Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 110 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 110 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 154 WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2008 No. 123 House of Representatives The House was not in session today. Its next meeting will be held on Monday, July 28, 2008, at 11 a.m. Senate FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2008

The Senate met at 9:15 a.m. and was to the Senate from the President pro Reid motion to commit the bill to the called to order by the Honorable SHEL- tempore (Mr. BYRD). Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and DON WHITEHOUSE, a Senator from the The assistant legislative clerk read Forestry with instructions to report back State of Rhode Island. the following letter: forthwith, with Reid amendment No. 5100, to establish the effective date. U.S. SENATE, Reid amendment No. 5101 (to the instruc- PRAYER PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, tions of the motion to commit), to change The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- Washington, DC, July 25, 2008. the enactment date. fered the following prayer: To the Senate: Reid amendment No. 5102 (to amendment Let us pray. Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, No. 5101), to change the enactment date. Our Father in heaven, in the midst of of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby CLOTURE MOTION appoint the Honorable SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- challenges, give our Senators a vision a Senator from the State of Rhode Island, to of a land of freedom and justice. Re- perform the duties of the Chair. pore. Under the previous order, pursu- mind them that no nation can be truly ROBERT C. BYRD, ant to rule XXII, the clerk will report great without righteousness and that President pro tempore. the motion to invoke cloture. The assistant legislative clerk read You possess the power to heal our land. Mr. WHITEHOUSE thereupon as- as follows: May the work of this legislative body sumed the chair as Acting President bring unity to the hearts of our citi- pro tempore. CLOTURE MOTION zens and security to our shores. As our We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- lawmakers give their time, strength, f ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the and thoughts to the task of freedom, RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move hasten the day when America will be a to bring to a close debate on S. 3268, the Stop The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008. beacon of hope to our world. Lord, give pore. Under the previous order, the Harry Reid, Richard Durbin, Barbara A. to our national leaders the inspiration leadership time is reserved. Mikulski, Frank R. Lautenberg, Chris- that will enable them to lead this topher J. Dodd, Byron L. Dorgan, Ber- country into making the American f nard Sanders, Patty Murray, Benjamin dream a reality. STOP EXCESSIVE ENERGY L. Cardin, Dianne Feinstein, Amy Klobuchar, Robert P. Casey, Jr., Ron We pray in the Redeemer’s Name. SPECULATION ACT OF 2008 Amen. Wyden, Ken Salazar, Bill Nelson, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Debbie Stabenow, Daniel K. Inouye, f pore. Under the previous order, the Sherrod Brown. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Senate will resume consideration of S. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- The Honorable SHELDON WHITEHOUSE 3268, which the clerk will report. pore. By unanimous consent, the man- led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: The assistant legislative clerk read datory quorum call has been waived. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the as follows: The question is, Is it the sense of the United States of America, and to the Repub- A bill (S. 3268) to amend the Commodity Senate that debate on S. 3268, a bill to lic for which it stands, one nation under God, Exchange Act to prevent excessive price amend the Commodity Exchange Act indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. speculation with respect to energy commod- to prevent excessive price speculation f ities, and for other purposes. with respect to energy commodities, Pending: and for other purposes, shall be APPOINTMENT OF ACTING brought to a close? PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE Reid amendment No. 5098, to establish the enactment date. The yeas and nays are mandatory The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Reid amendment No. 5099 (to amendment under the rule. clerk will please read a communication No. 5098), to change the enactment date. The clerk will call the roll.

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

S7435

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.000 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7436 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 The bill clerk called the roll. CLOTURE MOTION Smith Tester Whitehouse Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Snowe Voinovich Wicker Specter Warner Wyden Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. KEN- pore. Under the previous order, pursu- Stabenow Webb NEDY) and the Senator from Illinois ant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before (Mr. OBAMA) are necessarily absent. the Senate the pending cloture motion, NAYS—13 Mr. KYL. The following Senators are which the clerk will state. Barrasso DeMint Sununu necessarily absent: the Senator from Bond Ensign Thune The assistant legislative clerk read Bunning Enzi Vitter Colorado (Mr. ALLARD), the Senator as follows: Burr Inhofe OBURN from Oklahoma (Mr. C ), the Sen- CLOTURE MOTION Corker Kyl ator from South Carolina (Mr. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- NOT VOTING—7 GRAHAM), the Senator from Arizona ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the (Mr. MCCAIN), and the Senator from Allard Kennedy Stevens Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move Coburn McCain Alaska (Mr. STEVENS). to bring to a close debate on the motion to Graham Obama Further, if present and voting, the concur in the House amendment to the Sen- Senator from South Carolina (Mr. ate amendment to the House amendments to The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- GRAHAM) would have voted ‘‘nay.’’ the Senate amendment to H.R. 3221, the pore. On this vote, the yeas are 80, the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Foreclosure Prevention Act. nays are 13. Three-fifths of the Sen- pore. Are there any other Senators in Harry Reid, Christopher J. Dodd, Debbie ators duly chosen and sworn having the Chamber desiring to vote? Stabenow, Maria Cantwell, Barbara A. voted in the affirmative, the motion is The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 50, Mikulski, Frank R. Lautenberg, Robert agreed to. Menendez, Patty Murray, Bill Nelson, nays 43, as follows: Daniel K. Akaka, Jeff Bingaman, Ron Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I move to [Rollcall Vote No. 184 Leg.] Wyden, Ken Salazar, Charles E. Schu- reconsider the vote. YEAS—50 mer, Daniel K. Inouye, Jon Tester, Pat- Mr. SALAZAR. I move to lay that Akaka Durbin Mikulski rick J. Leahy. motion on the table. Baucus Feingold Murray The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Bayh Feinstein The motion to lay on the table was Nelson (FL) pore. By unanimous consent, the man- Biden Harkin Nelson (NE) agreed to. Bingaman Inouye datory quorum call is waived. Pryor Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I have Boxer Johnson Reed The question is, Is it the sense of the voted for cloture today because unless Brown Kerry Rockefeller Senate that debate on the motion to Byrd Klobuchar Salazar we end the Republican filibuster and Cantwell Kohl concur in the House amendment to the Sanders act on this legislation, we will con- Cardin Landrieu Schumer Senate amendment to the House Carper Lautenberg tinue to experience the record-high oil Snowe amendments to the Senate amendment Casey Leahy and gasoline prices that are badly hurt- Stabenow to H.R. 3221, an act to provide needed Clinton Levin ing millions of American consumers Collins Lieberman Tester housing reform and for other purposes, and businesses. Without action on this Conrad Lincoln Webb shall be brought to a close? Whitehouse legislation, these record-high prices Dodd McCaskill The yeas and nays are mandatory Dorgan Menendez Wyden will continue to reverberate through- under the rule. NAYS—43 out our economy. I have spoken at The clerk will call the roll. length in the last couple of days about Alexander Dole Murkowski The assistant legislative clerk called Barrasso Domenici Reid the investigations conducted by my Bennett Ensign Roberts the roll. Permanent Subcommittee on Inves- Bond Enzi Sessions Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the tigations and the importance of acting Brownback Grassley Shelby Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. KEN- Bunning Gregg now to address excessive energy specu- Smith NEDY) and the Senator from Illinois Burr Hagel Specter lation as a way of bringing down the (Mr. OBAMA) are necessarily absent. Chambliss Hatch Sununu extraordinary high energy prices, Cochran Hutchison Thune Mr. KYL. The following Senators are Coleman Inhofe which are not the result of ordinary op- Vitter necessarily absent: the Senator from Corker Isakson eration of supply and demand. Voinovich Colorado (Mr. ALLARD), the Senator Cornyn Kyl Today, I would like to speak more Craig Lugar Warner from Oklahoma (Mr. COBURN), the Sen- Wicker broadly on energy policy and the need Crapo Martinez ator from South Carolina (Mr. DeMint McConnell to decrease our dependence on oil. We GRAHAM), the Senator from Arizona need a long-term comprehensive en- NOT VOTING—7 (Mr. MCCAIN), and the Senator from ergy policy that will decrease our de- Allard Kennedy Stevens Alaska (Mr. STEVENS). pendence on foreign oil and reduce our Coburn McCain The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Graham Obama climate change emissions while at the pore. Are there any other Senators in same time promote use of renewable The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- the Chamber desiring to vote? energy sources and environmentally re- pore. On this vote, the yeas are 50, the The yeas and nays resulted—yeas 80, sponsible domestic production of con- nays are 43. Three-fifths of the Sen- nays 13, as follows: ators duly chosen and sworn not having ventional energy sources. We need a [Rollcall Vote No. 185 Leg.] voted in the affirmative, the motion is balanced portfolio that includes energy rejected. YEAS—80 from a broad array of sources—renew- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I enter a Akaka Crapo Levin able technologies such as solar, wind, motion to reconsider the vote by which Alexander Dodd Lieberman and biomass, as well as more conven- Baucus Dole Lincoln cloture was not invoked on the bill, S. Bayh Domenici Lugar tional sources such as coal and natural 3268. Bennett Dorgan Martinez gas—and we need to develop new and The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Biden Durbin McCaskill advanced technologies that will allow Bingaman Feingold McConnell pore. The motion is entered. Boxer Feinstein Menendez us to use that energy in a clean and re- f Brown Grassley Mikulski sponsible fashion. I am a strong advo- Brownback Gregg Murkowski cate of advanced technology and be- HOUSING AND ECONOMIC Byrd Hagel Murray lieve that the Federal Government RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 Cantwell Harkin Nelson (FL) Cardin Hatch Nelson (NE) must play a key role in the develop- Pending: Carper Hutchison Pryor ment of that technology, both in pro- Senator REID entered a motion to concur Casey Inouye Reed viding funds for development and in in the amendment of the House of Represent- Chambliss Isakson Reid Clinton Johnson Roberts being an early adopter of advanced atives to the amendment of the Senate to technology. Equally important to the the amendments of the House to the amend- Cochran Kerry Rockefeller Coleman Klobuchar Salazar ment of the Senate to the bill, with amend- successful development of advanced Collins Kohl Sanders technologies are tax incentives for ment No. 5103, to establish the effective date. Conrad Landrieu Schumer Reid amendment No. 5104 (to amendment Cornyn Lautenberg Sessions these technologies across the energy No. 5103), to change the enactment date. Craig Leahy Shelby spectrum—including energy efficiency

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.001 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7437 technologies, renewable energy tech- new technologies; and second, by re- His awards and decorations include nologies, advanced clean coal tech- quiring a new interagency Federal ef- four Bronze Star Medals, a Meritorious nologies, advanced vehicle tech- fort to develop advanced battery tech- Service Medal, a Joint Service Com- nologies, and development of clean and nologies. I believe it is critical that mendation Medal, and three Army renewable low-carbon and carbon-free this Congress support Federal assist- Commendation Medals. Today, Ser- fuels. ance for retooling of our existing man- geant Young’s memorial service is The Congress has passed significant ufacturing facilities and Federal assist- being held at Fort Bragg. energy legislation three times in the ance for development of the advanced A little over a year before his death, last 4 years. The Energy Policy Act of battery technologies that will be re- Master Sergeant Young posted a letter 2005 included provisions that increased quired to support plug-in hybrids and that was published in the July 4, 2007, the diversity of our Nation’s fuel sup- other advanced vehicle technologies. edition of his hometown newspaper, the ply, encouraged investment in infra- Without this support, our companies Clayton News Daily, in which he cele- structure and alternative energy tech- will simply not be able to compete with brated the spirit and sacrifices of the nologies, increased domestic energy their global competitors who benefit American soldier. production, improved the reliability of from significant support from their I would now like to read the text of our Nation’s electricity supply, and im- governments and we will not be able to that letter: proved energy efficiency and conserva- reach the goals for reducing our de- To the editors: tion. In 2006, Congress enacted legisla- Today is July 4th, our country’s Independ- pendence on oil that we all share. I ap- ence Day, and 231 years ago, our forefathers tion to increase the supply of natural plaud Senator BINGAMAN’s efforts to won this for all to enjoy. Today, our country gas in the United States by opening up put these issues before the Senate. In- has more freedoms and wealth than any new areas of the Gulf of Mexico to de- deed, we have similar advanced battery other in the world. We have all of our free- velopment. In 2007, Congress enacted provisions in the Defense authoriza- doms granted to us by the U.S. Constitution. the Energy Independence and Security tion, which we approved in the Armed This document sets the standards for all Act, which contained several measures Services Committee many months ago Americans to be guaranteed their freedoms and rights. to lower our dependence on oil and re- and which awaits Senate consideration. Of all the freedoms and rights granted to duce our energy consumption, includ- Finally, I would like to address the each American, it is not the news reporter or ing an ambitious increase in fuel econ- importance of Congress acting this politician who ensures that each American omy standard for cars and light trucks, year to extend existing tax credits for enjoys these rights, but it is the American an increase in the renewable fuel renewable production of electricity and Service Member (Army, Navy, Air Force, standard, and significant new energy for energy efficiency technologies. Re- Marines, and Coast Guard). This is the per- efficiency standards for lightbulbs and newable technologies such as wind and son who every American should be thanking every day for what they do. for a wide range of appliances. I sup- solar are becoming more economical Even though less than 1 percent of the ported all of these measures because every year, and our manufacturing sec- American population serves in the military, each one moved us toward a sounder tor can play a major role in the produc- it is that sacrifice made by an individual to energy policy and greater energy secu- tion of these technologies. Extension of help protect and guarantee these freedoms. rity and efficiency for the United the tax credits that will expire this While enjoying the day’s festivals cele- States. year, or in some cases have already ex- brating our country’s birth, take the time Far more must be done, however. I and effort to thank a veteran, or a current pired, is critical to the development of service member for their sacrifice in helping regret that we are unable to move for- these technologies and critical to our to protect your freedom. ward with this legislation today be- developers’ and manufacturers’ ability If you are unable to thank a vet, say cause it offered us a vehicle not only to to commit to projects that will utilize thanks to either the parents or the spouse of address excessive energy speculation these technologies. Also included in a vet, because they are the ones who worry but also to address other critical en- the so-called tax extenders package is the most while the service member is away, ergy issues—such as development of ad- an extension of the tax credit for alter- protecting your freedoms. vanced automotive technologies and native fuel pumps and establishment of Today, we thank God for the life of advanced batteries, development of a new tax credit for plug-in hybrid and MSG Mitchell W. Young. new wind and solar energy tech- all-electric vehicles. These tax incen- I yield the floor. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- nologies, assured funding for home en- tives are key not only to the develop- pore. The Senator from Missouri is rec- ergy assistance under the Low-Income ment of these technologies but also to Home Energy Assistance Program, and ognized. consumer acceptance of these vehicles. Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I commend diligent development of areas on Fed- We have been unable, so far, to pass my colleague from North Carolina for eral land that are already open for oil these critical tax provisions because sharing with us those very memorable and gas leasing. These are all issues the Republicans in the Senate continue words from a brave American who gave that were addressed by Senator BINGA- to filibuster the bill. I hope that we the ultimate sacrifice. His words and MAN’s amendment, which we will not will overcome that filibuster and ex- his example ought to be something we have an opportunity to consider be- tend these provisions. keep in our hearts and our minds every cause of the Republican filibuster. Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I ask unan- day. I thank my colleague for saying Senator BINGAMAN’s amendment will imous consent to speak as in morning it. take significant strides toward devel- business for 2 minutes. I wish to talk about a crisis—a crisis opment of the advanced automotive The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- we are going to have to address in the technologies that are needed to meet pore. Is there objection? Without objec- coming week on this floor. The gas new fuel economy standards and to re- tion, it so ordered. prices are a crisis; $4 and up gasoline duce our oil consumption and green- MASTER SERGEANT MITCHELL W. YOUNG prices are hurting Americans. house gas emissions. We need strong Mr. BURR. Mr. President, 3 weeks In my State of Missouri—and I trust Federal efforts to make revolutionary ago, we celebrated the Fourth of July. in every State in the Union—families, breakthroughs in automotive tech- Nine days after that, on July 13, 2008, farmers, truckers, and small businesses nology, and we need to invest in leap- MSG Mitchell Young, 39 years old, of are suffering record pain at the pump. ahead technologies such as advanced Jonesboro, GA, was killed in action We deserve real action now to get batteries and plug-in hybrid vehicles while conducting combat reconnais- prices down. that will reduce our dependence on oil, sance patrol to the eastern Helmand Fundamentally, it is a problem of not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and Province of Afghanistan. enough supply to meet the demand. It reduce what we pay for fuel at the Master Sergeant Young was attached is economics 101. We need to find more pump. Two provisions of Senator to Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Spe- oil and use less. BINGAMAN’s bill would have taken im- cial Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort My amendments and the measures I portant steps in this regard—first, by Bragg, in my State of North Carolina, support will bring Missouri and Amer- providing funding for direct loans au- where he lived with his wife, Robyn. It ica the new oil supplies and conserva- thorized in 2007 for retooling of manu- was Sergeant Young’s fourth deploy- tion we need to bring those prices facturing facilities to produce these ment in the global war on terror. down, to get the supply we need.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:45 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.021 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7438 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 Instead, the Democratic leadership in We have to get gas prices down. We and GAO for several years. Not too this body is desperate to deny the peo- need to open offshore supplies, and we long ago, the entire department was on ple of America the relief they need. need to provide ways of using less. I be- the GAO’s high-risk list. One amendment I have, No. 5122, lieve the people of our country need Unfortunately, FHA’s history of would lower gas prices through opening and deserve no less. problems is going unheeded. I am fur- opportunities to explore for oil supplies HOUSING ther concerned that we are setting up in the United States offshore, the off- Mr. President, I voted against cloture this new program when FHA is playing coastal drilling area, 50 miles out. on the Housing and Economic Recovery a growing role in assisting distressed The amendment to the bill currently Act, which we concluded. homeowners. And to add 400,000 of the on the Senate floor—and I plan to stay I commend Senator DODD and Sen- worst new loans to FHA’s portfolio until I can offer it—would open a po- ator SHELBY for working long and hard would create a perfect storm for fail- tential for 18 billion barrels of oil, a 10- to address the housing crisis, the need ure. We can do better. year supply currently off-limits off to reform regulatory oversight of the We have characterized Fannie Mae America’s shores. mortgage government-sponsored enter- and Freddie Mac as being too big to The bill would give States the choice prises, and to modernize the Depart- fail. I believe this 694-page bill has be- to opt into production at least 50 miles ment of Housing and Urban Develop- come too big to succeed. We have to address the solvency of off their coasts and share lease pro- ment’s FHA. The bill also includes Fannie and Freddie, but it must be ceeds with the Federal Government. emergency authorities for the Govern- done responsibly. We must address the Unfortunately, the Democratic lead- ment to shore up Fannie Mae and GSEs’ management and a new regu- ership is currently blocking this Freddie Mac. I support the Govern- amendment and the gas price relief it lator with new personnel must ensure ment’s involvement in helping strug- would bring to all Americans. that the GSEs act consistently with gling responsible homeowners. In fact, I am cosponsoring another amend- their mission and better manage risk. ment with my colleagues to open oil I support many key provisions of the CBO’s cost estimate of the GSE rescue production in the eastern Gulf of Mex- legislation, such as a stronger regu- plan reported that the ‘‘riskiest loans, ico. There are almost 3 billion barrels lator of the GSEs, additional housing known as alt-A and subprime mort- of oil in the eastern gulf waiting to counseling funding, increased bond au- gages, account for about 15 percent’’ of help bring prices down for Missouri and thority for State housing finance agen- the GSEs’ portfolio. Not surprisingly, a America. The Democratic leadership is cies to refinance troubled loans, elimi- significant portion of the subprime currently blocking consideration of nation of seller-financed downpayment portfolio was likely originated by lend- this amendment as well. programs, and improved disclosure and ers such as Countrywide. According to Not only do we need to produce more, transparency in the home-buying proc- Fannie Mae’s annual report, filed with but we need to use less. So I have an ess. That was in the bill I introduced the SEC for the fiscal year ending De- amendment, No. 5123, to help America on the floor—the bill that left the floor cember 31, last year, its top customer use less oil. It would aggressively pro- and went to the House. Unfortunately, was Countrywide. The report states mote advanced vehicle batteries for I cannot support—and I urge my col- that Countrywide accounted for 28 per- plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. leagues not to support—H.R. 3221 be- cent of Fannie Mae’s single-family That way, you could avoid using gas— cause it is a major bailout for subprime business volume in 2007, which was ac- or at least avoid a lot of gas usage. lenders and potentially a budget buster tually higher than its volume in 2006. This amendment, when we pass it, will for the taxpayers of America. No one can deny that holders of Coun- drive down the price of advanced vehi- I am strongly opposed to the pro- trywide paper will be the biggest bene- cle batteries for hybrid and plug-in ve- posed expansion of FHA with a new ficiaries of this bill. It will not be hicles. program called the HOPE for Home- homeowners. They are not bailing out My amendment will provide signifi- owners loan program. homeowners; they are bailing out the cant new funding for hybrid battery re- As I explained during our last floor banks that hold the Countrywide paper search and development, manufac- debate about the Senate’s version of and the other financial institutions turing equipment and capabilities, and the bill, the HOPE Program is fatally that hold them. reequipping and expanding or estab- flawed since it provides limited help to The legislative process was supposed lishing U.S. domestic manufacturing troubled homeowners, while allowing to be a compromise, but this com- facilities for hybrid vehicle batteries. lenders to dump their worst subprime promise is unacceptable. Let me state U.S. domestic mass production of hy- mortgages on an already stressed FHA. for the record that I have great respect brid batteries would get their prices Further, the program will result in and confidence in our current Treasury down and get the price of hybrid vehi- HUD becoming a huge landlord of fore- Secretary. He has stated he would take cles down. closed properties, which we know is an care to protect the American people, Right now, we depend largely on sup- extremely bad outcome for commu- and I believe in the months he has left plies from Asia, and there is not nities and other homeowners based on in that office he will do so. But this enough supply to meet the demand. We the Department’s history of being un- GSE rescue authorization will continue need these batteries to conserve oil, able to manage the real estate it owns. for a full year after he leaves. This is a give jobs to blue-collar manufacturing The CBO estimates that under this huge gamble we are taking, and this workers, and help the environment. program, ‘‘mortgage holders would compromise does not address that But the Democratic leadership is have an incentive to direct their high- issue. It provides too little benefit to blocking consideration of this amend- est-risk loans to the program.’’ This struggling homeowners, too much ben- ment. means lenders who were, in a number efit to the subprime lenders, such as There is a bill before us to address of cases, either fraudulent or negligent those who hold Countrywide paper— abusive speculation. I agree we should in their treatment of borrowers, will be who contributed to the housing crisis— deal with the areas of speculation that able to clear out many of the biggest and it provides too much risk to the are abusive. We need to cover the over- problem loans. Not surprisingly, CBO American taxpayer. the-counter market. Fundamentally, it estimates that a cumulative default I cannot support this legislation, and is a problem of too little supply to rate for the HOPE Program would be 35 I urge my colleagues to vote against meet demand. Exports know this. The percent—meaning that one out of every the bill. American people are smart enough to three loans refinanced would fail. In I thank the Chair, and I yield the know this. other words, over 130,000 homeowners floor. I don’t understand why the Demo- would still go into foreclosure, and The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- cratic Party continues to block our re- FHA would be the inept administrator pore. The Senator from Idaho. sponsible efforts to get gas prices down of those. AMENDMENTS TO S. 3268 through new oil production. The Amer- FHA is significantly limited in plan Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, my col- ican people deserve better. The people managing and implementing its loan league from Missouri has just spoken of Missouri deserve better. I think they activities, which have been docu- very clearly about a fundamental prob- know better. mented by the HUD inspector general lem facing the American consumer and

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Yet, No, I suspect the average person lis- pump today is truly a crisis for the for the last 15 years, that has been tening can’t quite figure out what is American family and for the budget of largely the public policy of this coun- going on here on the floor of the Sen- every American household. try—to put off limits known oil re- ate, and it is really a fundamentally He joined with me in cosponsoring an serves while we ask the rest of the simple argument: The Democratic amendment, and he spoke of that world to supply for us. leader will not allow this country to amendment a few moments ago that we This is a larger picture of exactly produce in the areas where we have would like to offer to the bill the ma- what we are talking about. We are pro- known oil reserves that we can get to jority leader, the Democratic leader, ducing oil in this area of the gulf now. the quickest and that we can bring on- has brought to the floor, S. 3268, a bill Our largest domestic volume of oil is line the fastest. I hope the phones start to allow drilling in this area of the gulf coming from that area. But look at ringing as Americans grow angry with where we know there is substantial oil this area here, almost equivalent in a politician who denies them the sup- potential. The Senator from Missouri size and potentially as rich in oil, and ply to the marketplace that would spoke of some 3 billion barrels, or yet it is off limits. It is politically off bring down the price of oil at the somewhere near that, available in this limits. We can go there and we can ex- pump. S. 3268 is the vehicle with which yellow zone off the coast of Florida and plore and we can develop it if we have we could do that if we were allowed to down from the coasts of Alabama and the political will to say yes to it. And amend it, if we were allowed the nor- Mississippi and Louisiana. the amendment I am offering—or I mal process of the Senate. It is critical that the American oil would like to offer to the bill that is on Republicans unanimously said today industry be allowed to lease that land the floor—would allow us to do that that we ought to have the right to and begin development and explo- and create a 50-mile safe zone for the amend it, that we ought to stay here ration. Why? Not only do we believe citizens of Florida. But we are not all next week working on it, until we the oil is there, but it is immediately given that opportunity. That is really can say to the American people that adjacent to pipelines, refineries, and the fundamental issue at hand. the energy crisis isn’t over, but we the facilities that will immediately The bill that we refuse to let go any have done everything within our power process that oil and put it into the further until we get the opportunity to to bring down the price and lessen the American distribution system. offer amendments is this bill, S. 3268. burden on the family budget. Many are saying: Well, it is going to As I said yesterday, look, not one drop I yield the floor. take 5 years, 6 years, 7 years, or 8 years of oil in it, not one drop of oil to sat- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- if we drill now in the Outer Conti- isfy the supply side of a very aggres- pore. The Senator from Texas. nental Shelf. It will take some time. sive, demanding market. The only way Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I know But in this area, it will take poten- we are truly going to bring prices down Senate procedure can be confusing, but tially a great deal less time because we at the pump is to send a very clear by the vote that was just held, we have know the oil is there and it is imme- message to the marketplace that we said we are not leaving, we are not giv- diately adjacent to the distribution are going to allow a greater volume of ing up, and we intend to fight to help system of this country and the refinery supply to enter that market. While we bring down the price of gasoline at the capacity in the Gulf States. are doing that, over the next 5 to 10 pump. The American consumer today goes years, we are going to make every ef- People may ask: How in the world to the pump and pays $4, $4.10, $4.15, fort, through loan guarantees, through can Congress do that? Well, the reality nearly $5 in some States and asks the new types of technology, to reduce the is, Congress has been the problem when question: Why? Here is what has hap- demand side of our market. That is it comes to accessing the American pened in the American oil supply sys- what we ought to be about here as we sources of oil we have right here at tem that answers that question. shape public policy for our future—to home. The consequence has been that Starting in 1950, as the rate of use of assure that we have the abundant sup- we send $700 billion a year to foreign oil in our country grew, we began a plies we need, while we recognize that countries for the oil we consume here slow but very aggressive spread beit is a finite item and that there will be in America because we are so unwise tween our supply and the demand. As a day when there will be substantially and so stubborn and so opposed, for you will notice here, starting in the less oil out there than there currently some reason, to developing those nat- 1990s, we actually begin to supply less is and that we ought to be going to- ural resources right here in America. of our own oil into the market and we ward the new technologies—the elec- That is what this vote meant, that begin to buy more and more oil from tric cars, the plug-ins, the hybrid, and we are not going to quit and we are foreign countries. all different kinds and versions of that. going to stay on this issue until we can This debate today is about a supply- I am one of those who now believe we convince the people responsible for set- and-demand issue. Yes, there could ought to be looking at every possible ting the agenda here in the Senate to be—pointed out yesterday by our Fed- source of energy for the energy supply provide us an opportunity to vote on eral Trade Commission—a small of our country. But we shouldn’t be additional supply as we consider a com- amount of speculation in the market, openly denying known supplies today, prehensive approach which includes and we ought to address it. But the rea- and that is exactly what is happening conservation, renewable fuels, and son there is so much activity in the here on the floor of the Senate. For the clean energy alternatives. The fact is, market is the equation right here—the last 2 days, or nearly 3 days now, the we know we are not going to be able to dramatic difference between what sup- leader has simply refused to allow the deal with the high price of gasoline at ply is entering the market and the de- process to go forward, to allow my the pump until we increase American mand from use, world use, in the mar- amendment and other amendments by supply—until we find more and we use ket. my colleagues that would ensure a pub- less right here at home. It really is that fundamental a prob- lic policy allowing us to go into this It is important to talk about respon- lem. When we are using more than we area and develop it and to go into other sibility. None of us here in the Senate are producing in the world market— areas we have taken off limits for po- can control what the majority leader, and it is a world commodity—then, of litical purposes only and put them the Democratic leader of his caucus, course, prices begin to escalate, as they within our limits again. Our tech- does. Only he has the power to allow a have dramatically over the last several nology is there. The technology we full debate and an amendment process years and now in the last year even have for the deep water of the gulf is that will allow Democrats and Repub- more so. truly the finest in the world, it is the licans a vote on additional supply. Why are we saying to the rest of the safest, and it is environmentally by far I know Congress is held in low es- world: Drill your oil; we don’t want to the soundest of any other country in teem. All you have to do is look at a drill ours. Produce from your oilfields; the world. Yet we deny ourselves the public opinion poll. But it is important we are going to keep ours off limits. I right to use our own technology to sup- for the American people to know that

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.006 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7440 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 it is not necessarily Congress as a ing practices, have seen dramatic in- In a recent article in the medical whole. It is the leadership that actu- creases in cost. Oftentimes because of a journal Pediatrics, Dr. Alan H. Jobe of ally has the power and the authority to limited market or other factors, the Cincinnati Childrens’ Hospital, de- allow something to happen. drug’s price goes up to an astronomical scribed Ovation’s pricing of its two We are here imploring the majority level. drugs for the premature babies’ heart leader, the leader of the Democratic I first became aware of this issue condition as ‘‘quite extraordinary.’’ He caucus, to allow us a vote on provisions when I received word from Children’s didn’t mean extraordinary in a good in this bill which we believe will have Hospital in Minneapolis, one of the way. He wrote: a dramatic impact on the price of gaso- leading children’s hospitals in the Words such as ‘‘unconscionable,’’ ‘‘uneth- line at the pump. country, that the price for a drug ical,’’ and ‘‘socially irresponsible’’ come to Right now, we have, in effect, a mor- called Indocin—it is also known as mind. atorium on 85 percent of the domestic indomethacin—has increased substan- The issue we have is that an upstart natural resources here in America, tially. It is a medication used to treat company purchases a number of drugs whether it is the submerged lands in little babies with patent ductus from another company and, even the Outer Continental Shelf along the arteriosis, PDA, and it is a disorder though these drugs have been on the coastlines or the oil shale out West or that prevents holes from healing in the market for years, the upstart company the oil up in the Arctic. We not only hearts of premature infants. This drug increases the prices drastically. have a moratorium, or a ban passed by has been around since the 1970s and it But Ovation is not the only company Congress for the last 30 years prohib- is the commonly used method of treat- engaged in this disturbing trend. Look iting the production of those natural ing this condition. It is a great drug beat this chart. It shows why this is a resources, but we have a political cause it allows doctors to prescribe timely issue as we approach the major blockade. And the people who have im- medication instead of resorting to sur- health care debate we are going to be posed that political blockade are the gery. going into next year. Look at why this We had an event in Minnesota a few Democratic majority leader, HARRY is such a timely issue. These are what months ago with the head of Children’s REID, Speaker NANCY PELOSI, and the we call, using the doctor’s language, presumptive nominee of the Demo- Hospital and a number of doctors who extraordinary price increases. are specialists in this area and a family cratic Party for President, BARACK What this chart shows is they are be- named the Bensons, whose little child OBAMA. They have the power to allow coming more and more common. What survived because of the help of this an opportunity for the American peo- this measures is the number of branded drug. To see this little baby and then ple to get some relief at the pump, but drug products whose prices have more to think of what this drug company they are the ones who are blocking it than doubled in a single price increase. had done when they jacked up the price through this political blockade. We are used to going to the drugstore, We know there are at least 44 Repub- of this drug—you cannot even imagine sadly, these days, and seeing a 1-per- licans who agreed to a bill we call the why they would have done such a cent increase or 5 percent increases thing. I will go into the facts. Gas Price Reduction Act. We are look- going up. Then we see other markets, This drug has been around since the ing for about 10 or 11 or 12 Democrats such as the oil market, where things 1970s. Merck had the drug, this drug are completely volatile. Here you have to join us in saying: Yes, we can, Be- called Indocin. Two years ago Ovation it in the drug market. Look at these cause all we hear on the other side of Pharmaceuticals acquired the rights to drug products where the prices have the aisle is no, we can’t. the drug from Merck. The company Yes, we can. We can tear down these more than doubled in one single price quickly increased the price by more walls that prohibit domestic energy increase. Back in 1988 it only happened than 18 times—from $100 a dose to production here in America and I hope five times. Back in 1994 it happened $1,800 a dose. Was there research? No. BARACK OBAMA, if he thinks it is im- Were there more changes to the drug? zero times. Then you see this gradual portant enough to go to Berlin yester- No. It was the very same drug and they trend up where to we are now, in the day and talk about tearing down walls, increased the price, because they could, year 2008: It has happened 64 times. will come back here to the Senate and from $100 to $1,800 a dose, for three 1- This is a full-year projection, based on say let’s tear down this wall. If he does milligram units of the drug. 6 months of data. This is a projection so, and the Democratic leadership fol- Even though it is an American com- of 64 times. Then, in 2007 you see it was lows suit, we can open up America’s pany, and this is what gets out- at 47 times. vast national resources to production. rageous—even though it is an Amer- Questcor Pharmaceuticals—this is an We can acknowledge the existence of ican company, the price Ovation example—was once losing money at the the laws of supply and demand, and the charges for this lifesaving drug for ba- rate of $1 million a month. The com- American people will get the relief bies is now 44 times higher in the pany’s fortunes turned around after they want and so desperately need. United States than what they sell it they purchased HP Acthar from I yield the floor. for in Canada. It is 44 times higher in Aventis. This drug was approved in the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- the United States than they sell the 1970s, similar situation, a drug ap- pore. The majority controls the next 30 same drug for in Canada. Nothing can proved years and years ago to treat minutes. justify this kind of price disparity ex- multiple sclerosis, but it is now pri- The Senator from Minnesota is rec- cept that this company wants to bring marily the gold standard for treating ognized. in more money to their coffers. infantile spasms, a disorder that af- AGGRESSIVE DRUG PRICING As it happens, there is only one other fects about 2000 families in the United Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I drug approved by the FDA for this States. come to the floor today with outrage heart problem, a formulation of intra- We were privileged to have one of the over what some of the pharmaceutical venous ibuprofen. Ovation, interest- families from Rhode Island, the home companies have been doing with pric- ingly enough, the same company that of the Presiding Officer, there with us ing for important medications affect- bought the drug from Merck when the at the hearing. Danielle Foltz was the ing the lives of people in this country. drug was selling at $100 and now it’s up mother who testified—I will never for- I know that you, the Presiding Officer to $1,800, is the sole source of the other get her story about how her little baby from the State of Rhode Island, have drug in the United States. Not surpris- is sick in the hospital, suddenly having been a leader in this health care area ingly, the price it charges for this med- spasms. These could actually have af- and share many of the concerns I have icine is nearly identical to what it fected his brain. His name is Trevor. He and in fact are working on this issue as charges for Indocin. is in the hospital and she tries to get well. A number of other Ovation products the drug that helps with this, this Yesterday I chaired a hearing of the have seen similar drastic price in- Acthar. She found out it is about $1,700 Joint Economic Committee to discuss creases, drugs that, like Indocin, have per vial at the initial stages. That is the phenomenon of dramatic price in- been around for a long time and are the what they thought it was going to be. creases of these medications. These are premier treatments for a number of Then what happens? Once it was sold to drugs that, because of aggressive pric- diseases. Questcor, when her little baby needed

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.007 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7441 this drug, the price of the drug sky- I am not an economist. To me this ing what is going on with the pricing of rocketed to $23,000 per vial—that is a looks like simple price gouging. It not these pharmaceuticals across the 14-fold increase. This mom and dad are only hurts the hospitals that have to board. in the hospital with their little baby purchase these expensive drugs, but I have asked the Federal Trade Com- Trevor and this drug has gone up to also the patients who rely on them. mission to initiate an investigation $23,000 per vial. What do you think is An elderly woman from Park Rapids, into any potential anticompetitive going to happen? Do you think the in- MN, who suffers from cutaneous T-cell conduct or consequences arising out of surance company, when they used to lymphoma was forced to pay over $8,000 Ovation’s market actions and domi- pay for it when it was $1,700, was going in out-of-pocket expenses for nance in the area of nonsurgical treat- to say: Oh, no problem. They had to ne- Mustargen, the drug I discussed which ment for PDA. gotiate for 5 days with the insurance was sold by Ovation, whose single dose We need to ensure that the FTC con- companies, they had to get their neu- price increased from around $50 to tinues to conduct these crucial inves- rologist involved, and she had to write nearly $550 after the company acquired tigations to guarantee competition; a letter saying that this is going to af- the rights to the drug. keeping costs low for consumers and fect this baby’s life, the baby could be What is the solution? In America, we encouraging innovation. That is one mentally retarded if he doesn’t get the have a serious problem with health drug that is coming out of my State, drug. It is actually a short-term treat- care inflation and runaway costs. That the State of Minnesota, because some ment. I think the baby had the drug for is not a surprise to anyone. It is no doctors had the foresight to see that a matter of months and then went off wonder, when we have pharmaceutical this was outrageous and figured out the drug—talk about short-sighted. companies such as Ovation or Questcor that one company owned both of the Eventually, after 5 days, she was able increasing prices to astronomical price drugs that were competing with each to get the drug approved. levels because of the lack of competi- other. It is disturbing that our pro- These people were missionaries in Af- tion in the market. Their actions are viders, hospitals, and patients are rica. They had worked in Africa. They able to exploit an extremely vulnerable being blindsided by these exorbitant didn’t have the money, they didn’t and captive market. It is not as though price increases. Our Federal Govern- have the house to mortgage, but they the pharmaceutical industry is with- ment should be able to track these were able to save their little baby’s life ering on the vine. You can see pharma- trends in pharmaceutical pricing. If we because finally they fought hard ceutical companies earn higher profits start to monitor the data, there is enough to get it covered. than other Fortune 500 companies. more of a paper trail, giving us en- From the data we heard yesterday we Here you have the profits for other hanced ability to do something about are hitting only the tip of the iceberg Fortune 500 companies. These are huge these companies’ practices. because the problem is not isolated to companies. Then you look at pharma- You know, I am a supporter of re- drugs that benefit a small number of ceutical profits. What have we seen patients. Abbott Pharmaceuticals in- importation of drugs from Canada; I over time? They are always signifi- favor negotiating under Medicare Part creased the price of Norvir, a drug used cantly ahead of other Fortune 500 com- to treat AIDS. The drug was often used D to save our seniors some money. All panies. these things must be on the table as we as an ingredient in their drug thera- I want to mention the Orphan Drug approach health care reform in the pies. In 2003, Abbott jacked up the price Act because this is timely for what we next year. for Norvir by 500 percent. This was are talking about, the treatment of When provided with the right infor- done at the same time they began mar- these rare diseases. The Orphan Drug mation on drug prices, especially in keting their new product, Kaletra, an- Act was passed in 1983 to provide incen- smaller markets, doctors can be alert- other AIDS product that included tives to drug companies to develop in- ed of big price increases, potentially Norvir, and served as a replacement for novative drugs for rare diseases be- spurring generic alternatives to expen- the competition’s drug therapy. The re- cause, without incentives, drug compa- sive drugs and giving the Centers for sult forced patients and providers to nies may never be able to recoup re- Medicare and Medicaid the tools and turn to Abbott’s Kaletra instead of the search and development costs in niche formerly cost-effective alternative that the information to better track pricing markets. What we have seen, however, used Norvir and competitors’ drugs. in this market. To start looking at this is that at least a handful of drug com- Previously undisclosed documents and information, I am in the process of panies have used the status of orphan e-mails reviewed by the Wall Street working with the GAO to look into the drugs to keep increasing costs well be- Journal in 2007 show that Abbott’s issue of drug pricing and these enor- yond the cost of research, development, leadership actively considered ways to mous increases. and manufacturing. These staggeringly promote Kaletra over Norvir. Finally, I intend to investigate As you can see from this bar graph of high prices in turn threaten the financial security of middle-class families whether the FDA can fast-track ap- the price increase of Norvir, you see be- proval for generic drugs, that that fore the change was made, $257.18 and relying on these drugs. Where generic drugs have helped would be just as safe and effective but then up to $1,285.89. This is an egre- much less expensive, creating competi- gious increase. lower the cost of many prescription drugs on the market, generic competition in markets with dramatic price in- Another example. The next chart creases. shows only a few examples of enormous tion is also less likely to occur for or- I understand we have a market-based price increases that we have seen. phan drugs. According to a study pub- Mustargen, which is used to treat rare lished in the RAND Journal of Eco- economy. It is fine for companies to cancers, had a 1,000-percent increase. nomics, the market size for a drug has make money on the products they sell. You see Cosmegen, which treats kidney to be about $32 million—that is 2007 They should. But when we are dealing disease—that had a 3,500-percent in- dollars adjusted for inflation—to jus- with the well-being of sick patients, crease. You can see the names of the tify the entry of a generic into the babies and the elderly and everyone in companies here: Abbott, Questcor, Ova- market. between, we know something is wrong. tion, Sigma-Tau. You can see what the When we are talking about These companies cannot be allowed prices were before. Here is Cosmegen, indomethacin to treat populations of to make money off the backs of little $16.79. It goes up after the sale to only a few thousand, there is often not babies who have holes in their hearts. I $593.75, a 3,436-percent increase in the enough of an incentive for the generic hope yesterday’s hearing was a start- drug price. drug to enter the market. ing point for addressing problems that Look at what we have seen with Beyond hospitals and patients, a dra- accompany such enormous price in- Matulane. Matulane goes nearly off the matic, unforeseeable increase in price creases, problems that have been charts. Look at this. This is used to for one of these drugs has a significant plaguing our doctors, our insurance treat rare Hodgkin’s lymphoma and impact on the Federal Government— companies, our Medicare and Medicaid you see an increase of 7,999 percent. Medicare, Medicaid. Look at what is Programs, and most importantly, our That is an 8,00-percent increase. What going on. I know Representative WAX- patients for far too long. is this? MAN in the House held a hearing show- I yield the floor.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.009 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7442 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- They are adding dramatically to the markets are being run but to make pore. The Senator from Delaware is number of vehicles on the road. sure we have a little better disclosure, recognized. That, along with the growth in the a little better transparency into that Mr. CARPER. I appreciate the oppor- economy and other aspects of the econ- operation. tunity to talk for a few minutes about omy in China, places such as India, we The legislation did not pass. I think two subjects. First of all, the legisla- have seen a dramatic increase in de- most people here actually favor doing tion, one of the two pieces of legisla- mand, and we are going to continue to something similar to that. For reasons tion that came before us today dealing see that increase in demand. that are maybe more political than with speculation in the oil markets, I The second thing that is going on is practical, we could not move that leg- wish to talk a little about that. And the drop in the value of the dollar. The islation today because we did not have then maybe a word or two, if time per- dollar today, we all know, is not worth the 60 votes to break a filibuster. mits, on the housing legislation, which what it used to be. Some friends of Let me talk a bit about supply. we have taken another step forward to- mine returned from traveling in Eu- Along with Senator VOINOVICH of Ohio, ward enacting. rope, and they told me how unfortu- we are privileged to lead a sub- On this chart, we see a couple of nate they felt in having gone this year committee of the Environment Com- numbers mentioned. In a moment, I instead of about 3 or 4 years ago be- mittee that focuses on, among other hope they will be clear why they are cause the value of the dollar has things, clean air and on nuclear power. relevant to this discussion, with re- dropped by roughly a third against Part of the answer to our supply situ- spect to oil prices and the availability most of the European currencies. In ation is growing in our fields the fuels of oil. fact, it has dropped dramatically in that we need. I am not suggesting that The first number is 25 percent. We currencies around the world. taking kernels of corn off an ear of consume, as a nation today, this week, And we see, it takes more dollars be- corn and turning that into ethanol is a this month, this year, roughly 25 per- cause oil is traded in dollars. These smart idea, at least in the long haul. I cent of the oil that is consumed on our countries that have all this oil, they do not think that it is. It disrupts our planet, 25 percent. But we have, within want to make sure they are getting food system, our food chain, makes the this Nation, onshore and offshore, less their money’s worth. As a result, they prices of meat, poultry, and milk more than 5 percent of the world’s oil re- raise the price of oil to offset the drop expensive than it needs to be. serves. When people wonder why are in the value of dollars. So that is part But there are things going on with prices running up, this is one of the what is going on. respect to biofuels that I think are reasons. The third thing that is going on, and very encouraging. I wish to mention a When people say we ought to simply we have heard from people a lot smart- couple of those. Our folks up at Du- drill, whether it is in the Arctic Na- er than I on these issues, but the third Pont, they are headquartered in my tional Wildlife Refuge or on the Outer thing that is going on is there is a lot State, they have a research center. At Continental Shelf, drilling is part of of trading in oil futures, people who do the research center they have been the answer, not necessarily in those not have any intention of ever taking working on cellulosic ethanol for 3, 4, 5 places, but drilling is part of the an- possession of a barrel of oil, but they years. swer. see it as a way to make money—not They have launched joint ventures on But when you are consuming 25 per- buying oil and refining the oil and sell- cellulosic ethanol with another com- cent of the world’s oil every day, and ing the product, but they see a way to pany. They are going to be building out we have less than 5 percent of the make money by speculation and trad- in the Midwest a refinery to be able to world’s known oil reserves, there is a ing in these futures, and they hope the create, in some quantities, a biofuel mismatch here. That suggests to, value of the price of oil will go up, they that will be much better than ethanol; among others, T. Boone Pickens, a will make money and not take posses- have better energy content than eth- long-time renowned Texas oilman, that sion of the oil. anol, travel better in pipelines than this is a problem we cannot drill our- In the meantime, we as consumers ethanol, mix better with gasoline than selves out of. are paying more for oil. Not every day. ethanol. While drilling is part of the solution, We have seen some trending down in They are coming up with a biofuel it is by no means the entire solution. the at least week, which is good, but called biobutanol, partnering with our What we need is a comprehensive strat- this is part of what is going on. friends from BP, and actually they are egy. I wish to talk a little bit about Is speculation 10 percent of the prob- test marketing the product over in that this morning. lem, 20 percent of the problem, 30 per- England this year. Again, biobutanol, We have had any number of hearings cent of the problem? I do not know. I better energy density than ethanol, in recent weeks, actually in recent do not know that anyone knows. But as travels better in pipelines than eth- months in the Senate, that focused on we can be convinced that that supply anol, mixes better with gasoline at dif- why are oil prices, why are gas prices and demand is part of the problem. It is ferent temperatures than does ethanol. going up. I keep coming back to three not the whole problem. The drop in the There is another company called major reasons. The first of those is sup- value of the dollar is part of the prob- Coskata, C-o-s-k-a-t-a. I had not heard ply and demand. There is a limited lem. It is not the whole problem. And of them before this year. But they are amount of oil that is being produced. neither is speculation. But each of a small startup biofuels company. They The nations that have most of it in them is a contributing factor in the have interesting technologies that en- their control do not want to produce a runup in the price of oil. If we want to able them to take plant waste, corn, whole lot more. They do not want to bring down or stabilize the price of oil, corn hulls, cornstalks, corn leaves, increase supply dramatically. to keep the price from getting any corncobs, woodchips, switchgrass, any Demand meanwhile continues to rise. worse, we need to work on supply, we variety of products, and turn it into a We are a country in love with our cars, need to work on demand, we need to do biofuel. trucks, and vans. For every 1,000 Amer- some things here at home to restore And they not only can take that icans in this country today, there are the value of the dollar, to prop it up, to plant waste, they can take municipal about 800 vehicles. Pretty amazing. strengthen the dollar, and we need to waste and transform it into a biofuel. There are 800 vehicles for every 1,000 do something with respect to specula- They can take the old tires off cars, people who live here. tion. trucks and vans and turn that into a Over in China, for every 1,000 people I wish to mention a thing or two biofuel as well. They use about maybe who live there, they have 16 cars, about the legislation I supported, in- less than a gallon of water to create a trucks, and vans. I do not know that troduced by the majority leader on gallon of biofuel. Again, they can cre- they want to get to 800 right away, but speculation. Without getting into the ate this biofuel from a variety of they are going to have a lot more than weeds on the legislation, the bill that sources without disrupting the food 16 per 1,000. They may have 116, 216, 316. is designed more than anything to pro- system. But they want to buy and they want to vide greater transparency, not to come The energy content of the fuel they be able to have their own vehicles. in and command control the way the create, the biofuel they create is about

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.011 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7443 seven times greater than the amount of cially as we move toward electric vehi- All we have heard from the other side energy that is used to create the cles. is let’s blame oil company profit; let’s biofuels. On the demand side, in talking about blame oil companies for sitting on the The amount of CO2 that is released in the Chevrolet Volt, a vehicle that if it leases; let’s blame speculators for re- burning this biofuel is about 85 percent gets 80 to 90 miles per gallon, helps us sponding to a very small spare capacity less than the carbon dioxide that is on the demand side, I think that is of oil in the world. created by burning gasoline, and they pretty obvious. There are other things Our citizens are begging us to drill can create it for maybe about a buck a we can do on the demand side as well. more, but all the Democrats can do is gallon. For my home, we went out, about a blame more. Listening to the energy They are going to be creating it in year ago, and bought a new air-condi- debate these past few days, I couldn’t more significant quantities about 2011. tioning unit. It is one that sits up help but wonder whether the Demo- Coskata is an example of one biofuels about this high. It is pretty big. It is a crats really believe their own argu- company that has an exciting tech- SEER 18; we have energy efficiency ments. Are they really drinking the nology that I think portends hope, ratings on our appliances. Kool Aid the anti-oil environmentalists should convey hope to all of us as we But one of the things we can do is are serving them, or do they actually try work on the supply side. buy more energy-efficient appliances. know better? Some people ask me why I believe We basically have cut our electricity I am no expert on energy, but the ar- nuclear power can actually be helpful bill in half since we went from a SEER guments the anti-oil environmentalists on the supply side too. I always say, 10 up to about a SEER 18. As we buy are selling to my friends on the other the answer is two words: Chevrolet new appliances, we need to continue to side of the aisle are so obviously wrong Volt. Chevrolet Volt is a vehicle that do those sorts of things. that I would like to put some of their GM is going to launch toward the end Gee, as I look at the lights in the statements to the test. of 2010. This is a flex-fuel, plug-in hy- Senate Chamber, and as we change out Let’s take a look at this chart here. brid vehicle. Plug it into your electric the light bulbs in our offices, in our The first item on this chart states outlet at your house, charge it over- homes, we can buy more energy-effi- that an oil lease allows an oil company night when electric prices are low, cient light bulbs, change out the bal- to drill. The truth is you cannot drill leave the next day, drive away, you can last systems in our lighting systems, on your own oil leases without a permit to drill, and there is a huge back- you go 40 miles with a charge on your put in new lighting systems. There is a log of applications for permits to drill. battery. lot we can do in terms of lighting. We are working hard to develop a The drop in the value of the dollar is It is a very long, expensive, and frus- lithium ion battery. The Federal Gov- coming from a couple things. One of trating process. Let’s take a look at this chart. This ernment is helping to partner the re- the things it flows from is the uncer- tainty in the housing market, the col- is what happens after an oil company search on that. The idea is to go out, lapse in housing prices, great uncer- gets a lease. First of all, the oil com- run the first 40 miles on your battery, tainty about the banking system, the pany must pay rental fees to hold onto and then when your battery runs low, mortgage financing system with its lease. Often, the detailed analysis of to recharge the battery with an alter- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. the actual energy resource is com- native power source aboard the vehicle. One of the things we can do—and pleted after a lease has been won. If the It could be a fuel cell, it could be a low- hopefully we will take the final step to- analysis indicates the resource is eco- emission diesel, it could be a tradi- morrow—is provide a strong inde- nomic, the oil company must apply for tional internal combustion engine. pendent regulator for Fannie Mae and a permit to drill, and that kicks in the Those power sources, auxiliary power Freddie Mac. We do that in this legisla- NEPA process requiring the environ- sources, recharge the battery, and then tion. We take steps to make sure peo- mental studies. the battery continues to run the vehi- ple who are facing foreclosure—and it And then there is still no guarantee cle. is not something they have done wrong the oil company will get a permit to The opportunity to get 80, 90, even or no malfeasance involved, because we drill. But if they do, there are still seri- 100 miles per gallon off a Chevy Volt don’t want to reward bad behavior—are ous hurdles to overcome. They must flex-fuel, plug-in hybrid is not unreal- given an opportunity to avoid it. We comply with hundreds of State and istic. And it is a source of great en- make the FHA relevant in the 21st cen- Federal environmental rules, seasonal couragement. The question is where tury. We are going to provide housing restrictions due to wildlife patterns, are they going to get the electricity to counselors for thousands. and very, very often, they must over- charge the battery. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- come protests and lawsuits by anti-oil Today, nuclear provides about 20 per- pore. The time controlled by the Demo- environmentalists. cent of our electricity in this country. crats has expired. So let’s go back to our first chart. We I think 70 percent of the carbon-free Mr. CARPER. I thank the Chair. can see that this first statement is not electricity that is produced comes from The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- true, so I’ll put an ‘‘F’’ there for false. nuclear. We have about nine new appli- pore. The Senator from Utah. The next line on the chart states that cations in. We have not built a new nu- Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask companies don’t want to drill. The clear plant in 30 years. We have nine unanimous consent that speakers on irony here is astounding, because the applications in right now to build the Republican side be limited to 10 Democrats have been fed this line by about 14 more. We expect next year minutes each. the very same anti-oil extremists that maybe another dozen or so applications The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- are putting up all the lawsuits against and the opportunity for a renaissance pore. Without objection, it is so or- drilling permits. in nuclear power. dered. Let’s take a look what the trend has As we go forward, the Nuclear Regu- Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, the U.S. actually been with oil permits and latory Commission has their hands Congress has had its ups and downs, drilling. full, as you might imagine, making but the way the 110th Congress has The data on this chart shows what’s sure that the 104 powerplants we have handled our energy crisis is a low been happening at the BLM Office in in existence today are run well, safely; point. Vernal, UT. This is very representative relicensing a number of those power- High energy prices affect every of the rest of the country. Since the plants so their life can be extended for American, whether they are Democrat, year 2000, applications for permits to another 20 years, and then saying grace Republican, or Independent; whether drill have doubled, permits granted by over all these new applications for new they are labor unions, school teachers, the government have doubled, and new powerplants that are coming in. or lawyers; whether they are white, Af- wells completed since the year 2000 It is important for us in this body to rican American, or Hispanic. But no have doubled. And even with a doubling make sure the NRC has what they need group is hurt more by high oil prices of efforts by the government and the so they can oversee a safe renaissance than the poor. Restricting our Nation’s oil companies, there is still a very in nuclear power. And that renaissance oil supply is the most regressive policy large backlog of applications for per- will help us on the supply side, espe- imaginable. mits to drill. Mr. President, these are

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.010 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7444 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 facts, so I hope we can stop all the in- ernment wants them to be successful, which states that when land is cul- nuendo about oil companies not want- because everyone wins when energy tivated, it releases gigantic amounts of ing to drill. production occurs. CO2 into the atmosphere. The last line is based on data the The oil shale law specifically ensures The Science article determined that BLM just gave me yesterday, and this that no company will just sit on com- because of the land disturbance associ- number applies to all oil and gas per- mercial oil shale leases. The law reads ated with corn ethanol production, eth- mitting in the Nation. Since the year that ‘‘The Secretary shall, by regula- anol emits 93 percent more carbon than 2000, environmental protests against tion, designate work requirements and gasoline. And switchgrass, even when oil and gas permits have gone up 700 milestones to ensure the diligent devel- grown on existing corn lands, emits 50 percent. opment of the lease.’’ percent more carbon than gasoline. It is an insult to the American people So let’s go back to our original chart, On the other hand, the Department to mislead them this way. Is it any and put a ‘‘F’’ on the third line. Oil of Energy calculates that oil shale, wonder that Americans are getting shale leasing is, in every way, the op- without using any carbon capture tech- completely fed up with this Congress? posite of a fire sale. nology, emits only 7 percent more car- Anyway, let’s go back to our chart I am the sponsor of the FREEDOM bon than gasoline. and put a big ‘‘F’’ on the line that says Act, which provides strong tax incen- Whether you are talking about oil companies don’t want to drill. tives for plug-in electric vehicles. I water, land use, or greenhouse gases, And that leads us to the third line on also sponsored the CLEAR Act, which oil shale is certainly an improvement the chart, which states that the release is the existing law giving tax credits over ethanol. I continue to support eth- of final commercial lease regulations for hybrids and alternative fuels. I un- anol production, but I know it is lim- on oil shale would lead to a ‘‘fire sale’’ derstand that there are alternatives to ited in what it can do. on oil shale leases. oil, but I also choose to deal in the real On the other hand, as you can see by It is an argument I have heard more world when I make policies. Just as this chart, we have between 1 and 2 with oil shale, each alternative will than once, but a very quick review of trillion barrels of recoverable shale oil take years to fully develop, but we existing oil shale law proves it to be in the United States. That is a pretty must work on them today if we want false. important number, because it is about I was the sponsor of the Oil Shale and the benefits tomorrow. Today, alternatives make up only the same of amount of the entire Tars Sands Development Act. It is now world’s proven oil reserves. All govern- Public Law and referred to as Section about 3 percent of transportation fuels, and most of that is corn ethanol. ment has to do is get out of the way. 369. Senators PETE DOMENICI and I hate the mandate on ethanol, but I Unfortunately, Congress has been ex- WAYNE ALLARD were heroic supporters am on record as a strong supporter of ceedingly dysfunctional when it comes of the proposals, and we consulted with incentives for ethanol. to energy. Senators JEFF BINGAMAN and KEN But let me remind my colleagues of On one hand they complain about oil SALAZAR on the legislation. some of the points I made on the Sen- companies sitting on oil leases, which It is worth taking a look at the ac- ate floor earlier this week. And these we know isn’t true, and on the other tual language in the law, and I am facts are based strictly on Government hand they ban development of our Na- paraphrasing to save time, but the law data and science journals. tion’s biggest oil resource, oil shale. states it very clearly: If ethanol production were expanded I wish they would make up their ‘‘The Secretary shall consult with to make up 20 percent of our fuel sup- mind. And so do the American people, the Governors of the States . . . to de- ply, it would move into drier areas and especially those Americans who fall termine the level of support and inter- require irrigation. well under the poverty line. est in the States in the development of This chart shows a comparison of Let’s take a look at the last item on tar sands and oil shale....’’ how much water would be required to our energy quiz today. It states that Even after final commercial lease make that much ethanol, compared to our poorest citizens spend about half regulations are published, not one lease the amount of water for the same their income on energy costs. can be put out to bid until after the amount of oil shale. The idea that oil A book written by one of our Na- Secretary of the Interior consults with shale needs huge amounts of water is tion’s civil rights crusaders, Roy Innis, the relevant Governor to determine the an absolute myth, but the media keeps shows how the poorest of the poor level of State and local support for repeating it. spend up to 50 percent of their income such activity. Then the law states This chart shows us how much land on energy needs. Can you imagine the that: would be required to produce enough impact the anti-oil agenda has had on ‘‘If the Secretary finds sufficient sup- ethanol for 20 percent of our fuel sup- these Americans? port and interest exists in a State, the ply. As you can see, it would take the So, for this final item, I will be Secretary may conduct a lease sale in equivalent of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, marking it with a ‘‘T’’ because it is a that State.’’ Missouri, and South Dakota combined true statement. Historically, the poor Notice that the Secretary may move to grow that much ethanol. This is cal- have looked to the liberals to promote forward only if there is support from culated based on data from the Energy their needs in Congress, but on energy, the State. Anyone who reads the actual Information Administration which they have been sold out. law, Mr. President, will see that shows it would take about 353,000 Earlier this month, a group of pro- issuing final regulations on commer- square miles to make that much eth- testers came to Capitol Hill calling on cial oil shale leases will not lead to a anol, which is represented by the green Congress to stop the war on the poor by fire sale. area on the map. groups and congressmen who are clos- This chart shows the five major steps Now, you probably cannot see it from ing off America’s energy resources. the law requires before the final regu- your chair. But this red arrow on the Included in the group were pastors lations are released and then another chart points to a tiny dot on the map, and civil rights leaders calling on this set of major steps that must be taken which is the smallest county in Kan- body to unlock America’s oil resources after the final regulations are pub- sas. It is about 156 square miles, and for the benefit of Americans and espe- lished, but before a single lease can be that is all the area it would take to cially for the benefit of lower income put up to bid. produce enough oil shale for 20 percent Americans. A fire sale is when a business sells of our fuel supply. It is important to One of the participants was Bishop damaged goods at basement bargain remember that after an acre of oil Harry Jackson. I would like to quote prices. The public auction of oil shale shale is used up, the law requires that some of his remarks for the record. leases is just the opposite. The auction it be restored back to nature. These are his words: would offer up valuable leases of only If you look at this large green area I am a registered Democrat, but this has to the highest bidder. The winners will on the map you can recognize that eth- nothing to do with partisan politics. Unless be paying a premium price to the Gov- anol requires a lot of land cultivation. the public understands that there are spe- ernment with the goal of getting a re- The February issue of Science maga- cific people and organizations that are fuel- turn on their investment, and the Gov- zine published a peer-reviewed article ing this war against the poor, nothing will

