March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6661 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—Monday, March 9, 2009

The House met at 12:30 p.m. and was shovel-ready that actually put more in annual Federal and State tax rev- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- people to work per million dollars than enue and producing over $53 billion in pore (Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland). highway construction. annual retail sales and services. These f Bike partisanship is alive and well on are activities that help revitalize the Capitol Hill, with over 200 members in economy exactly at the time we need DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO the Bike Caucus. There is a reason why them. Even those ever-present bicycle TEMPORE people are focusing on cycling activi- rides that are mushrooming around the The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- ties. Since 1980, the number of miles country support in excess of $100 mil- fore the House the following commu- Americans drive has increased three lion a year in critical medical research. nication from the Speaker: times faster than the population, and It is time for us to focus on what we WASHINGTON, DC, almost twice as fast as vehicle reg- in Congress can do to be more bike par- March 9, 2009. istrations. We have reached a point tisan. We urge you to join in wel- I hereby appoint the Honorable DONNA F. where our roadways simply demand re- coming the cyclists to Capitol Hill and EDWARDS to act as Speaker pro tempore on lief. become a member of the Congressional this day. We have an obesity epidemic. Sixty- Bike Caucus. NANCY PELOSI, five percent of American adults are ei- f Speaker of the House of Representatives. ther overweight or obese. Thirteen per- RECESS f cent of our children and adolescents are overweight, due in large part to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- MORNING-HOUR DEBATE lack of regular activity. There is an op- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- portunity to burn calories instead of declares the House in recess until 2 ant to the order of the House of Janu- fossil fuel. The Centers for Disease p.m. today. ary 6, 2009, the Chair will now recog- Control estimates that if all these Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 36 nize Members from lists submitted by physically inactive Americans become minutes p.m.), the House stood in re- the majority and minority leaders for active, we have the opportunity to save cess until 2 p.m. morning-hour debate. over $75 billion a year in health care f The Chair will alternate recognition costs. b 1400 between the parties, with each party The transportation sector contrib- limited to 30 minutes and each Mem- utes one-third of our greenhouse gas AFTER RECESS ber, other than the majority and mi- emissions that are contributing to The recess having expired, the House nority leaders and the minority whip, cooking the planet. was called to order at 2 p.m. limited to 5 minutes. There are opportunities for individ- f f uals to make a difference in their lives. A bike commuter saves almost $2,000 a PRAYER WELCOMING NINTH ANNUAL year in auto-related costs, avoids 50 The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT hours of being stuck in traffic and Coughlin, offered the following prayer: The SPEAKER pro tempore. The saves almost 150 gallons of gasoline. Lord God, ever attentive to our deep- Chair recognizes the gentleman from And you don’t have to be a regular est needs, answer the prayers of the Oregon (Mr. BLUMENAUER) for 5 min- long-distance bike commuter. Forty Members of Congress and bring them utes. percent of American trips are two closer and closer to You. Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, miles or less. Over a quarter are less Lord, once You draw souls close to occasionally there is some controversy than one mile. You, people desire to hold on to Your and conflict here in our Nation’s Cap- We all have an opportunity to make presence, and so they pray. Then to ital, but this week we have an oppor- a difference. We can start by working give flesh and blood to prayerful senti- tunity for celebrating events that with our children. Only 15 percent of ments and words, they enter into the bring people together. We have the students were walking or bicycling to realm of self-denial. ninth annual National Bicycle Sum- school as we began our new century, Finally, personal sacrifice, Lord, mit, which will be welcoming people yet in an earlier generation more than never seems worthwhile until it bene- from 47 States and four foreign coun- half the children were able to get to fits another. So there are these three tries who will be fanning out across the school on their own. practices: prayer, fasting, and acts of Capitol to talk about the opportunities We watch as bicycles have been inte- charity. The three are really one, giv- for this country in promoting bicycle grated into day-to-day activities. Right ing life to each other as they bring us activities. here on Capitol Hill, you will watch bi- closer to You, O Lord. This has been an exciting period for cycle patrols with Capitol police. In Let living faith and faith-filled prac- people who believe in cycling. Under fact, more than 96 percent of the large tice lead us to You both now and for- the leadership of now Chairman OBER- cities in this country have routine bi- ever. STAR, the House Transportation and In- cycle patrols, and they are spreading Amen. frastructure Committee in the last re- across the country. f authorization celebrated the most sig- It is also big business. I am not just nificant biking, hiking, and walking talking about a bicycle-friendly com- THE JOURNAL bill in history. Now, as Mr. OBERSTAR munity like mine in Portland, Oregon, The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- is chairman, we anticipate that there where it is about $100 million dollars of ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- will be even more initiatives that will economic activity and employs about ceedings and announces to the House be undertaken. In the economic recov- 1,000 people. Nationally we are talking her approval thereof. ery package, there were $825 million of about $133 billion, supporting over 1 Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- projects all across the country that are million jobs, producing over $17 billion nal stands approved.

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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It extends a security to work. and lead the House in the Pledge of Al- risk at dozens of temporary waste dis- The number one producer of jobs in legiance. posal sites around the Nation and America is not the government, not Mr. BOSWELL led the Pledge of Alle- threatens to cripple the future nuclear large corporations, but small business. giance as follows: development needed to advance na- Most are owned by individuals, real I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the tional energy independence.’’ people who hire other real people. United States of America, and to the Repub- The editorial continues to say, ‘‘For The new income tax hike is aimed lic for which it stands, one nation under God, South Carolina, it raises the likelihood right at these individuals, and the ef- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. that vast quantities of nuclear waste fect will be bad for jobs and the econ- f at the Savannah River site will simply omy. It’s the administration’s way of remain there indefinitely. Congress punishing success. Small business own- COMMENDING PRESIDENT OBAMA should repudiate the administration’s ers have told me they aren’t going to FOR EXECUTIVE ORDER TO decision.’’ expand because they do not want to get OVERTURN BAN ON FEDERAL That is sound advice. Nuclear energy in the higher tax bracket. Some have FUNDING FOR EMBRYONIC STEM is clean energy. It has provided my told me they’re going to downsize to CELL RESEARCH home State over 50 percent of our elec- pay the new tax increase. That means, (Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given trical power for over 30 years and will in simple terms, lay people off. permission to address the House for 1 continue to be an important part of our Why work hard and expand? The minute and to revise and extend his re- Nation’s energy infrastructure. more you work, the higher percent of marks.) In conclusion, God bless our troops, taxes taken from you by the hungry Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I and we will never forget September the beast of government. No one should rise today to commend President 11th. have their taxes raised during a reces- Obama for overturning former Presi- f sion, but the new economic recovery dent Bush’s ban on Federal funding for plan is: If it moves, regulate it; if it CONFIRMATION OF JOHN HOLDREN embryonic stem cell research. keeps moving, tax it; and if it stops AND JANE LUBCHENCO Lifting this 8-year-old restriction moving, subsidize it. provides hope for doctors, scientists, (Mr. HOLT asked and was given per- And that’s just the way it is. and those in my district, our State, our mission to address the House for 1 f country, who have waited far too long minute and to revise and extend his re- for research that may provide them marks.) COMMUNICATION FROM THE with cures for diseases such as diabe- Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, as the peo- CLERK OF THE HOUSE tes, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, ple today are talking about restoring The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. cancer, and others. science and government to its rightful ALTMIRE) laid before the House the fol- Just this weekend, I met with a place, President Obama’s nominees for lowing communication from the Clerk young lady who I’ve grown to know Director of the Office of Science and of the House of Representatives: very well, Karli Borcherding, who lives Technology Policy and Administrator OFFICE OF THE CLERK, with juvenile diabetes and has done a of the National Oceanic and Atmos- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, great service to so many by sharing her pheric Administration await confirma- Washington, DC, March 6, 2009. story and educating countless Ameri- tion. John Holdren and Jane Hon. NANCY PELOSI, cans on this life-altering illness. Each Lubchenco are among the Nation’s fin- The Speaker, House of Representatives, time I meet with her, she reminds me est scientists, and we urgently need Washington, DC. of the hope that stem cell research them at the forefront of our Nation’s DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: Pursuant to the holds for not just her, but children and efforts to rebuild our economy with permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II young people like her who live with new discoveries and innovations, to of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- tives, the Clerk received the following mes- this disease. transform our energy use with new sage from the Secretary of the Senate on Stem cell research has the potential technologies, and to manage our nat- March 6, 2009, at 1:47 p.m.: to revolutionize the way patients are ural resources with enhanced under- That the Senate passed H.J. Res. 38. treated. We must utilize the best minds standing. With best wishes, I am and the best science to find cures for Today, I stood in the White House as Sincerely, people living with chronic diseases. the President talked about the new LORRAINE C. MILLER, Our ability to utilize and encourage science policy; and later I stood in our Clerk of the House. scientific and medical research has Capitol dome, gazing up at the fresco of f been put on hold too long. I am con- George Washington surrounded by the NAPOLITANO IS WRONG TO INVES- fident that President Obama will con- tools of our founders. My eyes were TIGATE THE INVESTIGATORS tinue to work to enhance medical re- drawn to two scenes in particular, one search and bring renewed hope to those named Oceans—or Marine—and the (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was who deserve access to the best medi- other Science. Our Nation’s future given permission to address the House cine possible. prosperity is no less dependent upon a for 1 minute and to revise and extend f mastery of these fields today. I look his remarks.) forward to confirmation of my good Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, re- NUCLEAR ENERGY VITAL TO friends, Dr. Lubchenco and Dr. cently Homeland Security agents in ENERGY INDEPENDENCE Holdren, soon. Washington State arrested an illegal (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina f immigrant gang member, discovered he asked and was given permission to ad- worked at a manufacturing plant, then dress the House for 1 minute and to re- THE HUNGRY BEAST OF began to investigate the employer and vise and extend his remarks.) GOVERNMENT arrested 28 illegal immigrants. Instead Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was of praising their good work, though, Speaker, yesterday The Post and Cou- given permission to address the House Secretary Napolitano said she would rier of Charleston, South Carolina, edi- for 1 minute.) investigate the investigators. Amazing. torialized the following: ‘‘President Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, if Secretary Napolitano took the wrong Obama’s decision to abandon the na- you tax something, you get less of it. side. She should stand up for U.S. citi- tional nuclear waste disposal site at In other words, when the almighty zens and legal immigrant workers, not Yucca Mountain, Nevada, is a breath- Federal Government swoops in and the illegal immigrants who take their

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She should stand up for the law dents who qualified for free or reduced priced (2) expresses support for States that have enforcement officers who are doing meals; successfully implemented school breakfast their jobs, not the special interests Whereas the current economic situation, programs in order to improve the test scores who favor amnesty. including the increase of nearly 3 percent in and grades of its participating students; the national unemployment rate in 2008, is (3) encourages States to strengthen their It does not bode well for citizens and causing more families to struggle to feed school breakfast programs by improving ac- legal immigrant workers alike that their children and to turn to schools for as- cess for students, to promote improvements when it comes to worksite enforce- sistance; in the nutritional quality of breakfasts ment, this administration is inves- Whereas implementing or improving class- served, and to inform students and parents of tigating the investigators instead of room breakfast programs have been shown to healthy nutritional and lifestyle choices; the law breakers. increase the participation of eligible stu- (4) recognizes the need to provide States dents in breakfast consumption dramati- with resources to improve the availability of f cally, doubling, and in some cases tripling, adequate and nutritious breakfasts; ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER numbers, as evidenced by research in Min- (5) recognizes the impact of nonprofit and nesota, New York, and Wisconsin; PRO TEMPORE community organizations that work to in- Whereas making breakfast widely avail- crease awareness of, and access to, breakfast The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- able through different venues or a combina- programs for low-income children; and ant to clause 4 of rule I, the Speaker tion thereof, such as in the classroom, ob- (6) recognizes that National School Break- signed the following enrolled joint res- tained as students exit their school bus, or fast Week helps draw attention to the need outside the classroom, has been shown to olution on Friday, March 6, 2009: for, and success of, the National School lessen the stigma of receiving free or re- Breakfast Program. H.J. Res. 38, making further con- duced-price breakfast, which often prevents tinuing appropriations for fiscal year eligible students from obtaining traditional The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- 2009, and for other purposes. breakfast in the cafeteria; ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Whereas providing free universal break- California (Ms. WOOLSEY) and the gen- f fast, especially in the classroom, has been tleman from Kentucky (Mr. GUTHRIE) ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER shown to significantly increase school break- each will control 20 minutes. PRO TEMPORE fast participation rates and decrease ab- The Chair recognizes the gentle- sences and tardiness; woman from California. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Whereas studies have shown that access to ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair nutritious programs such as the National GENERAL LEAVE will postpone further proceedings School Lunch Program and National School Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I re- today on motions to suspend the rules Breakfast Program helps to create a strong quest 5 legislative days during which on which a recorded vote or the yeas learning environment for children and helps Members may revise and extend and in- and nays are ordered, or on which the to improve children’s concentration in the sert extraneous material on H. Res. 210 classroom; vote is objected to under clause 6 of into the RECORD. Whereas providing breakfast in the class- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there rule XX. room has been shown in several instances to Record votes on postponed questions improve attentiveness and academic per- objection to the request of the gentle- will be taken after 6:30 p.m. today. formance, while reducing tardiness and dis- woman from California? ciplinary referrals; There was no objection. f Whereas students who eat a complete Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield b 1415 breakfast have been shown to make fewer myself such time as I may consume. mistakes and work faster in math exercises Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING NA- than those who eat a partial breakfast; of H. Res. 210, a resolution expressing TIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST Whereas studies suggest that eating break- the sense of Congress that providing PROGRAM fast closer to classroom and test-taking time improves student performance on standard- breakfast in school has a positive im- Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move ized tests relative to students who skip pact on classroom performance. to suspend the rules and agree to the breakfast; We all know that breakfast is the resolution (H. Res. 210) expressing the Whereas studies show that students who most important meal of the day. Good sense of the House of Representatives skip breakfast are more likely to have dif- nutrition is an essential part of a that providing breakfast in schools ficulty distinguishing among similar images, child’s ability to grow and to thrive. through the National School Breakfast show increased errors, and have slower mem- According to the Center on Hunger, ory recall; Program has a positive impact on Whereas children who live in families that Poverty and Nutrition, hungry chil- classroom performance. experience hunger have been shown to be dren have less energy for cognitive and The Clerk read the title of the resolu- more likely to have lower math scores, face social activities, which undermines tion. an increased likelihood of repeating a grade, their ability to learn. The text of the resolution is as fol- and receive more special education services; The National School Breakfast Pro- lows: Whereas studies suggest that children who gram was established as a pilot pro- eat breakfast have more adequate nutrition H. RES. 210 gram by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and intake of nutrients, such as calcium, and made permanent in 1975. The pro- Whereas breakfast program participants fiber, protein, and vitamins A, E, D, and B– under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 include 6; gram was created to ensure that all public, private, elementary, middle, and high Whereas studies show that children who low-income students start the school schools, as well as rural, suburban, and participate in school breakfast programs eat day with a nutritious breakfast and urban schools; more fruits, drink more milk, and consume enter the classroom ready to learn. Whereas at least 16,000 schools that par- less saturated fat than those who do not eat Over the last five decades, Mr. Speak- ticipate in the National School Lunch Pro- breakfast; er, the National School Breakfast Pro- gram do not participate in the National Whereas children who fail to eat breakfast, gram has continued to grow. It now op- School Breakfast Program; whether in school or at home, are more like- erates in more than 85,000 public and Whereas in fiscal year 2008, 8,520,000 stu- ly to be overweight than children who eat a dents in the United States consumed free or healthy breakfast on a daily basis; and nonprofit schools and residential care reduced-price school breakfasts provided Whereas March 2 through March 6, 2009, is institutions nationwide. In 2007 over 10 under the national school breakfast program National School Breakfast Week: Now, million children participated in the established by section 4 of the Child Nutri- therefore, be it National School Breakfast Program tion Act of 1966; Resolved, That the House of Representa- each and every day. Whereas less than half of the low-income tives— Feeding our children a nutritious students who participate in the National (1) recognizes the importance of the Na- breakfast is one of the most important School Lunch Program also participate in tional School Breakfast Program and its the school breakfast program; overall positive effect on the lives of low-in- ways we can ensure that students get Whereas in fiscal year 2008, 60 percent of come children and families, as well as its ef- the most out of their education. Eating school lunches served, and 80 percent of fect on helping to improve a child’s overall close to the start of the school day has school breakfasts served, were served to stu- classroom performance; improved students’ memory, problem-

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In fact, as a Nation, In the State of Maryland, for example, cuses on those schools where assistance we have seen an increase in children referrals to the office decreased by 20 is needed to provide adequate nutrition living in poverty up to nearly 3 million percent when classroom breakfast pro- for students. In fiscal year 2007, over children, with children representing a grams were implemented. 10.1 million children participated in disproportionate share of the poor in Children who eat a nutritious break- the school breakfast program each day. the United States, as they’re 25 percent fast have better overall nutrition, Of those, 8.1 million received their of the total population but 35 percent maintain higher levels of important meals for free or at a reduced price. of the poor in our population. nutrients, and are less likely to be Participation has steadily grown over And to the extent that the parents of overweight than children who do not the years from only half a million chil- children are responsible for their well- eat breakfast, combating child obesity, dren in 1970. being, the unemployment rate, which which is so important to our country. The School Breakfast Program is ad- has risen from 7.6 percent to 8.1 percent And in the past two decades, the num- ministered in nearly 84,000 schools and and just in the last month losing ber of overweight American children, institutions by the U.S. Department of 651,000 jobs, 3.6 million jobs lost in the Mr. Speaker, age 6 to 11 has actually Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Serv- last year, this has caused families to doubled. ice through State education agencies, struggle even more to feed their chil- Making certain that children eat a in agreements with local school food dren, and they need to turn to schools healthy and nutritious breakfast is an authorities. for this much-needed assistance. important part of the effort to solve Public or nonprofit private schools I can tell you that a study done by the public health crisis. Across the Na- serving grades K–12 and public or non- the Massachusetts General Hospital in tion millions of children go to school profit private residential child care in- conjunction with Harvard Medical hungry every single day. Although 80 stitutions may participate in the School concluded that children who are percent of institutions that operate a school breakfast program. School dis- at nutritional risk have significantly school lunch program also offer a tricts and independent schools that poorer attendance, punctuality, and school breakfast program, participa- choose to take part in the breakfast grades. But it also showed that these tion is much lower in the breakfast program receive cash subsidies from same parents that are responsible for program. Only about one in three stu- the U.S. Department of Agriculture for taking care of them self report that dents who qualify for the free and re- each meal they serve. In return, they food insufficiency means that their duced lunch program actually receive must serve breakfasts that meet Fed- children have repeated a grade in breakfast at school. Participation is eral requirements, and they must offer school, they have lower scores on low because of a variety of reasons, in- free or reduced-price breakfasts to eli- standardized tests, lower grades in cluding inadequate time for an in- gible children. math, and more days tardy and absent school meal and the stigma attached to Last week schools throughout the from school. eating breakfast at school. country celebrated National School Studies have also shown that stu- Mr. Speaker, as a strong supporter of Breakfast Week. During the week, dents who fail to eat an adequate the school breakfast program, I’ve al- school cafeterias nationwide encour- breakfast increase their chances for ways believed that every child should aged students to begin their day with a being overweight than children who eat be able to participate in program. I healthful, nutritious school breakfast. a healthy breakfast on a daily basis. helped to establish a pilot program to While many States that have imple- Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, these data test the benefits of a universal school mented school breakfast programs show that providing breakfast in breakfast program in six school dis- have seen encouraging outcomes, the school has been able to improve atten- tricts, including Santa Rosa in my con- problem of childhood hunger persists. tiveness and academic performance gressional district. And I strongly sup- The Federal child nutrition programs while reducing tardiness and discipli- port providing breakfast for every are helping to end childhood hunger nary referrals. child, regardless of need. and promote nutrition and wellness, es- I just want to mention that these Providing nutritious breakfasts is a pecially in terms of assisting those school breakfasts must meet the nutri- simple but important way to make most in need of beneficial nutrition. tional standards under the dietary sure students are more successful in I stand in support of this resolution guidelines for Americans, which rec- school and helps to set them on the recognizing the importance of the Na- ommend no more than 30 percent of an path toward a healthy lifestyle. By tional School Breakfast Program and individual’s calories come from fat and making breakfast more widely avail- the positive impact a nutritious break- less than 10 percent from saturated fat. able, we would be able to share these fast can have on a child’s ability to In addition, breakfast must provide educational, behavioral, and nutri- learn, grow, and develop to their fullest one-fourth of the recommended daily tional benefits with even more of our potential. allowance for protein, calcium, iron, Nation’s young people. I ask for my colleagues’ support. vitamin A, vitamin C, and calories. Mr. Speaker, once again I express my Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of And I mention this because this might support for the National School Break- my time. be the best meal the children have all fast Program, and I thank my col- Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am day long. league Congresswoman MOORE for in- pleased to yield such time as she may I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that pro- troducing this important resolution. consume to the gentlewoman from Wis- viding availability, accessibility, and Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of consin, GWEN MOORE. participation in the school breakfast my time. Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speak- program are some of the best ways to Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield er, I rise today to express my strong support the health and educational po- myself such time as I may consume. support for the National School Break- tential of children, particularly low-in- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support fast Program, H. Res. 210. come children. In my own State of Wis- of House Resolution 210, expressing the This resolution really elucidates the consin, we saw a significant increase in sense of the House that providing importance of school breakfast pro- school breakfast participation with a breakfast in schools through the Na- grams and their positive impact on a 25.3 percent growth rate, and this is tional School Breakfast Program has a child’s overall academic performance. largely due to our efforts in our State

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While nearly 100,000 individual midst of a tough economic time, no for 3 years, it proved itself. schools across the country offer a school child in our community or across the The administrators thought it was lunch, more than 15,000 of them still do not country should ever go to school hun- the best thing, the principals thought make breakfast available to children who are gry. When our children are able to eat it was the best, the teachers and the in need. In some states, only 50–60% of the quality meals in the morning, we see kids loved it, and they were provided a schools serving students lunch also provide improvements in math and reading balanced meal. I remember going to them with a breakfast to start the day. scores as well as cognitive skills. If our one of the schools in my district during We must endorse programs aimed to en- children are going to be able to com- the breakfast time, it was around 10:15 hance the educational welfare of our children. pete in a global environment, we need in the morning, they had been to their As President Obama recently stated in his first to do everything we can to make sure first classes and came out for this address to a joint session of Congress, that they succeed. It’s clear that there breakfast, all kids, not just poor. It ‘‘These education policies will open the doors is a definite need for school breakfast had nothing to do with economic sta- of opportunity for our children. But it is up to programs right alongside our edu- tus. us to ensure they walk through them.’’ cational programs. There was a group of fifth and sixth Beginning over twenty years ago, and con- Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve graders sitting around the table, and I tinuing today, scholarly research has estab- the balance of my time. went over to talk to them and I said, lished that the School Breakfast Program sig- Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am what are you guys talking about? And nificantly improves the cognitive abilities and pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gen- they said, we’re talking politics. I learning capacities of children. Matched con- tlewoman from Pennsylvania, Con- mean, they were having the best time. trolled studies, for example, indicate that low- income children who receive school breakfasts gresswoman DAHLKEMPER. They were thinking. They were ex- Mrs. DAHLKEMPER. Mr. Speaker, I cited. Some of them ate two breakfasts do significantly better on a variety of indicators rise today in support of House Resolu- every day because their parents actu- than low-income peers who go without break- tion 210, supporting the goals and ac- ally fed them breakfast. That was the fasts. Notably, the better outcomes associated complishments of the National School downside of the program was that all with school breakfast include both educational Breakfast Program. these kids didn’t have to have break- preparedness (attendance, energy, alertness, The National School Breakfast Pro- fast, but we learned later that middle memory) and educational outcome measures (math scores, grades, reading ability). gram continues to play an important school and high school are the kids When a child misses even one meal, let role in the health and educational de- that really don’t eat breakfast. So we are going to be working and alone experiences chronic food shortages, im- velopment of our Nation’s children by pairments occur whether they are lethargy and building on this program and ensuring giving them a nutritious start every inattention, tiredness and distraction, or actual that in the United States of America, morning. physical symptoms such as stomachaches the wealthiest country on the globe, we Research has shown that students and headaches. The research from the United will, indeed, be able to feed all of our who eat breakfast are more likely to States Department of Agriculture shows that children so that they are the best show academic improvement and be feeding children breakfast in school helps to learners this country can provide. more attentive in the classroom, but prevent these adverse outcomes. Children Mr. SPACE. Mr. Speaker, this Resolution having access to a nutritious breakfast getting breakfast at school also are sick less underscores the importance that the National also does something else as important. often, have fewer problems associated with The National School Breakfast Pro- School Breakfast Program has for classroom hunger, such as dizziness, stomachaches and gram is at the heart of promoting participation and student performance. The re- ear aches, and do significantly better than healthy lifestyle choices for our chil- cent increase in children and families needing their peers who do not get a school breakfast dren. They learn the importance of food assistance highlights the continuing ne- in terms of cooperation, discipline and inter- healthful food choices that can prevent cessity of these programs to keep America’s personal behaviors. further complications of obesity, type 2 students healthy, attentive and productive in Mr. Speaker, our failure to fully utilize the diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases. school. More resources are needed in order to School Breakfast Program has substantial Healthy kids make healthy adults, provide low-income children with the same op- costs, costs that greatly reduce the return on and that is why I am proud to support portunities for educational success as their educational investment in communities and this resolution and urge my colleagues peers. These efforts are critical to decreasing states across the nation. Moreover, longer- to support it also. the hunger problems in our country while term costs also are borne by young children working to increase educational attainment b 1430 who arrive at school unable to fully participate levels. in the educational process due to lack of ade- Ms. WOOLSEY. I would like to know Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, quate nutrition. if the gentleman from Kentucky has H. Res. 210 seeks to express the sense of the We, as Members of Congress, cannot allow any further speakers? House of Representatives that providing for a matter such as child hunger, which we Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I have breakfast in schools through the National as Congress can help eradicate, to act as an no further speakers, and I yield back School Breakfast Program has a positive im- impediment to the education of our children. the balance of my time. pact on classroom performance. I salute my President Obama articulated very fittingly, that Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield colleague, Rep. MOORE from Wisconsin, in her ‘‘in a global economy where the most valuable myself as much time as I may con- efforts to promote the National School Break- skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good sume. fast Program, and to recognize the positive education is no longer just a pathway to op- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to impact that it has on our students. I urge my portunity—it is a pre-requisite.’’ support this resolution to recognize the colleagues to support this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sup- important role the National School It has often been said that the children are port H. Res. 210, expressing the sense of the Breakfast Program plays in the edu- our future. As Members of Congress and House of Representatives that providing cation and health of our Nation’s chil- adults, we must do all that we can to provide breakfast in schools through the National dren. their well-being, safety, and excellence in School Breakfast Program has a positive im- I would like to say that it’s obvious school. pact on classroom performance, because the that if you eat a good breakfast you A former U.S. Surgeon General once articu- School Breakfast Program represents a key are much better prepared to learn, to lated, ‘‘This is expensive stupidity . . . trying way to protect these children and to get a bet- focus, to behave yourself, even want to to educate children with half starved bodies.’’ ter return on educational investments as well.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6666 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong proceedings on this motion will be (1) congratulates the National Assessment support of House Resolution 210, Recognizing postponed. Governing Board on its 20th anniversary in the importance of the National School Lunch measuring student academic achievement; f and Program and commend my colleague, Rep. CONGRATULATING NATIONAL (2) recognizes past and present members of GWEN MOORE for bringing this measure before ASSESSMENT GOVERNING BOARD the National Assessment Governing Board the House. for their service to the Nation in improving This important program provides breakfast Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move elementary and secondary education. to over 8 million children through either free or to suspend the rules and agree to the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- reduced-price meals in approximately 16,000 resolution (H. Res. 222) congratulating ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from the National Assessment Governing schools. With the current economic crisis, California (Ms. WOOLSEY) and the gen- Board on its 20th Anniversary in meas- working families are facing challenges they tleman from Kentucky (Mr. GUTHRIE) never expected. Last week, the Department of uring student academic achievement. each will control 20 minutes. Labor announced the U.S. economy lost The Clerk read the title of the resolu- The Chair recognizes the gentle- 651,000 jobs in February, and the unemploy- tion. woman from California. The text of the resolution is as fol- ment rate hit 8.1 percent, its highest point in GENERAL LEAVE since 1983. These job losses make it even lows: Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I re- harder for some families to feed their chil- H. RES. 222 quest 5 legislative days during which dren—so they turn to schools for help. We Whereas the National Assessment Gov- Members may revise and extend and in- know that children who live in families that ex- erning Board (the Governing Board) is an sert extraneous materials on H. Res. independent, bipartisan board created by perience hunger have been shown to be more 222 into the RECORD. Congress in 1988 to set policy for the Na- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there likely to have lower math scores, face an in- tional Assessment of Educational Progress creased likelihood of repeating a grade, and (NAEP), commonly known as ‘‘The Nation’s objection to the request of the gentle- receive more special education services. Report Card’’; woman from California? We’ve learned over the years that making Whereas the Governing Board is made up There was no objection. breakfast widely available through different of 26 members, including Governors, State Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield venues, such as in the classroom, or as stu- legislators, local and State school officials, myself such time as I may consume. dents exit their school bus, or outside the educators, researchers, business representa- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support classroom, has been shown to diminish the tives, and members of the general public; of H. Res. 222, which recognizes the Whereas when Congress established the 20th anniversary of the National As- stigma of receiving free or reduced-price Governing Board to oversee The Nation’s Re- sessment Governing Board. The Na- breakfast, which often prevents eligible stu- port Card, it ensured that the NAEP would tional Assessment Governing Board is dents from getting a traditional breakfast in be conducted independently and free from in- a bipartisan, independent Federal school cafeterias. appropriate influences and special interests; board that sets policy for the National Providing breakfast in the classroom can im- Whereas in overseeing The Nation’s Report Assessment of Education Progress, or prove attentiveness and academic perform- Card, the Governing Board identifies sub- NAEP. NAEP assessments are often re- ance, while reducing tardiness and disciplinary jects to be assessed, determines the content ferred to as the Nation’s report card referrals. Students who eat a complete break- and achievement levels for each assessment, because these tests are the principal fast have been shown to make fewer mistakes and approves all assessment questions; Whereas The Nation’s Report Card is con- source of data on student achievement and work faster in math exercises than those ducted as a representative sample and cur- nationwide. who eat a partial breakfast. Students who skip rently includes National NAEP assessments NAEP is a congressionally authorized breakfast are more likely to have difficulty dis- (which assess the performance of students in project of the National Center for Edu- tinguishing among similar images, show in- grades 4, 8, and 12 in reading, mathematics, cation Statistics. The governing board creased errors, and have slower memory re- writing, science, U.S. history, geography, created by Congress in 1988 is made up call. Studies have shown that access to nutri- and other subjects), State-by-State assess- ments (which are administered to students of governors, State legislators, State tious programs such as the National School and school officials, educators and re- Lunch Program and National School Breakfast in grades 4 and 8 to access performance in reading, mathematics, writing, and science), searchers, all of whom oversee NAEP, Program helps to create a strong learning en- Trial Urban District assessments (which re- identify subjects to be tested and gov- vironment for children and helps to improve port on the achievement of 4th and 8th grade ern reporting of test results. children’s concentration in the classroom. students in 18 urban school districts that When Congress established the gov- Mr. Speaker, this is an incredibly important participate in reading, mathematics, writing erning board, we instructed that it be program with a well-documented track record and science assessments), and long-term bipartisan and that it be independent, of success. I’m pleased to add my voice of trend assessments (which are administered and it has lived up to these expecta- support for the National School Breakfast Pro- nationally every 4 years to students ages 9, tions and the original vision. The gram and I will be working with my colleagues 13, and 17 to assess performance in reading and mathematics); NAEP assessment has been invaluable to make sure that we provide the resources Whereas State participation in NAEP as- in providing information on the necessary to provide the benefits of this pro- sessments is voluntary with the exception of achievements of students at grades 4, 8, gram to every hungry child who needs break- reading and mathematics assessments, which and 12 in reading, mathematics, writ- fast at school. States are required to administer to public ing, science, U.S. history, geography Ms. WOOLSEY. I yield back the bal- school students in grades 4 and 8 every 2 and other subjects. ance of my time. years in an effort to measure student per- The NAEP State-by-State assess- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The formance in reading and mathematics; ments, which are administered to stu- question is on the motion offered by Whereas all students who participate in dents in grades 4 and 8 in reading, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. NAEP do so on a voluntary basis and NAEP is forbidden by law to maintain or report in- mathematics, writing and science, have WOOLSEY) that the House suspend the formation on individual students or schools; also been helpful in charting what our rules and agree to the resolution, H. Whereas the Governing Board works to in- students know and providing informa- Res. 210. form the public about The Nation’s Report tion for a path forward based on real The question was taken. Card by communicating its results to a wide results. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the range of Americans, including educators, the This year, Mr. Speaker, the gov- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being media, and elected officials and policy- erning board commemorates 20 years of in the affirmative, the ayes have it. makers at the National, State, and local lev- learning and assessment. To mark this Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on that els; and anniversary, the governing board plans I demand the yeas and nays. Whereas the Governing Board has served to examine the impact of NAEP over an important role in evaluating the condi- The yeas and nays were ordered. tion and progress of American education for the past two decades and look ahead to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- 20 years: Now, therefore, be it see how the assessment can continue to ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Resolved, That the House of Representa- play a vital role in measuring student Chair’s prior announcement, further tives— achievement in the future.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6667 In order to highlight these priorities, authorized the activities of the gov- come from a variety of different back- the board will host a conference to dis- erning board and largely maintained grounds, are all very dedicated to the cuss the achievement gap in college its independent and bipartisan nature. concept of making this very apolitical, and work preparedness with education While requiring States to take part of making it so that it’s a fair standard and policy experts. The governing every 2 years in its reading and mathe- in tests for all those who are going to board has served an important role in matics assessments in grades 4 and 8 in take it, and making sure that all the evaluating the condition and progress an effort to measure student perform- reporting requirements are met in a of American education for 20 years. ance, the bill continues the long-stand- proper way. This goes through the Sec- I thank the governing board for its ing practice that State participation in retary of Education and is reported by outstanding service to the Nation in NAEP assessments are voluntary. them, and I think they would do a won- improving elementary and secondary All student who participate in NAEP derful job with this. education. do so on a voluntary basis, and NAEP This is, to me, a very important Mr. Speaker, once again I express my is forbidden by law to maintain a re- measuring stick. While congratulatory support for the National Assessment port or report information on indi- resolutions may not be the most im- Governing Board, and I urge my col- vidual students or schools. House Reso- portant thing we do in the Congress of leagues to join me in recognizing their lution 222 congratulates the National the United States, I think recognizing 20th anniversary. I also want to thank Assessment Governing Board on its an entity such as this, which is inde- the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. 20th anniversary in measuring student pendent of us and independent of the CASTLE) for bringing this bill to the academic achievement and recognizes White House, for all that matters, and floor, and I urge my colleagues to sup- the past and present members of the deals with preparing this kind of re- port this resolution. governing board for their service to the porting, this kind of background for I reserve the balance of my time. Nation in improving elementary and Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield the testing, is a very significant thing secondary education. myself as much time as I may con- to do to make sure that they are being I want to thank my colleague from sume. honored for an achievement which I Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Delaware (Mr. CASTLE) for introducing think has been very helpful in terms of of House Resolution 222, which con- this resolution. Mr. CASTLE served on dealing with education. gratulates the National Assessment the governing board when he was Gov- All of us deal with education policy Governing Board on its 20th anniver- ernor of ‘‘The First State,’’ and I want on a regular basis. We know how im- sary in measuring student academic to thank him for his service and for his portant it is to understand that what achievement. Over the last two dec- strong support for ensuring that stu- we are doing is perhaps a step, a small ades, the governing board, better dents have access to a high-quality step or a large step in the right direc- known as NAGB, has served an impor- education in this country. tion, and I think that the NAEP tests tant role in evaluating the condition I am pleased to rise in support of this do that. and progress of the American public important resolution and ask all of my For that reason I would hope that we education system. colleagues to support it. could all support this resolution. The National Assessment Governing I reserve the balance of my time. Again, I thank those who spoke on the Board was created by Congress in 1988 Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I re- floor for their very thorough and excel- to set policy for the National Assess- serve the balance of my time. lent explanations of what NAGB does ment of Educational Progress, or Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield and what NAEP is all about. NAEP, which is commonly known as as much time as he may consume to Ms. WOOLSEY. I reserve my time for the Nation’s report card. It was estab- the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. closing remarks. lished as an independent, bipartisan CASTLE). Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield board so that the Nation’s assessment Mr. CASTLE. I thank the gentleman back the balance of my time. system will be conducted independ- from Kentucky for yielding, and I Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I urge ently and free from inappropriate in- would like to thank both of the speak- my colleagues to support H. Res. 222, fluences and special interests. ers, Ms. WOOLSEY and the gentleman recognizing the 20th anniversary of the The governing board is currently from Kentucky, for rationally explain- National Assessment Governing Board, made up of 26 members, including gov- ing a program not many people under- and I yield back the remainder of my ernors, State legislators, local and stand. time. State school officials, educators, re- Mr. Speaker, I did have the oppor- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The searchers, business representatives and tunity and the pleasure of serving on question is on the motion offered by members of the general public. In over- NAGB, the National Assessment Gov- the gentlewoman from California (Ms. seeing the Nation’s report card, the erning Board, for several years when I WOOLSEY) that the House suspend the governing board identifies subjects to was Governor of Delaware, and it was rules and agree to the resolution, H. be assessed, determines the content not easy work, by the way. I would call Res. 222. and achievement levels for each assess- it a pleasure, but it involves a lot of The question was taken. ment, and approves all the assessment difficult meetings, discussion of testing The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the questions. or whatever it may be. opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being It also works to inform the public But the bottom line is that they do in the affirmative, the ayes have it. about the Nation’s report card by com- put together the National Assessment Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on that municating results to a wide range of of Educational Progress, the NAEP I demand the yeas and nays. Americans, including elected officials tests, which are given universally as The yeas and nays were ordered. and policymakers at the national, far as the States are concerned, in our The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- State and local levels, educators and country, and are as good a measuring ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the the media. device as we have to the progress of Chair’s prior announcement, further Because of this important work, the education from year to year. Some of proceedings on this motion will be Nation’s report card is one of the most this is quite voluntary, but all States postponed. widely respected assessment tools in participate in it in grades 4, 8 through the country. Federal, State and local 12, particularly in the reading and the f officials rely on NAGB and NAEP to math areas, and we can determine that b 1445 get an accurate picture of the aca- we have done somewhat better, perhaps demic achievement levels of the Na- a lot better from year to year, as we RONALD REAGAN CENTENNIAL tion’s students. look at these tests. COMMISSION ACT In 2002, Congress passed the Edu- I can tell you that those 26 people, Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to cation Sciences Reform Act, which re- who change from time to time and suspend the rules and pass the bill

