24936 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 18 October 15, 2009 more government expansion in Wash- million people in this country without I ask unanimous consent to add Sen- ington, DC, more and more government health insurance. In spite of $1.8 tril- ator MIKULSKI and Senator TOM UDALL involvement in the decisions that are lion in spending, new taxes, higher pre- as cosponsors of S. 1685. made. The government will now put miums, and everything that goes with The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without mandates on what types of policies that, you are still not getting many of objection, it is so ordered. meet their threshold, their standard. I the people who don’t have health insur- Mr. SANDERS. We are all saying think, inevitably, in every model ance covered. that in the midst of this major eco- around the world where you have that We think the bill that will be nomic downturn, the worst recession level of government intervention, it brought before the Senate—we don’t since the Great Depression, while we leads to a rationing of care, denials of know what it is at this point because it are keenly concerned about the 9.8 mil- care, and delays with respect to care. is being written behind closed doors—is lion Americans who are unemployed of- I argue that the whole idea of this the wrong approach, and the correct ficially, the Americans who have given being characterized or labeled as re- approach is a step-by-step process that up looking for work, the millions of form is completely mislabeled. There is addresses the shortcomings, the flaws, Americans who are working part time nothing that is reform about this. It and attempts to fix those in a way that when they want to work full time— raises premiums, raises taxes, and cuts doesn’t bust the bank or the budget, when you add that all together, that is Medicare. I think you are going to see, that doesn’t raise taxes on consumers something like 17 percent of our work- in addition to that, diminishment in and raise premiums for health care force, about 26 million Americans. We the services that are available to peo- consumers, and that doesn’t cut Medi- are concerned about that issue, and we ple in this country through many of care for seniors across this country and have to do everything we can to make these programs. for many of the providers that are out sure we get this economy going in a What is the alternative? We believe there. way that benefits not just Wall Street that rather than throwing the entire Mr. President, I hope that as the but ordinary Americans. health care system overboard in this American people listen to this debate, While we remain concerned about the country, we ought to be looking at they will engage on this issue; that the need to start creating the millions of what we can do on a step-by-step basis bill—whatever comes out of the discus- jobs the middle class in this country to improve it. Republicans have offered sions going on in the leader’s office, I desperately need, we cannot turn our a number of alternatives. We can allow hope there is an ample amount of time backs on the senior citizens of this buying insurance across State lines. for the American people to analyze it country. What we are seeing today is We believe interstate competition in and for Members of the Senate to di- that millions of seniors are facing ex- buying insurance would put downward gest it. This is literally one-sixth of tremely high prescription drug costs. pressure on prices in this country. That the American economy. We are talking They are facing very high health care is a good solution. We can have small about reorganizing one-sixth of our en- costs. We have to address that issue. business health plans, allowing small tire economy. We should do it with The legislation I introduced—and it businesses to join groups. Group pur- great deliberation and great diligence was introduced by Congressman DEFA- chasing power will bring downward and with a great amount of care and, I ZIO in the House—would provide a one- pressure on insurance prices. By the argue, not by throwing the current sys- time $250 payment for more than 50 way, that is something a number of us tem overboard and wrecking it but by million seniors and disabled veterans. voted for many times here in the Con- taking a step-by-step approach that We would pay for that cost of about $14 gress. It has always been defeated. improves the system we have today billion by raising the Social Security Also, we can deal with the issue of and provides access to those who don’t tax on people who earn between $250,000 medical malpractice reform, which, ac- have health insurance and does some- and $359,000, on a 1-year basis—about cording to CBO, has significant sav- thing to bend the cost curve down and $14 billion. ings—$54 billion. That applies to the drive health care costs down rather What I am delighted about is that government side of health care. If you than raising them, like all the bills yesterday President Obama announced extend that to private health care—I that have been produced by the Demo- his support for the concept of a $250 think there are estimates that defen- cratic majority in the Congress. one-time payment to our seniors on So- sive medicine in this country costs $100 I yield the floor. cial Security and to disabled veterans. billion to $200 billion annually. So if The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- He did not yet determine, in his judg- you could address that issue