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The Republicans control 181⁄2 min- an effective spokesman not only for Democrats in Congress must choose utes in 10-minute increments. using and finding more American en- between the very well funded extreme Mr. ALEXANDER. I ask unanimous ergy but for using less of it. I heard anti-oil interests, or the poor, because consent to enter into a colloquy with him on the floor yesterday, and I would on energy prices, there is no com- my Republican colleagues for the 181⁄2 ask the Senator, isn’t it true that an promise between the two. To be honest, minutes. essential part of the Republican plan— I believe Americans have put their fin- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- but let’s call it the American plan—for ger on this conflict, even before their pore. Without objection, it is so or- really dealing with the price of gaso- representatives in Congress have fully dered. line today is to deal with both supply begun to understand it. Mr. ALEXANDER. Would the Chair and demand, and that we are equally Representative HENRY WAXMAN be so kind as to let me know when 1 interested in the demand part and passed a law that bans the Federal minute remains? using less part as we are in the supply Government from purchasing oil sands The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- part? from Canada, unless it can be proven pore. The Chair will do so. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I cer- that it has a lesser greenhouse gas Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, the tainly agree. I say to Senator ALEX- footprint than gasoline. In other words, Senate just voted, because of the way ANDER, I think you have articulated we are turning away 1.5 million barrels Republicans voted, to stay on $4 gaso- that so well. I just heard most of the of oil a day from a friendly neighbor in line until we can find a serious solution remarks of Senator CARPER, our Demo- favor of oil from the Middle East and to this problem. This is the biggest cratic colleague. He was talking about Russia. What about the greenhouse gas problem facing our country. The point ways to produce more nuclear power, footprint of shipping that oil all the we are trying to make is that we think biofuels. I think—don’t you—there is a way over here? we ought to take it up, take a week, basis for compromise between our par- Last year, Representative MARK take several days, offer our ideas, and ties that will have conservation plus UDALL, who represents Aspen, CO, the Democratic ideas—there are many more production? Both of those to- passed the one-year moratorium on about which we agree—and see if we gether, I am convinced, will help break commercial oil shale leasing. At first, I can make some substantial progress to this cycle of ever-rising prices of fuel. thought he was simply seeking a little finding more oil and gas and using less That is the direction we need to go. I extra time for comments, but a year oil and gas, which is the way we lower do find it odd that the Democratic moratorium on leases is a very long price if you believe in the law of supply leader is keeping this negotiation— time. Now he is trying to extend the and demand. really, this discussion that would occur moratorium for another year. What we have discovered, to our sur- from a real Energy bill debate—keep- I guess there are not too many poor prise—we are willing to do both, to find ing that from occurring and keeping in Aspen. I love Aspen and the people more and use less, but the Democratic progress from being made. there, but it is no secret that it is leader, at least, is not. Whenever we Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I home to plenty of wealthy elites and say we want to use more, he says: No, say to the Senator from Alabama, I environmentalists. I have no problem we can’t. More oil shale: No. More off- was just thinking last night, we could with Representative UDALL choosing shore drilling: No. have been taking these amendments up the elite anti-oil crowd over the poor. So what we would like to emphasize since last Friday. The Democratic But let’s be honest about the choices in these next few minutes is that, un- leader brought up his speculation bill, we’re making around here. like the way the Democratic leader has which is a perfectly appropriate energy Just a couple months ago a local characterized our proposal, we are bill to bring to the floor, and instead of Aspen newspaper reported about how equally interested in using less oil and having the Senator from Delaware the city of Aspen has been besieged finding more. After all, the United come make a speech about nuclear with building permit applications. The States uses 25 percent of all the oil in power, he could have offered an amend- article states that new building per- the world. So if we really want to re- ment about nuclear power. So we could mits every day equate to about $2 mil- duce the demand for oil as a way of af- have already spent 1 whole week deal- lion. From what I know about Aspen, I fecting price, we need to get serious ing with issues on the supply side and am sure there are some very nice about using less oil as well as finding demand side that would help lower the brandnew homes, stores and res- more. price of gasoline and other expenses. taurants going up, and more power to I went to Oak Ridge National Lab- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I them. oratory in May and suggested we need think that is exactly right. I just want Ironically, the local governments in a new Manhattan Project for clean en- to thank the Senator for his leadership Colorado’s oil shale areas support oil ergy independence, to put us on a path, and study. One of our Members said shale development. But it is the over the next 5 years, toward clean en- there are few issues in which more wealthy environmentally minded citi- ergy independence. We would start Members of this Senate have educated zens like the good people of the not so with doing the things we already know themselves than on energy. I think nearby Aspen who are opposing it. I ad- how to do, such as building more nu- most of our Members are deeply com- dressed the environmental benefits of clear powerplants—we know how to do mitted to doing something. If they are oil shale production earlier in my re- that—offshore drilling, for which 85 listening to their constituents, they marks, but extreme views are some- percent of the Outer Continental Shelf are. times extremely hard to change. is now, by law, off limits. I calculated out, I say to Senator AL- The American people are not asking But I mentioned, then, several things EXANDER, that according to the esti- for a big appropriation or some dif- we do not know how to do. We ought to mates of the Government, the average ficult action by Congress. They are not have crash programs and do them family travels 24,000 miles a year. That asking us to give oil companies big quickly. One was to make solar energy means in their budgets they will spend subsidies or environmental loopholes. cost competitive with fossil fuels in 5 this year, based on the increase in gas- All they ask is that this Congress stop years. Another was research in ad- oline prices, $1,260 more. That amounts locking up our domestic oil resources. vanced biofuels so we can make alter- to $105 per month. After they pay their They are asking us to stop relying on native fuels from crops we do not eat Social Security, after they pay their foreign governments who are much as well as crops such as corn that we do taxes, after they pay their insurance, smarter than we are about developing eat. That is another way to use less oil. after they pay their house loan, and all their own oil resources. They are ask- Another is to make all new buildings these fixed expenses all of us have, ing us to find more and use less. green buildings. We waste a lot of en- they have that little remaining money

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.005 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7446 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 that discretionary money to do the some competition to the big oil compa- States, probably have more of an abun- things they want to do to take care of nies, and would have a significant ef- dance of wind than about anywhere in their family and many critical needs, fect, would it not, in, hopefully, reduc- the country. and they have $100 less per month. ing the price of oil and their profits in Everybody says: Well, wind is inter- I believe we have to do something. I the process? mittent, and it does not blow all the do not believe we should go home with- Mr. ALEXANDER. It would. time. That is true, although you would out confronting this question. It re- I see the Senator from South Dakota, have an argument from people in South quires conservation, less utilization, who has been in many ways the fore- Dakota because it does seem to blow alternatives to this high price of oil, as most champion of renewable energy all the time there. But we have very well as more production. here. We often hear him say that in the consistent wind which can be converted Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I Dakotas they have more opportunity to energy and help address the ‘‘find say to the Senator from Alabama, one for wind energy, which, to the extent more’’ part of the energy solution in of the parts of the Republican proposal we use it, would reduce the amount of this country. is to make plug-in electric cars and oil we use if we plug in electric cars But here we are in the Senate, the trucks commonplace, which sounds and trucks, as an example, or use world’s greatest deliberative body, hav- like a startling idea the first time you biofuels that are an alternative fuel. ing amendments being blocked that hear it, the idea that you would just I wonder if the Senator from South would do anything to address this issue take your car or your truck and plug it Dakota would not agree that using less of supply and demand. In fact, as to the into the wall at home and fill it up oil, giving big oil some competition, is Energy bill we voted on in 2005, we with electricity instead of gasoline. not a big part of the Republican pro- adopted 57 amendments and we spent 10 But the fact is, Nissan announced in posal? days on the floor debating amend- Mr. THUNE. Absolutely, the Senator Tennessee the other day that it will ments. As to the Energy bill we passed from Tennessee is correct. I appreciate have a pure electric car out in about 3 in 2007—late last year—we spent 15 his leadership on the energy issue. I years. General Motors, Toyota, Ford— days of time on the floor of the Senate think putting it in very simple terms— they are all going to be selling these and adopted 49 amendments. So we finding more and using less—is some- cars. We are going to have the cars. have a history on big issues such as thing the American people understand The Tennessee Valley Authority, which this of allowing the Senate to work its and something that is seriously miss- serves the region where we live, says it will, and here we have probably the ing in this debate. has plenty of electricity at night which most important economic issue affect- it can sell at low cost. So we have the The Democratic leadership, by filling the amendment tree, has prevented the ing America, not only currently but in cars coming. We have the electricity. the future, and the pocketbooks of All we need is the cord. opportunity for Senators on our side or Senators on their side to offer amend- every single American—and that is this We could use a debate and discussion incredible toll and economic hardship on the Senate floor to help make this ments that would address the very basic issue of finding more and using that the high price of fuel is taking on country a place in which plug-in elec- our economy and on Americans’ pock- tric cars and trucks would succeed. less. What we have before us on the floor is a very narrow solution that etbooks. And we are being cut off from That is part of our amendment. even offering any debate that would ad- I ask the Senator from Alabama, does nothing to address America’s dan- dress these issues of conservation. don’t you think there is widespread gerous dependence upon foreign sources support for plug-in cars and trucks on of energy, does nothing to add to our We have some great ideas on con- that side and widespread support on domestic supply in dealing with the servation, renewable energy, advanced this side? Why don’t we have some ‘‘finding more’’ side of the equation, battery technology. The Senator from amendments about that? Why aren’t and, frankly, does nothing to deal with Tennessee talked about—and so did the we allowed to do it? the ‘‘using less’’ because all the good Senator from Alabama—having these Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I amendments—and I have looked at the electric hybrids that run for 40 or 60 could not agree more. In fact, Senator list of amendments here on our side, at miles on electricity and then convert CARPER, our colleague, just 10 or 15 least—we have 24 ‘‘finding more’’ type over to fuel. I would like to be able to minutes ago emphasized plug-in hy- of amendments, 14 ‘‘using less’’ type of talk about and offer some amendments brids as one of the key solutions. I amendments. We have a number of peo- that would—once they get to that, think you and I agree from our discus- ple who would like to offer amend- where they start kicking in and run- sions that in the immediate future, a ments with regard to conservation and ning on a gasoline engine, making plug-in hybrid automobile may have renewable energy. those flex-fuel vehicles because then more potential to reduce our depend- As the Senator said, I am very much you could run on any type, whether it ence on fossil fuels than almost any supportive of renewable energy. We are is gasoline, whether it is E85. You other thing that is within our techno- just going over—South Dakota will could use blends that could be used to logical capabilities to achieve. Would eclipse now the 1 billion-gallon level not only run the cars but also move us the Senator agree with that? annually in ethanol, biofuels. We think away from dependence upon fossil fuels Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, there is a tremendous upside in the po- and petroleum and more toward that is exactly my view. What makes it tential future in advanced, what we biofuels. especially appealing is that the Gov- call next-generation biofuels, cellulosic But in any event, the point of all this ernment is not in charge of it. The car ethanol, which would geographically is, we are standing on the floor of the companies are making the cars. The diversify ethanol production in this Senate with an opportunity to do utilities have the electricity. It is esti- country. So, I say to the Senator from something about an issue that is in- mated that we could electrify half of Alabama and the Senator from Ten- credibly impacting Americans in this our cars and trucks in America with- nessee, their States might be able to country, and we are being blocked from out building a single new powerplant. participate in that as well because they even having an opportunity to have Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask would be able to make it from other some of these amendments that would Senator ALEXANDER this. I get so frus- forms of biomass. impact the ‘‘finding more’’ side of the trated when I say and Members on this I am very much for having a wide- equation in additional domestic pro- side say: Well, we need to produce more ranging debate that includes opportu- duction and also the ‘‘using less’’ side, oil and gas, we have blocked 85 percent nities to offer amendments on con- which is the conservation component. of our offshore lands—not south of Ala- servation, on renewable energy, on Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, the bama, we have supported that, but biofuels, on wind. South Dakota is Senator who has helped us frame the other areas are blocked—and they say home—maybe second to Washington, debate has arrived on the floor, the Re- that is because we are for oil compa- DC, because there is a lot of hot air in publican leader. I have heard him say nies. But the truth is, this idea you and Washington—but when it comes to repeatedly that we want a result. This I are talking about—a plug-in hybrid— wind energy, South Dakota and the is not a time for playing games. This is would take us from oil, would give upper Midwest, the Great Plains not a time for scoring points. This is a

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.015 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7447 time when Americans—South Dako- mand tomorrow. So if this world saw The American people have been tell- tans, Alabamians, Tennesseans—we are the United States of America take ing us for months that the house is on all hurting. major steps today to change the supply fire, and the Democrats just showed up I get stories from marines who do not and demand in the world for oil and at the scene with a squirt gun—a squirt have money for their vacation with gas, the price would be affected today, gun. their family after 18 months in Iraq, in my view. The vote we took this morning was from moms who are losing their job be- I wonder if the Senator from South their response to $4-a-gallon gasoline. cause they cannot afford the commute. Dakota would agree that the family That is what a few of our friends on the We have an opportunity. We could be budget— other side are doing for all of those doing it this day. We could be debating The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- people out there who are standing at Senator THUNE’s proposals on wind and pore. The Senator has 1 minute re- the gas pump, hopping mad at what it renewable energy and biofuels, Senator maining. just cost them to fill the tanks of their SESSIONS’ proposals on conservation Mr. ALEXANDER.—that the family cars. They have told 49 Republicans and plug-in vehicles. Yet we are in this budget is more important than the leg- and more than a dozen Democrats who parliamentary procedure to block us islative calendar, and that the family are open to increased domestic explo- from offering anything that has to do budget in America is more important ration the same thing: take it or leave with finding more and using less—ex- than a legislative vacation, and what it, speculation or nothing. cept the one proposal. we ought to be doing today and over Americans are insisting that we do a I see the Republican leader in the the weekend and next week is figuring lot more than that. They want us to do Chamber. I wonder if he would agree out what to do about $4 gasoline by something to cut the price of gas and with me that the American people are finding more and using less. to lessen our dependence on oil in the ready for the Senate to act and get a Mr. THUNE. There is no doubt the Middle East. They don’t want us to result on $4 gasoline, and the Repub- folks I represent in South Dakota, as quit working until the job is done, and licans are at least as interested in well as the people of Tennessee and the leaving this issue is what the Demo- using less oil, giving big oil some com- people of Alabama, are speaking loudly cratic leadership just voted to do. petition, as we are in finding more? and clearly about this. They want this A majority in the Senate wants Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, it addressed. They think all this finger- America to be self-reliant and to find strikes me that the public opinion polls pointing and playing the blame game more American energy, but the Demo- are overwhelming. People, frankly, do in Washington isn’t doing anything to cratic leadership says: No, we can’t. To drive down gas prices, we should not care who gets it done, but they solve their problem, which is the tre- be opening the Outer Continental Shelf know they need both sides to cooperate mendous toll and impact this is having today, but the Democratic leadership to get there. I think Senate Repub- on their pocketbooks. I would hope we licans this morning spoke almost with says: No, we can’t. would be able to have a wide-ranging To drive down gas prices, we could be one voice, saying: Let’s stay on this debate, be able to vote on amendments, lifting the ban on development of the subject and get it right now. look at a balanced, comprehensive ap- vast oil shale deposits in Western Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I say proach that includes more production, States that sit on three times the re- to Senator ALEXANDER, I have great af- that includes conservation, that in- serves of Saudi Arabia. The Democratic fection for the Democratic leader, but I cludes use of renewables. leadership says: No, we can’t. just could not agree with his statement That is not happening in the Senate, To drive down gas prices, we could that we do not have time. We have a and it is not happening because the have approved incentives for battery- whole month coming up for which we Democratic leadership has decided powered electric cars and trucks today. are supposedly going home for recess. they don’t want to take votes. They The Democratic leadership says: No, Our soldiers are working 7 days a week, don’t want to take votes on additional we can’t. with 15-hour days. This Congress can- production, and so they have done To drive down gas prices, we could not stand to stay in session a while and what they call in Washington ‘‘filling have voted to open up untapped Amer- confront this issue and do some things the tree.’’ In simple terms that basi- ican oil today, but the Democratic we know will work? cally prevents anybody—including leadership says: No, we can’t. I know there are a lot of specific Members on their side but Members on To drive down gas prices, we could steps everybody in this Chamber would our side as well—from offering amend- have voted today for new, clean, nu- agree would be positive to deal with ments that would actually solve the clear technology, but the Democratic this problem. We need to take those problem. leadership says: No, we can’t. steps, and on a bipartisan basis; but we It is unfortunate where we are, but To drive down gas prices, we could can’t get there unless we are able to the Senator is exactly right. have approved new coal-to-liquid tech- bring up the bill and debate it. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- nology today, but the Democratic lead- Mr. ALEXANDER. We should start pore. The Republican time has expired. ership says: No, we can’t. today. I wonder if the Senator would Mr. ALEXANDER. Thank you, Mr. Nearly eight in ten Americans say we agree with me. What I hope I never President. should do these things, but the Demo- hear on the Senate floor again is it will The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- cratic leadership and their Presidential take 10 years or it will take 5 years be- pore. The Republican leader is recog- nominee have the same simple re- cause, I wonder what we are supposed nized. sponse to every one of them: No, we to do, not look ahead for the kind of Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I won’t. country we want for our children? wish to proceed on my leader time. I A dozen Democrats in the Senate say What if President Kennedy said: I am unsure what the time situation is. we should consider these things, but would like to go to the Moon, but it The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- the Democratic leadership had the will take 10 years, so forget it. What if pore. Without objection, it is so or- same answer for them: No, we won’t. President Roosevelt had said: We need dered. The Democratic leadership just voted to build an atom bomb to win World Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, the to give up on finding a solution to high War II, but it is going to take 3 years, Senate took a defining vote this morn- gas prices. They just voted to give up so we better drop that idea. Or what if ing. on trying to find more and to use less. Benjamin Franklin had said: I would Americans have been crying out, ask- They just voted to give up on our effort like to see a republic for these colo- ing us to act to lower high gas prices. to consider serious ideas from both nies, but it might take 50 years, so let’s They just heard the official response sides of the aisle. They want us to tell not do that. from the Democratic leadership in Con- the American people the Senate’s time Our job is to look down the road a gress: A few new guidelines for the en- would be better spent on other things, few years and try to create a better energy futures market is enough. We and that it is time to simply move on. vironment for people. In addition, the don’t need to do anything other than Well, Republicans have a three-word price of gasoline today is based upon that. That is it. That is the Senate response for the Democratic leader- the expected supply and expected de- Democratic position. ship: No, we won’t.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.016 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7448 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 I just voted to keep the Senate on For the first time in a generation fitting that we spend a moment in this the most important domestic issue fac- with this legislation, we are beginning legislation to recognize these brave ing our Nation. If there is a more im- to update, modernize, and strengthen young Americans. portant domestic issue facing the coun- the institutions that undergird our It will also provide $3.92 billion for try, let’s hear it; otherwise, let’s get mortgage and housing markets to pro- States and local governments for the serious and work toward a big solution vide some footing, some economic trac- development of abandoned and fore- to this very big problem. tion, so that Americans can begin to closed homes. It has been estimated I mentioned yesterday that I received feel somewhat hopeful and confident that Rhode Island will receive about recently a letter from a dialysis center about their economic future again. We $56.7 million of this community devel- in Kentucky. They were pleading with are also providing grants and tax in- opment block grant funding, which the Senate to take action now on the centives to encourage the development should help stabilize many of our high price of gas at the pump. The let- of housing across the Nation for low-in- neighborhoods and stem the significant ter said that some of the rural patients come families. losses in the home values of sur- who have to go to this center for treat- One of those issues that has been per- rounding neighbors. ment three times a week are now fore- sistent and, indeed, pernicious for What happens when a home is fore- going some of their treatments because many, many, many years before the closed? It affects dramatically and they can’t afford the gas to get there. onset of this housing crisis is the lack traumatically the individual family, So I ask my friends on the other side of affordable housing in many parts of but the effect is not contained to that the same simple question I asked them the country—in fact, practically every home because the values of the sur- yesterday: If you won’t act now, with part of the country. Low-income fami- rounding homes go down as well. Al- dialysis patients cutting back on treat- lies have been struggling for decent, af- most like a cascading effect, one fore- ments because of high gas prices, when fordable housing. closure follows another, home values will you act? What is it going to take? In this legislation, we are providing a descend, and then you have a blighted I know my colleagues across the aisle response to their struggle—a response I community. We have seen this in are stuck between the ‘‘No, we can’t’’ think will not only benefit low-income Rhode Island. position of their Presidential candidate families but benefit communities My colleague, the Presiding Officer and the Democratic leadership—stuck throughout the Nation. and junior Senator from Rhode Island, between them on the one side and the This legislation is a comprehensive has traveled through some of our com- guy at the gas pump with smoke com- and realistic response to the current munities where not one home, but two, ing out of his ears on the other. For crisis. I believe it will help millions of and then three, and four, and then ten me, though, that decision is an easy Americans to find decent, safe, and af- are foreclosed—then suddenly we have one: I am going to be with the guy at fordable housing. a problem which is eating at the heart the pump. Again, let me thank Chairman DODD of the community. Mr. President, I yield the floor. and Senator SHELBY for all of their This CDBG money will help cities The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- hard work and their very astute, very move aggressively, first, to protect the pore. The senior senator from Rhode Is- wise judgments at various places along physical structures of these homes. land is recognized. the way where this legislation could One of the things we have seen—not HOUSING have gone off the track. They have just in Rhode Island but nationwide—is Mr. REED. Mr. President, I wish to done a remarkable service for this body that when these homes are abandoned, talk about the pending passage of ex- and for the American people. This bill they are subject to predators who come traordinarily important legislation: is not just going to provide families in, rip out the copper piping, the wir- the Housing and Economic Recovery with some hope; it is also going to pro- ing, take off the siding, and before you Act. We are debating it today, and it is vide families with real help, and that is know it, you have lost that oppor- one of the most significant pieces of so critical at this juncture. tunity to put another family in that legislation that we will address in this For families, such as many in Rhode home. It is a great loss to the commu- Congress and perhaps in many Con- Island who are struggling to stay in nity. gresses to come. It is in direct response their homes, this legislation creates a We have done much over the last sev- to the housing crisis, which has not new program at the Federal Housing eral decades to begin to turn the corner only undermined home values through- Administration—the FHA. This HOPE in many of our communities in Rhode out this country, forcing thousands and for Homeowners Program will allow Island. You could see the sense of pride hundreds of thousands of people into families who have mortgages that are and progress as homes were fixed up foreclosure or onto the verge of fore- underwater—their mortgage is greater and new properties were developed, but closure, but its effects have essentially than the value of their home at this we stand the chance of losing that, of been transmitted throughout the en- time—to refinance into 30-year, fixed- letting it slip away. So without this tire economy, and we are seeing a huge rate, FHA-insured mortgages they can community block grant development economic downturn. Unless we provide afford. It is going to increase funding money, we will see neighborhoods some type of footing for housing in the for home ownership counseling so that turned inside out, begin to fail, and United States, I do not think the econ- more families have access to these provide a further pull downward on the omy will begin to recover. It is perhaps much needed services. economy in so many communities in the most significant economic issue This legislation also aids our return- this country. This is another impor- that we face. ing soldiers, sailors, airmen, and ma- tant aspect of this legislation. For months now we have been bat- rines. I just had the privilege of trav- This legislation also will help to sta- tling to get this legislation through, eling into Iraq and Afghanistan with bilize and stimulate the real estate and we are now on the verge of passing Senator HAGEL and Senator OBAMA to market. this significant bill. I am excited for personally thank these young men and This has been one of the great en- that moment, and I wish to first com- women and to tell them we are with gines of our economy over the last dec- mend individuals who have played a them. We are with them not just there ade or more. critical role. Senator DODD has been rein the war zone, but we have to be with This legislation contains a provision markable in his management of this them when they come home so they that will provide a $7,500 tax credit for legislation, along with Senator SHEL- have a chance when they come back to first-time homebuyers—help people get BY. They have played a dynamic and maintain their homes and get the serv- back into the real estate market. very creative and very positive role in ices they need. This legislation will It will also provide States with $11 bringing this legislation to final pas- help them by lengthening the time a billion of additional tax-exempt bond sage. They have been ably assisted by lender must wait before starting the authority in 2008 to help refinance their staff, and I have been particularly foreclosure process and by providing subprime loans, make loans to first- assisted by my staff members, Kara these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and ma- time homebuyers, and finance the Stein and Didem Nisanci. They have rines with 1 year of relief from in- building of affordable housing. Many done a remarkable job. creases in mortgage interest rates. It is States—particularly in our State of

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Restoring con- one of the ironies of the marketplace fordable housing, help people who are fidence in Fannie and Freddie and the will be—and I hope quickly—when the having difficulties with their mort- marketplace is one of the building market restores itself and home values gages. This additional bonding author- blocks to beginning to restore and re- begin to rise because of this legislation ity will give more support to these build our economy going forward. and other legislation, it will make it local efforts. It is a critical issue. These provisions will, I hope, do it in even more difficult for low-income and The legislation also increases the such a way that they provide psycho- modest income Americans to find a GSE—which are Fannie Mae and logical support so that actually draw- place to rent or buy. We want the econ- Freddie Mac—FHA, and VA loan lim- ing down funds by Fannie Mae and omy and the housing market to come its. This is going to allow more fami- Freddie Mac may be unnecessary. This back strong, and we want housing val- lies to access conventional mortgage backstop will send, I think, the right ues to rise. But we cannot forget the rates and be able to place themselves message to the marketplace so we can people who may be left behind because in affordable and sustainable mortgage move on to begin to deal with some their income is flat. products. One of the problems we have other issues with respect to the larger So this affordable housing provision seen over the last several years has be- financial markets of this country, and is critical. There is no place in this come much more vivid. Looking back, indeed the world. country, for example, where an indi- because we didn’t empower the VA, Finally, let me mention some of the vidual with a full-time job, at the min- FHA, and GSEs to more aggressively provisions I am particularly proud of in imum wage, can afford a two-bedroom provide access to conventional loans, the bill. They represent the culmina- apartment. Today, the minimum wage many families turned to these exotic tion of years of work—not my work is going up, which is long overdue; but mortgages with accelerating interest alone, but work on which I have taken even at $6.65 an hour, that doesn’t rates. As a result, they find themselves upon myself to provide some, I hope, leave a lot for a good, safe two-bed- now in a great dilemma. Studies have leadership. room apartment for a family. We have shown that many people who were get- I have been working to create a na- to do more. This legislation does more. ting these subprime loans would have tional affordable housing trust fund, In my State of Rhode Island, the av- qualified for one of these conventional this in response to the needs I have erage wage for a renter is $11.61. In loans with a conventional interest seen—and my colleague, the junior order to afford the fair market rent for rate. Because we weren’t reaching out Senator from Rhode Island, has seen— an apartment at this wage, a renter through these Government agencies, around the country, with families must work 68 hours per week, 52 weeks the VA, Federal Housing Administra- struggling to find a decent place to a year. If you are making the average tion, and also incentivizing the quasi- live. Without a decent and a permanent wage, in order to afford a decent two- governmental agencies, Fannie Mae place to live, how can you expect chil- bedroom apartment, you have to work and Freddie Mac, these people had very dren to succeed in school, if they are in 68 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. Peo- little choice but to be subject to the three different schools when families ple are doing that. They are doing it blandishment and allure of these seem- move from one rental to another one? for their children; they are doing it to ingly good deals in the subprime mort- How can families choose between shel- make sure that at least there is a safe gage market. Now we are getting much ters at all, when apartments are rid- and healthy place for their children. more aggressive with conventional dled with lead hazards, which impacts That is an extraordinary burden. That mortgages. That will be, I think, going the health and welfare of a child and is just to pay the rent. What about the forward a good thing. the family? How can you expect some- increased food prices? What about the Important also, this legislation helps one to confidently go out and look for gasoline prices we are all recently restore confidence in Fannie Mae and a job and maintain a job, when they talking about with such intensity? Freddie Mac. It creates a new, strong, are asked for a permanent home ad- This legislation creates an affordable independent, world-class regulator for dress and they have to scribble some- housing trust fund from a less than Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Fed- thing—either make it up or change it one-half cent fee on each new dollar of eral Home Loan Banks. repeatedly? These are the challenges business that Fannie Mae and Freddie The bill also includes a provision, at many face because we don’t have ade- Mac engage in. This is not from the the request of Secretary Paulson and quate affordable housing for many of taxpayer. This is from the business ac- the administration, which will author- our citizens. Prompted by that, I have, tivities of these government-sponsored ize the Department of the Treasury to since I have been in the Congress—the entities. A less than a half-cent new fee provide an explicit backstop should the House and the Senate—been working on each new dollar of business. GSEs encounter grave financial prob- for the day we can provide more sup- The fund, we estimate, is going to lems. port for affordable housing for our citi- provide approximately $500 million per I am pleased also that the Federal zens. year for the building, preservation, and Reserve’s consultative role with the When I was chair and ranking mem- rehabilitation of housing for low-in- newly created regulator will also be ber of the Housing and Transportation come families. Rhode Island should re- also limited to the duration of this au- Subcommittee of the Banking Com- ceive approximately $3 million from thority rather than in perpetuity. mittee during the last few Congresses, the trust fund program once it gets up I firmly believe that issues sur- it became clear to me that our Nation and running. rounding regulatory reform need to be had this affordable housing crisis. One Part of the money collected from seriously considered at length for the of my first public policy endeavors as a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will also remainder of this year and in the up- young lawyer in Rhode Island was to be be allocated to a new program that will coming year. We should not be merely the pro bono legal counsel to Amos be run by the Secretary of the Treas- bootstrapping these issues to the cur- House, a wonderful organization in our ury, called the Capital Magnet Fund. rent bill without significant delibera- home State, in Providence, which at- Community development financial tion on the role and the ability of the tempted to provide support to people institution and nonprofit housing de- Federal Reserve to perform such re- who were poor and also provide some velopers will be able to apply for fund- sponsibilities. Let me say that again. housing. I first became convinced that ing if they can show an increased in- It is vitally important to signal to the if we can provide stability in housing, vestment in the development, preserva- markets and the American people that that would go a long way towards giv- tion, rehabilitation, and purchase of af- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are still ing people the confidence, self-esteem, fordable housing for primarily low-in- vital, valuable parts of our mortgage and the skills needed to master the come families. So there are basically market. In fact, they represent right challenges of living in a very difficult two funding streams. We hope it will now roughly 70 percent of that market. economy. incentivize the use not just of these

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.028 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7450 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 funds but additional private funds so That should be a sobering caution for going to be the linchpin that helps mil- we can provide even more support for people who are trying their best to get lions of families have decent, safe, and affordable housing. into a home. affordable housing. The grantees of the capital magnet I am also pleased that this bill in- It also should restore confidence in program must show they can leverage cludes language I authored to expand not only our Nation’s housing market at least $10 in private dollars for each access to HUD-approved counseling but in our Nation’s economy. As we dollar they receive from the Capital programs by allowing any low or mod- move forward, I think we have much to Magnet Fund. That is a pretty good erate income homeowner to be eligible learn from this experience, including deal. If they can leverage $10 of private for financial counseling services. This how integrally connected our housing investment for $1 of investment from provision will allow many more fami- markets and capital markets have be- that fund, that will multiply many fold lies to get the advice or assistance they come. Safe, decent, and affordable the effect of these affordable housing need to help keep their homes. housing should not just be the Amer- dollars. These grantees will have to As most of you know, FHA also in- ican dream, it should be the American show that leverage and show innova- sures reverse mortgages that can be promise. I look forward to witnessing tive ways in which they can deliver af- used by homeowners age 62 or older to the good this bill does in moving us in fordable housing services. This will be convert their home equity into month- that direction. a private solution to this problem. ly streams of income, or a line of credit As a final point, my colleague, Sen- These grantees are primarily commu- to be repaid when they no longer oc- ator SANDERS, has shown remarkable nity development financial institutions cupy the home. leadership to get LIHEAP funding onto or not-for-profits, who want to go As the coauthor with Senator AL- the floor of this Senate. We need it. ahead and support affordable housing LARD of a bill to improve the home eq- One of the responses, one of the imme- in their communities. uity conversion mortgage program, I diate responses—not talking about This funding will be used to create am pleased this bill contains our lan- drilling that 10 years from now will put and support financial programs that guage to remove the current congres- more gasoline into the world market— dramatically increase investment in sionally imposed 275,000 cap on the in immediately dealing with the crisis low-income housing, such as revolving number of reverse mortgages that FHA this fall and winter for families every- loan funds, risk-sharing loan programs, can insure per year. This should allow where is to pass a LIHEAP bill. I hope loan-loss reserves, and affordable hous- the successful FHA program for seniors we can do that. ing trust funds at the local level. to expand and serve more seniors. I yield the floor. I also helped draft provisions that The bill also includes important pro- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. would require Fannie Mae and Freddie visions to protect our seniors from PRYOR). The assistant majority leader. Mac to purchase more mortgages made fraudulent practices, such as require- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, first, I to low- and very low-income families. ments for independent, third-party wish to welcome back our colleague, This should increase the access of these counseling before they enter into the Senator REED of Rhode Island, who has families to 30-year fixed rate conven- mortgage, limits on the amount of returned from a trip to Iraq and Af- tional mortgages. These provisions also origination fees that can be charged, ghanistan with Senators OBAMA and require Fannie and Freddie to purchase and prohibitions on requiring the pur- HAGEL. I know he has made many trips more mortgages for rental housing chase of other products, such as insur- there and I thank him for his service in built for low-income families, which ance or annuities. This is a good pro- the Senate and his contact with our decreases the mortgage rates on these gram. We think we have made it better troops and we are glad to have him mortgages. Frankly, more financial in- and believe it will now be able to serve back. stitutions will make the mortgages be- more seniors. Mr. President, how much time re- cause they will be able to sell them to Additionally, the legislation contains mains on the Democratic side? the secondary market. language I authored to use $25 million The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is The legislation also includes the text in FHA savings every year for the pur- 51⁄2 minutes. of a bill I introduced, called the Mort- pose of modernizing and improving Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, briefly, I gage Disclosure Improvement Act. FHA’s technology, processes, and pro- will say that we have pending before us These provisions require that con- gram performance. This funding can a housing bill. You couldn’t have sumers are provided with timely and also be used to provide more staffing missed this story in America; it has hit meaningful information regarding the for FHA’s newly expanded programs. so many communities so hard. My terms of their loan, including loans This funding is critical to ensure the home State of Illinois is fourth or fifth that refinance a home or provide a success of the FHA modernization pro- in the Nation in mortgage foreclosures. home equity line of credit. As we look posal since it will allow FHA to access Our largest county, Cook County, is back on this subprime crisis, so many cutting-edge mortgage industry prac- No. 2 among counties in the Nation in times borrowers were totally unaware tices and procedures. If we want the mortgage foreclosures. I have gone to of the details of the mortgage. They FHA to be a strong participant in the the west side of Chicago and taken a might have been able to afford the first mortgage market, they have to have look—with Bob Fioretti, the local al- year of payments, but once the esca- the modern tools to do that, not only derman—and seen a beautiful row of lator kicked in, they were out of the to serve more borrowers but also to houses, and among those are many box. They never understood this fully. protect against problems, to protect well-kept places, with the lawns mani- Frankly, there were more incentives the resources they are committed on cured, and smack dab in the middle is for the brokers and dealers of the loans behalf of the Government to use for the one boarded-up house with trash all to obscure the bad news than to deliver benefit of our fellow citizens. So this over the front yard and a sign that says the news to the borrowers. With these modernization provision is absolutely it will be up for auction in a few weeks. improvements, people will have fair critical, it is important, and I am glad Of course, that is dragging down the warning. They will have the informa- it is in the bill. property values for the good neighbors tion they need to make a better judg- We are at a critical juncture, and I who are trying to keep their homes ment about the mortgages they will am very pleased that we have finally nice and make their mortgage pay- sign up for. been able to reach bipartisan agreements on time. So mortgage fore- In particular, the TILA, the Truth- ment on this legislation. Again, it is a closure isn’t just your neighbor’s mis- in-Lending Act form, will now show the tribute to Senator DODD and Senator fortune, it is your misfortune. And maximum payment a consumer might SHELBY and so many others and to a re- when 21⁄2 million Americans lose their have to make under the terms of the markable staff who have worked so home to foreclosure, 44 million homes loan, and increase penalties if a lender hard. I am most proud of what we have see a decline in values. doesn’t provide this information in a been able to do to increase access to In my hometown of Springfield, IL, truthful and timely way to the con- credit and affordable housing for low- when somebody files for foreclosure a sumer. You will know the maximum income people in Rhode Island and block or two away, it affects my prop- exposure you will have as a borrower. across the Nation. This legislation is erty value. Of course, a home is one of

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.029 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7451 the most important assets most fami- its for their mortgages and extending The PRESIDING OFFICER. If any lies own. So we want to get this under the period of time that lapses after a Senator objects. control. soldier returns from service before he Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, we are Those people who have been de- can face foreclosure. dealing here, for those who watch the frauded by mortgage practices that Cities receive $4 billion under the bill Senate, with a procedure where the never should have been allowed need a to purchase and rehab foreclosed prop- majority leader has done what is called second chance. I don’t have any sym- erty, and it helps avoid foreclosures in filling the tree. It is a tactic where the pathy for speculators—those high fly- the future by tightening licensing re- Democratic leader brings a bill to the ers trying to make a fortune. But for quirements on mortgage brokers. Senate, fills the tree so no amendments those families who need a second All these steps are in the right direc- can be offered without his consent, and chance to stay in their homes and not tion, but we also need a good-faith ef- then files cloture on the bill, which lose everything they have put into fort from lending institutions. For too stops debate. The end result is a proc- them, this bill can help. long they have stood by the sidelines ess that is designed to fail because it We worked on this bill on a bipar- watching these foreclosures stack up. prevents any other Senator from offer- tisan basis. We now have the Presi- They should be in the game, working ing amendments. dent’s support. The fact is, this bill with these families to save the homes, I would note the number of times the should be on the President’s desk where they can. That is not only the amendment tree has been filled by the today, and it could be. Sadly, one Re- right thing to do morally, it is the present majority leader has been 14 in publican Senator is holding up this bill right thing to do for their industry. If this 110th Congress. That is more than and making the Senate stay in session we are going to get the American econ- the total number of times that proce- until tomorrow. I hope that Senator is omy moving again, create jobs, and dure was used by the leaders in the here for the vote when it takes place have a bright economic future, we need 107th Congress, the 108th, and the 109th tomorrow, but this is totally unneces- to get our housing sector back on its Congress. sary. It is just a matter of delaying feet. Here we stand in the Senate, while critically important bipartisan legisla- I am sorry that one Senator makes our constituents are raising their tion that can try to address the ter- us wait until tomorrow to get it done, voices, expressing their frustration, rible home situation we have across but I trust tomorrow we will get it and asking us to do something on an done. We are going to pass this bill, America. issue which is ‘‘the issue’’ of the day. The National Association of Realtors send it to the President, and I hope We worry about the high cost of food. has reported that home sales have start the economic turnaround this My farmers have an increase in the dropped yet again last month, leaving country needs. cost of energy that is driving up the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- sales 151⁄2 percent below where they cost of food, and we are taking more ator from Minnesota. money out of our pockets now to pay were a year ago. The median price of a Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I join for gas. I tell folks at home, not so jok- home sold in June dropped 6.1 percent with the assistant Democratic leader ingly, that when you go to the gas sta- from a year ago. That is the fifth larg- in looking forward to passage of the tion today and you put the pump in the est year-over-year price reduction on housing bill. Americans are caught in record. what appears to be a perfect storm. tank, you wonder what is going to get In Illinois, my home State, sales The subprime mortgage crisis, of filled first, the tank or your credit were down again, and the median sale course, causes a collapse in that area, limit. So what we have is an energy price was down 6.1 percent from June and then all other housing is impacted speculation bill. This is what we are al- of last year. Unfortunately, it doesn’t by what happens to a neighbor. People lowed to debate when it comes to an- look like it is going to get better soon. lose value in their homes, they lose eq- swering the most urgent crisis facing Six months ago, the Center for Re- uity, they can’t reinvest, can’t fix the America. This is the Senate. It is sup- sponsible Lending estimated that 2.2 floors, and then we see jobs impacted. posed to be the greatest deliberative million homes may be lost to fore- It is a problem, and I look forward to body in the world, and this is not the closure in the near future. That means dealing with that tomorrow. I am way you deal with the energy crisis. 1 44 ⁄2 million families will see a decline pleased we have come together in a bi- You don’t set up a procedural process in the value of their homes. The total partisan way to address this very crit- that is designed to fail. I am going to decline in home values across America ical problem. talk further about speculation, but we from neighborhood foreclosures is ex- ENERGY have to do all of it. pected to be over $220 billion. The other side of the coin—that per- In Minnesota, we play hockey. It is a This bill that we have before us, that fect storm—is the issue of energy, the way of life for many. There is no ques- will be passed—I hope tomorrow—with gas crisis—$4-a-gallon gas, a barrel of tion we have plenty of ice to play on, a strong bipartisan vote, the Housing oil costing $130, $135, $140, and who and everyone knows hockey isn’t ex- and Economic Recovery Act, will take knows where it ends. I come to the actly a no-contact sport. In the same several steps to help families facing floor to discuss an energy amendment I way, it is reasonable to expect there foreclosure keep their homes, help introduced yesterday, with the support will be differences of opinion and lively other families avoid foreclosure, and of 24 other Senators, including the dis- debate among Senators when an impor- help communities that have been dev- tinguished ranking member of the En- tant bill is considered on the floor. But astated by foreclosure to recover. ergy and Natural Resources Com- what the majority leader has done with HRIS ODD Chairman C D , a Democrat mittee, Senator DOMENICI. the process on this Energy bill is akin from Connecticut, and ranking member Before I begin making my remarks, I to a hockey team throwing their gloves RICHARD SHELBY, a Republican from wish to make a parliamentary inquiry: on the ice before the puck is even Alabama, came together and crafted a I filed an amendment to S. 3268, the en- dropped. bipartisan bill and worked hard to do ergy speculation bill. When the Senate This isn’t about solving a problem. it. Chairman BARNEY FRANK of Massa- resumes consideration of that bill, This no-amendment process is set up to chusetts, over in the House, did an ex- which I presume we will go to after we deliver a political fight, and that is not traordinarily good job, and we were deal with the housing bill, would it be in the best interest of the American able to not only improve the regulation in order for me to offer that amend- people. It is the last thing Americans of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two ment? want and need. Minnesotans are Government agencies that are directly The PRESIDING OFFICER. It would smart—Americans are smart—and they involved in almost half the home sales take unanimous consent to offer that get it. They know we need to use every in America, but the bill also gives tax amendment. resource at our disposal to deal with benefits to families who want to buy Mr. COLEMAN. So if anyone on the this energy crisis. They also know poli- homes and cities trying to rebuild low- other side objects, then I do not have ticking when they see it. I don’t think income housing. the opportunity to move forth that either party wins if we go home in Au- It helps veterans—and we should al- amendment; is that correct, Mr. Presi- gust without passage of a strong en- ways do that—by increasing loan lim- dent? ergy bill. Not this. Not this, designed

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:45 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.030 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7452 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 to fail, addressing a narrow aspect of there, regardless of when it comes on, ments on each side. Time should not be it. I wish to address it, but there is so we are going to change the dynamic a problem either, as surely it will not much more that has to be done. today. take the 4 days it took doing the farm I agree speculation is an important On the demand side, widespread use bill. Maybe this could be shorter. But issue. I have been looking into this of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will we need to do it. We need to move for- matter, as ranking member of the Per- reduce our dependence on foreign oil, ward. Americans are demanding it. manent Subcommittee on Investiga- greenhouse gas emissions, and the I will be the first to sign up. I want tion and when I was chairman before costs associated with driving. In fact, to work with the Presiding Officer. I that. So as both the chairman and we could reduce the petroleum con- want to work with others. We need to ranking member, since 2006, we have sumption by 3 to 4 million barrels a find a bill that finds more and uses been looking at this. But speculation day by the mid-21st century and cut less. Let’s find something for produc- can’t be dealt with substantively with- the cost of driving by about 75 percent. tion, for conservation, and speculation. out changing the current supply-and- This amendment is not a silver bul- Do it all. That is what the Senate demand dynamic. The bottom line is let. In fact, there are many other areas should have a chance to vote on. we need to find more, we need to we need to look to—coal to liquid, oil I yield the floor. produce, and we need to consume less. shale, ethanol, expand nuclear produc- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Speculation is based on the belief tion now, wind energy—expand that CASEY). The Senator from New Mexico. that there is going to be scarcity in the now. We had Boone Pickens come into Mr. DOMENICI. I understand I am future. If you tell folks: No, no, there is our caucus—and he spoke to our col- entitled to speak now, for how long? not going to be scarcity because we are leagues on the other side—and say: Do The PRESIDING OFFICER. Up to 10 going to tap into American resources, it all. Do wind, do nuclear, do Outer minutes. we are going to do what has to be done Continental Shelf exploration, do oil Mr. DOMENICI. Before the Senator to break that dependence on foreign shale—do it all. I think there is a bet- leaves the floor, I wanted to say—I oil, to do what we have to do to tap ter way to address the speculation wanted to talk about three things, into our resources in an environ- issue than what has been done in the briefly. mentally safe way—you change the dy- underlying bill. First, the Senator is talking about namic. Unfortunately, the Senate has been an amendment that I cosponsored with We had testimony before our sub- handed a take-it-or-leave-it process on him. He adequately explained that if committee, and one of the witnesses a speculation bill that doesn’t cover the tree were not filled by the majority said that if we did it—and he was talk- production and doesn’t cover conserva- leader, that amendment could very ing mostly, by the way, about renew- tion. I believe if we abandon the type of well be before the Senate. It is very im- ables and conservation and produc- take-it-or-leave-it process that failed portant and very simple. We would tion—if we put it all together, the price to allow full consideration of a whole have a chance at some point in time to of gas would drop like a rock. Now, I range of bills, as we have seen with this vote, would we not, on that amend- can’t guarantee that, but I can tell you process of filling the tree, and look to ment? And it would say we are going to if you are concerned about speculation, the bipartisan template that was so ef- open the 85 percent of the offshore of then one of the things you want to do fective during the farm bill debate, we the United States that is closed today, is to tell the speculators who are bet- have a chance to pass an energy bill. and we are going to let the Governors ting on scarcity that there is not going That is the way the Senate works. work with us and try to give them part to be scarcity in the future because we There are Senators on both sides of of the royalties so we can have a seam- are tapping into American resources. the aisle who want to do this. They are less growth in the offshore production, We have those resources to tap into. listening to their constituents. They which could indeed change the supply- That is what the Coleman-Domenici understand. demand pendulum that is currently amendment would do; it would untie I want to go back to the farm bill. If causing this big spiral upwards that America’s hands as we try to deal with you recall, last November it looked as causes gasoline prices to go up—that is this energy crisis by allowing States to though the farm bill was dead. The leg- what that amendment is for? explore for deepwater oil and natural islation responsible for ensuring Amer- Mr. COLEMAN. I say to my colleague gas that is 50 miles or more off the Na- ica’s food security had fallen victim to from New Mexico, if the tree were not tion’s east and west coasts. That disagreement about amendments. filled, and the majority had not used amendment would also focus on the There were 285 amendments filed to the that procedure, we could put it on the conservation side because you have to farm bill, and the stalemate over proc- table and it would be another option do both. It would pave the way for ess lasted weeks. But at the end of the for Americans to tap into the resources plug-in hybrid vehicles, by making bat- day, the majority and minority leaders that we have, more production and tery production more efficient and agreed to 20 amendments on each side. more opportunity. That would have an more affordable. Voting began on December 11, and the impact today by telling folks we would Currently, 85 percent of the lower 48 farm bill was passed by 79 votes on De- have less scarcity in the future. Outer Continental Shelf acreage is off- cember 14. Argument over process had I tell my friend from New Mexico, be- limits—85 percent of the OCS is off- lasted for weeks. Yet in 4 days the Sen- cause the tree has been filled, we are limits right now in the lower 48. Mean- ate was able to breeze through an in- not going to have the opportunity to while, undiscovered OCS reserves are credibly complex reauthorization bill. have that debate. expected to be as large as 86 billion Senators did not need to vote on 285 Mr. DOMENICI. I want to make one barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet amendments, but they did need enough more point. I heard the Senator talk of natural gas. Producing just 1 million votes to ensure the Senate could fully about his hope for a bipartisan bill. We barrels a day from the OCS would in- consider the measure and do the job. could get plenty of people on because crease domestic oil production by near- The farm bill debate not only proved there ought to be Democrats who are ly 20 percent for 40 years. reasonable accommodation of process for this. Wouldn’t it help a lot if eight I live in a State that is cold in the can be found on important issues, but or ten Democrats on the other side winter, and that winter starts early. it also proved the power of bipartisan- were to tell their leader they do not We are going to see the price of natural ship to allow this body to serve the like this, they do not like the way he gas start spiking in September and Oc- American people. The farm bill has filled the tree, he ought to take tober. My farmers are impacted by that couldn’t have been passed without Sen- down some of those amendments so we because natural gas is important to the ators on both sides coming together for could go to work, bipartisan or other- production of fertilizer. They are hav- the greater good of the Nation. wise, so we could try to have an ing trouble getting price quotes—not The American people are in desperate amendment to vote on? That would just for next year, some are having need of a good energy policy. We don’t help, wouldn’t it? trouble getting price quotes for the need to vote on every amendment that Mr. COLEMAN. I tell my friend from near future. If we tell the world we are has been filed, but there is no reason New Mexico I certainly can’t influence tapping into this resource that is we can’t start out with seven amend- what the majority leader does. But I

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If that voice is then heard by the Senator from Minnesota couldn’t put it to read the speech and be fearful of the majority leader, maybe then we could more clearly before the American peo- future of this institution but, more im- have an opportunity to fully debate ple than he has done. He has tried to portant—equally important—your and fully consider the most important offer an amendment that goes right to rights as a Senator. You ought to be issue facing Americans today. the problem and confronts it head on. worried about that. Mr. DOMENICI. I don’t know where The Senator has heard from the Parlia- It will not be the Senate you thought the voices are going. All the voices in mentarian—you have requested permis- it was if you sit around and let this America, up to 75 percent, are saying sion to offer the amendment, and you happen. We are going to stay on it they want to open the offshore so we heard you cannot. Why you cannot is until the leader understands that there will have that asset for them to use. because the tree is filled; that is, the is a group of Senators who do not like You cannot do that without having a number of amendments allowed has it and are not going to sit here and vote on the Senate floor. That would been filled by amendments by the ma- take it. not happen but by a miracle; you would jority leader, and there is no more I would like to speak for a minute for have a vote. room. There is no more room for some- the American people. I would like to Mr. COLEMAN. I say to my col- thing really good—your amendment. talk about a great amendment that is league, as one who is on the forefront going to be pushed aside because of this of renewable technology in Minnesota, There is no room for it. You have shown everybody what that short-circuiting in this bill. This we pride ourselves as being the land of 10,000 lakes. Actually, we have more all means. This means we are going to amendment gets to the heart of what than that. Minnesota is prone to under- be around here telling the American we have been saying. We need to find statement. But clean water and clean people: We cannot help you. We cannot more and use less. air is an important part of where we help you with the amendment that you We have a great quantity of Amer- live. We are an environmentally strong talked about because we cannot con- ican resources on the Atlantic and Pa- State. The people of Minnesota are sider it. cific offshore coast. So the first part of Mr. COLEMAN. Unfortunately, the the Coleman-Domenici amendment telling me: Senator COLEMAN, we have to do it all. We need to open drilling in Senator from New Mexico is right. We which Senator COLEMAN has been the Outer Continental Shelf; we need do not have the opportunity to come speaking about would allow the coastal more production; we need commitment before the American public and say we States—to say to those areas that we to consume less, but we also need the fully debated, fully considered the op- can open the waters within their off- opportunity to find more and produce portunity to produce more energy, to shore boundaries for leasing 50 miles more. Those are the voices I am hear- find more energy, to do more with con- out. Believe it or not, we know how to ing in Minnesota. I have to believe we servation because the tree has been do that. Platforms can be built 50 miles are hearing it in New Mexico and Ar- filled. Now, I believe that right of the out or 60 miles out, drill down 50,000 kansas and Pennsylvania and through- Senate, that obligation and responsi- feet and have 12 or 14 wells under one out this country. bility, cannot be fulfilled. platform. They do not have to drill a Mr. DOMENICI. That amendment the I yield the floor. platform for each well. Senator has spoken of that he was Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I am The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time going to offer, but it is out of order—he going to proceed. How much time do I of the Senator has expired. is going to have to ask the majority have? Mr. DOMENICI. I ask, who has time leader for permission. That is a real The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- next? How much time does the Senator 1 strange U.S. Senate. I never under- ator has 2 ⁄2 minutes remaining. have? stood that we had anybody of whom Mr. DOMENICI. I think the Senator The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is you had to go ask permission, but that from Oklahoma wanted to speak? 9 minutes remaining under the control Mr. INHOFE. I have been listening to is the way they have it set up. You will of the Republicans. have to go ask him. If he says no, you the debate. We need more supply. We Mr. DOMENICI. All right. I yield the can’t offer this wonderful amendment. need to have about 10 Democrats come floor and hope later on to talk some The second part of your amendment along and help us to pass the legisla- more with the Senate about this issue. is the part that concerns energy, and it tion, the amendments that we have I yield the floor. could be working within a couple of that would allow us to go out and drill The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- years, couldn’t it? The part on bat- and bring in energy. ator from South Carolina. teries that would help us with new Mr. President, I have two unanimous Mr. DEMINT. Mr. President, I com- electric cars, it could come on by the consent requests. First of all, I ask mend Senator DOMENICI on his passion numbers, by the hundreds? unanimous consent that my statement for energy and what we need to do to Mr. COLEMAN. I would say to the be reflected in the RECORD tomorrow preserve the future of our country. I Senator from New Mexico, there has to on the LIHEAP, S. 3186 vote; and, sec- have had a chance, as many Senators I be strong bipartisan support for mov- ond, my statement pertaining to the am sure have, as well as Americans all ing forward on new battery technology. housing, H.R. 3221 vote tomorrow be over the country, to look in on the de- I do not know who is against that; it is printed in the RECORD. bate about energy this week. Frankly, part of the solution. More production is The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without if it were not so serious and perhaps part of the solution. More conservation objection, it is so ordered. sad, it would be entertaining. I have is part of the solution. Addressing spec- Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I have been entertained to see my Democratic ulation is part of the solution. But, un- spoken on the Senate floor about how colleagues bobbing and weaving and fortunately, because of this process the majority leader has used this proc- trying to change the subject and de- that we are seeing so much more fre- ess and eliminated our ability to offer flect the attention from the real needs, quently today, we are losing the ability amendments. I refer my colleagues to a trying to obscure 20 years of obstruc- for the Senate to do what the Amer- speech given on the floor last night by tion on developing American energy ican public expects the Senate to do, the senior Senator from Pennsylvania and to shift the blame to big oil, to and that is to have a full debate, put where he lays out a compelling case speculators or President Bush instead the ideas on the table, and let it come against the growth of this process of talking about the real subject. to conclusion. I want to come to con- known as filling the tree by the major- It is sad that this is probably the clusion. ity leader in the Senate. It is a good most important issue of this genera- I want a bill. We have a process that speech. My colleagues should read it tion. We know it is hurting Americans is set up right now to fail, to say we ad- and heed it, heed the warning, because every day, who are paying more and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.033 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7454 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 more for gasoline, families who are I have been entertained by the sug- have voted on it yesterday and finished just making ends meet, increasingly gestion that I have actually scheduled the housing bill yesterday if the major- having to make the decision of whether votes tomorrow. As I understand it, ity leader had wanted it. We could vote to buy the gas they need to go to work and the Parliamentarian may want to on it today and move straight to pas- or even buy the right food they need correct me, there is only one person in sage. for their children. this Senate who can schedule a vote. I have offered the majority leader This is a serious crisis. Yet we are That is the majority leader on the several options. It does not even have playing games here on this very impor- Democratic side, and he scheduled a to be a part of this bill if he thinks it tant issue. The Democratic majority vote on Saturday and will not change is going to delay it. All I have asked will not even allow an open and honest it in order to give us an amendment. for is a straight-up vote on this bill debate. They will not allow Repub- There are a lot of amendments that that would eliminate lobbying by licans to bring amendments down be- could improve this bill. Setting up a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and we cause they fear their Members will slush fund so local communities and could do it sometime before the end of have to take a vote to show America their agencies can buy real estate and the session. where they stand on the issue. rehab it and sell it is a bad idea. It is We could vote on housing imme- If we had an open and honest debate, a slush fund that is not going to be ac- diately, right now, send it to the Presi- America would find out that Demo- countable. It puts those governments dent unchanged, so there would be no crats would prefer the prices to be in the real estate business. delay. But the majority leader is so high; that based on the input from the I wish to have an amendment to re- afraid of asking his Democratic col- environmental extremists who tell move that, and to remove the new leagues to vote on this bill that would them the higher the price is, the less taxes that are going to cost everybody ban lobbying, that benefits us so much fossil fuels we will use, that is better who buys a home after we pass this in our campaigns, he does not want for the environment. bill. Everybody is going to pay more to them to take that vote in public view. The problem is, over the last 20 get a mortgage because this bill adds So, instead, he is going to keep every- years, as the Democrats have ob- taxes to it. The folks who are pushing one here Saturday and try to say I am structed the development of nuclear it do not want you to know that. The scheduling this vote when, in fact, he is energy, they have obstructed the devel- President had threatened to veto it scheduling that vote because he does opment of America’s own oil and nat- over this bad policy, but he decided to not want the lobbying and the cam- ural gas supplies. Our dependence on change his mind because he felt we so paign contributions to stop from these foreign oil has gone up. We have burned much needed to provide the backup for organizations which are now basically more coal than other countries that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. So be- being backed up by the full faith and have developed clean alternatives such cause we cannot have the amendments credit of the American people. as nuclear. that we need to improve the bill, I That is what is going on here. It The environmental extremists have asked for one amendment that is basic would be entertaining if it were not so actually hurt the environment. They and common sense. sad. Again, the blame is trying to be have made our country hostage to We have seen in the Wall Street deflected to someone else so the Amer- other countries that would like to Journal and publications all over the ican people cannot see where people harm us. And when it comes to the country the growing suspicion that the stand. Instead of having amendments point where we need to decide what we fact that the reforms that were needed we can vote on, and instead of seeing are going to do as a country, the ma- for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac over where people stand on the lobbying of jority leader will not even allow us the last 10 years were not even talked these organizations the American peo- amendments. He wants to ram it about in Congress because of so many ple now have to stand behind, they are through and change the subject and go political contributions to Congressmen trying to blame it on the fact that we on to the next thing. and Senators. are going to have a Saturday vote. That is where we are today. We have Now, we do not like to think that Over half the American people do not put in the middle of this the housing about ourselves, but there is a reason want us to pass this bill. They deserve bill, which, like the Energy bill, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac spent a voice in this Chamber. And if there is majority leader will not allow any over $200 million over the last 10 years no one else who is going to stand up amendments to. This is a huge, unprec- on campaign contributions to those of and speak against it, I will, because it edented bill, putting on the line $300 us here in the House and the Senate, is wrong to pass a bill of this mag- billion that can be used for mortgage and they got something for it. They nitude so quickly, 700 pages that have companies to unload bad loans onto the got left alone. They grew out of con- not been read by one Senator here. It taxpayers, making the Federal Govern- trol. They grew into a big monster has so many flaws in it that they want ment the owner of mortgages in real where now we say they are too big to to get it off the floor before people fig- estate for the first time, and crossing fail. If we let them fail, they are going ure out what is in it. It is a mistake to that line between freedom and social- to bring down the whole American pass this bill so quickly. I am not going ism where we actually get so involved economy. So we have got to put the to allow it to go through today. We are in the private sector and the managing American taxpayer behind them with going to be here tomorrow for a vote of the financial markets that our coun- an open checkbook to write any check because people are afraid to show the try is moving more toward a European that is needed to keep them in busi- American people what they stand for. style of socialism than the America we ness. That is what we are being told in I yield the floor. know. this bill right now. If we are going to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- We have a bill here that on one side do that, if we are going to make the ator from Florida is recognized. adds nearly $1 billion of taxes on American taxpayer stand behind those Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. Presi- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and then, companies, then there is one common- dent, if we wanted to solve this prob- on the other side, is asking America to sense thing we can do to keep it more lem on energy, if we wanted to solve bail them out because they are not open and honest. These organizations the problem on health care, if we want- making enough money. That is the that are now guaranteed by the Amer- ed to solve the problem on housing, kind of logic Congress is using. ican taxpayer should no longer be able which we are finally going to get to And we do not want to debate it. We to spend millions of dollars buying in- final passage on tomorrow, if we want- want to get this thing done imme- fluence in Congress. That is a conflict ed to do it and we had the political diately. The majority leader scheduled of interest. My amendment would sim- will, we could. a vote that would come out on Satur- ply stop the political activity, the lob- The problem is the Senate is all day. He did not give us the courtesy of bying and the contributions of these wound around the axle because people offering one amendment. Then he is de- organizations which are now a part of cannot get along with each other. That manding that we shorten the time pe- the Federal Government because of is being reflected in the two leaders not riod so he can have a Friday vote and this explicit guarantee. That is the being able to get agreement on unani- let folks go home. only amendment I asked for. We could mous consent, which to operate in this