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6668 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 (H.R. 131) to establish the Ronald (h) QUORUM.—A majority of the members penditures of the Commission, including a Reagan Centennial Commission, as of the Commission shall constitute a quorum list of each gift, bequest, or devise to the amended. to conduct business, but two or more mem- Commission with a value of more than $250, The Clerk read the title of the bill. bers may hold hearings. together with the identity of the donor of (i) CHAIRPERSON.—The chairperson of the each gift, bequest, or devise. The text of the bill is as follows: Commission shall be elected by a majority (b) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission H.R. 131 vote of the members of the Commission. may submit to the President and Congress Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION. interim reports as the Commission considers resentatives of the United States of America in (a) DIRECTOR AND STAFF.—The Commission appropriate. Congress assembled, shall appoint an executive director and such (c) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than April 30, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. other additional personnel as are necessary 2011, the Commission shall submit a final re- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ronald to enable the Commission to perform its du- port to the President and the Congress con- Reagan Centennial Commission Act’’. ties. taining— (b) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERV- (1) a summary of the activities of the Com- SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. ICE LAWS.—The executive director and staff mission; There is established a commission to be of the Commission may be appointed without (2) a final accounting of funds received and known as the ‘‘Ronald Reagan Centennial regard to the provisions of title 5, United expended by the Commission; and Commission’’ (in this Act referred to as the States Code, governing appointments in the (3) the findings, conclusions, and final rec- ‘‘Commission’’). competitive service, and may be paid with- ommendations of the Commission. SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. out regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and SEC. 8. TERMINATION. The Commission shall— subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title re- The Commission may terminate on such (1) plan, develop, and carry out such activi- lating to classification and General Schedule date as the Commission may determine after ties as the Commission considers fitting and pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the it submits its final report pursuant to sec- proper to honor Ronald Reagan on the occa- executive director and other staff may not tion 7(c), but not later than May 30, 2011. sion of the 100th anniversary of his birth; exceed the rate payable for level V of the Ex- (2) provide advice and assistance to Fed- SEC. 9. ANNUAL AUDIT. ecutive Schedule under section 5316 of such The Inspector General of the Department eral, State, and local governmental agencies, title. as well as civic groups to carry out activities of the Interior may perform an audit of the (c) DETAIL OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—Upon Commission, shall make the results of any to honor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of request of the Commission, the Secretary of the 100th anniversary of his birth; audit performed available to the public, and the Interior or the Archivist of the United shall transmit such results to the Committee (3) develop activities that may be carried States may detail, on a reimbursable basis, out by the Federal Government to determine on Oversight and Government Reform of the any of the personnel of that department or House of Representatives and the Committee whether the activities are fitting and proper agency to the Commission to assist it in car- to honor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- rying out its duties under this Act. fairs of the Senate. the 100th anniversary of his birth; and (d) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Com- (4) submit to the President and Congress mission may procure such temporary and SEC. 10. PROHIBITION ON OBLIGATION OF FED- ERAL FUNDS. reports pursuant to section 7. intermittent services as are necessary to en- No Federal funds may be obligated to carry SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. able the Commission to perform its duties. out this Act. (a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Com- (e) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERV- mission shall be composed of 11 members as ICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. follows: 31, United States Code, the Commission may ALTMIRE). Pursuant to the rule, the (1) The Secretary of the Interior. accept and use voluntary and uncompensated gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. (2) Four members appointed by the Presi- services as the Commission determines nec- LYNCH) and the gentleman from Cali- essary. dent after considering the recommendations fornia (Mr. ISSA) each will control 20 of the Board of Trustees of the Ronald SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION. minutes. Reagan Foundation. (a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for (3) Two Members of the House of Rep- the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold The Chair recognizes the gentleman resentatives appointed by the Speaker of the hearings, sit and act at times and places, from Massachusetts. House of Representatives. take testimony, and receive evidence as the GENERAL LEAVE (4) One Member of the House of Represent- Commission considers appropriate. Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- atives appointed by the minority leader of (b) MAILS.—The Commission may use the imous consent that all Members may the House of Representatives. United States mails in the same manner and have 5 legislative days in which to re- (5) Two Members of the Senate appointed under the same conditions as other depart- by the majority leader of the Senate. ments and agencies of the United States. vise and extend their remarks. (6) One Member of the Senate appointed by (c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Com- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the minority leader of the Senate. mission may secure directly from any de- objection to the request of the gen- (b) EX OFFICIO MEMBER.—The Archivist of partment or agency of the United States in- tleman from Massachusetts? the United States shall serve in an ex officio formation necessary to enable it to carry out There was no objection. capacity on the Commission to provide ad- its duties under this Act. Upon request of the Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, as a mat- vice and information to the Commission. chairperson of the Commission, the head of ter of courtesy, I would like to offer that department or agency shall furnish that (c) TERMS.—Each member shall be ap- the opportunity to address the House pointed for the life of the Commission. information to the Commission. (d) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—All mem- (d) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, DEVISES.—The Com- first to my colleague, the gentleman bers of the Commission shall be appointed mission may solicit, accept, use, and dispose from California (Mr. ISSA). not later than 90 days after the date of the of gifts, bequests, or devises of money, serv- Mr. ISSA. I thank the gentleman. In enactment of this Act. ices, or property, both real and personal, for the same vein, I yield such time as he (e) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commis- the purpose of aiding or facilitating its work. may consume to the author of the bill, sion shall— (e) AVAILABLE SPACE.—Upon the request of the gentleman from California (Mr. the Commission, the Administrator of Gen- (1) not affect the powers of the Commis- GALLEGLY). eral Services shall make available nation- sion; and Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise (2) be filled in the manner in which the wide to the Commission, at a normal rental original appointment was made. rate for Federal agencies, such assistance today in strong support of H.R. 131, the (f) RATES OF PAY.—Members shall not re- and facilities as may be necessary for the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission ceive compensation for the performance of Commission to carry out its duties under Act. To prepare for the upcoming anni- their duties on behalf of the Commission. this Act. versary of his 100th birthday on Feb- (g) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of (f) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission ruary 6, 2011, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. FOSTER, the Commission shall be reimbursed for trav- may enter into contracts with and com- and I, along with over 130 cosponsors el and per diem in lieu of subsistence ex- pensate government and private agencies or persons to enable the Commission to dis- from both parties, introduced this leg- penses during the performance of duties of islation creating the Ronald Reagan the Commission while away from home or charge its duties under this Act. his or her regular place of business, in ac- SEC. 7. REPORTS. Centennial Commission to pay tribute cordance with applicable provisions under (a) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Commission to our 40th President. subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United shall submit to the President and the Con- This 11-member bipartisan commis- States Code. gress annual reports on the revenue and ex- sion is similar to others created for

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6669 Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Reagan, who came to office in what strong counterpoint and a beacon of Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, could have been the continued era of freedom and hope in the face of an op- Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisen- the Cold War and, instead, he helped pressive Soviet Communist regime. hower. This commission will develop end it. Whether urging Premier Gorbachev to plans and memorials to honor Presi- The commission that is being formed, ‘‘Tear down this wall,’’ or declaring it dent Reagan. These events can take if we pass this here today and the Sen- ‘‘Morning in America,’’ President place all over the country, from here in ate confirms, will be composed of Mem- Reagan, through his words and deeds, Washington, to his birthplace in Illi- bers of Congress and individuals who embodied the eternal optimism that is nois, to California, where he lived most have knowledge and expertise con- at the core of our American spirit. of his life. cerning the life of President Reagan, Early in his Presidency, President As a fellow Californian, I had the including childhood friends, career in- Reagan is said to have remarked that, great privilege of spending time with dividuals in Hollywood who knew him ‘‘What I’d really like to do is to go him when I first came to the House of well and, of course, some Members of down in history as the President who Representatives in 1986, and his Presi- Congress. caused the American people to believe dential Library and burial place are 2011 will be a fitting time. We will be in themselves again.’’ not far from my very own home in halfway through this President’s time. Mr. Speaker, I am sure that most Simi Valley. We will be well into a recovery that we people will agree that President Rea- ‘‘The Great Communicator’’ spoke all trust and hope for today. And we gan’s optimism in the face of great dif- for the American people, capturing the will be talking about the hope for the ficulty has great relevance today, as hearts of small-town citizens and world future. This will help America focus on they are in harmony with President leaders alike. His remarkable career in the fact that hope for the future, and Obama’s current message of hope and public service spanned over 50 years. It hard work, whether it was in the renewal for our country in the midst of began as a student leader and sports Reagan administration or the Obama our current challenges. broadcaster in Illinois and Iowa, and administration, is part of what each I am confident that upon enactment then in Hollywood as an actor and President brings when they address of H.R. 131, the Ronald Reagan Centen- long-time president of the Screen Ac- America, lead America, and in fact in- nial Commission will be able to find tors Guild. fluence the direction of this Congress. ways to respectfully and appropriately California enjoyed an economic re- So, with that, I urge strong support honor and pay tribute to the accom- surgence during his term as Governor for this bipartisan bill. plishments of one of America’s recent and, as President of United States, his I yield back the balance of my time. and notable leaders, the late President legacy is extraordinary. In 8 short Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time Ronald Reagan. years as President, Ronald Reagan pre- as I may consume. With that, Mr. Speaker, I stand in sided over the international changes Mr. Speaker, H.R. 131, the Ronald support of H.R. 131, and I urge my col- and ushered in unparalleled peace and Reagan Centennial Commission Act, leagues to do the same. prosperity—not only for our Nation, creates a Federal commission to honor I reserve the balance of my time. but, Mr. Speaker, for the entire world. and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- I want to thank Chairman TOWNS and the birth of Ronald Reagan. The meas- mous consent to reclaim previous time Ranking Member ISSA, along with their ure has been properly vetted and yielded. respective staffs, for their assistance in amended accordingly by the House The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there helping put this bill together. I also Oversight Committee and is nearly objection to the request of the gen- want to express my appreciation to the identical to the bill approved by the tleman from California? Speaker, majority leader, and minority House in the last Congress. However, in There was no objection. leader on our side for their help in line with calls for a more fiscally re- Mr. ISSA. With that, I yield 2 min- bringing the bill to the floor. sponsible government, the only real utes to the gentleman from California Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to change to this year’s bill is the inclu- (Mr. MCCLINTOCK). join with me in supporting H.R. 131. sion of amending language to prevent Mr. MCCLINTOCK. I thank my friend Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I continue the expenditure of Federal funds to for yielding. I thank the House for its to reserve. carry out the work of the commission. indulgence. Mr. ISSA. I yield myself such time as Ronald Reagan was born in Illinois in Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this I may consume. 1911. He later moved to California, measure. Perhaps only one generation Mr. Speaker, Republicans often talk where he became a successful Holly- in a century is fortunate enough to ac- of Ronald Reagan with a special rev- wood actor and later the president of tually know a truly great leader, and erence, but I believe that honoring his the Screen Actors Guild. On the screen, ours was that generation. But our chil- life in this centennial year of 2011 is he was best known for portraying dren and our children’s children will much more about honoring the dif- George Gipp, a famous player who, on know him, too, through the power of ference that Presidents can make, his deathbed, famously urged his team- his words and the force of his ideas, his whether it was James Madison, Thom- mates to ‘‘go out there with all they’ve undying faith in freedom, his eternal as Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy got and win just one for the Gipper.’’ belief in America, and they will know Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roo- President Reagan would carry the him, and know him well, because our sevelt—even Eleanor Roosevelt—or nickname Gipper and the boundless op- generation will make sure of it. Harry Truman. timism that he epitomized in that The passing of Ronald Reagan didn’t We have repeatedly honored Presi- quote for the remainder of his life. mark the end of an era. Rather, it dents after their term, after their life, After serving two terms as the 33rd marked the beginning of one—an era of because it reminds Americans that in Governor of the State of California, in American renaissance and resurgence, fact we are a country that is both a de- January, 1981, Ronald Reagan was an era when America rediscovered her mocracy and a led-by-an-executive sworn in as our Nation’s 40th Presi- belief in liberty and faith. Ronald form of government. We don’t have a dent. As we are all aware, Mr. Reagan Reagan opened that era. It’s now for parliamentary form of government. We would hold and serve as the Com- our generation to cultivate it, to ex- have a strong, perhaps the strongest, mander in Chief of our country for two pand it, and to extend it to the next. Presidential form of government. terms, between 1980–1988. He often reminded us that, for Amer- We hope today that President Obama Known as the ‘‘Great Communi- ica, the best is yet to come. He was will some day have a commission that, cator,’’ President Reagan spoke ably right. Because his memory will be in fact, the impact of his life at this and directly to the American people walking beside us and counseling us very troubled time will be every bit as about the pressing issues of his time. and guiding us to those bright decades great as the impact was for Ronald He positioned the United States as a and centuries ahead.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6670 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 This commission is an important act SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING NA- Lee (NY) Oberstar Sherman in support of a large and solemn TIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST Levin Obey Shimkus Lewis (CA) Olson Shuler pledge—a pledge from this generation PROGRAM Lewis (GA) Olver Shuster Linder Ortiz to all future generations that we will The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Simpson keep Ronald Reagan’s memory alive, Lipinski Pallone Sires finished business is the vote on the mo- LoBiondo Pascrell that we will uphold and advance his vi- Skelton tion to suspend the rules and agree to Loebsack Pastor (AZ) Slaughter sion of America’s greatness and of her Lofgren, Zoe Paulsen Smith (NE) the resolution, H. Res. 210, on which Lowey Payne goodness, and this act is but one thread the yeas and nays were ordered. Smith (NJ) in the tapestry of memory that will Luetkemeyer Pence Smith (TX) The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Luja´ n Perlmutter Smith (WA) stretch through time to the latest gen- tion. Lungren, Daniel Perriello Snyder eration. E. Peters Souder Mr. ISSA. I yield back the balance of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Lynch Peterson Speier Mack Petri my time. question is on the motion offered by Spratt Maffei Pingree (ME) Stearns Mr. LYNCH. I would simply urge my the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Manzullo Pitts WOOLSEY) that the House suspend the Stupak colleagues to join us in the support of Markey (CO) Platts Sullivan H.R. 131. We urge its adoption. rules and agree to the resolution, H. Markey (MA) Polis (CO) Sutton Marshall Pomeroy Res. 210. Tanner I yield back the balance of my time. Massa Posey Tauscher The vote was taken by electronic de- Matheson Price (GA) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Taylor Matsui Price (NC) question is on the motion offered by vice, and there were—yeas 383, nays 11, Teague McCarthy (CA) Radanovich not voting 37, as follows: Terry the gentleman from Massachusetts McCarthy (NY) Rahall Thompson (CA) (Mr. LYNCH) that the House suspend [Roll No. 110] McCaul Rangel Thompson (MS) McClintock Rehberg the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 131, as Thompson (PA) YEAS—383 McCollum Reichert amended. Thornberry Ackerman Clarke Gordon (TN) McDermott Reyes Tiberi The question was taken. Aderholt Clay Granger McGovern Rogers (AL) The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Adler (NJ) Cleaver Grayson McHenry Rogers (KY) Tierney opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Alexander Clyburn Green, Al McHugh Rogers (MI) Titus Altmire Coble Green, Gene McIntyre Rooney Tonko in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Andrews Coffman (CO) Griffith McKeon Ros-Lehtinen Towns Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I object to Arcuri Cohen Guthrie McMahon Roskam Tsongas the vote on the ground that a quorum Austria Cole Hall (NY) McMorris Ross Turner Upton is not present and make the point of Baca Conaway Hall (TX) Rodgers Rothman (NJ) Bachmann Connolly (VA) Halvorson McNerney Roybal-Allard Van Hollen order that a quorum is not present. Bachus Conyers Hare Meek (FL) Royce Vela´ zquez THE SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Baird Costa Harman Melancon Ruppersberger Visclosky ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Baldwin Costello Harper Mica Ryan (OH) Walden Walz Chair’s prior announcement, further Barrett (SC) Courtney Hastings (FL) Michaud Ryan (WI) Barrow Crenshaw Hastings (WA) Miller (FL) Salazar Wamp proceedings on this motion will be Bartlett Crowley Heinrich Miller (MI) Sa´ nchez, Linda Wasserman postponed. Barton (TX) Cuellar Heller Miller (NC) T. Schultz The point of no quorum is considered Bean Culberson Hensarling Miller, George Sanchez, Loretta Waters Becerra Cummings Herger Minnick Sarbanes Watson withdrawn. Berman Dahlkemper Herseth Sandlin Mitchell Scalise Watt f Berry Davis (AL) Higgins Mollohan Schakowsky Waxman Biggert Davis (CA) Hill Moore (KS) Schauer Weiner RECESS Bilbray Davis (IL) Himes Moore (WI) Schiff Welch Bilirakis Davis (KY) Hinchey Moran (KS) Schmidt Westmoreland The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Bishop (GA) Davis (TN) Hinojosa Moran (VA) Schock Wexler ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair Bishop (NY) Deal (GA) Hirono Murphy (CT) Schrader Whitfield declares the House in recess until ap- Bishop (UT) DeFazio Hodes Murphy, Patrick Schwartz Wilson (OH) proximately 6:30 p.m. today. Blackburn DeGette Holden Murphy, Tim Scott (GA) Wilson (SC) Blumenauer Delahunt Holt Myrick Scott (VA) Wittman Accordingly (at 2 o’clock and 56 min- Blunt DeLauro Honda Nadler (NY) Sensenbrenner Wolf utes p.m.), the House stood in recess Boccieri Dent Hoyer Napolitano Serrano Woolsey until approximately 6:30 p.m. Boehner Diaz-Balart, L. Hunter Neugebauer Sessions Wu Bonner Diaz-Balart, M. Inglis Nunes Sestak Yarmuth f Bono Mack Dicks Inslee Nye Shea-Porter Young (AK) b 1830 Boozman Dingell Israel Boren Doggett Issa NAYS—11 AFTER RECESS Boswell Donnelly (IN) Jackson (IL) Akin Duncan Paul Boucher Doyle Jackson-Lee Broun (GA) Flake Poe (TX) The recess having expired, the House Boustany Dreier (TX) Campbell King (IA) Shadegg was called to order by the Speaker pro Boyd Driehaus Jenkins Chaffetz Lummis Brady (PA) Edwards (MD) Johnson, E. B. ITUS tempore (Ms. T ) at 6 o’clock and 30 Brady (TX) Edwards (TX) Johnson, Sam NOT VOTING—37 minutes p.m. Braley (IA) Ehlers Jones Abercrombie Johnson (GA) Neal (MA) f Bright Ellsworth Jordan (OH) Berkley Johnson (IL) Putnam Brown (SC) Emerson Kagen Brown, Corrine Kirkpatrick (AZ) Richardson Brown-Waite, Eshoo Kanjorski ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Buchanan Klein (FL) Rodriguez Ginny Etheridge Kaptur PRO TEMPORE Cassidy Kucinich Roe (TN) Burgess Fallin Kennedy Cooper Larsen (WA) Rohrabacher The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Burton (IN) Farr Kildee Ellison Lucas Butterfield Fattah Kilpatrick (MI) Rush ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Engel Maloney Space Buyer Filner Kilroy Gohmert Marchant will resume on motions to suspend the Stark Calvert Fleming Kind Graves McCotter Tiahrt rules previously postponed. Camp Forbes King (NY) Grijalva Meeks (NY) Young (FL) Votes will be taken in the following Cantor Fortenberry Kingston Gutierrez Miller, Gary order: Cao Foster Kirk Hoekstra Murtha Capito Foxx Kissell House Resolution 210, by the yeas and Capps Frank (MA) Kline (MN) 1857 nays; Capuano Franks (AZ) Kosmas b House Resolution 222, by the yeas and Cardoza Frelinghuysen Kratovil Mr. BLUNT changed his vote from Carnahan Fudge Lamborn nays; Carney Gallegly Lance ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ H.R. 131, de novo. Carson (IN) Garrett (NJ) Langevin So (two-thirds being in the affirma- The first electronic vote will be con- Carter Gerlach Larson (CT) tive) the rules were suspended and the ducted as a 15-minute vote. Remaining Castle Giffords Latham resolution was agreed to. Castor (FL) Gingrey (GA) LaTourette electronic votes will be conducted as 5- Chandler Gonzalez Latta The result of the vote was announced minute votes. Childers Goodlatte Lee (CA) as above recorded.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6671 A motion to reconsider was laid on Inslee McNerney Schmidt Roe (TN) Rush Stark the table. Israel Meek (FL) Schock Rohrabacher Space Young (FL) Issa Melancon Schrader Stated for: Jackson (IL) Mica Schwartz b 1906 Mr. TIAHRT. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Jackson-Lee Michaud Scott (GA) No. 110, I was necessarily detained. Had I (TX) Miller (FL) Scott (VA) Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey Jenkins Miller (MI) Sensenbrenner changed his vote from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ been present, I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ Johnson (GA) Miller (NC) Serrano Johnson, E. B. Miller, George So (two-thirds being in the affirma- f Sessions Johnson, Sam Minnick Sestak tive) the rules were suspended and the Jones Mitchell resolution was agreed to. CONGRATULATING NATIONAL Shadegg Jordan (OH) Mollohan Shea-Porter The result of the vote was announced ASSESSMENT GOVERNING BOARD Kagen Moore (KS) Sherman Kanjorski Moore (WI) as above recorded. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Shimkus Kaptur Moran (KS) Shuler A motion to reconsider was laid on Kennedy Moran (VA) finished business is the vote on the mo- Shuster the table. Kildee Murphy (CT) tion to suspend the rules and agree to Simpson Kilpatrick (MI) Murphy, Patrick Sires f the resolution, H. Res. 222, on which Kilroy Murphy, Tim Skelton the yeas and nays were ordered. Kind Myrick Slaughter RONALD REAGAN CENTENNIAL The Clerk read the title of the resolu- King (IA) Nadler (NY) King (NY) Napolitano Smith (NE) COMMISSION ACT tion. Kingston Neugebauer Smith (NJ) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Kirk Nunes Smith (TX) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- question is on the motion offered by Kline (MN) Nye Smith (WA) finished business is the question on Kosmas Oberstar Snyder suspending the rules and passing the the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier Kratovil Obey bill, H.R. 131, as amended. WOOLSEY) that the House suspend the Lamborn Olson Spratt rules and agree to the resolution, H. Lance Olver Stearns The Clerk read the title of the bill. Res. 222. Langevin Ortiz Stupak The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Larson (CT) Pallone Sullivan question is on the motion offered by This will be a 5-minute vote. Latham Pascrell Sutton The vote was taken by electronic de- LaTourette Pastor (AZ) Tanner the gentleman from Massachusetts vice, and there were—yeas 388, nays 9, Latta Paulsen Tauscher (Mr. LYNCH) that the House suspend answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 33, as Lee (CA) Payne Taylor the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 131, as Lee (NY) Pence Teague amended. follows: Levin Perlmutter Terry [Roll No. 111] Lewis (CA) Perriello Thompson (CA) The question was taken. Lewis (GA) Peters The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the YEAS—388 Thompson (MS) Linder Peterson Thompson (PA) opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Ackerman Capps Ellsworth Lipinski Petri Thornberry in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Aderholt Capuano Emerson LoBiondo Pingree (ME) Tiahrt Adler (NJ) Cardoza Eshoo Loebsack Pitts Tiberi RECORDED VOTE Alexander Carnahan Etheridge Lofgren, Zoe Platts Tierney Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Altmire Carney Fallin Lowey Polis (CO) Titus Speaker, I demand a recorded vote. Andrews Carson (IN) Farr Luetkemeyer Pomeroy Tonko Arcuri Carter Fattah Luja´ n Posey Towns A recorded vote was ordered. Austria Castle Filner Lummis Price (GA) Tsongas The SPEAKER pro tempore. This Baca Castor (FL) Fleming Lungren, Daniel Price (NC) Turner Bachmann Chaffetz Forbes E. Rahall will be a 5-minute vote. Upton The vote was taken by electronic de- Bachus Chandler Fortenberry Lynch Rangel Van Hollen Baird Childers Foster Mack Rehberg Vela´ zquez vice, and there were—ayes 371, noes 19, Baldwin Clarke Foxx Maffei Reichert Visclosky answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 40, as Barrett (SC) Clay Frank (MA) Maloney Reyes Walden Barrow Cleaver Frelinghuysen Manzullo Rogers (AL) follows: Walz Bartlett Clyburn Fudge Marchant Rogers (KY) Wamp [Roll No. 112] Barton (TX) Coble Gallegly Markey (CO) Rogers (MI) Bean Coffman (CO) Gerlach Markey (MA) Rooney Wasserman AYES—371 Becerra Cohen Giffords Marshall Ros-Lehtinen Schultz Ackerman Boucher Coffman (CO) Berman Cole Gingrey (GA) Massa Roskam Waters Aderholt Boustany Cole Berry Conaway Gohmert Matheson Ross Watson Adler (NJ) Boyd Conaway Biggert Connolly (VA) Gonzalez Matsui Rothman (NJ) Watt Akin Brady (PA) Connolly (VA) Bilbray Conyers Goodlatte McCarthy (CA) Roybal-Allard Waxman Alexander Brady (TX) Conyers Bilirakis Costa Gordon (TN) McCarthy (NY) Royce Weiner Altmire Braley (IA) Costa Bishop (GA) Costello Granger McCaul Ruppersberger Welch Andrews Bright Costello Bishop (NY) Courtney Grayson McClintock Ryan (OH) Westmoreland Arcuri Broun (GA) Courtney Bishop (UT) Crenshaw Green, Al McCollum Ryan (WI) Wexler Austria Brown (SC) Crenshaw Blackburn Crowley Green, Gene McDermott Salazar Whitfield Baca Brown-Waite, Crowley Blumenauer Cuellar Griffith McGovern Sa´ nchez, Linda Wilson (OH) Bachmann Ginny Cuellar Blunt Culberson Guthrie McHenry T. Wilson (SC) Bachus Burgess Culberson Boccieri Cummings Hall (NY) McHugh Sanchez, Loretta Wittman Baird Burton (IN) Cummings Boehner Dahlkemper Hall (TX) McIntyre Sarbanes Wolf Baldwin Butterfield Dahlkemper Bonner Davis (AL) Halvorson McKeon Scalise Woolsey Barrett (SC) Buyer Davis (AL) Bono Mack Davis (CA) Hare McMahon Schakowsky Wu Barrow Calvert Davis (CA) Boozman Davis (IL) Harman McMorris Schauer Yarmuth Bartlett Camp Davis (IL) Boren Davis (KY) Harper Rodgers Schiff Young (AK) Barton (TX) Campbell Davis (KY) Boswell Davis (TN) Hastings (FL) Bean Cantor Davis (TN) Boucher Deal (GA) Hastings (WA) NAYS—9 Becerra Cao Deal (GA) Boustany DeFazio Heinrich Akin Flake Paul Berman Capito DeFazio Boyd DeGette Heller Broun (GA) Franks (AZ) Poe (TX) Berry Capps DeGette Brady (PA) Delahunt Hensarling Campbell Garrett (NJ) Souder Biggert Capuano Delahunt Brady (TX) DeLauro Herger Bilbray Cardoza DeLauro Braley (IA) Dent Herseth Sandlin ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 Bilirakis Carnahan Dent Bright Diaz-Balart, L. Higgins Bishop (GA) Carney Diaz-Balart, L. Brown (SC) Diaz-Balart, M. Hill Kissell Bishop (NY) Carson (IN) Diaz-Balart, M. Brown-Waite, Dicks Himes Bishop (UT) Carter Dicks Ginny Dingell Hinchey NOT VOTING—33 Blackburn Castle Dingell Burgess Doggett Hinojosa Abercrombie Grijalva McCotter Blumenauer Castor (FL) Donnelly (IN) Burton (IN) Donnelly (IN) Hirono Berkley Gutierrez Meeks (NY) Blunt Chaffetz Doyle Butterfield Doyle Hodes Brown, Corrine Hoekstra Miller, Gary Boccieri Chandler Dreier Buyer Dreier Holden Buchanan Johnson (IL) Murtha Boehner Childers Driehaus Calvert Driehaus Holt Cassidy Kirkpatrick (AZ) Neal (MA) Bonner Clarke Duncan Camp Duncan Honda Cooper Klein (FL) Putnam Bono Mack Clay Edwards (TX) Cantor Edwards (MD) Hoyer Ellison Kucinich Radanovich Boozman Cleaver Ehlers Cao Edwards (TX) Hunter Engel Larsen (WA) Richardson Boren Clyburn Ellsworth Capito Ehlers Inglis Graves Lucas Rodriguez Boswell Coble Emerson

