
of the first twelve people certified in the State of California as a
fire chief, Chief Losh has shared his expertise for years as a
community college fire service instructor and also as chair of the
Santa Rosa Community College Fire Tech Advisory Committee. A long list
of professional affiliations--from local to international--are a
testament to both his spirit of community volunteerism and the high
regard with which he is held by his peers. He has been president of the
Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association, Sonoma County Department Heads
Association, and the Northern California Firefighters Association, to
name a few.
Shortly after the anthrax and 911 terrorist attacks on our country,
we met with Vern Losh and other Sonoma County officials. We were
particularly impressed by the level of emergency preparedness as well
as by plans to continuously upgrade and improve equipment and
procedures. These efforts, directed by a coordinated leadership effort,
clearly paid off when much of the county was affected by severe
flooding a few years ago. The response was swift and organized,
mitigating what could have been a serious disaster.
The Losh family is also a source of pride to Vern. His wife Teresa is
an accountant at the Sonoma County Office of Education and marathon
walker for several charitable causes; his son Allen is a specialist in
the Army serving as a combat medic ready to be deployed to Iraq on
Thanksgiving Day; his daughter Whitney is a student at San Francisco
State in the public health field. Whitney just finished her first
marathon for Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Perhaps since, as his biography states, he ``currently serves as the
Grand Emperor of the Cosmic Order of Fire Gods, an honor he has held
since birth,'' Vern Losh won't fully retire. He plans to continue as
chair of the Sonoma-Mendocino Red Cross, chair of the Volunteer Fire
Fighter Committee of the California State Fire Fighters Association,
and as the California representative to the National Volunteer Fire
Council. He will also become a volunteer firefighter for the City of
Healdsburg. And he will continue his teaching at the California
Community College.
Madam Speaker, Sonoma County will miss the skills of Chief Vernon
Losh, but we thank him for helping to make our emergency services
strong. We know he will appreciate having time for his family and his
hobbies--photography, football and all sports, attending Giants and
49er games, and firefighting.
____________________
HONORING LINDA RAWLS OF SONOMA, CALIFORNIA
______
HON. MIKE THOMPSON
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my
colleague, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, to honor and acknowledge Linda
Rawls, who has been named the 2008 Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year,
or simply the Sonoma Treasure, by the city of Sonoma. Each year the
city's Cultural and Fine Arts Commission selects one of the hundreds of
artists living and working in the Sonoma Valley to receive this honor.
Ms. Rawls was singled out for her decade's long work in costume design.
By one account, she has fitted and costumed the stars and extras of
more than 132 productions, including those of the Sonoma City Opera,
the Sonoma Ballet Conservatory, school plays at Sonoma Valley High and
each of the grade schools, Vintage House Senior Center, churches and
Hootchie Doo Productions, a community theatre group. Her talents have
led her to create designs for productions in neighboring counties,
including 42nd Street Moon productions in San Francisco.
According to Ms. Rawls, ``Costumes have to do everything. A show can
have no scenery, but with a woman's dress or a man's hat, you can
decipher the time and place in an instant.'' She calls costumes the
``elemental scenery of a play, telling more about character and context
than anything else on stage.''
Ms. Rawls stumbled into her artistic calling 26 years ago when the
costume designer for a school opera in which her 8-year-old son was
performing unexpectedly quit. She volunteered to step in and has been
following her passion ever since.
Her peers have acknowledged Ms. Rawls work by awarding her the Best
First Day Costume Award from the International Gilbert and Sullivan
Festival in Buxton, England, in 1996 and the Dean Goodman Choice Award
for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre for Costume Design in 2003.
Madam Speaker, Linda Rawls is a true artist in every sense of the
word and it is appropriate that we honor her today as the 2008 Sonoma
Treasure Artist of the Year.
____________________
HONORING FRANK C. TROTTA
______
HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of
Long Island's finest public servants, Frank C. Trotta, who recently
left office after serving for a quarter century as mayor of the village
of Bellport--a historic community, which, thanks in no small part to
Mayor Trotta's leadership, has successfully preserved its character and
identity.
On October 30, I was proud to join the Bellport Chamber of Commerce
in honoring Mayor Trotta for his steadfast commitment and countless
contributions to the people of Bellport. This tribute was celebrated at
the Bellport Country Club, which could not have been a more appropriate
location considering that it was losing $35,000 a year when Mayor
Trotta entered office.
Today, the golf course generates more than $1 million a year in
revenue for Long Island's economy which is one of the main reasons that
village taxes are among the lowest on Long Island.
During his tenure, Mayor Trotta demonstrated a strong commitment to
fiscal responsibility and low taxes while protecting vital government
services. His legacy is clear: Today, Bellport is on solid financial
footing and has been recognized by CNN and Money
[[Page 24402]]
Magazine as one of the best places to live on the east coast and is 1
of the 10 ``hottest'' Zip Codes in New York State.
I have been privileged to know Frank Trotta for nearly 35 years, long
before either of us entered public service. We attended graduate
classes together in the summer of 1974 at Southampton College and I am
proud to say that we have been friends ever since. I watched with great
pride as Frank's career blossomed. As someone who was new to public
service when I was elected to Congress in 2002, I learned a lot simply
by watching and talking to Frank.
Although Frank and I do not belong to the same political party, we
share a common philosophy, which is that you always put the needs of
the community first. There must always be a place in public service for
a man like Frank Trotta who understands that political partisanship has
no place in village government and we should all treat one another with
courtesy and civility.
For anyone who has ever walked with Frank during Bellport's Fourth of
July parade, it is plain to see how much he loves his community and how
much that community loves him. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to help honor
my friend, Frank Trotta, for his years of service to the village of
Bellport and our Nation. On behalf of New York's First Congressional
District, I wish him continued success, happiness and good health in
his future endeavors as a private citizen and one of Long Island's
favorite sons.
____________________
CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION FOR MEMBERS OF THE SOLAR ENERGY ADVISORY
COUNCIL
______
HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the forward-
thinking men and women of Southeastern Arizona who for the past two
years have served as members of my Solar Energy Advisory Council.
Arizona is known throughout the world as a place of abundant
sunshine. Harnessing the power of the sun and putting it to use as a
source of energy has been among my top priorities as a member of the
United States House of Representatives. Great strides have been over
the past two years in advancing this goal, the most significant of
which has been the extension of the investment tax credit.
Many individuals across our country played a role in this
achievement. Among them are the twelve determined members of my Solar
Energy Advisory Council. Each and every council member played a crucial
role in helping expand the availability and use of solar energy in our
nation.
The Members of my Solar Energy Advisory Council are:
Tom Alston, Roger Angel, Kendall Burt, Dennis Dickerson, Prabhu
Dayal, Richard Elias, Steve Farley, Tedra Fox, Michael Gering, Britt
Hanson, William Harris, Scotty Johnson, Katharine Kent, Leslie Liberti,
Mayor Paul Loomis, Jacquie McNulty, Tom Peterson, Bruce Plenk, Luther
Probst, Valerie Rauluk, Denise Richerson-Smith, David Rousseau, Joaquin
Ruiz, Shirley Scott, Joe Simmons, Denise Smith, Mayor Bob Strain,
Leslie Tolbert, Nina Trasoff, Karin Uhlich, Mayor Robert Walkup, John
Waszczak, John Wesley Miller.
I commend them for their hard work and dedication and look forward to
their ongoing advice and counsel as we continue to make solar energy
more available to the citizens of my District, the state and the
nation.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO THE KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S CONGRESSIONAL
FORUM
______
HON. DENNIS MOORE
of kansas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the
40th anniversary of the Congressional Forum luncheon group sponsored by
the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce. Forty years ago in
1968, this group was founded to be a link between the elected
congressional representative and the business community served by the
Third District of Kansas. It has continued to the present day, and
shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
At that time, Congressman Larry Winn represented the Third
Congressional District of Kansas in the United States House of
Representatives. Budgets for travel between Washington and Kansas were
limited. Congressman Winn and his chief of staff, Dick Bond, wanted to
find a way for Congressman Winn to return more often to his home
district. The Congressional Forum luncheon group was founded to help
cover those travel costs, and to give its members a monthly report from
their Member of Congress.
Even after Larry Winn retired, the group and its traditions have
continued. For 40 years, the scheduled speaker at Congressional Forum
has been the Member of Congress for the Third Congressional District,
unless he or she was unable to attend. If that was the case, then the
Member of Congress made arrangements for a substitute speaker.
Although the representation of the Third District has changed over
the years, the Member's commitment to this unique group has not. Every
Member of Congress elected since 1968 has agreed to attend and speak to
this group on a regular basis.
Those Members of Congress include:
Congressman Larry Winn, who served in Congress from 1967 to 1985;
Congresswoman Jan Meyers, from 1985 to 1997;
Congressman Vince Snowbarger, from 1997 to 1999;
And me, Congressman Dennis Moore, from 1999 to the present.
For some time, the group actually held their meetings across the
state line at the Golden Ox Restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri,
because a portion of the parking lot of that venerable restaurant was
actually in Kansas City, Kansas. At the present time, the group meets
once again in the heart of downtown Kansas City, Kansas, at the Reardon
Convention Center.
It is a testament to this group that an organization founded by
Republican business leaders has continued even when a Democratic
congressman like me was elected. I have found that this group gives me
a great sounding board on the thoughts of my home district. While not
every member of Congressional Forum supports me at the ballot box, I
know they will express their views to me with candor and courtesy.
For most of its history my good friend, Dr. Fred Bosilevac presided
over the Congressional Forum luncheons as its President. For most of
us, Dr. Fred remains the heart and soul of the Congressional Forum
luncheons. Now age 92, Dr. Fred is still an active and interested
member of Congressional Forum, although Bill Eppenheimer has taken over
the gavel (or rather the cowbell) as President since Dr. Fred's
retirement in 2006.
It is a distinct honor for me to express my affection and high regard
for this unique group. A copy of my remarks will be presented at the
Congressional Forum's December meeting, which hopefully will include
many former Members of Congress from the Third District, as well as Dr.
Fred; Bill Eppenheimer; Cindy Cash, the current President of the Kansas
City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce; and many other important
leaders to this group and our community.
Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to share the story of
the Congressional Forum with our colleagues.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO THOMAS WOLFF
______
HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, for nearly 6 decades Thomas Wolff built
a legacy in Connecticut that included a prolific business career,
leadership in academic and political communities, authorship of
countless books and articles, and extensive philanthropic endeavors.
His legacy has touched countless lives and will continue to inspire
generations to come. While his passing brings great sadness to our
community, reflecting on the memories of this extraordinary man brings
solace to those in mourning.
Thomas was born in New York City in 1928. In 1949. he moved to
Vernon, Connecticut, and married his high school sweetheart, Bette.
Following service in the Korean war, Thomas attended the University of
Connecticut and graduated cum laude with a degree in economics. Shortly
after, he would translate these studies and an uncanny business sense
into a lifelong, successful business career.
In the late 1950s, he launched Wolf-Zachin and Associates, a
successful insurance firm that has remained a fixture in Connecticut's
business community. The firm, now called the Wolff Group, is currently
headed by his three children, Gary and Greg Wolff and Debi Davis, as
well as his grandson, Keith Wolff. In 1969,
[[Page 24403]]
Thomas launched Vernon Publishing Services, Inc., a publishing company
that created training manuals and presentation binders for
professionals in the insurance industry.
His work in the insurance industry would define him as one of the
most respected and knowledgeable leaders in the field. Highlights of
his career include president of the Connecticut Association of
Insurance and Financial Advisors, president of the National Association
of Insurance and Financial Advsors, chairman of the board of Life
Insurance Underwriters Training Council, and recipient of the
International Insurance Society Gold Medal for Excellence.
Additionally, Thomas served on the Vernon Board of Education, UConn's
University Foundation Board, and was a member of Vernon's Town Council.
He also brought the Big Brothers and the YMCA to Vernon, was the
president of the Rockville Rotary Club, and endowed countless UConn
programs and campus amenities.
Beyond these numerous accolades, contributions, and achievements,
Thomas was a devoted family man and friend to many in our community.
His wife, Bette, whom he married in 1949, was his closest confidant for
nearly 6 decades. The outpouring of love and support from his wife,
children, grandchildren, and extended family reflects the strong bond
that they shared.
Thomas lived an extraordinary life, filled with personal and
professional vigor and he will be greatly missed. I ask my colleagues
to join with me and my constituents in honoring his life and offering
condolences to his family.
____________________
RECOGNIZING EAST MT. ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ON ITS 180TH
ANNIVERSARY
______
HON. JEFF MILLER
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today in recognition of East
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church on its 180th Anniversary.
For the past 180 years, East Mt. Zion has continued to inspired
people throughout the Northwest Florida area. The church has withstood
the societal, geographical, and archeological changes that have
occurred over its long history, thus authorizing its member's constant
faith and enduring dedication.
Opening amidst humble beginnings, East Mt. Zion was initially a
rudimentary structure built out of logs. After fire destroyed the
building, its members rebuilt the church with whatever materials were
available. Logs from a nearby forest were used for the walls and slabs
from a local sawmill were made into the pews. In the early twentieth
century a more modern church was constructed. Services were held in
that location until 1956, when the present church began construction.
Since then, the congregation has continued to grow exponentially as
worshippers throughout the Northwest Florida area travel to East Mt.
Zion.
Over the years, East Mt. Zion has served as a great source of
inspiration for its members, who have always helped participate in the
betterment of the church. Bake sales, quilt sales, and various other
fundraisers were held by the members to raise costs for the various
construction projects that the church has held over the years. Their
enduring dedication serves as testimony to the excellence of East Mt.
Zion and this milestone anniversary is evidence of the greatness the
church has achieved.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to
recognize East Mt. Zion on this outstanding achievement.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO MELVIN McCREE
______
HON. DALE E. KILDEE
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Melvin Phillip
McCree. Melvin passed away on November 12th following a long illness
and a tribute will be held tomorrow in remembrance of his life and
work.
After graduating from Flint Northern High School, where he was the
Student Council President, Melvin went on to graduate from Mott
Community College. He continued his studies at Western Michigan
University and the University of Michigan-Flint. In 1981 he was elected
to the Flint City Council for the Fifth Ward. During his service on the
Council, he was elected to a record-setting 5 consecutive terms as
Council President.