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.034 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7455 Senate is necessary to have that kind it was headed on a line straight from we would get together to offer a cer- of good will and mutual trust. Tampa Bay, entering the military mis- tain number of amendments and use Yet we do not have it. So now some- sion area. Instead, we worked out a the speculation bill that Senators on one is listening on TV or sitting up in compromise where they got four times that side have already spoken in favor the galleries right now and hearing the as much. They got 8.3 million acres. of. If we wanted to, we could get it statements on this floor that are com- But we kept it away from the military done. pletely contradictory of each other. We testing and training area and kept it We do need an additional law on spec- have had statements on this floor over away from the coast of Florida where ulation because when we tried to plug the last several days. People say, for that testing and training area is. the loophole in the farm bill, we didn’t example: Well, there is no problem We worked it out then 2 years ago. completely plug it. Senator REID has drilling out in the waters off of the But now that is not enough, even offered this leadership bill that reins in Outer Continental Shelf of the United though none of that 8.3 million acres speculation by imposing limits to en- States because we do not have any ex- has been drilled. This is getting to be sure that legitimate speculation perience on oil spills now. ridiculous in the amount of hyperbole doesn’t get out of hand. It is a com- As a matter of fact, we have had Sen- and rhetoric and, oh, the sky is falling, plicated approach, but it can get us to ators on this floor who have said there the sky is falling, when it would take where we need to be. I believe there are were no oil spills after Hurricanes that for us to come together and have some improvements that could be Katrina and Rita. And, of course, I a bill that would go after speculation, made to the bill. If we really wanted to have pointed out the White House itself the unregulated speculation after the come to agreement, we could have came out with a report, Lessons Enron loophole was opened that allows those amendments offered. If we pass a Learned After Hurricane Katrina. It unregulated trading. bill that allows speculators to evade came out in February of 2006. I quoted I have commentary here. I will not limits of how much they can control, at length from that document that go through it. I have got three oil ex- then we are going to be in the worst of pointed out over 7.4 million gallons of ecutives who have testified to the Con- all possible worlds—a bill that purports oil were spilled after Hurricane gress saying that in normal supply and to tamp down on speculation but fails Katrina. That is the White House re- demand, one executive says, would to do so. port. have oil at $60 a barrel; another execu- Wall Street financiers and the Wall But let me give you another example. tive says it would be $50 to $55 a barrel. Street Journal call the effort to shut We have had, including the Republican These are oil company executives down excessive speculation ‘‘mis- Leader has said: There was not a drop saying, if the world oil market were guided.’’ They say that the spiking of oil spilled after Hurricane Katrina. only operating by supply and demand, I want to show you a satellite photo. price of a barrel of oil is just the mar- but it isn’t. It is up close to $130 a bar- ket telling us that demand exceeds sup- This is a NOAA photo 4 days after Hur- rel. So there are other factors contrib- ricane Katrina. This is the coast, the ply. But ask yourself if that makes uting to it. One of them is unregulated gulf coast. Would you look at the oil sense. When the Saudis agreed to in- speculation on these unregulated mar- spills that are out there as a result of crease production—in other words, in- kets that bid that price up and up and Hurricane Katrina, a Category 3, and it creasing supply—there wasn’t any de- up. We can address that. We can ad- was a Category 4 at one point out in crease in the price of oil. The price of dress drilling in other parts of the gulf. the Gulf. oil keeps on spiraling, and there is no What is it doing to those oil plat- In addition to the 68 million acres of evidence that dramatically increased forms? What do you think all of that public lands, there are more public demand is going to do anything but is? That is oil. What do you think all of lands that you could drill in in the cen- allow speculative money to pour into that is? It is oil. What do you think all tral and western gulf, if we really the energy futures markets. of that is? And that. And that. And wanted to, but everybody wants to sit We have had the CEOs of all the var- that. And that. It is oil. around here and fight. ious airlines come to see us. They I am pointing out that people are Then we could do something really wrote all Senators a letter. They said: making extreme statements that have important. We could get serious about Normal market forces are being dan- no basis in truth. As a result, we are putting Federal money into research gerously amplified by poorly regulated mar- getting ourselves so worked up into our and development for alternative fuels ket speculation. The nation needs to pull to- own little positions that if we wanted and creating new engines and tapping gether to reform the oil markets and solve this growing problem. to, we could come together and we renewables such as Sun and wind, real- could have a bill that could be part ly get serious about that, get serious as That is the CEOs of every major air- speculation, part drilling. we did when we finally raised the miles line. There are still plenty of places out per gallon. It only took us the 8 years What do we hear in this debate? We there to be drilled. I am not talking that I have been in the Senate to in- hear: Drill here, drill now, pay less. It about the 68 million acres that are crease the miles per gallon on the fleet is an easy slogan, but it will not solve under lease, under lease by the oil com- average of our cars. it because it is cruelly misleading and panies on public lands, the lands of the My goodness, look who is in trouble deceitful. U.S. Government, the 68 million acres in Detroit. It is not Toyota and other If we are really going to do some- that are under lease to the oil compa- foreign manufacturers. They have a 50- thing, we are going to have to have the nies that have not been drilled that are miles-per-gallon standard in Japan and political will in a bipartisan way to get out in the Gulf of Mexico. There are 32 in the high 40s in Europe. It is not to the bottom of this. Think about it. million acres that have been leased and those automobile companies. It is the Why such a seductive argument about have not been drilled. American automobile companies that ‘‘drill here, drill now,’’ when, in fact, This Senator knows something about are in financial trouble because they there is 68 million acres that has not that because 2 years ago, we did a com- have fought us the whole way on in- been drilled of public lands? What does promise to try to protect the interests creasing miles per gallon. Their prob- that do for oil companies? The more of Florida from oil spills on our beach- lems, as we say back home, are like leases of acres they can have, the more es, from oil spills in our delicate estu- chickens coming home to roost. We reserves they can show on their books, aries that spawn so much of the marine could do that, if we just had the polit- which is shown as an asset, increases life in the gulf, indeed, to try to pro- ical will and we would put our dif- the value of the oil company. That, of tect the interests of the national secu- ferences aside. course, is to their advantage. But un- rity of the country in keeping oil rigs On this issue of speculation, the bill less we can get them to start drilling away from the military testing and that was turned down today because we and show good faith that they are training area, which is the largest test- can’t get 60 votes to cut off debate to going to drill on the 68 million acres ing and training area for our military get to the speculation bill, I know Sen- they have now, why is that the answer? in the world. ators on the other side are saying they Well, it isn’t. So we struck a compromise. Origi- are not able to offer amendments, but That is, again, where we need the nally they wanted 2.5 million acres, but again, it could happen like ‘‘that,’’ if balanced approach—alternative fuels,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.036 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7456 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 rein in speculation, drill where it is percentages of our daily consumption have a tremendous glut in the housing available now with existing permits, of oil? Can you imagine what that market, in part, caused by the number drill onshore, offshore, continue to would do if it happened today or if it of homes we have in foreclosure. work with our international partners, happened to our children or our grand- So a picture of this kind of a sign lessen our consumption of foreign oil children? It is up to us to solve this by that you see in front of a home is a pic- by doing all of the above plus shifting coming together. ture that tells a story about a family to alternative fuels with a vigorous re- I yield the floor. who has lost their home or is losing search-and-development project of de- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- most of their equity in their home, as veloping those alternative fuels and al- ator from Colorado. they try to sell it at some reduced ternative motors. Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, let me price. It is a pain that is being felt all I have had the privilege of being a first say to my colleague from Florida across the country, and it is certainly part of one of this Nation’s great ac- that he is very correct in making the being felt in my State of Colorado. complishments; when a young Presi- statement that the only way you solve In the State of Colorado, this is what dent said, in the midst of the Cold War, big problems around here is if you has happened with respect to fore- when we looked as if we were having work together. That has happened in closure filings over the last 4 years. In our lunch being eaten by the Soviet the past. It certainly has happened the year 2003, the whole State of Colo- Union because they were taking the here in the Senate in the last several rado saw about 10,000 foreclosures that high ground in space and we had not years, as we have worked on energy year. Now in 2007, we are seeing a fore- even flown John Glenn in orbit, Presi- legislation. The passage of the 2005 act closure number that is almost 50,000 dent Kennedy said: We are going to the was an example of Republicans and homes being foreclosed upon in the Moon and back in 9 years. If ever there Democrats coming together and pass- State of Colorado. You can see the dra- has been an example of a nation having ing what was one of the most signifi- matic increase in the number of homes a determination and coming together cant pieces of energy legislation in re- that have been foreclosed upon in my in a bipartisan way and focusing the cent times. The passage of the 2006 leg- State of Colorado. political will on solving what seemed islation, which the Senator from Flor- Mr. President, 1 in 45 households in to be an insolvable task and commit- ida supported, which opened lease sale the State of Colorado has filed for fore- ting the resources, that is the example 181 and 8 million acres of the gulf coast closure. This is not a problem which is of how to do it. for exploration, is another example of circumscribed in some way only to Another example I can think of is that bipartisanship. This last year, those tens of thousands—hundreds and 1983. We were at a point in which So- passage of the Energy Efficiency Act, hundreds of thousands—of Americans cial Security was going to run out of signed by the President in December, who are facing foreclosure. It is also a funds within 6 months. Social Security was also another example of Repub- problem that affects the entire Amer- was not going to be able to pay its licans and Democrats working together ican population that is in home owner- bills. Two old Irishmen—one the Presi- to reach for higher efficiency with new ship because as houses have been fore- dent of the United States, President CAFE standards that have been long closed upon, as the housing market has Reagan, and the other one the Speaker neglected and doing other things to faced such a huge glut in terms of the of the House, Tip O’Neill—got together move forward with alternative fuels large inventory that is out there in the and said: We are going to solve this in and trying to create an energy future market, it has had a dramatic impact a bipartisan way. We are going to put for America that works. also on the values of the homes in the together a bipartisan, prestigious Those pieces of legislation all came neighborhoods. panel, and they are going to come up together because of the willingness of In Colorado, as we look ahead at 2008 with the recommendations of how we Democrats and Republicans to move and 2009, we know there are about can make Social Security actuarially forward on the energy agenda. I hope 50,000 more homes that will be fore- sound and safe. That is another one of we can find the same kind of bipartisan closed upon in 2008 and 2009, as adjust- the great examples where political spirit in moving ahead now on the next able rate mortgages adjust upward and leaders of different parties came to- chapter to try to address the pain families will no longer be able to afford gether in a bipartisan way and took Americans are feeling at the pump. I to pay the higher mortgage rates. But that highly volatile issue of Social Se- appreciate his comments and his wis- what also happens as that occurs is the curity off the table at the next election dom in this area. surrounding homes will suffer declines by saying: We are going to solve it, be- I come to the floor to speak in sup- in values. cause we had the political will. We had port of the housing bill which we are According to the Center for Respon- the political will in the Apollo project now debating in the postcloture time- sible Lending, it is expected that about going to the Moon and, in 1983, to solve frame. 750,000 homes in the State of Colorado the Social Security crisis. Housing is an incredibly important will see a decline in their value. So it If we had the political will in a bipar- part of the American economy. Hous- is a problem which does start with the tisan way to solve this energy crisis ing is, in fact, a cornerstone of the foreclosure market and the financial right now, right here, we could do it. American economy. Many of the eco- markets that we have seen, but it But you can’t do it if the attitude is nomic ills which the United States is spreads out into all of America that is ‘‘my way or the highway.’’ You have to feeling today, frankly, have been in home ownership, including most of do what this body is best adapted to do. brought about because of the housing the home ownership in my State of As the Good Book says: Come, let us crisis we are seeing today. Colorado. reason together. Let us work this prob- Since housing prices peaked in the Mr. President, 748,000 homes—almost lem out together. summer of 2006, our Nation has seen 750,000 homes—represent almost half of I am tired of hearing all of this exces- some very sharp declines in home val- the homes in the State of Colorado sive rhetoric. I am tired of hearing this ues. We have seen a staggering de- that are going to see a significant de- rhetoric that does not display truth. I crease in the number of home starts cline in value. So it is a major problem am tired of hearing the ‘‘it is my way and home sales, and we have seen a we face. or no way’’ attitude. Our people out dramatic increase in the number of I am thankful for the leadership of there want us to solve this problem, foreclosures nationwide. the chairman of the Banking Com- not only for here and now but for gen- For most people across America, and mittee, Senator DODD, as well as the erations to come. For example, since certainly in my State of Colorado, ranking member, Senator SHELBY, and we get in excess of 60 percent of our when you drive down a neighborhood all of those who have worked to put daily oil from foreign shores, can you and you see there are signs, where this housing package together. imagine the disruption of any one of there were very few of these signs 2 As a member of the Finance Com- those foreign sources such as coming years ago—but now the signs are not mittee, I am honored to have had a out of the Persian Gulf, such as coming only sprouting up everywhere with small part in putting together parts of from Nigeria, such as coming from houses that are for sale, but you also this bill working with Senator BAUCUS, Venezuela, all of which are substantial see price-reduced signs—we know we the chairman of the committee, and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.037 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7457 Senator GRASSLEY, the ranking mem- gram, and the $150 million that is in- That is critical. ber of the committee. cluded in this legislation for mortgage The distinguished senior Senator I think it is instructive that this leg- foreclosure counseling assistance will from Florida and the junior Senator islation appears to have the kind of be very helpful in keeping people in from Colorado were talking about: broad bipartisan support we ought to their homes. Let’s all get along. Let’s work to- have when we are addressing the major The legislation also helps commu- gether. Let’s have a bipartisan solu- problems that face America today. Cer- nities which have been, in many cases, tion. tainly, I am hopeful by the time we get devastated by the number of fore- I think we should. All you have to to about this time tomorrow we will closures, and it will do so by adding have for a bipartisan solution is a vote. have had a housing bill that will help $3.9 billion for the Community Devel- For those people—and I am sorry to the people of America. opment Block Grant Program, which say it is right down party lines—ever This legislation contains numerous will help communities purchase and re- since the veto took place back in the provisions that will help us address habilitate foreclosed homes. middle 1990s, when we, the Repub- this cornerstone of our economy. It is also important there are protec- licans, were the majority, we tried to First of all, the bill provides targeted tions against future foreclosures by re- open everything for exploration: the relief to families and communities that quiring mortgage companies to have Outer Continental Shelf, ANWR. And, are affected by foreclosure. The legisla- stronger disclosure requirements, all in of course, we have those huge other re- tion will reverse the downward trend in the name of truth in lending, so home serves that if we had been able to do home values and sales and get the buyers know what it is they are getting that, we would not be faced with this housing market back on track. into prior to the time they are signing problem today. Yet all we want now is The housing bill contains help for on the dotted line of very extensive a vote. homeowners, for homebuilders, and for documents. So I do not know why becoming self- home buyers. It creates a tax incentive I am proud of this bill. This housing sufficient for America should be a par- to reinvigorate the housing market by bill sends a strong signal to the fami- tisan issue. Look at the reserves. Look providing a refundable first-time home lies and businesses of America that we at the possibility of what is out there, buyer credit of 10 percent of the pur- care about one of the cornerstones of what we would be enjoying today if it chase of a home—up to $8,000—for our economy in America today. had not been for that veto. homes that are purchased between It sends a strong signal to the finan- Now, that is not the worst part. The April of this year and April of 2009. cial markets that we in Congress can worst part is that if you go to my Web That $8,000 tax credit will create major work together, Democrats and Repub- site, epw.senate.gov, you will see I incentives for new homeowners to buy licans, to address one of the toughest have called up every vote that has homes and help us get rid of the glut economic issues our country has seen. taken place since that 1995 veto; and we currently have in the market. Indeed, the housing crisis we are look- right down party lines, Democrats re- In addition, the legislation provides ing at today is probably the worst fused to increase the supply of oil and tax relief for families that are facing housing crisis since the Great Depres- gas in America. high property taxes. It is the kind of sion. That is why it requires strong Look at the Outer Continental Shelf. middle-class tax relief we ought to be medicine to cure the problem. The leg- We have been talking about that. That working on more in this country. This islation we have in front of us will do is what all these editorials are about. tax relief will provide nonitemizing exactly that. Look at ANWR. That is not as much as taxpayers the opportunity to deduct In conclusion, this legislation rep- a lot of people think, although anyone their property taxes from the taxes resents months of hard work and bipar- who has been to ANWR, who has been they currently pay. tisan cooperation to address this key up there, they don’t come back saying In addition, the housing bill will in- cornerstone of our economy. Congress it is a pristine wilderness, because it is crease the availability of stable home should pass this legislation here, hope- not. It is a frozen tundra. Everybody up financing, and it will do so by allowing fully in the next 24 hours, and send it there wants to explore there. We know. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the to the President for his immediate sig- We have a pipeline ready. That could Federal Housing Authority greater nature, so the legislation can start pro- be coming down here. flexibility in terms of the kinds of viding the cure that is so needed for The Rocky Mountain oil shales—that mortgages they can purchase and in- America today. is the biggest of all reserves out there. sure. That will have the direct con- Mr. President, I thank you for listen- Right now we are under a Democrat- sequence of increasing the availability ing and I yield the floor. sponsored moratorium that keeps us of stable credit. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- from getting at those oil shales. We are In addition, an amendment in the Fi- ator from Oklahoma. talking about 2 trillion barrels. It is nance Committee that was sponsored ENERGY huge. by Senator KERRY will add $11 billion Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, yester- The Senate has been in session all in the use of tax-exempt mortgage rev- day I drew the Senate’s attention to an week. It held one vote Tuesday and two enue bonds. That will provide low-in- editorial in the Wall Street Journal. It votes this morning. Those were both terest financing and refinancing assist- said that liberal leaders in Congress procedural votes. All we want to do is ance to low- and moderate-income are ‘‘gripped by a cold-sweat terror. If consider amendments. home buyers. That is an important When my good friends from Florida they permit a vote on offshore drilling, component of this legislation. and Colorado say: We want to all co- they know they will lose. . . .’’ The housing bill also contains help operate with each other, all we have to Today’s Washington Post featured a for families and communities affected do is bring out amendments and vote similar editorial, which you normally by foreclosure. It does so in a variety on them, I would love to have the Sen- don’t get that would be favorable to of ways. One way is it will provide $150 ator from Colorado have the oppor- the conservative view. They said: million for credit counseling. tunity to vote in favor of expanding In the State of Colorado, we have de- Why not have a vote on offshore drilling? the supply of oil and gas in America. veloped a foreclosure assistance hot- There’s a serious debate to be had over whether Congress should lift the ban on A lot of people have tried to deni- line. It has helped tens of thousands of drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf that grate the idea of supply and demand, families since the beginning of this has been in place since 1981. Unfortunately, and yet there is no one I know of in program a few months ago. What we you won’t be hearing it in the House of Rep- America who has gone through the have found through foreclosure coun- resentatives—certainly, you won’t find law- high school level who has not studied seling in the State of Colorado is that makers voting on it—anytime soon. supply and demand. It is a very simple 80 percent of families who contact the This same editorial ended with an- thing. foreclosure hotline ultimately end up other good question. It said: The Senate Democrat majority, after renegotiating their loan terms at their If drilling opponents really have the better wasting an entire week, is engaged in a bank and are able to stay in their of this argument, why are they so worried process, a scheme, to go ahead and home. So it is a very successful pro- about letting it come to a vote? have some votes tomorrow.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.039 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7458 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 By the way, let me share, as I did and agree to go ahead and develop the eral State philosophically—2 years ago, once before earlier, the two bills that resources we have and explore and only 28 percent of the people in that will be voted on tomorrow are bills produce and drill for oil. However, if State wanted to drill on ANWR and the that I have opposed in the past. I think you talk to the smart people out there Outer Continental Shelf. Today, it is 68 it is very interesting, when they talk who are looking at this bill—this bill percent. So with that, I think it is a about LIHEAP, when they talk about we are talking about is trying to blame very simple solution. We need to get doing something about supplying gas everything on speculators. T. Boone busy with it to increase our supply. to heat homes in the Northeast, in- Pickens, who has had a lot of attention I yield the floor. stead of subsidizing, let’s open the sup- recently, says: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ply line, let’s start producing gas and Speculation doesn’t have anything to do ator from New Hampshire is recog- oil, and bring the price down so we do with it. You have 85 million barrels of oil nized. not have to subsidize it. It is a very available in the world and demand is at 86.4. Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I believe simple thing. So I am going to vote Warren Buffett: I am recognized for 10 minutes; is that correct? ‘‘no’’ on that. I oppose it. In fact, I do It is not speculation, it is supply and de- not even think I will stay here for that mand. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- vote. ator is recognized to speak for as long Walter Williams. This is a good one. as he wishes to speak under his 1 hour The other one—the housing vote—I He says: respectfully disagree with some of the of cloture. comments that were made. Of course, Congressional attacks on speculation do Mr. GREGG. I ask the Chair to advise not alter the oil market’s fundamental de- me when I have spoken for 10 minutes. we do not have some of the problems in mand and supply conditions. Oklahoma they do in other places. But, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Then the International Energy Agen- nonetheless, the idea is we could have ator will be so advised. cy says: been doing these all week long, but we MAJORITY POWER also could have been doing amend- Blaming speculation is an easy solution Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, first, I ments. We could have been voting on which avoids taking the necessary steps to wish to congratulate the Senator from improve supply-side access and investment. amendments. Oklahoma for bringing some facts to We have consistently tried not only I see the Senator on the floor who the floor of the Senate which need to to go out there and explore and to de- will be able to go into some other as- be stated over and over, one of which is velop the resources we have—we are pects of this. I think this debate is very that we as a nation have a significant the only country in the world that significant, but the debate in absence supply of oil and natural gas which we doesn’t export our own resources—but of votes is really meaningless, except are not using and which, if we did use, we also have to have an increase in re- we are letting the American people would significantly reduce the price of finery capacity. I have to say this: We know that it is the Democrats in the gasoline and home heating oil for have—I personally have in legislation Senate and in the House of Representa- Americans. If we produce more Amer- not just opening it up for exploration tives who are not allowing the Repub- ican energy and we conserve more so that we can increase the supply but licans to pass legislation that will in- American energy, we will reduce the also refining it. If we had all the supply crease the supply and will bring down price of gasoline and home heating oil in the world, we wouldn’t have the re- the price of gas at the pumps. I will be for Americans. fining capacity because of some of the going back tonight to my State of As the Senator from Oklahoma has stringent requirements we have in this Oklahoma, and I can assure you, the so appropriately pointed out, there is a country and the unwillingness to allow No. 1 problem in the Nation is the price huge amount of available resources new refineries in the United States. We of gas at the pumps. which are locked up now because of wouldn’t have the refinery capacity. So Let me clarify one thing before I language in legislation which was I have what is called the Gas Price Act. yield the floor. I have known Boone placed there by the Democratic leader- I introduced it some time ago—I guess Pickens for a long time. Let me tell ship of this Congress—language which 3 years ago now—and we never have you, he is not very pleased with the limits our ability to drill on the Outer been able to get it passed. It divides misinterpretation that the Democrats Continental Shelf, which we can do in right down party lines. The Democrats are coming down and attributing to a safe and environmentally sound way, will not allow us to increase our refin- him. When he ends his ad saying, ‘‘We and language which limits our ability ing capacity. This is a bill no one can’t drill ourselves out of this prob- to use oil shale, of which there is 2 tril- should be opposed to. lem,’’ he is talking about, we have to lion barrels of reserve, which is twice A lot of people know what the BRAC drill everywhere. This is his statement. the reserves of Saudi Arabia. So the re- process is, the Base Realignment and We need to drill on the Outer Conti- sources are there, but we can’t get to Closure Commission. What we have had nental Shelf. We have to drill in them because we have legislative lan- an opportunity to do is to close some of ANWR. We have to have the Rocky guage at the Federal level which locks these bases, these military installa- Mountain oil shales. We have to pre- down those resources. tions that are not performing a func- serve access to the Canadian oil sands. What we have asked for as a party is tion commensurate with the cost. We need it all. Even after all of this, we the ability, first, to debate that fact, What do the adjoining communities do still need to do more. I agree with that. and secondly, to have a vote in this when this happens? They are in dire I have another piece of legislation that Senate of the United States on the straits economically because they will help him in taking the compressed issue of whether we should be able to don’t have anything to do with that natural gas so it can be used to get a drill on the Outer Continental Shelf property. Yet this would allow them to more immediate response to this grow- and explore on the Outer Continental do it and have EDA grants to attract ing problem in America. Shelf, to use oil shale, to use more nu- refining operations in these areas. So I would only say we need to keep clear power, to create electric cars, to That is what the Gas Price Act was talking about this. The American peo- conserve energy, to have renewables. all about. That is what we have cur- ple need to keep listening until they But we are being barred from having rently in legislation that we hope will realize and accept the fact that the that vote. be considered before very long. Democrats are blocking the Repub- The Democratic leader, for the 15th We are presently considering a bill to licans from increasing the supply of oil time in this Congress, has done what is impose new rules on speculating, and gas, and we are not going to be known as ‘‘fill up the tree,’’ which claiming that speculators have been able to bring down the price at the means he has essentially locked down driving up the price of oil. It is always pumps until we are successful and have the floor so that only one person, one easy to find somebody to blame when enough public support to get this coun- person in this body, gets to decide what we have not done the responsible thing try back producing again. is voted on, what amendments are al- as legislators. I know it is tough for It is interesting. If you look at the lowed to come to the floor, and what some Democrats to face up to some of polling data, one State—I won’t men- the debate will be about, and that be- the extremists, the environmentalists, tion the State because it is quite a lib- comes the majority leader of the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.040 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7459 Democratic Party of the Senate, the by one individual—the majority lead- a way that has never occurred in the leader of the Democratic Party. er—when 200 years of precedence is history of the Senate. That is what is That is not the way the Senate was thrown aside, and when the majority important to focus on. This has never supposed to function. We are on a seri- leader decides to take an autocratic happened before. Fifteen times, on ous slippery slope to destroying the in- position here in the Senate. It is not major pieces of legislation, the major- tegrity and the purpose of the Senate. minority Members whose rights are ity party has filled the tree, so the mi- This continual action of barring Mem- being lost; it is all the people of this nority does not have the right to bring bers of the Senate from coming to the Nation who are represented by those of forward an amendment. And then the floor and offering amendments in what us who are sent to the Senate to speak majority says we are obfuscating, de- has been the regular and typical order for them in the American people’s laying or in some way impeding of the Senate for over 200 years is truly forum. Where they get to be heard and progress—when they are pursuing such undermining the character of the Sen- they cannot be muzzled is here in the a clear autocratic approach. ate and, as a result, it undermines the Senate. It is not in the House of Rep- Well, I hope to come back to this character of democracy in this coun- resentatives because in the House of issue a few more times, since this ap- try. Representatives, Members can be muz- pears to be the policy of the leadership You don’t have to believe me. Let me zled. In the Senate, for 200 years, Mem- on the other side of the aisle. But it quote from a little pamphlet that is bers and the rights of Members have flies in the face of the essence of the put out called ‘‘Traditions of the U.S. never been trampled on to the point purpose of the Senate, as defined by Senate.’’ It is actually published by the where Members have been muzzled, but one of America’s great Senators, the Senate, and I think the majority lead- that is exactly what is happening historian of the Senate, when he said: er’s office may pay for this. Let me under this Putin form of democracy Few, if any, upper chambers in the history quote from the leading authority in the which is being placed on the Senate. of the western world have possessed the Sen- history of the Senate on the issue of What we have occurring here is a sit- ate’s absolute right to unlimited debate and the way the Senate works—on its his- uation where power—the desire for to amend and block legislation passed by a tory, its prerogatives, and procedure— power by the majority party—is taking lower House. . . . a Senator who has served in the Senate absolute precedence over the ability of The purposes of this right is that: longer than any other Senator and who the people to present policy, have it de- The Framers recognized that a minority has cast more votes in the Senate than bated, and have it voted on. can be right and that a majority can be any other Senator. He has held the po- In this instance, of course, where the wrong. sition of majority leader. He is the sen- right of the people, through the amend- I will add that the minority should ior Senator from West Virginia, and he ment process, to be heard on whether be heard from and should be allowed to still serves here. Let me quote. He was we should have drilling on the Outer offer amendments, and those amend- giving a lecture or a speech or a set of Continental Shelf, on whether we ments should receive a vote. comments to a new group of Senators should use oil shale, on whether we I yield the floor. who had come to the Senate in 1996. should use more nuclear power, on The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ROBERT C. BYRD said to those Sen- whether we should have electric cars— ator from Georgia is recognized. ators: the denial of the right of the people to Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I ask Few, if any, upper chambers in the history be heard on those issues is doing the unanimous consent to speak for 10 min- of the western world have possessed the Sen- people fundamental harm because we utes. ate’s absolute right to unlimited debate and are not being allowed to bring up those The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without to amend and block legislation passed by a issues, as the price of gasoline is really objection, it is so ordered. lower House. having a staggering impact on Ameri- HOUSING Let me read that again because it is cans. Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, the very important because it really does I can tell you that in New England Senator from New Hampshire has made go to the essence of what the Senate and in New Hampshire, the fear of hav- a compelling speech with which I asso- has for its power: ing home heating oil prices triple this ciate myself entirely. It is obvious he Few, if any, upper chambers in the history winter has a lot of folks very scared— has traveled to his State, as I have of the western world have possessed the Sen- and rightly so. Those people whom I traveled to mine, and listened to con- ate’s absolute right— represent and whom others represent stituents who tell me their biggest Absolute right— in this body have every legitimate problem, in particular, is the price of to unlimited debate and to amend and block right to expect that the Senate will de- gas. It seems to me the world’s most legislation passed by a lower House. bate and will vote on the issue of deliberative body should never stop de- He goes on to explain why this is the whether we should expand America’s liberation on what is the crisis of the situation: supply of energy. They have every day. The Senator from New Hampshire The Framers recognized that a minority right to expect that the Senate will made a tremendous speech that was can be right and that a majority can be vote on whether you can reduce the right on point. We may have our dif- wrong. price of energy in this country by ferences one way or another on what to This is ROBERT C. BYRD, the leading bringing more supply to the market do but objecting to letting us debate authority on the Senate, its purpose and have it be American supply. The those differences is not acceptable. within the context and the constella- American people have every right to For 25 years, the United States has tion of American democracy. expect that amendments will be taken encouraged consumption and discour- The essence of the Senate is the abil- up on the floor of this Senate and will aged production. It is time we encour- ity of Members to bring amendments be voted on that address the issue of age conservation and empower produc- to the floor—especially minority Mem- whether we should be paying Ameri- tion, as we bridge our way from gaso- bers of the Senate—to bring amend- cans to produce energy or whether we line today as an energy source to the ments to the floor and have them voted should be giving our money to Ven- next energy source of the 21st century, on, have them discussed, and have un- ezuela and to Iran, nations which have whether it be the lithium battery, hy- limited debate if that is what is need- expressed a deep resentment of us. The drogen engine or whatever. ed. Without that right, the Senate no American people have every right to There is another crisis on our econ- longer functions as set up by the Fram- expect that amendments can be omy I wish to talk about for a second ers. The Senate becomes an institution brought up on the floor of the Senate that is equally compelling and that is like the House of Representatives, and can be voted on that deal with con- the housing industry and the tremen- which is dominated by the majority to servation, that deal with renewables, dous stress our financial markets are the point where the minority essen- that deal with a whole panoply of ideas under and our financial institutions. tially has no rights. as to how you can better deliver energy There have been a number of speeches It is not minority Senators who are to the American people. made on the housing bill, which we will being denied their rights when the Sen- But those rights are being trampled vote on tomorrow at 11 a.m., which, ate rules are changed so fundamentally on here. They are being trampled on in quite frankly, trouble me because they

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.042 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7460 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 have not been on target. For a second, able and, B, provide them with liquid- cial markets and restore what is a very I would like to make a few points. ity when they need it. That is good for shaky economy. There are a lot of people saying the this country and this economy, and it I come to the Senate floor with the housing bill we will pass is a bailout would be a tragedy if tomorrow this following message: I thank Senator for the people who caused the problem. Senate doesn’t overwhelmingly em- DODD and SHELBY for all their work. I That is not correct. The people who brace that legislation. commend the House on what they did caused the problem are off the radar The second component of the legisla- to make this housing bill a good bill. screen; the investment bankers and tion is the reform of FHA, raising the Again, I reassure everybody we are Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s loan limits and providing mechanisms not bailing out anybody. What we are caused the subprime mortgage prob- also for troubled loans to be refi- doing is incentivizing Americans to lem. Wall Street securitized the paper, nanced—not a gift as a bailout but pro- come back into the marketplace, pro- and Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s viding a lender whose loan is in trouble viding them with good, accountable, rated it investment grade. It wasn’t in- because the house depreciated below credible credit, so there is liquidity in vestment grade and should not have the outstanding balance on the loan—it the housing market, and seeing to it been packaged, but it was. They put is going to be allowed to refinance on a that two institutions that ensure that out all over America—the originators fixed rate—an FHA underwritten loan Americans can be homeowners— and lenders—loans that didn’t require the individual has to qualify for. If the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae—are documentation or a downpayment and lender takes the discount down, or strong, and the investment markets that only cost a high yield on the takes the hit, that loan can be refi- have the confidence they need to have mortgage to make it a nice instrument nanced and that homeowner, instead of the support of the United States and, to sell. being foreclosed on and having a va- lastly, under the same type of trans- As the housing crises of 1968, 1974, cant house, ends up having a chance to parency and accountability that the and 1991 were predicated, in part or in pay for that mortgage and the econ- American banking system has been whole, on easy credit and shoddy un- omy is improved. under since Alexander Hamilton. derwriting, so is the stress on our econ- What is happening today in America I yield the floor. omy today based on that easy credit is the combination of a large number of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- and shoddy underwriting generated by foreclosures and no liquidity, as the ator from Iowa is recognized. the subprime market. housing market is off in many areas by Mr. GRASSLEY. I ask unanimous The bill we are doing tomorrow is not as much as 50, 60 percent. Home values consent to speak for 15 minutes as in a bailout to Freddie Mac and Fannie are declining at a rate of 15 percent per morning business. Mae or the institutions that made bad year this year and 11 percent last year. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without loans. It is an infusion of confidence What has happened to American fami- objection, it is so ordered. the financial markets need. Fannie and lies’ main source of spendable income— DISASTER IN IOWA Freddie suffer by perception from the their equity line of credit—is that it Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I difficulties of our mortgage market. If has vanished. That is why the economy come to the floor today to remind my anybody would take the time to go has gone into the tank. We had a hous- colleagues and the American people, look at default rates, for example, they ing/fuel boom in the 1990s and early once again, about the deadly torna- would look at the loans Fannie Mae 2000s, and now again we have a housing/ does, storms, and floods that affected holds, and they are at 1.2 percent, well fuel recession. The only difference be- the Midwest earlier this year. Iowa, my under what is considered a normal, tween the boom and recession is, dur- State, was especially hard hit by this good, healthy balance. The subprime ing the boom, we had liquidity, but un- severe weather event. The people in market’s defaults are in the 4- to 6- to derwriting got too shoddy. Now under- Iowa have great pride and resiliency. 8-point range. That is causing that writing is strong, but the liquidity is They don’t like to complain, and it is problem. That wasn’t Fannie Mae not there. The FHA reform and Freddie even harder for them to ask for help. paper, and it wasn’t securitized by Mac and Fannie Mae reform will, in However, I wish my colleagues to know Fannie Mae. They have $50 billion in fact, do that. that Iowans are hurting, similar to capital, when the requirement is to There is a third feature I wish to talk people in other natural disasters. I see have $15 billion, so they are sound. But about. It is a feature I introduced, it in their eyes as they sort through the financial markets, because of the originally, 6 months ago in the Senate. the rubble and try to rebuild their collapse of the mortgage market, have It is a housing tax credit for first-time lives. gotten worse. home buyers to go into the market- As their Senator, their friend, their I think Secretary Paulson has done place and buy a house. The United neighbor, I am asking my colleagues to the right thing. I commend Senator States, in 1974, had a serious recession help and to help now. I thank my col- DODD and Senator SHELBY for the sec- similar to the one we have today. It leagues who have come to me and the ond key component of the bill. The was fueled by an oversupply of unsold rest of the Iowa congressional delega- Dodd-Shelby provision ensures that houses in the marketplace. A Demo- tion and other Members whose States Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will have cratic Congress and the Republican were affected. We have all had col- regulatory oversight and be held ac- President, Gerald Ford, in 1975, passed leagues come to us to share their con- countable, as the banking system in a $2,000 tax credit for first-time home dolences and ask how they can help. our country is. What Paulson has done buyers who went and bought a standing However, I have heard some com- is said, in return for that, we will give vacant inventory house and occupied it ments that this disaster was not severe to Freddie and Fannie what the Amer- as their home. That incentive brought enough to warrant special legislative ican banking institutions have and Americans off the sidelines and into attention. Washington doesn’t seem to that is access to the Treasury window the marketplace, and we absorbed a understand the devastation. That is for secured collateralized borrowing. tremendous amount of the standing in- the way I see it. In other words, it is You might say: What does all this ventory. Values came back in the not on television for 2 months in a row mean? What it means is we will put li- United States and the housing market such as it was in New Orleans, so we quidity back into the mortgage mar- responded. The $8,000 tax credit—$4,000 don’t seem to be getting the attention ket. There will be good underwriting a year for the first 2 years—on a home of colleagues such as we did from Hur- and accountable credit issued by mort- that a first-time home buyer buys and ricane Katrina. But we do have an gages that are then sold to Freddie occupies is going to be a huge incentive emergency, and Congress needs to re- Mac and Fannie Mae to provide the li- to the housing market. It doesn’t bail spond such as we did after 9/11 for New quidity in the marketplace. This is not anybody out; it incentivizes a market York City or after Katrina for New Or- a bailout for those two institutions. It to come back. When that happens, the leans. is an insurance policy that the credit problems go away. We cannot regulate Ten States were affected by this se- markets will understand that, A, those ourselves, as a nation, into a strong vere weather system. In Iowa alone, 340 institutions are strong and the United economy. But we can incentivize our communities were affected by these States is going to hold them account- people and get confidence to the finan- tornadoes, storms, and flooding. Iowa

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.043 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7461 suffered well over $10 billion in dam- people think need to be done, and do it [From The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, ages. Of this amount, approximately $4 before the August congressional recess. July 25, 2008] billion was agricultural loss, $4 billion Aid to the Midwest should not be CONGRESS NEEDS TO MAKE TIME TO HELP IOWA was business loss, and $1 billion was held hostage to politics. Iowans are be- Iowans who don’t agree with the recent housing damage and loss. Right now, ginning to notice the inaction in Con- those are very rough figures. I think minuscule approval ratings of Congress may gress. I get asked why—why hasn’t want to take a second look. they are only going to climb every day something been done? I would like to Congress has delayed consideration of a after these initial estimates. read to you parts of an editorial run- bill that includes further disaster aid for The floods in Iowa were well over a ning in the Waterloo Courier. Waterloo Iowa until after Congress’ August recess. 500-year flood event level in many is close to my hometown. I am not That’s quite a slap in the face to those people and businesses already confused about parts of my State. For example, the going to read it all, but, I want to in- Cedar River in the Cedar Rapids area which direction to take concerning housing clude the entire editorial in the and rebuilding issues. was 11 feet over record flood stage. RECORD. I will read from just portions ‘‘Congress doesn’t seem to understand the Since we began keeping records in the of it because it tells what Iowans are devastation,’’ Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck 1850s, the highest flood level had been thinking about the inaction in Con- Grassley said. ‘‘We’ve got an emergency, and 20 feet. The levees protecting the city gress and that maybe there is a double Congress needs to respond. If my colleagues are at 22 feet. In June, Cedar Rapids standard. doubt me that this is an emergency, I’m in had 31 feet of water, well over the 22 Iowa every weekend and I’ll be happy to The headline is: ‘‘Congress Needs To feet of the levee protection and the the show them around.’’ Make Time To Help Iowa.’’ Don’t expect too many of Grassley’s co- previous record of 20 feet. horts to take him up on his invitation. Even my small hometown of New Iowans who don’t agree with the recent On Tuesday, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver met Hartford, IA, was first hit by an F5 tor- minuscule approval ratings of Congress may with a congressional delegation and said he nado, which caused several deaths and want to take a second look. Congress has de- was asking for an additional $1 billion in dis- severe damages and, just 2 weeks later, layed consideration of a bill that includes aster relief. The government has already ap- further disaster aid for Iowa until after Con- proved $2.6 billion in assistance. hit by severe flooding. Mr. President, gress’ August recess. 240 out of 270 homes had moderate to The Senate Appropriations Committee was The editorial goes on: scheduled to take up the supplemental pack- complete damage. Many of the busi- age on Thursday, but Sen. Robert Byrd, D– nesses also suffered severe loss. They That’s quite a slap in the face to those peo- West Virginia—the committee chairman— are trying to figure out how to stay in ple and businesses already confused by which announced late Tuesday it was putting off business. Unfortunately, for my small direction to take concerning housing and re- consideration until after the recess. town, several have decided not to rebuilding issues. The Senate Appropriations ‘‘There is no opportunity to begin consid- open. Committee was scheduled to take up the sup- eration of a supplemental appropriations bill On Monday, I visited the home you plemental package on Thursday, but Senator during the next 10 days,’’ Byrd said in a see in this photo. This is one of my Robert Byrd, Democrat of West Virginia, the statement. committee chairman, announced late Tues- Byrd said the Senate was busy debating constituents in Cedar Rapids, IA. As day it was putting off consideration until legislation on housing, energy, defense pol- you can see, they have already taken after the recess. icy and taxes before the recess. out the moldy drywall. Here, this lady, Our response to Sen. Byrd and the rest of Shirley, is showing how high the water Then they quote Senator BYRD: Congress is: Make the time. Delay the recess was on the first floor, and that is after There is no opportunity to begin consider- if you have to. We’d also like to remind the senator of his ation of a supplemental appropriations bill the basement had been completely comments just last month after areas in during the next 10 days. filled with water. We also couldn’t go West Virginia were ravaged by storms. to the second floor in this home be- Then the editorial goes on to say ‘‘Once again, West Virginia has suffered at cause half of the steps were washed that BYRD said the Senate was busy de- the hand of Mother Nature,’’ Byrd said. away. bating legislation on housing, energy, ‘‘Every moment counts in the recovery ef- So we are not just talking about defense policy, and taxes before the re- forts, and every little bit of help is crucial. I appreciate the willingness of the Bush Ad- standing water. At one point this was cess. rushing water, turning over appliances ministration to extend relief to additional Continuing to quote the editorial: counties in our state. This wise decision will and leaving boats in people’s living bring much needed FEMA aid to these strug- Our response to Senator Byrd and the rest rooms. It is people such as Shirley, who gling communities so they can begin the dif- of the Congress is: Make the time. Delay the are in limbo because Congress is not ficult task of rebuilding.’’ acting, needing to know what assist- recess if you have to. We’d also like to re- Just to reiterate: ‘‘Every moment counts,’’ mind the Senator of his comments just last ance can be provided. They do not was his plea then. month after areas in West Virginia were rav- He had previously written to the president know whether the Government will aged by storms. help. Should they stay or should they asking for a disaster declaration as soon as The editorial refers to that state- possible, as the damage was ‘‘beyond the ca- leave? pabilities of the State of West Virginia and ment, with Senator BYRD saying this: Then we have business owners who the affected local governments.’’ are worried about their employees not Once again, West Virginia has suffered at Sounds very similar to the situations faced having homes. Will they leave town be- the hands of Mother Nature. Every moment today by many Iowa communities, busi- cause they do not have a place to live? counts in the recovery efforts, and every lit- nesses, families and individuals. Then will the small businesses be tle bit of help is crucial. It appears Byrd’s view on timely assistance doesn’t extend to the Midwest. closed because customers who use the Then the editorial repeats again the Sen. Byrd’s Web page is www.byrd.senate local diner won’t be there or the local last words of Senator BYRD’s state- .gov. An e-mail address can be found there. If flower shop won’t be there? It is a vi- ment—‘‘every moment counts.’’ That you feel compelled to leave him a message, cious circle when you don’t have hous- was his plea then. please make it brief. We would hate to take up too much of his time. ing for your workers. It goes on to say: My colleagues in the Midwest and I Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I have been working with appropriators Sounds very similar to situations faced have also, as an individual Senator, on additional emergency assistance to today by many Iowa communities, busi- been working on a comprehensive plan help us with the recovery and with the nesses, families, and individuals. It appears that Byrd’s view on timely assistance to provide tax relief to flood, tornado, rebuilding process. I happen to be con- doesn’t extend to the Midwest. and severe storm victims in the Mid- cerned that this additional emergency west. My Midwestern colleagues have assistance is being held up by non- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- been helping me with this effort. We emergency, nonrelated, and, in fact, sent to have printed in the RECORD the urge Congress to act quickly on enact- quite controversial provisions. I be- entire editorial so people can read it in ing a tax relief law because we acted lieve we should do what we did for New its entirety. very quickly—within 3 weeks—after York and what we did for New Orleans: There being no objection, the mate- Katrina for New Orleans. consider the emergency portion sepa- rial was ordered to be printed in the On Wednesday, I introduced this tax rately from other appropriations that RECORD, as follows: bill with Senators HARKIN, BOND,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:45 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.045 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7462 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 MCCASKILL, COLEMAN, KLOBUCHAR, on tax incentives for charitable con- City does not pay Federal taxes. This DURBIN, OBAMA, ROBERTS, BROWNBACK, tributions, thus strengthening local proposal is widely reported to fund the LUGAR, and BAYH and called it the Mid- and other fund-raising drives collecting building of a train from Manhattan to western Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008. money to help small businesses and John F. Kennedy Airport through the The same bill was introduced in the families recover. We also create tax- use of New York Liberty Zone tax cred- House by the Iowa congressional dele- credit bond authority to help local gov- its. According to the Joint Committee gation in a bipartisan fashion. ernments rebuild infrastructure with on Taxation, Congress has never before Federal tax relief has proven to be interest-free loans; increase the provided a limited tax benefit such as very helpful to disaster recovery ef- amount of tax-exempt bond authority this to a government unit. forts in recent years. We modeled this to help businesses receive below-mar- This provision is very controversial, legislation after the tax legislation ket interest rate financing; remove is nonemergency, and it would slow that Congress passed to help victims of limitations on deducting casualty down getting assistance to the Mid- Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in losses due to natural disasters; and re- west, and Iowans, where people are 2005, and the tornadoes of Kiowa Coun- duce the 2008 tax burden for businesses hurting and hurting right now. I reit- ty, KS, in 2007. We took into account by substantially increasing the 2008 de- erate that politics should not get in the lessons learned from the other dis- ductions from depreciation and expens- the way of helping the victims of the aster packages, so we have been able to ing the business property. storms and tornadoes in the Midwest. slim down this package and tailor it to We tried to add a disaster tax relief To cut through this hogwash, we ought meet the needs of this major natural package as an amendment to the hous- to pass the Midwestern disaster tax re- disaster and not repeat the mistakes ing bill—and I have to say Senators lief bill by unanimous consent even we made for Katrina, where some peo- SHELBY, DODD, and BAUCUS were very this week. ple who weren’t hurt by the disaster helpful in that process—but we didn’t As Iowans and others in the central were able to take advantage of it. get all these details ironed out in time United States start recovering and re- So we are curtailing the cost consid- to get it in the housing package. building their lives and communities erably. But there is another inconsist- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- after these record deadly storms and ency. I have been told by the chairman sent for 4 more minutes. floods, they need and deserve swift of the House Ways and Means Com- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Federal action. The assistance should mittee, Mr. RANGEL, that our disaster objection, it is so ordered. not be held up over politics. tax relief package needs to be offset. Mr. GRASSLEY. We have agreed to I am often asked by constituents not Well, he didn’t hear CHUCK GRASSLEY pursue Midwestern tax relief either as to forget them. Therefore, I am asking say the tax package we passed for New a separate bill, which would have to my colleagues in Congress this very York City after 9/11 had to be offset. It start in the House of Representatives, minute not to forget my constituents was an emergency. New York City or on another tax bill that is over here or other constituents of Midwestern needed help and New York City got under consideration in the Senate. I States. We only ask that Congress give help from this Senator, chairman of want to thank Senators SHELBY, DODD, Iowans and those in the Midwest the the committee at that time. I guess at and BAUCUS, though, for their consider- same consideration we gave victims of that time I was ranking member, but ation of putting that in the housing other disasters—and most often I men- still helping. And when Katrina came bill. tion New York City and New Orleans— along, I was chairman of the com- We have had further discussions since nothing more, nothing less. mittee once again, and we did not ask then with Chairman RANGEL and BAU- If any of my colleagues doubt that for offsets for Katrina. People in New CUS. It is our hope that we can swiftly this is an emergency and that Federal Orleans were hurting and we passed the reach a bicameral agreement with aid is needed, I am in Iowa every week- legislation and the President signed it Ways and Means and the Senate Fi- end—except this weekend, I am sorry 3 weeks after Katrina. We appropriated nance Committee on our proposals. I to say, because we are in session on $60 billion within 5 days after recon- think we basically have it ironed out, Saturday. But whenever they come, I vening after Labor Day in 2005. except for this offset issue. And we will be happy to show them around. I So I don’t want anybody telling me should pass this tax bill in both the have all kinds of pictures, which I that we have to offset a disaster relief House and Senate by unanimous con- think my staff has been putting up package for the Midwest where people sent before we leave for the August re- from time to time, to demonstrate this are hurting, when we didn’t do it for cess. That would get it done in still a disaster that we have had in the Mid- New Orleans. Why the double standard? longer period of time than it took me west. Is it because people aren’t on rooftops to get tax relief for New Orleans. Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I complaining for helicopters to rescue Once again, assistance to Iowa and suggest the absence of a quorum. them, and you see it on television too the Midwest should not be held hostage The PRESIDING OFFICER. The much? We aren’t doing that in Iowa. to politics and gamesmanship. We clerk will call the roll. We are trying to help ourselves in treated the victims of the gulf coast The bill clerk proceeded to call the Iowa. We have a can-do attitude. It with quick and fair action, as I have in- roll. doesn’t show up on television like it dicated twice during my remarks. We Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask did in New Orleans for 2 months. passed $60 billion in appropriations unanimous consent the order for the So we are going to move ahead. We bills within a week of returning to quorum call be rescinded. have targeted this assistance in this Washington after the August recess— The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tax bill to those who have suffered Katrina happening just days before objection, it is so ordered. damage and lost specifically from this Labor Day, during our recess—and we RECESS SUBJECT TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR severe weather event—individuals and passed that tax relief bill that I have businesses located in presidentially de- mentioned that was signed by the Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask clared disaster areas due to floods, tor- President within 3 weeks. Those were the Senate stand in recess subject to nadoes, or severe storms, in just these clean bills. They weren’t loaded down the call of the Chair. States—Iowa, Arkansas, Illinois, Indi- with controversial extraneous posi- There being no objection, the Senate, ana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, tions and didn’t need offsets. at 2 p.m., recessed until 2:03 p.m. and Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin— Efforts underway by Democratic reassembled when called to order by just where the harm has happened this leadership are letting down the people the Presiding Officer (Mr. CASEY). spring. of the Midwest. They are trying to use The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Among other provisions, this legisla- this disaster assistance as a vehicle to ator from Ohio is recognized. tion would let disaster victims with promote an agenda and pet projects, f damages to their primary residence tap and I will give you some examples. The their assets and access cash by with- majority would like to include a provi- LIHEAP drawing money from retirement plans sion to give $1.2 billion in tax credits to Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I without penalties and suspend limits New York City, even though New York rise today to speak about the need to

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:45 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.047 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7463 harmonize our energy, environment, Unfortunately, Ohioans are not a way that we have been unable to find and economic policies. alone. There is a growing number of common ground on the most important In the midst of summer it is hard to families across this country who will issue currently facing our nation. think about our Nation’s winter heat- need help this coming winter. I under- But let’s keep in mind that our situa- ing needs, but experts say we are at a stand the need for the safety net tion could be much worse. This June, pace for skyrocketing energy prices LIHEAP provides and support its fund- amidst what at the time were record this winter that will place even further ing at reasonable levels, but when I high gas and energy prices, a bill was financial strain on the budgets of too look at the numbers, it becomes clear brought to the floor to attempt to ad- many Americans. The chickens have that appropriating more and more dress climate change. While finding a come home to roost. For 27 years the money for LIHEAP is not the answer. solution to climate change is a goal I Federal Government has helped dis- The real reason some folks will be share, this bill was a bureaucratic and advantaged Americans with their heat- having such a hard time this winter economic disaster, creating over forty ing costs through the Low-Income making ends meet is our Nation has no new government agencies and spending Home Energy Assistance Program. It is energy strategy. For example, large- programs—constituting a $6.7 trillion one of the programs I supported while scale fuel switching from coal to gas dollar tax increase on American fami- I was mayor and then as Governor of began with the implementation of the lies. This bill would have sent ripple ef- Ohio. 1990 Clean Air Act. These requirements fects through the economy. Last year in my State alone, continue to be phased in and have be- Indeed, it was estimated that the LIHEAP assisted some 387,000 Ohio come increasingly stringent. One can State of Ohio would loose 139,000 jobs households earning less than 175 per- see a clear correlation between regula- by 2020 as a result of the legislation. cent of poverty on about $37,500 for a tion and the increasing cost of natural And with Ohio consumers paying as family of four. Furthermore, over gas. More utilities are turning from much as 29 percent more for gasoline, 188,000 Ohio households were served by coal to gas. 50 percent more for natural gas and 80 the Emergency Winter Crisis Program. A major contributor to these sky- percent more for electricity, disposable This program provides a one-time pay- rocketing energy prices is environ- household income could be reduced ment for eligible households whose mental policies that discourage our use $1,928 per year by 2020 and $3,522 per home heating sources have been dis- of abundant domestic energy supplies year by 2050. connected, threatened with disconnec- and a failure to harmonize our coun- Fortunately, this legislation was de- tion, or have less than a 10-day supply try’s energy, environmental, economic, feated. But if we continue to ignore the of bulk fuel. The fact that so many and national security policies. This has economic impacts of our country’s en- Ohioans have utilized these programs resulted in substantial unintended vironmental policies, we will further demonstrates a need for help. Congress has not sat idle. Since I costs in the form of increased fuel, erode our competitive position in the came to the Senate in 1999, Congress food, electricity prices and lost jobs, world marketplace, all the while in- has increased LIHEAP funding from and has contributed to the almost dou- creasing costs for those among us who $1.1 to $2 billion in 2008. That is an 80- bling of the LIHEAP program. are least able to pay. percent increase. In 2006, Congress pro- Sadly, this is not a new problem. We Few would argue that the economic vided $2.5 billion for LIHEAP, a 32-per- have know for years that we need a consequences of those regressive poli- cent increase above the previous year’s comprehensive energy strategy, and I cies fall hardest on the most vulnerable appropriations. have been calling for one since I came of our population—the poor and elder- I have consistently supported these to the Senate. ly. And that is what brings us to this increases, but I have become frustrated But it took us 5 years and 6 weeks of LIHEAP debate. that despite the new money in the pro- floor debate for Congress to Pass the I agree the program plays a key role gram, fewer families are getting real 2005 Energy Policy Act—a bill that in helping our neediest brothers and help on their heating bills. The non- took only limited strides forward. And sisters with the high cost of heating partisan Congressional Research Serv- while the bill encouraged improved na- their homes this winter. However, it is ice reports that despite the increase in tional energy efficiency, boosted re- disconcerting to me that many of my the number of households eligible for search and development funding for ad- colleagues who support the increase in LIHEAP assistance, climbing energy vanced energy technologies and pro- LIHEAP, as I have, have also supported prices have reduced the number of fam- moted increased use of biofuels. It environmental policies that have en- ilies actually receiving help. didn’t go far enough toward increasing couraged the use of natural gas, and at From 1983 to 2005, the percentage of our domestic energy supply, which has the same time prevented the explo- eligible families receiving aid de- been hamstrung by moratoria on exploration for new natural gas deposits. creased from 31 percent to 15 percent. ration that would have given us in- Most of us understand that when you The increased funding simply is not creased oil and natural gas. drive up the demand for gas and limit keeping up with the rising cost of heat- We have to make real investments the supply, prices will go up. Yet, un- ing fuel. Our dollars are not going so today that will help us achieve our fortunately those that support these far. The Ohio Department of Develop- goal tomorrow. If our goal is to help short-sighted environmental polices ig- ment tells me they are expecting the those who are less fortunate with their nore the impact rising prices have on same rapid increases in costs this com- heating bills, then we should be treat- all of us, particularly the middle class, ing winter. Natural gas is the best ex- ing the disease rather than the symp- the elderly, and poor. Some of the peo- ample of what has happened in my toms. We must increase our supply, re- ple back in my State say: What do they State and perhaps in the State of the duce our demand through alternative think we all are, rich? What is worse, Presiding Officer. The prices for con- energies, and conserve what we have. as the Band-Aid we use to temporarily sumers like me went from $3 an mcf in We must be also careful to avoid—I treat the symptoms of rising energy 2000 to $11 per mcf today. In fact, prices like to refer to them as smokescreens prices gets bigger—in this case almost for this June-July are nearly double that cloud our paths to real solutions. doubling the funding for LIHEAP, as I what they were during the same period The debate here in Washington over mentioned over what was appropriated last year. And it isn’t getting any bet- oil speculation is something that is this year—we are adding to our grow- ter. I understand that the Vectren Nat- part of this what I call smokescreen. It ing national debt. We cannot continue ural Gas Utility Company in the Day- is causing us to not face up to the situ- to live in the United States of Denial, ton area, is so alarmed about the ex- ation where we have to increase the borrowing money for programs and pected spike in the price of natural gas supply if we expect to deal with the passing the cost, including interest, this winter it is warning customers problems in oil and in natural gas here onto the backs of our children and now to prepare for rates to increase by in the United States. I firmly believe grandchildren. as much as 50 percent. This would dev- that we find ourselves in this situation Instead, those demanding more astate a lot of Ohioans living on fixed today because of a tail wagging the dog LIHEAP should also be required to incomes who already have tight budg- environmental policy. This has para- vote on increasing our energy supply or ets. lyzed Congress and polarized us in such at least give the Senate an up-or-down