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6672 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 Eshoo LoBiondo Roybal-Allard Oberstar Paul Slaughter NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST Etheridge Loebsack Royce Olver Payne Woolsey PROGRAM Fallin Lofgren, Zoe Ruppersberger Farr Lowey Ryan (OH) ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 (Mr. TONKO asked and was given Fattah Luetkemeyer Ryan (WI) Grayson permission to address the House for 1 Fleming Luja´ n Salazar Forbes Lummis Sa´ nchez, Linda NOT VOTING—40 minute and to revise and extend his re- Fortenberry Lungren, Daniel T. Abercrombie Hoekstra Putnam marks.) Foster E. Sanchez, Loretta Berkley Johnson (IL) Radanovich Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise Foxx Lynch Sarbanes Brown, Corrine Kirkpatrick (AZ) Rangel to recognize the importance of the Na- Frank (MA) Mack Scalise Buchanan Klein (FL) Richardson tional School Breakfast Program and Franks (AZ) Maffei Schakowsky Cassidy Kucinich Rodriguez to express my support for the resolu- Frelinghuysen Maloney Schauer Cooper Larsen (WA) Roe (TN) Gallegly Manzullo Schiff Doggett Lucas Rohrabacher tion by the gentlelady from Wisconsin Garrett (NJ) Marchant Schmidt Ellison McCotter Rooney that we passed this evening. Gerlach Markey (CO) Engel McMorris Schock Rush The 100 percent Federally funded Giffords Markey (MA) Gohmert Rodgers Schrader Space Gingrey (GA) Marshall Graves Meeks (NY) school breakfast programs, particu- Schwartz Stark Gonzalez Massa Grijalva Miller, Gary larly where breakfast is served in the Scott (GA) Tierney Goodlatte Matheson Scott (VA) Gutierrez Murtha Young (FL) classroom, have shown to increase stu- Gordon (TN) Matsui Sensenbrenner Hall (NY) Neal (MA) dent attentiveness, academic perform- Granger McCarthy (CA) Serrano ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE ance, and decrease tardiness and dis- Green, Al McCarthy (NY) Sessions Green, Gene McCaul Sestak The SPEAKER pro tempore (during ciplinary referrals. Griffith McClintock Shadegg the vote). Two minutes remain in the Classroom breakfast programs are Guthrie McCollum Shea-Porter important because they reduce the Hall (TX) McGovern vote. Sherman stigma of receiving free or reduced Halvorson McHenry Shimkus Hare McHugh b 1916 price breakfasts and increase participa- Shuler Harman McIntyre Shuster Mr. BOCCIERI changed his vote from tion in school breakfast programs. In Harper McKeon Simpson my district, the Troy City School Dis- Hastings (FL) McMahon ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ Sires Hastings (WA) McNerney So (two-thirds being in the affirma- trict has adopted a grab-and-go pro- Skelton Heinrich Meek (FL) gram where kids can get their break- Smith (NE) tive) the rules were suspended and the Heller Melancon fast right in their hallways and bring it Hensarling Mica Smith (NJ) bill, as amended, was passed. Herger Michaud Smith (TX) The result of the vote was announced into the classroom to eat with their Herseth Sandlin Miller (FL) Smith (WA) as above recorded. peers. These schools, particularly Higgins Miller (MI) Snyder School 2, 12 and 14, and the Carroll Hill Souder A motion to reconsider was laid on Hill Miller (NC) School, have all seen their breakfast Himes Minnick Speier the table. Hinojosa Mitchell Spratt participation numbers rise to 50 to 60 Hodes Mollohan Stearns f percent of all students in their schools, Stupak Holden Moore (KS) PERSONAL EXPLANATION where the average elsewhere in New Holt Moore (WI) Sullivan York State is only 20 percent. Honda Moran (KS) Sutton Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I was Hoyer Moran (VA) Tanner I hope that we can do around the Hunter Murphy (CT) Tauscher unavoidably absent from this Chamber today. country what Troy City School Dis- Inglis Murphy, Patrick Taylor Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘yea’’ trict has done in my congressional dis- Inslee Murphy, Tim Teague on rollcall votes 100, 111, and 112. trict. In these tough economic times, Israel Myrick Terry Issa Napolitano Thompson (CA) f we need to ensure that more students Jackson (IL) Neugebauer Thompson (MS) are taking advantage of school break- Jackson-Lee Nunes Thompson (PA) HONORING DR. GREGORY fast programs, and breakfast in the (TX) Nye Thornberry FREYDMAN classroom has been shown to do just Jenkins Obey Tiahrt Johnson, Sam Olson Tiberi (Mr. MCCLINTOCK asked and was that. Jones Ortiz Titus given permission to address the House f Jordan (OH) Pallone Tonko for 1 minute.) Kagen Pascrell Towns UTILITARIANISM BEAT DOWN Kanjorski Pastor (AZ) Tsongas Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I HUMAN DIGNITY Kaptur Paulsen Turner rise to honor the memory of Dr. Greg- Kennedy Pence (Mr. INGLIS asked and was given Upton ory Freydman of California. Kildee Perlmutter Van Hollen permission to address the House for 1 Kilpatrick (MI) Perriello Dr. Freydman spent most of his life Vela´ zquez minute.) Kilroy Peters Visclosky seeking freedom for his family, and fi- Kind Peterson Mr. INGLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise Walden nally fulfilled that dream at the age of King (IA) Petri to lament the fact that, today, in a Walz King (NY) Pingree (ME) 72 when he legally immigrated to the Wamp stroke of a pen, utilitarianism beat Kingston Pitts United States from the Soviet Union. down human dignity. Kirk Platts Wasserman Schultz He had been a renowned oncologist When President Obama lifted the ban Kissell Poe (TX) there and had risked his livelihood and Kline (MN) Polis (CO) Waters on stem cell research additional lines, Kosmas Pomeroy Watson his liberty to speak out against Soviet what he is saying really is that it’s Kratovil Posey Watt abuses. Waxman okay to kill some humans in order to Lamborn Price (GA) Having seen firsthand the misery Lance Price (NC) Weiner improve the conditions of other hu- Langevin Rahall Welch that tyranny inflicts on its people, Dr. mans. The problem with that is it de- Larson (CT) Rehberg Westmoreland Freydman devoted himself to learning values all humans when we say that Latham Reichert Wexler English, studying the American system Whitfield you can kill some to benefit others. LaTourette Reyes of government, and passing on his ap- Latta Rogers (AL) Wilson (OH) We can do this research. We can do Lee (NY) Rogers (KY) Wilson (SC) preciation of American founding prin- the more promising research on adult Levin Rogers (MI) Wittman ciples to his children and to his grand- stem cells, and we can get to the place Lewis (CA) Ros-Lehtinen Wolf children. He proudly became a U.S. cit- Lewis (GA) Roskam Wu where we don’t produce excess em- Linder Ross Yarmuth izen at the age of 77. bryos. Other countries, Germany, for Lipinski Rothman (NJ) Young (AK) The highlight of his life was spending example, limits the number of fer- his final years in freedom with his be- tilized eggs, but we produce excess em- NOES—19 loved wife, Polina, secure in the knowl- bryos. We can stop that practice. We Cohen Hinchey McDermott edge that through a lifetime of strug- can also have adoptions of the existing Edwards (MD) Hirono Miller, George gle, he had secured the blessings of lib- excess embryos. Filner Johnson (GA) Nadler (NY) Flake Johnson, E. B. erty for his posterity. So Madam Speaker, it is a sad day Fudge Lee (CA) May he now rest in peace. when utilitarianism beats down human

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6673 dignity. It’s a sad day for America. The size of these two counties put to- Unlike the drug cartels that have This is a time when we should be, in a gether are the size of Connecticut and Humvees, they have SUVs, pickup technological age, establishing bright- Rhode Island put together. They’re trucks, all of the things that they line tests so that we understand and massive counties and sparsely popu- want. Border sheriffs—this sheriff espe- preserve the dignity of human life. It’s lated. The sheriff in each of these coun- cially—has no budget in the county for also not the interference of politics ties and his deputies know everybody vehicles, so he has to confiscate drug into science, but the bounding of that lives in the county, unlike the vehicles—when he captures the bad science by ethics and morality. Border Patrol, who come and go from guys with drugs—and then he uses f the community. They never really those vehicles after they have been know the people or the culture, or seized for his deputies. He has 20 vehi- MOURNING THE LOSS OF PASTOR what takes place in those counties. But cles that he uses for his 17 deputies, FRED WINTERS the border sheriffs and their deputies, and he has two or three of these 18- (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given since most of them grew up there and wheelers. permission to address the House for 1 were born there, they know the people minute and to revise and extend his re- who should be there and those people b 1930 that are outside, as they call them, marks.) Yes, he’s captured an 18-wheeler Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, yes- ‘‘out-of-towners.’’ This past weekend, the Mexican Gov- that’s seized by the good guys against terday, in my district, and close to my the bad guys, and on all of these vehi- hometown in Maryville, Illinois, Pastor ernment sent 5,000 troops to Juarez, Mexico. That’s the town across from El cles, he puts this little notice down Fred Winters lost his life to an assail- here on the bottom. It’s on the bottom ant who came into the church during Paso. The reason is because of the drug cartels and the violence. Drug cartels of this cab. It says semi-truck, $80,000. the first service. The drugs were worth $40,000. The bad Pastor Winters was a friend, and had are doing war with not only the United States, but they’re doing war phys- guy got 10 years in the penitentiary, done a tremendous job in growing First and the seizure of this vehicle is price- Baptist Church in Maryville to a ically with the Mexican military. And it’s so dangerous down there that Fort less. So that’s how he runs his sheriff’s church of great size and a great min- department: with seized vehicles. I istry in the area. Bliss, which is across the river from Juarez, those soldiers that have been in commend him for doing that. My thoughts and prayers go out to It’s important that we understand the community of Maryville, Illinois. Afghanistan and Iraq, are not per- mitted to go to Juarez. The State De- that the drug smugglers have more ve- My thoughts and prayers go out to the hicles, better vehicles, more money, church and congregants of First Bap- partment has warned Americans not to go to Juarez because of the danger of more men, and better equipment. They tist Church in Maryville. use GPS tracking devices to keep up We live in an age of sinful human kidnappings and the violence that has occurred there all because of the drug with their drug loads. As I mentioned, beings. Sometimes we don’t understand they use Humvees. We have occur- God’s will, but the people at First Bap- cartels. But going back to the two counties of rences of the Mexican military helping tist Church in Maryville are trying to move the drugs into these counties. Of make sense of an issue that doesn’t Culberson County and Hudspeth Coun- ty, the question keeps being asked, course, Homeland Security denied that make sense. All they do know is that occurred. They said that didn’t happen. God is in control, and that Pastor Win- ‘‘Well, all that crime just stays there on the Mexican side, it never comes to But they didn’t understand that Arvin ters is joined in heaven with Christ, his West, Sheriff West, had the whole Lord. the American side.’’ Let me give you a statistic, Madam Speaker, how all the Mexican infiltration into his county on f border sheriffs have to fight the drug videotape, and once he videotaped it and showed it to Homeland Security, SPECIAL ORDERS epidemic and the crimes of violence and the property crimes in their coun- they said, well, maybe they are intrud- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under ty. ing and helping the drug cartels. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- Sheriff Arvin West, Hudspeth Coun- And these people don’t make any uary 6, 2009, and under a previous order ty, has two jails; one has 125 prisoners, money. The sheriff of Hudspeth County of the House, the following Members the other one has 545 prisoners. And on makes $39,000 a year. Sheriff Carrillo of will be recognized for 5 minutes each. Saturday night, every person in both of Culberson County makes $32,000 a year, f those jails except one was illegally in and their deputies make about $27,000 a the United States. There was one cit- year. And they are protecting us from BORDER WAR IN HUDSPETH COUN- izen. And these people are not charged the drug cartels moving into the coun- TY AND CULBERSON COUNTY, with immigration violations. They try. A guy just bringing drugs into the TEXAS hadn’t just been picked up for illegally United States is going to make up to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a entering the country. They had been $1,500 a load, making far more than our previous order of the House, the gen- arrested for crimes against the Federal own border protectors. tleman from Texas (Mr. POE) is recog- Government, felonies and mis- There are four commodities being nized for 5 minutes. demeanors against the State of Texas. traded on the border. Two are going Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I He said if he didn’t have to keep arrest- north and two are going south. The two bring you news from the second front. ing folks illegally coming into the going north are people and drugs, and I’m talking about the front on the country and committing crimes in his they’re being worked together. In other southern border of the United States county, he could close his jail down be- words, the coyotes work with the drug with Mexico. cause there was only one citizen in the cartels to smuggle people. The two This past weekend, I had the oppor- whole county or in the county jails. commodities going south: guns and tunity to spend some time with two of And he said seldom does he have any money, and that’s what’s being traded the sheriffs of the Sheriff’s Border Coa- local folks put in that jail. on the border with Mexico. lition. There are 20 counties in Texas So, yes, the border crime has come to It’s important, Madam Speaker, that that the sheriffs are members of the the United States and will only get we provide our border protectors with Border Coalition. And I spent time worse. But to show you how innovative the Humvees they need. We need to with two of those sheriffs, Sheriff these sheriffs are, these are poor coun- give them better equipment, and we Arvin West from Hudspeth County and ties, these are low-income counties need to put troops on the border be- Sheriff Oscar Carrillo of Culberson where you’ve got hardworking people— cause the purpose of government is to County. These two counties are di- sparsely populated, however—and so protect the people. rectly east of El Paso County. the sheriff have no budget for vehicles. And that’s just the way it is.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6674 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS AND don’t get that charitable deduction, doing that to stimulate economic GOVERNMENT SPENDING they’re going to start cutting back on growth, and we need to make sure that The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a the money they give to charities, and the American people and the future previous order of the House, the gen- the minute they start doing that, generations of this country are not tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) is Madam Speaker, then you’re going to saddled with more debt and hyper- recognized for 5 minutes. see these charities start wanting for inflation. Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam money because they won’t be getting There are so many things going on Speaker, we have an organization in the money they have been getting in right now, Madam Speaker, that trou- this country called the Independent the past. bles me, it’s not even funny. And it all Sector. It’s a nonprofit, nonpartisan These organizations have said collec- comes down to spending more money coalition of charities, foundations, and tively they are going to lose $4 billion and imposing more burden on the corporate philanthropic programs col- a year if the budget proposed by the ad- American taxpayers and the future of lectively representing tens of thou- ministration and proposed by the this country. sands of charitable groups in every House leadership and the Senate lead- f State across the Nation. The mission of ership, if that goes through. And it ENERGY INSECURITY this organization is to advance the may go through tomorrow. Then these common good by leading, strength- charities are not going to get that The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ening, and mobilizing the nonprofit money, $4 billion in losses, and it’s previous order of the House, the gen- community. going to be borne by other institutions. tleman from South Carolina (Mr. ING- The reason that I bring this up to- And I submit to you it will be the local LIS) is recognized for 5 minutes. night is that the way that the adminis- governments, the State governments, Mr. INGLIS. Madam Speaker, I have tration, through the budget, wants to and probably the Federal Government. been doing this series on our energy in- help fund health care reform is they I think that’s just dead wrong. security problem and opportunity. And want to reduce the amount that people I want to end up tonight by saying it clearly is that. It’s both a danger can deduct when they make charitable one more thing, Madam Speaker, to my and an opportunity. Our energy insecu- contributions. And this organization colleagues back in their offices. We rity, the fact that we are dependent on that represents the Volunteers of have been increasing the money sup- foreign nations for our transportation America, the Salvation Army, the Red ply, printing more money very rapidly, fuels and the fact that we really don’t Cross, all these organizations, says and we are indebting the people of this have a great plan at this point about that if the legislation passes in the country to the tune of trillions of dol- how to produce electricity. So we’ve budget in its present form, they will lars. The Secretary of the Treasury is got this energy insecurity and we’ve lose $4 billion a year in charitable con- going to have another $3 trillion that got a danger there, but we have also tributions because people won’t be able he’s going to have to print to give to fi- got an incredible opportunity. to deduct the same amount that nancial institutions to keep them But speaking especially to fellow they’ve been deducting before when above water. The budget that we’re conservatives, I wonder if our conserv- they make a contribution to these talking about, the bailout bill that ative environmental policy is being charities. And I think that’s tragic be- we’re talking about, the stimulus pack- controlled by former Vice President Al cause people who need help from the age, all of those add up to trillions of Gore. You know, it’s said that he who Salvation Army or the Red Cross or dollars more in spending. angers you controls you. So I wonder if these other philanthropic organiza- If you look at this chart, you will see the fact that when we hear ‘‘climate tions really need help, and if they can’t that the money supply in this country change,’’ we see Al Gore and we get get it from those organizations, the has been pretty level up through the angry; it makes him actually the one place they are going to go to try to get year 2000, and then it starts going up that’s controlling our view of climate it is where? From the taxpayers, from like a rocket, and now it’s going change. Wouldn’t it be something if we their local trustee, their State govern- straight up. And what that means to conservatives were actually under the ment, their city government, or the the American people, and I hope the control of Al Gore because he angers us Federal Government. So what we are American people, if they happen to be so much that we can’t see past him and going to see is a transfer of responsi- paying attention, and I can’t talk to some claims he makes about climate bility from these independent philan- them, I know, but if they happen to be change? Some conservatives think thropic organizations to these local paying attention, I hope they realize that’s a bunch of hooey. But if we can’t government entities and the Federal that the increase in the money supply see past that to the job creation oppor- Government if we start reducing the is going to come directly to them even- tunity and to the national security amount that people can deduct in char- tually. It’s going to affect them in risk, then is he really controlling us? itable contributions. I think that’s higher taxes and higher costs of goods So what I’d like to ask, especially tragic. and services when they go to buy them. fellow conservatives, to consider is, is The Secretary of the Treasury, If you have more money in circulation, that really where we want to be? Do we Geithner, appeared before the Senate and we’re looking at trillions of dollars really want to be controlled by a this past week, and he was asked about more that’s going to be printed, that former Vice President, or do we want this, and he said, well, he thinks there money is going to be chasing fewer to see the opportunity, job creation op- might be other ways that they could goods and services. What that means portunity, and the incredible national fund the health care changes in this simply is if you go to buy a loaf of security danger, and then move to act country without dipping into the chari- bread, it’s going to cost more. If you to solve it? table contribution deductions. Well, buy a gallon of gas, it’s going to cost Of course, I think that the solution the head of OMB indicated, I think, more. If you buy electricity in your that conservatives bring is an under- yesterday on Face the Nation that Mr. home, when you turn the switch on, standing of markets and how econom- Geithner probably wasn’t right, that it’s going to cost more. ics work, and how it is that people once the American people see how this So I would just like to say to my col- making profit will actually solve this money is going to be used, they’ll un- leagues, we really need to do some- energy insecurity problem. derstand it. thing about spending. We have got to So try this out for size: If I’m making I don’t believe that, Madam Speaker. say to the administration and our col- Inglis widgets at my factory, and I’m I believe the American people, when leagues in the House and the Senate belching and burning and basically they give money to a charity, want to it’s time to cut spending. We don’t dumping ash on my neighbor’s prop- make sure that that money is going to need to spend more. We don’t need to erty, it’s a pretty good deal for me. It that charity and that they get their spend these trillions of dollars. We stinks for my neighbor. Now, under charitable deduction for that. If they ought to be cutting taxes instead of Biblical law my neighbor would have a

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6675 cause of action against me. Under b 1945 In these dire times, something must English common law, under American GENERAL LEAVE be done to help our Nation and our peo- common law, and by virtue of EPA and ple get back on their feet. The best way regulations, my neighbor would have a Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I ask to address these issues and illustrate unanimous consent that all Members cause of action against me or a regu- our desire to better the lives of so may have 5 legislative days in which latory regime to help him out. many Americans is with our budget Members may revise and extend their priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Now, if I’m heard to complain to the remarks and insert extraneous mate- I want to thank President Obama for local congressman, no, now, listen, you rials on the topic of my Special Order. his thoughtful budget that signals a can’t make me put scrubbers on my The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there new era of responsibility. I want to ap- smokestack because that will drive up objection to the request of the gentle- plaud his attention to our Nation’s the price of my widgets. Inglis widgets woman from Ohio? most urgent needs, job training and job There was no objection. will go up in price, and that will make creation, health care and education. it so that the customer is hurt. Well, f I would like to thank him for the will it? Or will it actually create the CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS particular attention that this budget opportunity for another entrepreneur The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under gives to the mental health needs of our across town who is ready to compete the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- veterans. Finally, I applaud this ad- with me and take me out because he’s uary 6, 2009, the gentlewoman from ministration for paying attention to got a cleaner process, a smaller smoke- Ohio (Ms. FUDGE) is recognized for 60 those that need us the most, our chil- stack, if you will? So if society wants minutes as the designee of the major- dren and our elderly. to move along to that better product ity leader. As the former mayor of Warrensville that my competitor is offering across Ms. FUDGE. I am a member of the Heights, Ohio, and on behalf of all town, then what we have to do is figure Congressional Black Caucus, better mayors and all local leaders, I want to out a way to make me keep my ash on known as the CBC. Currently, the CBC focus on the administration’s full fund- my property. If you do that, it’s called is chaired by the Honorable BARBARA ing of Community Development Block internalizing the externals. It’s some- LEE from the Ninth Congressional Dis- Grants. The fiscal year 2010 budget pro- thing that we conservatives can under- trict of California. My name is Con- vides $4.5 billion to fully fund this pro- stand. It’s a market distortion that we gresswoman MARCIA FUDGE, rep- gram. have got to fix. If we fix it, then my in- resenting the 11th District of Ohio. As legislators, our number one pri- cumbent technology, the cheaper widg- CBC members are advocates for the ority is to get ourselves out of this cur- ets because I get to dump ash on my human family nationally and inter- rent economic crisis. To accomplish neighbor’s property, suddenly becomes nationally and have played a signifi- this, we must look to programs that more expensive, and the competing cant role as local and regional activ- help improve and grow our economy. technology now takes me out. ists. We continue to work diligently to Historically, for every $1 of funding That’s where we are with gasoline, be the conscience of the Congress. through a Community Development for example. The reason the gasoline is But understand all politics are local. Block Grant, nearly $3 is leveraged for so cheap, and it is so cheap, is there are Therefore, we provide dedicated and fo- economic development projects. When a city needs a grocery store or all these negative externalities that cused service to the citizens and the more affordable housing, this block aren’t recognized by the market: the congressional districts we serve. grant funding is utilized and helps national security risk, the climate The vision of the founding members build neighborhoods. This is one of the change risk, the environmental prob- of the Congressional Black Caucus to promote the public welfare through few programs where the money goes di- lems associated with it. If you stuck legislation designed to meet the needs rectly to the locality. It does not get those onto the product of gasoline and of millions of neglected citizens con- tied up in State government or Federal said, now, gasoline, compete with plug- tinues to be our focal point for the leg- affairs. The money immediately goes in hybrids, suddenly plug-in hybrids islative work and political activities of to the areas where local leaders can would be popping up everywhere be- the Congressional Black Caucus today. help expand economic opportunities for cause the competition would be able to More than ever, it is necessary that we, their local citizens. take out the incumbent technology. as leaders, help those whom we serve. In Cleveland, Community Develop- I think that’s an inherently conserv- As the floor moderator today for the ment Block Grant dollars have gone to ative idea. I think it’s understanding Congressional Black Caucus special assist our housing trust fund. Every how markets work, how economics order hour, I have to add that it is dollar of investment leverages $5 of pri- work, and how profit can solve this en- more important than ever that we put vate investment. In 2008, housing trust ergy insecurity. Because if we get to the money where our mouth is. fund funds were committed to projects the place where that competing tech- For the past 8 years, we have lived in that supported nearly 700 energy effi- nology can take out the incumbent a cloud of corporate misdeeds, back- cient housing units. technology, we will break this addic- room dealings, and extreme tax cuts This money has also gone to combat tion to oil, and we will improve the na- that have only benefited the wealthiest foreclosure. CDBG funds are the prin- tional security of the United States, people in this Nation. Due to the Bush cipal source of funds for supporting a and we will create jobs, because those administration’s lack of government range of activities to respond to the new technologies have a lot of jobs in oversight, intervention and inatten- aftermath of foreclosures. This year, them. tion, we now face the toughest econ- block grants can provide $300,000 for omy in our lifetime. anti-predatory lending programs ad- So even if you think that climate Such neglect and inattention have ministered by Cleveland’s Department change is a bunch of hooey, there are led to this storm called a housing cri- of Consumer Affairs and other non- two other reasons to pursue it that are sis, a collapse of the stock market and profit agencies, over $400,000 for code equally valid and very exciting oppor- rising health care costs that leaves enforcement and almost $900,000 for tunities to fix this energy insecurity most Americans in a state of shock. In nuisance abatement and land reutiliza- that we face, and that I look forward to 2008, nearly 4 million jobs were lost tion on properties that are either va- talking with you again about. across the Nation. In February of this cant or have been through foreclosure. My colleagues, this is an opportunity year, the Greater Cleveland area unem- Community Development Block for us to work together to build con- ployment rate was at a staggering 10.2 Grant dollars will help with housing sensus, to collaborate as Republicans percent. The overall African-American services for low- or moderate-income and Democrats. We can fix this prob- unemployment rate is even greater, families. These funds are a critical lem. currently over 13 percent. source of assistance for seniors and