Appointed to the position of Register of Deeds in 1990, Melvin was
re-elected for 4 more terms. During the 18 years he served as Register
of Deeds, Melvin sought to bring the office into the 21st century. He
was diligent in implementing new technologies to provide better service
to the public. Melvin developed an office website, a system to scan and
store all documents digitally, and the ability to provide documents to
the public in a variety of media. Through his foresight, the Genesee
County Register of Deeds office is a model for other county offices to
image and store records.
Melvin McCree was an enthusiastic, conscientious public servant, an
insightful innovator, and a thoughtful humanitarian. I knew Melvin
since he was a child and I watched him grow and develop into a good
man, and a kind friend. I valued his counsel, his sense of humor, and
his community spirit.
Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and
honor Melvin Phillip McCree. The people of Genesee County have lost a
dedicated public official and I mourn his passing.
____________________
IN CELEBRATION OF DENIS O'SULLIVAN'S 75TH BIRTHDAY
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 75th birthday
of Mr. Denis O'Sullivan, a wonderful brother-in-law, husband, and
father. He is married to Elizabeth O'Sullivan, and has made his home in
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey for the past 35 years.
Denis was born December 2, 1933 in New York City at Lennox Hill
Hospital. He was educated in New York State Schools and was founder-
owner of O'Sullivan Menu Publishing. His company started small, with a
staff of less than 10, and grew to employ over 200 people in the United
States and England.
O'Sullivan Menu Publishing had a ground-breaking impact on the
airline industry by providing the first comprehensive service for the
creation and production of printed menus. These international menus
were translated into 84 different languages.
Since retirement in early 2008, Denis has been intently working for
charitable and philanthropic causes. He currently serves on three
individual boards in various capacities, including President. For many
years he supported the fundraising activities of St. Clare's hospital
in Denville, New Jersey. He is currently Vice-Chairman of the Board of
the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey, and maintains
special interest in their Alzheimer's disease support facility.
Denis is a loving and generous father of three as well as a step-
father of three. His unstinting support of education for all of these
children has produced six college educations and three post-graduate
degrees. Denis' six grandchildren are an enduring source of love,
pride, and pleasure in his life.
I thank Denis for the countless lives that he has touched through his
many accomplishments. It is for these reasons that I join Denis
O'Sullivan's family and friends in wishing him a blessed 75th birthday
and continued health and happiness in the years to come.
____________________
ROBERT CRIBBS
______
HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, on October 30, 2008, Robert Cribbs
passed away in the presence of his loving family. Bob was a true
innovator who successfully developed five high technology companies. He
was also deeply committed to his personal interests, most notably in
the area of Egyptian culture. Bob was recognized throughout his life
for his great work, and his presence as an entrepreneur, professor,
scientist, father, husband and friend will be sorely missed.
Bob came to California after graduating from the Carnegie Institute
of Technology with a degree in physics. He arrived with his wife,
Donna, and two infant boys, Mark and Bob, to work at Aerojet General
Corporation. Soon after, Bob and Donna's daughter, Sherry, was born. In
1967, Bob left Aerojet to form Electra-Physics Laboratories (EPL),
located in Folsom. After General Electric became interested in EPL and
purchased the rights to work with part of the company, the remaining
division was named Folsom Research Inc. (FRI) and moved to Rancho
Cordova. FRI was bought by Barco, and soon after Bob formed
[[Page 24404]]
SoniPulse, Inc., in El Dorado Hills. Bob also co-founded a medical
company, LipoSonix, Inc.
Bob was an expert in ultrasound technology. He used this knowledge
not only to further important medical research, but also for discovery
as he explored the pyramids in the Valley of the Kings in search of the
burial chamber of pharaoh Seti using ultrasound and RF equipment to
locate the tomb. Bob's keen interest in Egyptian music also led him to
prove that Pythagoras actually stole the musical scale from the
Egyptians.
Bob's life was full of accomplishments, and those of us who were
fortunate enough to know him will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and
prayers are with his wife of 51 years, Donna; his children Bob, Mark
and Sherry; his grandchildren Tensor Chen, Weijing Chen, Jason, Sommer,
Royce, Anneleise and Gretchen; and his great-grandchild Adam.
____________________
HONORING MANCINI'S CHAR HOUSE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY
______
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to
rise to pay tribute to the Mancini family and all employees of
Mancini's Char House and Lounge in Saint Paul in honor of their 60th
anniversary year. Mancini's restaurant has earned a legendary
reputation for hospitality, serving a gathering place for generations
of Saint Paul families, friends, as well as quite a few local and
national sports stars and celebrities. Anybody who comes to Mancini's
looks forward to having a great meal and a special occasion.
It all began with Nick Mancini, who opened his first small tavern on
Saint Paul's West 7th Street in 1948, with strong support from his
family--especially his mother's famous spaghetti. It was not long until
Nick met his wife Maryann, who was with him every step of the way,
until he passed away in 2007.
Throughout his entire life, Nick's generous and friendly presence
personified Saint Paul hospitality. Nick's greatest pleasure was
greeting his customers and making them feel at home. Nick also
delighted in serenading diners with his beautiful accordian music.
Nick's sons Pat and John now own the restaurant, continuing the
tradition of hospitality with the help of the whole family, including
their mother, children and Nick's sister Bertha. Their many loyal
employees feel like they are part of the family.
Hospitality was the cornerstone of Nick's business success, growing
through the years from a tiny bar to a 600-seat steakhouse. Mancini's
has been a crossroads of who's who in sports, Hollywood and politics.
Nick's son John estimates that 300 photographs of notable patrons line
the walls of the lounge. Mancini's 1986 major expansion even attracted
the attention of singer Tony Bennett, who lent his voice and star power
to the celebration.
Despite Mancini's great success, the family restaurant has remained
focused on its neighborhood roots. Among their most loyal customers are
the families who grew up with Nick and his family. Mancini's Sports
Hall of Fame pays tribute to nearly 150 Saint Paul athletes who are
leaders in teaching, coaching or supporting amateur or professional
athletics in Saint Paul.
Hospitality continues to be the biggest draw at Mancini's--but their
fantastic steaks don't hurt either. In recent years, their famous 12-
ounce Mancini's sirloins have been enjoyed worldwide. Through an
ambitious effort called ``Serving Our Troops,'' Mancini's has partnered
with several other family-owned Saint Paul restaurants, other local
businesses and hundreds of volunteers to stage several major picnics
for Minnesota National Guard troops and their families. Since 2004,
they have donated their time and thousands of steaks to bring Saint
Paul hospitality to troops and their families in Mississippi, Oklahoma,
Kosovo and Iraq. ``Serving Our Troops'' truly speaks to the community
spirit and hospitality epitomized by the Mancini family. Many people
talk about supporting our military families, but the Mancini family has
gone above and beyond the call of duty in sharing Saint Paul
hospitality.
Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the Mancini family and all
employees of Mancini's Char House and Lounge on the first 60 years of a
remarkable Saint Paul institution. We look forward to many more.
____________________
CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION FOR MEMBERS OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL
______
HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute today to the
men and women of Southeastern Arizona who for the past two years have
served as members of my Veterans Advisory Council.
These former members of our Armed Forces live throughout my 8th
Congressional District, they come from all walks of life and they
represent every branch of military service and every military conflict
from World War II to the present time.
They are a very diverse and multi-talented group and yet they all
have one important thing in common. They all willingly contributed
their time, experience and knowledge as advisors to me on issues
concerning veterans.
Their wise counsel and insights have been invaluable to me. By
serving on my Veterans Advisory Council, they have continued to serve
their country and the men in women who have put on the uniform. We owe
them a tremendous debt of gratitude.
The Members of my Veterans Advisory Council are: Stan Abrams, Sergio
Arellano, Bob Berry, John Cronin, Jim Ellars, Johnny Fajardo, Mary
Figura, Terrie Gent, Dale Halstead, Frank Hartline, Amy Hartline,
Thomas Heaney, Mike Klier, Mel Kloor, Col. Joey Strickland, Pepe
Mendoza, Tommy Mendoza, Able Moreno, Pam Murphy, Norma Navarre, Chuck
Larry Ohara, Bob Parson, Dan Ross, DuWayne Smith, John Soltero Sr.,
Mary Pat Sullivan, Christian Vasquez, Bob Walton, Barbara Williams, Don
Williams, and Bob Winchester.
I am grateful to them for their advice and their advocacy on behalf
of our veterans and I look forward to their continued assistance in the
next two years.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. JERRY LEWIS
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, pursuant to Republican
earmark guidance, I am submitting the following project that was
included in H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance,
and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009:
Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis.
Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009.
Project Name: Lafayette Escadrille Memorial.
Account: American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Air Force.
Address of Requesting Entity: HQ USAF/CC, 1670 Air Force Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20330.
Description of Request: Provide $500,000.00 to conduct an updated
engineering study of the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial to determine the
long term recurring costs to preserve and maintain the memorial at ABMC
standards.
____________________
HONORING CESILIA LOMELI-PEREZ, FNP, MPH
______
HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madan Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Cesilia
``CeCe'' Lomeli-Perez upon being awarded with the ``Community Health
Champions Award'' at the 2008 West Fresno Health Care Coalition's 4th
annual ``This is Your Life of Service'' dinner and award ceremony. This
year the ceremony will be held at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center
in Fresno, Calitbrnia on Friday, October 24th.
CeCe Lomeli-Perez grew up in Patterson, California. She attended
Patterson High School and Modesto Junior College where she received her
Associate's of Science and Registered Nurse degrees. She moved to
Fresno, California to further her education and earned her Bachelors of
Science degree in nursing (BSN) from California State University,
Fresno. After completing her Bachelors degree she started working at
Valley Children's Hospital in the neo-natal intensive care unit. She
worked there for five years and decided to continue her education. She
returned to California State
[[Page 24405]]
University, Fresno to earn her Masters in nursing with a specialty in
family practice, a Masters in public health and is currently working on
her Ph.D. in public health.
Mrs. Lomeli-Perez is a nurse practitioner for the Holy Cross Clinic
in Fresno, a community outreach clinic of Saint Agnes Medical Center
located within the Poverello House. The clinic provides free medical
and dental services to the poor and homeless; the only eligibility
requirement is that patients cannot have medical insurance. Throughout
her career she has run health fairs, health screenings for schools,
eyeglass programs and taught classes on diabetes and prenatal care. She
has also served as Chair of the Adult Task Force to help secure funding
for mental health services for Fresno County. She is very involved in
her church, the Poverello House, the Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army
and the Youth Orchestra of Fresno. She has organized the ``Mujeres de
Valor,'' a group of women of color who walk annually in the Komen
Foundation's Walk for the Cure. In 2005 she received a ``Top 10
Business and Professional Women of the Year'' award from the Marjaree
Mason Center, and the University of California, San Francisco Fresno
Latino Center Award for medical education and research. She has also
received the annual Leadership Award in honor of Hispanic Heritage
Month. In 2008 she was a presenter at the annual Veritas Forum at
California State University. Fresno. Mrs. Lomeli-Perez has been a
champion in reaching out to those who are poor, homeless and uninsured.
She has served the community for over fifteen years.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Cesilia
``CeCe'' Lomeli-Perez upon being awarded with ``Community Health
Champions Award''. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs.
Lomeli-Perez many years of continued success.
____________________
HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL PAULK FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE IN
THE U.S. MARINE CORPS
______
HON. PHIL GINGREY
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. GINGREY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a fellow Georgian,
LTC Michael Paulk. Lieutenant Colonel Paulk is retiring after more than
25 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. He was raised in
Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he graduated from Tucker High School in
1982 before attending the University of West Georgia.
Lieutenant Colonel Paulk has served in a variety of assignments
throughout his distinguished career beginning at Parris Island, South
Carolina, where he attended basic training in 1983. He then went to his
military occupation school, MOS, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat
Center, Twentynine Palms, California, where he was one of the top
candidates at the school, earning the field radio operator MOS.
Private First Class Paulk was then assigned to the 4th Forward Area
Air Defense Battery, Detachment Alpha, Marietta, Georgia as a field
radio operator with 2nd Squad, 1St Platoon, Alpha Company. In 1986,
Corporal Paulk was selected to participate in the Platoon Leaders Class
and attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. He
graduated from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia in
April 1987, with a bachelor of arts degree in history, and then
received a commission as a Marine Corps second lieutenant.
From April through November 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Paulk attended
the Basic School, graduating in the top third of his class. Upon
completion of The Basic School he attended Aviation Maintenance
Officer's School in Pensacola, Florida.
From May 1988 through June 1999, Lieutenant Colonel Paulk served with
Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533, in Cherry Point, North
Carolina, deploying to Norway, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands,
Guam, and Wake Island. He also served in Marine Aircraft Group 42, in
Marietta, Georgia, deploying with Marine Observation Squadron 4 and
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 to a multitude of counter-
narcotic missions throughout the United States and the Caribbean.
Lastly, during this time he also served in the 4th Marine Aircraft
Wing, serving as the rotary wing class desk officer and as the
executive officer for Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces
Reserve in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In June 2000, Lieutenant Colonel Paulk graduated from the U.S. Naval
War College with a master of arts, National Security and Strategic
Studies, degree and transferred to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Atlantic in
Norfolk, Virginia. He served in the Operations and Plans Division
overseeing the deployment of marines to Central and South America, as
well as to the Caribbean.
From April 2002 until May 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Paulk served on
recruiting duty in Marietta, Georgia and Quantico, Virginia. During
this tour he deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, participating in Operation Al
Fajr and supporting Iraq's first free elections. He earned the Bronze
Star Medal for meritorious achievement in connection with combat
operations while serving as the plans officer and operations officer
for the 4th Civil Affairs Group.
Lieutenant Colonel Paulk served as a congressional liaison officer
with the Office of Legislative Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps,
Washington, DC, during his last 8 months of service. In his position,
Lieutenant Colonel Paulk carried the Corps' message to these hallowed
halls, providing Members of this body the infonnation necessary to
determine how best to equip, maintain, and support the United States
Marine Corps.