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.048 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7464 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 vote on lifting the ban on exploration continue to fight for a national energy However, today’s escalating energy prices of the Outer Continental Shelf. The policy. I happen to disagree with the and the Nation’s unpredictable and extreme Mineral Management Service esti- Senator on some of the particulars, but temperatures are adding to the growing eco- mates that the undiscovered tech- we need a national energy policy. Of nomic hardship faced by seniors. LIHEAP is nically recoverable resources contained course, we need to lower the cost of en- underfunded and unable to meet the energy assistance needs of the program’s eligible in the OCS, Outer Continental Shelf, ergy. households. Studies show that while LIHEAP could equal 420 trillion cubic feet. This But, right now, when we are seeing in serves more households than ever before, is 40 percent of the total natural gas the northern tier of the country, in the only 16 percent of eligible households re- estimated to be contained in the undis- Northeast, a doubling of the price of ceived assistance in 2006. covered fields in the total United home heating oil, people will go cold, Let me repeat that. Only 16 percent, States. So I think we owe it to our people will freeze if we do not provide in 2006. The need is now substantially children, we owe to it our grand- them with the help they need. I hope I greater because of the rising cost of children to take care of our larger en- can count on my friend’s support to- fuel and because of the recession we are ergy problem and get to its root. Mov- morrow for that legislation. in currently. ing forward, we must ensure our envi- I am very happy to say, in terms of AARP finishes by saying: LIHEAP, we are getting very signifi- ronmental policies are not considered An estimated gap of almost $28 billion now in a vacuum. They should be com- cant bipartisan support for this legisla- exists between what LIHEAP pays and total plimentary to—not in opposition to— tion. This bill which, as I mentioned, energy costs facing the eligible LIHEAP pop- our country’s energy and economic would double the amount of money we ulation. needs. are spending on LIHEAP—it is S. 3186, So we are very appreciative that The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the Warm in Winter and Cool in Sum- AARP is supporting this legislation. ator from Vermont. mer Act. It now has 52 cosponsors, 35 Let me mention a letter that I received Mr. SANDERS. I agree with the pre- Democrats, 13 Republicans, and 2 Inde- yesterday from the National Governors vious speaker, the distinguished Sen- pendents. I want to thank all of them. Association. The National Governors ator from Ohio, about the need for a I want to thank Majority Leader REID, Association, representing all 50 Gov- national energy policy. He and I may Senators OBAMA, DURBIN, MURRAY, ernors in this country, is also sup- disagree as to what that policy should LANDRIEU, LEAHY, CANTWELL, JACK porting this legislation. Let me read look like, but at a time when we are REED, KERRY, KENNEDY, SCHUMER, briefly from this letter. spending $700 billion a year importing LEVIN, CARDIN, BROWN, KLOBUCHAR, I ask unanimous consent to have this oil from abroad, at a time when we are MENENDEZ, CASEY,—and I want to letter printed in the RECORD. contributing toward global warming, thank you, the Presiding Officer, for The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without at a time when the oil companies are your strong support for this legisla- objection, it is so ordered. enjoying recordbreaking profits, at a tion—BINGAMAN, LAUTENBERG, (See Exhibit 1.) time when some people will tell us, ex- STABENOW, BILL NELSON, BAUCUS, Mr. SANDERS. The letter states: perts will tell us, that speculation is SALAZAR, WYDEN, WHITEHOUSE, ROCKE- Dear Senator REID and Senator MCCON- driving up the cost of a barrel of oil by FELLER, DODD, TESTER, MIKULSKI, 25 to 50 percent, I think we need a new NELL: On behalf of the Nation’s governors, we BIDEN, KOHL, DORGAN, MCCASKILL, and write to express our support for increased energy policy. BOXER. funding for the Low-Income Home Energy But I sincerely hope my good friend I also want to thank 13 Republican Assistance Program for fiscal year 2008. from Ohio will not penalize the mil- cosponsors of this legislation. It is no Bipartisan efforts, such as the ‘‘Warm in lions of low-income people who are not secret that we are in the midst of a lot Winter and Cool in Summer Act’’ (S. 3186), here on that debate. For them, it is a of partisanship, a lot of bad feelings. which would add $2.53 billion in LIHEAP life-and-death issue, in some cases, But I am very glad that 13 Republicans funding for FY 2008 and split this funding eq- about whether we double LIHEAP have come on board this legislation. uitably between the LIHEAP base formula grant and the contingency fund, are a step in funding in order to provide the benefits They are Senators GRASSLEY, SNOWE, the right direction. This approach will help they desperately need. There are many STEVENS, COLEMAN, SMITH, SUNUNU, ensure that States receive an equitable share reasons that any of us can give for not COLLINS, MURKOWSKI, GREGG, LUGAR, of the energy assistance. voting for a piece of legislation, but I BOND, DOLE, and SPECTER. hope in terms of the very important I appreciate their support, as well as I thank the National Governors Asso- ciation. The letter was signed by Gov- LIHEAP vote, we do not have folks Senator LIEBERMAN, the other Inde- coming up, well, I believe in LIHEAP; I pendent, in addition to myself. I thank ernor Granholm and Governor Rell of am not voting for A or B; this is why— Senator REID, the majority leader, for Connecticut. We appreciate their sup- if we do not double the amount of trying to push this legislation. port. money for LIHEAP at a time when Not only do we have a significant I come from a State where the weath- home heating oil costs will be double amount of support in the Senate, we er gets 20 below zero. In a moment, I what they were a couple of years ago. are getting support from dozens and will be talking about what some of my Natural gas prices, as the Senator dozens and dozens of organizations constituents experienced last winter from Ohio said, are rising very rapidly. from all over this country who under- and the fears they have for the coming People throughout the country, in the stand the importance of LIHEAP and winter and why it is absolutely impera- southern part, are unable to afford the need to substantially increase tive that we substantially increase electricity and are trying to get by funding. LIHEAP funding. without air-conditioning at a great Now, one of the organizations that What I want to do right now is read threat to their health. I hope those has been very active and actively in- about what is going on in America people will not be held hostage to the volved in this issue is the AARP, which today, in July and in June of 2008, in debate we are having. is the largest senior group in this coun- terms of the impact that high tempera- Yes, of course, we need a national entry. I would like to, if I may, read tures are having on some of our most ergy policy. Yes, of course, this current briefly from a statement that the vulnerable citizens, primarily the el- policy is a disaster. But, please, let’s AARP made in support of the legisla- derly. not create a situation where people die tion that is coming up tomorrow. We gathered some headlines and brief and people suffer. Who gets LIHEAP? And that is: articles about events and tragedies My friend from Ohio knows who gets AARP fully supports the Warm in Winter that are occurring right now. LIHEAP. Those are the elderly people and Cool in Summer Act. This legislation From the Mississippi Daily Journal: who get LIHEAP. Those are lower in- will provide needed relief for many older per- An autopsy report confirmed a Monroe come families with children. Those are sons who may not receive assistance despite County, Mississippi, man died as a result of their eligibility due to a lack of funding. heat stroke Sunday. people with disabilities. Please, let’s Older Americans who are more susceptible to not hold those people hostage tomor- hypothermia and heat stroke know the im- Later on in the article it states: row while we continue the debate. portance of heating and cooling their homes. When the temperatures hit the high 90s, So, I say to my good friend from They often skip on other necessities to pay North Mississippi Medical Center emergency Ohio, count me in as someone who will their utility bills. department starts seeing more heat-related

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.049 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7465 illnesses, particularly heat exhaustion [hos- tween baby food [and] diapers and heating nation, we have to address those prob- pital officials said.] fuel. We’ve run out of heating fuel three lems. But I ask my colleagues to un- Then there is an article, which I am times so far and the baby has ended up in the derstand that just because CNN is not sure you are familiar with, which hospital with pneumonia two of the times. in a house which has no heat when the We try to keep the kids warm with an elec- weather gets 20 below zero, don’t think comes from the Philadelphia Inquirer. tric space heater on those nights, but that This was June 14, 2008. This was rather just doesn’t do the trick . . . Please help. that is not as important an issue. Do not think that suffering is not as real. astounding because Philadelphia is not That is what we are talking about. in the middle of the South. This is the In fact, according to the Centers for That is why we need to increase Disease Control, over 1,000 Americans way the article reads. It says: LIHEAP so that children do not get The National Weather Service warned last from across the country died from cold and end up in the hospital or that hypothermia in their own homes, not week that the four-day hot spell that began elderly people in the southern part of June 7 could be deadly—and the projection out on the street, from 1999 to 2002, proved all too true. As of yesterday—— this country die or end up in the hos- which are the latest figures we have pital because of heat exhaustion. This is the article on June 14— available. They froze to death in the Another letter I received from a United States. That is why LIHEAP as As of yesterday, the deaths of 17 people in small city in Vermont: Philadelphia has been linked to the heat dur- a program was created, and that is why ing those four days. Most lack air condi- I am a single mother with a 9 year old boy. we have to expand the mission of tioning in their homes. In several cases fans We lived this past winter without any heat LIHEAP to address the reality of and open windows proved insufficient. at all. . . . To stay warm at night my son today, that while our economy is de- and I would pull off all the pillows from the clining, energy costs are soaring. More That is from the Philadelphia In- couch and pile them on the kitchen floor. I’d quirer. I know that is one of the rea- hang a blanket from the kitchen doorway and more people are in need of sons you are such a strong supporter and we’d sleep right there on the floor. By LIHEAP. and why Senator SPECTER is also a February we ran out of wood and I burned As I mentioned earlier, this is not strong supporter. my mother’s dining room furniture. I have only a cold weather issue. Over the That was in Philadelphia. In Mo- no oil for hot water. We boil our water on the past decade more than 400 people died desto, CA, ‘‘Heat Claims Life of Elderly stove and pour it in the tub. of heat exposure in Arizona, including Modesto, California Woman.’’ I know there are a lot of reasons to 31 in July of 2005 alone. Let me wrap up my remarks by In Woodland, CA, ‘‘4 Deaths Blamed vote against anything. Please do not thanking all of the Members of the on NorCal Heat Wave.’’ hold these people hostage to the ongo- Senate—I think there are 52 or 53 co- Last week’s Northern California heat wave ing energy debate we face in this country. Yes, of course, we need an energy sponsors, including 13 Republicans—for is being blamed for killing at least four peo- their support. I thank the AARP and ple. policy. Yes, of course, what we are the dozens and dozens of other organi- June 12, 2008, The Capital, the news- doing today is absurd. But there are people who will die. There are people zations for their support. I thank the paper in Annapolis. It reads: National Governors Association for who will end up in the hospital. There An elderly man was found dead inside his their support. Every person in the Sen- are people who get sick. There will be stifling Orchard Beach, Maryland home early ate is a politician. We know how the people who have to take money out of this week, marking the first heat-related fa- system works. We know we can give their medicine budget, out of their food tality in Anne Arundel County, Maryland in any excuse under God’s sky for voting three years. budget to pay for heat in the winter or no on an issue. We can vote no any The article goes on: air-conditioning in the summer. Let us time we want to. We can write a press Maryland recorded 21 heat-related deaths not punish those people. I know all the release explaining why we are voting in 2007, 43 in 2006 and 47 in 2005, according to excuses, all of the reasons that people no. I hope tomorrow Members of the the Maryland Emergency Management Agen- can give for voting no. Hold them. Senate will not exercise that option. I cy. The county Health Department said Don’t use them tomorrow. Let the peo- hope tomorrow Senators will not force Anne Arundel had three heat-related fatali- ple back home know you are going to millions of the most vulnerable peo- ties in 2005. stand up for some of the most vulner- ple—LIHEAP is primarily for the elder- ‘‘Every summer, we see an increase in call able people in this country while we volume related to heat-related emer- ly; it is for people with disabilities, for gencies,’’ Chief Tobia said. And tragically, work on a national energy policy. families with kids—please, do not pun- this death highlights the absolute impor- At a time when home energy bills are ish those people, do not force those tance of staying cool, staying hydrated and soaring, what this legislation does is people to go cold or get sick or die be- checking in on your neighbors.’’ basically double the amount of cause of heat exhaustion because of the Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, June LIHEAP funding. It fulfills what the debate we are having here right now. 9, 2008. Headline: ‘‘69 Valley Facilities authorization level was. That is what There is widespread support that this Give Water, Aid to Homeless.’’ it does, not more than that. What it legislation should be passed, that fund- Blue Swadener, a spokesman for St. Joseph understands, as I mentioned earlier, is ing should be substantially increased. the Worker, said there were 50 heat-related that while millions of people today are That is what we are doing. deaths in Maricopa County, AZ between May receiving LIHEAP funds, millions more I hope tomorrow we can have a very and September 2007. who are eligible for the program sim- significant and good vote on this im- On and on it goes. This is only a sam- ply are not getting into it because portant piece of legislation so the pling of headlines dealing with heat-re- there is not enough funding available. American people can see that in the lated deaths. Let me talk a little bit What happens is, as home heating midst of all of this partisanship, Mem- about what is going on in some of the prices soar, either fewer people will be bers of the Senate have come together northern States, especially in able to receive benefits or else the ben- to say that no one in our country will Vermont. A couple of months ago, I efits people receive will be simply inad- freeze to death this winter or die of asked Vermonters to write to me tell- equate because States have to cut heat exhaustion. ing me about their experience with back. That is why the National Gov- This is an important issue. The vote high energy costs and a very tough ernors Association is supporting this is tomorrow. I look forward to wide- economy. These are some of the letters legislation. spread support from both sides of the I received from Vermont. A moment I made this point the other day, but aisle. I yield the floor. ago we talked about what is going on it is worth repeating: When there is a in warm weather States, when the flood, when there is a fire, and then EXHIBIT 1 weather becomes very hot. This is from there is a natural disaster, CNN and NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION, Vermont. The first letter comes from a the other TV cameras are there. They Washington, DC, July 25, 2008. Hon. HARRY M. REID, mother who lives in rural Vermont: cover it. All of us are concerned about the enormous problems facing the Mid- Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. We have two small children (a baby and a Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, toddler) and felt fortunate to own our own west in terms of the flooding there. We Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. house and land but due to the increasing fuel are concerned about the terrible forest DEAR SENATOR REID AND SENATOR MCCON- prices we have at times had to choose be- fires taking place in California. As a NELL: On behalf of the nation’s governors, we

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.050 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7466 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 write to express our support for increased cold winters and those senior citizens funded. I don’t take issue with that. funding for the Low Income Home Energy who are going to be doing everything However, working outside of the reg- Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for fiscal year they can to stay alive. This is America ular budget process allows for new (FY) 2008. Bipartisan efforts, such as the ‘‘Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer Act’’ in 2008. Senior citizens should not have spending that does not count against (S. 3186), which would add $2.53 billion in to be making that decision. Senior citi- the regular budget caps. LIHEAP funding for FY 2008 and split this zens also should not have to be making So for these reasons, I oppose the funding equitably between the LIHEAP base the decision of whether they are going LIHEAP funding bill we are debating formula grant and the contingency fund, are to eat or take their medicine, which is today. While I commend the supporters a step in the right direction. This approach another battle we have had on this for bringing their proposal forward we will help ensure that states receive an equi- floor, as the Senator from Vermont has ought to tighten the fiscal belt and pay table share of the energy assistance provided, which is what Congress envisioned fought with us on that as well. for this new spending. If this is a high when it authorized the multi-tiered formula. I thank the very distinguished Sen- priority then we need to eliminate This kind of equity is an important goal. ator from Vermont. some spending that is a lower priority Additional funding will support critically (The remarks of Mr. NELSON of to pay for it. Regretfully, this legisla- needed heating and cooling assistance to Florida pertaining to the introduction tion does not do that, and I intend to millions of our most vulnerable citizens, in- of S. Res. 627 are located in today’s vote no on final passage. cluding the elderly, individuals with disabil- ECORD R under ‘‘Statements on Intro- ENERGY ities and families that often have to choose duced Bills and Joint Resolutions.’’) between paying their heating or cooling bills Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise in op- Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise and buying food, medicine and other essen- position to the pending legislation, S. today to speak on S. 3268, the Stop Ex- tial needs. With greater financial support, cessive Energy Speculation Act. I states will be better able to maintain and po- 3186, The Warm in Winter Cool in Sum- mer Act. This legislation would provide thank the majority leader for his lead- tentially increase benefit levels, as well as ership on this issue, which addresses potentially increase outreach to eligible additional funding in fiscal year 2008 families in need of rising energy cost assist- for the Low-Income Home Energy As- one of the most critical problems fac- ance. sistance Program, known as LIHEAP. ing our Nation today—the problem of Governors applaud bipartisan efforts to in- An additional $2.5 billion would be pro- high oil and gas prices. I am deeply dis- crease funding for heating and cooling assist- appointed that our Republican col- ance and fully support adding $2.53 billion in vided, and under this legislation, these new funds carry an emergency designa- leagues chose to block the Senate from LIHEAP funding for FY 2008 to help our na- taking action on this bill, despite in- tion respond to existing home energy needs. tion that means it will be added to our Sincerely, debt. cluding provisions to address specula- GOVERNOR JENNIFER I would like to first commend Sen- tion in their own proposal. GRANHOLM, ator SANDERS, the sponsor of the legis- Energy is an economic issue. As Chair, Health and lation, on this well-intentioned bill. We every American has been reminded Human Services all know that the price of oil has in- over and over in recent weeks and Committee. creased this year. We feel it at the gas months, virtually everything we do re- GOVERNOR M. JODI RELL, quires energy—whether it is driving to Vice Chair, Health pump every week when we fill up our tanks. And with winter just around the work, cooking dinner for our families— and Human Services or cooling our homes in the hot sum- Committee. corner, Senator SANDERS is trying to mer months. And when the cost of that The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. NEL- provide additional funding for a home energy goes up, our quality of life goes SON of Nebraska). The Senator from energy assistance program that is one down. Florida. component of our country’s social safe- Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. Presi- ty net. And feelings across the country are dent, I echo the remarks of the distin- But while the intent of this legisla- raw right now. Whether it is the crisis guished Senator from Vermont. There tion is admirable, I cannot support this in our housing markets, skyrocketing is simply no sense for political games additional funding because it is not health care costs, rising unemploy- to be played with the lives of people, paid for. It is simply another IOU ment, or soaring energy costs, people particularly the lives of the elderly—in dropped on top of the pile that our chil- are hurting—people are angry and frus- his State having to do with the cold; in dren and grandchildren will be respon- trated, as circumstances completely my State having to do with heat. It is sible for. It may be them who will have beyond their control prevent them extremely important. It is sad we have to go without heat or air conditioning from taking care of their families—and to be delayed on a piece of legislation because of the debt these types of pro- they want their elected leaders to do that should have been passed long ago. posals make them responsible for. something to get this economy moving Here again, it is another example, as I If Congress wants to boost funding again. was saying earlier this morning, hav- for LIHEAP, then we ought to pay for But, we simply cannot drill our way ing to do with the energy legislation, it by cutting spending in a different to lower gas prices. President Bush’s talking about trying to do something program. This bill does not do that. It Energy Information Administration about the supplies of energy as well as passes the cost to future generations, has said that not a drop of oil from the the cost of it, of all these games that by charging the expense to the govern- Outer Continental Shelf would be pro- are being played out here, these polit- ment credit card. duced until 2017, and we would not ical games. Another example is right The debate we are having today also reach peak production until 2030. Even here with the program of assistance to invites a discussion on budget process then, this increased production will the poor for the cost of heating and air- reform. We ought to have contin- never be enough to lower world oil conditioning. gencies for emergency spending. Last prices—we only have 2-to-3 percent of There is no sense in the world that month the Congress approved a supple- the world’s oil reserves. we should be having to come back. I mental spending bill that provided President Bush and Republicans in could care less about coming here on a funding for the war in Iraq and Afghan- Congress are demanding we open up Saturday, but the fact is, this should istan, as well as extend veterans’ edu- more areas—yet oil companies are sit- have been passed several days ago, not cation benefits and unemployment in- ting on 68 million acres that they have being strung out as it is. Then we have surance. This spending is in addition to already leased but refuse to explore. a test that we have to meet the 60-vote the approximately $1 trillion in annual That is 3 out of every 4 acres these threshold to get through cutting off de- spending through the regular appro- companies have under lease. bate in order to even proceed to the priations process. My understanding is That is why Senators FEINGOLD, bill. This is some of the monkey busi- that in September the Appropriations MENENDEZ, and I have introduced legis- ness that is going on around here, pure Committee will mark up another sup- lation that denies new leases to compa- partisan political games. There is no plemental spending bill related to in- nies that leave the areas they lease un- sense for it. frastructure and the economy. I used. We have also introduced the Re- I couldn’t help but reflect on what haven’t seen the details of that pro- sponsible Ownership of Public Lands the Senator from Vermont has said. I posal, but expect that it will be large Act that forces companies to pay a appreciate his leadership on it and cer- in size and scope. Much of this new penalty on areas they have leased but tainly his coming from Vermont, those spending has merit and ought to be not put into production. These fees

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:45 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.008 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7467 would be used to help bring clean, do- necessarily increase costs for operating lems is a fruitless exercise if the mestic, renewable sources of energy on- companies that are trying to manage ground rules choke off consideration of line. We had hoped to offer both of their energy costs through hedging. In the many ways we can tackle those these proposals as amendments to the addition, it appears that some aspects problems by reducing our reliance on legislation before us; unfortunately, of section 7 and other sections may be imports, by promoting more develop- obstruction by the Republicans will unclear or have unintended con- ment of American conventional and al- prevent us from doing so. sequences. I hope we have another op- ternative fuels, and by advancing effi- The message is simple: instead of portunity to address the issue of specu- ciency and conservation initiatives. continuing to pad the coffers of oil ex- lation, and I look forward to working There is, of course, another critical ecutives while American families with the majority leader on ways to factor in the energy-price crisis that struggle, we are telling these compa- address some of these concerns. demands careful attention and effec- nies they can either ‘‘use it or lose it.’’ Mr. President, I am disappointed that tive action. That is the role of exces- I hope my colleagues will join us in this bill will not have a chance to be- sive speculation in energy markets, es- pursuing this legislation as an amend- come law. I recognize that addressing pecially by institutional investors and ment to the pending bill. the issue of speculation will not solve index funds. I also strongly support efforts to rein our energy crisis. This crisis is too big Senator LIEBERMAN and I have heard in excessive speculation in energy mar- of an issue with too many root causes. persuasive and troubling evidence in kets. Over the last several months But speculation is part of the problem, three hearings of our Committee on there have been numerous congres- and curbing speculation must be part Homeland Security and Governmental sional hearings and reports from ex- of the solution. This bill would have Affairs on this issue. We heard testi- perts across many fields—oil industry achieved that goal. mony from Federal officials, from ex- executives, airline industry leaders, fi- Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, high change officials, from academics, from nancial analysts, and others. Jeroen energy prices are having a devastating institutional investors, and from a van der Veer, the CEO of Royal Dutch impact on our economy and our peo- bakery owner and a farm representa- Shell, was quoted in the Washington ple—particularly in large, rural States tive. Post on April 11 saying that ‘‘the . . . such as Maine. Eighty percent of Maine The evidence that we found of great- fundamentals are no problem. They are homes use oil as their primary heating est concern involves the impact of non- the same as they were when oil was source, so thousands of families are commercial investors who do not selling for $60 a barrel, which is in worried about how they can afford to produce or take delivery of oil or agri- itself quite a unique phenomenon.’’ stay warm next winter. cultural products—unlike commercial Representatives of Exxon-Mobil, the The high cost of energy is also taking participants such as oil producers and Petroleum Marketers Association of a toll on businesses, both large and heating oil dealers, farmers and cereal America, and others have all expressed small. Truckers, paper mills, fisher- companies. Instead, these noncommer- similar views. Yet the price of a barrel men, farmers, and countless others are cial investors use futures contracts and of oil has doubled in the last year. struggling with the high cost of oil, related transactions solely for finan- Indeed, expert economists have esti- gasoline, and diesel. cial gain. mated that speculators in energy mar- Many factors affect energy prices, in- Speculation in commodity markets kets are responsible for anywhere from cluding the value of the dollar, global by noncommercial investors has grown 25 percent to 50 percent of the price of tensions, and demand in other coun- enormously. In just the last 5 years, a barrel of oil. Even the Japanese gov- tries, such as China and India. Supply the total value of their futures-con- ernment’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, concerns also enter the picture. Busi- tract and commodity index-fund in- and Industry has concluded that specu- ness Week has reported that data on vestments has soared from $13 billion lation has played a significant role in Saudi production potential indicate to $260 billion. driving up oil prices. that the kingdom may be unable to Many experts have concluded that This bill is supported by a broad coa- sustain their projected output of 12 these massive new holdings of oil-fu- lition of airlines, trucking associa- million barrels a day past 2010, while tures contracts by pension funds, uni- tions, labor groups, and environmental International Oil Daily reports that versity endowments, and other institu- groups because it takes important Mexico’s crude-oil exports are down 17 tional investors have driven prices be- steps that will help eliminate the percent versus 2007, and ‘‘could rep- yond levels that normal marketplace ‘‘speculative premium’’ on each barrel resent the start of a precipitous de- factors would produce. of oil. The dramatic increase in oil cline.’’ Other supply concerns for These investors’ intentions may be prices is hurting American families and places like Iran and Nigeria also affect simply to provide good returns, a hedge threatens to cripple countless Amer- expectations, and prices. against inflation, and asset diversifica- ican businesses. These and other considerations have tion, but the effect of their activity ap- This important legislation closes the led many of us to advocate a com- pears to be driving up prices for tradi- ‘‘London loophole’’ by treating oil prehensive energy policy that would tional users of commodity markets, traders using a foreign exchange as if promote more exploration and produc- not to mention American families and they were trading in the U.S. for regu- tion, more conservation and efficiency, businesses that are affected by the ulti- latory purposes, in order to stop trad- and more alternatives in the energy mate price increases. ers from manipulating prices and spec- sector. We need more American pro- I worked with Senator LIEBERMAN to ulating excessively by routing oil duction to meet America’s needs, while produce a comprehensive and bipar- trades away from U.S.-based ex- protecting our environment. In short, tisan bill, the Commodity Speculation changes. In addition, the bill requires we need to produce more, use less, and Reform Act of 2008, which we and Sen- the CFTC to convene a working group pursue alternatives. ator CANTWELL introduced on July 10. of international regulators to develop It is imperative for both economic Our bill, S. 3248, takes some very uniform reporting requirements, re- and national-security reasons that we strong steps toward countering exces- quire the CFTC to collect data on index reduce our dependence on imported oil sive speculation. traders to ensure they are not ad- and the supply shocks that our depend- First, it would remedy staffing short- versely impacting the price discovery ence entails, that we develop new re- falls at the Commodity Futures Trad- process, and authorize the CFTC to sources here, and that we promote ing Commission by adding 100 staff to hire at least 100 additional full-time more efficient use. I have a 10-point en- improve its market oversight and en- employees. ergy plan that includes proposals to ac- forcement capabilities. This is a vital At the same time, I feel that some complish those objectives. step. The CFTC tells us that more than areas of the bill can be improved. In Those ideas deserve a full debate. I three billion futures and options con- particular, I am concerned that section sincerely hope the current procedural tracts were traded last year, up from 37 6 may cause unintended disruptions for obstacles to considering a variety of million in 1976. Yet the Commission is financial institutions with over-the- amendments will be removed. Holding operating with fewer employees than it counter hedging transactions and un- a lengthy debate on our energy prob- had 30 years ago.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.022 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7468 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 Second, our bill closes the so-called as energy commodities, mirroring our an overreaction to Fannie and ‘‘swaps loophole,’’ which currently al- bill’s approach. We believe this is im- Freddie’s self-inflicted financial lows financial institutions to evade po- portant because high energy prices af- wounds. sition limits on commodity contracts fect the costs of fertilizing, producing, I ask unanimous consent that his col- that regulators use to prevent unwar- harvesting, transporting, processing, umn be reprinted in the RECORD, and I ranted price swings or attempts at ma- and distributing commodities. Con- urge my colleagues to consider his nipulation. sumers know this is a real problem, thoughtful views. Third, our bill directs the CFTC to and price data prove it: the Bureau of There being no objection, the mate- establish position limits that will Labor Statistics reports that the rial was ordered to be printed in the apply to an investor’s total interest in annualized rate of food-price inflation RECORD, as follows: a commodity, regardless of whether in the second quarter of 2008 was 8.5 [From the Arizona Republic, July 23, 2008] they originate on a regulated ex- percent. Meanwhile, the Bureau’s en- RESCUING FANNIE MAE OR FREDDIE IS change, the over-the-counter market, ergy price index for the second quarter NONSENSE or on foreign boards of trade that deal was climbing at an amazing annualized (By Bob Robb) in U.S. commodities. rate of nearly 54 percent. Energy and food commodities are The proposed rescue of Fannie Mae and I would note that our bill instructs Freddie Mac makes no sense. the CFTC to set and administer these linked, and both have been subject to Both companies are mortgage bundlers and position limits. That task is currently large-scale, noncommercial specula- investors. delegated to the exchanges, subject to tion. When we note that the BLS rate They buy mortgages from other lenders Commission review. The regulated of price increase for nonfood, non- and securitize them. They hold some for in- commodity exchanges have good rep- energy items was only 2.5 percent, it is vestment and sell some to others. They guar- utations as self-policing operations, clear that both agricultural and energy antee payments on the mortgage-backed se- but we believe as a matter of principle future markets need protection against curities they sell to others. And they buy mortgage-backed securities from other that regulators should be setting spec- excessive speculation. My second amendment replaces the bundlers for investment. ulative position limits. Recently, the stock prices for Fannie and Fourth, our bills instructs the CFTC definition of commercially related Freddie fell precipitously, to roughly a quar- to permit no foreign boards of trade to hedging in the majority leader’s bill ter of their previous peak. That represents a deal in U.S.-linked commodity con- with the language from our bill. This sharply revised judgment by investors about tracts unless they agree to reporting will not impair the CFTC’s ability to the value of Fannie and Freddie’s business and data-accessibility standards at monitor and police hedging activity model and activities. least equivalent to that required of across trading venues, but it will re- That’s too bad for holders of Fannie and Freddie stock. But in and of itself, it doesn’t U.S.-regulated exchanges. This is not a duce an apparent potential for unintended consequences. We have heard represent a systemic economic threat war- matter of telling other countries what ranting the intervention of the federal gov- to do: foreign boards of trade request concerns that the bill’s restrictive lan- ernment. ‘‘no-action’’ letters from the CFTC so guage about hedge-trade proximity and Other financial institutions do hold mort- they can maintain trading terminals equivalence to the initial commercial gage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie here while remaining regulated by transaction could make bona fide hedg- and Freddie. If Fannie’s and Freddie’s finan- their own authorities. The CFTC has ing impossible or more difficult and ex- cial conditions deteriorates to the point of recently taken positive steps to require pensive for the intermediaries who pro- raising questions about their ability to make good on their guarantees, that would reduce comparable reporting, and our bill vide that service. My amendment is fully consistent with the intentions of the value of securities they have sold to oth- codifies those improvements. ers. And that could reduce the capital of These are powerful measures, but the pending bill, but mitigates the risk other financial institutions. they are also carefully designed. We that we might unintentionally impede But the effect should be minor. The mort- recognize that producers, handlers, and hedging that has a genuine commercial gage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie purchasers of commodities who use basis. and Freddie are the good stuff. The mortga- those markets to lock in prices, hedge Mr. President, I hope the Senate will gors are all credit-worthy and made healthy risks, and see clues for price trends reconsider a full range of amendments to down payments. The securities are ulti- quire some level of participation by the majority leader’s bill. I urge my mately backed by the properties mortgaged. colleagues to support my amend- Even without Fannie or Freddie’s guarantee, non-commercial, financial investors. losses should be minimal. Thus, our bill does not prevent finan- ments—and then to support the under- After all, even including the bad stuff, 92 cial investors from participating in lying bill. We can all agree that exces- percent of all mortgages in the United States commodity markets. It simply places sive speculation is not the only factor remain current. Losses in Fannie and some limits on their activity by direct- affecting energy and food prices. But it Freddie securities are currently running at ing the CFTC to set position limits is one that we can influence, and ac- just a fraction of a percent. across trading venues at a level no tion is already long overdue. Nevertheless, the Bush administration has proposed that Fannie and Freddie be given higher than that needed to ensure that HOUSING Mr. KYL. Mr. President, in a recent an unlimited line of credit from the federal commercial participants can always government and that the federal government find counter-parties for their contract column for the Arizona Republic, ‘‘Res- be permitted to contribute equity if Fannie needs. cuing Fannie Mae or Freddie is Non- and Freddie have capital problems. Congress The bill pending before the Senate sense,’’ Bob Robb exposed some of the appears likely to go along. parallels key provisions of the bill that flaws in H.R. 3221, the American Hous- In the meantime, the Fed has agreed to Senators LIEBERMAN and CANTWELL and ing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention lend to Fannie and Freddie as well. I introduced. Act of 2008, specifically, the bailout for Instead, Congress should phase out the ex- The majority leader’s bill has some Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. isting $2.25 billion line of credit each enter- additional features, such as the work- Mr. Robb argues, ‘‘This plan isn’t prise has with the federal government over a about mitigating today’s housing dif- period of, say, five years, and declare that ing groups to study the regulatory Fannie and Freddie from that point on are framework for commodity-market reg- ficulties. Nothing in the plan gets a on their own. ulation and to consult on internation- mortgage paid that wouldn’t otherwise When Fannie Mae was formed in 1938, there ally agreed standards, that deserve be paid. Nor is the rescue really about was arguably a role for government to play support. today’s credit crunch, except for the in creating a secondary market for mort- Two aspects of the majority leader’s minor effect a doubt about the reli- gages. Lending capital was scarce and fewer bill, however, raise some concerns, and ability of Fannie and Freddie guaran- than half of all Americans lived in their own I have filed two amendments to address tees might have on the capital of other homes. financial institutions. Instead, it’s Fannie Mae was initially a government them. Senator LIEBERMAN has joined agency. It was sold to private investors in me as an original cosponsor of the about enabling Fannie and Freddie to 1968, but retained a favored relationship with amendments. continue to do even more of the same the federal government. Freddie Mac was The first simply extends the reach of in the future, and that’s a bad idea.’’ formed in 1970, with the same favored rela- S. 3268 to include agricultural as well Mr. Robb calls this plan for what it is— tionship, to offer competition ahd choice.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.054 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7469 Such government-sponsored entities are an Freddie have incurred losses of more holds in its mortgage portfolio. I don’t anachronism today. Over two-thirds of than $5 billion in the past year, the see the rationale for expanding FHA’s Americans live in their own homes and, in a first loss for these two GSEs in 25 liability with this $300 billion program world of international finance, there is plen- years. Fannie and Freddie have also when the agency cannot sustain its ty of private-sector interest in providing a secondary market for mortgages. seen their stocks sink more than 80 current portfolio and when American This rescue plan isn’t about mitigating to- percent in value over the past year. taxpayers will bear any losses that the day’s housing difficulties. Nothing in the Congress should have passed this much FHA incurs because of the HOPE for plan gets a mortgage paid that wouldn’t oth- needed reform years ago to avert the Homeowners Program. erwise be paid. erosion of Fannie and Freddie’s port- This bill also includes a new tax on Nor is the rescue really about today’s cred- folios, and it should be stronger now, it crunch, except for the minor effect a doubt given their resistance to reform. the GSEs—estimates range up to $600 about the reliability of Fannie and Freddie Because Fannie and Freddie enjoy million a year—to pay for the HOPE guarantees might have on the capital of this Federal Government guarantee of for Homeowners Program for 3 years, other financial institutions. its debts, both the Treasury Depart- and thereafter, for a new affordable Instead, it’s about enabling Fannie and ment and the Federal Reserve recently housing trust fund. It simply does not Freddie to continue to do even more of the make sense for Congress to impose a same in the future, and that’s a bad idea. proposed various administrative and The rescue plan makes an implicit federal statutory actions to stabilize the new tax on Fannie and Freddie at the guarantee for Fannie and Freddie explicit. GSEs. The actions included in this bill same time that the Federal Govern- This would give them an even greater com- would allow the Federal Reserve to ment thinks it must bail them out by petitive advantage, enlarging their already grant both Fannie and Freddie access infusing cash and equity into the insti- dangerously overlarge presence in the sec- to its discount window, temporarily re- tutions. It is also likely that Fannie ondary-mortgage market. move the $2.25 billion cap on Fannie and Freddie will simply pass along the The Bush administration and Congress are and Freddie’s lines of credit at the cost of this new tax to consumers, moving toward a much larger federal role in which obviously would not help lure the housing market. Congressional Demo- Treasury Department, thereby allow- crats propose that the federal government ing them to borrow an unlimited buyers back into the housing market. refinance some $300 billion in mortgages, amount of taxpayer money if needed, Not only do I oppose taxing the while the Bush administration wants to open temporarily permit Treasury to pur- GSEs’ profits, but I also question the the federal checking account to Fannie and chase equity in the institutions to en- efficacy of the affordable housing trust Freddie and perhaps invest in them. sure that the two GSEs have access to fund that would be funded by the GSEs. Meanwhile, the Fed’s balance sheet is get- sufficient capital, and provide the Fed- ting corrupted with junk that others won’t The bill would direct 65 percent of the buy or lend against. eral Reserve authority to gain access money it taps from the GSEs to the All this is to keep the housing market to information and perform a consult- Secretary of the Department of Hous- propped up at a time in which the market is ative role in the new GSE regulator’s ing and Urban Development, HUD. screaming, about as loudly as it can: There’s process for setting capital require- Under vague guidelines in the bill, the been an overinvestment in housing. What the ments and other prudential standards Secretary of HUD would then have the politicians propose to do about our economic that this bill mandates. The Congres- discretion to establish grant criteria problems has been consistently more trou- sional Budget Office, CBO, estimates that could favor certain States. Once bling than the problems themselves. that the proposal could cost American the money is allocated by the Sec- Mr. KYL. Mr. President, many home- taxpayers $25 billion over fiscal years retary, State and local politicians owners in my State of Arizona and 2009 and 2010; however, there is a would be able to disburse the money to across the Nation are having a hard chance that a further deterioration of favored organizations and for-profit time making their mortgage payments, Fannie and Freddie’s finances could re- groups that share their political agen- but the legislation Congress is consid- quire an infusion of $100 billion or das. The remaining 35 percent of the ering is not aimed at helping them. more. We simply do not know how money that the bill takes from the Rather, it is designed to help mortgage much this proposal will cost—a gamble GSEs would be distributed to nonprofit lenders and the two big Government with taxpayers’ money that I am not groups selected by the Secretary of the enterprises ‘‘Freddie Mac’’ and ‘‘Fannie comfortable making. Department of the Treasury. This, too, Mae.’’ In fact, the bill we are consid- In addition to the possible costs of could allow the politicians in power to ering will place an immense financial the proposal to help Fannie and divert Federal dollars to their favorite burden on every American taxpayer for Freddie, the provisions of H.R. 3221 in- housing causes. I cannot support a bill a long time and waste billions of dol- tended to deal with foreclosures would that essentially creates a slush fund lars in misguided efforts to help lend- cost taxpayers billions and do little to for politicians. ers deemed ‘‘too big to fail.’’ Therefore, help struggling homeowners. For in- I will vote against H.R. 3221, the Amer- stance, a key component of the bill is I also oppose the nearly $4 billion in ican Housing Rescue and Foreclosure the HOPE for Homeowners Program, funding the bill allocates to the Com- Prevention Act of 2008. which would allow subprime mortgage munity Development Block Grant, One of the few provisions in the bill holders to refinance their mortgages CDBG Program because the funding that I support is the much needed re- into Federal Housing Administration would go to local officials to buy fore- form of the government-sponsored en- backed loans if the lender agrees to closed property from the lender that is terprises, GSEs, that establishes an write down the value of the mortgage. holding the property. Not only does independent regulator to ensure that This represents a huge risk to Amer- this create a scenario ripe for political Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are prop- ican taxpayers. The program would favoritism, it would also bail out the erly managed and financially sound. allow lenders to cherry pick up to $300 very lenders who offered mortgages The reason they are in trouble is that billion of their worst loans and refi- their customers couldn’t afford. And, they have taken too many risks, some- nance them into FHA guaranteed again, it does nothing to help the thing I have been warning about for 3 loans. The Congressional Budget Office former homeowner. Moreover, the years. These two GSEs hold more than estimates that a third of the mortgages CDBG Program is fraught with ineffi- $5 trillion in liabilities composed of refinanced under the HOPE for Home- ciencies and mismanagement. Accord- mortgage-backed securities and other owners Program will enter into de- ing to a February 2008 report from the debt that enjoy an implicit guarantee fault. White House budget office, the CDBG by the Federal Government. This legis- But even more troubling to me is the Program was labeled as ‘‘ineffective,’’ lation makes that guarantee explicit burden this program will place on the and only received a score of 27 out of for the first time. FHA considering its current financial 100-point scale of achieving results. I Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s role is woes. The New York Times reported in cannot vote for a bill that has such a to promote liquidity in the mortgage April that the FHA will face a deficit poorly run program as one of its cen- industry, but due to the downturn in for the first time in its 74-year history; terpieces. the housing market, poor oversight, the deficit is largely blamed on the Finally, I disagree with certain parts and reckless portfolios, Fannie and risky mortgages that the FHA already of the tax title contained in this bill.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.007 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7470 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 When the tax title was initially draft- card industry’s current computer paid after December 31, 2011. Back-up ed, I successfully added a provision de- records do not contain merchant TINs withholding is required only if the pay- signed to protect taxpayers from hav- and other information that the pro- ing institution does not have a valid ing property tax relief provided in the posal would require to be reported. taxpayer identification number on file bill completely offset by rising taxes at If payment card companies do not for the merchant. In addition, for third the State and local levels of govern- currently have a system in place to en- party networks, there is an exception ment. However, when the legislation sure valid TIN information on all exist- for transactions of $20,000 or less or 200 reached the House of Representatives ing merchants, errors in TIN matching transactions or less. my language protecting taxpayers from will subject merchants to withholding, Ms. SNOWE. I am also concerned of tax increases was dropped. Home- even where merchants have provided the impact of this proposal on small owners and average Americans are TIN information. Withholding 28 per- businesses. Senator KERRY and I both struggling to pay their mortgages, cent of a merchant’s gross reimburse- want to make sure the additional tax higher gas prices, and more expensive ments would severely disrupt a compliance burden on small businesses grocery bills. State and local govern- business’s operations and impair its will be minimal and the new informa- ments should not add to these burdens cash flows. tion that will be collected will be pro- by raising their own taxes and cer- There are programs currently oper- tected. Can the chairman expand upon tainly should not try to divert Federal ating that provide responsible relief to how this information will be used by tax reductions intended to help individ- struggling homeowners at no cost to the IRS? uals contending with today’s economic American taxpayers. HUD has orga- Mr. BAUCUS. The IRS indicates that challenges into their own coffers. nized an assistance program, called it intends to implement the informa- One must understand that the Fed- HOPE NOW, for homeowners in distress tion reports in a graduated way that eral Government already provides a to rework their mortgages if both the will give the agency time to use the tremendous amount of financial assist- borrower and lender decide that re- amounts on a 1099 in a manner to accu- ance to State and local governments. negotiation of their mortgages is in rately and efficiently identify cases According to the Office of Management their mutual interest. This voluntary with higher likelihood of noncompli- and Budget, OMB, the Federal Govern- program has helped over a million ance, potentially sparing compliant ment will provide $476.1 billion to State Americans having trouble paying their businesses from unnecessary audits. and local governments in 2009, an in- mortgages, and I fully support these ef- Existing privacy rules will apply to the crease of roughly $10 billion from 2008 forts. In less than a year, HOPE NOW information reports required under this and 67 percent more than in 2000. Al- has assisted nearly 17,000 Arizonans ne- proposal. most 50 percent of Federal financial as- gotiate repayment plans with their Mr. KERRY. The provision requires sistance is spent on health care. Spend- lenders. Additionally, over 6,000 Arizo- reporting to be made on a calendar ing on income security, education, and nans have received loan modifications. year basis. It my understanding that transportation roughly accounts for The HOPE NOW Program was just re- many retailers operate on a fiscal year the remainder. cently expanded to help even more basis and I want to make sure that this In determining the total amount of struggling homeowners in Arizona and provision will not create an unneces- assistance the Federal Government nationwide. sary burden on sm all retailers because provides to State and local govern- I oppose H.R. 3221 because I do not they will be required to reconcile dif- ments, one must also factor in the fore- think the benefits of the bill outweigh ferences. gone revenue that results from tax ex- the numerous liabilities that could be Mr. BAUCUS. The provision provides penditures which benefit State and passed to American taxpayers. Con- the Secretary of Treasury with the au- local governments. The two largest tax gress should not pass a bill just to show thority to prescribe regulations or expenditures are the deduction for it is ‘‘doing something’’ to help home- other guidance to implement this pro- State and local tax payments and the owners who cannot make their mort- vision and prevent the reporting of the interest exclusion on public purpose gage payments or write a blank check same transaction more than once. State and local government debt. Com- to Fannie and Freddie. This bill passes Ms. SNOWE. I want to make sure bined, these provisions reduce Federal more burden to American taxpayers. that the benefit of improved compli- revenue by nearly $60 billion in 2009. PAYMENT CARD AND THIRD PARTY NETWORKING ance from information reporting is out- Interestingly, if the Federal Govern- Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I would weighed by the cost of compliance. Can ment did not provide State and local like to engage in a colloquy with the Chairman expand on the benefits of governments with assistance, the budg- Chairman BAUCUS and Senator SNOWE the proposal versus the burden? et would run persistent surpluses. about the payment card and third Mr. BAUCUS. The benefits of this There would have only been 16 budget party networking information report- proposal are substantial. IRS research deficits over the last 50 years. U.S. debt ing provision. I am concerned about shows that there is 46 percent compli- would have been substantially lower. the impact this proposal will have on ance rate when there is no information I also oppose the $16.8 billion of tax small businesses. It is my under- reporting and over 90 percent compli- increases included in the bill used to standing that the proposal included in ance when there is information report- offset the cost of the new spending. In the Housing and Economic Recovery ing. There will be upfront program- particular, one provision would require Act of 2008 is a modified version of the ming costs which will be spread over a the payment card industry to design administration’s proposal that was in- number of merchants and a period of and build a new computer system so cluded in administration’s budget for years, which should help to minimize that it can collect merchants’ trans- fiscal year 2009. I ask the Chairman, the costs to individual merchants. action information and provide it to can you explain who bears the report- Mr. KERRY. I commend the Sen- the IRS. It would also require payment ing requirement and how the provision ator’s efforts on trying to reduce the card companies to withhold 28 percent was modified? tax gap and improving the under- of a merchant’s reimbursement if it Mr. BAUCUS. The provision requires reporting of income. I would like to cannot verify the company’s taxpayer the bank, third party network, or third continue to work with the Senator on identification number, TIN. party processor that settles credit card this issue to ensure that the provision No hearings have been held on this payments with the merchant to report is implemented in a manner that is not proposal and now Congress is rushing annually to the IRS and to the mer- burdensome to small businesses. through an incomplete payment card chant the gross amount paid to the Ms. SNOWE. I concur with Senator reporting proposal that has not been merchant during the calendar year. KERRY, and appreciate the Senator’s ef- adequately vetted. Once implemented, These reports may be made electroni- forts on addressing the tax gap. While the provision would require the indus- cally. The effective day of the proposal small businesses should not be excused try to spend hundreds of millions of was modified to apply to information from meeting their tax obligations, I dollars to redesign their information returns for calendar years beginning also want to ensure that tax gap pro- systems to comply with the new infor- after December 31, 2010. Back-up with- posals such as this one meet a delicate mation reporting regime. The payment holding provisions apply to amounts balance of improving compliance in the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.024 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7471 least burdensome manner possible for with the very same strain of a rare order from the production process all the majority of small businesses who foodborne bacteria, Salmonella the way through delivery to our door- are already in compliance. I look for- Saintpaul. step, we have no way to trace and de- ward to working with the Senator on At least 231 individuals have been termine where our food came from. the implementation of this provision in hospitalized for treatment. Sadly, the There are currently no laws or regu- a manner that does not negatively im- deaths of two individuals in Texas have lations requiring a national system for pact small businesses. also been connected to the outbreak. traceability of U.S. foods. While many SECTION 2203 But many people who get sick from in the food industry do employ vol- Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I would food do not even seek medical atten- untary record-keeping systems, there like to engage in a colloquy with tion. So many illnesses linked to this is no consistency from one system to Chairman DODD to clarify the intent of outbreak have gone undiagnosed. the next. section 2203 of the Housing and Eco- The Centers for Disease Control esti- Instead, members of the U.S. food in- nomic Recovery Act of 2008. This provi- mates that for every one illness diag- dustry—from the farmers to the proc- sion amends section 207 of the Service- nosed and attributed to Salmonella, 38 essors to the distributors to the ven- members Civil Relief Act, SCRA, 50 more cases actually occur. That means dors—use differing systems to capture U.S.C. App. 527, to limit the maximum the number of illnesses caused by this differing types of data regarding their interest rate for mortgages that serv- outbreak could actually number in the products. Because this data lacks con- icemembers obtain before their mili- tens of thousands. sistency, it becomes difficult to link or tary service, during the period of their According to the CDC, this is the share this data among the various service and one year thereafter. It has largest ongoing outbreak of foodborne partners in the U.S. food industry. come to my attention that there is a illness in the United States in at least Much of this data trail is not even drafting error in this section that does a decade. It has now been more than 7 computerized. Instead, it remains in not reflect the intent of the Congress. weeks since the FDA first warned con- antiquated paper files, and it makes In subsection (b), paragraph (1), the sumers against eating certain types of FDA’s and CDC’s job of tracing the phrase, ‘‘in excess of 6 percent’’ should tomatoes. But since June 2, the num- cause of this outbreak even more dif- have included the words, ‘‘per year.’’ bers of individuals sickened by this ficult and time-consuming. This would reflect the intent to limit outbreak steadily have continued to Compounding these difficulties, the maximum rate of interest for serv- rise. many produce items are mixed with icemember obligations to 6 percent per Many of these subsequent illness re- products from various other sources, year during the period of military serv- ports were due to delays in testing and and then they are repackaged. Some ice, and in the case of mortgages, for reporting by States. But a shocking food products even leave the country an additional year after service. Does 600-plus people have had illnesses that before being returned for sale in this the Chairman agree that the words began after—after—the FDA an- country, and along the way, these ‘‘per year’’ were inadvertently omit- nounced that tomatoes were linked to types of products lose any type of in- ted? the outbreak. formation that might help us identify Mr. DODD. Yes. It is my intent that As a result of the FDA’s warning, the their source. section 2203(b)(1) should read ’in excess U.S. tomato industry has likely sus- This lack of traceability of informa- of 6 percent per year ‘‘ before subpara- tained well over $100 million in collat- tion about our food is unacceptable in graph (A). This would track the exist- eral damages. Many tomato growers this day and age and in this country. ing language in section 207(a)(1) of the and wholesalers fear that, like spinach, Implementing a natural system of food SCRA that refers to preexisting obliga- demand for the products may be af- traceability would allow us to more tions or liabilities bearing an interest fected for years to come. quickly identify the source of contami- rate in excess of 6 percent per year. It And now, more than 7 weeks and nation in an outbreak of food-borne ill- is not my intent to modify this aspect many tens of millions of dollars later nesses, and it would allow us to more of section 207(a)(1). in losses, FDA says it is ‘‘highly un- quickly act in the interests of public Mr. KERRY. I thank the Chairman likely’’ tomatoes were even involved in health to notify consumers about un- for addressing this issue. It is the long- the outbreak. safe products they may have in their standing understanding of both mili- Instead, new test results have lead kitchens. In a recent AP poll, 86 per- tary servicemembers and lenders that FDA to now conclude that jalapen˜ o cent of the people in the United States the reduction in interest under this peppers are to blame for this multi- said produce should be labeled so it can section would be to ‘‘6 percent per State outbreak. But even this linkage be better tracked to its origin. It is year,’’ which has been existing law for has not given us the answers needed to time for industry and the Government many years. The provision in section put an end to this outbreak. to take action to give consumers this 2203 was not intended to change exist- FDA has issued a recall for jalapenos information. ing law, other than to extend the inter- grown in Mexico and distributed However, implementation of a na- est cap of 6 percent for servicemem- through a company in Texas. But it is tional traceability system is only half bers’ mortgages for an additional year unlikely that jalapenos from this small the battle. There are still 76 million beyond military service. company can account for more than cases of food-borne illnesses in this Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. Presi- 1,200 illnesses. country every year. Those illnesses dent, I thank you for the opportunity While FDA has continued to inves- send an estimated 300,000 Americans to to share this issue with the Senate. tigate other parts of the distribution the hospital each year, and they kill— The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- chain, they still do not know where the they kill—an estimated 5,000 individ- ator from Pennsylvania. contamination happened. uals yearly. Many of these deaths FOOD SAFETY The FDA and the CDC have candidly occur in young children, the elderly, Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise to stated that there is a very real possi- and those with chronic illnesses. talk about an issue which has gotten bility that we may never determine— I believe the Senate must begin look- some attention in our country, but never determine—the root cause of this ing at ways to modernize the U.S. sys- with so many economic problems that outbreak. As unsettling as that is, tem of food inspection. We must pro- face the American people and our fami- what we have uncovered is equally un- vide the agencies that regulate food lies, it probably has not gotten enough settling. safety with additional authority to en- attention in Washington. That is the Our Government has no way to trace sure the safety of our Nation’s food issue of the outbreak of foodborne ill- food products from the farm to our din- supply, and we must increase resources nesses and other problems that have ner plates, no way to trace food prod- to the Federal Food and Drug Adminis- arisen in the last couple weeks and ucts. In an era where we can instantly tration so they can hire more per- months with regard to our food supply. detect and report stolen credit identi- sonnel and so they can invest in im- As of July 21, 1,256 people in 43 ties, where we have the technology to provements to their systems of inspect- States, the District of Columbia, and instantly pinpoint a person’s location, ing domestic and imported food prod- Canada have been affected since April where we can track an online shopping ucts. We must mandate science-based

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.010 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7472 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 regulations to ensure the safety of food sign the bill. It will help Americans fort to clamp down on oil speculation, products that carry the most risk, and keep their homes and their home eq- the minority party said no, even we must improve coordination between uity. We are restoring stability to the though they put that as part of their the USDA, the Department of Agri- housing market and helping businesses overall energy package. They just said culture, the FDA, and the various and communities hurt by this crisis no. We saw that in a vote earlier. De- other Federal and State agencies not only recover but also create new spite agreement on pursuing conserva- charged with regulating food safety. jobs. The bill will help prevent another tion, Republicans have said no to pur- Americans have every right to expect crisis of this magnitude, stop fore- suing that. Despite the fact that the a safe food supply, and we in the Sen- closures before they begin, and pre- majority leader has even offered them ate owe it to them to make needed im- serve for future generations the Amer- a vote on the floor of the Senate on provements to this system before an- ican dream of home ownership. their singular issue that we have heard other outbreak sickens thousands more The nearly 8,500 new families filing for a week and a half talking about of our citizens. for foreclosure each day can no longer drilling off the Outer Continental Mr. President, I yield the floor. wait for help. That is why it is my ex- Shelf—even though it won’t do any- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- pectation, in a special session we will thing about gas prices, which was rec- ator from New Jersey is recognized. have tomorrow, Saturday, that we will ognized by the Bush administration as Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I ask get the votes necessary, this will pass, such; even though, in fact, it risks the unanimous consent to speak in morn- and it will go on to the President. It coastal economies worth $200 billion on ing business. has already passed the House. the east and west coasts; even though it doesn’t do anything about breaking The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without LIHEAP objection, it is so ordered. As we talk about saving people’s our addiction to foreign oil or even do- HOUSING homes, there is another great challenge mestic oil; even though any production Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I be- for many—not only those who face would take a decade before we saw a drop and 2030 before we would see full lieve Democrats are committed to foreclosure but those who are working production; even though full produc- strengthening our weakening economy very hard every day to meet their obli- tion would be a fraction of what we by addressing record-high home fore- gations and, in fact, some who have have seen in reduced demand and in- closures and record-high energy prices. worked a lifetime and find their home creased supply by the Saudis—despite The good news is that we will pass—I mortgages paid off but find themselves all of that, the majority leader said certainly hope, tomorrow—the housing with the challenge, as we look forward yes, you can have a vote on it, and they bill. in the next several months to the win- couldn’t take yes for an answer. Even though President Bush origi- ter season, of the consequences of not nally opposed the essence of what we So if we are going to avert a disaster being able to afford to heat their this winter, it is time for our Repub- are trying to do in the housing fore- homes. Yes, there are many Americans closure prevention bill, he has finally lican colleagues to say yes. LIHEAP is in this country who face that chal- a program we have to help the most dropped his rather stubborn opposition lenge. So there will be another critical to an important bill. He finally real- vulnerable people in this country stay vote tomorrow, and I certainly hope it warm in the winter, and for far too izes, as Democrats have for quite some is a vote that a majority of this body time, that we have to act immediately long this essential program has been will support; that is, the Warm in Win- underfunded. Due to this insufficient to address the housing crisis. We have ter and Cool in Summer Act that pro- funding, the average LIHEAP grant to act immediately, not only for the 2 vides an additional $2.5 billion in only pays for 18 percent of the total million American homes that could be LIHEAP funding. cost of heating a home with heating oil lost and the American dream gets There is no doubt that the pain at in the winter, 21 percent of residential turned into the American nightmare the pump has been devastating to mil- propane costs, 41 percent of natural gas but because of what that means to us lions of American families, but we can- costs, and 43 percent of our electricity collectively as a nation in terms of our not forget also that the skyrocketing costs. It is only expected to get worse economy and what it means to all of price of home heating oil, propane, ker- because this is what it covers in terms us. osene, natural gas, and electricity is of what it has covered. As prices rise We have seen our economy continue also breaking family budgets right for oil and gas and other related prod- to go in all of the wrong directions, and now. That pain will only get worse as ucts, the reality is that it will cover we have seen rising inflation costs of the cold weather approaches. less and less of a percentage of the essential goods that people and fami- I am particularly concerned about costs necessary to be able to keep families need. We have seen rising costs of this winter when people will be faced lies warm. energy, which I will talk about in a with the prospect of paying $1,000 or In this poor economy, with a crash- moment, and we have seen decreasing more up front to pay for the heating oil ing housing market, banks reporting values of homes as a result of fore- they need in the winter. For seniors, record losses, joblessness creeping up, closed properties within neighbor- for low-income families, for people on and the specter of inflation looming, hoods. As this takes place, the value of fixed incomes, and those struggling too many people simply cannot make everyone else’s home in that commu- with a poor economy, these enormous up the difference out of their own pock- nity goes down $10,000 or $15,000. If upfront costs are simply out of reach. ets. With home heating oil now at $4.50 there are multiple foreclosures, there High energy costs this winter will be a gallon, if we don’t pass this bill, we are even greater amounts of home val- severely compounded by our struggling can face potential tragedy of an un- ues that are lowered, and those values economy. We lost 62,000 jobs in June— imaginable scale this winter. which are in their homes, which for the the sixth straight month of job losses. These are individuals who work every average American is the single biggest Real wages have fallen rapidly. Hous- day, work at some of the toughest jobs part of their savings and investment ing foreclosures are up while home val- in America, important to us collec- and opportunity to draw from, when ues are plummeting, and we have also tively in our economy and in our soci- that value goes down, the opportunity seen shrinking credit markets, trou- ety, yet they struggle to make ends to educate their children, put them bled banks, and a volatile stock mar- meet. They are not sitting at home de- through college, to borrow against it, ket. pending upon the public largesse; they goes down. For having a medical emer- However, despite all of these prob- work hard every day. Many of them are gency, the opportunity gets dimin- lems, it seems we have some difficulty working two jobs just to try to make ished. For having retirement savings, getting some of our colleagues here to ends meet. But they cannot heat their the opportunity gets diminished. So understand the necessity of now—the homes this winter without some help. the housing package has so many di- ability to legislate now and to get this What does it say to us about our val- mensions to it that it is critical to the resource available and ready to go so ues as a nation? I know the Capitol will country. people will not go cold in the winter. be warm. I know the leadership offices We appreciate that the President has Despite apparent bipartisan agree- here have fireplaces that will be blaz- finally dropped his veto threat and will ment on a whole host of issues in an ef- ing away. No one is going to go cold in