that deals ator from Vermont is recognized. ment, the best way to fund that pro- with litigation costs and defensive Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I wish gram. I think it is a real step forward medicine, you would see savings grow to spend a few minutes talking on an that he is doing that. I am delighted over the estimates of the CBO. issue that I think is of concern to tens that the majority leader, Senator REID, Having said that, those are several of millions of senior citizens. Before has also been very strong on saying we things, just off the top right there, that that, I ask unanimous consent for Sen- have to make sure our seniors get some we think are step-by-step improve- ator CHAMBLISS to follow me on the help this year, as has Speaker PELOSI ments in our health care system in this floor. and the chairman of the Ways and country. That doesn’t throw overboard The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Means Committee, Congressman RAN- everything that is good about Amer- objection, it is so ordered. GEL. I think we are making some real ican health care. It doesn’t move us to- f steps in the right direction. ward a government plan or a single- SOCIAL SECURITY Let me quote what the President said payer system like they have in Europe, because I think he was right on: Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, as you Canada, or someplace like that. It pre- Even as we seek to bring about recovery, serves the competition we have in the know, today the Social Security Ad- we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by marketplace today and a market-based ministration announced there will be this recession. That is why I am announcing delivery system for health care in this no COLA, or cost of living increase, my support for an additional $250 in emer- country. next year for more than 50 million sen- gency recovery assistance to seniors, vet- We will continue to talk about those iors. That is the first time in 35 years erans, and people with disabilities to help ideas, as well as many others, includ- that situation has occurred, and it wor- them make it through these difficult times. ing providing tax credits that will give ries me very much. These payments will provide aid to more About a month ago, I introduced leg- than 50 million people in the coming year, access to health care for those who relief that will not only make a difference don’t have it. There is a way to do that islation which the occupant of the for them, but for our economy as a whole, that is very simple. chair is a cosponsor of, along with Sen- complementing the tax cuts we’ve provided By the way, the Baucus bill, the Fi- ators LEAHY, DODD, STABENOW, BEGICH, working families and small businesses nance Committee bill, still leaves 29 and CASEY. through the Recovery Act.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 12:26 Apr 10, 2012 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S15OC9.001 S15OC9 erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD October 15, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 18 24937 I very much appreciate that support 90, he was still driving out on summer Leagues, and before Sports Illustrated from the President. nights to cover minor league baseball even existed. The bottom line is that this legisla- games. Ever since, with wit and style, tion is now in our jurisdiction. My In his career, Furman scored many Furman Bisher has chronicled the tri- hope and expectation is that we are journalistic knockouts, including a umphs and the travails of the sports going to move it as quickly as possible. 1949 interview with Shoeless Joe Jack- world and its often all too human he- With the President’s support, we son, the only one Jackson ever gave re- roes. should be able to accomplish that in a garding his involvement in the 1919 Furman is leaving the AJC at almost short while. Black Sox scandal. 91 years old, and he is still going In Vermont, I can tell you there are He got stock tips from Ty Cobb and strong. While we may not be seeing his many seniors making the difficult watched every Masters, including Jack column on a regular basis, I am quite choice about whether or not to heat Nicklaus’s 1986 Masters victory, which sure we have not heard the last of their homes or pay for prescription he gloried in. He sat in the press box at Furman Bisher. As Furman would say, drugs. Those are choices Americans countless Falcons games at Atlanta- selah. I am thankful for Furman should not have to make. Many seniors Fulton County Stadium and the Geor- Bisher. are also going to be seeing an increase gia Dome and covered the Olympics, I yield the floor, and I suggest the ab- in the cost of Medicare Part D. both winter and summer. sence of a quorum. If we do not deliver on this one-time He wrote 11 books, including co- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The $250 payment, you are going to see mil- authoring two editions of a Hank clerk will call the roll. lions of seniors with a reduced amount Aaron autobiography. At the Masters The assistant legislative clerk pro- in their Social Security check. That is Tournament in Augusta every April, ceeded to call the roll. Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I ask not acceptable. Furman reigned among the azaleas and unanimous consent that the order for I think we are making some progress oaks as the dean of the sports press the quorum call be rescinded. on this issue. Again, I thank Senator corps. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without REID for his strong support, Speaker In a testament to his longevity in a objection, it is so ordered. PELOSI for her support, and most im- tough business, Furman has covered portant, the President for his support. every Kentucky Derby since 1950 and f Let’s get this done on behalf of seniors every Super Bowl but the first one. AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN and disabled veterans. I think we will Furman even branched out into TV. Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I know have done something that is very im- Although I did not grow up in Atlanta, the hour is late and many are ready to portant. I have heard from many people that end the week. I wish to say a few words With that, I yield the floor and sug- preachers across the city would cut a tonight about the challenge we have gest the absence of a quorum. sermon short so that their congrega- with regard to Afghanistan and Paki- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The tions could be home for Furman’s kick- stan and our strategy going forward. clerk will call the roll. off on ‘‘Football Review.’’ I spent some time in the last couple The assistant legislative clerk pro- Along the way, he earned the respect of weeks talking about the obligation ceeded to call the roll. of his colleagues and the loyalty of his we have in the Senate to have a full de- Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I readers, garnering writing awards too bate on these issues and not simply to ask unanimous consent that the order numerous to mention. Red Smith is ac- point down Pennsylvania Avenue and for the quorum call be rescinded. knowledged as probably the dean of all say the White House has to do this or The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without journalists from a sports perspective, that or the President has to do this or objection, it is so ordered. and Furman Bisher has often been re- that. f ferred to as the ‘‘Red Smith of the It is important, I believe, that the South.’’ He served as president of the RETIREMENT OF FURMAN BISHER President and his team have taken the National Sportscasters and Sports- kind of time they have to get the strat- Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I writers Association from 1974 to 1976, egy right with regard to Afghanistan rise to honor a giant in the world of and of the Football Writers Association and Pakistan. But I believe the Con- journalism, Furman Bisher. of America from 1959 to 1960. His fea- gress has a role to play. If we simply Last Saturday, after nearly 60 years tures have appeared in The Saturday fall into partisan corners with regard of elegant observation of the sports Evening Post, Golf Digest, and Sports to our strategy in Afghanistan and world for the Atlanta Journal-Con- Illustrated, to name but a few. dust off and reintroduce talking points stitution, my friend Furman Bisher In 1961, Time magazine named him from the war in Iraq, we will not get it pecked out his last and final column one of the five best columnists in the right; we will get it wrong. before retirement on the thinning keys Nation. I would argue that even today, I believe we have to listen to a lot of of his trusty, old Royal typewriter. His that honor still fits. different points of view. The President choice of instrument to convey his No less than the great Jack Nicklaus has undertaken that kind of review, thoughts in this age of instantaneous, said of Furman’s retirement: and we have to do that as well. inane chatter says a lot about why He might be turning in his last column for Part of that is doing what we have newspaper readers, after all these the newspaper, but Furman will never stop already begun to do, which is to have a years, have continued to seek out his writing or giving his opinion. I guess you series of hearings. column on the AJC’s sports page. could say that when it comes to the last In the Foreign Relations Committee, It all comes down to this: Furman’s writings of Furman Bisher, I will believe it we have had a number of hearings. I graceful prose, courtly voice, and sharp when I don’t see it. know the Presiding Officer, as a mem- observations are unfailingly backed up Furman would close every column ber of the Intelligence Committee and by his old-fashioned shoe-leather re- with a single valediction—the word his work as a Senator, has engaged in porting. He gloried in doing his home- ‘‘selah,’’ a Hebrew word that ends this review as well. We are trying to work, making that extra call, inter- many Psalms and that exhorts the get different points of view in front of viewing one more player or assistant reader to reflect. us. I know Chairman KERRY and the coach or trainer in order to breathe It is appropriate then to reflect on Foreign Relations Committee have had even more life into the game or the Furman’s long, fruitful career, one too many hearings to count, and not race or the fight for his readers. that began in Atlanta as the Korean just in the last couple of weeks but It is also why Furman has become a war was starting, when Joe Louis was over many months. Georgian—and American—institution. still boxing, when the Minneapolis Chairman LEVIN and the Armed Serv- Simply put, Furman Bisher loved Lakers were the NBA champs, before ices Committee have outlined a strat- sports and he loved journalism. At age Willie Mays had joined the Major egy, or at least an approach to part of

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