Lieutenant Colonel Paulk has made a lasting contribution to the
capability of today's Marine Corps' and the future shape of tomorrow's
Corps. His superior performance of duties highlights the culmination of
more than 25 years of honorable and dedicated Marine Corps service. My
home State of Georgia and our country are proud of Lieutenant Colonel
Paulk's exemplary professional competence, sound judgment, and total
dedication to duty. He has reflected great credit upon himself and has
always upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps.
I wish Michael, his wife, April, and their daughters, Mallory and
Maggie, all the best in their future endeavors as they return to life
together in Georgia.
____________________
ROBERT C. FISHER
______
HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a minute and pay
tribute to an old friend and former staffer, Robert C. Faber. Bob is a
man of strong ideals and integrity.
I first met Bob when we were in our first year of law school at
McGeorge Law School in California. Our friendship began then and has
been strong ever since. After law school, Bob and I went our separate
ways. Bob worked first at the State Lands Department and then had a
private law practice. I went to work in the California State Senate in
Sacramento. Ten years later I was elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives, and when I became Chairman of the Resources
Subcommittee on Water and Power, I encouraged Bob to become the staff
director of the committee. He graciously accepted the position, and he
and his lovely wife, Joyce, moved to the Washington area.
Bob was born in Kansas City, Missouri and grew up in Oregon,
Michigan, Indiana and California. He attended high school in La Sierra,
California. While in high school, Bob showed his talent of teaching in
his early years. He would often help tutor his fellow students at his
home, and eventually the group got so large that the class asked their
teacher if Bob could teach the class, since he was able to better
relate to his peers. The teacher allowed Bob to teach the class for
about 2 weeks under his supervision.
After high school, Bob attended Andrews University in Southwestern
Michigan where he majored in journalism. He earned his undergraduate
degree in 3 years after successfully testing out of 1 year of classes.
While at Andrews, he met Joyce in the communications department, and
the two have been married for 35 years now. They have one son, Robert
Jr., who is 14 years old.
Bob has the gift of being able to teach people in both personal and
professional situations. When he was living in California, Bob taught
Sunday school at his local church and has been involved with it ever
since. He currently teaches the adult group at his local church in
Leesburg, Virginia and has recently started writing about Jesus and the
New Testament.
I am very grateful for Bob's friendship, and I look forward to the
many years ahead we have as friends. I wish him and his Family much
happiness and success.
[[Page 24406]]
____________________
HONORING ST. DOMINIC'S PARISH IN BREESE, ILLINOIS
______
HON. JOHN SHIMKUS
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Dominic's
Parish in Breese, Illinois. For 150 years, St. Dominic's has
represented the spread of Catholicism in rural America and has also
acted as one of its community's cornerstones. The first church building
was used from 1858 to 1868 and measured 40 feet by 60 feet. In 1858
Father August Reineke was called to act as the first pastor of St.
Dominic's and served until 1909. A larger church was needed due to the
growing number of settlers in the area. The parishioners donated the
land as well as the stone and limestone for construction of the present
church still in use today.
The original parish began with 70 Catholic families and today has
grown to 867 families. One of St. Dominic's largest accomplishments was
the establishment of Mater Dei High School. The men and women of St.
Dominic's help by reaching out to their community and world with the
parish's volunteer efforts. St. Monica's Altar Sodality and St.
Joseph's Men's Sodality donate money to the parish's Vacation Bible
School, food pantry and youth ministry. The ladies of the parish are
currently sponsoring a child in Guatemala, while the men have donated
over $20,000 to the new multi-purpose room.
I join with my fellow Representatives to congratulate St. Dominic's
on 150 years of faith and service.
____________________
CONGRATULATING THE HONORABLE HELEN MARSHALL ON RECEIVING THE ``GREEN
LEADERSHIP AWARD''
______
HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Queens
Borough President Helen Marshall for receiving the prestigious ``Green
Leadership Award'' from the Alley Pond Environmental Center (APEC) on
November 13th, 2008. APEC, located in Douglaston, Queens, is a superb
educational center committed to environmental understanding and
awareness. Helen's dedication and support of environmental education,
public parks and responsible zoning and land-use in Queens is a great
example of how we can promote ``green living'' around the nation
through local political leadership.
Thanks to Helen's aggressive efforts, over $60 million has been
allocated to maintain, improve and expand the parks and playgrounds of
Queens. Recently, Helen was instrumental in procuring resources to help
begin construction of APEC's new environmental educational facility.
APEC had a staggering 40,000 New York City area school students visit
Alley Pond last year. During APEC-run programs, students of pre-school,
elementary school, middle and high school ages learn about the
environment and conservation policy. APEC also runs wonderful Teacher
Workshops to train teachers in methods to enrich and improve their
natural sciences curriculum when they return to the classroom. Demand
for APEC's educational programs is so high that over 8,000 students had
to be placed on a waiting list to visit Alley Pond.
Borough President Marshall, recognizing APEC's need for space, led
the way for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to
allocate resources for APEC's future environmental educational
facility. Utilizing the $1 million in funds that Helen helped to get,
APEC will soon start construction of a new green facility that will
make student waiting lists for APEC's programs a thing of the past. For
Helen, this kind of action is nothing new. From her time as a teacher,
to her service as a member of the New York State Assembly and the New
York City Council, to being the Queens Borough President; she has been
the most tireless advocate for children's educational and environmental
resources. From libraries, to remedial programs, to playgrounds and
parks, no one has done more to make certain that the children of Queens
receive the help they need for the best education possible.
Madam Speaker, I highly commend Borough President Marshall for her
extraordinary dedication to environmental education and for receiving
the ``Green Leadership Award'' from the Alley Pond Environmental
Center. Helen embodies the spirit of the award, having devoted herself
to ensuring that children experience the world's natural beauty in
America's greatest city. I ask my colleagues in the House of
Representatives to please join me in congratulating Helen Marshall as a
recipient of this well-deserved honor.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO RECOGNIZE MR. NORRIS O. CHANDLER
______
HON. Wm. LACY CLAY
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Norris O.
Chandler, former WWI and WWII veteran who has demonstrated an
unyielding commitment to the service of others through 60 years of
civilian service.
Chandler enlisted in United States Army at Jefferson Barracks and was
soon assigned to a special amphibious engineering unit activated for
World War II--the 149th Engineer Combat Battalion. As a Demolition
Specialist for the 149th, he joined the invasion of France on Omaha
Beach in 1944.
The 149th was responsible for destroying enemy bridges, probing and
destroying mines and other obstacles, both on land and underwater, and
for building Bailey Bridges.
Following World War II, Mr. Chandler returned to Fort Polk, Louisiana
to await discharge. His unit was deactivated in December of 1945 and he
became part of the newly activated Organized Reserve Corps (Individual
Stand-By) until 1951.
In 1951, Mr. Chandler entered the Civilian Service with the Missouri
Military District (MMD), 11th Army Corps, St. Louis, and Missouri as a
warehouseman. During this time the MMD was renamed the U.S. Army
Support Center. Mr. Chandler continued his services at the center,
holding various positions including stock control clerk, general supply
clerk, and Publications Supply officer among other things before the
agency moved to Fort Sheridan, Ill.
Mr. Chandler opposed relocating to Fort Sheridan and joined the staff
at the U.S. Army Adjutant General Publications Center as a packer, for
over 40 years, turning down General Schedule (GS) opportunities in
favor of his Wage Grade (WG) packer position.
Chandlers WWII unit received four campaign ribbons: Normandy (with
bronze arrowhead), Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Mr.
Chandler's civilian awards include the Achievement Medal for Civilian
Service in September 1996. In addition, he currently has over 3300
hours of sick leave and usually forfeits almost all of his annual
leave, except when he generously donates to other employees through the
leave donation program.
Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mr. Chandler, an
American hero, for 60 years as a civil servant and for his noble
sacrifice and courage to the United States Armed Services. I urge my
colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Norris O. Chandler for his
service and commitment to put country first.
____________________
IN RECOGNITION OF WARNER GLENN'S DEDICATION TO THE SOUTHWEST
______
HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today
to acknowledge the extraordinary accomplishments of Mr. Warner Glenn, a
dedicated steward of our fragile lands and a champion for endangered
species of the Southwest.
Mr. Glenn is a rancher who lives near Douglas, Arizona, a small city
on the United States-Mexico border that traces its roots back to the
early 20th century. The desert lands surrounding Douglas are an
environmental treasure. They are abundant in wildlife. These beautiful
areas face serious threats and many citizens in my district have taken
action to address these issues. Warner Glenn is a leader in this
movement.
Warner and his family are part of the Malpai Borderlands Group,
ranchers and conservationists who are dedicated to preserving the open
spaces that are in danger of disappearing.
He was recently named by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
as a ``Regional Recovery Champion'' for his tireless efforts in
protecting the endangered jaguar. Mr. Glenn's photographs of jaguars
were the first taken of the animal in the United States.
Mr. Glenn's photographs were more than mere documentation of the
jaguar. In honoring Mr. Glenn, Benjamin Tuggle, the director of
[[Page 24407]]
the Fish and Wildlife's Southwestern Region, noted that Mr. Glenn's
``stunning photographs, along with his written and oral accounts, have
ignited a passion for jaguars and borderlands conservation.''
He took his photographs in 1996 and 2006. Since then, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service has granted the jaguar protection under the
Endangered Species Act. The agency also funds monitoring efforts in
Arizona and has contributed to local and international programs to help
conserve the jaguar and aid in the species' recovery.
Mr. Glenn embodies the true spirit of the Southwest. Born and raised
in the fabled Chiricahua Mountains, he makes his living from the land
as a rancher, guide and outfitter for hunters. When he is in the wild,
he typically carries a .357 Magnum on his belt. Yet as he has said that
he ``never felt danger'' when he encountered the jaguars! His only
thought as he first saw the jaguar that day was how can we protect this
beautiful animal and maintain its ability to roam the deserts and
mountains?
Not all of us have Mr. Glenn's vision but all of us can learn
valuable lessons from him with regard to the jaguar. As he put it,
``When you see one of those in the wild, you can't help but admire and
respect those cats, and they deserve it.''
I commend and thank Warner Glenn for all he has done to preserve the
land and the wildlife that lives on it.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. JEFF MILLER
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican
Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following
information regarding earmarks I received in the amendment of the House
of Representatives to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 2638.
Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.
Bill number: H.R. 2638.
Project: Eglin Air Force Base Range Operations Center (ROCC)
Initiative.
Account: RDT&E, Air Force.
Earmark Received: $800,000.
Justification for use of taxpayer funding: Considering the effects of
BRAC, emerging Joint Test and Training missions, and increased
operations tempo, this initiative will address the current Eglin AFB
shortfalls in infrastructure to provide safe, efficient, effective
control of range resources. Eglin AFB initiated a phased approach
(Super ROCC) to address these shortfalls, and this project will
initiate the action by addressing movement and control of people and
equipment and relevant security issues. This initiative will help the
Air Force increase the operations tempo at the Eglin Range by
addressing the movement and control of people and equipment as well as
relevant security issues. Through this initiative, the Air Force will
greatly improve its ability to track all players on the Eglin Range
thereby significantly increase its efficiency in an increased ops tempo
environment. Driven by BRAC and safety imperatives, this further
provides for more effective control which will better optimize range
scheduling and increase flexibility in meeting test and training
missions. Simply by knowing the locations of all entities on the range,
more flexibility in reassigning missions to ground and air space
previously underutilized will be achieved.
Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.
Bill number: H.R. 2638.
Project: FPS-16 Radar Mobilization Upgrade.
Account: RDT&E, Air Force.
Earmark Received: $2,800,000.
Justification for use of taxpayer funding: This enhanced, mobile
radar tracking capability will provide AAC the flexibility required to
support testing of current and emerging weapon systems and platforms.
This new capability will attract test programs to the AAC test range
that cannot presently be supported, provide expanded instrumentation
coverage for the range, reduce encroachment concerns, and provide more
comprehensive coverage and support to all test programs. This added
instrumentation asset will result in more cost effective and timely
test support for the U.S. Air Force and ultimately in fielding systems
for the war fighter in a more timely manner.
Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.
Bill number: H.R. 2638.
Project: Moving Target Strike.
Account: RDT&E, Air Force.
Earmark Received: $2,000,000.
Justification for use of taxpayer funding: The ability to extend the
capability of GPS guided weapons to moving targets will significantly
enhance the effectiveness of weapons platforms that use GPS guided
systems. The enemy knows that currently if he keeps moving he is safe
from many of our current weapon systems. The ability to strike movers
from a variety of platforms with GPS guided weapons will greatly reduce
the enemy's ability to avoid our weapons.
Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.
Bill number: H.R. 2638.
Project: Gulf Range Mobile Instrumentation Capability.
Account: RDT&E, Defense-Wide.
Earmark Received: $800,000.
Justification for use of taxpayer funding: By developing a GR-MIC we
will be able to integrate the simultaneous employment of many advanced
weapons/platforms into a single test or exercise/training events. This
effort connects test and evaluation ranges that use many communication
and data requirements to interact between geographically separated
ranges, making valuable information available to everyone who requires
it. The result is ranges becoming interconnected and consequently
creating a greater training experience.
Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.
Bill number: H.R. 2638.
Project: Joint Gulf Range Complex Upgrade.
Account: RDT&E, Defense-Wide.
Earmark Received: $1,200,000.
Justification for use of taxpayer funding: The upgrade will result in
improved and more accurate testing which will improve training
effectiveness and mission readiness.
Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.
Bill number: H.R. 2638.
Project: Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) for AFSOC
AC/MC 130 aircraft.
Account: RDT&E, Air Force.
Earmark Received: $4,400,000.
Justification for use of taxpayer funding: The funding will be used
to provide aircraft protection from infrared and small arms threats.
____________________
HONORING NAPA VALLEY HOSPICE AND ADULT DAY SERVICES OF NAPA COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA
______
HON. MIKE THOMPSON
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Napa
Valley Hospice and Adult Day Services on the occasion of the 10th
anniversary of their Adult Day Services program. The Adult Day Services
program has done visionary work serving the unique needs of the
elderly, younger adults with mental and physical impairments, and those
suffering from Alzheimer's and other dementias.