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6676 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 low-income families with funding to re- rected to where the problem is the the important, if not the most impor- pair their homes. This year over $2.2 greatest. tant aspects of our Federal budget, million is expected to be used for home And, of course, we know, when you health and health care spending. I also repair assistance from these funds. look at the statistics in the African- rise, not only as a colleague and as a This grant will also helped commu- American community, HIV and AIDS is physician, but as a Chair of the Con- nity-based organizations. Approxi- off the scale. So we must do more and gressional Black Caucus Health Brain mately $8 million supports a network we have to get this moving very quick- Trust, whose mission is to ensure that of organizations that provide housing ly. our community’s unique health and services, neighborhood safety programs Secondly, I would like to just men- health care issues are at the forefront and community outreach. tion this defense budget. Each and as our budget process proceeds. Finally, CDBG funding will help city- every year there are a few of us who Finally, I rise to applaud President wide services, housing and financial talk about the fact that we all, and as Obama for the steps he has taken and services such as foreclosure counseling, the daughter of a lieutenant colonel, I hopefully will continue to take to en- homeownership counseling, landlord am, as I always say, a military brat, sure that the social determinants of tenant counseling and fair housing as- support a strong military, a strong na- health are fully considered and solu- sistance. The funds also support non- tional defense and our troops. tions fully integrated into health care profits that offer social services such It’s time that we look at a realistic reform. as educational programming for youth national security budget that reflects In recent years I have joined some of and food programs for our seniors and our national security priorities, not to our other colleagues and religious lead- low-income families. continue to fund many of those Cold ers on the Hill to address the budget as Madam Speaker, I yield to the distin- War-era weapons systems, which are a moral document, as you have heard guished woman and our chair, the gen- being built for a threat that doesn’t our chairwoman speak to a few min- tlelady from California, Ms. BARBARA exist. So we are looking at ways, and I utes ago, as a document that rep- LEE. have found in the GAO studies that resents our country’s values and our Ms. LEE of California. Thank you have been conducted on the defense values of the people. In those years we very much. Let me thank the gentle- budget, there’s billions of dollars in decried the fact that the budget that lady from Ohio for yielding, but also waste, fraud and abuse in the defense was sent to Congress by the then Presi- for your leadership and for that very budget. dent did not include support or in any clear and powerful statement and en- It’s time we look at closing some of way foster work that we are called to suring that the Congressional Black those items that GAO identified, and I do by our faith, not just Christian faith Caucus each week has an opportunity believe we could get up to some $80- but any faith, essentially to ensure to talk about those issues that are af- some billion in cuts just based on clos- that the needs of the least of these are fecting the African-American commu- ing the items that have been identified met. nity, communities of color and the en- as waste, fraud and abuse. The Congressional Black Caucus, as a tire country. So thank you, Congress- So there is much to look at in terms group, has also met with past Presi- woman FUDGE. of the budget. This is a very difficult dents, just as we met with President There are just a couple of things I year, it’s a very difficult time, given Obama 2 weeks ago. In these meetings would like to say tonight on the budg- the economic recession, and so we must we outline our agenda priorities and in- et. I have to acknowledge and thank have a budget that reflects the values dicate our hope for the President’s sup- the Chair of the Budget Committee for of our country, including addressing port in health care, education, housing, the Congressional Black Caucus, Con- poverty in a big way. economic opportunity, improved rela- gressman BOBBY SCOTT, who consist- Eight more million people now are tionships with African and Caribbean ently each year pulls together his task living in poverty as a result, unfortu- countries and a number of other areas force. I serve as a member of his task nately, of the policies of the last 8 of concern. force to look at the overall budget and years. We have to begin to look at how Until now, neither have the goals of to make sure that the Congressional we address these moral gaps, and that’s the religious community or the CBC, Black Caucus’ focus is couched within what they were. That’s what they are, which parallel each other, even been the fact that historically we have been the dignity of all human beings must partially approached. In fact, if it were and continue to be the conscience of be reflected in our budget, and that is not for the strong position taken by the Congress and that the budget re- what the Congressional Black Caucus the Democrats in this body, and some flects our values. The budget is a moral seeks to do to ensure that every man, of our colleagues on the other side who document, and it’s within that perspec- woman and child, not only in the Black joined us, to protect them, programs tive and lens that we look at the budg- community, but throughout the coun- like Medicaid, Head Start, Healthy et. try, have support and our Federal Gov- Start, maternal and child health pro- Let me say a couple of things with ernment policies that support their grams and many others would have regard to the budget, specifically. As dignity and their worth. been severely compromised and the an example of what I am talking about, So I want to thank Congressman lives of many of our fellow Americans the HIV/AIDS pandemic is devastating BOBBY SCOTT and Congresswoman with them. the African-American community and MARCIA FUDGE for their leadership on We don’t have to look far to remem- communities of color both here and, of that and just know that we are work- ber that expanded coverage for unin- course, abroad, especially in sub-Saha- ing day and night to make sure that sured children was impossible to ac- ran Africa. whatever budget comes out of here re- complish until this new administration We believe the time has come to real- flects the moral values of our country. was sworn in. But change is coming. ly put forth a national HIV/AIDS strat- Thank you. We, as a country, have reason to hope egy, a plan, and fund it. We also estab- Ms. FUDGE. Thank you, Madam for a new and a better day. We are lished in 1999, under the great leader- Chair, and thank you for your leader- pleased, as we look at the outline that ship of Congresswoman MAXINE ship as well. President Obama has sent for the year WATERS, a minority AIDS initiative. At this time, Madam Speaker, I 2010, that it resonates not just with our And this year we are pushing to fund would like to yield to the distinguished request or that of religious leaders over that minority AIDS initiative at least Member from the Virgin Islands, Rep- the years, but that it responds to many at $645, $650 million. That’s really a resentative CHRISTENSEN. of the long unmet needs of the Amer- drop in the bucket, but we have to Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you. ican people. start somewhere, and we want to make Madam Speaker, I join my Congres- It builds on the very important down sure that our tax dollars, as it relates sional Black Caucus colleagues this payment made by the American Recov- to HIV and AIDS, are targeted and di- evening for what I consider to be one of ery and Reinvestment Act, which funds

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6677 are already beginning to reach commu- indirect impact on health and health minants of health that exacerbate nities like mine across the country and care. Well, so does President Obama, health inequities will require the will- provide a lifeline to families in this whose fiscal year 2010 budget strength- ing to take bold steps and the vision- time of dire economic stress. ens and reforms the Nation’s public ary leadership to ensure that more I want to spend a few minutes to schools and expands funds for college. than one step is taken. However, I also focus on the health care parts of our We know that having access to safe know that we have both of those budget, because as long as I have been and affordable housing, as well as liv- today—both in the administration and in Congress, the grave differences in ing in communities that are struc- in this Congress. health care access, quality and health turally and socially stable, has an im- Together, we can reform our health outcomes that have had a detrimental pact on health. The President’s budget care system in a manner that cham- impact on the health wellness and life provides $1 billion for an Affordable pions health equity, and together we opportunities of millions of Americans Housing Trust Fund. He has a fund can make this Nation, one person and every single year have been the focal that will prevent homelessness and one community at a time, healthier, issues of my efforts and those of the strengthen families. Additionally, the stronger, and better prepared for to- Congressional Black Caucus. These dif- President’s plans invests $3.2 for the morrow. ferences not only exist along lines of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance I yield back the balance of my time, race and ethnicity, but also along lines Program to help low-income families and I thank you for taking on the chal- of gender and geography. with their home heating and cooling lenge of this Special Order every Mon- The sad reality is this, because we as expenses, which will not only prevent day evening, and for focusing on the a Nation have not taken the steps nec- accidents, but will also help ensure President’s budget tonight. essary to close these health and health that our homes are not places that There are other health and health care care gaps, it is estimated that 100,000 make us sick. spending priorities set by the President in this people, a disproportionate number of We also know that the foods we eat budget that are downright long overdue. whom are racial and ethnic minorities, have a direct impact on our health and For example, the budget enhances HIV/ die prematurely from preventible well-being, which is why the Presi- AIDS prevention and treatment by increasing causes every year. Additionally, be- dent’s budget, which includes robust resources to detect, prevent, and treat HIV/ cause progress to address the root funding to expand access to nutrition AIDS domestically, especially in the hardest cause of health inequities, the social programs, especially among women and hit communities, a disproportionate number of determinants of health, have been stag- children and seniors, is so critically which are African American communities. nant, health disparities are no longer important to support. The President’s budget sets aside $330 mil- Further, we are impressed that this only a racial and ethnic minority lion to increase the number of doctors, nurses budget seems to reflect an under- health problem. Today, they are an and dentists who practice in areas where standing of one aspect of health dis- American issue. there are known shortages in health profes- This failure to improve health, to ad- parity elimination that previous budg- sionals will play a very significant role in en- dress its root causes, not only affects ets and many fail to grasp, that health suring that whenever someone needs the the health quality and lives of people disparity elimination will require far services of a trained health care provider, he of color, but undermines them for ev- more than just covering all of our Na- or she will be able to get it without having to eryone in this country and weakens tion’s uninsured, as important is that travel 450 miles. our country’s position of leadership in is in itself. By investing $19 billion in health information the world. In fact, we know that the lack of in- surance accounts for roughly only 20 technology, we will ensure that as we mod- b 2000 percent of the racial and ethnic dif- ernize our nation’s health care system to The good news, however, is that we ferences and morbidity and mortality maximize its efficiency, coordination and pri- are in a new political day, and I am ex- that we hear about and experience year vacy, that we do so in a manner that does not tremely heartened that our new Presi- after year. create a two-tiered health care system. dent, President Obama, is aggressively So, I am extremely heartened that This investment in HIT also will ensure that taking steps to continue work begun in this budget includes significant in- if and when another natural disaster hits one the ARRA and is making a sizable com- creases in funding to many of the criti- of our cities along the coast or in one of the mitment—to the tune of $634 billion cally important programs that are U.S. Territories, that survivors do not have to over 10 years—on health care reform. needed to ensure health equity. fear that their paper medical records will have And so we are pleased that he is mak- For this reason, Madam Speaker and perished in the basement of a hospital or clin- ing good on his promise to ensure and colleagues, I look forward as Chair of ic, or that their health and that of their families improve the health and health care of the Congressional Black Caucus Health will be compromised because they do not those millions of Americans who have Brain Trust to working with my col- have immediate access to needed health been left out and forgotten for far too leagues in Congress and with the Presi- records. long and, in doing so, to bring about dent to ensure that we reform our The budget’s $6 billion investment in cancer meaningful and thoughtful reform to health care system in a manner that research—which reflects the Administration’s our Nation’s very broken and outdated does not just get it done, but that gets multi-year commitment to double cancer re- health care system. it done right. search funding—will play a key role not only in What is more, I applaud the Presi- To that end, while this budget aptly reducing the egregious racial and ethnic dis- dent’s emphasis on prevention, with and appropriately emphasizes reducing parities we see in cancer treatment, but also this budget’s historic $1 billion invest- un-insurance, bolstering prevention, in cancer deaths. ment in prevention, as well as the closing gaps in the health care work- And the budget’s investment in Medicaid other provisions that will address so- force, and ensuring that our Federal and Medicare to strengthen the programs, bol- cial determinants that are not nor- programs are strengthened, I want to ster their integrity and accountability, and ex- mally seen as health-related, an invest- stress that health disparity elimi- pand the programs’ research agendas is criti- ment worth making, especially since nation must be an integral component cally important, as these two programs play studies confirm that roughly 60 percent as well. pivotal roles in ensuring that our nation’s most of the premature deaths in the United Not only do health disparities cause, vulnerable have access to needed health care States are attributable to social cir- as I said, about 100,000 preventable services and treatments. cumstances, environmental conditions, deaths each year; in fact, health dis- Finally, and of utmost importance to the and behavioral choices, all of which parities are among the key factors that people I represent in the U.S. Virgin Islands, could be addressed through prevention drive up health care costs that we, as a President Obama signals in his budget outline and a more holistic approach to health. Nation, struggle to contain every year. his intention to move towards equity for the For example, we know that edu- I know that designing a health care Territories in health and other related pro- cational attainment has a direct and system that addresses the social deter- grams.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6678 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 There are so many positive elements to this headed by the budget projections to This chart shows for people under budget that indicate that we are headed in the paying off not only the debt held by $20,000—from $20,000 to $50,000; $50,000 right direction; especially as it relates to fixing the public, but all of the debt; putting to $75,000; $75,000 to $100,000; $100,000 to our nation’s health care system and that with the money back in the trust funds and $200,000; $200,000 to $1 million; over $1 his leadership and that of the leadership in everything else. Instead, the debt has million, how much you got out of the this body we are beginning to build a health totally exploded. 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. You notice that care system for the 21st century and beyond. Now, one of the problems with the if you made over $1 million, you did For this reason, Madam Speaker and col- debt is that more and more of it is well. And if you made under $20,000, or leagues, I look forward—as the Chair of the coming from foreign countries. Pri- even under $50,000, you hardly need ink CBC Health Braintrust—to working with my marily, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and to draw the bar. colleagues in Congress and with the President China. And that has foreign policy im- There’s one particular tax that, in to ensure that we reform our health care sys- plications. You can’t negotiate a good the Obama budget, will be repealed. tem in a manner that does not just get it done, trade deal when the next thing out of Put back the way was. It’s about a $20 but that gets it done right. your mouth is, Can I borrow some billion tax cut every year. And this is To that end, while this budget aptly and ap- money? When you’re borrowing money how it’s distributed. If you make over propriately emphasizes reducing un-insurance, from Saudi Arabia, obviously that has $1 million, you get about $17,000. bolstering prevention, closing gaps in the implications on our ability to nego- $200,000 to $1 million, you get several health care workforce and ensuring that our tiate gasoline and oil prices. hundred dollars. $100,000 to $200,000; on federal health programs are strengthened, I The debt held in foreign countries average, you will get you will get want stress that health disparity elimination was headed towards zero. It has, again, about $1 a month. Under $100,000; on av- must be an integral component as well. exploded. Now we have over $2 trillion erage, you will get not a dime. Not only do health disparities cause about of our debt held in foreign countries. Now, one of the things that is ex- 100,000 premature preventable deaths each Now, we got in this mess because we tremely important and why it is cru- year, but in fact, health disparities are among had unaffordable tax cuts, primarily cial that we get this budget under con- the key factors that drive up the health care for the wealthy. People get mad when trol, and that is I referred to Social Se- costs that we—as a nation—struggle to con- you say ‘‘primarily for the wealthy,’’ curity. This is a Social Security cash tain each year. but it was done, presumably, to create flow chart, showing the blue bars are Ms. FUDGE. Thank very much. jobs. bringing in now more than we are pay- Madam Speaker, I would like to thank This chart shows how, in the last 8 ing out. In 2017, we will start paying the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands, years, in terms of job growth, we have out more than we are bringing in. who is always, in our caucus and in experienced the worst job growth since This is $200 billion deficit, a $600 bil- this Congress, a leading advocate for the Great Depression. Herbert Hoover lion deficit. By 2040, we will be ap- health care reform. I thank her. is the only President on this chart proaching $1 trillion, paying out more At this time I would yield to the dis- Social Security than we are bringing tinguished Member from the State of who’s done worse than the last 8 years. There’s very poor economic activity, in. If we had the $5.5 trillion, you need- Virginia, Mr. ROBERT ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT. ed about $4 trillion in the bank today, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Thank you. as measured by the Dow Jones Indus- trial Average. This chart shows the drawing interest. We could pay Social Madam Speaker, I thank the gentle- Security for 75 years without reducing Dow Jones Industrial Average from lady from Ohio for organizing this Spe- benefits. Hoover, Franklin, Roosevelt, Truman, cial Order. The budget is an extremely Unfortunately, we are going broke, important part of our work, and I Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and this is one of the reasons we have thank you for allowing us the oppor- Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton. to get our budget under control quick- tunity to discuss what is going on with The worst since Herbert Hoover in ly, because otherwise we will get into a the budget. terms of Dow performance in the last 8 deficit situation in Social Security Before we can discuss the budget years. that we will never get out of. going forward, we have to understand Now, some people have said that all One of the things that we have to do where we are and the mess that we are those tax cuts actually increased reve- is make sure that the expenditures and in. Sometimes you need charts to ade- nues. Well, that is not exactly true. tax revenues get back under control. quately describe exactly what the situ- Since 1960, this chart, just to break Federal revenues traditionally, in the ation is. down the color code, a green bar is a past, have been less than the expendi- This is a chart from 1989 showing the year in which we achieved record reve- tures. We have been spending more budget deficit. Starting in 1993, we nues in individual income tax. Record than we are bringing in. That is deficit went up to surplus. Unfortunately, in revenues. A red bar is one where a spending. 2001, we had a complete collapse of the record was not achieved. By the mid 1990s, we actually reduced budget. 2008, the deficit will be about You will notice since 1960, tax cuts, spending and increased revenues, to the here. A little over $400 billion. 2009, it tax increases, recessions, depression; point where we had that healthy sur- will literally be off the chart. So, this everything since good years, bad years, plus that was set to go as far as the eye is what we are dealing with. since 1960, there were only 2 years in could see. Unfortunately, in 2001, we In 1993, we made the tough choices which we did not achieve a record. So, passed tax cuts that we could not af- and eliminated the deficit, went into to say that we had additional revenues ford, collapsing revenues and, in fact, surplus, and had enough in the begin- wouldn’t be saying much, because we even increased as a percentage of GDP, ning of 2001, enough of a surplus to pay always have revenues. increased spending, creating this def- Social Security for 75 years without re- But it’s even worse than that because icit. We have to get back under control ducing any benefits or to pay off the in 2001 we did not achieve a record. where the revenues are more than the entire debt held by the public by last 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005. We went 5 consecu- expenditures. year. We were in good shape financially tive years, something that has not hap- This year, we are out of control be- in 2001, but we made the wrong choices. pened since they started taking records cause we have had the stimulus pack- And the rest is history. in the 1930s, did you go more than 2 age, we have had the bailouts, and ev- The deterioration in the budget from years without achieving a record. You erything. But this is just a 1-year the $5.5 trillion surplus to the probably have had world wars and everything spike. And we need to get the budget $3 trillion, maybe $4 trillion deficit, else. The record: 5 years without a back under control. And we can do was a swing of almost $9 trillion. Al- record. that. Under the Obama budgets, we will most $1 trillion a year deterioration in So, the cuts in taxes did not increase be back into more traditional levels of the budget. revenues. It actually decreased reve- deficits. This chart shows where the public nues. And, as I said, they get mad when But, when we get down here, that debt has exploded. In 2001, we were you say the taxes were cut for the rich. should not be the end. That is just the

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One of the reasons that He is making significant investments choices. And if we don’t make those we could maintain fiscal responsibility in education, making sure that tax tough choices, if we don’t get the budg- in the 1990s is we had a process called credits for education expenses are in- et under control, we are going to be PAYGO. Pay as you go. If you offer a creased and Pell Grants are increased spending entirely too much money on spending program, you have to pay for so more and more people can go to col- interest in the national debt, we will it. You have to raise the taxes to pay lege. And we want to make sure that jeopardize Social Security and Medi- for it or cut some spending somewhere we invest in elementary and secondary care. But with the leadership of Presi- else. If you want to cut some taxes, education, particularly early childhood dent Obama, the Congressional Black you have to cut some spending or raise education. Caucus is committed to addressing our some other taxes. Everything do you, The budget makes a unique invest- priorities in a fiscally responsible way. have you to pay for it. And if you don’t ment in nurse home visits. These have Social Security, Medicare, and our fu- pay for it, you can’t pass it. been shown to significantly reduce a ture depend on it. Unfortunately, in 2001, PAYGO ex- lot of problems, one of which is child Again, I want to thank the gentle- pired, and the tax cuts were passed abuse, which is highly correlated with lady from Ohio for her leadership and without paying for it. Increased spend- future crime by these nurse visits. The giving us the opportunity to talk about ing took place without paying for it. nurse visits have been studied. I serve the budget today. And we got into the ditch that we are on the Judiciary Committee, and they Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I would in. We now are back under PAYGO, have found that those who have had like to thank the gentleman from Vir- where we are going to have to pay for the advantage of the nurse visits were ginia, Mr. BOBBY SCOTT. what we do. one-third as likely to be arrested 18 For those of us in the Congressional One of the things that the Obama years later as those who did not have Black Caucus, we clearly know that budget does, it presents an honest the visits; education is much better off; Representative SCOTT is the best in the budget. There are many things in the child abuse is down. So those visits will Congress when it comes to analyzing last few budgets that were just kind of be a very important investment in our budgets and providing information to left out. We knew every year we’d been future. his colleagues. So, again, I thank him. continuing some tax cuts year after And, finally, the President’s budgets Madam Speaker, I thank you. I year. We knew each year we’d put continues large increases in veterans thank the members of the CBC for al- those back in. Those weren’t in the health care. We had significant in- lowing me to act in their behalf to- budget as introduced. creases 2 years ago and last year, and night; as well as I want to say that we we will continue those increases so our do very much appreciate the fact that b 2015 veterans get the health care that they we now have an administration and a The war spending. We know we are at certainly have earned and deserve. President who does believe in an hon- war. There was zero for the war in Iraq We need to make some tough choices. est budget, who does believe in doing and Afghanistan in the budgets as in- The President says one of the most dif- the things that are necessary to get troduced. We knew we were going to ficult choices are making expenditures this country back on track. spend money on those wars. In fact, today that save money in the future. I yield back the balance of my time. there were about $250 billion worth of Nobody wants to spend the money f known expenditures that we knew we today if the savings won’t occur for 5 were going to spend that were left out or 10 years. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY of the budgets. The Obama budget in- One of the bills that I have intro- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under cludes everything that everybody duced is the Youth Promise Act that the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- knows that we are going to spend. makes investments in young people to uary 6, 2009, the gentlewoman from Illi- So with PAYGO and fiscal responsi- keep them out of trouble. We are nois (Mrs. BIGGERT) is recognized for 60 bility, we are going to at least reduce spending more money per person in in- minutes as the designee of the minor- the deficit 50 percent in the first term carceration. We have got more people ity leader. of President Obama; and after we get locked up today per hundred thousand GENERAL LEAVE there, we will continue to make population than anywhere on Earth. Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I progress. We could significantly reduce the need ask unanimous consent that all Mem- The President’s budget makes signifi- for that correlation if we made invest- bers may have 5 legislative days in cant investments in energy, getting us ments up front, getting young people which to revise and extend their re- from dependence on foreign oil and cre- on the right track and keeping them on marks on my Special Order. ating millions of jobs in energy, cre- the right track. The Youth Promise The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ating clean energy jobs. His budget Act does that. It has an interesting as- objection to the request of the gentle- brings down the skyrocketing costs of pect to it. When you save money, the woman from Illinois? health care, and makes focused invest- localities that come up with their local There was no objection. ments in education, one of the things plans will try to identify where they Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I on energy, alternative forms of energy are saving money, and those agencies rise tonight to call attention to our and conservation and significant re- should kick in to keep the program economy and the fiscal discipline we search investments. running. need to implement to get our country In health care, we need to make in- The State of Pennsylvania did the back on the right path. vestments in cost control to make sure collaborative approach that is antici- Right now, the American people are that we can control health care. The pated in the Youth Promise Act, and hurting; and Republicans want to work Social Security chart and the Medicare they funded a number of programs for with the President to get the American chart are very similar. The Medicare a total cost of approximately $60 mil- people back to work. We want to get chart is actually even worse because of lion, $60 million, and they calculate the economy going again. But we do the accelerating health care costs. We they save over the next few years over know, and the American people know, need to get those costs under control, $300 million, because they made those we cannot tax, spend, and borrow our because if we don’t get Medicare under investments and reduced crime signifi- way back to a healthy economy. So we

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As I said, we have got the good, decisions about how we are going to Congress, they had experts in the the bad, and the ugly. spend those dollars, and that is where health field come together to look at We acknowledge that there is an en- we should be reducing what the Federal how we are going to solve this problem. titlement crisis, that there is a budget government spends. The economy right now is the hugest fix for the AMT. We are looking at the Then, mandatory spending. Much of problem that we have. Why aren’t we Medicaid part D. With the bad, there is that is the entitlements which the gen- working together and really coming to- an increase in spending of $3.9 trillion tlelady from Illinois just referred to gether to solve this problem? We have in 2009. It increases nondefense appro- mentioning very appropriately that, so much expertise in this Congress. We priations by 9.3 percent. The war fund- yes, indeed, we do have an entitlement have economists, we have people in the ing is a gimmick. The ugly, a $1.4 tril- crisis that is coming, and that is spend- industry. We really should be sitting lion tax increase in a recession, $1 tril- ing that is going to have to be dealt down to solve the problem, rather than lion entitlement expansion, in the 2009 with in order for the future generations going back and forth and arguing on deficit, $1.8 trillion. And we double the to enjoy security, whether it is eco- the House floor, because our country debt. nomic security, whether it is freedom and the international economy is suf- These are the things that we are and opportunity. fering. And it is not the first time nor going to be discussing tonight, and I b 2030 the last. We have seen crisis like this am glad to have my colleagues here to before and we have pulled through. So participate. I would like to call on the Take a look at what has happened. I am optimistic that we can get to- gentlelady from Tennessee for her com- You can see where we were in January gether and really work to solve the ments right now, MARSHA BLACKBURN. 2007. And the debt, the Federal debt, at problem. Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gen- that point in time was right over $8 And look what happened on 9/11. We tlelady from Illinois so much for yield- trillion. Our deficit in 2007 was just came together. We came together as a ing, and I appreciate her yielding the over $400 billion. Congress, united to face that problem time to me. And we have other mem- Now let’s look at what happened. The and to face that challenge, and to find bers of our Republican conference who first stimulus plan that was passed the solutions and how we were going to are here, female members, who are early last year, $152 billion, you can see deal with it. This is another problem. coming to talk about the issues that what that did to the federal deficit. It Not maybe as quite the magnitude; we know are affecting our constituents really popped it up. You can also see maybe it is, but we need to get to- and we know are affecting women in what that did to discretionary spend- gether and really work together. ing. And then look at what happened We face the largest economic decline our districts. As the gentlelady from Illinois has with pre-TARP, the amount of money, since World War II, along with unprece- mentioned, the number one thing that the $300 billion, that went into those dented domestic unemployment. Feb- loans from March to September of 2008 ruary’s numbers show that there was we do hear from our constituents, and especially our women small business when we were dealing with Bear 8.1 percent unemployment. And we face Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, unprecedented foreclosures, facing owners, is their concerns over the econ- IndyMac and AIG. You can see what about one in nine families right now. It omy; and they are concerned about the happened with our deficit, which is the is time for us to unite again as leaders economic security, the retirement se- green line, the discretionary spending, and pull through once more. curity that is in front of them as they I wish that the administration would look to winding down their careers. and the bump-ups that came there, and convene this bipartisan, bicameral And they are also very concerned about then you see the mandatory spending summit to focus all of our energy on what is happening for the secured op- rising as we move through that. Then solving economic problems. We want to portunities of future generations and TARP in September 2008, you can see solve health care, we want to solve en- the security that they will want to what happened there with the $700 bil- ergy, we want to solve climate change. enjoy. lion and the escalation that has carried We want to do all of these things. We I have a chart with me that I think forth there, the auto bailout of $14 bil- want to solve education. But I think says a lot about what we see happening lion. all of that energy really needs to be here in Washington now as well as President Obama’s second stimulus, brought to one force to come back and what is going to be coming in years to we call this plan B, and that ended up address the economic situation. We come. being $1 trillion. You see what it did to should be focusing on saving and spend- Let’s go back and look at the deficit. our deficit. We are at over $2 trillion in ing plans that put America on a path We are hearing a lot about the deficit deficit for this fiscal year so far. Also to responsibility and long-term suc- and the data. Some of my constituents you can see what happened with our cess. last week were saying, well, we con- discretionary spending. And take a With TARP money of $700 billion, a tinue to hear this comment that they look at what has happened with our housing bill that was $300 billion, with inherited this debt. How could that be? mandatory spending through there. the recent passage of the $825 stimulus Everyone has been voting on this for And then of course the omnibus, the package, and with the Federal Reserve years. $410 billion omnibus bill that had putting so much money into some So we made a chart looking at Fed- passed the House and it is still in the areas, and a pending $410 billion appro- eral spending going back to January Senate without a resolution to it. priation bill, I have to say that my 2007 through today. And, of course, in So through all of these votes, I will constituents are upset. They are upset 2007 is when all of the problems really highlight that the Speaker, our Presi- because the spending appears to be started to manifest themselves in the dent who was in the Senate, and Lead- recklessly out of control, with no ac- housing industry and leading toward er REID in the Senate, all were ‘‘yes’’ countability or direction. And, unfor- the situations that we saw happening votes on that. They were part of driv- tunately, with the recent release of the with the banks that began in early ing this deficit and these discretionary administration’s budget for fiscal year 2008, and then moving on into the budg- spending hikes, the mandatory spend- 2010, we continue down this heavy et situation that we have today. So we ing spikes that you are seeing over spending path. And while we only know prepared a chart to lay out what has there also. the basics of the budget proposal, it happened since January 2007, with our And by the way, going back to Janu- certainly has been a mixed bag. Federal deficit, which is the line that ary 2007, that is when the Democrats

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6681 took control of both Houses, both in the district named April. And she Well when you combine a hoped-for Chambers, the House and the Senate, said, ‘‘First, thank you for voting profit as a Subchapter S corporation or and started pushing forward the spend- against the stimulus package at the be- a partnership and you add it to what- ing increases. And they have now ginning of February. As an inde- ever income you may have drawn from moved the national debt from just over pendent, I am disturbed by what has the business or your spouse may have the $8 trillion that was here to nearly happened in Washington these past few brought from another job, you’re at the $11 trillion. As of January 3 of this weeks. I am urging you and Members of $250,000 level, very, very quickly. But if year, the debt was at $10.7 trillion. And Congress to exercise restraint when ex- you’re a single taxpayer, it is $200,000. as I mentioned earlier, that big green amining the President’s budget and We don’t hear a lot about that. We only spike over there is for the $2 trillion in any other stimulus packages. Elimi- hear about $250,000, which to the aver- deficit spending they have already ac- nate wasteful spending. The American age person sounds kind of like a lot of crued this year. And we are hearing people are mindful these days of their money. But we must remember that that once they pass the $410 billion, own budgets at home, and so should over 3 million taxpayers with small that it is going to be even higher. And the Federal Government. business income actually earn more we are also hearing that they are going ‘‘In addition, what happened to the than $250,000. That is the level at which to come back and ask for more TARP President’s and other Members’ prom- these tax increases are going to take spending. ise that they would eliminate ear- effect. These, again, are the people So when I talk with females and with marks? It seems like Washington needs back in our districts. These are the female-owned small businesses in my some management. Thank you for your Barbara Manzis in my district. She has district, the number one thing that time.’’ a metal fabrication business. And you comes up is the economy. And what And with that, I would like to call on cannot continue to tax these job-cre- does this do? Knowing that political my good friend from Florida, GINNY ating small businesses out of existence. freedom and economic freedom are BROWN-WAITE. A constituent sent me a cartoon. It linked, what does this do to future gen- Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Flor- happens to be the Wizard of Id. And it erations? From the women in my dis- ida. I thank the gentlelady from Illi- is someone running for office. And in trict, I have heard repeatedly, they un- nois. this, it says, ‘‘what are you offering the derstand that we cannot spend our way Last week I had some folks in town peasants in your election speech out of this recession. You can’t spend from Florida, and they didn’t get to see today?’’ And the politician goes on to your way to recovery. You can’t spend snow very often obviously living in say, ‘‘nothing they can afford to refuse. your way to prosperity. You can’t build Florida. And when they came here, it Elect me and I promise free health prosperity on a foundation of debt. And was about some of the tax issues. And care, free housing, free clothing, food so many of our small business owners they were darn mad, the same way that stamps and jobs for everybody.’’ And understand that. And women every sin- Mrs. BLACKBURN’s constituents were. then he asks the crowd, ‘‘are there any gle day come to me and say, Marsha, it And when they came into my office, I questions?’’ And someone yells out is time for people to address these eco- said to them, ‘‘so what do you think from the crowd, ‘‘who needs a job?’’ nomic issues and do it with wisdom, do about the snow?’’ They said, ‘‘do you Well, that is exactly where we are it with some forethought, and be very mean the snow job of the stimulus going in this country with some of the careful that we are not passing on to package and then the budget that the tax policies. If everything out there is future generations a debt that they are President came out with?’’ ‘‘for free,’’ and you have the President unable to handle. These are small business owners who and my colleagues on the other side of I was out visiting with some women’s are very concerned about their ability the aisle saying that we need to have groups a couple of weeks ago. A lady to stay in business. We all know that some people in this country just paying came up to me. She was carrying a the majority, about 80 percent of jobs a little bit more, I’m sure that my col- young infant. And I noticed this be- created recently over the last 8 and 10 leagues forget that many of the tax- cause I have a 9-month-old grandson, years, have been from small businesses. payers in these top two income tax Jack, and I have another grandchild, And they realize that they are the ones brackets earn significant portions of Chase, who will arrive in June. And the who are going to be hit very hard by that income from being a major em- lady walked up to me with this child in President Obama’s proposed tax in- ployer. So we are going to really end her arms. And she said, ‘‘Marsha, I creases. up taxing those who create the jobs. want to tell you something.’’ She said, This chart clearly shows the 2010 tax I did a telephone town hall last week ‘‘it absolutely infuriates me when Con- increases that are proposed by Presi- in my district. And when you do a tele- gress spends money I haven’t made yet. dent Obama. It shows cap-and-trade, phone town hall, you don’t select just But now I have got this 6-month old which most business people call ‘‘cap- people in your own party. In my case I grandbaby. And let me tell you some- and-tax,’’ at $646 billion increase, small do it by county, county by county. And thing. It makes me so angry. I want to businesses and investors, the red color, we call individuals and we try to ask come to Washington and bang on the $635 billion tax increase, and other tax them their opinion. Overwhelmingly, doors because it makes me so angry increases, about $149 billion. Now, whether it was a Republican or a Dem- that you’re spending money that she where are those tax increases going to ocrat or an independent, the Presi- has not made yet. And she doesn’t even come from? Obviously by taxing the dent’s budget was not popular, nor was know to be upset with Congress.’’ She small business person. We have heard the stimulus package. The concern was said, ‘‘I know you’re voting ‘no’ on all about how the higher tax won’t affect that it really did not help small busi- these spending bills. Please do all you anyone earning less than $250,000. The nesses. And in my district, I don’t have can to arrest the out-of-control spend- truth of the matter is that it is actu- major employers. The majority of the ing.’’ ally at the $200,000 level, that is the employers in my district are either And I will yield back to the gentle- level at which the Obama tax increases health care, remember this is Florida, lady from Illinois. I thank you for the begin to take effect for small business are either health care, government, or time. And I thank you for the efforts to owners filing as singles. small businesses. So we are going to help work to preserve our economic My husband and I owned a few busi- limit it to the previous two, because freedom for future generations. nesses. And we were always what is under the Obama Democrat tax plan, Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentle- called a Subchapter S corporation. And we are going to be putting a lot of lady from Tennessee. You have done so a Subchapter S corporation, or a part- these small businesses out of business much in bringing out all of this to our nership, or a limited liability, LLC, at at a time when they are struggling to attention. And I really appreciate it. the end of the year, they take the prof- stay alive in this economy. I would like to just read a paragraph its, and they add it to their income, The folks back home quite honestly from one of my constituents, a woman and they pay income tax based on that. don’t understand how this phenomena