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.057 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7473 the Senate. The question before the That is why we have said a couple of element of that, we could do various Senate tomorrow will be, Will we let things. One, let’s end excessive specula- things. No. 1, taxpayers would make Americans in this country go cold and tion. People sometimes wonder, what money on it. No. 2, we could bring that have to choose between being able to does that mean? It means we have oil on the marketplace to help burst heat their homes or put food on the traders buying huge quantities of oil the speculative bubble and try to bring table? Will those who have worked a online, intentionally inflating prices. down gas prices. No. 3, we would lifetime to help build families and com- They turn it around and sell it to other change the type of oil we have for a dif- munities and now find themselves on traders at even higher prices. These ferent quantity that we need of a dif- fixed incomes be told: Oh, sorry, you traders never intend to use the oil. It is ferent type of oil. So on all counts it can freeze. These are not dramatic not that they are going to end up sell- would be good. Yet we cannot seem to spectacles of something that will not ing it to an entity that will actually get that done. happen; these are the realities of the disperse that oil. The purpose is to bid Finally, we have tried to pursue sev- challenges if we do not act. up the price and cash in. The problem eral times on the Senate floor renewing So we ask our colleagues, especially with that deal is it might be good for the tax credits that are critical for us those on the other side, to join us in the traders and speculators, but it is to get out of this dilemma, not just in averting this looming disaster and to terrible news for families who have to the short term but in the long term. vote for the Warm in Winter and Cool pay at the pump. We consume 25 percent of all of the in Summer Act. It is finally time to What is it, in fact, that those who world’s oil. So even if we opened all of say yes to help those who are strug- say speculation is not that important our coasts and everything to drilling, gling the most in this economy. don’t get about this issue? Yesterday we are not going to create more than 2 ENERGY we saw that the Commodity Futures or 3 percent of the world’s oil. Bottom Finally, I wish to turn to a third Trading Commission—the regulatory line: We are always going to be, if we item. We talked about the housing bill agency responsible to make sure this continue down this road, in a deficit. so critical to our collective economy area of the marketplace is appro- We are always going to be more of a and to millions of families who need priately regulated—accused a company consumer than a producer. That means heat and who are in the process of los- of making a million dollars in illegal to me that, for our economy, our secu- ing their homes or who are on the profits over the course of 11 days. How rity, and our environment we need to verge of that challenge. We talked did they do it? Well, in audio tapes un- break this addiction to oil, whether it about the need to keep people in their covered in the investigation, the regu- be foreign or domestic, and be able to homes, those who have struggled to not lators said one of the defendants de- seek renewable energy sources, such as have to be in a foreclosure but still scribed the scheme as an effort to wind, solar, biomass, and cellulosic cannot meet the challenges of heating ‘‘bully the market’’ by making a large ethanol. their homes for their families this win- number of trades at or near the end of Even T. Boone Pickens, the gen- ter, and what we need to do. the trading day to move closing prices. tleman who made a fortune in oil, is on Finally, I wish to talk about, once Moreover, unlike many other manipu- TV telling us all that we cannot drill again, the question of energy, the ques- lation cases, this one accuses the de- our way into the type of energy inde- tion of gas prices and what we can do. fendant of actually succeeding in mov- pendence we need. The bottom line is We as Democrats have been working ing prices that were used as bench- the renewable energy tax credits are at this for some time. We want to in- marks for consumer markets—a re- what, in my mind, is the most critical crease domestic production of the oil markable claim. So, in essence, they element to get these different renew- supply now—not more than a decade are saying they did bully the market able energy sources into the commer- from now, not in the year 2030 from and they did manipulate the market. cialized aspect, with the tax credits now. That won’t do anything to give anybody relief at the pump tomorrow. They made a million dollars in 11 days. necessary to bring them to scale, so we It is time to put the American people But the worst part of it is it resulted can break our addiction. Yet we con- ahead of the big oil companies; that is in higher prices during a period of time tinue to hear no. the bottom line. They have record prof- for gasoline and crude oil. Guess who It is past time to pursue a strategy of its. We saw that parade start this week paid for that. The consumers of this having legislative failure as a way to- with ConocoPhillips, with record prof- country. Notwithstanding even this ward political victory. It is fundamen- its in their quarter. I cannot wait to latest evidence, our friends on the tally wrong to have a strategy of say- see the next set of record profits we are other side have said no to us on pur- ing no so this body cannot move for- going to hear from the other oil compa- suing ending market speculation, hav- ward on the critical issues Americans nies. ing more transparency in the market- face, so that then you can blame the Yet all we hear from many of our col- place, and having the regulators pursue majority party in this body, even leagues is that we need to give them a course that will ensure what oil com- though the rules permit the minority more—more Federal money, more Fed- pany executives testifying before Con- to stop the majority from moving for- eral land, and more of every break. gress have said—that speculation can ward, and most Americans have been They are responsible for nothing, and account for up to $50 per barrel of oil. taught there is the fundamental lesson they are the only entity that can solve Well, I would like to take that $50 out of majority rule. In the Senate, be- our energy future. of the cost of oil and end the specula- cause of its procedures, when a single It is such a shame because that is tion and the type of manipulative trad- minority Member, or a group of minor- what you overwhelmingly hear. We being that is going on that yesterday the ity Members, don’t want to allow us to lieve it is time to put the American CFTC accused a company of per- move forward, they threaten filibusters people ahead of big oil. We can fast- forming, and succeeding at increasing and/or invoke them, and 60 votes are track domestic production. We have 68 oil and gasoline prices. That is what we needed. Since the majority has only 51 million acres that, in fact, are already have before the Senate. But our Repub- votes here of Democrats, we need Re- on lease, doubling the lease sales in the lican colleagues said no. publicans to join us. When they fail to Gulf of Mexico, accelerating leases in We also believe that releasing oil do that, the Nation’s business doesn’t Alaska—where all of the infrastructure from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve move forward. That is a great strategy is, to a large degree, already. When we is incredibly important. This is a huge for a political exercise, if you think talk about drilling off the east and reserve we have underground. We buy that exercise is going to bring you vic- west coasts, there isn’t any drilling in- oil as a country collectively, for all of tory in November, by saying this body frastructure there. The president of the the taxpayers, and we put it under- in the Congress cannot proceed on the American Petroleum Institute said we ground. What is the problem? It is a critical issues that face Americans, but don’t have the infrastructure, the drill- good idea except that we have 97 per- it is a horrid exercise as it relates to ing rigs, the pipelines, the tanker ports cent of it filled. We have an excess of a the Nation’s major challenges. that are all necessary to do that. So we certain type of oil. We are even told by Fortunately, we have been able to are talking about a very long time, and the Congressional Budget Office if we break through this several times. We people need relief in the short term. swapped that out and sold a significant say we want to protect and honor the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.058 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7474 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 men and women who serve the country Mr. Simon collected, edited, and orga- And Ulysses Grant was often mis- in uniform. It was because of Demo- nized hundreds of thousands of docu- understood. crats leading, with Senators WEBB, ments connected with America’s 18th Alexander Stephens, the Vice Presi- LAUTENBERG, and others to move that President—then assembled them to dent of the Confederacy, met General GI bill. Even though the President form a vast and astounding collection, Grant toward the end of the Civil War. said: No way, too expensive, and it is a which he called the ‘‘Papers of Ulysses Years later, he wrote of their meeting: fraction of the cost of 1 month in Iraq, S. Grant.’’ We all form our preconceived ideas of men he said he was going to veto it. We He began the Grant papers project in of whom we have heard a great deal . . . but said: No way, we are going to honor the 1962 and was close to completing it I was never so completely surprised in all my men and women who honor the uniform when he died. The 31st and final vol- life as when I met him and found him a dif- and take care of them when they come ume of the collection is in its final ferent person, so entirely different from my back. That is how a grateful nation stages. The entire collection is pub- idea of him. . . . He is one of the most remarkable men I have ever met. honors those who serve. Because of our lished by Southern Illinois University persistence and communicating with Press. He was an unlikely war hero. At the the American people, today he signed Harriet Simon, Mr. Simon’s wife of 51 start of the Civil War, Grant was sev- into law the greatest GI bill invest- years, told the New York Times that eral years out of the Army and utterly ment since the first one—a major ac- working on the Grant papers consumed broke. At one point, he had been re- complishment. her husband. duced to selling firewood on the street Tomorrow we will pass this housing ‘‘It was daily,’’ she said. ‘‘It was in St. Louis. bill over the objections of the Presi- weekends and it was most holidays. But the cause of preserving the dent, who said, ‘‘I am not going to sign Some holidays, not all day.’’ Union gave Grant a new purpose. He reit’’—a major commitment to our econ- John Younker Simon was born in entered the military in 1861, and rose omy, to restoring the American dream Highland Park, IL, in 1933. He grad- quickly through the ranks, thanks to in terms of home ownership, and mak- uated from Swarthmore College and re- his fearlessness and brilliance as a ing sure we move in a different direc- ceived an M.A. and a Ph.D., both in his- military commander. tion. It is time to say yes to the Amer- tory, from Harvard, where he met his In 1864, he was promoted to the rank ican people, and stop filibustering. It is future wife. He taught at Ohio State of Lieutenant General of the Armed time to stop using the powers of the before finding his place at S.I.U. in Forces, a position only ever held by minority in an abusive way. I respect 1964. George Washington, and given overall the powers of the minority, but not to Just as President Grant’s own auto- command of all Union Forces. be used in an abusive way that under- biography raised the standard for Pres- The following year, he accepted the mines the fundamental principle of ma- idential memoirs, Mr. Simon’s work surrender of the Army of Northern Vir- jority rule. raised the standard for Presidential pa- ginia from General Robert E. Lee at The people of the United States pers collections. Appomattox Courthouse. His generous elected a new majority a year and a Harold Holzer is senior vice president terms of surrender and his magna- half ago to move the country in a dif- of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in nimity stunned Lee and his men and ferent direction. The fact that the mi- New York. He is also a renowned Lin- helped a bloodied nation begin to heal. nority wants to simply show that, in coln scholar and a cochairman, along As President during the Reconstruc- fact, the Congress cannot move in that with Representative RAY LAHOOD and tion era, Grant’s policies moved Amer- direction as a tool of political expedi- me, of the Abraham Lincoln Bicenten- ica further toward reconciliation. ency and a tool of political success is nial Committee. As he told the New Near the end of his life, broke again totally inappropriate and, most impor- York Times, Mr. Simon approached his after being swindled in a business ven- tant, damaging to the Nation’s inter- work on the Grant papers as a biog- ture and in constant pain from throat est. I hope that starting tomorrow, rapher rather than simply a cataloger. cancer, Grant agreed to write his mem- when we consider the critical issues on Mr. Holzer said: oirs to earn money for his family. He housing and LIHEAP, to keep people in He changed the whole ethos of presidential wrote feverishly, racing against death, their homes, and to warm those homes, papers. He matched incoming correspond- and died 5 days after putting down his we can move forward in a way that ence with outgoing, so researchers would pen. speaks to the true values of our Nation have a complete episode. He included edi- His friend, Mark Twain, called ‘‘The and the integrity of this institution. torial commentary that was more substan- Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant’’ With that, I yield the floor. tial than footnotes. He wrote introductions ‘‘a great, unique and unapproachable f to each volume. . . . He is the father of this literary masterpiece.’’ It is widely re- whole discipline. REMEMBERING JOHN Y. SIMON garded as the finest U.S. Presidential In 2004, Mr. Simon received a Lincoln memoir ever written. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, in 1887, 2 Prize for outstanding achievement for Understanding the real Grant and years after the death of Ulysses S. the Grant papers. The awards jury helping others to understand this piv- Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman wrote, ‘‘It is inconceivable that any otal figure in our history was John Si- wrote in a letter to his old Army Chief historian would write on the Civil War mon’s life’s work, and he did it with of Staff, ‘‘Grant’s whole character was without having these volumes at uncommon distinction. a mystery, even to himself.’’ hand.’’ Today, more than 120 years later, the In addition to the Grant papers, he In 2005, John Simon was honored wrote and edited a number of other world has a far better understanding of with a lifetime achievement award Ulysses Grant than did General Sher- books dealing with Grant, Lincoln and from the Lincoln Forum. Frank J. Wil- the Civil War and produced hundreds of man, or maybe even General Grant liams, chairman of the Lincoln Forum himself. And for that, we are indebted journal articles. Along with the Lin- and president of the Ulysses S. Grant coln Prize and the Lincoln Forum to one man more than any other. Association, praised him as ‘‘a brilliant John Y. Simon, a leading Civil War award, he received an Award of Merit scholar, a dazzling writer and an origi- from the Illinois State Historical Soci- scholar and the preeminent authority nal, irreplaceable personality [who] has on Ulysses Grant, died on July 8 in ety and many other honors. enriched the world of Civil War studies After the Union victory at Vicks- Carbondale, IL. Mr. Simon, an award- and enriched the lives of those who winning historian, spent more than burg, President Lincoln wrote to Gen- know him.’’ eral Grant: four decades at Southern Illinois Uni- Upon receiving the Lincoln Prize, Mr. versity, where he taught courses on the Simon said of his life’s work: My Dear General: I write this now as a Civil War, Reconstruction and the his- grateful acknowledgement for the almost in- I have enjoyed it. It has been an oppor- estimable service you have done the country. tory of Illinois. He also served as exec- tunity for me to spend time with a spectac- utive director of the Ulysses S. Grant ular figure in American history. Grant was a By spending his entire career to give Association, based at SIU, since 1962. complex character—an unmilitary soldier, us a clearer picture of ‘‘The Hero of Ap- But his passion and his true vocation an unpolitical president and an unliterary pomattox,’’ John Y. Simon also per- was the Ulysses Grant papers project. author. formed a great service for our country.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.060 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7475 He brought honor to my State and a same side of the debate over what was for all of their own people and all of deeper understanding to us all. I offer being called a ‘‘labor reform’’ bill. mankind. my sincere condolences to his wife Har- Sadly, as I was working with a number So when our military leaders came riet, his daughter Ellen, his grand- of my colleagues to sustain a filibuster together to liberate France from Nazi children, friends and colleagues, and against this unabashedly radically lib- Germany, we weren’t inventing a new the many students he inspired. eral pro-union legislation, our friend story from whole cloth. We were re- f Senator James Allen passed away. affirming a centuries-old friendship, While we were all saddened by the loss giving new life to the timeless ideals REMEMBERING SENATOR JESSE of our dear friend, at the back of our we share and the recurrent sense on HELMS minds we were worried that, without both sides of the ocean that the fates of Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise to Senator Allen’s mastery of Senate pro- our nations are forever linked. speak today about former Senator cedure, our efforts might fail. However, GEN Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, Jesse Helms, who passed away on July Senator Helms stepped up and provided commander of the French forces in Op- 4, 2008, at the age of 86. I knew Senator much needed insight, helping us to eration Dragoon, used to tell a power- Helms well, and I am sure I am joined block this harmful legislation. At one ful story about a meeting with his by many of my colleagues in saying point during this debate, while many of American counterpart, GEN Alexander that he will be missed. us were worried about the strength of ‘‘Sandy’’ Patch. Unlike Sandy Patch, Senator Helms was born in Monroe, the filibuster, Senator Helms assured General de Lattre lived long enough NC, in 1921. His first full-time job was us, saying that we would keep the nec- after the war to reflect on his experi- as a sportswriter for the Raleigh essary Senators on the floor ‘‘if they ences. Times. After serving as a recruiter for have to wear their pajamas and bed- When Patch granted him the support the U.S. Navy during World War II, room slippers.’’ he needed to take the fight to the Senator Helms became the city news I believe we were all surprised during Nazis, de Lattre wrote that, ‘‘I sud- editor for the Times before moving on the latter part of Senator Helms’ ten- denly saw the clear, grave eyes of the to do journalistic work in both radio ure when he coauthored the landmark American commander soften. With hes- and television. In 1960, he began work- 2002 legislation authorizing funds that itation that was full of shyness, he ing at the Capitol Broadcasting Com- were, at that time, unparalleled for brought out his pocket-book and from pany in Raleigh as the executive vice international AIDS relief. Many of his it he took a flower with two stems, president, vice chairman of the board, colleagues, including myself, had which was beginning to fade. ‘Look,’ he and assistant CEO. He became famous sparred with Jesse over providing sup- said, breaking it into two and handing in his home State for his daily CBC edi- port for AIDS relief and research. But, me one of the stems, ‘a young girl gave torials, which featured his now-famous in those last few months of his Senate me it on the slopes of Vesuvius on the southern anecdotes occasionally laced career, I believe he showed the world day before we embarked. She said it with his sometimes provocative polit- that, while he wasn’t always the most would bring me luck. Let us each keep ical views. agreeable of politicians, he was a com- half and it will take our two armies Prior to coming to the Senate, Sen- passionate man who was committed to side by side on the road to victory.’’’ ator Helms’ only political experience doing what he thought was right. As the French General said, it was ‘‘a consisted of two terms on the Raleigh Mr. President, I want to extend my touching wish which was answered by City Council. However, in 1972, Senator deepest sympathies to the Helms fam- heaven.’’ Helms became the first Republican ily. As I said, Jesse and I did not al- General Patch’s gift was the personal Senator elected from North Carolina in ways agree on the issues before the gesture of a man who was both great the 20th century, replacing the retiring Senate, but I can say, without reserva- and gracious. It is also a fitting meta- Senator B. Everett Jordan. tion, that he was a dedicated public phor for the friendship of our two coun- During his three-decade tenure in the servant and dear friend to those of us tries. Each helped freedom to flower in Senate, Jesse became known as one of who knew him well. the other, and we are bound together the Chamber’s staunchest conserv- f by the enduring fact that we each atives. His refusal to compromise on carry a part of the same idea forward his beliefs was the source of both his TRIBUTE TO GEN ALEXANDER with us. greatest strength as a legislator and, ‘‘SANDY’’ PATCH AND THE 65TH GEN ‘‘Sandy’’ Patch—hero at Gua- as I am sure some would argue, his ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION dalcanal, liberator of southern France, greatest weakness. Indeed, I don’t DRAGOON whose troops would later cross the think there are any of us who served Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I say to Rhine as victors—was a great Amer- alongside Senator Helms who did not, Mayor Bruno, residents of Ramatuelle, ican and a great admirer of the French at one time or another, find themselves France, and especially to all the people. Hailing from a small mining in a disagreement with him. French and American veterans gath- town in the western United States near However, while I didn’t always agree ered for this important event, I am the Mexican border, Patch described with Jesse, I do have a number of fond honored to lend my voice from afar to General de Lattre in a letter to his wife personal memories of him. the chorus of those who celebrate the as ‘‘a typical, intelligent, broadly edu- For example, when I first came to the past, present, and future of the ex- cated, volatile and attractive French- Senate in 1977, Senator Helms was traordinary bond between our two man.’’ But when the French emerged nearing the end of his first term. About great nations. from their homes in the liberated town 3 months into that first session, still At watershed moments in history, of Saint Raphael and began to sing becoming acclimated to life in the Sen- France and America have always their national anthem, which had been ate, I took a few moments to write looked across the sea to each other in forbidden just days before, General down some of my early impressions of friendship and fidelity. Patch listened to ‘‘La Marseillaise’’ my fellow Senators. About Jesse, I When the British colonies reached with tears streaming down his face. wrote that he was ‘‘one of the dearest their moment of truth, our Founding Although Patch was famously pugna- people in the Senate,’’ and that he had Fathers stood shoulder to shoulder cious as a young man, he grew into a always treated me with kindness and with Marquis de Lafayette, Comte de man of remarkable personal discipline respect. I also noticed that, despite Rochambeau, and countless other who remained unafraid of battle but having a reputation for being an Frenchmen who never made it home. who, as his biographer wrote, ‘‘had a unmovable conservative, he had a Many French were, as we would later remarkable and brooding concern knowledge of parliamentary procedure say, ‘‘present at the creation’’ of the about the human cost’’ of war. and tactics that was virtually un- United States. And our great experi- He was a man who shunned the spot- matched. ment, in turn, helped inspire the light. It is said that when General A couple years later, I witnessed this French to not just dream of, but actu- Patch saw himself hailed on the cover knowledge first-hand when Senator ally take to the streets and demand, of Time magazine as ‘‘Patch de Prov- Helms and I found ourselves on the ‘‘liberty, equality, and brotherhood’’ ence,’’ he never even read the article.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:45 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.020 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7476 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 His own sense of humility inspired his heart for all that they lost, we come Please take oil out of the commodities subordinates to live up to the con- together today to mark the anniver- market, for the county’s benefit. fidence he placed in them. He was not sary of the signature achievement of a RHOSAN. just respected by his fellow soldiers— great generation of men and women. My husband got a whopping 3 percent raise he was loved. Smoking his rolled up We come together to commemorate a this year. I sure wish I could put a 3 percent ‘‘Bull Durham’’ cigarettes, he remained high point of French-American friend- cap on the increase in my expenses. As many to his last days an American original ship, and to celebrate all that we won: other Idahoans, we live in the country. He and, as GEN Dwight Eisenhower memo- the right to gather here today, the carpools to town (with 2 other guys), where rialized him, ‘‘a soldier’s soldier.’’ That chance to raise our families in peace, he gets on a large van carpool. The carpool is what he lived to be, and that is what and the right to walk as free people rates just keep going up as the gas keeps he was. down free streets in a free France. going up, soon all of his raise will be in the For a soldier’s soldier who died of On behalf of all Americans, I want to gas tank and gone. We no longer have any pneumonia just 2 days short of his 56th express my gratitude to the citizens of leftover for recreation, which only increases the tension. Why live in Idaho if you cannot birthday, the landing here in southern Ramatuelle for their commitment to afford the gas to go fishing, hiking, scouting, France represented the culmination of honor this monument of liberation and hunting, golfing, and all the other things we his life’s work. for the bond forever cemented between love to do? And what an accomplishment it was: us by the brave soldiers and citizens DEBBY, Preston. Dragoon was a remarkable under- who stood together to make an eternal taking, and a great success. Coming as difference. Why did you chicken out and sell us out to the gas companies? Instead of grilling the it did 6 weeks after Allied troops land- f ed on the beaches of Normandy, oper- presidents of the gas companies who said they could make a profit even if gas WAS ation Dragoon was one of the war’s IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH ENERGY PRICES HALF THE PRICE they were selling it at, most poorly kept secrets. And yet it you did nothing!!! No legislation was passed arrived with such overwhelming force Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in mid- to control the gas prices consumers pay. that the Nazis could not resist it. 9,000 June, I asked Idahoans to share with This is an old shell game that legislators and men arrived the first day by air, 77,000 me how high energy prices are affect- gas men have been playing for years. [Now is by sea. By the third day, Hitler had in- ing their lives, and they responded by the time for action!] structed a few units to guard the ports the hundreds. The stories, numbering STEVEN. over 1,000, are heartbreaking and and sent the rest of France’s occupiers I would like to thank you for the e-mail into retreat. He is said to have called touching. To respect their efforts, I am you send out about energy cost increases. It August 15, the first day of Operation submitting every e-mail sent to me has affected my family because that extra Dragoon, ‘‘the worst day of my life.’’ through en- $200 a month I would have been spending on By August 28, the port cities of [email protected] to the eating out, backpacking, or just purchasing Toulon and Marseilles had fallen, and CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. This is not an items for the family now means I stay at within just one month our armies had issue that will be easily resolved, but it home. You know this is a growing a vibrant covered almost 500 miles and captured is one that deserves immediate and se- country and I proposed we do all the things nearly 100,000 German soldiers. rious attention, and Idahoans deserve you said. Drill offshore, in the continental Of course, none of this came easy. to be heard. Their stories not only de- U.S. and Alaska. We should pursue nuclear Many suffered for the great dream of a power and drill for natural gas as well, pur- tail their struggles to meet everyday sue coal gasification, synthetic oil through France that was once again free—of a expenses, but also have suggestions and coal. We should not be beholden to environ- Europe and a world free from fascism. recommendations as to what Congress mental extremists. Drill, Drill, Drill Women like Marie-Madeleine can do now to tackle this problem and MATT, Kuna. Fourcade and Helene Vagliano who find solutions that last beyond today. I faced torture from the Germans for ask unanimous consent to have today’s First, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to be able to speak out about what their role in the French resistance— letters printed in the RECORD. but refused to reveal any information There being no objection, the mate- I consider a crisis in our country. My wife is that would endanger those who shared an R.N. at Kootenai Medical Center and the rial was ordered to be printed in the high gas prices have really hurt our budget. their cause. RECORD, as follows: I am disabled and have to be taken for doctor Men like the French commandoes The cost of gasoline has made my bi-week- visits as well as many trips for medications. who landed miles away from the main ly trip to my folks’ home 100 miles away a My mother is 78 years old and lives in Dalton invasion force and found themselves lot costlier. My dad has been in a physical whereas we live in Post Falls. trapped in a minefield bravely resisting rehab/residential center since his back sur- We have to take her to her doctor and German fire. gery in January. My mom has had to learn shopping, etc. She lives on a fixed income Men like French Sgt Noel Texier, how to drive and handle finances again after and cannot afford to drive nor can she afford who landed a rubber dinghy and began years of my dad doing it. My mom drives al- the high energy bills that most low income climbing the 100-meter high flat face of most daily the 35 miles round trip to visit families have to pay. For those people it is Cap Negre, only to fall to his death and my Dad. Thankfully, I purchased a Toyota either pay for gas and take the money from Prius last September and my mom is buying food they need or even medications they can- become, as far as we can tell, the first a Toyota Corolla for the fabulous gas mile- not afford due to these unreasonable costs. It casualty of Operation Dragoon. age each of them get. is ridiculous to expect people who, like my Young men like ‘‘Mac’’ Patch—Gen- I think the number 1 priority for Congress sister, get $35.00 a month in food stamps and eral Patch’s only son, who was chris- to be looking at was not one of your choices. barely enough to live off to pay these prices. tened Alexander Patch III but known The oil speculation on the commodities mar- I, for one, do not like to rely on imported oil to everyone as ‘‘Mac.’’ Mac Patch took ket has pushed the price far more than the to get from one place to another. We need a direct hit from a tank gun and died original selling price for a barrel of oil. Take our government to find a better way to pro- fighting for a free France. away the speculation additives and we would vide us citizens with fair and reasonable Tragically, while General de Lattre’s probably see $3 a gallon for gas. The next op- prices for gas and other energy such as nat- tion is conservation. Our vehicle (car, truck, only son, Bernard, would survive World ural gas and electricity. There has to be a etc.) manufacturers need to look up and see way not to rely on others for our needs and War Two, he too died just 6 years later what is happening. The emissions and gas succumb to their ridiculous prices without on the battlefields of Indochina. Both mileage laws that are to take effect in ap- destroying our public lands. I feel, for start- generals outlived their sons, but nei- proximate 20 years are here today and if they ers, vouchers should be given to the folks ther by very much. Neither man out- want to stay in business they will have to who need the help the most and possibly for lived the crush of grief that came after. meet the growing desire for more fuel effi- those who provide a service to their commu- With their sons in battle, I can assure ciency and greater mileage of the Japanese. nity such as health professionals, police, etc. you that General Patch and General de Why are we always too far behind when we We need to help each other but with my fam- are supposed to be the innovators? Looking Lattre never forgot the cost of war— ily, my wife and I foot the bill for family due into alternate fuels, such as hydro would be to their inability to afford even the small the price of freedom. And neither another good start. Look into these other things that are needed for everyday living. should we. types of fuel where we are not producing as Thank you for your time. And so with enormous pride for what much harmful waste as we are trying to get God Bless, these men accomplished and a heavy rid of our dependence on oil. DUWAYNE.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G25JY6.019 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7477 Your letter indicates your priorities are all able to make a difference in solving this Nampa and work variable hours in Boise; screwed up. Your statements that ‘‘... I problem. [public transportation] will not work for me. support legislation to fully utilize proven Thanks, When gasoline was $3.57 a gallon, it cost me American oil and natural gas reserves in a SCOTT, Twin Falls. $75 to $80 a week to drive my 1987 Dodge con- way that preserves the environment . . . en- version van [which I dearly loved]. I could hanced domestic production, expanded refin- You have fought hard for us here in Idaho not afford this. I was forced to buy a 1991 and hope you can do something about the es- ery capacity, renewable and alternative en- Chevy Astro from my neighbor; he is car- calating costs of energy. We do not live in a ergy sources, nuclear power, conservation rying the contract [the only way I could ...’’ are just plain silly. state with subways, rail service and we have Unless you and everyone else takes the re- limited bus service only in major cities. manage it]. I do not like this vehicle. It has sponsibility of cleaning up and protecting What is Congress thinking? Please have body damage, is impossible to camp in, and our environment before worrying about the them change their ways and let us tap into is quite unnattractive. Last week, with fuel cost of gasoline, Mother Earth will certainly our own reserves. Stop exporting to other at $4.07 a gallon, it cost me $47 for one week. become uninhabitable about the time of Ar- countries and help other fellow Americans. It is quite an improvement, but quite a sac- mageddon, which some people say is sup- The average person in Idaho only makes $7 rifice. I have long heard stories of highly posed to happen in this century. to $8 an hour and has to travel over 45 min- fuel-efficient engines, rights of which were We need real leadership from servants like utes to get to work. Adding the extra burden bought up by The Big Three and the oil con- you. of gasoline, more and more will not be able glomerates and put on the shelf, never to see The environment is the number one issue. to go to work. [They will lose] their jobs and production. What is up with that? When I Consider: then sign up for assistance. Does that make left Boeing and went into the Navy in 1968, I Carbon fuels: sense? had a 1961 Olds F-85 that got 26 miles per gal- The use of carbon fuels must be drastically Do something positive for this country. lon when fuel was cheap and plentiful. What reduced. This cannot be done by: PAMELA, Riggins. Increasing exploration for and production happened? I have no objection to properly of fossil fuels. Thanks for this opportunity to give feed- safe-guarded nuclear power sources. I fully Allowing excess profits for the oil indus- back. All of us do not like paying $4 per gal- believe in sustainable [solar, wind-farm, etc.] tries. lon. The important thing is that all Ameri- resources. I do not care at all for the axe Manufacturing ethanol, and other hair- cans would be willing to make the sacrifice, that the Mid-East nations hold at our neck brained boondoggles. just as we did in WWII. We can car pool, for energy sources. I do not care at all for Failing to set high mileage standards for change our habits, etc. The difference is that the oil conglomerates posting record profits motor vehicles. Allowing patent protections to become in those days, Congress actually represented while I pay through the nose. We sure need barriers to energy efficiency. the people. Americans would be willing to to do something. A ho-hum attitude toward developing re- help out with the energy problems if there EDWARD, Nampa. newable alternative energy sources. was real leadership. A similar attitude about developing alter- When Americans see Congress refusing to nate forms of transportation (mass transit). give tax credits to those of us who would You asked about my energy costs; well, Allowing more urban sprawl. love to install alternate energy or use solar this is my situation. Back in 1990, I suffered Making war. Manufacturing and fueling (as has been done big time in Germany) it a major heart attack. I was 49 years old. The war machines uses huge amounts of energy. leads to massive frustration and then Ameri- hospital bills wiped out any savings I had, Recreational toys—dirt bikes, auto racing, cans get whiney and complain. But if we had but all were paid off in full! I received my off–road vehicles, speed boating, etc. real leadership that said, ‘‘Look, times are first Social Security check in December 1990. Nuclear Energy: tough, but we’ll get through it together, and In 1991, on a Social Security check of $460 Absolutely not, unless and until the prob- what our country is going to invest in is . . . monthly, I was making space rent on my lem of the disposal of nuclear garbage is And we are going to do it like this . . .,’’ trailer, as well as payment on a trailer, and fully resolved so that our descendants for Americans would willingly pay more at the had money left over to get all my other bills many generations to come will not have to pump. But right now it all seems so futile. contend with our stupidity. The public pays out big bucks, and Congress paid off, plus put a small amount ($10 or $15) These are sticky questions. Are you going will not act to fix the problem. in savings. Now, with a Social Security to lead? Idaho doesn’t even give tax credits for check of $872 monthly, after paying space JOSEPH, Sandpoint. those of us who would very willingly go rent, I am left with $650 monthly. I allow solar. Or how about tax breaks for citizens myself only $60.00 a month for gas. That does Thank you for the opportunity to voice my who promise to car pool to work or buy cars not even fill the tank and because of the in- opinion about the high energy prices. The with high fuel mileage? flation rate, when you gross out that figure, high gas prices have caused our family to There is no real leadership, and I do not that is not enough income for banks to even plan our trips better, combine trips, and even expect this note to help, to be honest. talk to you about a loan to purchase a fuel- limit use of one of our vehicles which gets But, I guess hope blooms eternally! efficient vehicle. Sorry to complain, but very poor gas mileage. While these are not FOSTER. things were a lot better in the early nineties necessarily bad things, the amount of our in- than they are today. And this ethanol is a come which is spent on fuel continues to My husband and I are both 78 years old . . . joke! What are people going to do later this rise. I am also a small business owner here in I am retired, but my husband works part- Twin Falls. My business requires my employ- time to help make ends meet. The cost of year when there is a shortage of corn and soy ees and me to travel to various cities in the electricity has gone up, the cost of water has beans? Will the oil companies, who seem to southern Idaho area to perform computer gone up, the cost of natural gas to heat our have no regard for us humans, outbid the and network maintenance and support. Our home has gone up, the price of food has gone food processors so they can make more? And business expenditures for fuel will probably up, and the price of gasoline at the pump is my 23-year-old car, it won’t run on it any- force us to have to raise our service rates. ridiculous. way. Nor will anybody else’s that I know. One of the biggest gripes that I have with Why is China allowed to pump crude oil off When I hear of these CEOs ‘‘earning’’ 12 mil- our Congress is the lack of will to do any- our shores when American cannot? It seems lion dollars a year, I just want to be sick. thing constructive about this energy prob- that there are too many times that Congress Here is an idea. It will not work, I can hear lem. Legislation is preventing the United has forgotten who they represent—the peo- the CEOs screaming bloody murder already. States from drilling for oil in our country. ple, not the lobbyists. What roles are the But here goes: 1) Nationalize the oil compa- Many members of Congress talk a lot about International Monetary Fund and the World nies, 2) Set a nationwide price of no more purchasing more fuel efficient cars or using Bank playing in our price of gasoline? We than $1.50. Eliminate all state sales and road public transportation. While I would love to have all the natural resources we need right taxes off the price. Set a federal sales and be driving a fuel efficient hybrid auto, as the here in the U.S. but Congress will not let us road tax of no more than $.75 cents per gal- father of a family of six, I cannot afford to touch them. Why? It is time to look out for lon. Since diesel fuel is a by-product of gaso- purchase such a vehicle. I also do not have America—that is what you are there to do. line, set a price of no more than $.75 cents the financial resources at my company to Will Rogers once said ‘‘We could slow down per gallon, and allow no oil company CEO to purchase new autos, either. As you are the aging process a great deal if it had to aware, public transportation in Idaho would make its way through Congress.’’ earn more than $2 million a year. Like I said, not be a profitable enterprise. Our cities are, Stop bickering and get something done!!! it will never get past Congress (I believe for the most part, not densely populated Both parties!!! there are too many with their hands out), enough to justify mass transportation. Be- DICK and BETTY, Boise. but would it be nice to be able to bring prices sides, I need a vehicle for my job, so taking back down, help the little farmer and truck- a bus or train to work would not really be I live in an RV. I use space heaters in the er and all of us old folks. Thanks for your something I could do anyway. winter because electricity is cheaper than time, I am sure that you will receive many e- propane; that is changing. I do not run either Your friend, mails similar to mine. I hope that you are of my rooftop A/C units; I run a fan. I live in STEVE.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:45 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.018 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7478 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 REPORT RELATIVE TO THE cratic processes or institutions, mani- MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE BLOCKING OF PROPERTY OF AD- fested most recently in the fundamen- DITIONAL PERSONS UNDER- tally undemocratic election held on ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED MINING DEMOCRATIC PROC- June 27, 2008, to commit acts of vio- ESSES OR INSTITUTIONS IN lence and other human rights abuses At 10:01 a.m., a message from the ZIMBABWE—PM 60 against political opponents, and to en- House of Representatives, delivered by Ms. Niland, one of its reading clerks, The PRESIDING OFFICER laid be- gage in public corruption, including announced that the Speaker has signed fore the Senate the following message the misuse of public authority, warrant from the President of the United the following enrolled bills: an expansion of the existing national S. 2565. An act to establish an awards States, together with an accompanying emergency and the existing sanctions report; which was referred to the Com- mechanism to honor exceptional acts of with respect to Zimbabwe. The order bravery in the line of duty by Federal, State, mittee on Banking, Housing, and and local law enforcement officers. Urban Affairs: supplements the designation criteria set forth in Executive Order 13288, as S. 2766. An act to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to address certain dis- To the Congress of the United States: amended by Executive Order 13391, and Pursuant to the International Emer- charges incidental to the normal operation provides additional criteria for des- of a recreational vessel. gency Economic Powers Act, as amend- ignation of any person determined by S. 3298. An act to clarify the circumstances ed (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), I the Secretary of the Treasury, after during which the Administrator of the Envi- hereby report that I have issued an Ex- ronmental Protection Agency and applicable ecutive Order (the ‘‘order’’) that ex- consultation with the Secretary of States may require permits for discharges pands the scope of the national emer- State: to be a senior official of the Gov- from certain vessels, and to require the Ad- gency declared in Executive Order 13288 ernment of Zimbabwe; to be owned or ministrator to conduct a study of discharges of March 6, 2003, which was relied upon controlled by, directly or indirectly, incidental to the normal operation of ves- the Government of Zimbabwe or an of- sels. for additional steps taken in Executive H.R. 1553. An act to amend the Public Order 13391 of November 22, 2005, and ficial or officials of the Government of Health Service Act to advance medical re- takes additional steps with respect to Zimbabwe; to be responsible for, or to search and treatments into pediatric can- that national emergency. have participated in, human rights cers, ensure patients and families have ac- In Executive Order 13288, I found that abuses related to political repression in cess to information regarding pediatric can- the actions and policies of certain Zimbabwe; to be engaged in, or to have cers and current treatments for such cancers, establish a national childhood cancer members of the Government of engaged in, activities facilitating pub- Zimbabwe and other persons to under- registry, and promote public awareness of lic corruption by senior officials of the pediatric cancer. mine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes Government of Zimbabwe; or to have H.R. 3890. An act to impose sanctions on of- or institutions constituted an unusual materially assisted, sponsored, or pro- ficials of the State Peace and Development and extraordinary threat to the foreign Council in Burma, to amend the Burmese policy of the United States and de- vided financial, material, logistical, or Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to ex- clared a national emergency to deal technical support for, or goods or serv- empt humanitarian assistance from United with that threat. Executive Order 13288 ices in support of, the Government of States sanctions on Burma, to prohibit the blocks the property and interests in Zimbabwe, any senior official thereof, importation of gemstones from Burma, or property of the persons listed in its or any person whose property and in- that originate in Burma, to promote a co- ordinated international effort to restore ci- Annex and permits the designation of terests in property are blocked pursu- vilian democratic rule in Burma, and for any person or entity owned or con- ant to Executive Order 13288, Executive other purposes. trolled by, or acting or purporting to Order 13391, or the order. H.R. 4841. An act to approve, ratify, and act directly or indirectly for or on be- confirm the settlement agreement entered The order also restates existing des- half of, any person listed in that into to resolve claims by the Soboba Band of ignation authority to block the prop- Annex. Luiseno Indians relating to alleged inter- Executive Order 13391 took additional erty and interests in property of per- ferences with the water resources of the steps to address the national emer- sons determined to have engaged in ac- Tribe, to authorize and direct the Secretary tions or policies to undermine of the Interior to execute and perform the gency declared in Executive Order 13288 Settlement Agreement and related waivers, and amended the provisions of that Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or in- and for other purposes. earlier order. Executive Order 13391 stitutions. Finally, the order restates H.R. 5501. An act to authorize appropria- blocks the property of the persons and existing derivative designation author- tions for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to pro- entities listed in its Annex and permits ity and adds derivative designation au- vide assistance to foreign countries to com- the designation of any person or entity thority to block the property and in- bat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, determined: to have engaged in actions and for other purposes. terests in property of persons deter- The enrolled bills were subsequently signed or policies to undermine Zimbabwe’s mined by the Secretary of the Treas- by the President pro tempore (Mr. BYRD). democratic processes or institutions; ury, after consultation with the Sec- to have materially assisted, sponsored, retary of State, to be owned or con- At 11:10 a.m., a message from the or provided financial, material, or trolled by, or to have acted or pur- House of Representatives, delivered by technological support for, or goods or Ms. Niland, one of its reading clerks, ported to act for or on behalf of, di- services in support of, such actions or announced that the House has passed rectly or indirectly, or to be a spouse policies or any person whose property the following bill, in which it requests and interests in property are blocked or dependant child of, any person the concurrence of the Senate: pursuant to Executive Order 13288, as whose property and interests in prop- H.R. 3999. An act to amend title 23, United amended; to be or have been an imme- erty are blocked pursuant to Executive States Code, to improve the safety of Fed- diate family member of any person Order 13288, Executive Order 13391, or eral-aid highway bridges, to strengthen whose property and interests in prop- the order. bridge inspection standards and processes, to increase investment in the reconstruction of erty are blocked pursuant to Executive In the order, I delegated to the Sec- Order 13288, as amended; or to be owned structurally deficient bridges on the Na- retary of the Treasury, after consulta- tional Highway System, and for other pur- or controlled by, or acting or pur- tion with the Secretary of State, the poses. porting to act for or on behalf of, di- authority to take such actions, includ- f rectly or indirectly, any person whose ing the promulgation of rules and regu- property and interests in property are MEASURES REFERRED lations, as may be necessary to carry blocked pursuant to Executive Order The following bill was read the first out the purposes of the order. 13288, as amended. and the second times by unanimous I have now determined that the con- I am enclosing a copy of the Execu- consent, and referred as indicated: tinued actions and policies of the Gov- tive Order I have issued. H.R. 3999. An act to amend title 23, United ernment of Zimbabwe and other per- GEORGE W. BUSH, States Code, to improve the safety of Fed- sons to undermine Zimbabwe’s demo- THE WHITE HOUSE, July 25, 2008. eral-aid highway bridges, to strengthen

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.026 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7479 bridge inspection standards and processes, to serve program notice CRP–598, entitled ‘‘Vol- fairs for their disability and either re- increase investment in the reconstruction of untary Modification of Conservation Reserve tired pay by reason of their years of structurally deficient bridges on the Na- Program (CRP) Contract for Critical Feed military service or Combat-Related tional Highway System, and for other pur- Use’’; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nu- Special Compensation. poses; to the Committee on Environment and trition, and Forestry. Public Works. By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and At the request of Mr. CASEY, his Mr. DURBIN): name was added as a cosponsor of S. f S. 3338. A bill to amend title 23, United 439, supra. MEASURES PLACED ON THE States Code, to improve the safety of Fed- S. 535 CALENDAR eral-aid highway bridges, to strengthen At the request of Mr. DODD, the name bridge inspection standards and processes, to of the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. The following bill was read the sec- increase investment in the reconstruction of WICKER) was added as a cosponsor of S. ond time, and placed on the calendar: structurally deficient bridges on the Na- 535, a bill to establish an Unsolved tional Highway System, and for other pur- S. 3335. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Crimes Section in the Civil Rights Di- enue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring poses; to the Committee on Environment and provisions, and for other purposes. Public Works. vision of the Department of Justice, and an Unsolved Civil Rights Crime In- f f vestigative Office in the Civil Rights ENROLLED BILLS PRESENTED SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND Unit of the Federal Bureau of Inves- SENATE RESOLUTIONS tigation, and for other purposes. The Secretary of the Senate reported S. 604 that on today, July 25, 2008, she had The following concurrent resolutions At the request of Mr. LAUTENBERG, presented to the President of the and Senate resolutions were read, and the name of the Senator from Florida United States the following enrolled referred (or acted upon), as indicated: (Mr. NELSON) was added as a cosponsor bills: By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and Mr. HATCH): of S. 604, a bill to amend title 10, S. 2565. An act to establish an awards United States Code, to limit increases mechanism to honor exceptional acts of S. Res. 624. A resolution designating Au- bravery in the line of duty by Federal, State, gust 2008 as ‘‘National Truancy Prevention in the certain costs of health care serv- and local law enforcement officers. Month’’; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ices under the health care programs of S. 2766. An act to amend the Federal Water By Mr. HAGEL (for himself, Mr. the Department of Defense, and for Pollution Control Act to address certain dis- GREGG, Mr. KERRY, Mr. REED, Mr. other purposes. charges incidental to the normal operation REID, Ms. SNOWE, and Mr. STEVENS): At the request of Mr. CASEY, his of a recreational vessel. S. Res. 625. A resolution designating Au- name was added as a cosponsor of S. gust 16, 2006, as National Airborne Day; to S. 3298. An act to clarify the circumstances 604, supra. during which the Administrator of the Envi- the Committee on the Judiciary. S. 935 ronmental Protection Agency and applicable By Mr. VITTER (for himself, Mr. States may require permits for discharges DEMINT, Mrs. DOLE, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. At the request of Mr. CASEY, his from certain vessels, and to require the Ad- CORNYN, Mr. COBURN, Mr. SESSIONS, name was added as a cosponsor of S. ministrator to conduct a study of discharges Mr. BURR, and Mr. KYL): 935, a bill to repeal the requirement for incidental to the normal operation of ves- S. Res. 626. A resolution expressing the reduction of survivor annuities under sels. sense of the Senate that the Supreme Court the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans’ of the United States erroneously decided f Kennedy v. Louisiana, No. 07–343 (2008), and dependency and indemnity compensa- that the eighth amendment to the Constitu- tion, and for other purposes. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES tion of the United States allows the imposi- S. 937 The following reports of committees tion of the death penalty for the rape of a At the request of Mrs. CLINTON, the were submitted: child; to the Committee on the Judiciary. name of the Senator from New York By Mr. NELSON of Florida (for him- By Mr. LEAHY, from the Committee on (Mr. SCHUMER) was added as a cospon- self, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. the Judiciary, without amendment: sor of S. 937, a bill to improve support DODD, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. LIEBERMAN, S. 2892. A bill to promote the prosecution and services for individuals with au- Mr. CARDIN, Mr. CRAIG, Mr. BOND, Mr. and enforcement of frauds against the United DOMENICI, Mr. HATCH, and Mr. tism and their families. States by suspending the statute of limita- CHAMBLISS): S. 988 tions during times when Congress has au- S. Res. 627. A resolution welcoming home thorized the use of military force (Rept. No. At the request of Ms. MIKULSKI, the Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc 110–431). name of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Gonsalves, three citizens of the United By Mr. LIEBERMAN, from the Committee CRAPO) was added as a cosponsor of S. States who were held hostage for over five on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- 988, a bill to extend the termination years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of fairs, without amendment: Colombia (FARC) after their plane crashed date for the exemption of returning H.R. 5551. A bill to amend title 11, District on February 13, 2003; to the Committee on workers from the numerical limita- of Columbia Official Code, to implement the Foreign Relations. tions for temporary workers. increase provided under the District of Co- By Mr. DURBIN (for Mr. OBAMA (for S. 1120 lumbia Appropriations Act, 2008, in the himself and Mr. DURBIN)): amount of funds made available for the com- At the request of Mr. HARKIN, the S. Res. 628. A resolution expressing support pensation of attorneys representing indigent names of the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. for the designation of Disability Pride Day defendants in the District of Columbia AKAKA), the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. and recognizing that all people, including courts, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 110– people living with disabilities, have the INOUYE), the Senator from Vermont 432) . right, responsibility, and ability to be active, (Mr. SANDERS) and the Senator from f contributing members of society and fully New York (Mr. SCHUMER) were added as engaged as citizens of the United States; to cosponsors of S. 1120, a bill to amend INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, the Public Health Service Act to pro- JOINT RESOLUTIONS and Pensions. vide grants for the training of graduate The following bills and joint resolu- f medical residents in preventive medi- tions were introduced, read the first cine and public health. ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS and second times by unanimous con- S. 1183 sent, and referred as indicated: S. 439 At the request of Mr. HARKIN, the By Mrs. DOLE: At the request of Mr. REID, the name names of the Senator from Arkansas S. 3336. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- of the Senator from Florida (Mr. NEL- (Mrs. LINCOLN) and the Senator from enue Code of 1986 to reduce our dependence SON) was added as a cosponsor of S. 439, Arkansas (Mr. PRYOR) were added as on foreign oil by investing in clean, renew- a bill to amend title 10, United States cosponsors of S. 1183, a bill to enhance able, and alternative energy; to the Com- Code, to permit certain retired mem- and further research into paralysis and mittee on Finance. By Mr. ROBERTS (for himself, Mr. bers of the uniformed services who to improve rehabilitation and the qual- BROWNBACK, and Mr. INHOFE): have a service-connected disability to ity of life for persons living with paral- S. 3337. A bill to require the Secretary of receive both disability compensation ysis and other physical disabilities, and Agriculture to carry out conservation re- from the Department of Veterans Af- for other purposes.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.009 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7480 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 S. 1800 ISAKSON) was added as a cosponsor of S. BROWN) was added as a cosponsor of S. At the request of Mrs. CLINTON, the 2720, a bill to withhold Federal finan- Con. Res. 93, a concurrent resolution name of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. cial assistance from each country that supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘Na- DURBIN) was added as a cosponsor of S. denies or unreasonably delays the ac- tional Sudden Cardiac Arrest Aware- 1800, a bill to amend title 10, United ceptance of nationals of such country ness Month’’. States Code, to require emergency con- who have been ordered removed from S. RES. 598 traception to be available at all mili- the United States and to prohibit the At the request of Mr. BIDEN, the tary health care treatment facilities. issuance of visas to nationals of such name of the Senator from Rhode Island country. S. 1986 (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) was added as a co- S. 2920 At the request of Mr. ALLARD, the sponsor of S. Res. 598, a resolution ex- name of the Senator from Wyoming At the request of Mr. KERRY, the pressing the sense of the Senate rename of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. (Mr. BARRASSO) was added as a cospon- garding the need for the United States sor of S. 1986, a bill to authorize the BROWN) was added as a cosponsor of S. to lead renewed international efforts to Secretary of Treasury to prescribe the 2920, a bill to reauthorize and improve assist developing nations in conserving weights and the compositions of circu- the financing and entrepreneurial de- natural resources and preventing the velopment programs of the Small Busi- lating coins, and for other purposes. impending extinction of a large portion ness Administration, and for other pur- of the world’s plant and animal species. S. 2140 poses. ORGAN S. RES. 618 At the request of Mr. D , the S. 2977 name of the Senator from New York At the request of Mr. SPECTER, the At the request of Mr. LUGAR, the (Mr. SCHUMER) was added as a cospon- name of the Senator from New York names of the Senator from Nebraska sor of S. 2140, a bill to award a Congres- (Mr. SCHUMER) was added as a cospon- (Mr. HAGEL) and the Senator from Wy- sional Gold Medal to Francis Collins, sor of S. 2977, a bill to create a Federal oming (Mr. BARRASSO) were added as in recognition of his outstanding con- cause of action to determine whether cosponsors of S. Res. 618, a resolution tributions and leadership in the fields defamation exists under United States recognizing the tenth anniversary of of medicine and genetics. law in cases in which defamation ac- the bombings of the United States em- S. 2618 tions have been brought in foreign bassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es At the request of Ms. KLOBUCHAR, the courts against United States persons Salaam, Tanzania, and memorializing name of the Senator from New York on the basis of publications or speech the citizens of the United States, (Mr. SCHUMER) was added as a cospon- in the United States. Kenya, and Tanzania whose lives were sor of S. 2618, a bill to amend the Pub- S. 3068 claimed as a result of the al Qaeda led lic Health Service Act to provide for At the request of Ms. SNOWE, the terrorist attacks. research with respect to various forms name of the Senator from Washington f of muscular dystrophy, including Beck- (Ms. CANTWELL) was added as a cospon- SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS er, congenital, distal, Duchenne, sor of S. 3068, a bill to require equitable Emery-Dreifuss Facioscapulohumeral, coverage of prescription contraceptive limb-girdle, myotonic, and drugs and devices, and contraceptive SENATE RESOLUTION 624—DESIG- oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophies. services under health plans. NATING AUGUST 2008 AS ‘‘NA- S. 2668 S. 3073 TIONAL TRUANCY PREVENTION At the request of Mr. KERRY, the At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the MONTH’’ name of the Senator from South Caro- name of the Senator from Michigan Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and lina (Mr. DEMINT) was added as a co- (Ms. STABENOW) was added as a cospon- Mr. HATCH) submitted the following sor of S. 2668, a bill to amend the Inter- sponsor of S. 3073, a bill to amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Ab- resolution; which was referred to the nal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove cell Committee on the Judiciary: phones from listed property under sec- sentee Voting Act to improve proce- S. RES. 624 tion 280F. dures for the collection and delivery of absentee ballots of absent overseas uni- Whereas public schools in the United S. 2681 formed services voters, and for other States are facing a dropout crisis, with ap- At the request of Mr. INHOFE, the purposes. proximately 1,200,000 students not grad- names of the Senator from Wyoming uating from high school on time and only 70 S. 3142 (Mr. BARRASSO), the Senator from percent of students earning high school di- At the request of Mr. NELSON of Ne- Idaho (Mr. CRAIG), the Senator from plomas; braska, his name was added as a co- South Carolina (Mr. DEMINT), the Sen- Whereas truancy has been shown to be the sponsor of S. 3142, a bill to amend the first and best indicator that a child will drop ator from Utah (Mr. HATCH), the Sen- Public Health Service Act to enhance out of school, use marijuana for the first ator from Arizona (Mr. KYL), the Sen- public health activities related to still- time, and commit juvenile crimes by the age ator from Kentucky (Mr. MCCONNELL), birth and sudden unexpected infant of 15; the Senator from Alabama (Mr. SHEL- death. Whereas the incidence of truancy in a re- BY), the Senator from Maine (Ms. cent national survey found that 11 percent of S. 3311 SNOWE), the Senator from Pennsyl- eighth grade students, 16 percent of tenth At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the vania (Mr. SPECTER), the Senator from grade students, and 35 percent of twelfth name of the Senator from Michigan Alaska (Mr. STEVENS), the Senator grade students reported skipping 1 or more (Ms. STABENOW) was added as a cospon- days of school during the previous 30 days; from Louisiana (Mr. VITTER) and the sor of S. 3311, a bill to amend the Pub- Whereas chronic truants often miss more Senator from Virginia (Mr. WARNER) lic Health Service Act to improve men- days of school than they attend; were added as cosponsors of S. 2681, a tal and behavioral health services on Whereas absentee rates relate directly to bill to require the issuance of medals college campuses. graduation rates and are highest in public to recognize the dedication and valor of schools in urban areas; S. 3312 Native American code talkers. Whereas truant eighth graders are more At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the likely to say they do not believe they will S. 2687 name of the Senator from Pennsyl- graduate from high school or attend college At the request of Mr. ROCKEFELLER, vania (Mr. CASEY) was added as a co- than their peers who attend regularly; the name of the Senator from Cali- sponsor of S. 3312, a bill to amend the Whereas truancy has been found to be a fornia (Mrs. BOXER) was added as a co- Public Health Service Act to ensure risk factor for substance abuse, teen preg- sponsor of S. 2687, a bill to amend title that victims of public health emer- nancy, and school dropout; XVIII of the Social Security Act to en- gencies have meaningful and imme- Whereas the average annual income for a hance beneficiary protections under diate access to medically necessary high school dropout in 2005 was $17,299, com- parts C and D of the Medicare program. pared to $26,933 for a high school graduate; health care services. Whereas it has been demonstrated that S. 2720 S. CON. RES. 93 when truancy is addressed, there is a reduc- At the request of Mr. SPECTER, the At the request of Mr. DORGAN, the tion in the rates of daytime crime, juvenile name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. crime, drug use, and delinquency;