In 1979, Hospice of Napa Valley opened as a program of St. Helena
Hospital. They became an independent non-profit in 1997, and opened
their acclaimed Adult Day Services program in 1998. ADS is the only
program of its kind in Napa County and is one of 54 official
Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Centers in California.
Since its inception 10 years ago, the Adult Day Services program has
served more than 1,000 people. Last year alone, they served 80 people
with Alzheimer's or other dementia, gave family training to 129 people,
provided 165 hours of support groups, 200 hours of counseling for 143
people, 30 hours of community education for 327 people, and 166
consultations for 133 people.
These incredible achievements would not be possible without their
dedicated staff, led by Executive Director Catherine Poliak and ADS
Program Coordinator Celine Regalia. Catherine and Celine lead a team
that is second to none in their creativity and enthusiasm.
Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we thank everyone
at Napa Valley Hospice and Adult Day Services for the remarkable work
they have done for our community. Through their hard work and generous
contributions this program has thrived for the past 10 years, and I
know that we will see much more progress in the years to come.
____________________
HONORING ST. MARY'S PARISH IN TRENTON, ILLINOIS
______
HON. JOHN SHIMKUS
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Mary's Parish
in Trenton, Illinois.
[[Page 24408]]
St. Mary's has represented Catholicism for 150 years in the community
of Trenton.
During the 1820s and '30s the local Catholics of Trenton gathered at
the railroad station once a year to take the train to St. Louis to
fulfill their Easter duty. In 1858 Fr. Peter Peters began holding mass
with a small group of Catholic families in Trenton. The first church
was built in 1864. Yet, it was not until 1868 that St. Mary's Parish of
Trenton had its first permanent pastor, Fr. Anthony Brefeld. Just two
years after Fr. Brefeld took the position as pastor, St. Mary's built a
small school where the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ came to teach. By
1950 it was evident that a larger church was needed. In 1953 the new
church was completed and by 1955, about 1,500 parishioners called St.
Mary's home.
To help celebrate the 150th anniversary, the St. Mary's family placed
a ``time capsule'' into the ground at the parish. The capsule contains
materials related to the parish celebration. The time capsule will be
opened in 2058, 50 years from now.
I join with my fellow Representatives to congratulate St. Mary's on
150 years of faith and service.
____________________
JIM MARTINO
______
HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, Jim Martino was born in 1929 in eastern
Pennsylvania. He graduated from Lafayette College and soon after
married his lovely wife, Nancy, and joined the army. Jim served in
Korea from 1951 to 1953, which was an experience that had a profound
effect on his life. In 2000, the 50th anniversary of the Korean War,
Jim searched for his comrades and organized reunions to bring together
the men he served with and to share their memories and experiences.
Their wives also enjoyed the experience, and the group developed into a
close family.
After returning from Korea, Jim began a successful career in direct
mail marketing. Beginning in Valley Forge, PA, Jim's achievements took
him to Dayton, OH, southern California, and eventually Cameron Park,
CA. Jim was an accomplished private pilot who flew for business and
pleasure, making many trips with his wife across the country between
their homes. Jim was also an avid participant in government and
politics, supporting candidates he believed in and authoring numerous
``Letters to the Editor'' to express his views.
On August 7, 2008, Jim passed away. He is now buried in the
Sacramento Valley Veterans National Cemetery, where he is recognized as
a ``Defender of Freedom.'' I was honored to have been one of Jim's many
friends. My thoughts and prayers are with Jim's wife, Nancy, their
three children and four grandchildren.
____________________
AMERICA'S TABLE: A THANKSGIVING READER CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSE ROOTS
AND SHARED VALUES
______
HON. JOHN LEWIS
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, a
uniquely American holiday, I rise today to remind this Congress that we
are all one people, one family, one America. We all come from different
backgrounds, but in millions of homes across the country, our
celebrations look very much the same. We will gather around our dinner
tables with family and friends giving thanks. This day is a reminder
that we are all together in this American experiment, that we should
celebrate our diversity, but also recognize our shared values.
I commend to every family the publication called America's Table: A
Thanksgiving Reader. The pamphlet is short and simple, and it is meant
to be read at the Thanksgiving meal or as people contemplate the
meaning of Thanksgiving. This booklet tells the story of American
people by sharing profiles of men and women of diverse backgrounds. I
am honored to be one of the people profiled in this year's publication.
The American Jewish Committee began publishing America's Table
annually on the Thanksgiving after the 9/11 disaster. They partner with
ten human relations organizations, including the NAACP, the National
Urban League, and the National Council of La Raza to distribute this
wonderful pamphlet.
We all have our stories of how we came to this great land. We must
use this opportunity to celebrate our differences and our oneness as
Americans. I submit a copy of this year's America's Table for the
Record, and I hope and pray that Americans will continue to use it as a
way to help build the Beloved Community, a nation at peace with itself.
America's Table
A Thanksgiving Reader
celebrating our diverse roots and shared values
You are holding the eighth annual edition of America's
Table.
As in past years, the brief narrative on the white pages is
intended to be read aloud at the Thanksgiving meal. It helps
us express gratitude for living in a nation where each of us,
regardless of background, is entitled to a place at the
table.
The facing pages contain profiles of eight accomplished
Americans. These profiles can be read at the Thanksgiving
meal or whenever you have time. Five of the profiled
individuals arrived in America recently. Another is descended
from slaves. All are deeply engaged in helping America fully
achieve the promise of opportunity and mutual respect.
By reading America's Table on Thanksgiving, we add new
meaning to our most beloved and universal holiday as a time
to celebrate our diverse roots and shared values. In some
homes, a leader designates the parts to be read. At other
gatherings, people simply go around the table, switching
readers at each sentence, paragraph, or page. Do whatever
feels right for you and your family and friends.
And enjoy a warm and peaceful holiday.
November 2008
Adams Costa Spencer Lind Tanaka Carney Schultz Pucinski
Leibowitz McLaren Gonzales Szymankiewicz Giannini Humphreys
Zimmer Poulos Tinley Kahn Trugglio Singh Sandbuig Jackson
Kogovsek Smith Rivera Acosta Demetrios Nemec Schwartz Nwaguru
Rosenbaum Kimura Peck Teters Foulks Koproski
We are each on a journey
These are the names of the generations that came to
America.
They reveal individual lives that represent the story of
our nation.
These are the names of the generations that built America.
They recall our parents and grandparents and mirror
ourselves.
These are the names of the generations that will care for
America.
They remind us why we gather at this Thanksgiving table.
Calderon Lew Durley Branovan Sharma Hassan Montalto
Paterson Jordan Cheng Gioia Noriega Ellison Josephs Kassab
Phillips Pun Letona Linares Brooks Gilchrist Mineta Levine
Patel Tsosie Yuo Meghani Verdeja Aoun Parens Al-Suwaij Morris
Rangel Hong Lafley Nganji Ahuja Totenberg Lewis Shamim Padron
Chung-Wha Hong ``We were watching the presidential debates
with Jimmy Carter, and I remember my mother saying, `He's
going to be the president and he does the dishes' ''
Growing up in South Korea, Chung-Wha Hong gained her
impressions of the United States from black-and-white TV.
America is heaven for women and children
Hong was eleven when the family arrived in St. Louis, in
1977. Local people were welcoming, she recalls, but the
schools offered no programs for students like Hong who spoke
no English. ``I went to school and slept all day.''
Her immigrant experience and the influence of her parents,
both religious leaders and social reformers, shaped her
career choice. After graduation from the University of
Pennsylvania, Hong returned briefly to Korea, where young
activists inspired her.
Back in the United States, she worked in Washington, D.C.,
for Korean and Asian organizations before moving to New York
to engage at the grassroots level ``on work that flows from
my identity as a Korean-American immigrant.''
As head of the New York Immigration Coalition, Hong now
helps immigrants of all backgrounds cope with what she
describes as a convergence of issues facing new arrivals,
including: poverty, lack of English language skills, and
limited access to government services. These challenges, says
Hong, are compounded by anti-immigrant sentiment.
``Part of my job is to challenge people that this is not
what this country is about, to tap into people's better
instincts of generosity and justice.''
The insightful questions of our children, innocently asked,
compel us to reconnect with our past.
When our families came to America.
How they got here.
What they found.
Why they came.
At every table the answers are different, but much the
same.
Many of us were immigrants and refugees from all regions of
the world, fleeing the afflictions of poverty and oppression.
Drawn by the promise of a better life, we chose America and
she took us into safe harbor.
[[Page 24409]]
Not every journey was easy.
The first arrivals sometimes shunned those who followed.
Not every journey was voluntary.
The first African slaves landed in Jamestown a year before
the Pilgrims settled in Plymouth.
Not every journey was righteous.
Native Americans were devastated by a new nation's need to
conquer, cultivate, and build.
A.G. Lafley knows something about diversity.
On his father's side, Lafley is descended from a French
Canadian man who migrated to New England in the 1850s and
married a Native American woman. A few decades later, his
mother's family arrived in Boston from County Cork, Ireland.
``My mother was adamant about understanding the world and
people who are different from you,'' says Lafley. ``She was a
card-carrying member of the League of Women Voters. I
remember being dragged around in the '52, '56, and '60
presidential elections in neighborhoods we didn't live in.''
Lafley enrolled as a Ph.D. student in history before a
hitch in the Navy overseeing retail supply shifted his career
goals. After Harvard Business School, he joined Cincinnati-
based Procter & Gamble in 1977, becoming CEO in 2000 and
chairman in 2002.
For Lafley, diversity is a competitive advantage at a
company that employs 138,000 people from 140 nationalities
and ethnicities, and provides household and personal care
products for more than three billion consumers.
Lafley recalls a recent conversation with a young mother
and her family in a modest home on a hillside above Sao
Paulo, Brazil. ``We sit around the kitchen table,'' he says.
I learn through her story
``It may take a little longer to work across cultures and
languages,'' says Lafley, ``but we're going to come up with
more ideas and create something that will make a
difference.'' Sometimes the difference is big.
``We developed a unique and proprietary product that can
render any source of water anyplace in the world potable.''
Jean Nganji ``Are you Hutu or Tutsi?''
The question was raised by a teacher when Jean Nganji was a
seven-year-old schoolboy in Rwanda.
``Go home and ask your parents,'' the teacher commanded.
The next day, he recalls, ``I said, `I am Tutsi' ''
Nganji's parents then pushed him hard to excel academically.
``Why?'' he asked.
``Just listen,'' they said. ``Don't ask questions.''
The answer soon emerged, as Nganji was forced to repeat
grades, despite his competence, because he was Tutsi. When he
realized that a Tutsi admissions quota made it difficult to
attend college in Rwanda, he was accepted at a small school
in Massachusetts with the help of his friend Andre, who had
moved to America.
The two young men became college roommates soon after
Nganji arrived in the United States, in October 1989. But
Andre was Hutu, and a year later, with the outbreak of war,
the friendship ended.
The genocide started on April 6, 1994. On April 15, Nganji
learned that his parents and youngest brother were killed.
The daughter of his eldest brother, who perished, was saved
by her nanny, a Hutu woman who claimed the four-year-old was
her little sister.
Today, Nganji lives near Boston. He tells his story at
schools in America and travels regularly to Rwanda on a
project that helps Tutsi and Hutu youth tell their stories
through film. ``I have found therapy and peace talking to
young people.''
Do not fall into the traps of ignorance, bigotry, and racism
We are each part of America's journey
We did not leave history behind, like unwanted baggage at
immigration's door.
Our particular pasts and our shared present are wedded in
hyphenated names:
African-American,
Irish-American,
Italian-American,
Korean-American,
Polish-American.
We are not always on a first-name basis with one another.
But we quickly become acquainted in playgrounds and
classrooms, in college dorms and military barracks, and in
offices and factories.
We feel at home.
In some parts of the world, our differences would be
threatening.
We feel enriched.
In America, our differences resonate in our names,
language, food, and music. They inspire art and produce
champions and leaders.
We feel free to disagree.
We are a family, and what is a family gathering without
debate?
Gurpreet Singh Ahuja was completing his residency in New
Delhi, in 1984, when Indira Gandhi was assassinated.
Reports that the prime minister was shot by Sikhs set off
reprisals throughout India. ``As a physician in the hospital,
I saw the charred bodies of those young men and women.''
The violence contradicted his experience growing up. ``As a
Sikh, we're reminded to respect all faiths. They're all paths
to the same central truth.''
He and his wife, Jasjit Singh, also a doctor, moved to New
York, in 1986, where they continued their medical training
before moving to Washington, D.C., and then to Southern
California. They visited family in India annually.
``Every time I stepped foot back on American soil it would
give me a great sense of exhilaration and liberation.''
That feeling was tested in the aftermath of 9/11 and the
rash of hate crimes that began with the murder of a Sikh
living in Arizona. The events evoked memories of 1984. Says
Ahuja,
I never lost faith in the system in America
He helped establish the California Sikh Council to promote
tolerance and educate people about the Sikh faith, and now
serves as president of the council. Jasjit Singh is vice
president of the Central Orange County Interfaith Council.
``As a relatively recent immigrant, I am very appreciative
of the opportunities that this country has given me,'' says
Ahuja. ``Our value system must remain steadfast. That's what
distinguishes us from most any other country in the world.''
Nina Totenberg ``Ninotchka, we're proud of you.''
Nina Totenberg still cherishes her father's words. She had
just endured a period of intense scrutiny after her reporting
led to testimony by law professor Anita Hill, during the
confirmation hearing of Justice Clarence Thomas.
Her father, Roman Totenberg, a world-renowned violinist,
performed across Europe by age eleven. A Polish Jew, he left
Europe in 1935. ``He saw the rise of Hitler,'' says his
daughter, ``but he came to America because it represented a
kind of equality and meritocracy that did not exist in
Europe.''
Nina Totenberg's mother, Melanie, shared her interest in
American politics. ``I remember my mother watching the Army-
McCarthy hearings on TV all day every day, explaining to me
what was going on,'' says Totenberg. ``I knew who all those
senators were and I was eight years old.''
At 16, reading The Making of the President, the classic
book about the 1960 election, Totenberg confirmed her
childhood desire to be a witness to history. ``I wanted to be
a reporter from the time I realized that I couldn't be Nancy
Drew.''