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6682 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 can be, how people think that they can for businesses to lower energy. Also, like bringing back much more big gov- tax their way out of this declining why increase capital gains taxes at this ernment. So I will continue to support economy. Because all increased taxes time, or at any time. All that does is tax policies that encourage charitable are going to do is make sure that the force businesses to go elsewhere. We giving. declining economy continues. And that need to keep the taxes where they are Regarding homeownership, here we is pretty darn sad. or lower for businesses. We need to en- have been dealing with families and We also on this chart had some fig- courage companies and people to invest foreclosure rates and what is hap- ures for cap-and-trade. What cap-and- in the U.S. The net effect is more profit pening. And now the budget proposal is trade is going to do, most people call it which leads to more tax revenue for to limit the mortgage interest deduc- cap-and-tax, is it is going to raise taxes the country. Just taxing the rich tion. This is a direct hit to family on small businesses. It is going to raise doesn’t work.’’ And I thank Rich for budgets and discourages homeowner- energy costs on small businesses and that letter. ship at a time when we need to encour- certainly on residents at a time when Let me talk about a couple of other age homeownership. It is limited. people are already struggling. I go taxes because I think the important fi- Again, it is to the higher rate tax- home every weekend to the Fifth Con- nancial task before Congress right now payer. But this again is going to trick- gressional District. And people up is fostering economic growth. Number le-down with what it does with home- there say things like, ‘‘are you the one is keeping taxes on families down; ownership. We need to make homeown- only sane one there who is voting and number two is helping American ership more affordable. Homeowners against this?’’ I assure them that my business stay competitive; and three, may currently deduct the interest paid colleagues, like the gentlelady from Il- eliminate wasteful spending in Wash- on mortgages from their interest tax linois, the gentlelady from Tennessee ington. liability. So millions of homeowners and many other Members are con- In one of my former lives I was a pro- enjoy the benefits of this deduction cerned and are also voting against it. bate lawyer and estate lawyer. I fre- which does encourage homeownership What we are going after here is trying quently witnessed the devastating ef- through an annual tax savings. Al- to bring some common sense and help fect that the estate tax or death tax though general support for this tax re- for small businesses. had on family-owned farms and busi- mains strong, I think it is irresponsible Unfortunately, President Obama’s nesses. I think that we did put a limit to slash this benefit. I support tax poli- wealth distribution plan would not on that. We changed it. Since 2001, Con- cies and now will yield to another one even cover the increased energy costs gress passed a 10-year tax cut package of my colleagues, the gentlewoman associated with his cap-and-tax, or cap- that included a provision that would from Minnesota (Mrs. BACHMANN) who and-trade, plan. It is really cap-and-tax slowly phase out the death tax and is here to address some of the women’s plan. It is a tax plan, ladies and gentle- eliminate it all together in 2010. issues and how we approach the budget men. However, the administration budget that we are looking at. Americans fear that we are going proposes that we continue to tax, to Mrs. BACHMANN. Thank you so down the road to socialism. And I re- use the estate tax at 2009 levels instead much for yielding. I thank the gentle- call Margaret Thatcher’s comment of what we should be doing and perma- woman from Illinois (Mrs. BIGGERT). about socialism, and that is, the prob- nently zeroing out this onerous tax, She has served long and hard on the Fi- lem with socialism is that eventually this double tax. So instead of 2010 when nancial Services Committee, and I you run out of other people’s money. it would have been eliminated perma- know that she shares my opinion that Unfortunately, with the budget that nently, if this passes, and you have to these are historic times and we have the President has proposed, the TARP remember the President proposes and never seen anything quite like this in spending, deficit spending, the pro- the Congress disposes. But if it were to the financial services sector before. posed budget and the stimulus pack- happen, we would continue with a tax Beginning in the housing industry, age, I believe, and I know that the gen- that taxes about 3.5 million at a 45 per- we watched the market just collapse tlelady from Illinois believes, that we cent rate. That’s a little lower than it and we saw the economy flat line and are headed down to a path of possible has been in the past sometimes. The go down into the negative column, and socialism. only good thing about it is it does women all over the United States That, my colleagues, is not accept- bring back the step up. During these started feeling very insecure. I think as able. And that is not what our Amer- uncertain times and turbulent times, I mothers and women, that is very im- ican economy needs at this time. don’t think that it is time to place an- portant to each one of us. It is a sense With that, I will yield back to the other tax burden on families and small of security, not only for our own well- gentlelady from Illinois. businesses. It is certainly time to cut being but for the well-being of our chil- taxes and encourage businesses and dren. b 2045 families so they will be able to create I know that we look at our mothers. Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentle- jobs. I look at my own mother, Jean, who lady for bringing up the tax issue. I am One other tax that really concerns lives in Anoka, Minnesota. She is going reminded of the words of Ben Franklin: me is the budget proposes to limit de- to be 78 years young in just a few ‘‘In this world, nothing is certain but ductions for charitable contributions, months, and she is very concerned as death and taxes.’’ and we know how much contributions she looks at the value of her 401(k). We certainly have to think that the have meant for this country from the She, like many Americans, has opened President’s recent budget proposals es- time of early on in the country with all up her statement and seen that her sentially, and unfortunately for Amer- of the things that so many of these fa- 401(k) has dropped by 50 percent. My ican families and small businesses, can mous families did, like the Rocke- mother is a wonderful woman. She does bring a certainty to the latter, and fellers or the Carnegies. Each year samples. When you go to the grocery that is taxes, and increased taxes to be many people give contributions to store and see those sample ladies, my specific. I appreciate you bringing that charities and nonprofits. Why should mother is a samples lady. She has up. we discourage this in any way, espe- worked all of her life, but she wants to I have another letter from one of my cially right now. So many people ben- do this because she loves people and constituents, Rich. He says, ‘‘The cur- efit from so many charities like, she wants to be with people. rent budget proposal is a path to no- Catholic Charities or the Jewish Fed- But at 78 years of age, she may not where, in my opinion. It will lead to a eration and all of the small charities. always be able to work. And she looks tax increase for all Americans. There So I strongly believe in charitable giv- at what she has worked so hard to save should not be a carbon tax on busi- ing and have supported many bills to for. She never had a high-paying job, nesses. All that will do is raise prices encourage it instead of asking the Fed- but my mother was extremely frugal and cut jobs. Instead, put an incentive eral Government to do it, and that is and extremely prudent, and taught me

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6683 to be the same way. There are women the people next door who maybe took the American people? And she told me on fixed incomes all across the country out a home equity loan or bought more about a tax return that she’s doing. who did the same thing. They took home than they can afford and got out And I will close with this. care of their children, raised them, on a limb, now 92 percent of the Amer- I talked about elderly ladies and scrimped and saved and clipped cou- ican people are seeing their 401(k)s dis- their concern about security. Let me pons, and now here they are, looking at appear before their eyes, or seeing jobs tell you about a younger female Amer- their savings and seeing the value of disappear in their city and community. ican, she’s just 8 years old; lovely girl, their savings diminish before their And they are being told that now it is tragic story. She was born in the year eyes. They are very concerned, and their responsibility to pay the mort- 2000, and she had a wonderful family. they wonder what in the world has got- gage of 8 percent of the American peo- Her father was a great patriot who ten into Congress. What in the world ple. wanted to serve his country. He went has gotten into this new Presidential And now we have our second spend- to Iraq. When she was 4 years old, her administration. They really had high ing bill that has come before us, the father was killed serving his country in hopes for this administration, and they largest budget that we have had for Iraq. And now this little girl is receiv- are looking and saying as a senior cit- discretionary spending, $410 billion. It ing money from Social Security dis- izen, my options are limited. Maybe is an 8 percent increase from the last ability payments, and she’s also receiv- my husband has already passed away budget. ing money from the United States De- or my husband is infirm. What am I I hear the Obama administration fense and Accounting Service which going to do; I can’t go out and get a telling the average American it is time the U.S. Military annuity pays. These job. They look at this administration, for you to sacrifice. One thing I don’t are the right payments that she should and in the name of economic stimulus, see is that the Federal Government is be getting because of the service that they saw that this current liberal ad- having to sacrifice. They are not sacri- her father gave to her country. But ministration has legislation that is ficing. They are increasing their spend- with this money that’s coming into this little girl, this little 8-year-old overflowing with wasteful government ing by a whooping 8 percent on the girl is paying Federal taxes on the spending. Federal budget, and this is what we amount of money that she is receiving And they might have heard about one have to see for it. We are looking at a as an orphan. She’s not only paying of these wasteful projects. It is a brand doubling of the national debt. Here we Federal taxes, she is also paying what’s new, billion-dollar high speed train are at $5 trillion, which worried me called alternative minimum taxes. that is going to go from Disneyland up back in 2000. And now projected going That’s how out of kilter and how dras- to Las Vegas. A billion dollars of a wid- forward 2019, we are looking at a deficit tically this government is spending ow’s money to go to pay for a brand north of $20 trillion. We have never your money in an out-of-control fash- new ride essentially from Disneyland seen anything like that. ion, that not only is this government to Las Vegas. HARRY REID, the Senator In the previous hour we saw the now going to widows for more money from Nevada, was behind this measure, Democrats up here speaking. And one and increased taxes, we’re even reach- and it makes us wonder, is he more in- of the charts that they had up talked ing into the pockets of orphans to tax terested in making sure kids start about how very quickly now we are them with alternative minimum tax, a gambling at younger ages? going to see Social Security spending We also see the Speaker of the House, tax that was meant for rich people so going from having money in the bank that rich people would not escape pay- NANCY PELOSI, she was behind passing for coming in for Social Security. Very ing taxes. Now orphans are being sub- our nearly 1,100-page stimulus bill, soon we are going to go underwater and ject, at very low levels, for alternative brought it to the floor, and not one we are going to have less money com- minimum tax. Member of Congress was able to read ing in for Social Security than what is I would repeat what we saw a re- that bill before we were asked to vote going out. We will be looking at having porter say on CNBC: ‘‘Mr. President, on it. I don’t know if any other Con- about a trillion dollars in obligations are you listening to the American peo- gress was asked to pass a bigger spend- that we currently don’t have money to ple?’’ We cannot afford a doubling of ing bill than this bill with less time to obligate to pay for those bills. This is our national debt. We cannot afford to read it, digest it, and even know what concerning. These are elderly, senior impoverish America’s widows. And we was in it. That is not something I want citizen females that are again worried certainly can’t afford to be taking to go home and tell my elderly mother about their own security. No wonder money out of the pockets of orphans or tell people back in the State of Min- the stock market has dropped more whose fathers were killed serving this nesota, that is Congress is here spend- than a thousand points since President country in the Iraq war. This must end. ing more money than we have ever Obama took office. No wonder more And the Obama administration must heard of before, money we don’t have, Americans are blazing mad right now, stop taxing the American people. and we are spending that money with- and they are saying we are not going to And with that, I would yield back to out even having a chance to read the take it any more. So you see all across the gentlelady from the State of Illi- bills. the country tea parties breaking out, nois, Mrs. BIGGERT. I kept my staff here until 9 at night people saying I can’t pay these taxes Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentle- before we were supposed to vote on the any more. lady from Minnesota (Mrs. BACHMANN). stimulus bill. I released them to go Every promise that was made to the I know that this is what we’re hear- home. They had worked all day long. I American people during the last cam- ing from I think all of our constituents kept them here until 9, hoping that the paign by the current Obama adminis- about having their life savings, their Democrats would release the bill so we tration on fiscal accountability has al- retirement accounts decline. I’ve got a would at least have a chance to read it. ready been broken. And we only have letter here from another one of my They went home. It wasn’t until after 45 days in this administration. Every constituents saying, ‘‘My life savings, midnight that the Democrats finally fiscal accountability promise has been including retirement accounts, have put the bill online. There was abso- broken, and it is a travesty. declined to the point where I am un- lutely no way to read the bill. That’s sure I will ever be able to retire or shameful. The American people deserve b 2100 make another major purchase of any better than that. I called a friend of mine who is a tax kind. How many more negative Wall And then we see that the President is accountant today; she’s working really Street stock market losses will it take now telling 92 percent of the American hard because all of the tax returns are before the new administration realizes people who are currently paying their going to be due now April 15. I called that their reckless spending without a mortgages on time that it isn’t enough her to see how she’s doing. And I said, true plan to correct the economy will that they pay their own mortgages, tell me, what is some of the informa- destroy all of us to a point that retir- now they have to pay the mortgages of tion that you’re seeing; what can I tell ees and us close to retirement may

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6684 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 never recover from their continuous sume more gasoline per family than no one can fault them for wanting blunders?’’ So I thank the gentlelady any other State in the Union and that them to do it with resources they for bringing that to our attention. I ap- is because there is no public transpor- have—like coal, oil and gas—and for preciate it. tation in Wyoming. The distances are wanting to do it with the cheapest And now I would like to ask the gen- too far. We are the ninth largest State source, hydroelectric and coal. Con- tlelady from—Wyoming. I’m sorry I by land mass, and we have the smallest sequently, the costs that will be borne messed up on a new Member’s State, population in the Nation. Con- by the American consumer are going to but the gentlelady from Wyoming, sequently, we can’t go anywhere on have not one single effect on carbon CYNTHIA LUMMIS. I’m happy that you’re public transportation; it is all auto- emissions in this atmosphere. That’s here. mobile-based. That’s why we consume where rational thinking goes out of the Mrs. LUMMIS. I thank the gentle- more gasoline than other States, and way and the American consumer foots lady from Illinois for this fine session that’s why the effects of this tax will the bill. this evening. fall very heavily on people who live in I want to close—and I thank the gen- The American people know, and par- rural areas, and also in areas with ex- tlelady from Illinois—I want to close ticularly women in this country know, treme climate changes or extreme tem- with this thought: You can’t tax and that you cannot tax and spend your perature changes, places that must spend your way out of a recession. And way into economic prosperity; and fur- heat their homes in the winter and cool taxes during a recession is the absolute thermore, you cannot tax during a re- their homes in the summer. worst consequence on a family in cession. Yet, that is what is being pro- So if you fall into any of those cat- America in the 21st century with these posed, and those taxes will fall on you. egories, you’re going to see much high- problems. One of the ways in which those taxes er expenses because all of the cap and Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentle- will fall on you during this recession is trade taxes are going to be passed on to lady from Wyoming. Thank you for through something called cap and you. They are not going to be absorbed your expertise on this issue. I think trade. Cap and trade is a tax, so I’m by the companies that are producing that you’ve really been able to bring going to go over and change this and oil, gas and coal. However, there is new thoughts on this and really put it add the word ‘‘tax.’’ And I want to talk going to be another impact on those very succinctly in what’s happening in specifically about how it’s going to af- businesses, and that is job loss, job loss this. And next we have to deal with nu- fect family budgets. at a time when this country is in reces- clear energy, too, and really continue Cap and trade is a tax that will be sion, at a time when job losses are al- to build that up. So I thank you for used to change the way that you use ready driving us more deeply into re- doing that. power—meaning electricity, oil, gas— cession. And that job loss looks like And next we have the gentlelady and anything that comes from carbon— this: 2011, over 200,000 jobs lost; and from North Carolina, who you see on meaning oil, gas, or coal, specifically. each year thereafter, climbing to the the floor a lot. She provides us with so And those sources of energy represent year 2015, to about 1.5 million jobs lost much knowledge, the gentlelady from 50 percent of the electricity in this due to this cap and trade tax. And once North Carolina, VIRGINIA FOXX. country, which comes from coal, and again, I’m going to write the word Ms. FOXX. Well, I want to thank my also a significant amount, of course, of ‘‘tax’’ on this chart. colleague, Mrs. BIGGERT, from Illinois our gasoline coming from oil, and nat- What’s worse, this is being foisted on for organizing this Special Order to- ural gas, which is used to heat our the American people in the name of cli- night and bringing together a group homes. These all emit carbon. And in mate change, in the name of global of—those who have already spoken—ex- order to change the American behavior warming. And those who believe that ceptional women who have shared their and the way that we use these carbon- global warming is man-made—and expertise with us tonight. emitting substances, the Obama ad- there are many, I would say a prepon- I have a quote that I want to use, it’s ministration proposes to tax them. It derance of people believe that climate from Pericles, from 430 BC. Pericles will be called a cap and trade system, change is man-made—believe that if said, ‘‘Just because you do not take an which is a market-based system, but Americans change their ways and con- interest in politics doesn’t mean poli- it’s cleverly disguised as a market- sume less carbon-emitting substances, tics won’t take an interest in you.’’ based system because, in reality, it is a that they will be able to change cli- And I think what all of us have been tax, a carbon tax, and it will be paid by mate. I learned last week in a Natural trying to communicate tonight is that the American consumer. So if you use Resources Committee from an inter- there’s a lot happening that needs to be electricity, if you heat or cool your national expert on energy and climate shared with the American people. And home, if you drive an automobile, if that that is not the case, that America many people, particularly women, you use public transportation, you will could cease all economic activity, that every day are going to work, doing be paying this tax. And here’s how it Japan could cease all economic activ- their jobs, coming home, taking care of will accrue to you if you are an average ity, and that Europe could cease all their families—be it their nuclear fam- household. economic activity, we could turn off ily or their extended family—and many Gasoline is in blue on this chart, nat- our lights, we could quit using our don’t have time to get involved a lot in ural gas in red, electricity in green. cars, we could stay home, we wouldn’t the political life. March is Women’s And as you can see, the cost of these work, the factories would shut down, in History Month, and I think it’s impor- for an average household without the all three of those large economies and tant that we talk about the role of cap and trade tax is on the left, and the it is not going to have one iota of influ- women in our culture and how what’s cost with cap and trade is on my ence on the amount of carbon in the at- happening here is going to have an im- right—the left of someone who would mosphere unless China, Russia and pact on them. be viewing this chart. So you will see it India change their climate policies. We don’t have a lot of time left to- will have a 9 percent increase for elec- China desperately wants each person night, but I do want to say that I share tricity in the average home, 14 percent in their economy to have a light bulb with my colleagues the concerns that increase for natural gas, and a 16 per- in their home. That is their goal, a they’ve expressed in terms of how rais- cent increase for gasoline in the aver- light bulb in every home. And in order ing taxes during a recession is the age home. to put a light bulb in every home in wrong thing to do, how raising taxes on Now, I can tell you, in my home China they are building one new coal- energy is the wrong thing to do, how State of Wyoming it will be much high- fired plant a week, and they will have raising taxes on small businesses—the er than that because in the winter it to continue to do so for a very long pe- engines of job creation—is the wrong costs more for us to heat our homes. In riod of time. No one can blame China thing to do, how raising taxes on in- the summer, admittedly, it costs less for wanting a higher standard of living vestments instead of encouraging eco- for us to cool our homes. But we con- for every person in their country, and nomic growth is the wrong thing to do,

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As you a consumption tax and a much bigger federal may recall, I am a Brit who lives in the U.S. has submitted, and which it looks very government, you will not.’’ Politically speaking, I think of myself as an likely that this Democratic Congress is Shields: ‘‘That’s a straw man, turning it old-fashioned English liberal, a comically going to endorse. into France. That’s not the case.’’ outmoded orientation that has little or no b 2115 Is it really a straw man? I was hoping that voice in modern European or American poli- Brooks would press Shields to say what ex- tics. In U.S. terms, you get a sense of where What we need to be doing in our cul- actly it is about France he objects to, what I stand if you think ‘‘liberal on social issues, ture and in our country is to be pro- makes him recoil at the parallel. Where has conservative on economic issues’’ (but with moting job growth, promoting eco- France gone too far, in the view of an Amer- exceptions; so do not hold me to that). nomic recovery, and yet everything ican liberal? To put it mildly, I admire this country’s that’s being done seems to be wanting Presumably, liberals approve of the uni- instinctive suspicion of concentrated state to drive down the economy and harm versal health care, the generous and exten- power; its anti-collectivism, its veneration sive welfare state, the comprehensive worker of the individual spirit and individual enter- the economy and the American people. protections, the stricter regulation, the vast- prise. At different times and in different It is a very difficult thing to deal with ly more-generous subsidies for higher edu- ways, Democrats and Republicans alike have when you see that happening and you cation, the stronger unions, the higher taxes, been at war with aspects of that mind-set, know that’s the impact of what’s hap- and especially the higher taxes on the rich. but as an admiring foreigner; I am here to pening, whether it is designed to be At least I assume they do, since they advo- tell you that this culture survives, that the that way or not. cate all of those policies for the United American exception is alive and well, and Today someone gave me an excellent States. Have I left something out? that it is more than likely the secret of this article from National Journal of March As far as social and economic policies are country’s awesome success. concerned, Democrats really ought to be If I were a citizen with a vote—as one day, 7 by Clive Crook, the title of which is holding up France (or maybe Italy or Ger- immigration authorities permitting, I hope ‘‘The End of the American Exception?’’ many) as the model to which they aspire. to be—I would need to think long and hard And he goes through this and talks The fact that they do not—that they even before casting it for ‘‘transformation.’’ Re- about how it appears as though the deny the validity of the comparison—seems pairs here and improvements there, of present administration is trying to revealing. No doubt it is partly a matter of course, but transformation? It would be a take us to the place that Europe is tactical calculation. The idea that the shame to see America revert to the Western right now and compares us to France. I United States should model itself on any European norm. It would mean I bad wasted will submit this article in its entirety other country, rather than offer itself as the a trip, for one thing, and I am not sure where model for the world, would be new to most I would go next. tonight. American voters and would take some get- Brooks’s invoking France as a possible des- Again, I applaud my colleagues for ting used to. But I do not think it is just tination for Obama’s social experiment does the work that they have done tonight. that. seem far-fetched. But the staggering breadth I think we have just scratched the sur- Perhaps some liberals privately long to of Obama’s ambition makes it reasonable to face in what we need to be presenting make the United States over in the image of ask where all this is heading. Thoroughgoing to the American public, especially France, but the great majority, I imagine, health care reform would have been a bold American women. are more interested in taking the things undertaking by itself, one for which there is Right now 59.3 percent of our labor they regard as best in the European eco- broad centrist support. But the budget and force is made up of American women nomic model—all the things I just listed— the fiscal stimulus also call for wide and on- and combining those ‘‘socially enlightened’’ going commitments to public investment. over the age of 16. There are 71 million policies with the traditional economic vir- Obama is fond of saying that the question of them working. They are 46 percent tues of the United States. Take French so- is not big government or small government, of the total labor force and projected to cial policies and welfare-state institutions but what works. The fact is, whether his pro- account for 47 percent of the labor and add them to the American work ethic, grams work or not, taken together they rep- force in 2016. They are also projected to spirit of self-reliance, and appetite for resent the biggest and fastest expansion of account for 49 percent of the increase change. Et voila` , the best of both worlds. government since the New Deal. Moreover; in the total workforce. They’re doing a Color me skeptical. Culture shapes institu- the tax increases to pay for this expansion, tremendous job for us in this country, tions and vice versa. Culture—that bundle of he says, are to fall entirely on high-earning traits of self-reliance, self-determination, in- households. So his plan to enlarge govern- but they’re going to be hit by this. And novation, and striving for success—underpins ment is married to an uncompromising as- many of them are not participating in the American exception. To state the obvi- sault on economic inequality. politics. They’re not able to because of ous, it helps explain why this country has a And if all of this is not enough to remind the demands of their jobs and their markedly different form of capitalism than you of Europe, Obama has also expressed families. But I think it’s important Europe, based on smaller government and strong support for the Employee Free Choice that we point these items out to them, lower taxes. Act, arguing that bigger and stronger unions and I hope we will be doing another In ordinary times, this culture makes it are a vital part of sharing prosperity more Special Order this month so we can do hard for a government to push the United widely. To somebody who watched unions States in a European direction: Voters push cripple the British economy, until voters more by way of educating people about back against bigger government and higher elected Margaret Thatcher to sweep them the effects of this budget on the aver- taxes. But now, maybe, the time is ripe. This away, this is the part of Obama’s program age American family. unusually severe economic crisis has called that seems most in need of an international And with that, I yield back to my American capitalism into question, high- reality check. colleague from Illinois, who has done lighting its weaknesses and making it easier This promised transformation is not a such a great job tonight. to forget its strengths. Liberalism has a rare move into unexplored territory, after all. [From the National Journal, March 7, 2009] opportunity. And just as this opportunity The policies that Obama is proposing have has arisen, American liberals also have, in all been tried elsewhere. Ideas that look bold THE END OF THE AMERICAN EXCEPTION? Barack Obama, a remarkably popular and and new in this country are old hat across (By Clive Crook) appealing leader to press the advantage. the Atlantic. And we know something about During PBS’s NewsHour With Jim Lehrer But the interaction between culture and how well they work. last Friday, the program’s resident pundits, institutions works both ways. Change the A strong case can be made for many of David Brooks and Mark Shields, had an in- system and, with time, you will change the Obama’s proposals, taken one at a time. I ad- teresting exchange about President Obama’s culture. How much you will change it is de- mire his ambition to mend the country’s first budget. They agreed that the adminis- batable, and so is whether change of that failing, unjust, and needlessly expensive tration aimed to be ‘‘transformative’’—and kind would be good, bad, or indifferent for health care system. I also applaud his focus Brooks conceded, ‘‘I think we all want that.’’ the country’s economic and political pros- on raising the incomes of the working poor, The real question, he said, is how trans- pects. But it would be an error to assume through tax cuts and wage subsidies (such as formative. that the policy transformation that some his ‘‘make work pay’’ tax credits). But trade- Brooks: ‘‘The debate will be over the na- liberals long for—and which Obama, if his offs need to be faced. A good hard look at Eu- ture of it: If it’s a transformative relation- budget is any guide, appears to be aiming rope makes this plain.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:35 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\H09MR9.000 H09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6686 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 Bigger government requires higher taxes— LEAVE OF ABSENCE 798. A letter from the Director, Regulatory in the end, for most taxpayers and not just By unanimous consent, leave of ab- Management Division, Environmental Pro- the rich. Europe shows that tax systems tilt- tection Agency, transmitting the Agency’s ed too far against high earners stifle the in- sence was granted to: final rule — Famoxadone; Pesticide Toler- centives that spur economic growth. Welfare Mr. ABERCROMBIE (at the request of ances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1192; FRL-8400-9] systems that are more generous and have Mr. HOYER) for today and until 5 p.m. received February 26, 2009, pursuant to 5 fewer strings tend to raise unemployment. on March 10. U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ag- Stricter regulation can and does retard inno- Mr. RODRIGUEZ (at the request of Mr. riculture. vation. Stronger unions can raise unemploy- HOYER) for today on account of death 799. A letter from the Director, Regulatory ment and, in the aggregate, lower incomes. in the family. Management Division, Environmental Pro- The president cannot be accused of mis- Mr. STARK (at the request of Mr. tection Agency, transmitting the Agency’s leading voters. For the most part, he is plan- HOYER) for today on account of medical final rule — Fluazifop-P-butyl; Pesticide ning to push through the policies he advo- reasons. Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0066; FRL- cated during the election—policies that the Mr. LUCAS (at the request of Mr. 8401-1] received February 26, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on country voted for. His apparent determina- BOEHNER) for today on account of fam- tion to keep his word is unusual, and a little ily business. Agriculture. startling, but this is more a criticism of 800. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Mr. GARY G. MILLER (at the request other politicians than of him. Although he Management Division, Environmental Pro- of Mr. BOEHNER) for today and the bal- cannot be accused, not yet, of breaking tection Agency, transmitting the Agency’s promises, I think it is fair to ask whether he ance of the week on account of medical final rule — Propoxycarbazone; Pesticide has thought through the implications of his reasons. Tolerances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0065; FRL- agenda taken as a whole. His style of expla- f 8400-4] received February 26, 2009, pursuant nation, or salesmanship if you prefer, is to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on heavy on pragmatism and on mending one SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED Agriculture. thing at a time. But the breadth of his pro- By unanimous consent, permission to 801. A letter from the Director, Regulatory gram, and the connectedness of his ideas, address the House, following the legis- Management Division, Environmental Pro- belie that modest stance. lative program and any special orders tection Agency, transmitting the Agency’s As the president said during his Inaugural heretofore entered, was granted to: final rule — Tebuconazole; Pesticide Toler- Address, ‘‘It has been the risk takers, the (The following Members (at the re- ances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0097; FRL-8399-3] received February 26, 2009, pursuant to 5 doers, the makers of things . . . who have quest of Mr. MCMAHON) to revise and carried us up the long, rugged path toward U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ag- extend their remarks and include ex- riculture. prosperity and freedom.’’ That is a very traneous material:) American sentiment. It is fair to ask what 802. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Ms. WOOLSEY, for 5 minutes, today. the full scope of Obama’s transformative Management Division, Environmental Pro- Mr. DEFAZIO, for 5 minutes, today. agenda implies for the risk takers, the doers, tection Agency, transmitting the Agency’s and the makers of things. Aside from higher Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. final rule — Chlorothalonil; Pesticide Toler- taxes if they succeed, obviously. (The following Members (at the re- ances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1106; FRL-8402-7] quest of Mr. POE of Texas) to revise and received February 26, 2009, pursuant to 5 Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentle- extend their remarks and include ex- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ag- woman from North Carolina, who has traneous material:) riculture. been such an outstanding spokesman Mr. BURTON of Indiana, for 5 minutes, 803. A letter from the Director, Regulatory for, I think, the women on our side of today, March 10, 11 and 12. Management Division, Environmental Pro- the aisle, and I appreciate all that she Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, for 5 minutes, tection Agency, transmitting the Agency’s has had to say. March 16. final rule — Dimethomorph; Pesticide Toler- ances [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0258; FRL-8401-6] Let me just kind of return to kind of Mr. POE of Texas, for 5 minutes, March 16. received February 26, 2009, pursuant to 5 the thought that I had when we started U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ag- Mr. MCHENRY, for 5 minutes, today, this Special Order. I think that we riculture. really do still have to recognize that March 10, 11 and 12. 804. A letter from the Chief, Regulations the American people are hurting. It Mr. JONES, for 5 minutes, March 16. and Administrative Law, Department of Mr. INGLIS, for 5 minutes, March 16. doesn’t matter if they are low income, Homeland Security, transmitting the De- Mr. BROUN of Georgia, for 5 minutes, partment’s final rule — Security Zone; Sa- middle income, or high income. We March 10 and 11. have to call attention to our economy vannah River, Savannah, GA [USCG-2008- f 0352] (RIN: 1625-AA87) received February 26, and the fiscal discipline that we need 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the to implement to get this country back ENROLLED BILL SIGNED Committee on Transportation and Infra- on the right track. Not only are our Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the structure. people suffering but our country is suf- House, reported and found truly en- 805. A letter from the Chief, Regulations fering and so is the international econ- rolled a joint resolution of the House of and Administrative Law, Department of omy, and I think that we really need to the following title, which was there- Homeland Security, transmitting the De- work together. upon signed by the Speaker: partment’s final rule — Security Zone; Sa- vannah River, Savannah, GA [USCG-2008- As I said before, we want the Presi- H.J. Res. 38. An act making further con- 0353] (RIN: 1625-AA87) received February 26, dent and the administration to suc- tinuing appropriations for fiscal year 2009, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the and for other purposes. ceed. We need to find the solution to Committee on Transportation and Infra- the problems that we face in this coun- f structure. try and our economy, and I think that ADJOURNMENT 806. A letter from the Chief, Regulations we stand here ready and willing to and Administrative Law, Department of Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I help. But we have to do it right. We Homeland Security, transmitting the De- move that the House do now adjourn. have to make it happen. And I think partment’s final rule — Security Zone; Sa- The motion was agreed to; accord- vannah River, Savannah, GA [USCG-2008- that’s when we’ll all work together, ingly (at 9 o’clock and 20 minutes 0361] (RIN: 1625-AA87) received February 26, and I would hope that there would be p.m.), under its previous order, the 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the some sort of a summit where we really House adjourned until tomorrow, Tues- Committee on Transportation and Infra- focus. I think that we are spread out in day, March 10, 2009, at 10:30 a.m., for structure. this first 6 weeks, 7 weeks of an admin- morning-hour debate. 807. A letter from the Chief, Regulations istration in what has been happening and Administrative Law, Department of f in health care and the economy and Homeland Security, transmitting the De- education and energy and sciences and EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, partment’s final rule — Saftey Zone; St. ETC. Thomas Harbor, Charlotte Amalie, USVI. all the things that we are trying to do [Docket No.: USCG-2007-0162] (RIN: 1625- at once. I think we need to focus that Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive AA00) received February 26, 2009, pursuant to energy on solving the problems of the communications were taken from the 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on economy. Speaker’s table and referred as follows: Transportation and Infrastructure.