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.014 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7481 Whereas effective truancy reduction pro- the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, SENATE RESOLUTION 626—EX- grams can take many forms and can be im- Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf region, PRESSING THE SENSE OF THE plemented in many different settings, in- and Somalia, and have engaged in peace- SENATE THAT THE SUPREME cluding in schools, courts, and through com- keeping operations in Lebanon, the Sinai Pe- COURT OF THE UNITED STATES munity programs; ninsula, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bos- Whereas truancy prevention programs fo- nia, and Kosovo; ERRONEOUSLY DECIDED KEN- cused on middle grade students are key to Whereas the modern-day airborne force NEDY V. LOUISIANA, NO. 07–343 preventing future dropouts; and that has evolved from those World War II be- (2008), AND THAT THE EIGHTH Whereas truancy reduction programs are ginnings is an agile, powerful force that, in AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITU- highly cost effective, reduce juvenile and large part, is composed of the 82nd Airborne TION OF THE UNITED STATES adult crime, and save taxpayer money: Now, Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air As- ALLOWS THE IMPOSITION OF therefore, be it sault), and the 75th Ranger Regiment; THE DEATH PENALTY FOR THE Resolved, That the Senate— Whereas the modern-day airborne force RAPE OF A CHILD (1) designates August 2008 as ‘‘National also includes other elite forces composed en- Truancy Prevention Month’’; tirely of airborne trained and qualified spe- Mr. VITTER (for himself, Mr. (2) recognizes the significant harm of cial operations warriors, including Army DEMINT, Mrs. DOLE, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. chronic truancy to the youth of the United Special Forces, Marine Corps Reconnais- CORNYN, Mr. COBURN, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. States; sance units, Navy SEALs, and Air Force BURR, and Mr. KYL) submitted the fol- (3) acknowledges the work being done by combat control teams, all or most of which lowing resolution; which was referred truancy prevention programs throughout the comprise the forces of the United States Spe- to the Committee on the Judiciary: United States to help at-risk youth; and cial Operations Command; S. RES. 626 (4) encourages law enforcement, school of- Whereas in the aftermath of the terrorist ficials, the judiciary, community leaders, attacks on the United States on September Whereas 1 out of 3 sexual assault victims is and the business community to work to- 11, 2001, the 75th Ranger Regiment, special under 12 years of age; gether to address truancy. forces units, and units of the 82nd Airborne Whereas raping a child is a particularly depraved, perverted, and heinous act; f Division and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), together with other units of the Whereas child rape is among the most mor- SENATE RESOLUTION 625—DESIG- Armed Forces, have been prosecuting the ally reprehensible crimes; NATING AUGUST 16, 2006, AS NA- war against terrorism by carrying out com- Whereas child rape is a gross defilement of innocence that should be severely punished; TIONAL AIRBORNE DAY bat operations in Afghanistan, training oper- Whereas a raped child suffers immeas- ations in the Philippines, and other oper- Mr. HAGEL (for himself, Mr. GREGG, urable physical, psychological, and emo- ations elsewhere; Mr. KERRY, Mr. REED, Mr. REID, Ms. tional harm from which the child may never Whereas in the aftermath of the Presi- recover; SNOWE, and Mr. STEVENS) submitted dent’s announcement of Operation Iraqi Whereas the Federal Government and the following resolution; which was re- Freedom in March 2003, the 75th Ranger State governments have a right and a duty ferred to the Committee on the Judici- Regiment, special forces units, and units of to combat, prevent, and punish child rape; ary: the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Air- Whereas the popularly elected representa- S. RES. 625 borne Division (Air Assault), the 173rd Air- tives of Louisiana modified the rape laws of Whereas the airborne forces of the Armed borne Brigade, and the 4th Brigade Combat the State in 1995, making the aggravated Forces have a long and honorable history as Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Divi- rape of a child 11 years of age or younger units of adventuresome, hardy, and fierce sion, together with other units of the Armed punishable by death, life imprisonment with- warriors who, for the national security of the Forces, have been prosecuting the war out parole, probation, or suspension of sen- United States and the defense of freedom and against terrorism, carrying out combat oper- tence, as determined by a jury; peace, project the effective ground combat ations, conducting civil affairs missions, and Whereas on March 2, 1998, Patrick Ken- power of the United States by Air Force air assisting in establishing democracy in Iraq; nedy, a resident of Louisiana, brutally raped transport to the far reaches of the battle Whereas the airborne forces are and will his 8-year-old stepdaughter; area and, indeed, to the far corners of the continue to be at the ready and the forefront Whereas the injuries inflicted on the child world; until the Global War on Terrorism is con- victim by her stepfather were described by Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary cluded; an expert in pediatric forensic medicine as of the first official Army parachute jump on Whereas of the members and former mem- ‘‘the most severe he had seen from a sexual August 16, 1940, an event that validated the bers of the United States airborne forces, all assault’’; innovative concept of inserting United have achieved distinction by earning the Whereas the cataclysmic injuries to her 8- States ground combat forces behind the bat- right to wear the airborne’s ‘‘Silver Wings of year-old body required emergency surgery; tle line by means of a parachute; Courage’’, thousands have achieved the dis- Whereas a jury of 12 Louisiana citizens Whereas the United States experiment of tinction of making combat jumps, 69 have convicted Patrick Kennedy of this depraved airborne infantry attack began on June 25, earned the Medal of Honor, and hundreds crime, and unanimously sentenced him to 1940, when the Army Parachute Test Platoon have earned the Distinguished-Service Cross, death; was first authorized by the Department of Silver Star, or other decorations and awards Whereas the Supreme Court of Louisiana War, and was launched when 48 volunteers for displays of such traits as heroism, gal- upheld this sentence, holding that the death began training in July 1940; lantry, intrepidity, and valor; penalty was not an excessive punishment for Whereas the success of the Parachute Test Whereas the members and former members Kennedy’s crime; Platoon in the days immediately preceding of the United States airborne forces are Whereas the Supreme Court of Louisiana the entry of the United States into World members of a proud and honorable fraternity relied on precedent interpreting the eighth War II led to the formation of a formidable of the profession of arms that is made exclu- amendment to the Constitution of the force of airborne units that have served with sive by those distinctions which, together United States; distinction and have had repeated success in with their special skills and achievements, Whereas on June 25, 2008, the Supreme armed hostilities; distinguish them as intrepid combat para- Court of the United States held in Kennedy Whereas among those airborne units are chutists, special operation forces, and (in v. Louisiana, No. 07-343 (2008), that executing the former 11th, 13th, and 17th Airborne Divi- former days) glider troops; Patrick Kennedy for the rape of his step- sions, the venerable 82nd Airborne Division, Whereas the history and achievements of daughter would be ‘‘cruel and unusual pun- the versatile 101st Airborne Division (Air As- the members and former members of the air- ishment’’; sault), and the airborne regiments and bat- borne forces of the United States Armed Whereas the Supreme Court, in the 5-4 de- talions (some as components of those divi- Forces warrant special expressions of the cision, overturned the judgment of Louisi- sions, some as separate units) that achieved gratitude of the American people; and ana’s elected officials, the citizens who sat distinction as the elite 75th Ranger Regi- Whereas, since the airborne community on the jury, and the Louisiana Supreme ment, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the 187th celebrates August 16 as the anniversary of Court; Infantry (Airborne) Regiment, the 503rd, the first official jump by the Army Para- Whereas this decision marked the first 507th, 508th, 517th, 541st, and 542nd Parachute chute Test Platoon, August 16 would be an time that the Supreme Court held that the Infantry Regiments, the 88th Glider Infantry appropriate day to recognize as National Air- death penalty for child rape was unconstitu- Regiment, the 509th, 551st, and 555th Para- borne Day: Now, therefore, be it tional; chute Infantry Battalions, the 325th and Resolved, That the Senate— Whereas, as Justice Alito observed in his 327th Glider Infantry, and the 550th Airborne (1) designates August 16, 2008, as ‘‘National dissent, the opinion of the majority was so Infantry Battalion; Airborne Day’’; and broad that it precludes the Federal Govern- Whereas the achievements of the airborne (2) calls on the people of the United States ment and State governments from author- forces during World War II prompted the evo- to observe ‘‘National Airborne Day’’ with ap- izing the death penalty for child rape ‘‘no lution of those forces into a diversified force propriate programs, ceremonies, and activi- matter how young the child, no matter how of parachute and air assault units that, over ties. many times the child is raped, no matter

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.022 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE S7482 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 25, 2008 how many children the perpetrator rapes, no (6) the portions of the Kennedy v. Lou- years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of matter how sadistic the crime, no matter isiana decision regarding the national con- Colombia (FARC); how much physical or psychological trauma sensus or evolving standards of decency with (2) celebrates with the families and rel- is inflicted, and no matter how heinous the respect to the imposition of the death pen- atives of the hostages who kept faith despite perpetrator’s prior criminal record may be’’; alty for child rape should not be viewed by being unsure of the fates of their family Whereas, in the United States, the people, Federal or State courts as binding precedent, members for more than five years; not the Government, are sovereign; because the Supreme Court was operating (3) expresses gratitude to the Government Whereas the Constitution of the United under a mistaken view of Federal law; and of Colombia and the armed forces of Colom- States is supreme and deserving of the peo- (7) the Supreme Court should reverse its bia for successfully rescuing the hostages, ple’s allegiance; decision in Kennedy v. Louisiana, on rehear- and applauds the effective contribution of Whereas the framers of the eighth amending or in a future case, because the decision the United States Government to this effort; ment did not intend to prohibit the death was supported by neither commonly held be- (4) calls for the immediate release of all penalty for child rape; liefs about ‘‘cruel and unusual punishment’’, hostages held by the FARC and other armed Whereas the imposition of the death pen- nor by the text, structure, or history of the terrorist groups in Colombia; and alty for child rape has never been within the Constitution of the United States. (5) urges the FARC to lay down their weap- plain and ordinary meaning of ‘‘cruel and un- ons and reject terrorism. f usual punishment’’, neither now nor at the Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. Presi- adoption of the eighth amendment; SENATE RESOLUTION 627—WEL- Whereas instead of construing the eighth dent, I come here on a happy note. I am COMING HOME KEITH STANSELL, filing a resolution and I hope this is amendment’s prohibition of ‘‘cruel and un- THOMAS HOWES, AND MARC usual punishment’’ according to its original the kind of thing the Senate can come meaning or its plain and ordinary meaning, GONSALVES, THREE CITIZENS OF together to celebrate, the fact that the Court followed a two-step approach of THE UNITED STATES WHO WERE three Americans that were held hos- first attempting to discern a national con- HELD HOSTAGE FOR OVER FIVE tage over 4 years in the jungle by the sensus regarding the appropriateness of the YEARS BY THE REVOLUTIONARY FARC contraband guerillas, a drug- death penalty for child rape and then apply- ARMED FORCES OF COLOMBIA ing the Justices’ own independent judgment running crowd, murderers who put (FARC) AFTER THEIR PLANE chains around these captives’ necks in light of their interpretation of a national CRASHED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2003 consensus and evolving standards of decency; just like an animal, a wild animal, and Whereas, to the extent that a national con- Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself, they had to carry these collars, these sensus is relevant to the meaning of the Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. DODD, steel collars with these steel chains, eighth amendment, there is national con- Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. heavy, so that was another way of sensus in favor of the death penalty for child CARDIN, Mr. CRAIG, Mr. BOND, Mr. keeping them from escaping. But if rape, as evidenced by the adoption of that DOMENICI, Mr. HATCH, and Mr. they escaped, where were they going to penalty by the elected branches of the Fed- CHAMBLISS) submitted the following eral Government only 2 years ago, and by the go? They were out in the middle of the swift denunciations of the Kennedy v. Lou- resolution; which was referred to the jungle. This resolution which I am in- isiana decision by the presumptive nominees Committee on Foreign Relations: troducing with Senator ISAKSON, be- for President of both major political parties; S. RES. 627 cause there is a connection of one of Whereas the evolving standards of decency Whereas a Congressional Resolution in 2007 the hostages to Georgia, and my col- is an arbitrary construct without foundation (S. Con. Res. 53) condemned the kidnapping leagues Senators MARTINEZ, DODD, in the Constitution of the United States and and hostage-taking of three citizens of the COLEMAN, LIEBERMAN, CARDIN, CRAIG, should have no bearing on Justices who are United States, Keith Stansell, Thomas BOND, DOMENICI, HATCH, and bound to interpret the laws of the United Howes, and Marc Gonsalves for over four States; CHAMBLISS, I would like to see move years by the FARC, and demanded their im- like greased lightning through the Sen- Whereas the standards of decency in the mediate and unconditional release; United States have evolved toward approval Whereas the Senate expresses sorrow at ate so we can recognize this significant of the death penalty for child rape, as evi- the murder of Tom Janis by the FARC, an- achievement of the Colombian mili- denced by 6 States and the Federal Govern- other citizen of the United States that was tary, assisted by the U.S. Government ment adopting that penalty in the past 13 on the downed aircraft, and Luis Alcedes in a miraculous hostage rescue of 15 years; Cruz, a member of the Colombian military, people, including Ingrid Betancort, the Whereas the Supreme Court rendered its as well as citizens of the United States who celebrated and quite well known opinion without knowledge of a Federal law died during a hostage search mission in 2003; authorizing the death penalty for child rap- former senator in Colombia who also Whereas the Government of Colombia car- had dual citizenship with France. ists; ried out a historic rescue mission on July 2, Whereas the Federal law authorizing the 2008, freeing 15 hostages who the FARC had In this miraculous rescue operation death penalty for child rapists was passed by kidnapped and held in captivity, including there was not one bullet fired and not Congress and signed by the President 2 years these three citizens of the United States, In- one drop of blood spilled. before the Supreme Court released the deci- grid Betancourt, and military and police per- Our three Americans, all of whom sion; and sonnel of Colombia; Whereas the Court presumably would have Whereas the armed forces of Colombia live in Florida—Keith Stansell, Thom- deferred to the elected branches of govern- planned, led, and executed the rescue oper- as Howes, and Marc Gonsalves—were ment in determining a national consensus ation without a single gunshot; held hostage for over 5 years by the regarding evolving standards of decency had Whereas the United States Government Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colom- it been aware of the Federal law authorizing played a key supportive role in the rescue bia, known as the FARC, after their the death penalty for child rapists at the mission by the armed forces of Colombia; plane had crashed on February 13, 2003. time that it made the decision: Now, there- Whereas the FARC is designated as a for- fore, be it eign terrorist organization by the Depart- The pilot was hurt, and he was exe- Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate ment of State and the European Union; cuted. There was another Colombian that— Whereas the FARC utilizes kidnappings for with them at the time who was exe- (1) the depraved conduct of the worst child ransom, extortion, and the drug trade to fi- cuted. These three—Keith, Tom, and rapists merits the death penalty; nance its activities; Marc—were taken hostage and, in the (2) standards of decency allow, and some- Whereas the FARC committed atrocities words of Keith Stansell, whom I have times compel, the death penalty for child against citizens of both Colombia and the spoken to today, they were human cur- rape; United States; rency. They were the trading, the bar- (3) the eighth amendment to the Constitu- Whereas the FARC has kidnapped at least tion of the United States allows the death 36 citizens of the United States since 1980, ter for the FARC to get whatever they penalty for the rape of a child where the and killed 10 citizens of the United States; wanted. crime did not result, and was not intended to Whereas the FARC currently holds an esti- They kept them over 5 years. They result, in death of the victim; mated 700 people as hostages; and would still have them if they did not (4) the Louisiana statute making child Whereas over 50 FARC leaders have been have this miraculous rescue operation. rape punishable by death is constitutional; indicted in the United States for drug traf- This is one of the few times you have (5) the Supreme Court of the United States ficking: Now, therefore, be it should grant any petition for rehearing of Resolved, That the Senate— seen in the entire world where the Kennedy v. Louisiana, No. 07-343 (2008), be- (1) welcomes Keith Stansell, Thomas world came together and focused and cause the case was decided under a mistaken Howes, and Marc Gonsalves home to the said: That is a job well done; for it was view of Federal law; United States after being held for over five reported how miraculous this was,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:45 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.017 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7483 through deception, through intercep- Stansell today, he said what we have to Whereas 18 years ago, on July 26, 1990, the tion of communications, through cre- do is to keep remembering them. Be- Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. ating a story line that this was an op- cause of the rescue of the 15 hostages, 12101 et seq.) was signed into law, ending dis- eration to come in and move these hos- he said they have now put heavier crimination against and providing equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in em- tages from one part of the jungle to an- chains around their necks and they are ployment, education, government services, other. making them constantly move. You public accommodations, commercial facili- By creating such a good ruse, they can imagine: 700 people. He told me ties, and transportation; were actually—with all these 15 hos- about individual hostages and how Whereas in spite of the recent efforts to re- tages in 3 different places, 50 miles brave they have been. He said: Let’s store the intent of the Americans with Dis- apart from each other in the jungle— don’t forget them. And let’s keep talk- abilities Act, people with disabilities con- they were able to get their FARC cap- ing about this until they are able to tinue to face tremendous challenges in soci- tors to bring them together in one lo- bring all those people safely home. ety that test their resolve sociologically, emotionally, and psychologically, and face cation, and to load on a helicopter that So I wish to echo what has already negative cultural assumptions based on fears they thought was going to be taking been said by the Government of Colom- and myths that need to be eliminated and re- them to the No. 1 commander of the bia, that we call on the FARC to lay placed with presumptions of competence, FARC in another part of the jungle. down their arms. They are not going to strength, and individual worth; It is a miraculous story: the fact that win. They can see it now. They are de- Whereas July 26, 2008, is a day of celebra- it was pulled off by a hostage rescue moralized. They are having defections tions across the United States that seek to team—all volunteers, playing their every day. educate and change the way that people roles—but knowing that if it went Come to your senses, revolutionary think about and define people with disabil- awry, they, too, would become hos- guerrillas whom you think you are. ities by promoting the belief that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human di- tages of the FARC. Come to your senses and work out a versity in which people living with disabil- We want to send our congratulations plan with the Colombian Government ities can take pride; and to the Colombian Government, the Co- and President Uribe to release the re- Whereas July 26, 2008, would be an appro- lombian military, and especially to maining hostages you have—hundreds priate day to designate as Disability Pride that hostage rescue team that per- of them. Day: Now, therefore, be it formed so flawlessly but that knew the We say to Mr. Cano, the leader of the Resolved, That the Senate— risk they were taking. FARC, your numbers are dwindling. (1) supports the goals and ideals of Dis- This resolution I have submitted Today you have only about 8,000. This ability Pride Day; (2) invites the citizens of the United States honors our three Americans and recog- is less than half the force you had just to join in celebrating the pride, the power, nizes their families and their relatives a few years ago. And you are losing and the potential of people with disabilities who kept faith all these years—all your rank-and-file soldiers because by celebrating Disability Pride Day; and those years, over 5—without even they see it is a lost cause. And you (3) urges public officials and the general knowing the fate of their loved ones. have suffered losses in your secretariat public to honor Americans with disabilities Finally, on July 2 of this year, Co- and in the mid-level ranks by death by becoming educated on ways to support lombian forces carried out this dra- and desertion. and encourage understanding of persons with matic rescue mission, freeing those 15 These are significant losses. The U.S. disabilities in the schools, diverse workforce, and communities of the United States. hostages, including Keith Stansell, people have stood with the Colombian Thomas Howes, and Marc Gonsalves. people as they fight this violence, this f In this Colombian rescue operation, impunity, this narcotrafficking in this AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND not a gun was fired; the playacting, the little country of Colombia. PROPOSED ruse, the deception was so good, not a It is a happy occasion for us but a so- SA 5247. Mr. DEMINT submitted an amend- drop of blood. It is going to go down in bering reflection upon those who are ment intended to be proposed to amendment history as a model for these kinds of still held similar to animals in cages. SA 5135 submitted by Mr. BINGAMAN (for him- operations. It is a happy occasion, and we are over- self, Mr. REID, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. SALAZAR, We in America are very grateful to joyed at the return of Keith and Tom Mr. DORGAN, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. KERRY, Ms. President Uribe; to Defense Minister and Marc. But Colombia’s war against STABENOW, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mrs. CLINTON, Santos, whom I had the pleasure, a the narcotraffickers is not over. Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. NELSON of Florida, and Ms. KLOBUCHAR) and intended to couple days ago, of hosting; and the Co- f be proposed to the bill S. 3268, to amend the lombian military for the execution of SENATE RESOLUTION 628—EX- Commodity Exchange Act, to prevent exces- this historic operation and for bringing PRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE sive price speculation with respect to energy our men and their folks home to free- commodities, and for other purposes; which DESIGNATION OF DISABILITY dom. was ordered to lie on the table. I wish to recognize our commander of PRIDE DAY AND RECOGNIZING SA 5248. Mr. CRAIG submitted an amend- the U.S. Southern Command, Admiral THAT ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING ment intended to be proposed to amendment PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABIL- SA 5097 submitted by Mr. COLEMAN and in- Stavridis, and I wish to recognize our tended to be proposed to the bill S. 3268, U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, Bill ITIES, HAVE THE RIGHT, RE- SPONSIBILITY, AND ABILITY TO supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. Brownfield, for the exceptional work f they have done to strengthen the BE ACTIVE, CONTRIBUTING MEM- United States-Colombian relations BERS OF SOCIETY AND FULLY TEXT OF AMENDMENTS ENGAGED AS CITIZENS OF THE which laid the foundation and the close SA 5247. Mr. DEMINT submitted an coordination that was demonstrated by UNITED STATES amendment intended to be proposed to this successful operation. Mr. DURBIN (for Mr. OBAMA (for amendment SA 5135 submitted by Mr. I believe this dramatic hostage res- himself and Mr. DURBIN)) submitted BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. REID, Mr. cue and the competence and profes- the following resolution; which was re- SCHUMER, Mr. SALAZAR, Mr. DORGAN, sionalism that was demonstrated by ferred to the Committee on Health, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. KERRY, Ms. STABENOW, the Colombian military have not only Education, Labor, and Pensions: Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mrs. CLINTON, Mrs. put the FARC on notice, it has put S. RES. 628 MURRAY, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. NELSON them on their heels. They are in dis- Whereas all people, including people with of Florida, and Ms. KLOBUCHAR) and in- array. They are demoralized. There are disabilities, should be guaranteed the right tended to be proposed to the bill S. defections from FARC every day. to receive a quality education, to be produc- 3268, to amend the Commodity Ex- The FARC is designated by our Gov- tive members of the workforce, to raise fam- change Act, to prevent excessive price ernment as a foreign terrorist organi- ilies, to exert control and choice over their speculation with respect to energy zation because it has committed atroc- own lives, and to have equal opportunity to access and participate in all facets of life; commodities, and for other purposes; ities against the citizens of Colombia Whereas having a disability should be seen which was ordered to lie on the table; and the United States. as a natural part of human diversity; as follows: The FARC still holds 700 people as Whereas many people with disabilities At the end of subtitle A of title II, add the hostages. When I talked to Keith share a cultural experience and history; following:

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SEC. 205. EFFECT OF SUBMISSION OF COMPLETE (E) provisions to ensure, to the maximum ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO extent practicable, that exploration and pro- 9 and subject to the other provisions of this PRODUCE OIL OR NATURAL GAS. duction activities will result in no signifi- subsection, for each applicable fiscal year, (a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any cant adverse effect on fish or wildlife (in- the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit— other provision of this Act, the lessee of any cluding habitat), subsistence resources, or ‘‘(A) 50 percent of qualified outer Conti- lease that authorizes exploration for, or pro- the environment; and nental Shelf revenues in the general fund of duction of, oil or natural gas under a provi- (F) provisions that will impose seasonal the Treasury; and sion of law described in subsection (b) shall limitations on activity to protect breeding, ‘‘(B) 50 percent of qualified outer Conti- be held harmless— spawning, and wildlife migration patterns. nental Shelf revenues in a special account in (1) if the lessee submits to the Secretary of (c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 105 the Treasury from which the Secretary shall the Interior 1 or more complete applications of the Department of the Interior, Environ- disburse— for a permit to produce oil or natural gas ment, and Related Agencies Appropriations ‘‘(i) 75 percent to Eastern Gulf producing under the lease; and Act, 2006 (Public Law 109–54; 119 Stat. 521) (as States in accordance with paragraph (2); and (2) until— amended by section 103(d) of the Gulf of Mex- ‘‘(ii) 25 percent to provide financial assist- (A) each of the applications is accepted or ico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. ance to States in accordance with section 6 denied by the Secretary; and 1331 note; Public Law 109–432)) is amended by of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (B) until all actions filed against the lessee inserting ‘‘and any other area that the Sec- Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l –8), which shall be for the exploration or production under the retary of the Interior may offer for leasing, considered income to the Land and Water lease are resolved. preleasing, or any related activity under sec- Conservation Fund for purposes of section 2 (b) COVERED PROVISIONS.—Subsection (a) tion 104 of that Act’’ after ‘‘2006)’’. of that Act (16 U.S.C. 460l–5). shall apply to— SEC. ll. DISPOSITION OF REVENUES FROM NEW ‘‘(2) ALLOCATION TO EASTERN GULF PRO- (1) section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act PRODUCING AREAS OF THE EAST- DUCING STATES AND COASTAL POLITICAL SUB- (30 U.S.C. 226); ERN GULF OF MEXICO. DIVISIONS.— (2) the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 ‘‘(A) ALLOCATION TO EASTERN GULF PRO- Lands (30 U.S.C. 351 et seq.); U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) is amended by adding at DUCING STATES.—Effective for fiscal year 2009 (3) the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act the end the following: and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.); and ‘‘SEC. 32. DISPOSITION OF REVENUES FROM NEW made available under paragraph (1)(B)(i) (4) any other law that authorizes the PRODUCING AREAS OF THE EAST- shall be allocated to each Eastern Gulf pro- issuance of oil or gas leases on Federal land ERN GULF OF MEXICO. ducing State in amounts (based on a formula or submerged land. ‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: established by the Secretary by regulation) ‘‘(1) COASTAL POLITICAL SUBDIVISION.—The that are inversely proportional to the respec- SA 5248. Mr. CRAIG submitted an term ‘coastal political subdivision’ means a tive distances between the point on the amendment intended to be proposed to political subdivision of an Eastern Gulf pro- coastline of each Eastern Gulf producing amendment SA 5097 submitted by Mr. ducing State any part of which political sub- State that is closest to the geographic center COLEMAN and intended to be proposed division is— of the applicable leased tract and the geo- to the bill S. 3268, to amend the Com- ‘‘(A) within the coastal zone (as defined in graphic center of the leased tract. modity Exchange Act, to prevent ex- section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management ‘‘(B) PAYMENTS TO COASTAL POLITICAL SUB- Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453)) of the Eastern cessive price speculation with respect DIVISIONS.— Gulf producing State as of the date of enact- ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall pay to energy commodities, and for other ment of this section; and 20 percent of the allocable share of each purposes; which was ordered to lie on ‘‘(B) not more than 200 nautical miles from Eastern Gulf producing State, as determined the table; as follows: the geographic center of any leased tract. under subparagraph (A), to the coastal polit- At the appropriate place, insert the fol- ‘‘(2) EASTERN GULF PRODUCING STATE.—The ical subdivisions of the Eastern Gulf pro- lowing: term ‘Eastern Gulf producing State’ means ducing State. SEC. ll. MORATORIUM OF OIL AND GAS LEAS- each of the States of Alabama, Florida, Lou- ‘‘(ii) ALLOCATION.—The amount paid by the ING IN CERTAIN AREAS OF GULF OF isiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Secretary to coastal political subdivisions MEXICO. ‘‘(3) MORATORIUM AREA.—The term ‘mora- shall be allocated to each coastal political (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 104(a) of the Gulf torium area’ means an area covered by sec- subdivision in accordance with subpara- of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 tion 104(a) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Se- graphs (B) and (C) of section 31(b)(4). U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109–432) is curity Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public ‘‘(3) MINIMUM ALLOCATION.—The amount al- amended— Law 109–432) (as in effect on the day before located to an Eastern Gulf producing State (1) by striking paragraph (1); the date of enactment of this section). each fiscal year under paragraph (2)(A) shall (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘125 miles’’ ‘‘(4) NEW PRODUCING AREA.—The term ‘new be at least 10 percent of the amounts avail- and inserting ‘‘50 miles’’; producing area’ means any moratorium area able under paragraph (1)(B)(i). (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘100 miles’’ beyond the submerged land of a State that is ‘‘(4) TIMING.—The amounts required to be each place it appears and inserting ‘‘50 located greater than 50 miles from the coast- deposited under subparagraph (B) of para- miles’’; and line of the State of Florida. graph (1) for the applicable fiscal year shall (4) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) ‘‘(5) QUALIFIED OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF be made available in accordance with that as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively. REVENUES.—The term ‘qualified outer Conti- subparagraph during the fiscal year imme- (b) REGULATIONS.— nental Shelf revenues’ means all rentals, diately following the applicable fiscal year. (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Inte- royalties, bonus bids, and other sums due ‘‘(5) AUTHORIZED USES.— rior shall promulgate regulations that estab- and payable to the United States from leases ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph lish appropriate environmental safeguards entered into on or after the date of enact- (B), each Eastern Gulf producing State and for the exploration and production of oil and ment of this section for new producing areas. coastal political subdivision shall use all natural gas on the outer Continental Shelf. ‘‘(b) PETITION FOR LEASING NEW PRODUCING amounts received under paragraph (2) in ac- (2) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.—At a min- AREAS.— cordance with all applicable Federal and imum, the regulations shall include— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on the date on State laws, only for 1 or more of the fol- (A) provisions requiring surety bonds of which the President delineates projected lowing purposes: sufficient value to ensure the mitigation of State lines under section 4(a)(2)(A)(ii), the ‘‘(i) Projects and activities for the purposes any foreseeable incident; Governor of a State, with the concurrence of of coastal protection, including conserva- (B) provisions assigning liability to the the legislature of the State, with a new pro- tion, coastal restoration, hurricane protec- leaseholder in the event of an incident caus- ducing area within the offshore administration, and infrastructure directly affected by ing damage or loss, regardless of the neg- tive boundaries beyond the submerged land coastal wetland losses. ligence of the leaseholder or lack of neg- of the State may submit to the Secretary a ‘‘(ii) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, ligence; petition requesting that the Secretary make or natural resources. (C) provisions no less stringent than those the new producing area available for oil and ‘‘(iii) Implementation of a federally ap- contained in the Spill Prevention, Control, gas leasing. proved marine, coastal, or comprehensive and Countermeasure regulations promul- ‘‘(2) ACTION BY SECRETARY.—Notwith- conservation management plan. gated under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 standing section 18, as soon as practicable ‘‘(iv) Mitigation of the impact of outer U.S.C. 2701 et seq.); after receipt of a petition under paragraph Continental Shelf activities through the (D) provisions ensuring that— (1), the Secretary shall approve the petition funding of onshore infrastructure projects. (i) no facility for the exploration or pro- if the Secretary determines that leasing the ‘‘(v) Planning assistance and the adminis- duction of resources is visible to the unas- new producing area would not create an un- trative costs of complying with this section. sisted eye from any shore of any coastal reasonable risk of harm to the marine, ‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—Not more than 3 percent State; and human, or coastal environment. of amounts received by an Eastern Gulf pro- (ii) the impact of offshore production fa- ‘‘(c) DISPOSITION OF QUALIFIED OUTER CON- ducing State or coastal political subdivision cilities on coastal vistas is otherwise miti- TINENTAL SHELF REVENUES FROM NEW PRO- under paragraph (2) may be used for the pur- gated; DUCING AREAS.— poses described in subparagraph (A)(v).

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.028 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7485 ‘‘(6) ADMINISTRATION.—Amounts made The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and the Senate resume consideration of available under paragraph (1)(B) shall— objection, it is so ordered. the motion to concur with respect to ‘‘(A) be made available, without further ap- H.R. 3221, the Foreclosure Prevention propriation, in accordance with this sub- f section; Act, under the provisions of a previous MEASURE PLACED ON THE order. ‘‘(B) remain available until expended; and CALENDAR—S. 3335 ‘‘(C) be in addition to any amounts appro- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without priated under— Mr. CARPER. I understand that S. objection, it is so ordered. ‘‘(i) other provisions of this Act; 3335 is at the desk and due for a second ‘‘(ii) the Land and Water Conservation reading. f Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l–4 et seq.); or The PRESIDING OFFICER. The PROGRAM ‘‘(iii) any other provision of law.’’. clerk will report the bill by title for f the second time. Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, to- The bill clerk read as follows: morrow, around 11 a.m., the Senate AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO will proceed to a rollcall vote on the MEET A bill (S. 3335) to amend the Internal Rev- motion to concur relative to H.R. 3221, enue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND provisions, and for other purposes. the Foreclosure Prevention Act. Fol- GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS lowing this vote, the Senate will imme- Mr. CARPER. I object to any further Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask diately proceed to vote on the motion proceedings with respect to the bill. unanimous consent that the Com- to invoke cloture on the motion to pro- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- mittee on Homeland Security and Gov- ceed to S. 3186, the Warm in Winter and tion is heard. The bill will be placed on ernmental Affairs be authorized to Cool in Summer Act. Senators should the calendar. meet during the session of the Senate expect up to two rollcall votes to begin on Friday, July 25, 2008, at 12 noon. f around 11 a.m. tomorrow. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ORDERS FOR SATURDAY, JULY 26, objection, it is so ordered. f 2008 PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 9 A.M. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I ask TOMORROW unanimous consent that the Perma- unanimous consent that when the Sen- nent Subcommittee on Investigations ate completes its business today, it Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, if of the Committee on Homeland Secu- stand adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow, there is no further business to come be- rity and Governmental Affairs be au- Saturday, July 26; that following the fore the Senate, I ask unanimous con- thorized to meet during the session of prayer and the pledge, the Journal of sent that it stand adjourned under the the Senate on Friday, July 25, 2008, at proceedings be approved to date, the previous order. 9:30 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, morning hour be deemed to have ex- There being no objection, the Senate, ‘‘Tax Haven Banks and U.S. Tax Com- pired, the time for the two leaders be at 3:27 p.m., adjourned until Saturday, pliance.’’ reserved for their use later in the day, July 26, 2008, at 9 a.m.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:54 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A25JY6.029 S25JYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with SENATE July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1555 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

HOUSING AND ECONOMIC gage payments or even foreclosure, this provi- lions of people from Taiwan from the benefits RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 sion allows them to refinance their homes into that they would receive from WHO participa- more affordable, fixed-rate mortgages. To pro- tion. But for those for whom morality and re- SPEECH OF tect taxpayers, borrowers will have to agree to spect for other human beings is not enough HON. LOIS CAPPS certain conditions regarding future sale of the reason to overcome an effort to gain political OF CALIFORNIA home in order to participate in the program. advantage, self-interest should dictate to the And to ensure against the risk of taxpayers PRC support for Taiwanese accession to the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES being saddled with overvalued loans, lenders World Health Organization. Wednesday, July 23, 2008 holding these troubled mortgages will have to This is especially the case now that travel Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in write down the loans significantly. between Taiwan and other places, including strong support of H.R. 3221, the American Too many hard working families have found those under PRC rule has greatly increased. Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention themselves the victim of unscrupulous lenders Ideology and sovereignty are no defense Act. and watched helplessly as their piece of the against germs and viruses. The World Health This bill is a powerful response to the fore- American Dream has been snatched away Organization does very important things in de- closure crisis that has spread across the Na- from them. Even more tragically, many home- fense of humanity against illness, but its ability tion. The recent troubles at Fannie Mae and owners who have had no problem keeping up to perform that role is hampered by the exclu- Freddie Mac have shaken the economy and with their mortgages have seen their home sion of Taiwan from the World Health Organi- the bill seeks to stabilize them by extending values and quality of life harmed by the ap- zation and in all of our interests, I believe that them limited credit and other financial support pearance of abandoned foreclosed properties our Government should be taking every pos- from the U.S. Treasury. These institutions are in their neighborhoods. That is why the House sible step to ensure that the World Health Or- the central nervous system of mortgage liquid- went against the wishes of the President and ganization extends to Taiwan full membership. ity in the United States, and ensuring their included $3.9 billion for cities and towns to f continued operations is vital to avoiding even purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed homes. more calamity in our housing markets. To help Abandoned properties can hurt entire commu- HONORING JOANNE KOSEY WHO avert future mortgage crises, the bill creates a nities and this money will prove vital in pro- WAS NAMED PERSON OF THE new, strong regulator for Fannie Mae and tecting against neighborhood decline during YEAR FOR THE VILLAGE OF RIV- Freddie Mac. this crisis. ERSIDE, ILLINOIS The bill also includes much-needed reforms The bill also creates a $500 million afford- of the Federal Housing Administration. The able housing trust fund to expand the housing HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI changes will help protect lower income bor- options available for low-income working fami- OF ILLINOIS rowers from unscrupulous lending practices lies and creates a first-time homebuyer tax IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that have plagued the subprime market. And credit worth up to $7,500. These two provi- Thursday, July 24, 2008 the bill provides more funding for housing sions will undoubtedly help young families in counseling to help consumers avoid costly my district better afford the costs of buying a Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today mistakes and learn more about the housing new home. to honor JoAnne Kosey for her ongoing dedi- market. Mr. Speaker, the hardworking families in our cation to the community of Riverside, Illinois. Mr. Speaker, this calamity isn’t confined to country need help. The House passed a very JoAnne has been named Person of the Year financial institutions; it has also spread similar bill in May, which the President threat- by a combined committee made up of mem- through our towns and neighborhoods and af- ened to veto. Now that the housing and fi- bers from the Riverside Chamber of Com- fected millions of our neighbors. In California nance situation has continued to deteriorate, merce and the Riverside Township Lions club. foreclosures have risen to a 20-year high and he has agreed to work with us in helping the As a lifelong resident of Riverside, volun- we are feeling this pain on the central and American people. I say it’s about time, and I teering has always been a large part of south coast. That’s why I’m glad the American hope that we have his continued cooperation JoAnne’s life. Since high school, she has been Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention as the many provisions of this legislation are involved in helping the community through vol- Act provides several key provisions to help carried out in our hometowns. unteering at her church, school and for the vil- homeowners. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. lage during her free time. Continuing into For example, this bill permanently increases f motherhood, she was able to balance her re- the conforming loan limits to $625,000. Me- sponsibilities as a working mother with her on- dian home prices in Ventura, Santa Barbara, KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THE WHO; going responsibility to the community. JoAnne and San Luis Obispo Counties are well above LET TAIWAN IN was elected to two terms on the Riverside- the national average, and our families con- Brookfield High School District 208 School tinue struggling to obtain affordable housing. HON. BARNEY FRANK Board and she also worked as a teacher at St. This provision will allow them to obtain financ- OF MASSACHUSETTS Joseph Grade School and Mater Christi ing at lower interest rates, while at the same IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES School. Her dedication to education did not time providing much needed liquidity to our keep her from founding the local farmers mar- local housing market. While I believe the limit Thursday, July 24, 2008 ket, co-chairing the 125th Anniversary Cele- should have been raised to $729,750, as was Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam bration, serving as the commissioner on the temporarily done earlier this year, this perma- Speaker, one of the gravest errors that polit- Historical Commission and the Economic De- nent increase to $625,000 is absolutely crucial ical leaders can make is to let politics get in velopment Commission, and serving as a rep- for my district. I am hopeful that in the future the way of fundamental health needs. The resentative to the Des Plaines River Basin we will continue our efforts to raise this limit clearest example of this that I know of in to- Steering Committee. Currently, she serves as so that it reflects the housing needs of my day’s world is the insistence by the People’s the president of the Riverside Educational constituents. Republic of China on blocking membership for Foundation, and as a member of the Alumni In addition, this bill will stem foreclosures by Taiwan in the World Health Organization. Achievement Committee. creating a voluntary mortgage refinancing pro- During the bird flu epidemic, the exclusion This award is a well deserved recognition of gram that allows families to stay in their of Taiwan from the WHO was an interference her dedication to the betterment of the village homes. Under this program, the Federal Hous- with our ability as a global community to pro- of Riverside. She is a sterling example of how ing Administration will have the authority to re- vide maximum protection for people against the entire community benefits from volun- finance up to $300 billion in imperiled mort- this terrible disease. There is of course a teering. JoAnne is a credit to the village of gages. For borrowers facing escalating mort- strong moral reason against excluding the mil- Riverside and to the State of Illinois. She has

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.014 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E1556 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2008 clearly shown how much of a difference to a Finally, the American Housing Rescue and HONORING THE URBAN LEAGUE’S community the help of one person can make. Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 also in- 40TH ANNIVERSARY IN MADISON It is my great privilege to recognize JoAnne cludes a tax benefit of up to $7,500 for first- Kosey for being named Person of the Year for time homebuyers as well as an additional HON. TAMMY BALDWIN the Village of Riverside, Illinois. credit on property taxes for existing home- OF WISCONSIN f owners who claim the standard deduction. I IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES am proud of the strong military presence in AMERICAN HOUSING RESCUE AND North Carolina’s Second Congressional Dis- Thursday, July 24, 2008 FORECLOSURE PREVENTION ACT trict, and I applaud the provisions that specifi- Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise OF 2008 cally help returning soldiers stay in their home today to honor the Urban League for a com- and the housing counseling and benefit initia- mitment to social and economic justice in the HON. BOB ETHERIDGE tives that target veterans. These measures will Madison area that now spans four decades. OF NORTH CAROLINA help revive the housing market and get our When the National Urban League’s affiliate ar- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sluggish economy moving in the right direc- rived on the Southside in 1968, Madison and Thursday, July 24, 2008 tion. other larger cities had few support services for Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- I support the passage of H.R. 3221, Amer- economically disadvantaged people. Most civil port of H.R. 3221, American Housing Rescue ican Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Preven- rights groups at the time had focused on legal and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. This tion Act of 2008, and I urge my colleagues to barriers to equality. After the eventual toppling bill is a critical step towards stabilizing our join me. of de jure segregation and discrimination ‘‘on housing market and providing assistance to the books,’’ our communities were left void of thousands of Americans facing foreclosure. f organizations and advocacy networks focused The problems that persist in our housing on the unequal economic conditions African market are serious and affect millions of HONORING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY Americans and other people of color still Americans. Thousands of families are in dan- OF THE FBI faced. Despite the shift in terrain, the Madison ger of losing their homes. In my state of North Urban League committed to fulfilling the need Carolina alone, PEW Charity Trusts and the for economic programs. Center for Responsible Lending estimate there HON. HENRY CUELLAR Forty years later, the Urban League of will be 53,254 foreclosures in 2008 and 2009. OF TEXAS Greater Madison has retained and restored Not only does foreclosure strike at the heart of the commitment the Madison Urban League these families’ financial stability, but the dam- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES made at such a crucial point in the history of age spreads across all of our communities. Thursday, July 24, 2008 our country and our city. Today, the diverse The same study shows that over 330,000 staff at the Urban League of Greater Madison homes in North Carolina will be devalued by Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today serves thousands of youth, adults, and whole the spillover impact of the foreclosures, and to honor the 100th anniversary of the Federal families all over Dane County through a wide North Carolina stands to lose over $860 mil- Bureau of Investigation agency, and the brave range of programs and services. Last year, lion in property values. men and women that work at the FBI Laredo 2,000 people were reached through various However, H.R. 3221 takes strong steps to Resident Agency, LRA. The FBI LRA was es- initiatives throughout the county. help families facing foreclosure while also bol- tablished in 1943, during the height of World To bring to the forefront its renewed com- stering our housing market and economy. This War II, with four Special Agents assigned to mitment to economic empowerment for those bill also creates a voluntary FHA initiative that the U.S.-Mexico border. overlooked and underserved, the Urban provides mortgage refinancing assistance to The FBI LRA was staffed throughout the League of Greater Madison is on the verge of allow families to stay in their homes while also end of World War II and during the Cold War breaking ground for a new Center for Eco- strengthening the housing market. This vol- with a particular focus on counter-espionage nomic Development along Park Street in front untary plan would require lenders to reduce and sabotage. The focus changed during the of the Villager. The center will be more than some of the existing mortgage in order to 1960s and 1970s to a spate of new crimes in- just another building on the Southside of Madi- qualify for FHA backing, and would require volving fugitives and vehicle theft. The mission son. It will be an investment in the people borrowers to return portions of any future prof- of the FBI LRA was expanded to public cor- there. With the capacity to offer a more com- its on the house to the government in order to ruption, interstate theft, fraud, and general prehensive set of programs and services than prevent foreclosure. It is important to note that property crimes during the 1980s and 1990s. it can now, the Urban League of Greater under H.R. 3221, only owner-occupied homes Currently, the FBI LRA investigates terrorism, Madison will be able to empower more citi- facing foreclosure can qualify for this mort- public corruption, white collar crime, zens by relocating to and reclaiming an area gage assistance, and speculators, investors, kidnappings, gangs, drug cases, and cyber that is ripe for revitalization. and second-homeowners are not eligible. This crime. An anniversary celebration will be held this provision represents a compromise by all par- evening to recognize the achievements and Also, the FBI LRA has established a Joint ticipating parties and can keep people in their legacy of the Urban League in Madison and to Terrorism Task Force, JTTF, and a Public homes and improve surrounding communities. commence a new chapter in the history of the Corruption Task Force in the past few years to Provisions in this bill reform and modernize organization. respond to potential terrorist threats and drug- the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as For their commitment and service to the trafficking violence in the U.S.-Mexico border well as government sponsored entities, GSEs, people of Dane County, I congratulate both region. Throughout the decades, the FBI LRA Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These changes the National Urban League and the Urban has evolved to meet the crime prevention will strengthen the FHA and make it a bigger League of Greater Madison on this momen- needs of each decade in its five-county area force in the market to provide a better alter- tous milestone. Thanks to the work they have of Webb, McMullen, La Salle, Zapata, and Jim native to some of the riskier, more exotic already done and will continue to do, we can Hogg, with over 30 Special Agents and sup- loans that have spurred much of this crisis. and will achieve better. The recent reports of major losses at Fannie port staff. The FBI LRA also works with La- f Mae and Freddie Mac are troubling. The redo Police Department, Office of the Inspec- GSEs are crucial engines that are necessary tor General—Department of Homeland Secu- TRIBUTE TO CITIZENS AND OFFI- to drive the slumping mortgage market that rity, Department of Public Safety, Immigration CIALS IN HAMILTON, BOONE AND provides housing for millions across the coun- and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Bor- WEBSTER COUNTIES try. H.R. 3221 includes a plan to give the der Protection, and the United States Border Treasury Department increased authority to Patrol. HON. TOM LATHAM loan and buy credit in these GSEs. This back- Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had OF IOWA ing will boost confidence in the GSEs in the this time to recognize the commitment of our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES marketplace, and may make further action un- brave men and women at the FBI Laredo necessary. Along with this expanded credit, Resident Agency and I applaud their efforts to Thursday, July 24, 2008 H.R. 3221 includes a stronger and more inde- safeguard the lives of my constituents along Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today pendent regulator to oversee Fannie Mae and the U.S.-Mexico border, and to serve their Na- to recognize the collective effort of citizens Freddie Mac and set their capital standards. tion honorably. I thank you for this time. and officials in Hamilton, Boone and Webster

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.016 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1557 Counties in rescuing two gentlemen from the fairs is, and the degree to which it advances receive positive assessments from auditors flooded Boone River in Iowa. U.S. interests by being out there, ready to dis- on financial management. The Standing On Monday, June 9, at 2:45 p.m., Charlie cuss, to debate and ultimately to cooperate in Committee unanimously approved the pro- Davis noticed two men floating down the posed budget for 2008/2009, which provides for making this a better world. In the framework of increased expenditures of just under seven Boone River. He quickly dialed 911 on his cel- the Organization for Security and Cooperation percent to cover inflation and a small in- lular phone and got through to the Hamilton for Europe, or the OSCE as it is often known, crease in secretariat staff. County Dispatch Center. He relayed the mes- there is a strong parliamentary dimension that The Standing Committee also heard re- sage but got disconnected because he was in allows us to engage our allies and friends in ports from the Special Representatives of a limited cellular signal area. When Charlie re- Europe and Canada, and including the coun- the OSCE PA on a variety of issues of con- dialed 911, this time he was connected to the tries of the Caucasus and Central Asia. We cern. I presented a summary of my activities Webster County Dispatch Center. As a result, as Special Representative on Mediterranean discuss everything from human rights and de- Affairs, which included a recent Commission Fire and Rescue Departments in Kramer, mocracy, to energy and the environment, to hearing, a briefing on the plight of Iraqi ref- Stratford, Stanhope and Webster City, the regional security and terrorism. I invite my col- ugees and my participation on the congres- Boone County Search and Rescue Team, leagues to consider joining me for next year’s sional visit you led to Israel in May, mark- Hamilton County Conservation staff, Hamilton session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly ing that country’s 60th anniversary. Simi- County Chief Deputy Scott McConnell, First in Vilnius, Lithuania. larly, Rep. Solis spoke in her capacity as the Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Mercy AirLife Third, I want to say a word about Special Representative on Migration, high- helicopters, pilot Ralph Storm, and others Kazakhstan, which served as this year’s host. lighting recent Commission hearings on women migrants and on regional impacts were all on the scene to help. Kazakhstan is a large, resource-rich and stra- As the two men floated down the river, res- and opportunities for migrants. Rep. Chris- tegically located country, and a country that topher H. Smith, the Special Representative cue crews set up on the Stagecoach Road wishes to play a stronger role in the OSCE on Human Trafficking Issues, was unable to Bridge waiting for the men to float to them. and in world affairs generally. The U.S. dele- be present in Astana and asked that his writ- After waiting for a period of time, Ralph Storm gation used its presence in Astana to welcome ten report be circulated to delegations. It flew his spray plane up and down the river that fact, and to express our willingness to highlights visits to Bosnia, Romania, Russia until he spotted them. Once spotted, the work with Kazakhstan to that end. At the same and Ukraine as well as a recent Commission Boone Rescue Team; Brian Pontius and Dal- time, the Assembly meeting provided an op- hearing on combating the sexual exploitation of children. Senator Cardin attended las Wingate, were notified to put their boat in portunity to stress the need for Kazakhstan to the river and then retrieved the brothers from the Standing Committee in his capacity as make greater progress regarding human rights an OSCE PA Vice President. the water at 3:50 p.m. and political reforms, in line with its OSCE In my capacity as Head of the U.S. Delega- The diligent team effort of all involved in this commitments but also with specific promises tion at the Standing Committee, I welcomed rescue effort is a testament to the bravery and its leaders made when the OSCE designated the decision of the Assembly to hold an compassion of Iowans; willing to do whatever Kazakhstan to chair the organization in 2010. event in Washington on the upcoming U.S. is necessary for a neighbor in need. I com- The final declaration of the OSCE PA An- elections immediately following a Sep- mend all those involved for their heroism and nual Session can be found on the Assembly’s tember meeting of the OSCE PA in Toronto, Canada. cooperation. I am honored to represent each website or by contacting the Helsinki Commis- of them in the United States Congress, and With the Standing Committee’s business sion, which I chair. Again, thank you Madam concluded, Assembly President Lennmarker wish each of them health and happiness in the Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to lead opened the Inaugural Plenary Session, not- future. this delegation, which accomplished a great ing the importance of holding its first An- f deal. nual Session in the Central Asian region. JULY 21, 2008. The delegates were, in turn, welcomed by THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY AS- Hon. NANCY PELOSI, Kazakhstan’s President, Nursultan SEMBLY SESSION IN KAZAKH- Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nazarbayev, who noted the importance of STAN Washington, DC. parliamentary diplomacy in democracy- DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: I write to thank building and further humanitarian and legal HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS you for designating me Head of the U.S. Del- norms. The two Speakers of the Kazakhstan egation to the Seventeenth Annual Session Parliament, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the OF FLORIDA of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Orga- Senate and Aslan Mussin of the Mazhilis, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nization for Security and Cooperation in Eu- also addressed the delegates. OSCE Sec- Thursday, July 24, 2008 rope (OSCE PA), and to report to you on the retary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, work of our bipartisan delegation. The dele- of France reviewed the work of the OSCE gation participated fully in the activity of and took questions from the parliamentar- ECORD I hereby submit, for the R , the text of the Assembly’s Standing Committee, the ians. my report to you on the activities of the U.S. plenary sessions and the Assembly’s three Members of the U.S. Delegation actively Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary As- General Committees, participated in the work of the Assembly’s sembly, held in early July in Astana, Joining me in leading the delegation was three General Committees: Political Affairs Kazakhstan. I want to thank you for allowing the Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman, Sen- and Security; Economic Affairs, Science, me to serve as the head of this delegation, ator Benjamin L. Cardin. Other Helsinki Technology and Environment; and Democ- and to express my gratitude to our colleague Commissioners who also participated include racy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Ques- Representatives Robert B. Aderholt, Mike tions. Each committee considered a draft in the other chamber, Senator BEN CARDIN, for McIntyre, Hilda L. Solis and G.K. resolution as well as 18 supplementary items serving as the deputy head of the delegation. Butterfield. They were joined by Representa- circulated by delegates prior to the opening I will refrain from repeating here the details tives Zach Wamp, Loretta Sanchez, Diane of the Astana meeting. One additional sup- of our trip, which can be found in the report, Watson, Madeleine Z. Bordallo and Gwen S. plementary item was considered during the but I would like to make three brief points. Moore. opening plenary. First, I want to praise the work of my 10 col- This year’s Annual Session, hosted by the Five of the supplementary items were reso- leagues who participated on the delegation, Parliament of Kazakhstan from June 29 to lutions proposed by members of the U.S. Del- namely Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. MCINTYRE, Ms. July 3, brought together 227 parliamentar- egation: Encouraging Transparency in the ians from 50 of the 56 OSCE States. The des- Extractive Industries, by Senator Cardin; SOLIS and Mr. BUTTERFIELD who serve with me ignated theme for this year’s gathering was Recognizing the Economic, Civic and Social on the Helsinki Commission, as well as Mr. ‘‘Transparency in the OSCE.’’ Contributions of Mirgrants, by Rep. Solis; WAMP, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ, Ms. WATSON, The Standing Committee, which is the Strengthening Efforts to Combat Trafficking Ms. BORDALLO and Ms. MOORE. All were ac- leadership body of the Assembly composed of in Human Beings and Addressing the Special tive at the meeting, either speaking or intro- the Heads of Delegations representing the Needs of Child Victims by Rep. Smith (and, ducing resolutions on issues of concern or OSCE participating States and the elected in his absence, Rep. Wamp); Urging Adoption making amendments to the initiatives of other officers, met prior to the Annual Session. of the Paris Club Commitment Regarding delegations. Our colleague HILDA SOLIS de- Chaired by the OSCE PA President, Swedish Vulture Funds by Rep. Moore; and my own serves special praise for seeking and being parliamentarian Goran Lennmarker, the resolution Expressing Concern Over the Se- committee heard reports from the Assem- curity Environment in Georgia. All were elected to chair a committee in the OSCE PA bly’s Treasurer, German parliamentarian adopted with few if any amendments. this coming year, as does GWEN MOORE for Hans Raidel, and from the Secretary Gen- Parliamentarians from Russia, I should her many initiatives that kept her busy. eral, R. Spencer Oliver of the United States. note, very strongly opposed my resolution on Second, I want to stress to all my col- The Assembly continues to operate well Georgia, as did some European parliamentar- leagues how useful engagement in world af- within its overall budget guidelines and to ians, but I remained firm, pointing to the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K24JY8.006 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E1558 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2008 moderately worded text and noting past will- for OSCE border-management training in ing Commission could find itself with no quota ingness of U.S. delegates to consider and sup- Central Asia as well as for bolstering cooper- authorized by the IWC. In the event that this port as warranted resolutions critical of U.S. ative security in the Euro-Atlantic region. were to occur and the Alaskan hunters tried to policies. Recent Russian action in the While the Delegation’s work focused heav- Caucasus was of sufficient concern to a ma- ily on OSCE PA matters, the venue pre- fulfill the communities needs for whale meat, jority of the delegates present that the reso- sented an opportunity to advance U.S. inter- they could find themselves in violation of the lution was ultimately adopted. ests and express U.S. concerns with our Whaling Convention Act of 1949 for attempting U.S. delegates were also instrumental in Kazakhstani hosts. The U.S. Delegation had to feed their people. garnering support for Supplementary items meetings with President Nursultan And even if the IWC remains a viable man- by others, including a Canadian resolution Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Karim Masimov agement entity, the Aboriginal Subsistence on Afghanistan, a Ukrainian resolution on and Secretary of State Kanat Saudabayev as Whaling quotas have been rejected by the Holodomor (Ukrainian Famine-Genocide), well as with prominent Kazakh human rights IWC several times in recent memory due to and a Belgian resolution on Combating the activists and opposition leaders. Members of political fights between the whaling nations Sexual Exploitation of Children. In addition, the delegation also visited Beit Rachel, the the U.S. Delegation introduced 20 amend- largest synagogue in Central Asia, and met and those nations that are opposed to any ments to various resolutions, covering issues with the chief rabbi and the deputy imam whaling. These fights have used the Alaskan from pollinator decline to religious freedom. from the Islamic community to discuss Natives as political footballs and left the Native Virtually all of them were adopted, and by inter-faith tolerance and protection of reli- people of Alaska without a quota of whales. dividing our work almost every member of gious freedom in Kazakhstan, especially for This happened most recently in 2002 when the U.S. Delegation managed at least one religious minorities. the IWC rejected the Alaskan quota for no resolution or amendment in committee. I The U.S. delegation held a press conference other reason than politics. And at this year’s would like to particularly note the excep- in Astana, during which we conveyed our IWC meeting, the Greenland Natives sub- tionally strong effort made by Rep. Moore, willingness to work with Kazakhstan who had her own supplementary item and throughout its OSCE chairmanship in 2010. mitted a request to substitute humpback numerous amendments, including those call- We strongly urged, however, greater progress whales for the current quota of fin whales— ing for international action to reduce mater- regarding human rights and political reforms something the IWC’s Scientific Committee had nal mortality which were agreed to be a in keeping with the commitments already considered and determined that the basis for a resolution at next year’s Annual Kazakhstan made at the Madrid OSCE Min- harvest of 10 humpback whales would not en- Session. isterial in November 2007, where the decision danger the stock. Despite the Scientific Com- Belgian Senator Anne-Marie Lizin pre- on the 2010 chairmanship was made. mittee’s determination, the IWC did not have sented a report in committee on her latest Senator Cardin also used the visit to activity as the OSCE PA Special Representa- Kazakhstan as an opportunity to visit near- enough votes to allow this quota. In both of tive on Guantanamo Bay. Rep. Butterfield by Pakistan. He was joined by fellow Com- these cases, the IWC did not act on Native responded for the U.S. Delegation, expressing missioners McIntyre and Aderholt as well as quotas despite recommendations or deter- appreciation for her work and describing the Representatives Wamp and Sanchez. The del- minations by the Scientific Committee that the latest Supreme Court, congressional and egation met with President Pervez quota was sustainable and would not endan- non-governmental efforts dealing with this Musharraf, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza ger the stocks. In both cases, the Aboriginal stain on the U.S. human rights record. Gillani, and U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Subsistence Whaling quotas were rejected be- Rep. Solis served as Acting Chair of the Anne W. Patterson. During the meetings, the General Committee on Democracy, Human cause of politics and not science. delegation focused on U.S.-Pakistan rela- Madam Speaker, it is clear that in the fight Rights and Humanitarian Questions during tions, regional security, as well as human the Annual Session, and she was subse- rights and democratic development. to outlaw scientific whaling and commercial quently elected to be the committee chair I hope this summary of the U.S. Delega- whaling, many IWC member countries are for the coming year. Rep. Solis is the first fe- tion’s activity is useful to you, and let me being pressured by animal rights groups to male Member of the U.S. Congress to hold a thank you and your staff again for making stop all whaling. These animal rights groups leadership position in the OSCE PA. this trip possible. The Eighteenth Annual do not understand the subsistence needs of The OSCE PA Special Representative on Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assem- Native people—or they don’t care. Gender Issues, Tone Tingsgaard (Sweden), bly will be held early next July in Vilnius, hosted a working lunch to discuss gender Alaskan Native whalers have already been Lithuania, and I hope we can count on your held hostage during these fights over scientific issues during which she presented her continued support in ensuring that U.S. in- thoughts for future action in the OSCE PA terests abroad are advanced through active and commercial whaling and that is not right. on these issues. The U.S. Delegation was well congressional participation in the OSCE PA. Today, the Alaska delegation is introducing represented at this event. Sincerely, legislation to regulate domestic Native subsist- The final Astana Declaration, attached, ALCEE L. HASTINGS, ence whaling under domestic law in the event was adopted by the participants at the As- Chairman. that the IWC cannot authorize a quota for the sembly’s closing plenary and reflects the initiatives and input of the U.S. Delegation. In f Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission’s bowhead whale harvest. line with the theme for the session, it calls ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE for greater transparency in numerous fields, The legislation will allow the Secretary of such as political or historical archives and WHALING CONVENTION AMEND- Commerce to set the annual quota for the the use of private military contractors, as MENTS ACT OF 2008 bowhead harvest in the event that the IWC is well as within the OSCE itself. The declara- unable to set the quota. Under the legislation, tion also calls for concrete steps to address HON. DON YOUNG the Secretary must set the quota based on global climate change, improve waste man- OF ALASKA science and the needs of the Alaska Natives. agement and prepare for potential nuclear The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission’s accidents and natural disasters. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES harvest has always been sustainable, based Mr. Joao Soares, a parliamentarian from Thursday, July 24, 2008 Portugal, was elected to serve as OSCE PA on science, based on harvest levels approved President for the coming year. Soares brings Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, by the IWC’s Scientific Committee, and set at to the office extensive experience, having today I am introducing, along with Alaska’s a level that has allowed the bowhead whale been a member of the Portuguese parliament Senators, legislation to authorize the Secretary population to increase to the point where from 1987 to 1990 and again since 2002, for- of Commerce to set the bowhead whale quota some scientists are now calling for the merly a member of the European Parliament for the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission in downlisting of the stock. and of the Bureau of the European Par- the event the International Whaling Commis- The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission liament, and the mayor of Lisbon from 1995 to 2002. The delegates at the Annual Session sion does not set an Aboriginal Subsistence has continually had to justify their harvest— also re-elected Pia Christmas-Moeller of Whaling quota for the bowhead whale. both their cultural need and their nutritional Denmark, as a Vice president of the Assem- Madam Speaker, the International Whaling need. They have done this and have also re- bly along with three new Vice Presidents: Commission (IWC) is at a crossroads. Many sponded to every hurdle that anti-whaling na- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan; observers of the IWC have raised concerns tions have put in their way. In addition, they Wolfgang Grossruck of Austria and Oleh that the Commission will either fall apart in the probably have provided more scientific infor- Bilorus of Ukraine. next few years or it will turn into a whale pro- mation to the IWC on the bowhead whale than The OSCE Chair-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, addressed the del- tection organization that will allow no take of the IWC has on any other whale species. All egates during the closing plenary. He urged whales—even for subsistence purposes. In ei- of this was done to justify a harvest that has movement from managing unresolved con- ther case, without an alternative mechanism gone on for centuries. flicts in Georgia and Moldova to solving for authorizing the Alaska subsistence harvest The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission them. He also asked for continued support of bowhead whales, the Alaska Eskimo Whal- has continued to respect the IWC, continued