For the past three decades, Totenberg has reported for
National Public Radio and is best known for her coverage of
the Supreme Court. ``There are a lot of injustices in the
world and in this country,'' she says. ``The ones that I can
do something about--I will try to do something about.'' She
credits her father, who still teaches at age 97.
You can't get my dad to do something he thinks is not right
We believe in fairness.
In America, the loudest voice does not always have the last
word, and every voice has a right to be heard.
We act with hope.
Not because life is perfect, but because we are free to
face life, and all its imperfections, on our own terms.
We rely on faith.
In a sturdy and tested framework of law and government that
works because of the confidence we place in it and in each
other.
We are each responsible for keeping America on course
``Are we there yet?'' the children ask.
We know the answer.
We pursue justice.
But still have a way to go.
We celebrate freedom.
But endlessly debate what it means to be free.
Our table is brimming.
But not everyone receives a fair portion.
John Lewis Growing up in a large family on a small farm in
rural Alabama, John Lewis cared for the chickens.
When his parents wanted to sell or trade chickens, or have
one for dinner, ``I would protest,'' Lewis recalls. ``They
were creatures of God, and we didn't have a right to abuse
them.''
Lewis was fifteen in 1955, when Emmett Till, a black
teenager, was brutally murdered in Mississippi, Rosa Parks
refused to move to the back of the bus, and Martin Luther
King, Jr., organized the Montgomery bus boycott. Listening to
King on the radio, ``It was like he was saying, `John Lewis,
you can do it,
You, too, can make a contribution
Lewis went to Nashville, to study nonviolence and become a
minister. He participated in sit-in demonstrations, Freedom
Rides, and the creation of a campus group called the Student
Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
``Even when I was being beaten, I saw these individuals
almost like the chickens,'' he says. ``They were innocent
creatures and something happened to them.''
As chairman of SNCC, at 23, Lewis stood with King and other
civil rights leaders on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
during the March on Washington in August 1963, preaching,
``Wake up, America.'' He has exerted leadership in Congress
since 1986, representing the district around Atlanta.
[[Page 24410]]
``We've made progress,'' says Lewis. ``The world is so
different from the world I grew up in.''
Still pursuing his vision of a ``beloved community,'' Lewis
asserts, ``We need to turn toward each other to create a
greater sense of community and belonging.''
Tasneem Shamim. In the late 1990s, at about age 40, Tasneem
Shamim began to feel spiritually empty.
She missed a sense of compassion and universality, which
she remembered from her childhood in India and could not find
in the mosques in New Jersey, where Shamim, a doctor, lives
with her husband and three children.
``One of my early memories is going with my grandmother to
the small villages. My grandmother started organizations to
help women out of poverty and oppression.''
To help reconnect with her feelings, Shamim visited the
holy sites in Mecca and Medina, and she decided to cover her
hair. Her mother and sister were concerned about potential
antagonism, and one friend asked, ``Do you have to go to
chemotherapy?''
For Shamim, the head scarf is an opportunity to prompt and
answer questions about Islam. Most important, it makes her
more conscious of her roles in life.
``You become a doctor mostly to please God. God says, `You
cannot help Me, but help the creatures that I have created.'
''
Shamim also began studying Sufism, a spiritual strand of
Islam. At the urging of a Sufi leader that she express her
religion in good works, Shamim established the Muslim Women's
Coalition, a national organization devoted to community
service and mutual respect.
People accept that America is a quilt
Progress can be slow as we propose and protest, argue and
advocate.
But we are grateful to be part of this vigorous democracy.
We enjoy its unparalleled privileges and accept its
obligations:
To pursue our dreams while helping others.
To advance our convictions while respecting others.
To prepare our children for the gift of the American
journey.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. STEVE KING
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I wish to make the following
disclosure in accordance with the new Republican Earmark Transparency
Standards requiring Members to place a statement in the Congressional
Record for a bill that includes earmarks they have requested,
describing how the funds will be spent and justifying the use of
Federal taxpayer funds.
Requesting Member: Congressman Steve King
Bill Number: H.R. 2638, The Consolidated Security, Disaster
Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army.
Project Name: Battlefield Plastic Biodiesel.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Renewable Energy Group and General
Atomics.
Address of Requesting Entity: West Central, 406 First Street,
Ralston, IA 51459. General Atomics, 3550 General Atomics Ct., San
Diego, CA 92121.
Description of Request: $1.6 million is provided in the bill to
continue a 3-year partnership with the U.S. Army to develop a
technology providing a cost effective way to recycle military plastic
waste into a useable biodiesel fuel with enhanced energy yield, for use
in field power generation and other applications. This technology has
the potential to save taxpayers millions per month in military waste
disposal costs, and enhance the viability of increased use of biodiesel
by both the military and civilian sectors to achieve greater energy
independence. The $1.6 million FY09 appropriation is needed to complete
the development phase of this multi-year project and demonstrate the
technology.
____________________
RECOGNIZING THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA
______
HON. JACK KINGSTON
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize five students
in my district that have received national honors from Future Farmers
of America. These young people--Ryan Highsmith, Jordan Culpepper,
Nicholas Worley, Jacob Schindler, and Courtney Curlin--have surpassed
many other students to earn top honors for their work in local Future
Farmers of America. All of these students excelled though challenging
assessments at State and National level against their peers before
being awarded these top accolades.
Ryan Highsmith of Lake Park, Georgia, won first place in the nation
for Specialty Animal Production for his four year work with honey bee
cultivation.
Jordan Culpepper of Lake Park, Georgia, won second place in the
nation for Diversified Agriculture Production. Jordon dutifully worked
with both livestock and crop production in a wide range of operations
for over 5 years.
Nicholas Worley of Valdosta, Georgia, was named National Agriscience
Student of the Year. Using clean wood chips and leftover biomass from
Georgia forests, Nicholas found that a large amount of ethanol can be
produced from these two sources.
Jacob Schindler of Valdosta, Georgia, won second place in the Junior
Individual Botany Division. Jacob's project involved research on the
effects of inert gases on kudzu. Jacob researched the uses of gases on
kudzu, which enabled him to eradicate several large infestations of
kudzu in the Valdosta area.
Courtney Curlin of Valdosta, Georgia won third place in the senior
individual Engineering Division. Courtney designed a filter using urea,
which was able to filter out over fifty percent of particulate
emissions from a tractor exhaust.
Agriculture plays an important role in the Georgia economy and it is
wonderful to see our young people taking an interest in developing our
resources. Their projects not only show their innovative thinking, but
also prove that this generation recognizes the need to get involved. I
am proud to recognize these five students today and wish them the best
of luck in their future endeavors.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER
of louisiana
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, I am submitting the following earmark
declaration:
Requesting Member: Mr. Alexander.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: Air Force.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Barksdale Air Force Base.
Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 625, Shreveport, LA 71162.
Description of Request: Construct a new Security Forces Squadron
Complex at Barksdale Air Force Base. Security forces command and
operations functions are currently housed in a 1930's vintage hangar on
the aircraft parking ramp. The Law Enforcement Desk and associated
offices (including confinement) and storage of mobility equipment/
personal bags are located across the street in one of our historic
facilities. The majority of security operations occur in the Weapons
Storage Area (WSA) which is over four miles by road from the current
facility. The hanger facility is inadequate in functional layout to
accommodate existing requirements. The facility is incompatible with
existing land uses as the facility should house a function supporting
flight line operations. Delays in construction of this facility will
prevent compliance with the base comprehensive plan established land
use policies. Already strained base resources will continue to be spent
on an inadequate and inefficient facility.
Requesting Member: Mr. Alexander.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638.
Account: FEMA State and Local Programs.
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Louisiana State University.
Address of Requesting Entity: 156 Thomas Boyd Hall, Baton Rouge, LA
70803.
Description of Request: Louisiana State University's (LSU) National
Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT), Academy of
Counter-Terrorist Education is a founding member of the Consortium
which consists of LSU, New Mexico Tech, Texas A&M University, U.S.
Department of Energy's Nevada Test Site, University of Hawaii,
Transportation Technology Center, Inc., and the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security's Center for Domestic Preparedness. The National
Domestic Preparedness Consortium shall identify, develop, test, and
deliver training to State, local, and tribal emergency response
providers, provide on-site and mobile training at the performance and
management and planning levels, and facilitate the delivery of training
by the training partners of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The current mission of the Consortium is to enhance the preparedness of
federal, state, local, and tribal emergency responders/first receivers
and teams, including non-governmental organizations and the private
sector, to reduce the Nation's vulnerability to incidents involving
weapons of mass
[[Page 24411]]
destruction, terrorism and all-hazard high-consequence events by
developing, delivering and assessing plans, training, technical
assistance and exercises.
____________________
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. ROB BISHOP
of utah
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speaker, consistent with House Republican
Earmark Standards, I am submitting the following earmark disclosure and
certification information for a Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Request that I made and which was included within the
text and/or report to accompany H.R. 2638, the ``Consolidated Security,
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.'' I
certify that neither I, nor my spouse, have any financial interest in
this request, and certify that, to the best of my knowledge, this
request is (1) not directed to an entity or program named or that will
be named after a sitting Member of Congress; (2) is not intended for a
``front'' or ``pass-through'' entity; and (3) meets or exceeds
statutory requirements for matching funds (where applicable). Please
note that while publication of this disclosure information prior to the
floor vote was intended, such was not possible because House Democratic
Leadership chose to circumvent regular order under the House Rules last
September when the bill was voted upon in the House by waiving the
normal layover period between the time of filing of the report and a
floor vote on the same in order to rush the bill through to a vote with
minimal public scrutiny.
Requesting Member: Rob Bishop (UT-01).
Bill Number: H.R. 263--The Consolidated Security, Disaster
Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.
1. Project: Distributed Environment for Critical Infrastructure--
Decision Making Exercises for Increasing Cyber Security.
Bill Number: H.R. 2638, the ``Consolidated Security, Disaster
Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009.''
Project Amount: $3 million.
Account: Science & Technology; Research, Development, Acquisition,
and Operations.
Requesting Entity: Utah State University Space Research Foundation.
Receiving Entity: The Cyber Conflict Research Consortium (CCRC); an
affiliation of academic and non-profit institutions, including Miami
University, Norwich University Applied Research Institutes, Potomac
Institute for Policy Studies, University of Nevada at Reno, and Utah
State University Space Research Foundation.
Address: CCRC Team Leader, Norwich University, Applied Research
Institutes, 57 Old Freight Yard, P.O. Box 30, Northfield, VT 05663-
0030.
Project Description and Justification: Funding would continue work
begun in FY'08 with the Department of Homeland Security on completing
full-scale development of the Web-distributed Environment for Critical
Infrastructure Decision-making Exercises (DECIDE). This project is the
only high-level governmental program designed to minimize threats and
risks of cyber attacks against the U.S. Government and key economic
sectors which rely on electronic data bases, such as financial markets
and banking institutions. Funding would continue development of core
software components and demonstration to government entities and
private-sector institutions concerned about following a coherent and
coordinated plan to counter the serious and growing cyber-attack
threat.
Matching Funds: Not applicable.
Detailed Spending Plan: Not applicable.
____________________
COMMENDING THE SOUTHERN GUAM LITTLE LEAGUE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN
THE 2008 LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES
______
HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO
of guam
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I join the people of Guam in commending
the Southern Guam Little League, a team comprised of players from the
villages of Agat, Inarajan, Merizo, Naval Station, Santa Rita,
Talofofo, and Umatac who competed in the 62nd Little League Baseball
World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Southern Guam Little
League represented the Asia-Pacific Region.
After a seven to six comeback victory over the European champions
from Italy, Team Guam played two hard-fought games against teams from
Mexico and Curacao. A three run loss to Curacao on August 19, 2008, at
Volunteer Stadium allowed Curacao to advance to the elimination round.
I congratulate the players, parents, and coaches on their winning the
Little League Asia-Pacific Region Championship and their representation
of Guam in the 2008 Little League Baseball World Series in
Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
I would like to commend Dominick San Nicolas and his parents Paul
Paulino and Josephine San Nicolas; Austin Paulino and his parents Jesse
Meno and Debbie Paulino; Brielle Meno and her parents Ben and MaDonna
Meno; Fernando Rabago and his parents Thomas and Tammy Rabago; Mark
Blas and his parents Mark and Lucy Blas; Brian Bunag and his parents
Benjamin and Gina Bunag; Johnny Quenga and his parents Johnny and Lani
Quenga; Parish Reyes and his parents Fred and Ester Reyes; Andrew
Quintanilla and his parents Jesse and Marie Quintanilla; Austin Sablan
and his parents Rocindo Alforque and Mary Sablan; Nicholas Cruz and his
grandparents Felix and MaryJane Cruz; Nicholas Hernandez and parents
Guillermo and Nancy Hernandez; Southern Guam Little League Coaches Paul
Paulino and Johnny DeJesus; Manager William Meeks; President William
Sarmiento; Vice President Donna H. Santiago and Mr. Stephen J.
Guerrero, the District Administrator, Guam Little League for their work
and accomplishments in the 2008 Little League Baseball World Series.
The players, parents, and coaches of the Southern Guam Little League
represented Guam with pride throughout the 2008 Little League Baseball
World Series competition. I commend the parents and coaches for their
hard work and dedication to the players in their road to Williamsport.
Most of all, I join with all the people of Guam and baseball fans
everywhere in commending the Southern Guam Little League players who
inspired us with their skills and their sportsmanship.
Congratulations and thanks for the memories.
____________________
RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SUPERVISOR JOHN F. SILVA IN THE COUNTY
OF SOLANO IN CALIFORNIA
______
HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mrs. TAUSCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise with the support of my
colleague, the Hon. George Miller, in the House of Representatives to
recognize Supervisor John F. Silva, as he retires after 53 years of
public service with the County of Solano.
Supervisor Silva's career with Solano County began as a police
officer in the Benicia in 1956. In 1978, he was appointed Benicia city
manager. Following his time as city manager, he was elected to two
terms as a city councilmember. Supervisor Silva was elected to the
Solano County Board of Supervisors in 1997.