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808. A letter from the Chief, Regulations health services furnished to undocumented Washington, Mr. COLE, Mr. CALVERT, and Administrative Law, Department of aliens; to the Committee on Energy and Mr. PAUL, and Mr. MCCLINTOCK): Homeland Security, transmitting the De- Commerce. H.R. 1395. A bill to clarify the rights of In- partment’s final rule — Security Zone; Sa- By Mr. HODES (for himself, Mr. dians and Indian tribes on Indian lands under vannah River, Savannah, GA [USCG-2008- TOWNS, and Mr. CLAY): the National Labor Relations Act; to the 0382] (RIN: 1625-AA87) received February 26, H.R. 1387. A bill to amend title 44, United Committee on Education and Labor. 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the States Code, to require preservation of cer- By Mr. LEWIS of Georgia (for himself Committee on Transportation and Infra- tain electronic records by Federal agencies, and Mr. FILNER): structure. to require a certification and reports relat- H.R. 1396. A bill to improve the safety of ing to Presidential records, and for other motorcoaches, to allow a credit against in- f purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and come tax for the cost of motorcoaches com- REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON Government Reform. plying with Federal safety requirements, and PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS By Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York (for for other purposes; to the Committee on herself, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Cali- Transportation and Infrastructure, and in Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of fornia, Mr. SESTAK, Mr. HARE, Mr. addition to the Committees on Energy and committees were delivered to the Clerk ANDREWS, Mr. TONKO, Mr. POLIS, Ms. Commerce, Ways and Means, and Small for printing and reference to the proper HIRONO, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. SABLAN, Business, for a period to be subsequently de- calendar, as follows: Mr. KILDEE, Mr. HINOJOSA, and Mr. termined by the Speaker, in each case for Mr. OBERSTAR: Committee on Transpor- COURTNEY): consideration of such provisions as fall with- in the jurisdiction of the committee con- tation and Infrastructure. H.R. 1262. A bill to H.R. 1388. A bill to reauthorize and reform cerned. amend the Federal Water Pollution Control the national service laws; to the Committee By Mrs. LOWEY (for herself, Mr. Act to authorize appropriations for State on Education and Labor. BISHOP of New York, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. water pollution control revolving funds, and By Mr. ACKERMAN: H.R. 1389. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- KING of New York, Mr. ACKERMAN, for other purposes; with an amendment enue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable credit Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. CROW- (Rept. 111–26). Referred to the Committee of for taxes paid on earnings reinvested and LEY, Mr. NADLER of New York, Mr. the Whole House on the state of the Union. lost in a fraudulent investment scheme; to WEINER, Ms. CLARKE, Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ, f the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. MCMAHON, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS By Mr. BUCHANAN: RANGEL, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. ENGEL, H.R. 1390. A bill to amend the Congres- Mr. HALL of New York, Mr. TONKO, Under clause 2 of rule XII, public sional Budget and Impoundment Control Act Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. bills and resolutions of the following of 1974 to provide for the expedited consider- ARCURI, Mr. LEE of New York, Mr. titles were introduced and severally re- ation of certain proposed rescissions of budg- HIGGINS, Mr. MASSA, Mrs. MCCARTHY ferred, as follows: et authority, and for other purposes; to the of New York, Mr. MAFFEI, and Ms. Committee on the Budget, and in addition to By Mr. BILBRAY (for himself, Mr. SLAUGHTER): the Committee on Rules, for a period to be H.R. 1397. A bill to designate the facility of SCHIFF, Mrs. BONO MACK, Mrs. DAVIS subsequently determined by the Speaker, in the United States Postal Service located at of California, Mr. FILNER, Mr. HUN- each case for consideration of such provi- 41 Purdy Avenue in Rye, New York, as the TER, Mr. ISSA, Mr. SHERMAN, and Mr. sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the ‘‘Caroline O’Day Post Office Building’’; to RADANOVICH): committee concerned. the Committee on Oversight and Govern- H.R. 1382. A bill to provide assistance for By Mr. GINGREY of Georgia: ment Reform. ultra efficient vehicles under the advanced H.R. 1391. A bill to direct the Federal By Mr. MATHESON (for himself, Mr. technology vehicles manufacturing incentive Trade Commission to revise the Tele- UPTON, Mr. BOREN, Mr. SESSIONS, program; to the Committee on Energy and marketing Sales Rule to explicitly prohibit Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Commerce. the sending of a text message containing an Mr. ROSS, and Mr. CUELLAR): By Mr. COLE: unsolicited advertisement to a cellular tele- H.R. 1398. A bill to amend the Federal H.R. 1383. A bill to provide that, for pur- phone number listed on the national do-not- Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect poses of certain Government facilities, the call registry; to the Committee on Energy to nutrition labeling of food offered for sale rate at which a Federal employee earns com- and Commerce. in food service establishments; to the Com- pensatory time for irregular or occasional By Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas (for mittee on Energy and Commerce. overtime work shall be increased so as to himself, Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. ROSS, By Mr. MCHUGH: permit greater parity with rates of overtime Mr. TOWNS, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. ROG- H.R. 1399. A bill to amend the Food Secu- pay; to the Committee on Oversight and ERS of Michigan, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. rity Act of 1985 to support State and tribal Government Reform. GORDON of Tennessee, Mr. TERRY, and government efforts to encourage owners and By Mr. PRICE of Georgia: Mr. HALL of Texas): operators of privately held farm, ranch, and H.R. 1384. A bill to amend part B of title H.R. 1392. A bill to amend title XVIII of the forest land containing maple trees to make XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove Social Security Act to ensure more appro- their land available for access by the public limiting charges under the Medicare Pro- priate payment amounts for drugs and for maple-tapping activities under programs gram for non-participating physicians with biologicals under part B of the Medicare Pro- administered by States and tribal govern- beneficiary notice and to preempt State laws gram by excluding customary prompt pay ments; to the Committee on Agriculture. that prohibit balance billing; to the Com- discounts extended to wholesalers from the By Mr. MCHUGH: mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in ad- manufacturer’s average sales price; to the H.R. 1400. A bill to amend title 39, United dition to the Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in States Code, to make cigarettes and certain for a period to be subsequently determined addition to the Committee on Ways and other tobacco products nonmailable, and for by the Speaker, in each case for consider- Means, for a period to be subsequently deter- other purposes; to the Committee on Over- ation of such provisions as fall within the ju- mined by the Speaker, in each case for con- sight and Government Reform. risdiction of the committee concerned. sideration of such provisions as fall within By Mr. SARBANES (for himself, Mr. By Mr. MORAN of Virginia (for him- the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. HARE, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. self, Mr. RAHALL, Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. By Mr. HINOJOSA: LOEBSACK, Mr. WILSON of Ohio, Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia, Mr. GRIJALVA, H.R. 1393. A bill to amend the Lower Rio MOLLOHAN, Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jer- Mr. PERRIELLO, and Mr. SCOTT of Vir- Grande Valley Water Resources Conserva- sey, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, ginia): tion and Improvement Act of 2000 to author- Mr. SIRES, Mr. ARCURI, Mr. PERL- H.R. 1385. A bill to extend Federal recogni- ize additional projects and activities under MUTTER, and Ms. DEGETTE): tion to the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, the that Act, and for other purposes; to the Com- H.R. 1401. A bill to create a service corps of Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Divi- mittee on Natural Resources. veterans called Veterans Engaged for Tomor- sion, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappa- By Mr. INSLEE (for himself and Mr. row (VET) Corps focused on promoting and hannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Indian Na- SARBANES): improving the service opportunities for vet- tion, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe; to the H.R. 1394. A bill to amend the National and erans and retired members of the military by Committee on Natural Resources. Community Service Act of 1990 to establish engaging such veterans and retired members By Mr. FILNER: the Clean Energy Corps to mobilize young in projects designed to meet identifiable pub- H.R. 1386. A bill to amend section 1011 of people to promote energy conservation and lic needs with a specific emphasis on projects the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improve- mitigate threats to the environment; to the to support veterans, including disabled and ment, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Committee on Education and Labor. older veterans and retired members of the Law 108-173) to make permanent the program By Mr. KLINE of Minnesota (for him- military; to the Committee on Education of Federal reimbursement of emergency self, Mr. MCKEON, Mr. HASTINGS of and Labor.

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By Mr. SPACE (for himself, Ms. the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of H.R. 816: Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, DEGETTE, Mr. TERRY, Mr. CASTLE, the people of Crete during World War II and and Mr. FORBES. Mr. MANZULLO, and Mr. BRALEY of commending the PanCretan Association of H.R. 868: Mr. MASSA and Mr. LATHAM. Iowa): America; to the Committee on Foreign Af- H.R. 872: Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. H.R. 1402. A bill to catalyze change in the fairs. STARK, and Mr. BOUCHER. H.R. 873: Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. care and treatment of diabetes in the United f States; to the Committee on Energy and ACKERMAN, Mr. MAFFEI, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. CON- Commerce. ADDITIONAL SPONSORS NOLLY of Virginia, Mr. COOPER, Mr. OLVER, Mr. SCHAUER, Mr. WU, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. By Mr. WOLF: Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors H.R. 1403. A bill to amend the Richard B. DEFAZIO, Mr. BOSWELL, Ms. SCHWARTZ, Mr. Russell National School Lunch Act to re- were added to public bills and resolu- ADLER of New Jersey, Mr. HIMES, Ms. KIL- quire schools participating in the school tions as follows: ROY, Ms. MARKEY of Colorado, Ms. PINGREE lunch program under such Act to donate any H.R. 22: Mr. ARCURI, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. of Maine, Mr. POLIS, Mr. GRAYSON, Mr. excess food to local food banks; to the Com- COHEN, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, Mr. GUTIERREZ, MASSA, Ms. BEAN, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. GRI- mittee on Education and Labor. Mrs. DAHLKEMPER, Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia, JALVA, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MOORE of Kansas, By Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. LOEBSACK, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Flor- Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Ms. Mr. ROSS, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, and Ms. ida, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. HODES, Mr. KLEIN BERKLEY, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. CAPUANO, HIRONO. of Florida, Mr. HALL of New York, Mr. ABER- Mr. ROSKAM, Mr. SESTAK, Mr. BROWN H.R. 23: Mr. BOCCIERI, Mr. MITCHELL, and CROMBIE, Mr. YARMUTH, Mr. PATRICK J. MUR- of South Carolina, Ms. KOSMAS, Mr. Mr. LATTA. PHY of Pennsylvania, Mr. WALZ, Mr. CON- CROWLEY, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. H.R. 59: Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. YERS, Mr. CHANDLER, Mr. FARR, Mr. KIND, PALLONE, Mr. WILSON of South Caro- H.R. 131: Mr. SESTAK and Mr. SCALISE. Mr. MARKEY of Massachusetts, Mr. ISRAEL, lina, Ms. WATSON, Mr. HOLT, Mr. SAR- H.R. 154: Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. MCDERMOTT, BANES, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Mr. SIMPSON, and Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. FATTAH, Mr. HOLT, Mr. JACKSON of Illi- Florida, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. H.R. 155: Mr. SCHOCK and Mr. BURTON of In- nois, Ms. LEE of California, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. diana. MITCHELL, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of Cali- KENNEDY, and Ms. FOXX): H.R. 205: Mr. DEAL of Georgia. fornia, Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mr. OBEY, Mr. H.J. Res. 39. A joint resolution recognizing H.R. 211: Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mr. PRICE of ORTIZ, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. TIER- the 188th anniversary of the independence of North Carolina, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of NEY, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. PETERS, Ms. SCHA- Greece and celebrating Greek and American Florida, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. ROGERS KOWSKY, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. democracy; to the Committee on Foreign Af- of Michigan, Mr. SNYDER, Mr. PETRI, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. fairs. MARKEY of Massachusetts, Mr. SPACE, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. By Mr. CASTLE (for himself, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. SHULER, Mr. LEVIN, and LEWIS of Georgia, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. STARK, GEORGE MILLER of California, and Mr. Mr. WELCH. Mr. REICHERT, Mr. SESTAK, and Mr. BOUCHER. MCKEON): H.R. 235: Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. H.R. 877: Mrs. MILLER of Michigan and Mr. H. Res. 222. A resolution congratulating DOYLE, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. ALEXANDER. the National Assessment Governing Board BARTLETT, Ms. TITUS, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. H.R. 914: Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mrs. MILLER on its 20th Anniversary in measuring student RADANOVICH, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. of Michigan, Mr. GERLACH, Mr. BILIRAKIS, academic achievement; to the Committee on TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. KIND, Mr. BOUCHER, Education and Labor; considered and agreed and Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. STUPAK, Mr. HALL of Texas, and Mr. to. H.R. 270: Mr. WESTMORELAND, Mr. YOUNG of DRIEHAUS. H.R. 930: Mr. PASCRELL. By Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself and Mr. Florida, Mr. TEAGUE, Mr. MINNICK, and Mr. H.R. 950: Mr. PAYNE, Mr. HARE, and Mr. BOREN): GORDON of Tennessee. HOLDEN. H. Res. 223. A resolution honoring the life, H.R. 275: Mr. GRAVES. H.R. 953: Mrs. MYRICK. achievements, and contributions of Paul H.R. 301: Mr. POSEY. H.R. 968: Mr. DENT and Mr. TIAHRT. Harvey, affectionately known for his signa- H.R. 302: Mr. WESTMORELAND. H.R. 978: Mr. BUTTERFIELD and Mr. SIMP- ture line, ‘‘This is Paul Harvey. . . Good H.R. 303: Mr. FORBES, Mr. TEAGUE, Mr. SON. Day’’; to the Committee on Oversight and TIAHRT, and Mr. INSLEE. H.R. 979: Ms. ESHOO and Mr. LOEBSACK. Government Reform. H.R. 305: Mr. WELCH and Mr. BRADY of H.R. 997: Mr. TIAHRT. By Mr. GORDON of Tennessee (for him- Pennsylvania. H.R. 1008: Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Ms. self, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. LIPINSKI, H.R. 367: Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. NORTON, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mrs. LOWEY. and Mr. BAIRD): H.R. 422: Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. H.R. 1016: Ms. HIRONO, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. H. Res. 224. A resolution supporting the H.R. 444: Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. DOG- KLEIN of Florida, Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. JACKSON designation of Pi Day, and for other pur- GETT, and Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Flor- of Illinois, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. poses; to the Committee on Science and ida. BOREN, and Mr. LOBIONDO. Technology. H.R. 450: Mr. MCHENRY and Ms. FOXX. H.R. 1017: Mr. YOUNG of Florida. By Mr. GINGREY of Georgia: H.R. 476: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Ms. H.R. 1021: Mr. PITTS and Mr. SPACE. H. Res. 225. A resolution amending the CLARKE, Mr. DAVIS of Alabama, and Mr. H.R. 1029: Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Penn- Rules of the House of Representatives to re- LEWIS of Georgia. sylvania. quire that general appropriations for mili- H.R. 479: Mr. BUTTERFIELD. H.R. 1032: Ms. KILROY, Ms. KOSMAS, Mr. tary construction and veterans’ affairs be H.R. 484: Mr. LATTA. KIRK, Mr. ARCURI, and Mr. JACKSON of Illi- considered as stand-alone measures; to the H.R. 517: Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. nois. Committee on Rules. H.R. 564: Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. H.R. 1064: Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. By Mr. HOLT (for himself, Ms. ROS- MCDERMOTT, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. WAXMAN, and DELAHUNT, Mr. GONZALEZ, and Mr. CLYBURN. LEHTINEN, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. WOLF, Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. H.R. 1067: Mr. CARNEY, Mr. WILSON of Mr. CAO, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. MARKEY of H.R. 622: Mr. MINNICK. South Carolina, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, and Massachusetts, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. H.R. 624: Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. NORTON, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. BERMAN, H.R. 669: Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. FARR, and Mr. H.R. 1069: Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. Ms. BALDWIN, and Ms. SCHAKOWSKY): KAGEN. MCCOTTER, Mr. LAMBORN, and Mr. ROONEY. H.R. 1076: Mr. ROONEY. H. Res. 226. A resolution recognizing the H.R. 673: Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. H.R. 1139: Mr. MURTHA. plight of the Tibetan people on the 50th anni- H.R. 707: Mr. PAULSEN, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. H.R. 1148: Mr. MCCAUL. versary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama being GUTHRIE, and Mr. BOUSTANY. H.R. 1156: Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of Cali- H.R. 708: Mr. LUETKEMEYER, Mr. CANTOR, forced into exile and calling for a sustained fornia. multilateral effort to bring about a durable Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. GOODLATTE, H.R. 1186: Mr. WITTMAN. and peaceful solution to the Tibet issue; to Mr. BARTON of Texas, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. H.R. 1189: Mr. CRENSHAW. the Committee on Foreign Affairs. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. H.R. 1193: Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. By Mrs. MALONEY (for herself, Mr. WESTMORELAND, Mr. NEUGEBAUER, and Mr. H.R. 1204: Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. BILIRAKIS, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. SAR- BROWN of South Carolina. H.R. 1207: Mr. DEFAZIO. BANES, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. SPACE, H.R. 716: Mr. MCMAHON. H.R. 1209: Mr. COSTA and Mr. BUYER. Mr. SESTAK, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. BROWN H.R. 744: Mr. BISHOP of Utah and Mr. BOOZ- H.R. 1211: Mr. HASTINGS of Florida and Mr. of South Carolina, Ms. TSONGAS, and MAN. BLUMENAUER. Mr. WEXLER): H.R. 758: Mr. DAVIS OF ALABAMA. H.R. 1214: Mr. MEEK of Florida, Ms. H. Res. 227. A resolution recognizing and H.R. 775: Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. DAVIS of Ala- CLARKE, Mr. SIRES, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. GRI- appreciating the historical significance and bama, Mr. BOREN, and Mr. TIAHRT. JALVA, and Mr. ELLISON.

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H.R. 1238: Ms. FALLIN, Mr. BURTON of Indi- Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey, Mr. BRADY of H. Res. 166: Mr. KLINE of Minnesota, Mr. ana, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, and Mr. LAMBORN. Pennsylvania, and Mr. ABERCROMBIE. PRICE of Georgia, and Mr. BROWN of South H.R. 1240: Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. MEEKS of H. Con. Res. 49: Mr. WITTMAN, Mrs. EMER- Carolina. New York, Mr. DAVIS of Alabama, Mr. ROE of SON, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. POSEY, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, H. Res. 173: Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Tennessee, Mr. PASTOR of Arizona, Ms. Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. DAVIS of H. Res. 174: Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, HIRONO, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. YAR- Alabama, Mr. KINGSTON, Mr. CRENSHAW, and Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mrs. LOWEY, and Mr. MUTH, and Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. MCMAHON. H. Con. Res. 55: Mr. BOREN, Mr. BOEHNER, H.R. 1254: Mr. PLATTS. H. Res. 178: Mr. BLUMENAUER. H.R. 1262: Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. COBLE, Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey, Mr. H. Res. 185: Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. H.R. 1263: Mr. WOLF. ISSA, Mr. KENNEDY, and Mr. SESSIONS. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. KIRK, Mr. BART- H.R. 1264: Mr. MILLER of Florida. H. Con. Res. 57: Mr. AKIN, Mr. RYAN of LETT, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mr. BROWN of South H.R. 1270: Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. LOEBSACK, Ohio, Mr. RADANOVICH, Mr. TIBERI, Mr. Carolina, and Ms. WATSON. Mr. GRAYSON, and Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. WESTMORELAND, Mr. HARPER, Mr. FORTEN- H. Res. 194: Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. H.R. 1283: Mr. DICKS, Mr. JACKSON of Illi- BERRY, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. POSEY, Mr. GENE CARSON of Indiana, Mr. SESTAK, Ms. GIF- nois, and Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. GREEN of Texas, Mr. WALDEN, Mr. ROE of FORDS, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. BER- H.R. 1294: Mr. BLUNT, Mr. FRANKS of Ari- Tennessee, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, MAN, Mr. DELAHUNT, and Mr. POE of Texas. zona, Mr. FORTENBERRY, Mr. MORAN of Kan- Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. sas, Mr. UPTON, and Mrs. BACHMANN. ARCURI, Mr. WOLF, Mr. LOBIONDO, and Mr. H. Res. 200: Ms. SCHAKOWSKY and Mr. H.R. 1302: Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. HINCHEY, LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. PERRIELLO. H. Con. Res. 59: Ms. BORDALLO. Ms. BORDALLO, and Mr. BROWN of South H. Res. 209: Mr. PALLONE, Mr. MCCOTTER, H. Con. Res. 60: Mr. CRENSHAW. and Mr. CROWLEY. Carolina. H. Con. Res. 64: Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. ELLI- IRK EAN H. Res. 210: Mr. KAGEN, Mr. BLUMENAUER, H.R. 1329: Mr. K and Ms. B . SON, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, ASTINGS Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. JACKSON of Illi- H.R. 1334: Mr. H of Florida, Mr. Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. SCALISE, Mr. CASTLE, Mr. ATTAH ACKSON nois, and Mr. KUCINICH. F , Mr. J of Illinois, and Ms. FORBES, Mr. MCHENRY, Mr. HEINRICH, and CHAKOWSKY LAUGHTER ARR S . Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. H. Res. 211: Ms. S , Mr. F , Mr. H.R. 1341: Mr. SHERMAN. H. Res. 20: Mr. MASSA. JACKSON of Illinois, Mrs. MALONEY, Ms. SUT- H.R. 1347: Mrs. NAPOLITANO. H. Res. 22: Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. TON, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. BERMAN, H. Con. Res. 34: Mr. MARSHALL. H. Res. 81: Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mr. SMITH of Wash- H. Con. Res. 48: Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Mr. H. Res. 130: Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. ington, and Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of Cali- FARR, Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, Mrs. MALONEY, INSLEE, and Mr. MARSHALL. fornia.

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The Senate met at 2 p.m. and was consideration of H.R. 1105, the appro- ducing pollution. It will keep us called to order by the Honorable JIM priations bill. This legislation is open healthier with funds to fight ailments WEBB, a Senator from the Common- for debate on the finite list of amend- and diseases. This legislation will edu- wealth of Virginia. ments that were entered into last cate and prepare our workforce, pro- week. There will be a series of rollcall mote science and technology, and cre- PRAYER votes beginning around 5:30 p.m. today. ate jobs. And, of course, it will help re- The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- The votes will start at 5:30. I do not build our crumbling roads, bridges, and fered the following prayer: know how many we will have, but it tunnels, and other projects that are so Let us pray. appears we will have four votes at that vitally needed at this time to create Eternal God, You have been good to time. jobs. The Omnibus bill provides smart, us beyond our deserving, surrounding f targeted investments in our country us with the beauties of the Earth and and its future, and it reflects sound the glories of the skies. Make our Sen- MEASURE PLACED ON THE compromise and cooperation between ators, this day, alert to Your provi- CALENDAR—S. 542 Democrats and Republicans dating dential movements. If their minds are Mr. REID. Mr. President, I believe S. back into last year. closed to Your truth, open them. If 542 is due for a second reading. We have not yet reached the finish their hearts are hardened, stir them. If The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- line on this legislation, but we are their ears are deaf to the cries of the pore. The clerk will read the title of close. Today we will move forward by needy, unstop them. Revive in them a the bill for the second time. debating a number of amendments, as desire to establish new thresholds of The assistant legislative clerk read we continue moving forward toward hope for our Nation and world. Lord, be as follows: passing this bill. near to them all their days, making A bill (S. 542) to repeal the provision of law f them lie down in the green pastures of that provides automatic pay adjustments for STEM CELLS Members of Congress. Your peace and leading them by the Mr. REID. Mr. President, at 12 still waters of Your wisdom. Mr. REID. Mr. President, I object to o’clock today, President Obama We pray in Your great Name. Amen. any further proceedings on this legisla- brought new hope to millions of Ameri- f tion at this time. cans who suffer from afflictions that PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- one day might be cured. President pore. Objection is heard. Obama’s executive order finally over- The Honorable JIM WEBB led the The bill will be placed on the cal- Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: turns the Bush administration’s flawed endar. policy on stem cells and restores sci- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the f United States of America, and to the Repub- entific integrity to our law and our lic for which it stands, one nation under God, OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS policy. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. President Obama’s executive order Mr. REID. Mr. President, we came puts science above ideology and honors f very close last week to passing the the strong wishes of hundreds of lead- APPOINTMENT OF ACTING critically important Omnibus appro- ing medical and scientific associations, PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE priations bill. At the last minute, one research universities, patient advocacy The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator changed their mind, leaving us groups, and, most importantly, the clerk will please read a communication one vote short of the 60 needed to stop American people. to the Senate from the President pro the filibuster. A decision was made, Since 2001, our most promising sci- tempore (Mr. BYRD). though, later that night to allow more entists have been forced to work lit- The assistant legislative clerk read debate, and we agreed on the next day, erally with one hand tied behind their the following letter: Friday, to a finite list of amendments. back. The President’s action today These amendments are the only ones in U.S. SENATE, sends a message to the millions who PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, order to this piece of legislation. suffer that help—and hope—are on the Washington, DC, March 9, 2009. It is important we did that. It was way. To the Senate: important to do because it is impor- Mr. President, I suggest the absence Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, tant this legislation be passed. It is of a quorum. of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby necessary to continue the process be- Oh, I see my friend here. appoint the Honorable JIM WEBB, a Senator cause of the importance of this legisla- Mr. President, through the Chair I from the Commonwealth of Virginia, to per- tion. It will create jobs, expand access ask my friend from South Carolina, are form the duties of the Chair. to education, and protect our neighbor- you ready to take the floor? ROBERT C. BYRD, I suggest the absence of a quorum. President pro tempore. hoods. It will provide the Consumer Product Safety Commission with the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Mr. WEBB thereupon assumed the pore. The clerk will call the roll. resources necessary to ensure that chair as Acting President pro tempore. The assistant legislative clerk pro- products such as toys are safe. This is f ceeded to call the roll. for families and, of course, their chil- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY dren. This legislation will help families imous consent that the order for the LEADER avoid foreclosure and refinance into af- quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- fordable mortgages. It will help the De- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- pore. The majority leader is recog- partment of Justice and the Depart- pore. Without objection, it is so or- nized. ment of Treasury fight terrorism, drug dered. trafficking, and crime in our commu- f f nities. SCHEDULE It will improve our environment with NATIONAL READING MONTH Mr. REID. Mr. President, following investments in the Department of Inte- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- leader remarks, the Senate will resume rior and other agencies tasked with re- imous consent that the Senate now

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

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6691 proceed to the consideration of S. Res. and ending March 27, 2009 to assist elemen- Unfortunately, the trillion-dollar so- 69. tary school students in the Washington, D.C. called stimulus plan we passed only a The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- metropolitan area, if such solicitation does couple weeks ago—all borrowed pore. The clerk will report the resolu- not otherwise violate any rule or regulation money—did not address the credit/ of the Senate or any Federal law; and tion by title. (3) a Senator or officer or employee of the banking problem. It addressed issues The assistant legislative clerk read Senate may work with a nonprofit organiza- that had nothing to do with the reces- as follows: tion with respect to the delivery of dona- sion. The stimulus provided a lot of ad- A resolution (S. Res. 69) designating March tions described in paragraph (2). ditional funds for education, health 2009 as ‘‘National Reading Month’’ and au- f care, and infrastructure—a lot of good thorizing the collection of nonmonetary things. But those things did not cause book donations in Senate office buildings RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME our recession, and they are certainly during the period beginning March 9, 2009 The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- not going to get us out of it. and ending March 27, 2009 from Senators and pore. Under the previous order, the I think the failure to bring forth a officers and employees of the Senate to as- leadership time is reserved. sist elementary school students in the Wash- plan that addresses the real causes of ington, DC metropolitan area. f the recession has many people around the country wondering what we are There being no objection, the Senate OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, thinking. The fact is, what we are proceeded to consider the resolution. 2009 thinking is about the next election and Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- not the next generation. It has become imous consent that the resolution be pore. Under the previous order, the clear we are not addressing the real agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, Senate will resume consideration of causes of the problems but are doing the motions to reconsider be laid on H.R. 1105, which the clerk will report things that are more politically bene- the table, there be no intervening ac- by title. ficial than beneficial to our economy. tion or debate, and that any state- The assistant legislative clerk read As we deal with the difficult eco- ments relating to this matter be print- as follows: nomic situation, it is almost hard to ed in the RECORD. A bill (H.R. 1105) making omnibus appro- see the White House going in a lot of The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- priations for the fiscal year ending Sep- different directions, and some that are pore. Without objection, it is so or- tember 30, 2009, and for other purposes. especially painful, particularly the dered. Pending: issue of life. The new President cam- The resolution (S. Res. 69) was agreed paigned on reducing the number of to. Ensign amendment No. 615, to strike the abortions, but in the first month or 6 The preamble was agreed to. restrictions on the District of Columbia Op- portunity Scholarship Program. weeks of his Presidency, he has The resolution, with its preamble, Kyl amendment No. 631, to require the Sec- changed the rule where now the Amer- reads as follows: retary of State to certify that funds made ican taxpayer is funding abortions all S. RES. 69 available for reconstruction efforts in Gaza around the world. They put forth an Whereas literacy is a learned skill that is will not be diverted to Hamas or entities controlled by Hamas. Executive order to strike the con- improved through practice and regular read- science clause, which means we are ing; Kyl amendment No. 629, to provide that no Whereas public and school libraries play an funds may be used to resettle Palestinians going to require physicians who are op- important role in helping children learn to from Gaza into the United States. posed to abortion to perform abortions. read and gain critical information literacy Kyl amendment No. 630, to require a report That makes no sense at all. When there skills by providing easy and free access to on countersmuggling efforts in Gaza. are physicians who make a living per- books and other information on a wide range McCain amendment No. 593, to prohibit the forming abortions, why should we take of topics; use of funds provided in the bill. a physician who considers it the taking Whereas the reading of books with children The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- of a life and force him to do it? Why do improves children’s language, cognitive, and pore. The Senator from South Caro- we need to do that in the middle of a literacy skills; lina. Whereas research demonstrates that read- recession and the economic problems Mr. DEMINT. Mr. President, every- ing aloud with children is the single most we have? important activity for helping them become one is well aware our country is going Today, the President reversed a pro- successful readers; through some serious tribulation eco- hibition on Federal funding of certain Whereas quality children’s books and the nomically. The whole world, in fact, is types of stem cells. It seems to be continued efforts of educators, parents, and dealing with serious economic troubles. opening Pandora’s box to begin the de- volunteer reading partners can instill a love There are signs of hope in many struction of unborn human beings. His of reading that will last a lifetime; areas of our economy. I think it is im- Cabinet nominee for Health and Human Whereas school reading programs provide portant for us, particularly those of us Services has been one of the most rad- students with a chance to improve their in elected office, to recognize those reading skills and take pleasure in stories; ical pro-abortion folks in the country, Whereas such programs have a profound good things, and that the strength of having encouraged and protected late- and lasting positive impact on a child’s life the American people will certainly pull term abortion and partial-birth abor- through improved reading comprehension, us out of this hole, as they have many tions. Many people who are not pro-life motivation, and achievement, as well as im- times in the past. believe we certainly should not be per- proved overall academic performance, class- Hopefully, what we do here in Wash- forming late-term abortions in this room behavior, self-confidence, and social ington will help and not hurt. I think country. Yet the President seems to be skills; and everyone is aware a large part of our going in a rather radical direction, in Whereas all people of the United States recession is the banking and credit can help celebrate the importance of reading the middle of this economic storm we by donating children’s books, volunteering problem. Certainly, if it did not cause have. We have to wonder: What are to read to and mentor young students, and it, it made it much worse, and con- they thinking? supporting public policies aimed at improv- tinues to today. Today we come to this, what we are ing literacy rates: Now, therefore, be it Unfortunately, the new administra- calling an omnibus spending bill. Only Resolved, Notwithstanding any other rules tion and the Congress have not put 2 weeks after we passed this huge and regulations of the Senate— forth any plan to fix our credit crisis, spending bill we called a stimulus—$1 (1) the Senate designates March 2009 as to make our banks work appropriately. trillion or more if you add interest and ‘‘National Reading Month’’; While many of them are calling me to 2 weeks later we are talking about a (2) a Senator or officer or employee of the Senate may solicit another Senator or offi- remind me they are loaning money, bill that is over $400 billion. The Fed- cer or employee of the Senate within Senate they are working, there is still a lot we eral agencies cannot even spend the buildings for nonmonetary book donations need to do in the credit area that we money as fast as we are throwing it at during the period beginning March 9, 2009 have not fixed. them, but now we are here today with