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.021 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1559 to respect the scientific recommendations of able to maintain and use to help make ends Cruelty Statistics Act of 2008’’ along with Rep- the Secretary of Commerce and the IWC’s meet by supplying groceries to the area fami- resentatives GALLEGLY, NADLER, VAN HOLLEN Scientific Committee, and continued to respect lies. The family sacrificed to keep the farm and MORAN. This bill will direct the Attorney the bowhead whale. But they cannot be used going through the Depression and 5 straight General to make changes to existing crime as political footballs by the IWC and they can- years of crop failure; that old Roadster Elyse data bases so that data on animal cruelty not have their need for the bowhead whale saved to buy lost its engine to keep a tractor crimes will be collected and made publicly delayed if the IWC fails to renew their quota in the fields. After several years on the farm, available. I thank the bipartisan coalition of in a timely manner. the family moved back to town in 1951. Representatives who have joined me in intro- This legislation will ensure that the AEWC Her love of the piano has never ended and ducing this important legislation. will have their cultural and nutritional needs as a church pianist, she has played in revivals Animal cruelty crimes exist on the books in met in the event that the IWC fails to act to and choirs for 42 years and made a name for the vast majority of states and in the federal renew their quota or if the IWC decided to herself through her showy offertories, leading system. Yet there is no established system to hold their quota hostage for political reasons, one pastor to encourage her with, ‘‘Well, meaningfully collect data on these crimes. The but does so in a manner that is based on swing it sister!’’ collection of data is important in order to as- science and the needs of the Alaskan Native Elyse helped raise two daughters who still sess the effectiveness of the animal cruelty people as determined by the Secretary of live in DeKalb. She celebrated her 50th wed- laws, identify trends and problem areas, and Commerce. ding anniversary with Bentley shortly before allocate resources efficiently. Social Service he passed away in 1980. Her ‘‘Methodist studies also have shown a relationship be- f Feet’’ haven’t left her yet, and she still enjoys tween animal cruelty crimes and family vio- RECOGNIZING MRS. ELYSE community shows, working in the garden and lence. Many domestic violence organizations JOHNSTON playing cards. ‘‘Nanny’’ to her six grand- support this bill because they believe data col- children and five great grandchildren, she is lection on animal cruelty crimes will also help HON. RALPH M. HALL still very much independent and shows no address the critical problem of domestic violence. This bill will serve these important pur- OF TEXAS signs of slowing down. Madam Speaker, Congressman BRADY and poses. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I ask those in the chamber and our colleagues Again, I thank the bipartisan coalition of Thursday, July 24, 2008 to join us in wishing a very happy 100th birth- Representatives who have joined me in intro- Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, next day to Mrs. Elyse Johnston. ducing this important legislation. Wednesday, July 30th, will mark the 100th f f birthday of Mrs. Elyse Johnston of DeKalb, TURKISH MILITARY OCCUPATION HOUSING AND ECONOMIC Texas. I am honored to join Congressman IN CYPRUS RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 KEVIN BRADY in recognizing her today and sharing a small part of her life’s story. HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART SPEECH OF Born in Quitman, Texas, to Samuel Jackson HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN Benton and Margaret Florence Jones Benton, OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF RHODE ISLAND Mrs. Johnston has witnessed a tremendous IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES amount of change in her 100 years. When she Thursday, July 24, 2008 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 entered the world, the Wright Brothers had Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. only recently made history in North Carolina, Madam Speaker. I rise today to recognize the Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong and Henry Ford was still a few months away unconscionable 34 years of Turkish military support of the American Housing Rescue and from introducing the world to the Model T. occupation in Cyprus. Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (H.R. One hundred years later, the world is a much On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, 3221). This measure will provide a helping different place. Most of my colleagues will in blatant violation of international law. Nearly hand for those reeling from the mortgage cri- shortly get on a plane holding hundreds of 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly expelled sis. Just as importantly, it will restore con- people to get home for the weekend and will from their homes and approximately 5,000 fidence in our largest mortgage backers, be delivered to the airport through consider- Cypriots were killed. Today, Turkey has Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. able traffic congestion by cars that can hardly 43,000 troops occupying northern Cyprus, and We have all seen how unscrupulous lending be compared to Ford’s cutting edge invention. the European Court of Human Rights has con- practices and skyrocketing interest rates asso- Through her early years of education in demned Turkey in multiple decisions for vio- ciated with nontraditional mortgages have dev- Quitman, the one thing that made Elyse happy lating the basic rights of Cypriots such as the astated families nationwide. Sadly, these fami- was music and playing the piano. This would right to life, the right to liberty and security, the lies are often left with few options other than become her lifelong passion. Starting with the right to respect for family life, the right to the to see their homes foreclosed upon. In Rhode Island, foreclosures have increased by 20 per- First Baptist Church, Elyse played in too many protection of property and the prohibition of in- cent in the last six months, and it is our most revivals to count. Her reputation as a pianist human or degrading treatment. vulnerable communities that have been dis- spread and soon she was being asked to play Cypriots want a unified island and continue proportionately affected. for all the Methodist church revivals as well. to demonstrate their commitment toward a genuine reunification of Cyprus. However, no Fortunately, today we are considering a Because she always loved to dance, she package that will stem the tide of foreclosures claimed to be a ‘‘Baptist with Methodist feet.’’ solution can realistically happen until the Turk- ish troops are withdrawn. by authorizing $300 billion in loan guarantees She was elected a Burleson Beauty while she to establish HOPE for homeowners, a vol- completed her college studies at Burleson Col- I strongly urge Turkey to show a commitment to international law and basic human untary program administered by the Federal lege and prepared to enter the working world Housing Administration (FHA) to help at-risk as a teacher. rights by ending its military occupation and withdrawing its 43,000 troops so that Cyprus borrowers refinance into viable mortgages. I After 2 years of teaching in Pleasant Ridge, want to emphasize that this assistance is not can begin to heal these wounds, peacefully in- she scraped together enough money to pur- a bail-out. On the contrary, the program will tegrate its people and economy and grow to- chase a Ford Roadster and move back to require lenders and mortgage investors to take gether as a nation. Quitman. It was here that she would meet her significant losses in the form of a reduced loan future husband, Bentley Johnston, and where f principal, and borrowers must agree to share they would have their first date on Easter Sun- INTRODUCTION OF THE ‘‘ANIMAL any profit from the resale of a refinanced day. It was clear to Bentley that he had met CRUELTY STATISTICS ACT OF home with the federal government. Further- his bride to be, and he was so distracted that 2008’’ more, only primary residences will be eligible, he skipped on his responsibility of watching not investment properties, vacation homes or the holiday dinner and the family ended up HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. speculators’ purchases. eating a burned roast for Easter. In addition, this package will provide $3.92 OF MICHIGAN After getting married, they moved to DeKalb billion in Community Development Block IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and began farming cotton and soy beans and Grants for local governments to purchase raising cattle. Times were hard during the De- Thursday, July 24, 2008 abandoned and foreclosed properties—a pro- pression, but they managed in part due to the Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I am vision that is fully paid for. I am glad the Presi- large garden and fruit trees that Elyse was pleased to introduce the bipartisan ‘‘Animal dent has finally lifted his misguided veto threat

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.022 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E1560 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2008 over this provision and will not stand in the parency by establishing a nationwide loan HONORING SERGEANT BRIAN STE- way of local governments attempting to reduce originator licensing and registration system VEN LEON GUERRERO, U.S. the number of vacant properties in their com- that will set minimum standards for licensing ARMY munities and invest in affordable housing. and substantially improve oversight of mort- This legislation will also revitalize the FHA, gage brokers and loan officers. Additionally, it HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO which was established to provide a reliable improves disclosure requirements to help en- OF GUAM source of affordable mortgage loans for first- sure that borrowers fully understand their IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES time homebuyers. The lack of affordable hous- mortgage loan terms. ing has long plagued many communities Thursday, July 24, 2008 throughout America, and the problem is par- This legislation is an important and com- Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise ticularly acute in high cost areas like Rhode mon-sense response to the housing crisis and today to honor the life and service of one of Island. Through our efforts today, the FHA will will help stabilize families and our economy. I Guam’s fallen sons, Army National Guards- be able to better assist America’s working thank Chairman FRANK for his leadership, and man Sergeant Brian Steven Leon Guerrero. families by offering loans at affordable rates I urge my colleagues to support this bill. SGT Leon Guerrero, 34, from the village of with fair terms. This legislation will also allow Tamuning, was assigned to the 3rd Platoon, the FHA to raise loan limits in high cost areas f Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry. and to offer zero- and low-down-payment loan He was killed in the line of duty on July 10, options for borrowers that can afford mortgage PERSONAL EXPLANATION 2008 during a deployment in Babo Kehyl, Af- payments, but lack the resources required for ghanistan when his vehicle hit an improvised a down payment. I also strongly support this explosive device. SGT Leon Guerrero’s pass- bill’s creation of a National Affordable Housing HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER ing marks the 27 death of a son from Micro- Trust Fund, which will construct, rehabilitate OF NEW YORK nesia fighting the War on Terror. and preserve 1.5 million housing units over SGT Leon Guerrero was born on October IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the next ten years. 12, 1973. He was known as a committed fam- Above all, this measure will help safeguard Thursday, July 24, 2008 ily man, heading a household of 4 children the interests of the American taxpayer and en- and 2 step children. Fellow citizen soldiers will sure that our nation’s largest mortgage-back- Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I was remember SGT Guerrero for his undying com- ers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, remain unavoidably detained and missed rollcall votes mitment to his country and to Guam. SGT strong. I’m pleased that H.R. 3221 will create 520 and 521. Had I been present, I would Leon Guerrero was a proud member of the a new independent agency—the Federal have voted ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 520 and United States Army and the Guam National Housing Finance Agency, FHFA—to regulate ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 521. Guard. His dedication to our nation and our Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal H.R. 6545, On Motion to Suspend the Rules way of life was embodied by his desire to con- Home Loan Bank System. Fannie Mae and and Pass, rollcall No. 520—‘‘Yea.’’ tinue serving in the Army after 2 tours in the Freddie Mac currently back nearly half of our Horn of Africa. SGT Leon Guerrero was de- nation’s mortgages, and the FHFA will ensure H.R. 6545, To Table the Motion to Recon- sider, rollcall No. 521—‘‘Yea.’’ ployed to Afghanistan at the time of this pass- both entities remain financially strong. The ing. In the true spirit of a citizen soldier, SGT creation of a strong independent regulator for Leon Guerrero answered the repeated call to f our Government Sponsored Enterprises is duty. During SGT Leon Guerrero’s time serv- long overdue. Four years ago I shared Alan TRIBUTE TO BRUCE HERTZKE ing our Nation, his fellow citizen soldiers recall Greenspan’s concerns that the GSE’s were in- his love of music and his expertise in playing volved in risky investments, saying on the the ukulele. He loved his family and friends House Floor: ‘‘It appears as though the in- HON. TOM LATHAM and he will be remembered as a proud father creased risk that GSE’s have been taking on and husband, and a dedicated soldier. is not related to their primary operation of pur- OF IOWA I offer my deepest sympathies and prayers chasing affordable housing loans in the sec- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to his wife, Emely, their children Karl, Brian, ondary market. Rather, much of their risk Karian, and Jude, his stepchildren Julian and comes from derivative investments in an effort Thursday, July 24, 2008 Maely, his parents, Mr. Pedro DLG, Ms. to maximize profits for shareholders. As we Rosita Pangelinan and Mr. Gil Lujan, and to Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to rec- learned from Enron, complex derivative the many family and friends that have joined ognize the retirement of Winnebago Industries schemes may boost profits in the short-term, together to honor his life. but the long-run risks can be too difficult to Chief Executive Bruce Hertzke, and to express God bless the Leon Guerrero Family, God manage.’’ While I regret that it took far too my appreciation for his dedication and commit- bless our uniformed men and women pro- long for this problem to be taken seriously, I ment to his company and employees. tecting our freedoms, God bless Guam, and believe we are taking the proper action today. For over 36 years, Bruce dedicated his time God bless our country, the United States of This measure will also provide temporary, and talents to Winnebago Industries. A native America. emergency authority through the end of 2009 of Lakota, Iowa, Bruce graduated with an as- f to the Treasury Department to purchase stock sociate degree in accounting and business in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to provide management from Iowa Lakes Community INTRODUCTION OF THE JAMES stability to our financial markets, prevent dis- College. He began as a line worker at Winne- ZADROGA 9/11 HEALTH AND COM- ruptions in the availability of mortgage fi- bago in 1971, and for the past 10 years, he PENSATION ACT nances, and protect taxpayers. While many, served as the chief executive and chairman of including the Congressional Budget Office, one of the industry’s largest and most suc- HON. JERROLD NADLER CBO, predict this authority may never be cessful RV manufacturing firms. With his many OF NEW YORK used, it is necessary to ensure a last-resort years of service to the company, Bruce pro- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES federal guarantee for our largest mortgage vided a wealth of knowledge and experience Thursday, July 24, 2008 backers. to the RV industry. Bruce leaves Winnebago The American Rescue and Foreclosure Pre- Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, today, I Industries, which celebrated its 50th Anniver- vention Act also includes several key tax in- joined Rep. CAROLYN MALONEY and my col- sary on February 12, 2008, in strong financial centives designed to spur home buying and leagues from New York in introducing a re- standing, providing a source of economic put money back in the hands of home owners. vised version of the James Zadroga 9/11 strength and security for the surrounding com- This legislation creates a $7,500 credit for Health and Compensation Act. munity. first-time homebuyers, designed to serve as Working closely with the AFL–CIO, the City an interest-free loan to be paid back after fif- I know that my colleagues in the United of New York, the local community, the House teen years. H.R. 3221 will also provide tax- States Congress join me in commending Leadership, and the Committees of jurisdiction payers that claim the standard deduction with Bruce Hertzke for his service to Winnebago we have revised the bill to reduce the overall an additional property tax deduction of up to Industries and the employees he served. I cost of the bill while ensuring that it will pro- $500 for single filers and $1,000 for joint filers. consider it an honor to represent Bruce in vide a comprehensive, long term solution to Finally, the bill before us will combat unscru- Congress, and I wish him and his wife, Jan, a problems faced by first responders, area resi- pulous lending practices and increase trans- long, happy and healthy retirement. dents, workers, students, and others in the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.026 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1561 aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist stant terror on the brink of starvation. In into one of the world’s most ‘‘civilized’’ soci- attacks on the World Trade Center. fall 1944, sixteen-year-old Elie Wiesel strug- eties could become genocidal automatons, so I am pleased that we are making progress gled to maintain his humanity in the Ausch- could we. witz III-Monowitz labor camp as he subsisted However, the Holocaust also reminds us of on this legislation, and I appreciate all of the on meager rations, endured arbitrary beat- humanity’s tremendous capacity for good. work that has gone into the bill by all of the ings, and watched his father’s health deterio- Varian Fry was a normal newspaper editor parties involved. I particularly want to thank rate. (Wiesel, 66–78) After the Red Army took before the war, but confronted with evil, he Speaker PELOSI and the Democratic Leader- Warsaw in January 1945 and its resumed race became a hero, rising above the anti-Semitic ship for helping to coordinate and focus our to Berlin, the S.S. force marched Wiesel, his conditioning of his high school years and efforts. I am aware that more work remains to father, and 66,000 other prisoners to Gliwice risking his life to act ‘‘beyond himself.’’ further refine the bill, but we are well on our (Gleiwitz), Poland, where they were herded (Isenberg, ix.) And Elie Wiesel’s commitment way to finalizing an excellent piece of legisla- into cattle cars and taken to the Buchenwald to raising awareness of humanitarian camp. (Wiesel 82) Shortly thereafter, issues—a commitment forged as a direct re- tion that will help thousands of victims of the Wiesel’s father—whom Elie believed was his sult of the Holocaust—is equally heroic, al- September 11 attacks. I am hopeful that Con- last living relative—died. When liberation fi- though it is impossible to calculate how gress will be able to act swiftly to move this nally came a few months later, Wiesel found many lives he has saved. While the Holo- bill by the seventh anniversary of the attacks, himself utterly alone, his family, his posses- caust is generally seen as a grim reflection and that the bill will be signed into law before sions, and his faith incinerated by Nazi ha- on humanity, we must remember it also as a the end of this Congress. tred. He had one thing left: a choice. How reminder that ordinary individuals can would he respond to his horrific experience? choose to rise above any evil. f Would he despair and bury his ordeal as soci- Examining Wiesel’s and Fry’s experiences HONORING BENJAMIN DYE ety tried to forget its nightmarish past? Or and choices, we see that we too have a pro- would he hope, remember, and speak out? found choice to make. We can choose the Wiesel chose the latter. As he recalls in the path of least resistance, or we can follow HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH preface to the new translation of Night, in Elie Wiesel in rejecting despair and Varian OF CALIFORNIA postwar Europe, ‘‘[t]he subject [of the Holo- Fry in rejecting indifference, and in doing so IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES caust] was considered morbid and interested empower ourselves to combat prejudice, dis- no one’’; even in the Jewish community, crimination, and violence today’s world. In Thursday, July 24, 2008 ‘‘. . . there were always people ready to com- order to make a difference, however, not ev- Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise plain that it was senseless to ‘burden our eryone needs to be a Wiesel or Fry. In the today to congratulate and express my pride in children with the tragedies of the Jewish long term, the subtle choices we make to past.’’’ (Wiesel xiv.) Nonetheless, he chose to fight indifference and despair within our im- Mr. Benjamin Dye for winning first place in the bear witness, concluding that ‘‘. . . having 2008 Holocaust Remembrance Project essay mediate communities are crucial in ensuring lived through this experience, one could not that ‘‘never again’’ is not an empty promise. contest with his essay, ‘‘Choices.’’ I invite my keep silent no matter how difficult, if not We must, of course, stand up against modern colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Dye suc- impossible, it was to speak’’ (Wiesel x.) And day atrocities like the genocide in Darfur, cess in his future endeavors. he spoke of his ordeal without succumbing to but for deeper change, we must work in our Mr. Dye resides in Modesto, California and despair; as he noted 41 years later in his everyday lives, doing what is right before is a recent graduate from The Hotchkiss Nobel lecture, ‘‘Because I remember, I de- crisis strikes. School in Lakeville, Connecticut. As a high spair. Because I remember, I have the duty A final example demonstrates the power of school student, Mr. Dye was an involved and to reject despair.’’ (Wiesel (2)) The con- this focus. John Loeb, after witnessing the sequences of his choice have been far-reach- passionate young man who excelled in many callous anti-Semitism that night in 1944 at ing; by calling attention to the Holocaust his and Varian Fry’s alma mater, ultimately activities, but above all, committed himself to Wiesel has likely done more than any other became the United States Ambassador to academic excellence. individual to promise the children of tomor- Denmark and a delegate to the United Na- In the award-winning essay, ‘‘Choices,’’ row that ‘‘his past [will not] become their fu- tions. Despite his high profile work for which is printed below, Mr. Dye discusses the ture.’’ (Wiesel xv.) peace, Loeb never forgot the seeds of hatred Holocaust and its effect on three individuals, Five years before Wiesel’s liberation, and indifference sowed that Saturday in the author and Holocaust victim Elie Wiesel, Varian Fry arrived in France, 14 years after auditorium. So in 1993, he subtly helped up- leaving the aforementioned school. He had root them by establishing the John L. Loeb newspaper editor-cum-rescue organizer Varian been sent to Marseille by the Emergency Fry, and a young Jewish man who would be- Jr. prize, awarded annually at his former Rescue Committee (ERC), a private Amer- school for the best essay on tolerance and come the (former) United States Ambassador ican organization established in 1940 to se- mutual respect. We will never know how to Denmark, John Loeb. cretly evacuate 200 intellectuals sought by much bigotry Loeb’s action prevented, but This fall, Mr. Dye will begin a new chapter the Nazis. Immediately upon arrival, Fry re- quiet aggregation of such contributions of his academic career as an honors student alized that there were many more than 200 brings about immense change to places like at University of California at Irvine. He will people in imminent danger. Like Wiesel, Fry the Nazi-applauding prep school—change evi- study political science and economics, in prep- had a choice to make. dent to me as a current student at this insti- As Elie Wiesel rejected despair, Varian Fry aration for his goal of one day continuing his tution. I recently participated in a school rejected indifference. His original mission sponsored trip to Poland, touring the camp education in law school. called for three weeks in Marseille, but he Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend where Wiesel thought his life would end and chose to stay as long as possible saving as seeing ruins of the crematoria that had and congratulate Benjamin Dye for winning many as possible. With only $3000 from the turned his mother and sisters to ash. A few the Holocaust Remembrance Project essay ERC and no clandestine operations training, weeks later, I saw Wiesel in person as he ad- contest. I invite my colleagues to join me in Fry set up a latter-day underground rail- dressed the student body that 60 years ear- wishing Mr. Dye continued success. road, helping Jews and dissidents intellec- lier would have cheered his death, but which tuals escape into Spain, on to Portugal, and CHOICES now empathized deeply with his suffering. by boat to the U.S. By the time the Gestapo (By Benjamin Dye) expelled Fry in September, 1941, his choice f One Saturday night in fall 1944, a crowd of had saved nearly 4000 lives. HONORING SERGEANT SAMSON boys packed into the auditorium of their Wiesel’s and Fry’s stories show that we AUGUSTO MORA, U.S. ARMY boarding school for the weekly movie, pre- must remember the Holocaust above all for ceded as usual by a newsreel. But this week’s its lessons about human nature. While we footage was not just another montage of Al- may know that the Nazis killed 6 million HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO lied victories; tonight, it contained some of Jews, accounts like Wiesel’s Night person- OF GUAM the first publicly-released photos of the Hol- alize and sharpen this statistic. And though IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ocaust, taken by Soviet soldiers liberating putting individual faces on the victims helps the Majdanek concentration camp. Tonight, us emphasize with victims of current crimes Thursday, July 24, 2008 the boys saw heaps of skulls, rows of geno- against humanity, it is perhaps even more Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise cidal crematoria, and processions of emaci- important to humanize the perpetrators. It today to honor the bravery and service of ated survivors. How did they react? John L. is easy to think of the Holocaust as a Army National Guardsman Sergeant Samson Loeb, Jr., one of the few Jewish students uniquely terrible deed committed by Augusto Mora. SGT Mora, from the village of ‘‘them’’—ruthless incarnations of evil, with present, remembers with painful clarity: Dededo, was assigned to the 3rd Platoon, ‘‘[i]t’s hard to believe, but when they first sinister black uniforms and totenko¨ pfe on showed those terrible pictures, the entire their caps—but if we are to avert the Holo- Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry, school cheered. ’’’ (Kolowrat, 265) causts of the future, we must remember that deployed to Babo Kehyl, Afghanistan. He was As these teenagers cheered, another teen- the men responsible for the slaughter were killed in action when his vehicle hit an impro- ager thousands of miles away lived in con- once as human as their victims. If men born vised explosive device on July 10, 2008. He

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.029 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E1562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2008 was twenty-eight. SGT Mora is Micronesia’s the oldest GEAR UP Programs in the nation. As you know, the Federal Government’s re- twenty-eighth loss during the War on Terror. Since Oklahoma has one of the strongest lationship with Indian tribes over the first cou- SGT Mora, born August 13, 1979 to Abra- GEAR UP programs in the country, other edu- ple hundred years of our history was tragic. ham and Angelina Mora, lived a life of honor cators from other states regularly visit Okla- Continually, it was the policy of the Federal and respect. Known to his friends and family homa to learn about new and innovative ways Government to not only exclude Indians from as ‘‘Sam’’ or ‘‘Champion,’’ SGT Mora is re- to implement the program. So far, the efforts American society through broken treaties, but membered for his devotion to those he loved, have served over 31,000 students throughout also to completely eradicate their culture. It and for his dedication and commitment to his the state. would be nothing short of a tragedy for this fellow soldiers. He also demonstrated exem- Madam Speaker, as a result of GEAR UP, Congress to carry on that policy. plary bravery during a recent conflict in Af- participation in Postsecondary Education has During the early 19th century, the Cherokee ghanistan. During an ambush SGT Mora increased 10 percent over the last 10 years did hold slaves, like thousands of other indi- risked his life alongside others in the Com- overall in the state, and there has been a dra- viduals throughout America at the time. Of pany to bring an injured soldier back to safety matic increase in participation by minority stu- course, there is no justification for such a bar- while under enemy fire. dents. The number of African American stu- baric practice. When the U.S. Government I join our community in mourning the loss of dents going to college in Oklahoma is up 41 forced the tribe to relocate on the Trail of SGT Mora, and I offer my condolences to his percent, Native Americans attending college Tears, to Oklahoma in the 1830s, many slaves parents, Abraham and Angelina; his brothers, has increased 55 percent, and the number of accompanied the Cherokees on this journey. Army Reserve Major Michael Mora and Air Hispanic students attending college is up 80 After the Civil War, though the Government Force Reserve Master Sergeant Abraham percent! These figures are just amazing. did not sign any official treaties with the Con- Mora, Jr.; his sister, Katherine M. Aquino, and Also, fewer students in Oklahoma are taking federacy, the Federal Government did sign a his fiance´e Rosanna Castro. SGT Mora remedial courses during their first year of col- Treaty with the Cherokee Nation. The Treaty of 1866 states that all the Freedmen and their served with honor and distinction, like the lege. In fact, Oklahoma has one of the lowest descendants should retain the rights of Native many sons of Guam who served before him remediation rates in the nation. The GEAR UP Cherokees. At no point did this treaty use ‘‘citi- and gave their lives in defense of our country. Program has also significantly increased the zenship’’ as the fulfillment of that provision. He lost his life answering the call to duty of number of students enrolled in Oklahoma’s However, the important point is that the our nation, fighting in Afghanistan in order to Promise scholarship program which targeted Cherokees honored this treaty and even ex- help make the United States more secure. For at low income students. Participation in the ceeded the terms by amending their Constitu- his sacrifice on our behalf, we will always be scholarship program is up 50 percent since tion of 1866 to grant Freedmen, members of eternally grateful. 2005. other tribes and inter-married whites tribal citi- God bless the family and friends of Ser- In addition to the overall state grant, Okla- zenship. The Cherokee have not failed to geant Samson Augusto Mora, God bless our homa’s universities and local school districts keep their part of the bargain. uniformed men and women protecting our have 8 GEAR UP partnership grants. These Even so, Mr. Speaker, this 1866 treaty, freedoms, God bless Guam, and God bless partnership grants serve local school districts which my colleague from Massachusetts in- our country, the United States of America. and have over $10 million in funding annually sists the Cherokee have broken, was actually f from a combination of state and federal dollars broken by the United States several times. For that will go towards Oklahoma’s educational example, the Curtis Act of 1898, The Five EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR system. NATIONAL GEAR UP DAY Tribes Act, The Dawes Act, and the Enabling Madam Speaker, one of these partnership Act of the State of Oklahoma all violated the schools, Eastern Oklahoma State College, SPEECH OF Federal Government’s side of the Treaty of hosted a summer camp for students enrolled 1866. More significantly, however, this Treaty HON. TOM COLE in the program. The camp is designed to es- was once again rendered moot, in 1902 when OF OKLAHOMA tablish a positive direction for the students’ fu- Congress passed a law that fully changed the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ture and encourage them to make positive de- nature of tribal citizenship in its entirety and Tuesday, July 22, 2008 cisions. Recently, our office received literally eliminated tribal citizenship across the board. hundreds of letters from Middle and early High Furthermore, the Dawes Commission, which Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I School students detailing their experiences was assigned to change tribal land into Indian rise today to speak on behalf of the resolution with the GEAR UP summer camp. These low- allotment land removed the Freedmen from honoring The Gaining Early Awareness and income youth all detailed that they fully en- the Cherokee, but still gave them separate al- Readiness for Undergraduate Program. I joyed the programs that GEAR UP guided and lotment land. would also like to thank Mr. FATTAH for intro- that some are now considering college a an When the Cherokee Nation decided to reducing this bill. He has been a wonderful adoption. The vast majority of these letters said constitute itself in 1975, it did so with a new vocate for the GEAR UP program. that the students would participate again and Constitution and a new vision to return to its Madam Speaker, The Gaining Early Aware- hope to continue GEAR UP through high roots—a family of descendants of Indians. The ness and Readiness for Undergraduate Pro- school. Cherokee could make this decision because gram (GEAR UP) is designed to increase the The results of GEAR UP are clear. This pro- they were unconstrained by the Article IX obli- number of low income students who are pre- gram has helped thousands of students reach gation of the past. It was now up to the Chero- pared to enter and succeed in postsecondary college over the last ten years, and I urge my kees to begin an era of Federal policy that education. Over the last ten years, this pro- colleagues to vote for this resolution com- promoted self-determination under the leader- gram has met with unprecedented success. mending its marked success. ship of President Richard Nixon. As we all know, postsecondary education con- f Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, the courts have tributes to the well-being of individuals and continually recognized that one of an Indian their communities and helps to build a more MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES tribe’s most basic powers is the authority to vibrant, open-minded and stronger society. ON S. 2062, NATIVE AMERICAN determine its own citizenship, for they are The GEAR UP staff members work with stu- HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND independent political authorities. That being dents to help them create personal accounts SELF-DETERMINATION REAU- said, the Cherokee have one of the smallest that allow them to explore colleges and ca- THORIZATION ACT OF 2007 blood quantum requirements in Indian Coun- reers, discover ways to plan and pay for col- try. To be a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, an lege, and apply for colleges online. Even more SPEECH OF individual has to simply prove that they have significantly, students participating in GEAR HON. TOM COLE only one Indian ancestor on the Dawes Rolls UP programs have a high school graduation OF OKLAHOMA of 1906. To that end, the Cherokees are one rate almost ten points above other low-income IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the most racially diverse tribes in the Na- students who are not in the program. tion, with thousands of African-American mem- While the GEAR UP program across the na- Thursday, July 17, 2008 bers. Because of the pending court litigation, tion has met with tremendous achievement, I Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, while the Cherokee have allowed the Freedmen to would like to draw attention to my home state I appreciate the remarks of my colleague from retain the benefits of tribal membership and of Oklahoma which has been one of the front Massachusetts, as the only Native American have even hired genealogists to assist this runners in GEAR UP programs. Oklahoma currently serving in this Congress, I would like group in finding an ancestor on the Dawes began this program in 1999, making it one of to clarify a few of his assertions. Rolls.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.031 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1563 Mr. Speaker, it disturbs me that some in this gage loan for compensation or gain.’’ Accord- THE DAILY 45: A FAMILY’S HOUS- Congress would accuse this tribe of breaking ing to some analysts, this definition is so ING CRISIS ENDS WITH A GUN a treaty that was made long before the Fed- broad as to cover part-time clerks and real es- eral Government eliminated the Cherokees as tate agents who receive even minimal com- HON. BOBBY L. RUSH a tribe altogether. Their story, like most tribes pensation from ‘‘originators.’’ Additionally, this OF ILLINOIS throughout the Nation, is one of astonishing database forced on industry will be funded by IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES perseverance and determination. To limit Fed- fees paid to the Federal banking agencies, yet Thursday, July 24, 2008 eral funding on the grounds that the Chero- another costly burden to the American tax- kees have supposedly broken a treaty that Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, the Depart- was in fact abrogated by official Government payers. ment of Justice tells us that, everyday, 45 policy is absolute ridiculous. Congress should Among the information that will be collected people, on average, are fatally shot in the allow this issue to be settled in tribal and Fed- from loan originators for inclusion in the Fed- United States. While most of the gun violence eral court. It should not impose opinions on eral database are fingerprints. Madam Speak- stems from crime, far too often a loaded the Cherokee Nation. To do so violates tribal er, giving the Federal Government the power weapon in the hands of an emotionally dis- traught individual leads to tragedy. sovereignty, ignores history, and misuses and to force Americans who wish to work in real abuses legislative authority. The Cherokees Such was the case, two days ago, when the estate to submit their fingerprints to a Federal economic impact of the nation’s housing crisis have not broken their treaties with the United database opens the door to numerous abuses States. It is the United States that has consist- took a toll on a Massachusetts family. In a of privacy and civil liberties and establishes a ently violated its treaties with the Cherokee moment of despair, 53-year-old Carlene Nation. dangerous precedent. Fingerprint databases Balderrama took her life with a gun on the day and background checks have been no deter- f that her mortgage company was set to sell her rent to espionage and fraud among govern- foreclosed home. HOUSING AND ECONOMIC mental agencies, and will likewise fail to pre- Balderrama was a wife and mother of a RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 vent fraud in the real estate market. I am young son whose desperation found relief at amazed to see some members who are usu- the end of the barrel of a gun. Her suicide SPEECH OF ally outspoken advocates of civil liberties and shocked the small, quiet town of Taunton, a HON. RON PAUL defenders of the fourth amendment support community with origins that stem from the birth of our nation. In a tragic twist, before she OF TEXAS this new threat to privacy. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES killed herself, Mrs. Balderrama faxed a note to Finally, H.R. 3221 increases the Federal her mortgage company saying, ‘‘By the time Wednesday, July 23, 2008 debt limit by $800 billion. We are told that you foreclose on my house, I’ll be dead.’’ Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, for several years, CBO has scored this bill at a cost of $25 bil- While any number of intervening forces could followers of the Austrian school of economics lion, but this debt limit increase belies that. have made a difference, in an instant, a gun have warned that unless Congress moved to The Federal Reserve has already propped up took away those options. My heart goes out to end the implicit Government guarantee of the housing and financial markets to the tune her family and her community on their loss. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and took other of over $300 billion, and this raise of the debt Americans of conscience must come to- steps to disengage the U.S. Government from limit indicates that the cost of this newest bail- gether to stop the senseless death of ‘‘The the housing market, America would face a cri- Daily 45.’’ When will we say ‘‘enough is out will likely be even more costly. I am dis- sis in housing. This crisis would force Con- enough, stop the killing!’’ mayed that my colleagues have not learned gress to chose between authorizing a taxpayer f bailout of Fannie and Freddie, and other the lessons of the PATRIOT Act and Sar- measures increasing Government’s involve- banes-Oxley. Massive bills passed in knee- PERSONAL EXPLANATION ment in housing, or restoring a free market in jerk reaction to crisis events will always be housing by ending Government support for poorly written, burdensome and expensive to HON. RON KIND Fannie and Freddie and repealing all laws that taxpayers, and destructive of liberty. OF WISCONSIN interfere in housing. The bursting of the hous- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing bubble, and the recent near-collapse in in- f Thursday, July 24, 2008 vestor support for Fannie and Freddie has Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I was unable to proven my fellow Austrians correct. Unfortu- HONORING NATHAN TIPTON have my vote recorded on roll No. 515 on nately, but not surprisingly, instead of ending Wednesday, July 23, 2008. Had I been the prior interventions in the housing market present, I would have voted against the mo- that are responsible for the current crisis, Con- HON. SAM GRAVES tion to adjourn. gress is increasing the level of Government OF MISSOURI intervention in the housing market. This is the f equivalent of giving a drug addict another fix, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONORING THE MEMORY OF DOUG which will only make the necessary withdrawal Thursday, July 24, 2008 BISHOP more painful. The provision giving the Treasury Secretary Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly HON. DAVID DAVIS a blank check to purchase Fannie and Freddie pause to recognize Nathan Tipton of Blue OF TENNESSEE stock not only makes the implicit Government Springs, Missouri. Nathan is a very special IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES guarantee of Fannie and Freddie explicit, it young man who has exemplified the finest represents another unconstitutional delegation Thursday July 24, 2008 qualities of citizenship and leadership by tak- of Congress’ constitutional authority to control ing an active part in the Boy Scouts of Amer- Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam the allocation of taxpayer dollars. While the Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory ica, Troop 1058, and earning the most pres- Treasury Secretary has to file a report with and life of Sevierville City Administrator Doug tigious award of Eagle Scout. Congress, the lack of any effective standards Bishop, a true asset to the First Congressional for the expenditure of funds makes it impos- Nathan has been very active with his troop, District of Tennessee, who passed away Sat- sible for Congress to perform effective over- participating in many scout activities. Over the urday, July 19, 2008. sight on Treasury’s expenditures. many years Nathan has been involved with Doug Bishop lived a life of service, entrepre- H.R. 3221 also takes another troubling step scouting, he has not only earned numerous neurship, and was known by all for his love toward the creation of surveillance state by merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- and compassion to his wife Jane and their two creating a Nationwide Mortgage Licensing ily, peers, and community. daughters. System and Registry. This Federal database A great community leader, Doug Bishop will contain personal information about anyone Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join served on numerous boards and committees wishing to work as a ‘‘loan originator.’’ ‘‘Loan me in commending Nathan Tipton for his ac- and was honored as City Manager of the year originator’’ is defined broadly as anyone who complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- by Tennessee City Managers Association. ‘‘takes a residential loan application; and of- ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the His tireless work ethic, intelligence and dedi- fers or negotiates terms of a residential mort- highest distinction of Eagle Scout. cation showed through his work for Sevierville.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.033 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E1564 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2008 Under Bishop’s tenure as Sevierville City Ad- Silas has been very active with his troop, closure when a soldier returns, and increasing ministrator, he brought an events center and participating in many scout activities. Over the benefits to adapt the homes of veterans with key infrastructure like water plants, fire sta- many years Silas has been involved with service-related disabilities. tions and sewer systems. scouting, he has not only earned numerous H.R. 3221 also responds to the financial cri- Doug’s values and characteristics embody merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- sis facing Government Sponsored Enterprises that of a true Tennessee Volunteer. When at- ily, peers, and community. or GSEs by giving the Secretary of the Treas- tending college during the Vietnam War, he Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join ury the authority to buy stock in those compa- left to join the Air Force where he served in me in commending Silas Nyrick for his accom- nies to restore confidence in the financial and Vietnam and Thailand. plishments with the Boy Scouts of America housing market and ensure the safe and Doug Bishop’s service to the United States, and for his efforts put forth in achieving the sound operation of these enterprises. These Tennessee, and Sevierville should not go un- highest distinction of Eagle Scout. GSEs are central to the housing market and noticed. f the economy as a whole, as they are the larg- Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join est sources of mortgage finance in the United me today in honoring the life of Doug Bishop HOUSING AND ECONOMIC States—buying more than two-thirds of new and offering our sympathies to his family and RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 mortgages in the first three months of 2008. friends. He was a dedicated member of the While recognizing this necessity, this legisla- SPEECH OF community who loved his family to no end. His tion will also protect taxpayers by requiring service to the City of Sevierville is greatly HON. BETTY McCOLLUM that taxpayers are paid back before share- treasured and he will be deeply missed. OF MINNESOTA holders, adding restrictions on executive com- f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pensation, and strengthening oversight by put- PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE COMMON Wednesday, July 23, 2008 ting an independent new regulator in charge. GOALS OF PEACE, DEMOCRACY, These measures will help safeguard the inter- Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speak- ests of the American taxpayer and ensure the AND JUSTICE BETWEEN CYPRUS er, I rise today in strong support of the Amer- AND THE UNITED STATES availability of affordable home loans, while ican Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Preven- also strengthening the regulation of Fannie tion Act, H.R. 3221, and to congratulate Chair- Mae and Freddie Mac and raising the GSE HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY man FRANK and Speaker PELOSI for their quick loan limit. OF NEW YORK action to help American families. Our priority as a community must be to get IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The dream of homeownership has become the economy moving, provide opportunities to Thursday, July 24, 2008 a nightmare for too many people in our coun- succeed, and to restore the United States as try. Nationally, between 7,000 and 8,000 peo- Mr. HINCHEY. Madam Speaker, Cyprus a global leader. H.R. 3221 is a comprehensive ple a day are filing for foreclosure, and esti- and the U.S. share a deep and long-lasting response and will make a real difference for mates show that over 28,000 Minnesotans will commitment to upholding the ideals of free- families and communities. And ending the lose their homes to foreclosure in 2008. Fore- dom, democracy, justice, human rights, and foreclosure crisis—ensuring that families have closures hurt our families, neighborhoods, and the international rule of law. The international access to safe and stable housing—is vital to communities. I saw the impact of the fore- community has an obligation to stand with the recovery of the American economy. closure crisis firsthand when visiting the east Cypriots to reunify their island and take the We need this legislation to get this country side neighborhoods in St. Paul who are hit necessary steps towards reconciliation and back on the right track. I urge my colleagues hardest by this crisis. Foreclosures result in peace. to support this legislation and move our hous- lost tax revenue for local governments, re- The 34th commemoration of the Turkish in- ing policy in a new direction. duced property values for neighbors, and can vasion of Cyprus reminds us to recognize f often contribute to criminal activity. those who lost their lives in the invasion and Congress must act to protect families and REMEMBERING THE FALL OF to condemn the ongoing Turkish occupation. neighborhoods from a further expansion of this ZEPA—ONE OF SIX U.N. DE- The solution of the Cyprus problem must be crisis, which is why I strongly support H.R. CLARED ‘‘SAFE HAVENS’’ IN based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal 3221. This legislation is a comprehensive re- BOSNIA State of Cyprus with a single sovereign entity sponse that will help families facing fore- and a single citizenship. This arrangement closure keep their homes, help other families must comprise of two politically equal commu- HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH avoid foreclosures in the future, and help com- nities, as described by the relevant UN Secu- OF NEW JERSEY munities harmed by empty homes in the fore- rity Council Resolutions, and protect the inde- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES closure process. pendence and territorial integrity of the nation. Specifically, H.R. 3221 expands a Federal Thursday, July 24, 2008 It must reunite the island, its people, its institu- Housing Administration program to allow bor- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, tions and its economy. rowers in danger of losing their home to refi- on July 25, 1995, Zepa, one of the six ‘‘safe The Republic of Cyprus has a long history nance into lower-cost Government-insured havens’’ that the U.N. declared during the of working cooperatively with the United mortgages they can afford to repay. This vol- 1992–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, States on issues of international concern and untary program is not a bailout. Mortgage in- fell to the Army of Republika Srpska. This it is my belief that the United States Govern- vestors must take significant losses by reduc- happened 2 weeks after U.N. forces aban- ment, including Congress, should work to con- ing the loan principal, borrowers must share doned the Srebrenica ‘‘safe haven’’ to the tinue and expand that relationship and work any profit from the resale of the home, and same force, which committed genocide by kill- towards a united, peaceful, and prosperous only primary residences are eligible. In addi- ing 8,000 Bosniak men and boys, and raping Cyprus. tion, this bill provides $4 billion in emergency an unknown number of Bosniak women. f assistance, CDBG Funds, to communities hit Madam Speaker, before the war Zepa was HONORING SILAS NYRICK hardest by the foreclosure and sub prime cri- a village of great natural beauty. Three thou- sis to purchase, rent, or rehabilitate vacant sand people lived there, and 750 children at- HON. SAM GRAVES foreclosed homes with the goal of occupying tended its primary school. Today the village is OF MISSOURI them as soon as possible a standing reminder of the evil history of eth- This bill provides new tax incentives to in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nic cleansing: only about 500 returnees live crease home buying, which will not only help there and most of them are unemployed. Thursday, July 24, 2008 families build wealth, but could also create On July 11th of this year hundreds of dip- Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly jobs in our communities. For those who can- lomats and members of the international com- pause to recognize Silas Nyrick of Blue not buy a home, H.R. 3221 creates a new munity joined thousands of Bosnian mourners Springs, Missouri. Silas is a very special Housing Trust Fund to increase the Nation’s and elected officials to mark the 13th anniver- young man who has exemplified the finest stock of affordable rental housing at no cost to sary of the fall of Srebrenica. Madam Speaker, qualities of citizenship and leadership by tak- the taxpayer. The legislation protects veterans tomorrow let us mark July 25th with the same ing an active part in the Boy Scouts of Amer- and returning soldiers from foreclosure by in- solemnity and remember the victims of Zepa. ica, Troop 1605, and earning the most pres- creasing the VA loan limit, lengthening the Let us share the painful memories of the hor- tigious award of Eagle Scout. time a lender must wait before starting fore- ror that befell the village 13 years ago and let

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K24JY8.016 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1565 us never forget that only justice and demo- I urge my colleagues to support this legisla- the options they had for their developmentally cratic governance will lead to a stable and tion. disabled children: virtual isolation in an inde- prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. f pendent living situation, or institutionalization. f They concluded that there had to be a better IN HONOR OF ANNETTE MORMAN way; that people with developmental disabil- INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 6525, THE ities could have a comfortable home that al- AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVIC HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. lowed them social interaction and the same ACHIEVEMENT ACT OF GEORGIA quality of life as their non-handicapped peers IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES while still meeting their care needs. HON. BETTY McCOLLUM Thursday, July 24, 2008 The fruit of their ingenuity and compassion OF MINNESOTA is Vine Village in Napa, California. Today at Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Vine Village, 19 developmentally disabled rise today to honor Annette Morman, a mem- adults live full-time on a beautiful 25 acre Thursday, July 24, 2008 ber of the Georgia Municipal Association, the ranch in the Cameros region amongst the ani- Mitchell County Hospital Authority, and a cit- Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam mals and vineyards. They also maintain a day izen of the Second Congressional District of Speaker, last week I introduced the American arts and recreation program that can be at- Georgia, which I am privileged to represent. History and Civic Achievement Act to renew tended by any developmentally disabled per- Annette Morman is a native of Baconton, our national commitment to teaching history son in the community. Georgia. She attended Dent-Reynolds Ele- and civics in America’s schools. This legisla- The Kerson family remains the main bene- mentary School and graduated from Camilla tion is a companion to S. 1414, a bill authored factors of Vine Village. Grace and George’s Consolidated High School in 1966. She then by Senators KENNEDY and ALEXANDER, and it son, Michael and his wife, Nancy have di- furthered her education by attending both the will help ensure that our schools maintain their rected Vine Village since 1973, and their Albany Technical College and Albany State important civic role in creating the next gen- daughter, Saanen, joined the staff in 2007. University. eration of engaged and informed citizens. Debbie Kerson remains a resident. Social studies education is a vital mission of Ms. Morman is a very dedicated woman in Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this our public schools. With our rapidly changing many aspects of her life. She helps the chil- time that we thank the Kerson family and ev- world and all the challenges we must face as dren of her community through her job as a eryone at Vine Village for the remarkable work an international community, it is more impor- caseworker for the Mitchell County Depart- they have done for our community. Only tant than ever that children grasp basic con- ment of Family and Children Services. For 34 through the hard work and generous contribu- cepts about history, civics, geography and ec- years, she has guaranteed children in the area tions of countless members of our community onomics. These core disciplines help students are protected and receive proper care. She has this program thrived for the past 35 years, understand the world today and give them the truly epitomizes the motto, ‘‘no child left be- and I know that we will see much more ability to think about possibilities for making hind.’’ progress in the years to come. In addition to her service to children things better tomorrow. f It is alarming that studies indicate that too throughout the county, Ms. Morman leads her many students do not know history and geog- community through civic involvement. She has HONORING NEAL THOMAS raphy or understand basic facts about govern- served on the Baconton City Council for 14 ment and economics. According to the most years in the same seat that her father, James HON. SAM GRAVES recent National Assessment of Education Pro- E. Morman, once held. While on the council, OF MISSOURI grams (NAEP) for U.S. History and Civics, she has served on the Recreation Committee, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Budget Committee, and Chaired the Grand nearly 75 percent of eighth graders cannot ex- Thursday, July 24, 2008 plain the historical importance of the Declara- Opening Dedication of the Jackson Davis tion of Independence. Even more eighth grad- House. Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly ers do not know why America was involved in Ms. Morman also serves on the Workforce pause to recognize Neal Thomas of Blue the Korean War or how the fall of the Berlin Investment Board, the Mitchell County Demo- Springs, Missouri. Neal is a very special Wall affected U.S. foreign policy. cratic Executive Committee, and the Mitchell young man who has exemplified the finest These trends threaten the future vitality of County School Board Facility Committee. Ms. qualities of citizenship and leadership by tak- our democracy. While we are making some Morman is also a devoted member of St. ing an active part in the Boy Scouts of Amer- progress thanks to the hard work of many his- James Missionary Baptist Church, where she ica, Troop 1696, and earning the most pres- tory and civics teachers in classrooms across has served in numerous capacities. tigious award of Eagle Scout. America, we must do more. Additionally, Ms. Morman is the loving mother of two chil- Neal has been very active with his troop, underfunding is prompting many school dis- dren: Olivia Dionne Morman and Dexter participating in many scout activities. Over the tricts to cut resources for social studies in- Dwayne Morman and the proud grandmother many years Neal has been involved with struction. of five grandchildren. scouting, he has not only earned numerous H.R. 6525 takes important steps to improve Madam Speaker I am so pleased to honor merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- social studies education by making changes to this great woman who not only exemplifies the ily, peers, and community. the National Assessment of Education Pro- qualities of a dedicated activist for children, Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join grams (NAEP). This continuing assessment, the community, and the church, but also epito- me in commending Neal Thomas for his ac- also known as ‘‘The Nation’s Report Card,’’ mizes everything great about the United complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- can currently evaluate social studies sub- States of America. ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the jects—but only ‘‘to the extent time and re- f highest distinction of Eagle Scout. sources allow.’’ While social studies testing is HONORING VINE VILLAGE OF f on the NAEP schedule, it has recently been NAPA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA HONORING THE FBI ON ITS 100TH targeted for elimination due to funding chal- ANNIVERSARY lenges. My legislation protects this important HON. MIKE THOMPSON study in several ways: Requires a national as- OF CALIFORNIA HON. FRANK R. WOLF sessment of students in American history IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF VIRGINIA under the NAEP at least every four years; cre- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ates new 10-state pilots to assess history and Thursday, July 24, 2008 civics under NAEP to provide quality informa- Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Thursday, July 24, 2008 tion and comparable results across states for Speaker, I rise today to honor Vine Village of Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I had the privi- educators; provides funding to ensure a qual- Napa County on the occasion of their 35th an- lege of attending the 100th anniversary com- ity assessment. niversary. Vine Village has done visionary memoration event for the Federal Bureau of This legislation will allow more effective work to provide people with developmental Investigation on July 17 at the National Build- analysis of social studies in classrooms across disabilities a comfortable place to call their ing Museum. America. The future of our democracy relies home. I insert for the record the remarks of Robert on having well-educated, highly skilled citizens Thirty-five years ago, Grace Kerson, George S. Mueller III, who was appointed the sixth di- with the ability to think critically, which is why Kerson and Dante Bagnani looked around at rector of the Bureau just one week before the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.036 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E1566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2008 terrorist attacks on America of September 11, For most of us, fidelity is faithfulness to survived shootouts with gangsters in the 2001, and salute Director Mueller and the an obligation, trust, or duty. 1930s. thousands of FBI employees and leaders over For the men and women of the FBI, fidel- And it so happens that each of these indi- ity also means fidelity to country. It means viduals is with us today. Would you all the years for their dedication and bravery in fidelity to justice and the law, fidelity to the please stand so we can recognize you? protecting their country and their fellow citi- Constitution, fidelity to equality and lib- And yet there is no shortage of heroes in zens. erty. the FBI. I am certain there are also many 100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION, NA- Bravery is the quality of being willing to unsung heroes with us in the audience TIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM, WASHINGTON, face danger, pain, or trouble; to remain today—heroes whose stories may never be DC, JULY 17, 2008 unafraid. Bravery is not merely the act of told. We honor them as well. rushing in where others flee. It is the quiet, For the men and women of the FBI, brav- (By Robert S. Mueller III, Director, Federal diligent dedication to facing down those who ery is reflected not only in the physical cour- Bureau of Investigation) would do us harm and bring them to justice. age often necessary in the job. It can be seen Good morning. It is truly an honor to be The well-known tennis champion and so- in the courage of conviction, in the courage here today to mark this significant mile- cial humanitarian, Arthur Ashe, once said, to act with wisdom in the face of fear, and in stone in the Bureau’s history and to share in ‘‘True heroism is remarkably sober, very the courage it takes to admit mistakes and the celebration of this occasion—the 100th undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all move forward. anniversary of the FBI. others at whatever cost, but the urge to This brings us to the third quality that de- My thanks to Attorney General Mukasey serve others at whatever cost.’’ fines the Bureau, and that is integrity. It is and the many other distinguished guests for Bravery is the capstone in the stories of the quality of being of sound moral principle; joining us today. Special Agents Rodney Miller, John O’Neill, uprightness, honesty, and sincerity. My special thanks, also, to Directors Web- and Lenny Hatton. On September 11, Miller For the men and women of the FBI, integ- ster, Sessions, and Freeh, for being here. To- and O’Neill went up, not down, the stairs of rity is reflected in all that we say and we gether, they represent three decades at the the North Tower of the World Trade Center do—in honesty, in keeping promises, in fair- Bureau in which we saw a strong emphasis to help others get out. Rodney Miller went ness, in respect for others, and in compas- on white collar crime and organized crime, all the way up to the 86th floor, offering as- sion. as well as counterintelligence cases. We wit- sistance to fire and police personnel on the Integrity is, in some ways, the most impor- nessed innovations in crime-solving tech- scene. Through radio transmissions, Lenny tant of the three words that make up our nologies and a dramatic expansion of our Hatton reported the crash of the second motto. Integrity is the fire by which fidelity international program. plane, and then assisted with evacuation ef- and bravery are tested. But let’s go back a bit further in history. forts. Neither he nor John O’Neill survived. Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity set the ex- One hundred years ago, Attorney General And we will never know how many lives pectations for behavior; they set a standard Charles Joseph Bonaparte organized a group were saved as a result of their and the other for our work. More than just a motto, for the of investigators under the Justice Depart- first responders’ extraordinary bravery on men and women of the FBI, Fidelity, Brav- ment. In July, 1908, the Bureau of Investiga- that day. ery, and Integrity is a way of life. tion opened its doors. Although their stories are unique, their And it has always been a way of life. It has The first Bureau employees numbered just bravery is repeated by the men and women of been said of FBI employees that they stand 34—nine detectives, thirteen civil rights in- the FBI working each and every day around on the shoulders of their predecessors. In- vestigators, and twelve accountants. They the country, and around the world. deed, we do. investigated, among other things, antitrust Whether cracking down on public corrup- And while it is a time of change in the FBI, matters, land fraud, and copyright violation or white collar crime that corrodes the our values will never change. It is not enough to stop the terrorist—we tions. public trust. Or capturing criminals who exploit children on the Internet, or commit must stop him while maintaining his civil Compare that to today’s FBI—a threat- violent crime, hate crime, organized crime, liberties. based, intelligence-driven, technologically espionage, or terrorism. It is not enough to catch the criminal—we supported agency of over 30,000 employees— Such bravery can be seen in the story of must catch him while respecting his civil employees who are working in 56 field offices Jay Tabb, a member of our Hostage Rescue rights. and 61 offices overseas. Employees who are Team. Tabb received the FBI Star after It is not enough to prevent foreign coun- combatting crimes as diverse as terrorism, being shot and seriously wounded during the tries from stealing our secrets—we must pre- corporate fraud, cyber crime, human traf- arrest of a wanted fugitive. Just months vent that from happening while still uphold- ficking, and money laundering. J. Edgar later, during a search of a terrorist safe- ing the rule of law. Hoover would have been proud. house in Afghanistan, he was injured again The rule of law, civil liberties, and civil Today’s FBI is often, and I believe accu- by a suicide bomber. Despite his own inju- rights—these are not our burdens. They are rately, described as one of the world’s few in- ries, he rescued four wounded soldiers. After what make us better. And they are what telligence and law enforcement agencies each incident his first question was, how have made us better for the past 100 years. combined. soon can I get back to work with my team? The men and women of the FBI today are The culture of the FBI is now, and for the Bravery can be seen in the story of Port part of history in the making. We under- past 100 years has been, a culture of hard Authority Police Detective Tom McHale, stand that we have been passed a legacy and work and dedication to protecting the who has served on our Newark Joint Ter- that it remains our responsibility to both United States, no matter what the chal- rorism Task Force since 1995. The morning of build on and to pass on that legacy to those lenges. September 11, McHale was blocks from the who will succeed us. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, it World Trade Center when he heard the first John F. Kennedy once said, ‘‘. . . when at became clear that the FBI’s number one pri- plane fly overhead. He raced to the scene to some future date the high court of history ority must be the prevention of another ter- assist with evacuations and rescues. He was sits in judgment on each of us . . . our suc- rorist attack. We refocused our mission, re- caught in both building collapses and in- cess or failure, in whatever office we hold, vised our priorities, and realigned our work jured. And yet as a trained ironworker, will be measured by the answers to four force. We strengthened lines of communica- McHale spent the next weeks in the rubble questions: First, were we truly men of cour- tion between the Bureau and our partners in cutting through steel and recovering bodies. age? Second, were we truly men of judg- the global intelligence and law enforcement He worked at Ground Zero for 12 hours a day, ment? Third, were we truly men of integrity? community. And we are now stronger and before reporting for duty on the Joint Ter- Finally, were we truly men of dedication?’’ better equipped to confront the threats we rorist Task Force to help with thousands of The men and women of the FBI, here and face today. leads. around the world, past and present, can re- Today’s FBI continues to reflect and em- Bravery can be seen in the work of Jen- soundingly answer yes to each of these ques- body its motto—Fidelity, Bravery, and In- nifer Keenan, the first female Special Agent tions. That is because they live our motto tegrity. It is a motto emblazoned on the FBI to be stationed in Pakistan and Yemen, and each and every day. Seal. And it is worth its weight in gold. who helped carry out dangerous missions in Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity remain For the past 100 years, the men and women both of those countries. Along with Tom the attributes of an organization with a of the FBI have lived out their commitment McHale, Keenan was part of the FBI team in proud history of distinguished service to the to Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity. It is pre- Pakistan who captured Al Qaeda suspect Abu nation. And each of us is indeed honored to cisely because they have done so that the Zubaidah. be part of that. Bureau has the reputation that it enjoys Bravery can be seen in the story of Special With Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity de- today. Agent Bruce Bennett and three other agents, fining every FBI employee, we stand fully Even so, these are qualities that need to be who were seriously wounded just last March ready to face the challenges of the next cen- constantly burnished by the men and women in a terrorist bombing, also in Pakistan. tury. of the Bureau, to ensure they do not rust for And it can be seen in the story of Walter Thank you all again for being here with us lack of use. Walsh, our oldest living Special Agent, who today and God bless.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.040 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1567 HONORING BRADFORD LOVE THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF This September marks 80 years since the HEMATOLOGY Okeechobee Hurricane, also known as Hurri- HON. SAM GRAVES cane San Felipe Segundo, ravaged Florida, HON. JESSE L. JACKSON, JR. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, OF MISSOURI OF ILLINOIS and numerous islands of the Caribbean. At IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES this point in 1928, a number of factors contributed to this hurricane having the second larg- Thursday, July 24, 2008 Thursday, July 24, 2008 est death toll in United States history ever re- Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I corded by the National Oceanic and Atmos- pause to recognize Bradford Love of Lee’s rise today to commend the American Society pheric Administration. Tragically, over 4,000 Summit, Missouri. Bradford is a very special of Hematology (ASH) on its 50th anniversary. lives were lost along the path of the Okee- young man who has exemplified the finest I also want to thank hematologists for their chobee Hurricane. qualities of citizenship and leadership by tak- significant contributions to the research, treat- Madam Speaker, Floridians living near Lake ing an active part in the Boy Scouts of Amer- ment, and advocacy of sickle cell disease and Okeechobee in communities that I now rep- ica, Troop 1362, and earning the most pres- other blood and bone marrow disorders. resent experienced a devastating loss of life tigious award of Eagle Scout. Sickle Cell disease affects between 50,000 when the hurricane led to extensive breaches Bradford has been very active with his and 100,000 individuals in this country. In ad- of the levees surrounding the lake. Of the troop, participating in many scout activities. dition, almost 2,000 babies are born with sick- more than 3,000 casualties in the continental United States, more than 75 percent were mi- Over the many years Bradford has been in- le cell disease each year. While researchers grant workers near Lake Okeechobee who volved with scouting, he has not only earned make progress with treatments, patients con- were overwhelmingly African American. The numerous merit badges, but also the respect tinue to suffer from debilitating pain, frequent lack of capacity to respond to the devastation of his family, peers, and community. infections, anemia, and vision problems. Sickle of the storm and racial overtures of the era led Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join cell disease also can lead to serious complica- tions such as blood clots, organ failure, and to extensive disparities in the treatment of vic- me in commending Bradford Love for his ac- tims of this hurricane. Many African Americans complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- strokes. Undoubtedly, hematologists have helped were buried in poorly marked mass graves, in- ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the cluding one site in West Palm Beach where highest distinction of Eagle Scout. lead the way in the development of new thera- pies and treatments for sickle cell disease. As over 670 unfortunate souls were laid to rest. a result of their work and advocacy, today’s Similar graves for white victims of the tragedy f neonatal screening program has improved the were visibly memorialized, whereas many Afri- CYPRUS overall health and survival of patients. In 1998, can American graves were forgotten and only transcranial screening allowed doctors to iden- recognized many years later. When consid- tify sickle cell patients at risk for stroke and ering the development of a community, ne- HON. KAY GRANGER treat them with blood transfusions. Hema- glecting these darker moments of our history OF TEXAS tologists also have been responsible for pio- can overlook important lessons, as we saw with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Be- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES neering the use of hydroxyurea in the successful treatment of the disease. yond recognition for all victims of the Okee- Thursday, July 24, 2008 Moreover, ASH has been a leader in sickle chobee Hurricane tragedy, their loss should inform us how to prevent future injustices in dis- Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, a new cell advocacy by seeking additional funding for aster response and mitigation. sense of optimism has emerged in the inter- the Federal Government’s sickle cell programs The potential for devastation due to failing national community regarding Cyprus. Since as well as helping Federal agencies identify infrastructure following similar natural disasters the February 2008 election of Demetris major scientific opportunities in basic and clin- exists in many places throughout our nation. Christofias as Greek Cypriot President, the ical research of the disease. ASH was one of Thus, it is absolutely vital that we learn from leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cyp- the leading organizations working with Con- the past and invest in strengthening our vul- riot communities have met three times and gress on legislation to create the Sickle Cell nerable water management infrastructure to have agreed to work toward a new federal Disease Treatment Demonstration Program— prevent future tragic losses. We must also partnership. a federally funded program designed to improve and expand patient and provider edu- prioritize initiatives to educate migrant work- The most recent meeting between the leaders, economically disadvantaged communities, ers of the Turkish and Greek Cypriots was cation and the continuity and coordination of care for individuals with the disease. In fact, and others who may be disproportionately im- held on July 1, 2008. As stated in the Joint pacted by hurricanes and other natural disas- Declaration, they decided to meet again on ASH worked diligently with congressional leaders to fund this program through August, ters. July 25 to review the final reports of the work- Madam Speaker, I call on my colleagues to 2010. ing groups and technical committees and also join me memorializing the tragic loss of the I look forward to continuing to work with to announce the commencement of full- Okeechobee Hurricane and reaffirming our ASH and its members to pursue the common fledged negotiations. commitment to protecting all inhabitants of the goal of expanding research and providing ex- On April 24, 2000, after years of negotia- United States from the devastation of hurri- cellent care for patients with sickle cell dis- tions, both communities held separate votes canes. This resolution is the first step to en- ease. on the United Nations Comprehensive Settle- couraging our respective localities to prioritize ment Plan (Annan Plan). Turkish Cypriots ap- f natural disaster preparedness and education proved the plan by 65 percent, while Greek 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE economically disadvantaged communities. I Cypriots rejected it by 76 percent. Ironically, OKEECHOBEE HURRICANE look forward to working with my colleagues to- Greek Cypriots became members of the Euro- ward its expeditious passage. pean Union, and Turkish Cypriots remained f subject to political and economic isolation. HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS OF FLORIDA BARBARA ELOISE EARNEST Hopefully, the process can move forward. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The international community should encourage the sides to reach a comprehensive and just Thursday, July 24, 2008 HON. JOE BACA solution which will bring peace and stability Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES not only on the island but also to the region I rise today to introduce a resolution memori- as a whole. alizing the 80th anniversary of the Okee- Thursday, July 24, 2008 As co-chair of the Turkey Caucus, I should chobee Hurricane and the tragic losses of life Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I stand here inform my colleagues that Turkey continues to from the catastrophic event. The experience of today to honor and remember a distinguished support Turkish Cypriot Leader Mehmet Ali the Okeechobee Hurricane touches the lives member of the Colton community and a be- Talat in his quest for a solution. Turkey will of so many of my constituents and those loved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, continue to support the process in good faith throughout the Florida delegation, as well as Barbara ‘‘Bobbie’’ Eloise Earnest. and encourages all sides to find an overdue my colleagues representing territories through- Bobbie was born in Indio, California on Jan- solution to the Cyprus question. out the Caribbean. uary 30, 1930. After moving as a child, she