Supervisor Silva's outstanding service in Solano County also includes
several achievements that significantly impacted the quality of life of
the residents of Solano County. As supervisor, he was dedicated to
representing his community and exemplified a strong work ethic. To
address Solano County's escalating crime levels, he pushed hard for the
successful development of a county-wide Gang and Drug Task Force. In
addition, he was involved in the construction of the juvenile hall, the
probation building, an award-winning new county administration center
and parking facility.
One of Supervisor Silva's biggest achievements was his involvement in
the program, Insure All Kids. Through the relentless fundraising
efforts of supporters, the county was recognized by the State of
California for achieving an astounding level of 96 percentile of health
insurance for Solano County children.
The honors and awards Supervisor Silva has earned over the years are
a testament to his hard work and dedication. This year, he has received
the prestigious Circle for Service Award from the California State
Association of Counties, as well as the Solano Transportation
Authority's Outstanding Leadership in Transportation Award.
As Supervisor John Silva retires from his seat on the Solano County
Board of Supervisors, I would like to thank him for his leadership and
dedication to improving the quality of life for the residents of Solano
County. I wish him and his wife Jan the best of luck in their future
endeavors.
[[Page 24412]]
____________________
THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE
______
HON. HENRY CUELLAR
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 15th
Anniversary of South Texas College to congratulate them for enrolling
22,000 students, the highest amount enrolled in South Texas College's
history.
The South Texas College was created by the Texas legislature in 1993
and signed into law by former Governor Ann Richards. They are only one
of three community colleges in Texas accredited to offer bachelors
degrees and the only community college in the state to offer two
Bachelor of Applied Technology Degrees. Their faculty and staff of over
1,500 have been leaders in higher education by not only providing
education to college students, but by providing unique workforce
training programs and the College Express dual enrollment high school
program. Partnered with sixteen school districts in Hidalgo and Starr
Counties, these programs help minority students find a pathway to
higher-paying careers in math and science.
In recent years, South Texas College received the MetLife
Foundation's 2008 Community College Excellence Award for promoting
educational and economic advancement, thirty-one Excellence Awards from
the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development in
2008, and the Government Finance Officers Association of the United
States and Canada's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in
Financial Reporting for 2003 through 2007.
Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize South Texas College for
their record enrollment in 2008, and I thank you for this time.
____________________
IN MEMORY OF MARILYN LACEY McMULLEN
______
HON. IKE SKELTON
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the
House of the death of Mrs. Marilyn McMullen of Mission Hills, Kansas, a
lovely person and dear friend.
Marilyn, whom I affectionately called ``Lace,'' was a proud graduate
of Webster High School, Webster Groves, Missouri. She attended Milliken
College and the University of Missouri, Columbia, where she graduated
in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Education
and where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She established
scholarships at the School of Education in honor of her mother.
Marilyn taught second grade at LaDue Elementary School in St. Louis.
She was a member of the Grace Bibb Society in support of the MU School
of Education and a member of the Friends of the MU Library and MU
Kansas City Alumni Club. She was also a member and a past Director of
the MU Jefferson Club.
At Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral Marilyn had served in the choir and
vestry. She was a long-time member for over 40 years and Director of
the Altar Guild at the Cathedral.
Marilyn was a Cub Scout Den Mother and President of the Boy Scout
Mother's Club. She also served on the Board of Bishop Spencer Place to
whom she was very grateful for the wonderful care provided to her
mother.
Madam Speaker, I know the members of the House will join me in
extending heartfelt condolences to her family: her husband, Larry
McMullen; her two sons and daughters-in-laws, Michael, Andrew, Bonnie
and Yvette; and her grandchildren, Matthew, Hannah, Sarah, Rachel, Abby
and Sophie.
____________________
RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF MRS. PATRICIA M. BOYLE FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
______
HON. TOM DAVIS
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs.
Patricia M. Boyle of the Department of the Navy, who is retiring after
more than 36 years of faithful service to our Nation, culminating in
her service as the Legislation Specialist in the Department of the
Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs.
Mrs. Boyle started her federal service in 1972 with the Office of
Legislative Affairs as a Legislation Assistant. She was responsible for
researching, routing legislation for comment throughout the Department
of the Navy, and for maintaining all working files on current or past
legislation of interest to the Department of the Navy. She worked in
this position until July 1974.
She then worked in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Legal
and Legislative Office, as a Legal Technician. She served in that
position from July 1974 to December 1981. In that position, she helped
coordinate comments on items of legislation and executive orders for
the Chief of Naval Operations staff.
In 1981, Mrs. Boyle returned to the work at the Navy's Office of
Legislative Affairs in Washington, DC, where she has remained since
December 1981.
Mrs. Boyle has provided superb support as the Legislative Specialist
to the Chief of Legislative Affairs within the Office of Legislative
Affairs. This position marks the culmination of 36 years of Federal
service in which she has continued to serve the Department of the
Navy's legislative agenda. She has had a major impact on the
identification of high-interest legislative items and the coordination
of complete and thorough Navy positions to the Office of the Secretary
of Defense, the White House Office of Management and Budget, and
Congress.
Responsible for acting as central coordinator for the Department of
the Navy for more than 300 legislative proposals per year, she has
consistently provided timely and thoroughly vetted Navy positions,
thereby ensuring the Navy's interests were furthered. She monitored the
progress of legislation critical to the Department of the Navy and
communicated the status and any outstanding requirements to ensure that
Navy leadership was fully informed of important legislative
initiatives. Her diligent, thoughtful, and timely coordination ensured
that the Navy's message was effectively communicated to Congress.
In addition, she managed the coordination of all legislative items,
approximately 1,000 per fiscal year, which included House and Senate
Bills, executive agency proposals, testimony and executive orders. She
provided consolidated Navy positions on these legislative items to the
Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Office of Management and
Budget, and Congress, while successfully meeting all deadlines and
suspense dates. Her effective coordination and thorough review
consistently ensured a concise and well thought out Navy message to
Congress.
It is through the commitment and sacrifice of Americans like Patricia
Boyle that our Nation is able to continue upon the path of democracy
and strive for the betterment of mankind. I am proud, Madam Speaker, as
a fellow Virginian, to thank her and her family for her honorable
service to our Nation with the United States Navy. I wish her fair
winds and following seas as she concludes a distinguished career of
public service.
____________________
VETERANS DAY
______
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of
Veterans Day. This national holiday serves as reminder of the enormous
sacrifices that brave men and women have made for the ideals and
beliefs that all Americans value. Veterans Day is also an opportunity
to give thanks to the hundreds of thousands of armed forces personnel
serving our country to protect our Nation and to secure the peace
around the world.
To mark this special holiday, I had the honor of attending both a
ceremony for Mexican American Post 5, where I learned of the hardships
faced by American soldiers of Mexican descent, and the Minnesota State
Veterans Day program to pay tribute to the men and women serving our
country in uniform. This year, I also had the privilege of visiting our
troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan to witness the tremendous sacrifice
they and their families make each day.
On the battlefield, the U.S. Armed Forces pledge to leave no soldier
behind. As a nation, it must be our promise that when they return home,
we leave no veteran behind. Fully preparing our troops, and providing
the necessary healthcare, education, and disability benefits to meet
the needs of our veterans, is our responsibility and moral obligation.
The 110th Congress has honored our commitment to veterans by making
their needs a priority. This Congress passed the largest funding
increase in the history of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which
ensures that our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive
the quality health and mental
[[Page 24413]]
health care they deserve. This year, we have also provided tax relief
for military families, increased pay for members of our armed services,
established a suicide prevention program, improved housing assistances
for homeless veterans, and helped military families avoid home
foreclosure. Lastly, this Democratic led Congress passed a GI bill for
the 21st century that fully restores four-year college scholarships for
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, on a par with the educational benefits
after World War II.
The men and women of the armed forces who have served this country
with honor during times of war and peace deserve the best this country
can afford. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress
and President Obama to ensure veterans receive the highest level of
care and compensation they have so bravely earned serving this country.
This is a commitment to which I hold fast on Veterans Day and everyday.
To all veterans, you have my thanks and that of a grateful nation.
____________________
IN HONOR OF THE SERVICE OF NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS CHAIRMAN
DANA GIOIA
______
HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and laud Dana
Gioia's service as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Since 2003 when he began his service, Chairman Gioia has played a vital
role in advancing America's cultural vitality and economic prosperity
by promoting and expanding access to the arts. As a co-Chair of the
Congressional Arts Caucus, I am grateful for Chairman Gioia's efforts
and look forward to his future contributions to the arts in America
after he leaves the NEA in January 2009.
Chairman Gioia has launched a handful of national initiatives that
have spread the reach of the NEA across the country and expanded arts
education in schools and communities. One favorite program of mine, The
Big Read, provides citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a
single book within their communities. The initiative includes
innovative reading programs in selected cities and towns, comprehensive
resources for discussing classic literature, an ambitious national
publicity campaign, and an extensive Web site providing comprehensive
information on authors and their works. The NEA inaugurated The Big
Read as a pilot project in 2006 with ten communities featuring four
books. The Big Read continues to expand to include more communities and
additional books. By 2009, approximately 400 communities in the U.S.
will have hosted a Big Read since the program's 2007 national launch.
Chairman Gioia has democratized the arts. Last year, the NEA awarded
over twenty-two hundred grants totaling over $100 million in 435
congressional districts. The National Endowment for the Arts is the
largest national source of arts funding in the United States and
supports local arts programs in every congressional district across the
country. While the NEA's budget represents less than one percent of
total arts philanthropy in the United States, Chairman Gioia has
successfully leveraged NEA grants to have a powerful multiplying
effect, with each grant dollar typically generating seven to eight
times more money in matching grants.
Chairman Gioia is a Renaissance Man. As an artist himself, he
recognizes that the arts are more than just a cultural or emotional
enterprise. With his background in business, he knows that the arts
have immense financial and social impact. Creativity, innovation, and
imagination fuel today's global economy, and America's artists are a
large source of that investment. Chairman Gioia led the NEA with this
always in mind. When Chairman Gioia visited my congressional district,
he brought not only great enthusiasm and energy to all of the arts
organizations he toured, but imparted valuable guidance and advice to
these organizations on how to increase their membership, spur local
investment in the arts, and expand their presence in the community.
As a blues singer myself, I can empathize with Chairman Gioia's
decision to return to his artistic craft. But despite his departure
from the NEA, Chairman Gioia will continue to enrich the arts
community. Art transcends barriers of language, time, and generation,
translating cultural differences, breathing life into history, and
bridging experiences across cultures. Chairman Gioia's exceptional
writing and poetry no doubt enrich the lives of all Americans. Chairman
Gioia will leave big shoes to fill, but I am confident that his
leadership has trickled down in the NEA over the years. The NEA will
continue to drive excellence in the arts with his spirit always in
mind.
____________________
THE BUSINESS CLIMATE IN RUSSIA AND THE STATES OF THE FORMER SOVIET
UNION
______
HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, after the summer recess, the
Helsinki Commission, which I chair, was preparing to conduct a hearing
on United States and Western businesses at risk entering markets in
Russia and the former Soviet Republics without the protections
guaranteed by the rule of law and government adherence to market
principles. The hearing had to be postponed due to the invasion of
Georgia, but it is our intention to take up this issue in the next
Congress.
The Helsinki Commission, and the OSCE, is fully committed to the
development of democracy, civil society, the rule of law and free
markets in the Russia Federation and in other states of the former
Soviet Union. We trust that Russian President Medvedev shares that
commitment when he proclaims that ``my most important task is to
further develop civil and economic freedoms.''
Yet we see evidence that Russian authorities continue to selectively
prosecute and harass human rights advocates, prominent business leaders
and journalists by employing arbitrary and extralegal means to achieve
state and political ends. This is often accomplished through a
manipulated court system, thus denying its citizens and foreign
investors the impartial application of the rule of law and equal
justice.
In June, 1992, the United States and Russia negotiated and signed the
Bilateral Investment Treaty, which grants investors the protections and
safeguards necessary to conduct business in a fair and transparent
environment. Unfortunately, Russia has failed to ratify this important
measure that would ultimately serve the economic interests of both our
nations.
Along the same lines, it is regrettable that Russia refuses to ratify
the Energy Charter Treaty. This measure insures the rights and
protections of private and public sector interests against a government
taking arbitrary action that would disrupt or threaten global energy
security. The thousands of United States investors who became
shareholders in the Russian oil company, YUKOS, lost everything when
the Russian government seized the company's assets.
Finally, Russia has not honored its pledge to amend its federal laws
to guarantee protections of intellectual property rights and enforcing
such laws consistent with international standards. I would note the
frequent Western media reports on cases where Russian authorities have
seized the assets of certain companies, many with foreign investors,
utilizing executive decrees, court orders, and extradition requests to
assume ownership or control over Russian enterprises. Some foreign
investors have been compelled to surrender their equity shares in
Russian companies without proper due process and compensation only to
have Western courts, in a series of cases, issue rulings in favor of
such companies.
Madam Speaker, we appreciate that our economy is truly global and
American and Western investments are essential in Russia and throughout
Eurasia, given their abundant natural resources, and urge that all
countries can mutually commit to an economic relationship that is based
on mutual trust, the rule of law and market forces that are free of
arbitrary or capricious government activity.
____________________
RAISING CAIN
______
HON. STEVE KAGEN
of wisconsin
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. KAGEN. Madam Speaker, this poem was written by Albert Carey
Caswell, a member of the Capitol Guide Service in honor of SSG Michael
Cain of Berlin, WI.
Staff Sergeant Cain is a disabled veteran currently undergoing
treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I met Staff Sergeant Cain
at Walter Reed on November 18, 2008, while visiting another wounded
soldier. I am proud and happy to submit this poem, written in his
honor.
Raising Cain
A young man lies face down . . .
Right between life and death, as found . . .
[[Page 24414]]
Clinging to life, as now . . . with one leg
lost . . .
When, we hear a sound . . .
For it's his heart, as we watch what is lost, as now is found
. . .
Which will not let him go, which will not let him down . . .
As all inside of his fine soul, is so is now . . .
As he raises his head up high, Raising
Cain . . .
As he brings such tears to eyes . . . as he astounds!
What will we raise in these our days?