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6692 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 this other bill under the pretense that waste, what is the Federal Government Now, we have had several amend- we have to have this money to make doing funding the removal of tattoos? ments to strike some of these ear- the country operate. Americans need The second item is $75,000. That is marks, and there have been some he- to know we have been operating under not too bad, although it is more than roes on the issue. JOHN MCCAIN has cer- this year’s funding through what we most families make in a whole year. It tainly been on the floor talking about call a continuing resolution, which is for the city of Albany. It is for To- the problems with earmarks he has means we are operating essentially at tally Teen Zone. This is Albany, GA. seen over the many years he has been last year’s budget. The country has This is where they go and play with in the Senate, and he has one other been operating effectively. The reason Xboxes and things such as that. I am amendment that will be on the floor we are passing this bill is not that we sure that is a fine thing, but you have that will basically take all these ear- need it to fund the Government be- to wonder, in these times when we are marks—they aren’t in the legislation; cause the Government is funded under out of money as a country, do we need they are in what they call report lan- a continuing resolution which we could to be involved as a Federal Govern- guage off to the side, so it is not seen extend through the end of the year. We ment with this kind of thing? in the bill that is on the desk right actually need to be about working on The next item is $400,000 for the Uni- here. But there is a reference in here to next year’s budget and next year’s ap- versity of Montana. It is for teacher this, and that supposedly makes it all training, curriculum development, and propriations. That is what we are sup- legal. The Constitution says we have to awareness initiatives to combat bul- posed to be doing now. Instead, we are appropriate money based on law, which lying as well as the development of going back and creating this new means it has to be in the bill, but we do emergency protocol for school shoot- spending bill, which I consider an omi- everything we can to get around that ings—something I am sure is very nec- nous spending bill, not so much an om- Constitution and law by attaching essary to combat bullying in schools; it nibus. some rider in here that says all these is certainly something every school has What I have in front of me right here should be considered as law. is the reason there is such a rush to to deal with. But how can we as a Fed- Folks, this is no way to run a Federal eral Government send $400,000 to one pass this additional spending bill. All government. This is just one bill; it has university and expect to solve prob- Americans have heard of earmarks. nothing to do with the trillions of dol- These are the earmarks in this spend- lems all over the country? Well, the next one is $50,000 to Los lars on Wall Street and the banking ing bill. This is the reason it has to be Angeles for after-dark gang prevention. bailout we have been talking about or passed. Remember, last week they Again, these are all good things, but the $1 trillion stimulus 2 weeks ago. It brought it up and said we had to pass it there is probably no Senator who has is over $400 billion, with over 9,000 ear- before Friday or the Government would read all of these, but they know the marks they wanted to rush through shut down and it would just not be ones that are in it for them because last week, but because of people back right to pass another continuing reso- that is why they are going to be voting home, some were shamed into saying lution. Well, come Thursday, they for the bill. The tacit agreement al- they couldn’t vote for it unless we had found out that because the American ways is, we are going to get the votes a longer process with more amend- people had gotten agitated and out- to pass this bill so these 9,000 ear- ments. raged and had begun to call and e-mail marks—these 9,000 press releases—will Now, this is show. There is already a their Senators, they didn’t quite have go out all over the country. strategy to kill every amendment that the votes to pass this bill last week. Our only hope of stopping this is if comes up, so we are not trying to pass But they will pass it because they have the American people continue to show an amendment to strip earmarks. You taken over 9,000 earmarks—special their outrage and to continue to con- will see Senator MCCAIN’s good amend- projects—and sprinkled them all nect the dots of what we are doing be- ment, a commonsense amendment around among Republicans and Demo- cause we are not doing this to fund the that, in the middle of our financial cri- crats in the House and in the Senate. It Government. This isn’t about last sis, let’s us take these and set them is hard to vote against a bill that has year’s business. It violates every pledge aside and pass the bill that funds our a special project in it. many people here have run on and cer- Government. It is a good amendment, Some Americans have begun to hear tainly the President. If you recall, the but the decision has already been made a little bit about these earmarks. I will President has said he was against ear- on the other side to kill that amend- take the one that is sitting right here marks. When I introduced a 1-year ment unless the American people can on the top of this stack. Keep in mind moratorium on earmarks, he flew back, shame a few more into voting against we have over 9,000 earmarks for most of along with all the candidates for Presi- it. the Congressmen and Senators. Now, a dent—or at least the top three at that JOHN ENSIGN has an amendment that lot of Senators will come today and time—to vote to have a 1-year morato- will strike some language in the bill talk about how it is wasteful and we rium on earmarks because more and that seeks to discontinue school choice should cut the earmarks, but they will more we are seeing the damage this is in Washington, DC. It is a small pro- vote for it because a lot of them have doing to our country. You can pass al- gram—only 1,700 kids are involved with already done the press releases on the most any bill with any bad policy with it—but there is a waiting list of par- money they are taking back home. almost any level of spending as long as ents who would like another choice. In I will read a couple on the front page. you fill it with earmarks for people this funding bill, this must-have fund- There is an amount column, a project back home. ing bill, they sneak in a little policy column, a purpose, and a location. They are thinking about the next such as that to kill a little bit of free- Then they have the names of the Con- election, not the next generation. They dom in our country that we need to be gressmen and Senators, but they have are not thinking about the families expanding to every State, not killing it struck those. I am not exactly sure who are hurting because they are los- in Washington, DC. why. The first amount is $200,000 to ing their jobs right now because this is DAVID VITTER has an amendment Providence Holy Cross Foundation and much more likely to cause additional that will force Congress to vote on pay it is for tattoo removal to a violence job losses over the next 5 to 10 years raises for Congressmen and Senators prevention outreach program in Mis- than it is to help create them. So this every year instead of what we do right sion Hills, CA. Now, I am sure that is a is the seed. This greases the skids to now. Currently, there is an automatic worthy cause, but in the middle of a re- pass almost any type of bill. If my col- provision in appropriations bills that cession, when we are borrowing tril- leagues remember, when the first Wall goes through and gives us a cost-of-liv- lions of dollars to try to keep this Street bailout came through the ing pay raise. This should be done in country going and the President is say- House, it failed. So when the Senate the light of day. Right now, we can say ing we have to make every dollar count took it up, what did they add to it to we didn’t vote on a pay raise, and we and he is going to strike every item of help it get passed? More earmarks. didn’t because it was set up years ago

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6693 to be automatic. So at a time when We are about 38 million people. In add vital projects. Supposing a Presi- many Americans don’t have work and population, we are bigger than 21 dent has a bias against a given project. some are taking pay cuts to keep their States and the District of Columbia There is nothing, then, that an indi- job, Senator VITTER’s idea to be more put together. We have 10.1 percent un- vidual Senator or House Member or the transparent in what we do in Wash- employment. We have 1.86 million peo- House Members as a whole or the Sen- ington makes a lot of sense. ple unemployed. That is more people ate as a whole can do about it. We The President has promised change. unemployed in California today than make ourselves impotent as a coequal Our growing concern is that the big- are people in 14 States in the United branch of Government if there is no gest change so far in Washington has States. We have increasing wildfires. ability, where necessary, to add to the been in him. We want to support him We have decreasing water. We are the budget. as much as we can. He did say he would largest agricultural State in the Now, it has been said that earmarks stop this practice of earmarking, but Union—a $40 billion agricultural indus- have greatly declined—and they have— he is looking the other way on this bill. try. For the great Central Valley south and it has been said by some that they He is saying he supports it. He could of the delta, the water allocation for will be limited to 1 percent of the budg- veto this bill and send it back to Con- this year is zero. We are a State that is et for the next year. I have no problem gress and tell us to get rid of these ear- in great need of infrastructure repair. with that. I think that ought to be an- marks. He could keep his promise and The great North Delta, which provides nounced now. I am prepared to do that he could force us to change. But right the drinking water for 16 million peo- in the Interior budget. But we have to now, this stack of earmarks is so ad- ple in my State, is subject to collapse. know what the rules are when we do dictive that the Congressmen and Sen- Levees collapse. We have major prob- the appropriations bills. What happens ators who have these projects that lems with collapsing sewers, bridge re- is, we do the appropriations bills, and they are so proud of back home are not pair—Doyle Drive going onto the great then they come out here and run into going to vote against the bill. You Golden Gate Bridge is in high suscepti- this kind of opposition. I say set the could double this bill to $800 billion, bility to coming down in an earth- rule ahead of time, decide earmarks and I am pretty sure it would pass any- quake. I could go on and on. are to be a certain part of the budget. way, as long as it had these earmarks I have been, for 14 out of the 16 years They have been ratcheted down over in it. I have been here, on the Appropriations the years. Continue to ratchet them Folks, as Senator COBURN from Okla- Committee. Yes, I fight for funds for down and set a percent, so every one of homa says, earmarks are the gateway my State. That is what I came here to us who is chairman of an appropria- drug to this runaway spending we have do. I want my earmarks, which are tions subcommittee knows exactly in Washington. We are spending our congressionally added spending, to be what we have to work with. children and grandchildren into such a transparent and be out there for the Quickly, let me speak to two amend- hole it is going to be almost impossible world to see. If I make a mistake, I will ments—one that has been presented on for them to get out. We are almost change the mistake. But I want to help the floor and one that hasn’t but will guaranteeing them a lower quality of my State; otherwise, why do I come be. The one that has been presented on life than we have had, as we borrow here? I cannot guarantee that the the floor is the Ensign amendment, No. more and more money from other President of the United States, with all 615, on DC vouchers. I wish to speak on countries, as we print more and more he has on his desk, is going to take that and the Barrasso amendment, No. money, and as we spend more money as care of California’s needs. That is what 637, on oil and gas drilling permits. a government than we ever thought I am here for; that is what I became an Here is another situation we are in. If possible. appropriator to do. And to handcuff the Senate approves either of these This is the time when we need to stop what is a coequal branch of Govern- amendments, or any of the other 10 to this runaway spending. An amendment 12 amendments now pending, this om- will be on the floor to strike these ear- ment—remember, we have three nibus bill dies. The bill has been passed marks and to continue to fund the Gov- branches of Government and they are by the House. The House said they will ernment through the rest of the year. coequal under the Constitution. To say take no amendments. The bill is over The other side doesn’t want any that I am going to represent this great amendments passed because that would State, the seventh or eighth largest here, and we have a number of amend- mean we would have to go back and economic engine on Earth, and not ments being presented, many of which work with the House on a final bill. help its infrastructure, not help pro- some of us would like to vote for, but They want it to go through amendment vide for the needs of its people as some- we cannot. The Ensign amendment is free. It is up to us to make sure the body who sits as an appropriator— one of those amendments for me. If the omnibus bill dies, you then American people know what is in this something I don’t want to do. Can- bill before we vote on it. That is the didly, why be an appropriator if you fund the Federal Government for an- whole point of extending the debate. can’t help your State? If you have to other year. It has already been funded My hope is we will have 2 or 3 days to depend on a President who may want for 6 months out of a continuing reso- make the American people more aware to ignore your State—that has hap- lution. This year is already 43 percent of what is in it and, even more impor- pened in the past, and it can happen in gone. This means no agency has been tantly, what is in this stack of ear- the future. able to start a new program, and fund- marks, which is the reason this bill is So I think all of this dialog is mis- ing levels have been frozen at fiscal being rushed through the Senate. placed. If I can’t fight for my State, if year 2008 levels since October 1, 2008. I thank the Chair, and I yield the I can’t help my State, if I can’t see As a matter of fact, we have paid for 1.2 floor. that there is money for sewers and million Federal executive branch em- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- money for water reconstruction and ployees. It is increased 3.9 percent in pore. The Senator from California is where education needs are vital—and a January of this year. The money for recognized. State that had a $42 billion deficit and that is in this omnibus bill. If the bill Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I was almost ready to collapse because it doesn’t pass, I suppose it has to be came to the floor to oppose two amend- could not come to agreement on the added to a CR, and other things would ments, the Ensign amendment and the terms should be made worse off because have to be added to a CR as well. But Barrasso amendment. However, before I can’t do anything to help my State or I believe we should pass this bill. doing so, because my distinguished col- Senator BOXER can’t do anything to Let me speak for a moment about the league from South Carolina spoke help our State? Ensign amendment. I have supported about the horrible earmarks, I wish to So I look at this as a way to reduce the pilot program that provides vouch- present my point of view. spending, no question about that, but ers on a pilot basis in Washington, DC, I come from the largest State in the also to create a more powerful prece- since its inception 5 years ago. I be- Union. dent where the Congress is less able to lieve I was the deciding vote. This was

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6694 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 added to an appropriations bill. I tant one. It is a valid one, and we paying all of the administrative costs. thought long and hard about it and de- should discuss it and debate it on this I think that is fundamentally wrong. cided to support it. I am prepared to floor. But this bill is not the place to Furthermore, the industry would continue to support this if the com- do it. If I were to vote yes and others cause the Interior bill to exceed the prehensive evaluation, due this spring, were to vote yes, it would kill this bill, subcommittee’s spending allocation. shows that the program has value and and we all know that. Simply stated, Right now, our bill complies with the students are improving. the House will not accept it. So I be- allocation we have been given, but I believe in my heart of hearts that lieve the debate is for another time. I striking the cost recovery fee, the Bar- public education must fundamentally regretfully will have to vote no on this rasso amendment would put the Inte- change. It must move away from the amendment. rior bill $36 million over its allocation. large, institutional-type school into As chairman of the Appropriations I understand a point of order will be the smaller, more personal setting Subcommittee on Interior, I also want made against the bill at a later time. where teachers can spend more time to oppose the Barrasso amendment. That concludes my comments. I yield with students and their families, par- The 2009 Interior appropriations bill, as the floor. ticularly in a student’s younger, habit- written, carries a provision that allows The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- forming years. I don’t believe young- the Bureau of Land Management to re- pore. The Senator from Tennessee. sters from lower income families coup the cost of processing over 9,000 Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, should be denied the opportunity to oil and gas drilling permits that were while the Senator from California is learn in these smaller, more personal filed this year. Now, appropriations here, I wish to acknowledge her role in settings. bills are replete with user fees, so this helping to create the DC voucher pro- We have huge schools in California. is nothing new. In fact, the language gram for low-income children. It was Some have thousands of students and we are carrying in the omnibus bill is not an easy vote for her. I listened to hundreds more than should be in any the same as what was in the 2008 bill her remarks as I have before about the one school. The Washington, DC, schol- and mirrors the proposal put forward importance of trying new ideas in arship program is a 5-year pilot pro- by the Bush administration for the American public education. The new gram to determine whether low-income past 2 years. This language simply says Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, students do, in fact, learn more and to the oil and gas companies: If you are who I think is one of the President’s learn better in the area’s private and going to drill on public land, you need best—maybe his best—appointments, parochial schools. Forty-nine schools, to cover the cost of processing your believes the same thing. private and parochial, are included; permit. For fiscal year 2009, the fee is I look forward to working with the 1,700 students are participating. They $4,000 per permit. It is used to pay for Senator to see what the study, which come from families under the average the necessary environmental analysis comes out this spring, says about the income of $23,000. They receive a Fed- that must be done before a permit can first few years of this program. We eral stipend of $7,500 a year to make be issued. know parental satisfaction is high. their education in the private or paro- The $36 million raised through this Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, will chial school possible, and the appro- fee is but a drop in the bucket com- the Senator yield to me? priation is $14 million a year. pared to what these companies are get- Mr. ALEXANDER. Yes. I believe we need different models for ting. Listen to this: 23,293 active leases Mrs. FEINSTEIN. I know he is under children to learn. Think of it—this produce 108 million barrels of oil, 3 tril- a time agreement. I say to the Senator country is so diverse, so many different lion cubic feet of natural gas, and 2 through the Chair, I really do look for- people, so many different languages, so million gallons of liquid natural gas. In ward to working with Senator ALEX- many different cultures. Yet there is 2008, that resulted in $34.9 billion in ANDER. This is very important. I so re- one institutional type—public school. revenues to oil and gas companies. gret some of the pressures that are That is the model that is followed. I From that, they pay $4.2 billion in roy- brought upon this program. I am so don’t understand why there can’t be alties, leaving the companies with $30.7 pleased he and I agree these children different models. I believe there should billion. Out of that substantial sum, should have different models to choose be. what we are asking the companies to from in the public educational arena. So far, preliminary evaluation by the do is pay $36 million in permit costs for This Washington Scholarship Pro- U.S. Department of Education Insti- environmental analyses and the proc- gram, I think we both believe, can go a tute of Educational Sciences has shown essing of the permits. That is less than long way, and hopefully the findings some academic gains in reading and one-eighth of a percent or, to be pre- will be positive. I look forward to math. When these students entered the cise, .12 percent to offset administra- working with the Senator from Ten- program, they were performing in the tive costs. nessee as well. I thank him for his com- bottom third in reading and math tests I want to ask you to consider this: ments. in DC’s public schools. Last year’s From 2003 to 2007, the revenue of the Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I evaluation, as I understand it, showed oil and gas industry increased by 63 thank the Senator. We do agree on that the reading test scores of three percent, from $1.1 trillion to nearly $1.9 that. The one area with which I re- subgroups of students, representing 88 trillion. At the same time, industry spectfully disagree is that this was not percent of students receiving a scholar- profits net income more than doubled, the bill to put on restrictions and con- ship, were higher by the equivalent of 2 increasing from $72 billion to more ditions to make sure the program ends. to 4 months of additional schooling. than $150 billion during this time pe- That is the reason we have an amend- These academic gains, again, are de- riod. ment, because someone thought it was spite the many challenges these chil- This is not an industry that is in important to say that the program dren face outside the classroom, com- need of a special break. As a matter of needs to end unless it is approved by ing from families where the average in- fact, one of these companies is a cor- the DC City Council which, unlike the come is $23,000. poration that has made the greatest Mayor, opposes the program. That is I believe the results of the more com- net profit of any corporation in our Na- why we have an amendment. prehensive evaluation are critical, and tion’s history. These companies are Unfortunately, the circumstance we we expect to have those results this well off. They can afford to pay the have is, unless we take very quick ac- spring. I look forward to learning more permit costs, and I believe they should. tion in the Congress, the 1,700 children in the months ahead on how students The amendment proposed by the Sen- who are part of this program will not are performing overall in the program ator from Wyoming strikes the cost re- be a part of it after another year. The and the impact it has had. covery of the permit process and leaves program will shut down. It is beginning In closing, I believe the debate over the Federal Government and ulti- to do that now, and it will not be ac- the DC Voucher Program is an impor- mately the taxpayers responsible for cepting new applications.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6695 I also regret that the amendment is chancellor of the District of Columbia Public school in America is prepared to give being offered, but that was necessary Schools should promptly take steps to mini- every child that equal opportunity to a because of the restrictions and the con- mize potential disruption and ensure smooth first-class, world-class education. But transition for any students seeking enroll- ditions that were placed on the schol- ment in the public school system as a result that is not the reality now. Suffering arship program in the omnibus. But of any changes made to the private scholar- most of all are the poor children—often that does not change my attitude ship program affecting periods after school children of minorities, either African about working with the Senator from year 2009–2010. American or Hispanic. California to look to the future. That is a quote from the underlying As one response to this dilemma, Mr. President, I ask that I be notified measure which the amendment of Sen- while we are working on so much else, when 9 minutes is completed. ator ENSIGN and I and others would there has been an attempt in some The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- strike. parts of the country—Ohio, I believe pore. The Chair will so notify. Madam President, the language, in Wisconsin, and here, through congres- Mr. ALEXANDER. I thank the Chair. my opinion, is unnecessary, in some sional action the District of Colum- (The further remarks of Mr. ALEX- sense it is gratuitous, as is the nar- bia—to create a lifeline for some of the ANDER are printed in today’s RECORD rative language, which essentially says children whose parents want them to under ‘‘Morning Business.’’) to approximately 1,700 low-income stu- go to another school than the one they The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- dents in the District of Columbia who are going to. As studies have shown, pore. The Senator from Connecticut. are benefitting from this program: Get most Members of Congress send our Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I ready for it to end. I think sub- children not to public schools but to happened to be on the Senate floor. I stantively this is terribly wrong, but I the private and faith-based schools be- thank my friend from Tennessee for his think procedurally it is wrong to in- cause we can afford it. This program statement in regard to the time and clude such a measure in an Omnibus says to the parents of children of the difficulty it takes to confirm nominees appropriations bill that we are being District of Columbia—a limited num- for higher office in a new administra- asked to pass without amendment. I ber—you have the same right, if you tion. understand that request, but it is hard- think the public school your child is in I will tell my friend what he may er to respond to that request when we is not now giving them the kind of well know, which is, under the leader- are asked not to amend something that high-quality education your child ship of one of his predecessors, Fred is not necessary as part of the Omnibus needs to realize his or her dreams. Thompson, a former Senator from Ten- appropriations bill. It is an unneces- So far the evaluations of students nessee, our committee attempted to sary and, I would say, gratuitous at- who have benefitted or taken advan- grapple with this problem. I think we tempt to undercut this DC Opportunity tage of this program have been quite made some progress but obviously not Scholarship Program before the eval- positive. Final evaluation is coming enough. uation of the benefits of the program this spring. I guess one evaluation is I will be glad to discuss the Senator’s for the students involved are in and in that every year this program is over- proposal with Senator COLLINS who is total contradiction of the enormous subscribed. In other words, there are always ready to lead a gang in a good amount of money we appropriate every many more parents of children in the cause. year without authorization for a host DC school system who aspire to a I thank my friend from Tennessee. of different programs. scholarship to go to a school their par- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. That is the summary of why I sup- ents feel is better. So why put in this HAGAN). The Senator from Con- port this amendment. I would come omnibus bill a demand or requirement necticut. back to say that the DC Opportunity that there needs to be an authorization AMENDMENT NO. 615 Scholarship Program was created as for this program to continue and adop- Mr. LIEBERMAN. Madam President, part of an agreement—a kind of grand tion by the District City Council? Why I rise to speak in favor of the amend- bargain that occurs here occasionally. do that, when so many programs are ment which I have cosponsored to the A lot of people were opposed to these appropriated without authorization? legislation before us, the one with Sen- so-called vouchers, but an agreement I read from a CBO report—Congres- ator ENSIGN and others. I believe it is was made—a kind of tripartite agree- sional Budget Office report—dated Jan- amendment No. 615. ment—which said we would give, at uary 15, 2009, titled ‘‘Unauthorized Ap- This amendment would strike lan- that point, as I recall, an equal or propriations and Expiring Authoriza- guage currently in the omnibus bill be- slightly greater amount of money to tions,’’ and on page 2 of that report it fore us that is crippling to the DC Op- the public school budget for the Dis- says: portunity Scholarship Program. The trict of Columbia, to the charter school In recent years, the total amount of unau- language we seek to strike terminates budget for the District of Columbia, thorized appropriations reported by the Con- the OSP program unless a reauthoriza- and to the DC Opportunity Scholarship gressional Budget Office has ranged between $160 billion and $170 billion. tion bill is passed by Congress and the Program, which allows low-income stu- DC Council prior to the 2010–2011 school dents in the District to basically get a Unauthorized appropriations every year. So the language I have offered scholarship to go to a private or reli- year are between $160 billion and $170 billion. How much money do we appro- with Senator ENSIGN would strike the gious—faith-based—school. I think in language that terminates the District that agreement there was the essence priate for the DC Opportunity Scholar- of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship of what this is all about: Education is ship Program? Fourteen million dol- Program. not about protecting a particular sys- lars. That is million with an M. So why Madam President, quoting from title tem for the sake of the system, it is are we singling out the $14 million IV of the underlying bill, it says: about how we best educate our chil- dedicated to providing school choice to dren. low-income students in the District of . . . use of any funds in this Act or any I don’t think anyone can say all our other Act for opportunity scholarships after Columbia for such a demand, such a re- school year 2009–2010 shall only be available public schools are doing the job that is quirement? I don’t think it is fair. I upon enactment of reauthorization of that so fundamental to our society; that of don’t think it makes sense. I think it is program by Congress and the adoption of leg- educating every one of America’s chil- an attempt to put into this bill a kind islation by the District of Columbia approv- dren so every one of them has an equal of obstacle that the sponsors of it don’t ing such reauthorization. opportunity to rise as far as their tal- think can be passed, and particularly In narrative language attached to the ents and hard work will take them. to do it on a measure in which we are report, it says: Some of them are not getting a quality asked to oppose all amendments is just Funding provided for the scholarship pro- education in the public schools they plain impossible to accept. gram shall be used for currently-enrolled are in. Of course, as a societal goal, we The average household income of the participants rather than new applicants. The should try to make sure every public families in the scholarship program in

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Washington is less than $24,000. So how world. What did that mean? I was Senator ENSIGN and I and others have in good conscience can we tell parents taught it meant if every individual— sponsored will not make it. But it is an in the District they are going to be de- and I am looking at these great pages important cause for which we are fight- nied the resources to do what they be- of ours, young men and women with all ing. I think it is important that the lieve is best for their children, when so sorts of promise that just radiates from vote on the amendment occur and that many of us make the very same deci- them—if you saved the life of one per- it serve as a kind of preface to the full- sion regarding the education of our son, all the promise, the possibilities of scale debate we will have this spring on own children? The DC scholarship pro- what that young man or woman would this critically important and innova- gram comes from our Nation’s funda- do in life will be saved, and they, in ef- tive and I think effective program that mental commitment not just to oppor- fect, can change the world. is changing the lives—as I took the lib- tunity but to equal opportunity, so When I heard that years ago, and I erty to say, saving the lives, creating a each and every American child is able thought of saving a life, I thought of future—for 1,700 children, and hope- to develop their God-given talents to protecting somebody from danger or a fully more in the years ahead, who live the fullest extent based on their own doctor who saved the life of a patient. in the District of Columbia. willingness to work hard. We can’t let But I will tell you that a good edu- I yield the floor. the realization of that promise be jeop- cation in our country today makes so The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ardized by the language in this bill. much of a difference between whether a ator from Kansas is recognized. There was discussion on the DC Vot- person will have a real life in this Mr. ROBERTS. I thank the Presiding ing Rights Act of this DC Opportunity country, full of opportunity and satis- Officer and ask that I be recognized for Scholarship Program. Those who were faction and self-sufficiency or whether 15 minutes, and I ask unanimous con- going to amend that bill withdrew it in the person will always feel slightly be- sent that Senator VITTER be recognized a colloquy in which two things hap- hind the ball and always feel slightly to speak following me, after my 15 min- pened: First, as chairman of the Home- unable to do what one has to do in this utes. land Security and Governmental Af- society to make it. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without So this DC Opportunity Scholarship fairs Committee, I committed to hold- objection, it is so ordered. Program says we can save lives by giv- ing hearings this spring, hopefully Mr. ROBERTS. Madam President, in ing kids a choice, giving parents a after the final evaluation of this pro- the midst of this debate on the $410 bil- choice to send their children to the gram comes out—an independent eval- lion omnibus spending package, the Fi- school they want to send them to be- uation which will allow us to fairly nance Committee heard from Treasury cause they think it will be better for evaluate it before we act in any way. Secretary Geithner as part of the com- the child than the public school the Why our committee? It happens that mittee’s annual review of the Presi- child happens to be in now. dent’s budget. This is a very ambitious Governmental Affairs’ jurisdiction— As I mentioned in the beginning, this budget, particularly, coming on the traditional historic jurisdiction—in- was part of a tripartite agreement that heels of this omnibus package. It seems cludes jurisdiction over the District of gave money to public schools in the as if we have one huge bill after an- Columbia. I am open to proposals to District, charter schools in the Dis- other—TARP, omnibus, stimulus, and improve the standards in administra- trict, and the DC Opportunity Scholar- now budget. tion of the program and will probably ship Program. In this budget this year, For the first time we are looking at propose some of my own. But I believe those numbers are $20 million for the a budget that tops $3.6 trillion. At a the restrictive language in this bill, public schools here in the District, $20 time when many families are strug- this Omnibus appropriations bill, is so million for the charter schools, and $14 gling, this budget asks them, to sup- damaging to the Opportunity Scholar- million to opportunity scholarships. I port Federal spending on new and very ship Program and to the lives of these say to my friends who seem to have 1,700 children that it should be re- this wonderful DC Opportunity Schol- questionable programs and higher moved. arship Program in the crosshairs, that taxes to support those programs. We I was very encouraged that our new if this is followed through on, the dan- ought to be concentrating instead on Education Secretary, Arnie Duncan, ger here is that other Members of the the scope of the economic recovery said as much himself, when he said it Senate and Congress will rise and package, not on these other programs— would be particularly unfair to stop eliminate the extra funding for the DC which I will go into in just a moment. this program appraisal and the funding public schools and the charter schools. I also want to help set the record of it by Congress for the 1,700 students That would be a shame three times straight with regard to the Federal def- who are in it now. over. That is why I am so proud to icit. If we are ever going to achieve any progress, and with some bipartisan sup- There was a second promise made, stand with Senator ENSIGN and others which was from Senator REID, the ma- to try to strip this language from this port, then we ought to quit looking in jority leader, which I greatly appre- bill so my committee can go ahead and the rear-view mirror and citing some ciate; and that was that at some point hold a hearing this spring and we can statistics that do not add up. Facts are this spring there would be floor time bring a bill out to the floor this spring stubborn. Since the new administra- given to a debate on the merits of the and have a full debate based on the tion took office, we have heard a per- Opportunity Scholarship Program in final evaluation that an independent sistent drumbeat from the majority the District of Columbia. So why jump group will do. It is in the process of about the legacy of debt that they say ahead of that with this restrictive lan- doing that, finishing the report now. they have inherited from the previous guage in this underlying bill? I understand there are colleagues, administration. The President did in- I would add this, finally. This is all like my friend and colleague from Cali- herit a significant debt, but to say it about children, about the future of our fornia, Senator FEINSTEIN, who just was solely a result of Republican poli- children. It is not about protecting the spoke before, who support the DC Op- cies and those of the previous adminis- status quo, it is not about teachers’ portunity Scholarship Program, and tration is simply not telling the full rights, it is about giving kids a chance she has worked so hard to make this story to the American people Or, as the to make their way forward and ulti- happen. I have the greatest admiration late great Paul Harvey would say: mately improving our public schools so for her for doing that—and so much ‘‘Now the rest of the story.’’ they are all as good as we want them else she has done in her public life. She I borrowed this chart from Senator to be. will not vote for this amendment of GRASSLEY, the ranking member and I was raised with a quote that may ours because she does not want to jeop- previous chairman of the Finance Com- seem irrelevant to this, but I think it ardize the underlying Omnibus appro- mittee. It shows the deficit as a per- is relevant. It came from religious priations bill. centage of GDP over the past 8 years. sources. It was that if you save one I understand that, and I understand It begins with the economy that the life, it is as if you saved the whole that is probably why the amendment previous administration inherited. The