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K24JY8.021 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E1568 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2008 became a lifelong resident of Colton, Cali- member this anniversary so that we can move who were the crew of a B–52H Stratofortress fornia. Her mother, Gertrude Valenzan, was forward in bringing a resolution to the Cyprus that crashed off the coast of Guam on July 21, the first female Mayor Pro-Tem of Colton. Problem. 2008. The crew was assigned to the 20th Ex- Bobbie graduated from Colton High School In 1997, I had the opportunity to travel to peditionary Bomb Squadron based at in 1948. An enterprising young woman, long Cyprus. I saw the barbed wire that divides free Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana and were before women were encouraged to work out- Cyprus from occupied Cyprus and hoped for a deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam side the home, Bobbie began working at the day when Cyprus would be unified. Turkey’s as part of the Air Force’s continual bomber age of 16 in the mail room of the Retail Clerks violation of international law and the United presence in the Pacific. Colonel Martin was Union, which would later become the United Nations’ peace treaties remains an injustice. the on-board flight surgeon and deputy com- Food and Commercial Workers Union UCFW. Free Cyprus has been a crucial ally to the mander of the 36th Medical Group at Ander- For nearly forty years, Bobbie worked tire- United States in the War on Terror and has sen Air Force Base. The B–52 was preparing lessly for the UCFW, rising through the ranks provided million in economic aid to Turkish to fly over Guam’s annual Liberation Day pa- from what she called ‘‘an envelope licker’’ to Cypriots. In Congress it is our responsibility to rade, commemorating the 64th Anniversary of Insurance Department Supervisor for the stand up for those Cypriots who have stood the Liberation of Guam during World War II UCFW for all of San Bernardino County. She with us for so many years. It is our duty to after thirty-two months of occupation by was also the recorder for all of the minutes of speak for the hundreds of thousands of si- enemy forces. all the union meetings for all of those years. lenced Greek Cypriots who are threatened This tragic event reminds us of the constant After retiring in 1985, Bobbie took up golf. with oppression in Turkish occupied Cyprus. dangers that are faced by our men and Always insisting on walking, never using a cart There is a reason to feel hopeful about a solu- women in uniform. The loss of this crew is felt or caddy, she famously walked all 18 holes 3 tion to the Cyprus Problem. Preliminary dis- by the Air Force family throughout the world or 4 times a week well into her seventies. She cussions have taken place between Greek and our island community of Guam. The peo- was known in her neighborhood as a caring, Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to hope- ple of Guam will always remember this crew compassionate woman, the ‘‘Mother Teresa’’ fully lay the groundwork for official negotia- on Liberation Day and their untimely passing to her friends. tions. It is my hope that Turkey allows these gives us all the more reason to appreciate our A devout woman, Bobbie was an active discussions to go on undisturbed and for the freedom and the many sacrifices made by the member of Immaculate Conception church in Turkish military to retreat back to its own na- men and women who serve in our Armed Colton, CA. Also a family woman, she raised tion. The next time I visit Cyprus, I want that Forces defending our nation. her three children Nick, Larry, and Becky by barbed wire to be a distant memory. I want In their honor, I would like to recite the herself. In 1980, she met and married Leroy Cyprus to be free again. Together, with co- poem ‘‘High Flight’’ by John Gillespie Magee, Johnson and shared in a loving relationship operation from the United States and the inter- Jr.: for 28 years. Bobbie’s true pride was her 12 national community, we will see that day. Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. f And danced the skies on laughter-silvered In her youth, Bobbie was known as a first- wings; rate dancer, and had once been a dance part- HONORING KYLE WILLIAMS Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tum- ner of the great Johnnie Bracia. And it was bling mirth with that same spirit of grace, style and ele- Of sun-split clouds—and done a hundred HON. SAM GRAVES things gance that Barbara Eloise Earnest touched OF MISSOURI You have not dreamed of—wheeled and the lives of all those around her. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES soared and swung Let us take a moment to remember this Thursday, July 24, 2008 High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there amazing woman and her admirable dedication I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and to others and leading an exemplarily life, one Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly flung of whose footsteps we all hope to follow. Hav- pause to recognize Kyle Williams of Grain Val- My eager craft through footless halls of air. ing known her for over twenty years, the ley, Missouri. Kyle is a very special young Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, thoughts and prayers of my wife Barbara, my man who has exemplified the finest qualities I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy of citizenship and leadership by taking an ac- grace family and I are with her loved ones at this Where never lark, or even eagle flew— time. tive part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod Madam Speaker, the community of Colton 1362, and earning the most prestigious award The high untresspassed sanctity of space, has lost one of its greatest native daughters, of Eagle Scout. Put out my hand and touched the face of but she will forever live on in the hearts of Kyle has been very active with his troop, God. those that knew her. God Bless Bobbie Ear- participating in many scout activities. Over the I offer my deepest sympathies and prayers nest for love of country and mankind. many years Kyle has been involved with to all the families of these brave airmen who f scouting, he has not only earned numerous gave their lives in the service of their country. merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- God bless the families of these brave men, ANNIVERSARY OF TURKISH ily, peers, and community. God bless the men and women defending our INVASION OF CYPRUS Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join freedom, God bless Guam, and God bless our me in commending Kyle Williams for his ac- country, the United States of America. HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- f OF RHODE ISLAND ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the RECOGNIZING THE JCC MACCABI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES highest distinction of Eagle Scout. ARTSFEST: FAIRFAX 2008 Thursday, July 24, 2008 f Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, this year HONORING THE U.S. AIR FORCE HON. TOM DAVIS B–52H STRATOFORTRESS CREW we mark the 34th anniversary of the Turkish OF VIRGINIA LOST ON JULY 21, 2008 invasion of Cyprus, a day in which the free- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES doms and human rights of the island’s Greek Cypriots were violated. 200,000 Greek Cyp- HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO Thursday, July 24, 2008 riots lost their homes and almost 5,000 were OF GUAM Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam speaker, I killed in the invasion. Today, 43,000 Turkish IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES rise today to recognize the Jewish Community troops maintain an illegal occupation in gross Center (JCC) Maccabi ArtsFest that is taking violation of international laws. Amazingly, Thursday, July 24, 2008 place this summer in Fairfax, Virginia. there are more Turkish military personnel on Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise The JCC Maccabi ArtsFest was first the tiny island than U.S. troops serving in Af- today to honor the lives and service of Major launched in Baltimore, Maryland, during the ghanistan. Since the beginning of the occupa- Christopher M. Cooper, aircraft commander; summer of 2006. The program was designed tion, thousands of Cypriots have been killed Major Brent D. Williams, navigator; Captain to inspire Jewish teenagers to engage in the and many families were torn apart as a result Michael K. Dodson, co-pilot; First Lieutenant fine arts while using their religion as a vehicle of the invasion. Religious artifacts, many dat- Joshua D. Shepherd, navigator; First Lieuten- to impact their community. This is accom- ing back to the 8th Century, were stolen, ant Robert Gerren, electronic warfare officer; plished by a dynamic combination of work- desecrated or destroyed. It is our duty to re- and Colonel George Martin, flight surgeon, shops, performances, exhibitions, recognition

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.044 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1569 of excellence, community service and social Bedford County Historical Society to lead the the past forty-five years he has continued his activities. society forward in a positive direction. Mr. studies on the neurochemistry of sleep and The 2008 Arts Fest has already made a sig- Casteel’s invaluable leadership in this society the functional significance of the different nificant impact in Northern Virginia. By em- has opened the door for new beginnings in sleep states, and has become one of the ploying 150 members of the community to ac- Bedford. These beginnings include the idea world’s foremost experts on sleep disorders. tively work on all aspects of ArtsFest, engag- and adoption of a new official flag for Bedford Among his many major accomplishments, he ing 120 host families to provide housing for County, as well as, the establishment of ‘‘Bed- established the world’s first Sleep Disorders the 250 visiting teen artists and enlisting near- ford County Day’’. Mr. Casteel’s oversight in Clinic in 1970, started the publication Sleep ly 800 more volunteers to help during the fes- both of these new additions truly brings the Reviews, has written hundreds of scientific pa- tivities, the JCC Maccabi ArtsFest is truly liv- community together and no doubt illuminates pers on sleep and dreaming, and developed ing up to its 2008 theme ‘‘Yachad’’ meaning his nomination by the Bedford County Histor- the Multiple Sleep Latency Test which remains ‘‘we are one’’. ical Society for the 2008 Citizen of the Year the standard diagnostic measure of daytime The ArtsFest comes at a time when the Award. sleepiness. He has established an extraor- general perception is that passion for the fine As a retired school teacher, Mr. Casteel has dinary human research program at Stanford arts is being lost; I am glad to know that this always understood the immense importance of which has led to the discovery and under- is not the case in Virginia. To see creativity by history and has sought to inform others in his standing of countless sleep-related disorders teenagers flourishing in festivals such as this community of the historical uniqueness of as well their clinical implications and the de- is very promising for the continuation of artistic Bedford. Historic education is a cornerstone velopment of effective treatment strategies. innovation for generations to come. I know which Mr. Casteel has sought to preserve by Dr. Dement co-founded the Sleep Research that Fairfax is glad to be part of such a pro- helping to establish the Bedford County Herit- Society in 1961 and the American Sleep Dis- moted event within the Jewish artistic commu- age Alliance—a coalition to provide a means orders Association (ASDA) in 1975, where he nity nationwide. of cooperation among historians throughout served as President for 12 years. During his By engaging so many volunteers and en- the United States. He also serves as an active Presidency, the ASDA grew from five sleep couraging participation in the fine arts, the member of the Bedford County 250th Anniver- disorder centers with twenty individual mem- JCC Maccabi ArtsFest has truly been a cata- sary Advisory Group which celebrates the bers to 140 accredited centers with over 2,000 lyst for enhancing our community in Northern founding of one of the most instrumental coun- members. In recent years, Dr. Dement has Virginia. For this, Fairfax is greatly honored to ties in Pennsylvania. Mr. Casteel strives to shifted his focus from research to public edu- be the host of the 2008 JCC Maccabi highlight Bedford’s venerable historic achieve- cation about sleep disorders and the health ArtsFest. ments and bring a community together with dangers of persistent sleep deprivation. At the age of 80, Dr. Dement still works at least 40 f knowledge. As he reflects upon his work as a leader hours a week and continues to direct the HONORING TREVOR BOSAK among many, Mr. Casteel can be proud of his Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Center. life of service with which he has found a great He is legendary for his research on dreams HON. SAM GRAVES amount of success. Mr. Casteel’s dedication and is one of the most popular lecturers ever on the Stanford campus. OF MISSOURI has brought a greater appreciation to our area Madam Speaker, I ask the entire House of and his accomplishments are a monumental IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Representatives to join me in honoring this asset to the community. I would like to wish Thursday, July 24, 2008 distinguished American on the occasion of his Mr. Glenden Casteel all the best in his future 80th birthday and his 45th anniversary at Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly endeavors as he continues to serve Bedford Stanford University. As Dr. Dement celebrates pause to recognize Trevor Bosak of Kansas County. I am confident that Mr. Casteel will this important milestone, the gratitude and re- City, Missouri. Trevor is a very special young continue to faithfully contribute his knowledge spect of the entire House of Representatives man who has exemplified the finest qualities to the community and I thank him for his dedi- are extended to him for his decades of con- of citizenship and leadership by taking an ac- cation and service. tributions to academic research which have il- tive part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop f 1180, and earning the most prestigious award luminated the significance of sleep and for his of Eagle Scout. TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM C. DEMENT, work which has formed the basis for the diag- Trevor has been very active with his troop, M.D., PH.D. nosis and treatment of millions of people af- participating in many scout activities. Over the fected by sleep-related disorders. How privi- many years Trevor has been involved with HON. ANNA G. ESHOO leged I am to know him, to represent him and to have him as my friend. America is immeas- scouting, he has not only earned numerous OF CALIFORNIA urably better because of him. merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ily, peers, and community. f Thursday, July 24, 2008 Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join HONORING JEFFREY COOK me in commending Trevor Bosak for his ac- Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise to complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- honor Dr. William Charles Dement, Professor ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the HON. SAM GRAVES OF MISSOURI highest distinction of Eagle Scout. Stanford University School of Medicine, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f the Division Chief of the Stanford University Division of Sleep, on the momentous occasion Thursday, July 24, 2008 TRIBUTE TO MR. GLENDEN of his 80th birthday and his 45 years of serv- Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly CASTEEL ice to Stanford. pause to recognize Jeffrey Cook of Kansas Born in 1928 in the State of Washington, Dr. City, Missouri. Jeffrey is a very special young HON. BILL SHUSTER Dement attended the University of Chicago, man who has exemplified the finest qualities OF PENNSYLVANIA where he earned his M.D. in 1955 and his of citizenship and leadership by taking an ac- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ph.D. in Neurophysiology in 1957. tive part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop A pioneer in the scientific study of sleep and Thursday, July 24, 2008 1180, and earning the most prestigious award sleep disorders, Dr. Dement began his career of Eagle Scout. Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise in sleep research as a medical student in the Jeffrey has been very active with his troop, today to recognize the accomplishments and 1950’s when he joined the lab of Dr. Nathaniel participating in many scout activities. Over the dedication of the Bedford Rotary Club’s 2008 Kleitman. There, from 1954 through 1957, he many years Jeffrey has been involved with Citizen of the Year, Mr. Glenden Casteel. Mr. helped discover and describe Rapid Eye scouting, he has not only earned numerous Casteel will be recognized for his service at a Movement (REM) sleep and established the merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- banquet held in his honor on July 28, 2008. sleep patterns of humans as well as the rela- ily, peers, and community. Over the past decade Mr. Casteel has tionship between REM sleep and dreaming. In Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join worked consistently to enhance the value of doing so, he launched a new field of scientific me in commending Jeffrey Cook for his ac- the community in which he has lived. Since discovery. complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- 2003, Mr. Casteel has made every effort as Dr. Dement joined the Psychiatry Depart- ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ment at Stanford University in 1963, where for highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.047 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E1570 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2008 COMMEMORATING THE 34TH ANNI- Groups and Technical Committees as stipu- Without such brave officers, the work of this VERSARY OF THE TURKISH IN- lated in the July 8 Agreement. The House of building—and the work of our democracy— VASION OF CYPRUS Representatives expressed its full support in wouldn’t last a day. H. Res. 405, which I cosponsored, for these f actions as the ground on which to prepare for HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL HONORING RYAN SLANCZKA OF NEW YORK new comprehensive negotiations leading to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Cyprus’ reunification within a bi-zonal, bi-com- HON. SAM GRAVES Thursday, July 24, 2008 munal federation. After several meetings earlier this year be- OF MISSOURI Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to tween the two parties and in the spirit of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES commemorate the dark day 34 years ago this opening in April of a symbolic crossing Thursday, July 24, 2008 week in which Turkey illegally invaded the is- through the U.N.-controlled buffer zone in land of Cyprus. I rise in honor of the thou- Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly Nicosia, the world’s last divided capital, I am pause to recognize Ryan Slanczka of Liberty, sands of Cypriots who lost their lives or whose proud to report that tomorrow, President fate remains unknown, and in honor of the Missouri. Ryan is a very special young man Christofias and Mr. Talat will meet again to who has exemplified the finest qualities of citi- hundreds of thousands who were exiled from undertake the final review of the Working their homes. I would like to share my sym- zenship and leadership by taking an active Groups and Technical Committees. part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop pathy for their losses as well as my hope for I ask each of my colleagues in the House to 1397, and earning the most prestigious award a brighter, peaceful future for the island. The join me in support of this positive effort to real- of Eagle Scout. 34 unjust years of occupation must come to ize full-fledged negotiations. We must urge Ryan has been very active with his troop, an end. Turkey to respect the fundamental human participating in many scout activities. Over the July 20, 1974 marks the beginning of a trag- rights and freedoms of all citizens of Cyprus many years Ryan has been involved with ic era in Cypriot history. The Turkish invasion while exhibiting the political will that would en- scouting, he has not only earned numerous and occupation of the northern region of Cy- able a solution which will bring peace, pros- merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- prus has proved an affront to human rights perity and a better future for all the citizens of ily, peers, and community. and the rule of law. Hundreds of thousands of a united Cyprus. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join Greek Cypriots have suffered serious abuses f me in commending Ryan Slanczka for his ac- of fundamental rights and freedoms. Their ANNIVERSARY OF CAPITOL complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- property has been illegally seized, their land ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the POLICE DEATHS has been settled, and many of their religious highest distinction of Eagle Scout. and cultural treasures have been damaged, f destroyed, or illegally transferred abroad. HON. STENY H. HOYER Turkey’s military hold over northern Cyprus OF MARYLAND HONORING DEBRA BROWN has persisted over three decades despite con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STEINBERG demnation by the international community and Thursday, July 24, 2008 nearly 100 U.N. resolutions requesting the HON. PETER T. KING withdrawal of all foreign forces from the island, Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, every morning when I go in to work, I pass by a plaque OF NEW YORK the return of Greek Cypriot refugees to their IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES homes and properties and above all, respect honoring Detective John Gibson and Officer Thursday, July 24, 2008 for the sovereignty, independence, territorial Jacob Chestnut on the spot where they were integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. killed, 10 years ago today. It’s a quiet hallway Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, Indeed, I authored a resolution which passed today: Down the hall you can hear the sounds today I rise to honor and recognize the tireless the House in 1995 calling for the demilitariza- of visitors to the Capitol, and a few feet away, efforts of Debra Brown Steinberg on behalf of tion of Cyprus. While Turkey is a friend and the work of the Majority Leader’s Office goes the families of victims of the September 11 ally of the United States, the time has come on every day. terrorist attacks against our country. for Ankara to relinquish its grasp on Cyprus. What a shock to think that that hallway For the past 7 years, Ms. Steinberg has Enough is enough. could be filled with gunshots and blood—to worked passionately as an advocate for these Recent events have raised hopes for both know that our Capitol, the most sacred space families and to ensure they are treated equal- Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Cyprus’ acces- in our democracy, could be filled with violence. ly, regardless of their respective citizenship or sion to the European Union in 2004 was piv- But what a saving grace to know that, every immigration status. She has played a signifi- otal in the processes of integration and mutual day, we are surrounded by brave men and cant role in drafting and implementing various development. The Turkish Cypriot population women who will stand in the way of violence, bills to benefit 9/11 families including New of over 90,000 benefit daily from rapidly in- even at the cost of their own lives. Detective York State’s September 11th Victims and creasing per capita income and the Govern- Gibson and Officer Chestnut died doing just Families Relief Act, the September 11th Fam- ment of Cyprus’ provision of free education about the most worthwhile thing one human ily Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act and and medical and social services. In sum, the being can do for another: shielding the vulner- the September 11th Victims Compensation Government of Cyprus has provided nearly able—and yes, that includes every single one Fund. In addition, I have had the pleasure of one billion dollars in tangible benefits to the of us in this Chamber. working closely with Ms. Steinberg and the Turkish Cypriot community. Along with hun- Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut de- Department of Homeland Security to allow eli- dreds of thousands of crossings between the serve every tribute they’ve been given: lying in gible spouses and children of 9/11 victims to Turkish occupied zone and the rest of the Re- honor under the Capitol dome; yesterday’s receive humanitarian parole and remain in the public of Cyprus, this progress has contributed words dedicated to their memory; today’s mo- United States. to an environment of increasing trust and co- ment of silence. But we know that what they Of course, all of her efforts have been pro- operation in which a peacefully negotiated so- did, every member of the Capitol Police—and bono and her persistence in seeing that these lution may be pursued. every law enforcement officer—stands ready families are taken care of is truly remarkable. Since his election in February 2008, Presi- to do. We honor Detective Gibson and Officer On behalf of the 9/11 families, many of which dent of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has made Chestnut not because they were unique in are constituents of mine, I salute Debra Stein- resolution of the Cyprus problem his top pri- their sacrifice, but because their willingness to berg for her devotion and positive contribu- ority and principal concern. He has reached sacrifice was so typical—typical of all the best tions to their lives. out to Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Mehmet in those who wear the badge. f Talat and called on him to cooperate face to Edmund Burke wrote that ‘‘Good order is TRIBUTE TO MILTON GRANT face in order to implement a solution that hon- the foundation of all things.’’ It is certainly the ors relevant U.N. Security Council Resolu- foundation of everything that happens in this HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES tions, the High Level Agreements of 1977, building. Let us thank those men and women OF OHIO 1979 and July 8, 2006 and the values and who risk their lives to give us order, safety, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fundamental principles on which the European freedom from fear. And let us keep their fami- Union is founded. lies in our thoughts, today and every day—es- Thursday, July 24, 2008 In March, President Christofias and Mr. pecially their wives, Evelyn Gibson and Wendy Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker I rise Talat agreed to establish a number of Working Wenling Chestnut. today to celebrate the life of an icon in the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.050 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1571 Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio, my CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVER- issues important to his constituency. He was friend Milton Grant. SARY OF MICHIGAN RADIO instrumental in preserving the county hospital Mr. Grant was the owner of Silk Screen and in the creation of a new jail. Process Inc. for more than 50 years. He HON. JOHN D. DINGELL Pat Ferris is not only dearly remembered by worked for the Cleveland Public Library, paint- OF MICHIGAN his wife Robin and their five children, but also ed and was involved in many other business IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES by countless citizens in Johnston County, endeavors. I met Mr. Grant in 1981 in Cleve- Oklahoma who he touched in the 53 years of Thursday, July 24, 2008 land when I ran for a Cleveland municipal his life. I stand today to honor and celebrate judgeship. Mr. Grant was the owner of Silk Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today the life of this great Oklahoman. Screen Process, Inc. I requested an estimate to honor and celebrate the anniversary of f Michigan Radio for 60 years of service to the of the costs for the signs that I needed. This NATIONAL HIGHWAY BRIDGE RE- was my first run for public office and I had state of Michigan and the citizens of South- east Michigan. CONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTION very little money. Mr. Grant, observing that I ACT OF 2008 lacked the necessary funds to cover my order, Michigan Radio, first known as WUOM, extended credit to me. From that day forward signed on July 5, 1948 with the first broadcast SPEECH OF he considered me part of the family and I coming from the Angell Hall Observatory on knew that without the largess of Mr. Grant I the campus of the University of Michigan in HON. BOB ETHERIDGE would not have won that seat. I recently Ann Arbor. The station’s studios have been in OF NORTH CAROLINA learned that I was not the only recipient of his Ann Arbor ever since. As a multi-decade affil- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES kindness. iate of National Public Radio, Michigan Radio Wednesday, July 23, 2008 One day I realized that a friend of mine of strives to inform listeners throughout Michigan Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise many years, Margo Roth was Mr. Grant’s of the important issues taking place in the today in support of H.R. 3999, The National daughter and that her sister, Paula had as- world around them. Michigan Radio also Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection sisted me when I visited the business. I should broadcasts informative programs like The En- Act. have known that they were related to Mr. vironment Report, and its national award-win- In my home state of North Carolina there Grant, because they both exhibited the same ning news documentaries. There is also no are hundreds of bridges that have been rated caring and kindness. better source for news in Michigan than structurally deficient, and in my district alone WUOM. Over the years I have celebrated gradua- there are over 150 bridges that have been Michigan Radio’s signal reaches the south- tions, weddings, births, homegoings, anniver- rated structurally deficient. This bill enhances ern half of Michigan. With about 400,000 lis- saries, and successful elections with this won- our ability to address this critical need. teners per week, it has the largest audience of derful Grant/Roth Family. H.R. 3999 will improve the safety of our na- any public radio station in the state. Through- Mr. Grant was married to his wife Laura, tion’s bridges by ensuring that they are prop- out its tenure, Michigan Radio has provided erly monitored for repairs, and by ensuring who predeceased him in death for 61 years. citizens of Michigan with detailed accounts of He leaves to celebrate his life, a loving com- that the federal funding that is set aside for world and local news. This informative public their maintenance and repair goes towards panion Roberta Silber, daughters Paula Rubin- radio news service has been essential to the stein, Dr. Lee and Margo Roth, Bob, grand- that specific purpose. This bill authorizes an Southeast Michigan community for the past 60 additional $1 billion in fiscal year 2009, on top children, Michael Grant Jaffe, Karen Chaikin, years. I fully believe that Michigan Radio will Chip, Jennifer Jaffe Kaufman, Douglas, Julie of the current $4.5 billion authorized in the continue to serve the state of Michigan for Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Pro- Namy, Rob and 17 great grandchildren. His many years to come. siblings, Ruth Buckland and Herman Goldstein gram. In addition to this funding, this legisla- Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues tion requires the Federal Highway Administra- and his grandson, Grant Roth, predeceased rise and join me in commending Michigan him. tion to conduct annual inspections on bridges Radio for 60 years of dedicated service to the that are rated deficient, and inspect all other Madam Speaker, I thank God for making people of Michigan. Mr. Grant a part of my life and Mr. Grant for bridges every two years. f This additional funding, along with the man- making me a part of his family. I ask all of my dated inspections, will go a long way towards colleagues to join me in celebrating the won- HONORING THE LIFE OF PAT insuring that the American public will have derful 96 years of life of Mr. Milton Grant. FERRIS confidence in the bridges they traverse, without having to fear the disaster that occurred in f HON. DAN BOREN Minnesota nearly one year ago. OF OKLAHOMA HONORING SEAN MCCALMON Madam Chairman our nation’s infrastructure IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES is the engine that drives our economy, and the Thursday, July 24, 2008 safety of our citizens also depends on the reli- HON. SAM GRAVES ability of this infrastructure. I urge my col- Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today OF MISSOURI leagues to vote yes on H.R. 3999. to remember a dear friend of Southern Okla- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES homa who passed away on July 20th, 2008 f Thursday, July 24, 2008 after a short battle with cancer. Pat Ferris de- HONORING BYRON PENDLETON III votedly served Johnston County as the District Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly 1 Commissioner for nearly ten years and was HON. SAM GRAVES pause to recognize Sean McCalmon of a recognized friend of the entire community. OF MISSOURI Weatherby Lake, Missouri. Sean is a very Pat lived most of his life in his home county, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES special young man who has exemplified the leaving briefly to pursue higher education finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by through earning a bachelor’s degree in Agri- Thursday, July 24, 2008 taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of cultural Education from Oklahoma State Uni- Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly America, Troop 1495, and earning the most versity in 1977. Ferris was an incredibly active pause to recognize Byron Pendleton III of prestigious award of Eagle Scout. member in the Johnson County community, Gladstone, Missouri. Byron is a very special Sean has been very active with his troop, but his true passion was working with Okla- young man who has exemplified the finest participating in many scout activities. Over the homa youth. He was heavily involved with Fu- qualities of citizenship and leadership by tak- many years Sean has been involved with ture Farmers of America and the Johnson ing an active part in the Boy Scouts of Amer- scouting, he has not only earned numerous County Junior Livestock Association. ica, Troop 1354, and earning the most pres- merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- While a rancher in Connerville, Oklahoma tigious award of Eagle Scout. ily, peers, and community. for most of his life, Pat received the call of Byron has been very active with his troop, Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join public service and ran for a County Commis- participating in many scout activities. Over the me in commending Sean McCalmon for his sioner position in 1998, winning in a hotly con- many years Byron has been involved with accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of tested election. He was reelected twice, most scouting, he has not only earned numerous America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- recently in 2006. Throughout his tenure in the merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. position of Commissioner, Pat worked on ily, peers, and community.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.053 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS E1572 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2008 Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join sioner, including computerization of office files of Cyprus. The island has been effectively par- me in commending Byron Pendleton III for his and election-night reporting. His expertise in titioned since that time, and Turkey currently accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of election procedure, wise and fair sense of maintains a force of at least 30,000 troops in America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- judgment, and gracious spirit will be missed in the unilaterally declared Turkish Republic of ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. the Chautauqua County Election Commission. Northern Cyprus. This is roughly equivalent to Terry has been a true public servant in f the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, every sense of the word. He is a devoutly COMMEMORATING TERRY NIE- where we are actively pursuing a war. proud Western New Yorker, and his dedication BEL’S LONG CAREER AS COM- to the people of Chautauqua County is com- The Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus MISSIONER OF ELECTIONS IN mendable; his service, exemplary. has had a tremendous impact on the lives of CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY Terry Niebel’s work should inspire us all to the Greek Cypriots. My district includes part of HON. BRIAN HIGGINS serve our communities and fellow man with Chicago, home to the largest Greek population dedicated hearts and committed lives. I hope in the United States, and I have spoken to OF NEW YORK that you will join me, Madam Speaker, in offer- countless people who relay stories of occupa- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing congratulations to Terry and join me in tion including the destruction and desecration Thursday, July 24, 2008 wishing Terry and his family the very best of luck and Godspeed for years to come. of churches, restrictions on Greek Cypriots in Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today the Turkish region. Recently Turkey’s image to commemorate Terry Niebel’s long career as f elections commissioner in Chautauqua Coun- was further injured after the European Court of COMMEMORATING THE 34TH ANNI- ty, New York. Terry’s more than 27 years of Human Rights found Turkey guilty of human VERSARY OF THE TURKISH OC- service is a brilliant example of commitment rights violations on Cyprus. CUPATION OF CYPRUS and devotion to one’s community. I am very encouraged by news reports stat- Terry was first elected in April 1981 and, at ing that Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, the age of 28, became the youngest Repub- HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY both of whom have publicly committed to lican election commissioner in New York OF ILLINOIS working toward reconciliation, will meet tomor- State. Since that day, Terry has served six IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES four-year terms, becoming the longest serving row to discuss the possibility of restarting di- Thursday, July 24, 2008 election commissioner in Chautauqua Coun- rect peace talks. I hope that these talks will ty’s history. Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise pave the way toward true reconciliation for the Terry has overseen several changes over to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the people of Cyprus. the course of his career as election commis- July 20, 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:15 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K24JY8.027 E25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with REMARKS Friday, July 25, 2008 Daily Digest Senate By 50 yeas to 43 nays (Vote No. 184), three-fifths Chamber Action of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, not having Routine Proceedings, pages S7435–S7485 voted in the affirmative, Senate rejected the motion Measures Introduced: Three bills and five resolu- to close further debate on the bill. Page S7436 tions were introduced, as follows: S. 3336–3338, and Senator Reid entered a motion to reconsider the S. Res. 624–628. Page S7479 vote by which cloture was not invoked on the bill. Measures Reported: Page S7436 S. 2892, to promote the prosecution and enforce- Foreclosure Prevention Act: Senate resumed con- ment of frauds against the United States by sus- sideration of the amendment of the House of Rep- pending the statute of limitations during times resentatives to the amendment of the Senate to the when Congress has authorized the use of military amendments of the House to the amendment of the force. (S. Rept. No. 110–431) Senate to H.R. 3221, to provide needed housing re- H.R. 5551, to amend title 11, District of Colum- form. Pages S7436–62 bia Official Code, to implement the increase pro- Pending: vided under the District of Columbia Appropriations Reid Motion to concur in the amendment of the Act, 2008, in the amount of funds made available House of Representatives to the amendment of the for the compensation of attorneys representing indi- Senate to the amendments of the House to the gent defendants in the District of Columbia courts. amendment of the Senate to the bill. Page S7436 (S. Rept. No. 110–432) Page S7479 Reid Motion to concur in the amendment of the Measures Considered: House of Representatives to the amendment of the Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act: Senate re- Senate to the amendments of the House to the sumed consideration of S. 3268, to amend the Com- amendment of the Senate to the bill, with Amend- modity Exchange Act, to prevent excessive price ment No. 5103, to establish the effective date. speculation with respect to energy commodities, after Page S7436 agreeing to the motion to proceed to its consider- Reid Amendment No. 5104 (to Amendment No. ation, taking action on the following amendments 5103), to change the enactment date. Page S7436 proposed thereto: Pages S7435–36 During consideration of this measure today, Senate Pending: also took the following action: Reid Amendment No. 5098, to establish the en- By 80 yeas to 13 nays (Vote No. 185), three-fifths actment date. Page S7435 of those Senators duly chosen and sworn, having Reid Amendment No. 5099 (to Amendment No. voted in the affirmative, Senate agreed to the motion 5098), to change the enactment date. Page S7435 to close further debate on the motion to concur in Reid Motion to commit the bill to the Committee the amendment of the House of Representatives to on Agricultural, Nutrition, and Forestry with in- the amendment of the Senate to the amendments of structions to report back forthwith, with Reid the House to the Senate amendment to the bill. Amendment No. 5100, to establish the effective Page S7436 date. Page S7435 A unanimous-consent agreement was reached pro- Reid Amendment No. 5101 (to the instructions of viding that at approximately 9 a.m., on Saturday, the motion to commit), to change the enactment July 26, 2008, Senate will continue consideration of date. Page S7435 the amendment of the House of Representatives to Reid Amendment No. 5102 (to Amendment No. the amendment of the Senate to the amendments of 5101), to change the enactment date. Page S7435 the House to the amendment of the Senate to the During consideration of this measure today, Senate bill. Page S7485 also took the following action: D950

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:19 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D25JY8.REC D25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with DIGEST July 25, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D951 Message from the President: Senate received the July 26, 2008. (For Senate’s program, see the re- following message from the President of the United marks of the Acting Majority Leader in today’s States: Record on page S7485.) Transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the blocking of property of additional persons under- Committee Meetings mining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe; which was referred to the Committee on (Committees not listed did not meet) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (PM–60) NOMINATION Page S7478 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Messages from the House: Page S7478 fairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Measures Referred: Pages S7478–79 nomination of James A. Williams, of Virginia, to be Measures Placed on the Calendar: Administrator of General Services Administration, Pages S7479, S7485 after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Warner and former Secretary of Homeland Security Enrolled Bills Presented: Page S7479 Thomas J. Ridge, testified and answered questions in Additional Cosponsors: Pages S7479–80 his own behalf. Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: OFFSHORE TAX HAVENS Pages S7480–83 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Amendments Submitted: Pages S7483–85 fairs: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S7485 concluded a hearing to examine financial institutions located in offshore tax havens, focusing on ways to Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today. strengthen United States domestic and international (Total—185) Page S7436 tax enforcement efforts, after receiving testimony Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:15 a.m. and from Steven Greenfield, New York, New York; and adjourned at 3:27 p.m., until 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Peter S. Lowy, Beverly Hills, California. h House of Representatives Bruce Fein, former Associate Deputy Attorney Gen- Chamber Action eral, Department of Justice; and public witnesses. The House was not in session today. The House is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 28, f 2008 in pro forma session. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2008 Committee Meetings (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) MORTGAGE SERVICING PRACTICES Senate FORECLOSURE MITIGATION No meetings/hearings scheduled. Committee on Financial Services: Held a hearing entitled ‘‘A Review of Mortgage Servicing Practices and f Foreclosure Mitigation.’’ Testimony was heard from CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD public witnesses. Week of July 26 through August 2, 2008 EXECUTIVE POWER AND ITS CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATIONS Senate Chamber Committee on the Judiciary: Held a hearing on Execu- On Saturday, at 9 a.m., Senate will continue con- tive Power and Its Constitutional Limitations. Testi- sideration of the amendment of the House of Rep- mony was heard from Representatives Kucinich, resentatives to the amendment of the Senate to the Hinchey, Jones of North Carolina and Miller of amendments of the House to the amendment of the North Carolina; former Representatives Elizabeth Senate to H.R. 3221, Foreclosure Prevention Act, Holtzman of New York and Bob Barr of Georgia; and vote on the motion to concur therein at 11 a.m.;

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:19 Jul 26, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0627 Sfmt 0627 E:\CR\FM\D25JY8.REC D25JYPT1 erowe on PRODPC61 with DIGEST D952 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST July 25, 2008 following which, Senate will vote on the motion to S. 3113, to reinstate the Interim Management Strategy invoke on the motion to proceed to consideration of governing off-road vehicle use in the Cape Hatteras Na- S. 3186, Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer Act. tional Seashore, North Carolina, pending the issuance of During the balance of the week, Senate may con- a final rule for off-road vehicle use by the National Park sider any cleared legislative and executive business. Service, S. 3148, to modify the boundary of the Oregon Caves National Monument, S. 3158, to extend the au- Senate Committees thority for the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission, S. 3226, to rename the Abraham Lincoln (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Birthplace National Historic Site in the State of Ken- Committee on Appropriations: July 29, Subcommittee on tucky as the ‘‘Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National His- Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Re- torical Park’’, S. 3247, to provide for the designation of lated Agencies, with the Subcommittee on Financial Serv- the River Raisin National Battlefield Park in the State of ices and General Government, to hold joint hearings to Michigan, and H.R. 5137, to ensure that hunting re- examine food marketing to children, focusing on ways to mains a purpose of the New River Gorge National River, make it safer, 11 a.m., SD–192. 2:30 p.m., SD–366. Committee on Armed Services: July 28, to hold a briefing July 31, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine related to Air Force nominations, 11 a.m., SR–222. the state of the nation’s transmission grid, focusing on July 31, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine the implementation of the transmission provisions of the the North Korean Six-Party Talks and implementation Energy Policy Act (Public Law 109–58), including reli- activities, 9:30 a.m., SR–325. ability, siting, and infrastructure investment, 9:30 a.m., Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: July SD–366. 29, to hold hearings to examine the state of the insurance Committee on Environment and Public Works: July 29, industry, focusing on the current regulatory and oversight Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, to hold structure, 10 a.m., SD–538. hearings to examine the Environmental Protection Agen- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: July cy’s (EPA) Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), focusing on 29, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of John a recent court decision and its implications, 10 a.m., P. Hewko, of Michigan, to be an Assistant Secretary of SD–406. Transportation, 10:30 a.m., SR–253. Committee on Finance: July 29, to hold hearings to ex- July 30, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine amine the future of United States trade policy, focusing ways to improve consumer protection in the prepaid call- on perspectives from former United States trade rep- ing card market, 10 a.m., SR–253. resentatives, 10 a.m., SD–215. July 31, Full Committee, business meeting to consider July 31, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine S. 3198, to amend title 46, United States Code, with re- health benefits in the tax code, 10 a.m., SD–215. spect to the navigation of submersible or semi-submers- Committee on Foreign Relations: July 29, business meeting ible vessels without nationality, S. 3274, to reauthorize to consider pending calendar business, 2:15 p.m., S–116, the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Develop- Capitol. ment Act, H. Con. Res. 375, to honor the goal of the July 31, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine International Year of Astronomy, H. Con. Res. 305, rec- ways to define the military’s role towards foreign policy, ognizing the importance of bicycling in transportation 2 p.m., SD–419. and recreation, an original bill entitled,’’The Whaling Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: July Amendments Act of 2008’’, the nomination of John P. 29, Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, Hewko, of Michigan, to be an Assistant Secretary of to hold hearings to examine the Occupational Safety and Transportation, and a promotion list in the United States Health Administration (OSHA), focusing on protecting Coast Guard, 10 a.m., SR–253. workers from dangerous dust at the workplace, 10 a.m., Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: July 30, Sub- SD–430. committee on National Parks, to hold hearings to exam- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: ine S. 1816, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to July 29, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to establish a commemorative trail in connection with the hold hearings to examine the magnitude of outstanding Women’s Rights National Historical Park to link prop- payroll tax debt, focusing on the policies and procedures erties that are historically and thematically associated that are used to collect unpaid payroll taxes, 9 a.m., with the struggle for women’s suffrage, S. 2093, to SD–342. amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a July 30, Full Committee, business meeting to consider segment of the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in the State S. 2583, to amend the Improper Payments Information of Vermont for study for potential addition to the Na- Act of 2002 (31 U.S.C. 3321 note) in order to prevent tional Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. 2535, to revise the loss of billions in taxpayer dollars, S. 3176, to amend the boundary of the Martin Van Buren National Historic the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As- Site, S. 2561, to require the Secretary of the Interior to sistance Act to authorize the President to provide mental conduct a theme study to identify sites and resources to health and substance abuse services, H.R. 3068, to pro- commemorate and interpret the Cold War, S. 3011, to hibit the award of contracts to provide guard services amend the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site under the contract security guard program of the Federal Act of 1991 to expand the boundaries of the historic site, Protective Service to a business concern that is owned,

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controlled, or operated by an individual who has been power, focusing on reforming the foreign assistance bu- convicted of a felony, H.R. 404, to require the establish- reaucracy, 2 p.m., SD–342. ment of customer service standards for Federal agencies, Committee on Indian Affairs: July 31, business meeting S. 3328, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to consider pending calendar business; to be immediately to provide for a one-year extension of other transaction followed by an oversight hearing to examine Indian authority, S. 3241, to designate the facility of the United health service management, focusing on lost property, States Postal Service located at 1717 Orange Avenue in wasteful spending and document fabrication, 9:30 a.m., Fort Pierce, Florida, as the ‘‘CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Of- SD–562. fice Building’’, H.R. 6150, to designate the facility of the Committee on the Judiciary: July 29, to hold hearings to United States Postal Service located at 14500 Lorain Ave- examine music and radio in the 21st century, focusing on nue in Cleveland, Ohio, as the ‘‘John P. Gallagher Post assuring fair rates and rules across the platforms, 10 a.m., Office Building’’, H.R. 6085, to designate the facility of SD–226. the United States Postal Service located at 42222 Rancho July 30, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine Las Palmas Drive in Rancho Mirage, California, as the hiring at the Department of Justice, 10 a.m., SD–226. ‘‘Gerald R. Ford Post Office Building’’, H.R. 5477, to July 30, Full Committee, to hold hearings to examine designate the facility of the United States Postal Service S.J. Res. 45, expressing the consent and approval of Con- located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, gress to an inter-state compact regarding water resources California, as the ‘‘Chi Mui Post Office Building’’, H.R. in the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence River Basin, 1 p.m., 5631, to designate the facility of the United States Postal SD–226. Service located at 1155 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville, July 31, Full Committee, business meeting to consider Virginia, as the ‘‘Corporal Bradley T. Arms Post Office S. 3155, to reauthorize and improve the Juvenile Justice Building’’, H.R. 5483, to designate the facility of the and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, S. 2746, to United States Postal Service located at 10449 White amend section 552(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code Granite Drive in Oakton, Virginia, as the ‘‘Private First (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Class David H. Sharrett II Post Office Building’’, H.R. Act) to provide that statutory exemptions to the disclo- 6061, to designate the facility of the United States Postal sure requirements of that Act shall specifically cite to the Service located at 219 East Main Street in West Frank- provision of that Act authorizing such exemptions, to en- fort, Illinois, as the ‘‘Kenneth James Gray Post Office sure an open and deliberative process in Congress by pro- Building’’, H.R. 4210, to designate the facility of the viding for related legislative proposals to explicitly state United States Postal Service located at 401 Washington such required citations, S. 3061, to authorize appropria- Avenue in Weldon, North Carolina, as the ‘‘Dock M. tions for fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for the Traf- Brown Post Office Building’’, an original bill entitled, ficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, to enhance meas- ‘‘Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement ures to combat trafficking in persons, S. 2838, to amend Act of 2008’’, and the nominations of Gus P. Coldebella, chapter 1 of title 9 of United States Code with respect of Massachusetts, to be General Counsel, Department of to arbitration, S. 3136, to encourage the entry of felony Homeland Security, James A. Williams, of Virginia, to warrants into the NCIC database by States and provide be Administrator of General Services, Carol A. Dalton, additional resources for extradition, S. 1276, to establish Anthony C. Epstein, and Heidi M. Pasichow, all to be a grant program to facilitate the creation of methamphet- an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District amine precursor electronic logbook systems, and S. 3197, of Columbia, 10 a.m., SD–342. to amend title 11, United States Code, to exempt for a July 30, Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, limited period, from the application of the means-test to hold hearings to examine planning for post-catastrophe presumption of abuse under chapter 7, qualifying mem- housing needs, focusing on if the Federal Emergency bers of reserve components of the Armed Forces and Management Agency (FEMA) has developed an effective members of the National Guard who, after September 11, strategy for housing large numbers of citizens displaced 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland by a disaster, 12 noon, SD–562. defense activity for not less than 90 days, 10 a.m., July 31, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Manage- SD–226. ment, Government Information, Federal Services, and July 31, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Pol- International Security, to hold hearings to examine the icy and Consumer Rights, to hold hearings to examine state of information technology planning in the federal consolidation in the Pennsylvania health insurance indus- government, 9:30 a.m., SD–342. try, 2 p.m., SD–226. July 31, Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, Committee on Rules and Administration: July 30, to hold to hold joint hearings with the House Committee on hearings to examine S. 3212, to amend the Help America Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Com- Vote Act of 2002 to provide for auditable, independent munications, Preparedness to examine ways to ensure the verification of ballots, to ensure the security of voting delivery of donated goods to survivors of catastrophes, 1 systems, 10 a.m., SR–301. p.m., 311 Cannon Building. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: July 30, July 31, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government business meeting to mark up an original bill to reauthor- Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of ize the Small Business Innovation Research Program, 10 Columbia, to hold hearings to examine reliance on smart a.m., SR–428A.

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Select Committee on Intelligence: July 29, closed business Borrowers Need to Know About Credit Scoring Models meeting to consider pending intelligence matters, 2:30 and Credit Scores,’’ 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. p.m., SH–219. July 30, full Committee, to mark up the following July 30, Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to bills: H.R. 6308, Municipal Bond Fairness Act; H.R. examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH–219. 5772, Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act July 31, Full Committee, to hold closed hearings to of 2008; H.R. 5244, Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights examine certain intelligence matters, 2:30 p.m., SH–219. Act of 2008; H.R. 6078, GREEN Act of 2008; and H.R. Special Committee on Aging: July 31, to hold hearings to 840, Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transi- examine aging in rural America, focusing on preserving tion to Housing Act of 2007, 2 p.m., 2128 Rayburn. elderly citizen’s access to health care, 10:30 a.m., July 30, Subcommittee on Domestic and International SD–106. Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology, hearing entitled ‘‘Examining Issues Related to Tactilely Distinguishable House Committees Currency,’’ 10 a.m., 2128 Rayburn. Committee on Agriculture, July 30, Subcommittee on Committee on Foreign Affairs, July 29, Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research, hearing to the Middle East and South Asia, hearing on Update on review electricity reliability in rural America, 10:30 a.m., the Situation in Lebanon, 4 p.m., 2172 Rayburn. 1300 Longworth. July 31, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation July 30, Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic and Trade, hearing on Foreign Aid and the Fight Against Agriculture, hearing to review legal and technological ca- Terrorism and Proliferation: Leveraging Foreign Aid to pacity for full traceability in fresh produce, 1 p.m., 1300 Achieve U.S. Policy Goals, 10:30 a.m., 2200 Rayburn. Longworth. July 31, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, hear- Committee on Appropriations, July 30, Subcommittee on ing on Energy in the Americas, 10:30 a.m., 2172 Ray- Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Admin- burn. istration, and Related Agencies, hearing on Food Safety- Committee on Homeland Security, July 30, Subcommittee FDA-Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 1:30 on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk p.m., 2362–A Rayburn. Assessment, hearing entitled ‘‘Reassessing the Threat: Committee on Armed Services, July 30, and 31, hearings The Future of Al Qaeda and Its Implications for Home- on Implications of the Supreme Court’s Boumediene De- land Security,’’ 10 a.m., 311 Cannon. cision for Detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba: Non-gov- July 30, Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, ernmental Perspective on July 30 and Administration and Oversight, hearing entitled ‘‘The Quadrennial Home- Perspectives on July 31, 10 a.m., on July 30, and 2 p.m., land Security Review,’’ 2 p.m., 311 Cannon. on July 31, 2118 Rayburn. Committee on the Judiciary, July 31, Subcommittee on July 31, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investiga- Commercial and Administrative Law, hearing on H.R. tions, to continue hearings on A New U.S. Grand Strat- 5884, Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2008, 190:30 a.m., egy (Part 2), 10 a.m., 2212 Rayburn. 2237 Rayburn. July 31, Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary July 31, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Forces, hearing on Navy Destroyer Acquisition Programs, Rights, and Civil Liberties, hearing on H.R. 5607, State 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn. Secret Protection Act of 2008, 12:30 p.m., 2141 Ray- Committee on the Budget, July 30, hearing on Rising burn. Food Prices: Budget Challenges, 2 p.m., 210 Cannon. July 31, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Committee on Education and Labor, July 29, Sub- Homeland Security, hearing on the following bills: H.R. committee on Healthy Families and Communities, hear- 6598, Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008; and ing on Caring for the Vulnerable: The State of Social H.R. 6597, Animal Cruelty Statistics Act of 2008, 9:30 Work in America,’’ 3 p.m., 2175 Rayburn. a.m., 2141 Rayburn. July 30, Subcommittee on Health, Employment and Committee on Natural Resources, July 31, Subcommittee Pensions, hearing on the Proposed Delta/Northwest Air- on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, oversight hearing on line Merger: The Impact on Workers, 10:30 a.m., 2175 the impacts that U.S. consumer demand is having on the Rayburn. illegal and unsustainable trade of wildlife products and July 31, Subcommittee on Workforce Projects, hearing ongoing and proposed efforts to increase public awareness on The Growing Income Gap in the American Middle about these impacts, 9:30 a.m., 1324 Longworth. Class, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, July 30, Committee on Energy and Commerce, July 31, Sub- hearing on Deficient Electrical Systems at U.S. Facilities committee on Health, hearing on H.R. 6594, James in Iraq, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2008, 10 July 30, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, hearing on a.m., 2322 Rayburn. Gaming the Tax Code: Public Subsidies, Private Profits, July 31, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investiga- and Big League Sports in New York, 2 p.m., 2154 Ray- tions, hearing entitled ‘‘The Recent Salmonella Outbreak: burn. Lessons Learned and Consequences to Industry and Public July 30, Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, Health,’’ 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn. and National Archives, hearing entitled ‘‘Critical Budget Committee on Financial Services, July 29, Subcommittee Issues Affecting the 2010 Census—Part 2,’’ 2 p.m., 2247 on Oversight and Investigations, hearing entitled ‘‘What Rayburn.

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July 31, Subcommittee on National Security and For- Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, July 30, execu- eign Affairs, oversight hearing on Sexual Assault in the tive, briefing on Congressional Notifications, 1 p.m., Military, 10 a.m., 2154 Rayburn. H–405 Capitol. Committee on Rules, July 29, to consider H.R. 6599, July 30, Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropria- Management, hearing on Security Clearance Reform, 2:30 tions Act, 2009, 4:45 p.m., H–313 Capitol. p.m., 2212 Rayburn. Committee on Science and Technology, July 30, hearing on July 31, full Committee, executive, briefing on Revi- NASA at 50: Past Accomplishments and Future Oppor- sions to Executive Order 12333, 10 a.m., H–405 Capitol. tunities and Challenges, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. July 31, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intel- July 31, hearing on Oversight of the Federal Net- ligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence, executive, working and Information Technology Research and De- briefing on Hot Spots, 8:45 a.m., H–405 Capitol. velopment (NITRD) Program, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warm- Committee on Small Business, July 30, Subcommittee on ing, July 30, hearing entitled ‘‘What’s Cooking with Gas: Regulations, Health Care and Trade, hearing entitled the Role of Natural Gas in Energy Independence and Global Warming Solutions,’’ 1:30 p.m., room to be an- ‘‘Regulatory Burdens on Small Firms: What Rules Need nounced. Reform?’’ 10 a.m., 1539 Longworth. July 31, hearing entitled ‘‘Renewing America’s Future: July 31, full Committee, hearing entitled ‘‘Cost and Energy Visions of Tomorrow, Today,’’ 9:30 a.m., room to Confidentiality: The Unforeseen Challenges of Electronic be announced. Health Records in Small Specialty Practices, 10 a.m., 1539 Longworth. Joint Meetings Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, July 30, Joint Hearing: July 31, Senate Committee on Homeland Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Build- Security and Governmental Affairs, Ad Hoc Sub- ings, and Emergency Management, hearing on Credit committee on Disaster Recovery, to hold joint hearings Crunch: A Hearing on the Effects on Federal Leasing and with the House Committee on Homeland Security Sub- Construction, 10 a.m., 2167 Rayburn. committee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness July 30, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Envi- to examine ways to ensure the delivery of donated goods ronment, hearing on Protecting and Restoring America’s to survivors of catastrophes, 1 p.m., 311 Cannon Build- Great Waters—Part II: Chesapeake Bay, 2 p.m., 2167 ing. Rayburn. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: July 29, Committee on Veterans Affairs, July 31, Subcommittee on to hold hearings to examine human rights and democra- Oversight and Investigations, hearing on Billions Spent tization in Azerbaijan, focusing on the Organization for on ‘‘Miscellaneous’’ Expenditures: Inadequate Controls at Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the the VA, 10 a.m., 334 Cannon. Council of Europe’s numerous concerns, including free- Committee on Ways and Means, July 31, Subcommittee dom of the media, political prisoners and the conduct of on Income Security and Family Support, hearing on Ra- elections, 3 p.m., B13, Rayburn Building. cial Disproportionality in Foster Care, 10 a.m., B–318 Joint Economic Committee: July 30, to hold hearings to Rayburn. examine ways to solve the energy crisis, 10 a.m., SD–106.

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Next Meeting of the SENATE Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 a.m., Saturday, July 26 11 a.m., Monday, July 28

Senate Chamber House Chamber Program for Saturday: Senate will continue consider- Program for Monday: To be announced. ation of the amendment of the House of Representatives to the amendment of the Senate to the amendments of the House to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 3221, Foreclosure Prevention Act, and vote on the motion to concur therein at 11 a.m.; following which, Senate will vote on the motion to invoke on the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 3186, Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer Act.

Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue

HOUSE Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E1569 Langevin, James R., R.I., E1559 Etheridge, Bob, N.C., E1556, E1571 Latham, Tom, Iowa, E1556, E1560 Baca, Joe, Calif., E1567 Frank, Barney, Mass., E1555 Lipinski, Daniel, Ill., E1555 Baldwin, Tammy, Wisc., E1556 Granger, Kay, Tex., E1567 McCollum, Betty, Minn., E1564, E1565 Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., Ga., E1565 Graves, Sam, Mo., E1563, E1564, E1565, E1567, E1568, Nadler, Jerrold, N.Y., E1560 Bordallo, Madeleine Z., Guam, E1560, E1561, E1568 E1569, E1570, E1571 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1563 Boren, Dan, Okla., E1571 Hall, Ralph M., Tex., E1559 Radanovich, George, Calif., E1561 Capps, Lois, Calif., E1555 Hastings, Alcee L., Fla., E1557, E1567 Rush, Bobby L., Ill., E1563 Cole, Tom, Okla., E1562 Higgins, Brian, N.Y., E1572 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1559 Hinchey, Maurice D., N.Y., E1564 Schakowsky, Janice D., Ill., E1572 Cuellar, Henry, Tex., E1556 Hoyer, Steny H., Md., E1570 Shuster, Bill, Pa., E1569 Davis, David, Tenn., E1563 Jackson, Jesse L., Jr., Ill., E1567 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E1560 Davis, Tom, Va., E1568 Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, Ohio, E1570 Smith, Christopher H., N.J., E1564 Diaz-Balart, Mario, Fla., E1559 Kennedy, Patrick J., R.I., E1568 Thompson, Mike, Calif., E1565 Dingell, John D., Mich., E1571 Kind, Ron, Wisc., E1563 Wolf, Frank R., Va., E1565 Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E1570 King, Peter T., N.Y., E1570 Young, Don, Alaska, E1558

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