To what heights and mountains, will we so climb?
All in our lives and times . . .
All in what we've so lost, and gained . . .
All in that great heartache and pain, has made . . .
To lie face down . . . upon battlefields of honor . . .
As Michael you were bound . . .
While, all in the midst of hell . . . as the dark evil lie
all around . . .
As your fine heart so chose, so chose to swell . . . swell
somehow . . ..
To cheat death, with what you have so
left . . .
All in uniform, so brilliant now . . .
When right there, on that edge of death . . .
As you so looked down . . .
To see what you had so left . . .
As your once strong leg was gone . . .
As your life so hung in the balance now . . .
As you were the one who so raised his
head . . .
Whose fine heart so began to pound!
Raising Cain . . .
His Daddy raised a Hero, his Momma did the same . . .
All in their hearts of love, which now so remains!
A Wisconsin Man . . .
Who love's his Packers . . .
County music, and his Momma understand!
There's a lot of Brett in this man . . .
And there's a lot more of Michael, in Brett which stands . .
.
As a winner . . .
And a simple man . . .
Who wears his heart on his sleeve, time and again . . .
With a heart of courage full . . .
This American Jewel . . .
Beating proud, for that old red white and blue . . .
And most of all, he's a family man . . .
As we watch, and see . . .
All that a heart can be . . .
As he fight's the good fight . . .
As Michael's Raising Cain . . .
Building where not lies left . . .
As our world he'll bless . . .
To come back from the dead . . .
Back from that dark abyss, abyss of
death . . .
To go off to war . . .
As one fine fighting machine sure . . .
As an Army man . . .
Who to courage ran . . .
All in what he gave up . . .
All in what he must endure . . .
And if I ever raise a son . . .
I but hope and pray . . .
That he could but be, like this fine one . . .
The kind who will teach us, who will reach us . . .
Who to hearts will all so beseech us . . .
All in how life is won . . .
As Michael Cain, was raised this one . . .
In honor of Michael Cain on your 27th birthday . . . your
friend Bert--Albert Carey Caswell
2008
____________________
RECOGNIZING FIRE SERVICE SPECIALIST RODERICK R. MENO, GUAM'S 2008
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR
______
HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO
of guam
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize, congratulate
and commend Fire Service Specialist Roderick R. Meno on being named
Guam's Firefighter of the Year for 2008.
Roderick, a native son of southern Guam, grew up in a family of
outstanding firefighters: his father, retired Deputy Fire Chief Frank
C. Meno; his brothers, Fire Specialist Frank R. Meno, Fire Captain Kurt
R. Meno, Fire Fighter II Brian R. Meno; and nephew Fire Fighter I
Joshua R. Meno. This exposure, from his early youth, to a family of
dedicated public servants imbued in Roderick an instinctive desire to
serve the public, and protect life and property as his father and
siblings did before him.
Roderick's upbringing in the closely knit village of Inarajan also
inculcated in him the spirit of community and volunteerism. From his
father, a recognized Chamorro master builder, he learned skills as a
general overall handyman, a skill he unhesitatingly used to assist his
fire precinct in the operations and maintenance of its fire station. He
used these skills to perform renovations of the station control room,
improving working conditions for his fellow firefighters. His skills as
a carpenter and do-it-yourselfer enabled him to perform modifications
to the sleeping quarters of his fellow firefighters, rendering those
quarters more comfortable and organized. When he saw a need and he knew
he had the skills to accomplish the work, he did not hesitate.
And just as his spirit of volunteerism motivated him to apply his
skills to work he could perform, Roderick did not hesitate to use his
own resources to accomplish these tasks. Roderick would begin projects
knowing that financial support from the government may not be
available. He used his own tools and when he needed materials and
parts, rather than waiting for the cumbersome government procurement
process, he used his own finances to purchase parts and materials.
And Roderick did all of this, ever mindful of, and never neglecting,
his duties and responsibilities as a firefighter. As his father and
brothers before him, Roderick Meno was always ready to serve and
protect. For these attributes that have characterized our Nation's
outstanding firefighters, Roderick Meno joins his father and brothers,
and America's firefighters whose dedication to purpose and spirit of
community make them outstanding role models for all citizens in all
roles of life. Fire Service Specialist Meno, thank you very much.
____________________
TRIBUTE TO MARTHA FRANCO
______
HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, in my years of public service, I have
benefitted from the efforts of many capable employees on my staff who
have come and gone. Yet there has always remained one constant in my
office, Martha Franco, and for that I am truly grateful.
Martha was born in Mexico and grew up in Colusa, California. As a
naturalized citizen, she is a model example of someone who made the
efforts required to become a U.S. citizen and has gone on to contribute
to our country through public service.
Martha first came to work for me in 1984 when I served in the
California State Senate. When I was elected to Congress in 1990, Martha
became my Executive Assistant and Office Manager. She has worked for me
in Washington and in California, and this year I named her as my Deputy
Chief of Staff.
Martha's loyal presence has meant so much to my wife, Julie, to me,
and to our entire organization. The people who call upon our office
have appreciated seeing a familiar face through the years, and I have
appreciated having someone who knows the many people who have been
important to us throughout my career. Martha's unsurpassed character
and dedication have allowed me to trust her with confidential and
sensitive materials and to do so with great confidence.
Martha's spirit is demonstrated by her commitment to family as well.
She cares for her father at home and is a wonderful aunt to her many
nieces and nephews. I know she is looking forward to spending even more
time with her large family as she begins a new chapter in her life.
While our work together will soon end, Martha will always remain an
important person in our lives. As she looks to new opportunities, I
wish Martha all the best, and look forward to her continued friendship
in the years to come.
____________________
THE LOSS OF LES HIRSCH
______
HON. KATHY CASTOR
of florida
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the death of Les
Hirsch. Mr. Hirsch made an indelible mark on my community in Tampa Bay.
Over the 50 year period that Mr. Hirsch lived in Tampa, he took on a
few different roles. In 1960 he became a stockbroker. Many of the
brokers still practicing in my community got their start when Mr.
Hirsch hired them. Former employees describe him as ``upbeat, with a
very sharp mind'' and ``a mentor, inspiration and a role model.'' And
through his love of politics, he inspired one of them to seek public
office. Mr. Hirsch helped on his successful campaign for City Council
in 1991.
In the late 1970s, Mr. Hirsch was appointed to the Tampa Port
Authority and then to the
[[Page 24415]]
Tampa Sports Authority. When Tampa hosted its first Super Bowl in 1984,
Mr. Hirsch contributed to the effort to secure our city as the
location. As we ready our city to welcome Super Bowl fans again this
season, I regret that we won't have his expertise this time around.
Madam Speaker, Mr. Hirsch's death on October 31st marked a great loss
to his wife Gail, his sons, Rabbi David Hirsch and his wife, Margot,
and Andrew Hirsch and his wife, Tricia, his daughter, Beth Hirsch, and
his six grandchildren, as well as the entire Tampa Bay area.
____________________
A TRIBUTE TO THE EXEMPLARY HISTORY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE TOWN OF
KILLINGLY, CONNECTICUT
______
HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the exemplary history of
public education in the town of Killingly, Connecticut.
This year, the town of Killingly celebrates the 300th anniversary
since its incorporation in 1708. Equally inspiring, it celebrates the
150th anniversary of its public education system. The development of
public education in Killingly has been a microcosm of the region, the
state of Connecticut, and country as a whole--it is a model of
progress.
From a time when providing free education to the public was a
visionary innovation to a time when teacher shortages plagued the
country when teachers were drafted to serve in World War II,
Killingly's education system persevered and thrived.
The mission outlined by the town of Killingly for its school system
includes as a high priority fostering citizenship in our Nation's next
generation. Moreover, Killingly's contribution to citizenship is not
confined to the classroom. I was proud to see pictures of the high
school marching band in a Veterans' Day parade. Killingly's commitment
to community and progress is certain to continue to energize its
education system for another 150 years.
I am pleased to see Killingly's strong commitment to education,
evolving over many generations. I know Connecticut will continue to
benefit from Killingly's progress for generations to come.
____________________
RECOGNITION AND THANKS TO MICHAEL J. CRONIN
______
HON. JOHN B. LARSON
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. LARSON. Madam Speaker, I rise to thank Michael Cronin for his
three years of dedicated service to the House as Office Director of the
Office of the Historian. Michael first came to the House in 1986 as an
intern and then upon graduation from college, joined the office of
former Rep. Timothy J. Penny of Minnesota. He left Capitol Hill in 1990
but returned in 2005 to serve as Office Director for the reestablished
Office of the Historian, under the direction of Dr. Robert Remini and
Dr. Fred Beuttler. This month, Michael will continue his service to the
People's House as the Administrative Director of the Office of the
Inspector General.
Madam Speaker, we, as Members, are indeed fortunate to have the
services of talented individuals like Michael Cronin. I know I join the
Historian of the House, Dr. Robert V. Remini, and the staff of the
Office of the Historian in wishing him my best as he begins this new
position.
____________________
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF KENNETH T. JONES, JR.
______
HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO
of guam
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join the people of Guam
in mourning the death of a great son of America and community leader in
the Pacific where, for the last sixty three years, he lived, worked and
built a business empire. Born in the small town of Willow Springs,
North Carolina, on November 22, 1917, Kenneth T. Jones, Jr. will be
remembered for his contributions to our community.
``Ken'', as he was fondly known to his family, friends and
associates, was the consummate business adventurer, always searching
for new opportunities and always willing to venture into new endeavors
where he sensed success was certain. That business sense convinced him
that prospects would arise on Guam, a small Pacific island he
temporarily visited as a Navy Chief Petty Officer with the 25th Seabees
during World War II. Hearing the slogan, ``Guam, Crossroads of the
Pacific'', Ken instinctively saw great future potentials for those who
were willing to work hard and had the spirit to succeed.
Ken befriended Segundo ``Sy'' Leon Guerrero, a young Guamanian he met
during his short stay on the island. Ken and Sy had many discussions
about the future and planned for Ken's return to Guam when they would
become business partners. But even while he was waiting for the
opportunity to return to the island, Ken would purchase small items to
send to Sy who sold them from his small Quonset hut in Sinajana, which
would eventually become the first Town House Department Store under the
partnership called Jones and Guerrero Company Incorporated, immediately
coined ``J & G'' throughout the Pacific.
Under the Chairmanship of Ken Jones, J & G rapidly expanded into
several areas where Ken felt there was a need on island. After Town
House and upon his return to Guam in 1946, J & G Repair Shop opened, a
natural fit for Jones who was an automotive mechanic in the Seabees.
Other businesses quickly followed: from companies which supplied
construction materials, built modular homes and a residential
subdivision (Jonestown) to the bottling of soft drinks (Pepsi Cola
Bottling Co.) and J & G Payless Supermarkets. To supply his many
companies, Ken established Pacific Navigation Company, agents for ocean
going freight liners calling ports in Australia, Asia, the Philippines,
China and other islands in Micronesia.
Ken's business acumen motivated him to build Cliff Properties
Development, one of the island's first hotels; and the Guam Hilton
Hotel, Guam's first major chain hotel. Ken Jones' business interests
and ventures were not confined to Guam. Ken built and operated the
Royal Taga Hotel, the first hotel in Saipan, CNMI, as well as the Bar K
cattle ranch in Tinian, CNMI. He operated thoroughbred race horse
ranches and stables in Australia and the bluegrass country of Kentucky.
He also built and operated a considerable shopping mall in his home
state of North Carolina. Ken Jones' success as a businessman created
within him a sense of philanthropy to which he devoted much personal
time, effort, energy and considerable financial resources. These
include leadership roles and membership in such organizations as the
American Red Cross; the American Cancer Society; the Guam Chapters of
the American Boy and Girl Scouts; the Guam Vocational Rehabilitation
Workshop; the Boards and Trustees of several private schools, including
St. John's Episcopal School, the Academy of Our Lady of Guam; the Guam
Lytico-Bodig Association; the Make-a-Wish Foundation; and the American
Heart and Lung Association.
Ken's efforts and successes as a premier businessman have always been
recognized by the people of Guam and the entire business community of
the Pacific Basin. This recognition culminated in his induction into
the Guam Business Hall of Fame on May 2, 1992. In 1994 he was named
Guam Business News' Executive of the Year.
Kenneth T. Jones, Jr., was a respected businessman on Guam, much
loved by the people of Guam and our entire community. We recognize him
for his many achievements and we commend him for his contributions to
our community. Our community mourns his passing and we extend our
condolences to his family and friends. Ken leaves behind his wife,
Elaine Cruz Jones and five daughters, Vivian, Linda, Veronica, Donna
and Ramona.
____________________
IN MEMORIAL OF PENNSYLVANIA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CATHERINE BAKER KNOLL
______
HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, on November 12, 2008, Pennsylvania
Lieutenant Governor and former State Treasurer Catherine Baker Knoll, a
dedicated mother, political pioneer and tenacious public servant, lost
her battle with cancer while surrounded by loved ones.
Knoll, 78, is survived by her four children, Albert, Charles, Mina
and Kim Eric. Her late husband Charles was a U.S. Postmaster.
Knoll was born one of nine children in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania,
near Pittsburgh. She was a schoolteacher, a businesswoman,
[[Page 24416]]
and an innovative State Treasurer from 1989 to 1997. In that post, she
created the Tuition Assistance Program, which opened doors for
thousands of Pennsylvania's youth to attend college.
The self-described ``steel woman from the steel city,'' Knoll became
the first woman Lieutenant Governor in Pennsylvania in 2003 and was
well-known for her persistence, initiative, and unflinching commitment
to the public good. Her affection for all the people of Pennsylvania
and unstoppable desire to knock down barriers for women and minorities
were obvious to all who witnessed her energetic and caring demeanor. On
the day she was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor, she compared
Pennsylvania to a 10-speed bicycle, saying, ``We have gears we haven't
even tried yet.''
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell called her one of the ``strongest,
most dedicated public servants in Pennsylvania's history,'' adding that
``Her passing is a tremendous loss for the many people whose lives she
touched.''
I ask that the House of Representatives extend its condolences to
Catherine's family and friends, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
which feels the loss of a true public servant.
____________________
HONORING ``THE LEAF-CHRONICLE'' FOR ITS 200 YEARS OF SERVICE TO MIDDLE
TENNESSEE
______
HON. JOHN S. TANNER
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long history
of ``The Leaf-Chronicle'' newspaper in Clarksville, Tennessee, which is
now in its 200th year of serving Clarksville, Montgomery County and
Middle Tennessee.
``The Leaf-Chronicle'' was officially formed in 1890 by a merger
between two local journals, ``The Tobacco Leaf'' and ``The Chronicle,''
which dated back to 1808. For two centuries, the people in our
community have been well-served by a quality daily newspaper that
fairly and thoroughly covers the stories so important to our families
and businesses. Twenty-two men and women have had the honor of serving
as Publisher of the Clarksville newspaper, including the current
publisher, Andrew Oppman, and his immediate predecessor, my friend Gene
Washer, who served 17 years as Publisher until his retirement earlier
this year.
We are particularly proud of the newspaper's coverage of Fort
Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division, which are an integral part of
our community in Montgomery and Stewart counties and the surrounding
area. The journalists of ``The Leaf-Chronicle'' show their support
through extensive coverage of our military families and others in the
community whose support of our men and women in uniform is unwavering.
``The Leaf-Chronicle'' has always been known for its strong opinions
page, where it has boldly editorialized on local, state, national and
international issues. In fact, because of the reputation of the
newspaper's powerful editorial page, all operations were suspended
between 1862 and 1865 when Union troops occupied Clarksville during the
Civil War.
Publication was also threatened in the early morning hours of January
22, 1999, when a tornado ripped through downtown Clarksville, leaving
behind it a path of destruction, including severe damage to the offices
of ``The Leaf-Chronicle.'' The staff, however, determined to publish a
newspaper to cover such an important story, gathered at Mr. Washer's
home. The next day, subscribers still received the paper on their
doorsteps, this time with eight pages of in-depth coverage and
photographs of the storm and its impact on Montgomery County.
Following the storm and until completion of its current, state-of-
the-art facilities, the newspaper staff was temporarily based in an
empty supermarket that featured a sign reading ``Foodland--Fresh,''
which was poignantly changed to read ``The Leaf-Chronicle--Fresh
Daily.''
As we reflect on the long service of ``The Leaf-Chronicle'' to its
readers, it is important to think of all the historic moments that have
happened in the last two centuries in Tennessee, across this country
and throughout the world. Middle Tennesseans have had ``The Leaf-
Chronicle'' to report daily on those historic events, provide
insightful analysis and help record history as it happens.
Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in recognizing
the long history of ``The Leaf-Chronicle,'' expressing gratitude for
its service to our community and wishing its staff all the best as the
newspaper enters its third century of quality journalism.
____________________
IN HONOR OF COUNTY MANAGER JOHN MALTBIE
______
HON. JACKIE SPEIER
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, soon San Mateo County will lose its
premier administrator when County Manager John Maltbie retires after
two decades at the helm.
John has served the county ably since taking office in 1989. He has
shown, time and again, how thoughtful, steady leadership can make all
the difference in the quality of service a county offers to its
residents. John oversees a government operation employing more than
4,800 people, who serve a growing and diverse population nearing three
quarters of a million residents.
Under John's leadership, San Mateo County was the first County in the
State to develop school-based children and family services, a MediCal-
managed care system for medical and mental health patients and a work-
first model for welfare reform.
A strong proponent of collaborating with his peers in and outside of
government, John continued San Mateo County's long history of forming
and continuing mutually beneficial partnerships with other local
governments, businesses and organizations. Some of these partnerships
are the City/County Association of Governments; Peninsula Partnership
for Children, Youth and Families; San Mateo County Telecommunications
Authority and the Library Joint Powers Authority. John has also worked
closely with local cities to develop a nationally recognized model for
county-wide emergency medical services.
Madam Speaker, during John Maltbie's tenure, the county has seen the
completion of a state-of-the-art, 225-bed San Mateo County Health
Center. He has also overseen the building of a new main jail,
administrative office building, parking garage, three medical clinics,
three social services district offices and a new County Court facility.
John's service in Public Administration began in 1972. Prior to San
Mateo County, he served in multiple roles in Santa Clara County and was
City Manager for both Milpitas, California and Glendale, Arizona.
John holds a Masters of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Political Science, with an emphasis in Public Administration, from San
Jose State University. He has taught at several colleges and
universities, including Arizona State University, College of Notre Dame
and San Jose State University.
A true public servant, John passed his community commitment on to his
children, Jeff and Jayme, who have both worked in public service. They
will no doubt enjoy more of their father's time, but Madam Speaker, the
real benefactors of John's retirement will be his lucky grandchildren:
Ella, Emma and Zoe. Please join me in wishing John Maltbie a long and
joy-filled retirement.
____________________
PAYING SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO AN HIV/AIDS ACTIVIST
______
HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Debra Fraser-
Howze, a constituent and HIV/AIDS activist, for her many years' of
dedication and hard work to find ways to test, educate, and treat those
that have HIV/AIDS.
The November 11, 2008, CARIB News article, ``Debra Fraser-Howze:
Making a Difference,'' points out her more than 20 years' commitment to
helping the fight against HIV/AIDS in New York where she resides,
across America, and around the world. Since the President's Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, passed, which will allocate $48 billion
in Federal money towards fighting this epidemic in Africa, she is now
pushing to have some of the money go towards battling HIV/AIDS in the
Caribbean. There are 14 Caribbean nations that could get some of the
money, including Jamaica where her mother is from. This is a great
initiative that Debra Fraser-Howze has made. With her leadership, I am
confident that she will be able to get funds from PEPFAR to go towards
fighting this epidemic in the Caribbean.
Again, I commend Debra Fraser-Howze for her determination to find
cures, provide funding and to educate people about HIV/AIDS around the
world.
[[Page 24417]]
[From CaribWoman, Nov. 11, 2008]
Debra Fraser-Howze: Making a Difference
(By Causewell Vaughan)
There's growing optimism for fighting AIDS in the Caribbean
region as billions of dollars become available to fund
programs aimed at preventing and containing the disease.
With $48 billion in federal money being set aside to battle
the disease in Africa, the Caribbean is actively seeking to
qualify for a share.
The funds will be allocated through a U.S. foreign aid
program known as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS
Relief (PEPFAR). It is the largest commitment in history by
any nation to fight a single disease.
``It's going to open doors to a new stream of funding where
those doors were not open before,'' said Debra Fraser-Howze,
a long-time HIV/AIDS advocate.
``The Caribbean will have the same positioning as some of
those African nations with whom they share a similar AIDS
situation.''
Fraser-Howze has been helping to lead the fight against
HIV/AIDS for more than two decades. She founded the National
Black Leadership Commission on AIDS in 1987 and subsequently
advised two presidents while she served on the Presidential
Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.
In 2003 she was appointed to the New York City Commission
on AIDS and last year to the New York State Governors
Advisory Council.
Fraser-Howze is now vice president of External and
Government Affairs for OraSure Technologies, a medical
diagnostics company. While her responsibilities with the
company focus on domestic matters, she remains an active
advocate for anti-AIDS funding for the Caribbean.
``It's a personal issue with me,'' Fraser-Howze said,
``because I know the numbers, and I see the rising rate of
infection.''
That's why she's resolute about the funding, especially
since the Caribbean did not receive any of the initial PEPFAR
money, which became available in 2003. ``The Caribbean
islands to which Americans travel all the time need to get
the same focus as Africa,'' she said.
There are 14 Caribbean nations that could get some of the
new money. They are Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas,
Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada,
Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, St. Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Any
PEPFAR money they receive will be for AIDS testing,
prevention, treatment and care.
Fraser-Howze is quick to credit U.S. Rep. Donna
Christiansen of the U.S. Virgin Islands for taking the lead
in getting those nations included in the PEPFAR funding.
``I've known her for more than 25 years, and I've worked with
her and her staff on this issue. We understand that it is
imperative that the Caribbean have a robust testing
initiative,'' Fraser-Howze said.
But, she added, even with funding the battle against AIDS
is truly difficult in the Caribbean because the region's
culture is almost an ally of the disease. Fraser-Howze's
mother is from Jamaica so she has knowledge of the cultural
barriers to AIDS testing.
``Sex and drugs are very taboo topics in the Caribbean, and
there is a lot of homophobia because the disease is very much
focused on gay men,'' she said. ``That is why the key to
testing in the Caribbean is to have those barriers broken
down by the community itself.
``I've seen government send in different people and
different groups who are not culturally competent. The best
approach is for Caribbean nations to develop their own plan.
We want them to craft their own proposals to PEPFAR.''
Fraser-Howze cited Barbados as already having ``a major
HIV/AIDS initiative.''
She said she's ``extremely optimistic'' the Caribbean will
get PEPFAR money and, she added, ``I'm humbled at playing
some small role in opening up this opportunity.''
____________________
HONORING REP. JIM McCRERY
______
HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the service of my colleague
Jim McCrery of Louisiana who is retiring after over 20 years as Member
of the U.S. House of Representatives. Jim and I have also served
together on the Committee on Ways and Means for 16 years.
Though we are from opposite sides of the aisle--and we frequently
take opposite perspectives on issues--he is a colleague I admire
greatly and a friend I will miss.
One of the many downsides to the increased partisanship in Congress
is that many Members do not take the time to develop personal
relationships across the aisle. Jim has never adhered to that
philosophy. Maybe that's because he started in Congress on the staff of
a Democratic Member of Congress. But I believe it's because Jim values
the array of opinions to be had in Congress and is willing to look at
the data and listen to others' thoughts before he makes up his mind--
not necessarily always toeing a straight party line.
As the Ranking Member on the Committee on Ways and Means during this
session of Congress, Jim and our Chairman Charlie Rangel restored
civility and respect to the proceedings of our Committee--something
that didn't exist under the leadership of the previous Chairman.
For Jim, the title ``Honorable'' is truly representative of him. He's
served his constituents and this country well. His leadership and
service will be missed. I wish Jim and his family all the best.
____________________
HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF DOLORES HUERTA
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the
distinguished public service of community organizer Dolores Huerta. She
has been selected as this year's honoree from the Center for Kern
Political Education. For more than half a century, Dolores has devoted
her life's work to ensuring economic justice for farm workers and their
families as well as securing rights for women.
Dolores was born on April 10, 1930, in the small mining town of
Dawson situated in northern New Mexico. She spent much of her childhood
and young adult years in Stockton, graduating from Stockton High
School. Dolores continued her studies at University of Pacific's Delta
College where she received a provisional teaching credential. Soon
after, she began a career in teaching where Dolores became acutely
aware of the pressing need to address economic injustice.
During her post in leadership with the Stockton Community Service
Organization (CSO), Dolores became christened as an organizer. In 1955,
she encountered CSO Executive Director Cesar E. Chavez who shared in
her vision of organizing farm workers, distinctively separate from the
CSO mission. Thereafter, in 1962, Dolores and Cesar launched the
National Farm Workers Association. In 1963, Dolores' lobbying and
negotiating skills prevailed in securing Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (AFDC) and disability insurance for California farm workers.
The Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 was also enacted with her
efforts.
Dolores wielded her powerful voice as the United Farm Worker's
spokesperson to gain political power for farm workers. She helped in
the election of many candidates: Robert F. Kennedy, President Clinton,
Congressman Ron Dellums, Governor Jerry Brown, Congresswoman Hilda
Solis, and, most recently, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Currently,
Dolores acts as President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation which
principally serves to protect, organize and educate working poor
immigrants.
In her honor, 5 elementary schools and a high school are named in
recognition of Dolores Huerta. Among the countless prestigious awards
received include the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award from
President Clinton in 1998, Creative Citizenship Labor Leader Award from
Puffin Foundation in 1984, Kern County's Woman of the Year by
California State legislature, and the 100 Most Important Women of the
20th Century by Ladies Home Journal. Nine honorary doctorates from
universities throughout the U.S. have also been granted.
Throughout her life, Dolores Huerta has proven to be a highly
effective community leader whose commitment to justice and public
service has proven beneficial for farm workers, working families and
women throughout the nation. At the age of 78, Dolores' relentless work
continues. We thank her for her noble service and wish her continued
success for the future.
____________________
IN HONOR OF DR. CARL KOHRT
______
HON. DEBORAH PRYCE
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ms. PRYCE. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of Ohio, I want
to recognize the accomplishments of Dr. Carl Kohrt, as he retires as
president and chief executive officer of Battelle Memorial Institute.
Carl assumed the leadership of Battelle in 2001 after a long career
at Kodak. He immediately put his experience from the private
[[Page 24418]]
sector into practice at the world's largest non-profit independent
research and development organization. Over the past eight years,
Battelle has grown substantially in business volume and impact.
Battelle has won competitions to manage and operate research and
development laboratories for the Department of Energy, the Department
of Homeland Security, and international organizations.
Battelle has also been selected for many projects in support of
various national and homeland security programs. In fact, within a few
weeks of Carl's arrival at Battelle in the summer of 2001, he was able
to marshal Battelle's suite of capabilities to help the United States
respond to the impact of the
9/11 attacks. Battelle was later asked by the White House to provide
staff to help with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
Carl Kohrt has also enhanced Battelle's corporate role in the City of
Columbus and the State of Ohio. He developed a strategic partnership
with The Ohio State University. Battelle has supported many civic
enterprises on behalf of the State of Ohio, the City of Columbus,
Franklin County, and other organizations, such as COSI.
The son of schoolteachers, Dr. Kohrt, has left a major imprint on
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in Ohio
through the Metro School, which is a partnership with The Ohio State
University and the school districts of Franklin County. Battelle has
also joined with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as
other educational entities in the State of Ohio, to develop additional
schools with a focus on STEM education throughout Ohio. Carl's
indelible imprint on Ohio will be a signature effort on behalf of STEM
education.
The way to judge one's impact on an organization or community is to
measure one's personal and corporate accomplishments. Through this
lens, it is easy to conclude that Carl has been an outstanding leader
for Battelle as an organization and an outstanding leader in the
Columbus metropolitan area. Carl has made a significant difference, and
we extend to him and his family best wishes and good health in his
retirement.
____________________