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However, the deficit lev- cost of a cap-and-trade—or as I see it a what does reducing the mortgage inter- els came down when we had bipartisan cap-and-tax—system, not only to busi- est deduction mean for the value of support for tax relief—not tax cuts, tax nesses but to consumers in the form of their home? We have already heard relief—that was passed in 2001, 2003. higher prices for energy. To my way of concerns that limiting the deduction Look at what happened. The deficit thinking, nobody has explained to this would further depress home prices. shrank noticeably between 2004 and Senator how that is going to work or if What message does it send to families 2007, from $413 billion in 2004 to $163 bil- we have the technology to make it who may be looking to purchase a lion in 2007. Nobody ever talks about work. It may be desirable, but I have home right now, which I thought was that. yet to see how it is going to work or the goal. If you really wanted to get somewhat the technology. I do not know how the administra- partisan, you could point to the fact The budget raises taxes on domestic tion can, on one hand, provide billions that we were not in power then in 2007. energy producers. It raises taxes on in- of dollars to aid housing, including a That is when the majority took over. vestments. American consumers and $75 billion plan that Secretary But I am not into that. It doesn’t make families will pay higher taxes under Geithner announced a few weeks ago, much difference. It seems to me we this cap-and-trade proposal. to help those who have bought homes should quit looking in the rear-view The counter argument is that they they can no longer afford and aid mirror and look on down the road with are targeting what they have deter- homeowners who are underwater in what we do for economic recovery. mined are the wealthy to pay for their their mortgages but, on the other In other words, under the policy of spending priorities. I always said I hand, reduce the tax incentive for the previous administration, the def- wonder when it would be time for those those earning over a certain amount icit shrank by more than half during in Congress who believe this is the way and who own or are looking to buy. this period from 2004 to 2007. Those are to do things to determine who is rich The second anthill proposal targets the facts. It was not until 2 years ago, or who is not. That is called class war- contributions to charitable organiza- when Democrats came to power in Con- fare in my view, but that is another tions. I don’t know who thought this gress, that the deficits began to in- speech and another story. up. In this economic climate, many crease again. The spending spree over In other words, most Americans do charitable organizations are being the past 2 years was led by the major- not need to worry about these tax in- asked to do more with less while do- ity who wrote and pushed through a creases because it will not affect them, nors tighten their belts, while at the $700 billion financial bailout bill that it will only affect their neighbor. I same time more people are turning to has contributed significantly to the have yet to see a tax imposed on one charities for assistance. Yet this budg- deficit the country now faces. set of taxpayers where the cost was not et not only raises income taxes on This bill, I will be very fair about it— ultimately passed on to someone else. those in the top two tax brackets, re- this bill was bipartisan. It had the sup- We are all in this economy together, ducing their discretionary income from port of both Democrats and Repub- and a tax increase on one neighbor is which they can make charitable con- licans in the Congress, and a Repub- likely to be felt by the guy next-door. tributions, it also reduces the value of lican President. As a Member of the The President’s budget includes sev- the deduction for charitable contribu- Senate at that time President Obama eral of what I call anthill issues. These tions for these taxpayers. Clearly, supported the bill. When we talk about were the issues I discussed with Sec- these changes will not bring a halt to the deficit that the country is facing, retary Geithner. charitable giving. I know that. But let’s keep this in mind. Again, we can- The reason I call them anthill issues won’t it reduce contributions to char- ities when more Americans are relying not keep looking in the rear-view mir- is you do not want to be giving a more on charitable assistance? Won’t ror with facts that are misleading if we speech, or standing on an anthill—and the cost of a decline in charitable giv- wish to achieve bipartisan progress in I have had that experience, with a fel- ing be borne by those most in need of addressing the deficit. low Senator in Kansas, where she was assistance? The American people are very fear- standing on an anthill. I suggested she Secretary Geithner, in testimony, ful, if not fed up, with the current move. She said she was happy where says an estimated $4 billion loss is she was. And I said: I don’t think you rampant and unceasing spending that ‘‘modest.’’ I do not agree with that. I will be in about 2 or 3 minutes. That is going on in Washington—$700 billion suggest that a $4 billion loss to chari- was the case and she moved. to bail out financial firms that are too table organizations around the country I have read with interest over the big to fail—with more requests for as- is not modest. Why would the adminis- past few days the comments from sev- sistance expected; a $250 billion tration create any disincentive that eral of my Democrat colleagues who placeholder is provided in the Presi- will reduce donations to charity? dent’s budget; a questionable stimulus have expressed the same concerns I Finally, the third anthill issue tar- bill that will cost $787 billion—more have about these so-called anthill gets certain small businesses for tax than $1 trillion, when you add in inter- issues, those that bite, and that is a increases. This is a point I want to un- est; and there is a $410 billion omnibus good sign. One anthill issue proposal derscore. In Kansas, we have over 60,000 bill and a $3.6 billion budget proposal. would increase revenue by reducing the small businesses which make up 97 per- They simply want to know, and I think amount of mortgage interest that cent of the State employers. every Senator here wants to know as homeowners who pay taxes in the top They are the leading job creators. well, where does it end? When will we brackets can deduct. At a time when The budget reinstates the 36 percent have spent enough and how on Earth the Federal Government is taking un- and 39.6 percent—might as well make it are we going to pay for it? Is it going precedented steps to shore up the hous- 40 and 41 when you count the deduc- to work? Those are the questions. ing market and make home ownership tions that will not be included—in in- At least a partial downpayment for possible for qualified homeowners, it come tax rates for individuals earning this spending is included in the budget. seems counterintuitive. That is a Sen- over $200,000 and for families earning The President has returned to the tried ate word, ‘‘counterintuitive.’’ ‘‘It over $250,000, reinstates the personal and true majority playbook to pay for seems like we shouldn’t be doing this.’’ exemption phaseout, and limits the more spending by simply raising taxes. Those are the real words. It seems benefits of itemized deductions for I take issue with the statement that counterintuitive, to say the least, to these taxpayers. the tax increases in the President’s reduce an inherent incentive in the Tax These increases will result in higher budget will be borne primarily by those Code to own a home. taxes on many small businesses. I

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Madam President, the at me because they knew my voting 50 percent of the small business owners distinguished Senator from Iowa, Mr. record, but directed at what is going on who employ 20 to 249 workers would GRASSLEY, is on his way to the floor to here in this city, the tone was, to quote fall into the top two brackets. And discuss the same issue I will be dis- that movie from several years ago, over half of the Nation’s private sector cussing, so in light of that, I ask unani- ‘‘Network’’: I am as mad as hell and I workers are employed by small busi- mous consent that immediately fol- am not going to take it anymore. nesses with 20 to 500 employees. lowing my remarks he be recognized That was the tone over and over and Small businesses in Kansas feel they for 10 minutes. over again. And why was that? Well, it are stressed to the limit and they The PRESIDING OFFICER. In my is pretty simple. People see their worry that to pay the additional taxes capacity as a Senator from North Caro- 401(k)s cut in half, people see their life proposed in this budget—and this is the lina, I object. savings dwindling every day. People real world, this is the reality, this is Mr. VITTER. I ask unanimous con- are facing, in some cases, real crisis in the law of unintended effects that we sent to be recognized for 20 minutes in- their lives: losing jobs, losing homes, always fall into—means they are going stead of my initial 15. with it losing crucial things such as to have to lay off workers, reduce The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without health care. And yet up here in Congress, a major- wages or benefits, or pass these costs objection, it is so ordered. ity in Congress rolls along with policy on to their customers. None of those Mr. VITTER. I stand to discuss my they view as enormously irresponsible, are good options. amendment to the omnibus spending and in some cases, downright offensive. Let me say that tomorrow we are set bill, No. 621. My amendment would do One thing they point to as downright to pass this $410 billion omnibus spend- something very simple and straight- offensive is this system of pay raises ing bill. I am going to oppose this bill. forward but important. It would for Members of Congress being on auto- I do not like doing so, but I am going change the present system which has pilot, happening every year without to oppose this bill. There are a lot of been on the books since 1989 that puts the need for any inconvenient debate, things wrong with this bill. And it is annual pay raises for Members of Con- gress on autopilot, so there never has without the need for any inconvenient clear, it seems to me, that we must— vote, the system that has been in place we must—get a grip on Federal spend- to be any inconvenient debate, any in- convenient votes whatsoever. They under the law since 1989. ing because in a few weeks we will take My amendment would change that. It happen automatically. No votes. In up the budget proposal for next year. would simply say: We want to have a fact, there is not even a line item in If there is a silver lining in the Presi- raise, we need to talk about it, we need the appropriations bills about it. dent’s $3.6 trillion budget, it is that the to justify it out in public, in the open, My amendment would change that, tax increases would not take effect have that open debate, and then have would end that law to require that any until 2011, reflecting the administra- an actual vote on the floor of the Sen- pay raise for Members of Congress, tion’s acknowledgment that raising ate, on the floor of the House, and have House or Senate, would have to be de- taxes when the economy is in crisis is a full, open, recorded rollcall vote. not a good idea. bated in open before the public and That is the way we should do it Thus, it appears that the administra- then be followed by a rollcall vote. whenever we debate the issue and con- tion expects that the economy will be I am honored to be joined by several sider the issue. That sure as heck is the recovering by 2011. I hope so. And that Senators who support this idea and way we should do it in the midst of a certainly would be good news. I hope who have long tried to advance it. Sen- horrible recession, what will only sure- the administration will use caution ator FEINGOLD has a stand-alone bill, ly be the worst recession we have faced when determining if the economy is as do I. He has had it for several years. as Americans since World War II. sufficiently recovered to withstand I certainly want to recognize his lead- In this omnibus spending bill, we do nearly $1 trillion in new taxes in 2011. ership and thank him for that. He is an have a provision to forgo the one raise I hope they will consider stepping off original cosponsor of my amendment. coming next year, and I applaud the the anthills I have mentioned: limiting Also Senators GRASSLEY and ENSIGN leadership of the House and Senate for deductions for charitable giving, mort- are original cosponsors of my amend- at least agreeing to that and inserting gage interest, and tax increases on ment and our stand-alone bill. that in the underlying bill. That is the small businesses. I hope they will not This system of automatic, autopilot least we could do. We should have done insist on pursuing their spending agen- pay raises is offensive to the American that last December as well. da at the expense of economic recov- people. Let me mention an experience I We have been suffering this horrible ery. To forestall recovery in order to have had recently in Louisiana in the economy for several months. We have pursue their tax and spending agenda is last several weeks. I have had well over seen the financial collapse in Sep- simply not right. a dozen townhall meetings, as I do on a tember. The economy continued to go As the eminent columnist Charles regular basis all around the State. This down and down and down and yet still Krauthammer wrote in the Washington past Friday I had two. The week before under this system, Congress had a sig- Post last week with regard to the that during our recess week I had 12 all nificant $4,700 raise. So we should have President’s proposed budget: around the State. done it then too. But at least this bill As I went to parishes all around the The day of reckoning has arrived. Presi- does it next time. dent Obama has come to redeem us with his State, smaller communities, Hahnville But, quite simply, that is not good far-seeing program of universal, heavily na- and Lake Providence, and larger places enough. What is truly fair to the Amer- tionalized health care; a cap and trade tax on such as Gonzales in the Greater Baton ican people is to do away with this sys- energy; and a major federalization of edu- Rouge area, I was struck by a message tem altogether, to get these issues out cation with universal access to college as the that came across loudly and clearly. in the open for public debate whenever goal. The message was not about any one we want them to come up and demand Wow, that is an ambitious agenda. narrow issue, the message was the tone a rollcall vote on the issue. However, pursuing this through higher of all of those meetings. Because with- That is what my amendment would taxes and bigger Government is not a out exception, meeting after meeting do, purely and simply. My amendment legacy I think the administration will after meeting, folks expressed not just is supported by Senators FEINGOLD, want to pass on to future Presidents or concern, not just anxiety, folks ex- GRASSLEY, and ENSIGN. I urge Mem- to future generations. pressed real anger about what was bers, Democrats and Republicans, to

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support this commonsense reasonable ferred to on page 25824, -825 and -826 of what Senator VITTER is doing today. I amendment that the American people the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD for that thank him for going out in front. surely support overwhelmingly. day, a little noncontroversial postal Then, in the 1980s, I sponsored legis- In closing, let me say, in supporting safety bill came up for postal employ- lation to reform the system where the this amendment, be aware of a lot of ees. Attached to that bill were the pro- President could recommend a congres- diversions and a lot of distractions and visions of the law that have been a lit- sional pay increase and have it go into a lot of tricks that will no doubt be put tle bit changed in 1989 but go back to effect without a vote of Congress be- before us. On Thursday night here on this postal bill in 1975, when included cause that system needed to be re- the floor, I finally secured a vote on in it was a provision that is referred to formed further. I worked with several the amendment. I had been trying to here as section (c)(2): of my colleagues who felt letting pay get a vote all last week. It was a sig- Effective at the beginning of the first ap- raises take effect without a vote was nificant amendment to the omnibus plicable pay period commencing on or after wrong. The system did get reformed as spending bill. It is even germane. Try- the first day of the month in which an ad- part of the 1989 ethics reform bill but ing to get a vote never could happen. justment takes effect under section 5305 . . . not in the way we had proposed at that I have to tell you, it was pretty frus- And I will not read the whole legisla- particular time. That act just put con- trating. I would tune in my TV in my tive language from the debate, but it gressional pay raises on autopilot. The office and hear over and over the lead- essentially said that Members of Con- congressional pay raise now takes ef- ership say: Come on down. We are open gress were going to get an automatic fect every year unless Congress specifi- for business. We are open for amend- pay increase just as civil servants were cally rejects it. ments. We want to make amendments already getting. I have consistently voted for meas- in order. And then when I would try to The stage on that day was set so that ures to deny all the congressional pay do that, the door was inevitably shut. everybody was going to be on the floor raises. However, in recent years Con- Well, finally on Thursday night I se- of the House of Representatives. The gress has not considered the annual cured a vote on this amendment for the idea of the Republican leadership and spending bills on time or under regular very simple reason that the distin- the Democratic leadership—and the order. This has denied us the typical guished majority leader needed unani- Democrats were controlling the House opportunity to consider amendments mous consent in order to call off the at that time, with only 140 or 141 Re- as Senator VITTER is offering now. vote that was scheduled for that publicans, as I recall—the idea was to This massive omnibus bill we are now evening and therefore had to agree to get everybody on the floor so when considering is a result of the failure to give me a vote to get that unanimous unanimous consent was asked to bring consider any of the fiscal year 2009 ap- consent. I am happy that happened. up this bill, there would be unanimous propriations bills separately and on Then the next day a funny thing hap- consent and there wouldn’t be a vote time. As a result, Congress gets a 2.8- pened. Out of the blue, after deni- because everybody, even 34 years ago, percent pay raise without a vote. At a grating it, quite frankly, in our ex- didn’t want to take a vote on raising time when many Americans are being change on the floor, the concept of my pay; particularly, you didn’t want to forced to tighten their belts, this sends amendment the night before, the dis- take a vote on the automatic increase a very bad message. It makes Ameri- tinguished majority leader, backed by in pay. So they had the stage all set. cans cynical about government. Con- his leadership on the majority side, in- There are two words I want to refer gress seems totally out of touch, tak- troduced a stand-alone bill that was al- you to after my name, ‘‘Mr. GRASS- ing a pay raise when the people who most exactly my amendment. LEY.’’ This is after unanimous consent pay our salaries are struggling to make Well, don’t get me wrong. I am de- was asked for. I said: ends meet. I completely understand the lighted to get any converts, folks who I object. frustration because I hear it from my have long supported the concept, re- My point in objecting wasn’t know- own constituents. That is why I sup- cent converts. But let’s not be fooled ing whether I could kill that piece of port this amendment. by how the stand-alone bill might be legislation at that particular time. It I am not saying Congress should used and abused, pointed to saying, we was that I thought, as Senator VITTER never consider increases to keep pace will get to that. We will have a debate. thinks and as I think yet today, 34 with inflation. We don’t want only peo- We have this stand-alone bill. That is years later, that if we are going to ple who are independently wealthy to not the way to enact change in the law. have a vote on a pay raise for a Mem- be able to afford to serve in Congress. We all know the way to enact this ber of Congress, we ought to have guts What we are saying with this amend- change into law, if we truly support it, enough to stand up and cast a vote, yes ment is that if Congress decides it is to support this amendment, to put it or no. needs a pay raise, we had better be pre- on a spending bill that must pass at Eventually, the bill passed that very pared to justify it to our constituents. the end of the day in some form, and to day by just a 1-vote margin, 214 to 213. When it can’t be justified, like now, hold everyone’s feet to the fire. If we I remember after that vote there was a when Americans are facing a dismal truly want to pass it into law, I urge Mr. Hays, a Representative from Ohio, economy and Congress just voted to all of us to come together, particularly who was chairman of the Democratic double the deficit, then the least we in this moment of enormous economic Congressional Campaign Committee. It can do is not boost our own salary. suffering across all of America, come is still called the same thing today. He Article I, section 6, of the Constitu- together around this reasonable was chairman of it. He came up and he tion establishes that: amendment and support amendment pointed to me and he said: We are Senators and Representatives shall receive No. 621. going to get you. In other words, he a Compensation for their Services, to be With that, I yield for my distin- was going to do everything he could as ascertained by Law. guished colleague from Iowa. chairman of the Democratic Campaign However, to prevent the conflict of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Committee to defeat me in the next interest inherent in Congress raising ator from Iowa is recognized. election. Well, he didn’t defeat me in its own salary, the 27th amendment Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I that next election, and I haven’t been stipulates that: rise in support of the Vitter amend- defeated since. That has nothing to do No law, varying the compensation for serv- ment. Just so colleagues of mine don’t with it except I think I was reflecting ices of Senators and Representative, shall think I am a latecomer to this battle what the attitude of the people at the take effect, until an election of Representa- on pay raises, I want to refer to a de- grassroots of America was then, and I tives shall have intervened. bate that went on in the House of Rep- think Senator VITTER is expressing This amendment was submitted to resentatives, July 30, 1975, my first that same thing today. My colleagues the States in 1789 as part of what be- term in the House. There was a non- at that time were not happy with me, came known as the Bill of Rights but controversial bill that came up, re- and they probably aren’t happy with was not fully ratified by the necessary

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This amend- The courts have ruled that the an- Because of this economic crisis, sec- ment relates to the Ryan White Pro- nual automatic congressional pay in- tion 103 was included in the underlying gram. We reauthorized that program 3 crease does not technically violate the bill, stating that Members of Congress years ago. We did it on a very bipar- 27th amendment, but it sure seems to will not receive a cost-of-living adjust- tisan basis. I need to expose how one violate the intentions of its authors. It ment in fiscal year 2010. person has once again overruled a bi- is time to go back to the system origi- We have proactively addressed the partisan, bicameral effort to create fair nally envisioned by the Constitution issue of a Member pay adjustment and and equitable funding mechanisms for without pay raises for Congress when the current economic situation. the program. I did this last year. It was the American people are not looking. To offer this amendment today is funneling money specifically to one In fact, I can’t think of a better time simply playing politics. area that had less people. The idea be- to send that message to a public that is This amendment is about trying to hind the bill was to make sure we had becoming increasingly cynical about make it appear as if Members are money for the people with HIV/AIDS, the actions of the Congress. against prohibiting a pay adjustment and the money is supposed to follow I urge adoption of the Vitter amend- for themselves, when in fact they al- the people. Why do I bring this up? I ment to take us back to pre-July 30, ready have prohibited a pay adjust- was involved in the original reauthor- 1975, when Congress, by a 1-vote margin ment for themselves. ization. We will be doing that reauthor- on an otherwise noncontroversial bill This amendment is about trying to ization later this year. I can tell Mem- that was selected by the leadership of change the underlying bill, knowing bers that Wyoming is not affected one both the Republicans and Democrats at that the House has indicated they will way or the other by my amendment. that time to let Congressmen get a pay not take this bill back up, in an effort But 46 States are affected by this raise without having a vote on it—that to force the Government to operate amendment; 46 States are affected ad- 1-vote margin was a controversy at under a continuing resolution for the versely if this amendment does not that time, and I hope at this particular remainder of the fiscal year. pass. If the Senator from Louisiana is suc- time we have a massive vote in support If anybody wonders which States cessful in having his amendment adopt- of this amendment. those are, I am more than happy to tell I yield the floor. ed and killing enactment of the under- them who the losers will be. And it will The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- lying bill, the prohibition against the probably be a lot easier to say who the ator from Louisiana is recognized. Member pay adjustment for fiscal year winners would be. I will get to that in Mr. VITTER. I thank my colleague 2010 will not be enacted into law. a little bit. from Iowa. I thank him for all of his Further our Federal agencies will The Ryan White CARE Act provides leadership on this issue for several have to decide between eliminating funding to States across this country years. I also recognize again the leader- programs or firing employees as they to provide HIV/AIDS treatment, care, ship of our cosponsors of the amend- absorb the 2009 cost increases at fiscal and prevention to individuals in need. year 2008 funding levels. ment, Senator FEINGOLD and Senator In 2006, the committee reauthorized the This amendment does not do any- ENSIGN. Others will join us, but I ask program and established new bipar- thing that is not already addressed in all colleagues to support this amend- tisan, bicameral funding formulas that the underlying bill, and its passage ment when we present it and vote on it provided more equity in the program. could in fact jeopardize the steps that tomorrow. It required funding determinations to have been taken. be made based on the number of people I yield the floor. I encourage my colleagues not to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- with HIV and AIDS. This is a major take the political bait here, and vote ator from Hawaii. distinction. against this amendment which appears Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, most Before 2006, funding was only based to do one thing, but in fact creates ex- Americans have a healthy under- on AIDS cases. The Omnibus Appro- actly the opposite situation. priations Act includes a provision that standing of the difference between a I yield the floor. pay raise and a pay adjustment based will modify and dramatically change AMENDMENT NO. 668 on inflation. these bipartisan funding formulas. It The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Most Americans will tell you that allows larger cities to receive more ator from Wyoming. Ryan White funding simply because when they do receive a pay adjustment Mr. ENZI. Madam President, I ask they received more money in the past. to their wages, they do not consider it unanimous consent that the pending The cities that had a high number of a raise; they consider it being held amendment be set aside and amend- people with AIDS before 2006 will ben- harmless against the impact of infla- ment No. 668 be made pending. tion. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without efit, and those that have seen an in- The pay adjustment provided to objection, it is so ordered. crease in HIV and AIDS since 2006 will Members of the House and Senate is The clerk will report. not be awarded the funding they need. based on a method established by the The assistant legislative clerk read Sadly, larger cities, most notably San 1989 Ethics Reform Act that requires as follows: Francisco, will receive more money the annual adjustment be determined The Senator from Wyoming [Mr. ENZI] pro- than other cities for all the wrong rea- by a formula based on certain elements poses an amendment numbered 668. sons. of the employment cost index, an index Mr. ENZI. I ask unanimous consent Unfortunately, this is not new lan- that measures inflation of wages. that reading of the amendment be dis- guage. We have seen it in the appro- Basically the formula is tied to the pensed with. priations bills in the past. We know ex- pay adjustments given to Federal em- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without actly what the language does. It pri- ployees under the General Schedule. objection, it is so ordered. marily benefits San Francisco—a city Further by law, and under no uncer- The amendment is as follows: that continues to receive funding to tain terms, Members cannot receive an (Purpose: To prohibit the use of funds to care for people who are deceased. All adjustment greater than the increase modify certain HIV/AIDS funding formulas) the while, nearly every other city provided in the base pay of our GS At the appropriate place in title II of divi- would have reduced funding so San level Federal employees. sion F, insert the following: Francisco can receive more riches.

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It states that the language in the to San Francisco, while the other large that the formula funding would not de- omnibus bill will not change the fund- cities will see a decrease in funding. I crease by more than 5 percent for any- ing formulas we agreed to in a bipar- do not know why they did not ask to body. Now, when we did that, I think tisan, bicameral process in 2006. If you print $7 million more and put it in we all thought that was going to be 5 support an equitable system that dis- there instead of taking it from other percent for each of 3 years. As it turned tributes funding on the true basis of people. That is kind of what we are out, it was a total of a 5-percent de- need, I believe you should support my doing these days. crease over the 3 years for anybody. I amendment. That additional funding is not based would have preferred no hold-harmless Madam President, I ask unanimous on the number of people they are treat- provisions or ones that allowed for consent that a letter from GAO to me ing or how many new cases they have. more dramatic fluctuations so the dated March 6, 2009, and relevant mate- As a hold-harmless provision, it is re- money could follow the HIV-infected rial be printed in the RECORD. lated to what that city has received be- person, but that was what we agreed There being no objection, the mate- fore. Let me expand on that. If your on. That is the agreement we reached rial was ordered to be printed in the city’s problem is increasing, under the in this bipartisan, bicameral bill. RECORD, as follows: omnibus, you will get less money. You We did not pull the wool over any- GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE, will be penalized if your city’s HIV/ one’s eyes. We provided clear informa- Washington, DC, March 6, 2009. AIDS problem is increasing. Now, if tion about the implications of those Subject: Ryan White CARE Act: Estimated Effect of Proposed Stop-Loss Provision your city’s problem is decreasing, ac- funding formulas. We found the third on Urban Areas cording to the omnibus, you will get way. Now, with one simple pen stroke, Hon. MICHAEL B. ENZI, more money. If we are giving cities someone is again undoing all those Ranking Member, Committee on Health, Edu- with more people with HIV/AIDS less carefully crafted bipartisan, bicameral cation, Labor, and Pensions, U.S. Senate. funding, and cities with less people compromises by inserting another Hon. TOM A. COBURN, with HIV/AIDS more funding, how fair hold-harmless provision with little U.S. Senate. is that? thought to how this change would af- You asked us to estimate the effect on What is even more egregious is that Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources fect others. Last year we had the list of Emergency Act of 1990 (CARE Act) funding after being exposed more than a year people, and we have that again, of who to urban areas if certain stop-loss provisions ago, someone has the audacity to in- gains and who loses, and it was an easy are enacted. The CARE Act, administered by clude the language again. Of course, vote to win. the Department of Health and Human that may be because in conference they This change does not allow money to Services’s (HHS) Health Resources and Serv- were able to get that pulled out and it follow the patient. It allows money to ices Administration (HRSA), was enacted to happened anyway, even after a very follow those who are in power. We want address the needs of jurisdictions, health substantial vote on this side of the to change that with this amendment. care providers, and people with human im- munodeficiency virus/acquired immuno- building. I do not know about you, but I find 1 Our bipartisan reauthorization was deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). In Decem- this reprehensible. This is simply un- ber 2006, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treat- based on a pretty simple idea: The fair to those cities and States that are ment Modernization Act of 2006 (Moderniza- money should follow the patients. We struggling to come up with the moneys tion Act of 2006) reauthorized CARE Act pro- modernized funding formulas in order for basic HIV/AIDS treatments. What grams for fiscal years 2007 through 2009.2 In to fight this deadly disease on its new is worse, the majority—well, what is February 2009, the House of Representatives front lines. More people in rural areas worse is that this bill continues to passed H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropria- and the South, more women, and more cheat others. Not just once, not twice, tions Act, 2009, which contains a stop-loss African Americans are being infected but this would be the third year that provision covering CARE Act funding for with HIV/AIDS every day, and we made urban areas that receive funding under the San Francisco will have benefited from CARE Act.3 This bill has not been passed by sure these populations could get the this language. the Senate. treatment they needed. It was a bipar- In 2007, I brought up this exact issue. Under the CARE Act, funding for urban tisan, bicameral agreement. We were A very strong majority of the Senate areas—Eligible Metropolitan Areas (EMA) very clear about the implications of agreed with me. Unfortunately, it did and Transitional Grant Areas (TGA) 4—is pri- those new formula changes. In fact, we not change. They are still willing to marily provided through three categories of provided GAO reports with estimates try to institute an unfair and unjust grants: on how the new formulas would change (1) formula grants that are awarded based formula. I object to that provision and on the case counts of people with HIV/AIDS funding levels for grantees that were the implications of it. in an urban area; (2) supplemental grants nearly identical to how the funding We changed the formula to have that are awarded on a competitive basis would be distributed today—but be- money follow the problem. In 2007, we based on an urban area’s demonstration of cause of the language in the appropria- passed my amendment to focus the need, including criteria such as HIV/AIDS tions bill, it has not. Yes, that is how funding on people living with HIV/ prevalence; and (3) Minority AIDS Initiative we did this vote last year, which, AIDS. Most of the people in this Cham- (MAI) grants, which are supplemental grants again, I repeat, Wyoming had no gain ber voted with me. Of the ones who are awarded on a competitive basis for urban or loss in. We are not even involved in areas to address disparities in access, treat- still here, it is a vast majority. ment, care, and health outcomes. Changes in this issue. I have been involved in this Now, I understand that after passing grantee characteristics and funding formulas issue trying to take care of HIV/AIDS it with those kinds of numbers, it was can cause increases or decreases in grantees’ patients. My amendment was taken dropped in conference. I understand funding. out so the language can continue, and that will probably happen this year H.R. 1105, which was passed by the House of it is very unfair. It is unfair to the peo- too. But I do think we need to send the Representatives on February 25, 2009, con- ple in rural areas and the South, where message and hope for fairness. Without tains a provision to ensure that decreases in more women, more African Americans this amendment, there will be no fair- total 2008 Part A funding for fiscal year 2008 for each EMA and TGA would not exceed lev- are being infected with HIV/AIDS every ness. els specified in the bill.5 It would limit the day. We made sure treatment could be You realize that—last year—only a total funding decrease for an EMA for the gotten. It passed this body. It passed couple of States have a city that is 2008 fiscal year to no more than 6.3 percent of the House. We agreed to these for- helped. Most of you will be contrib- what the EMA received for the 2006 fiscal

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Web site at http://www.gao.gov. If you or your staff have any questions and are considered TGAs until for 3 consecutive years they (1) fail to have at least 1,000 to 1,999 AIDS To provide you with technical assistance, about this letter, please contact me. Contact we developed an estimate of fiscal year 2009 cases reported in the most recent 5-year period and points for our Offices of Congressional Rela- (2) do not have more than 1,500 living cases of AIDS. Part A CARE Act funding for EMAs and tions and Public Affairs may be found on the In fiscal year 2008, there were 34 TGAs according to TGAs with the stop-loss provision in H.R. last page of this letter. HRSA. 1105. We also developed an estimate of such MARCIA CROSSE, 5 Part A of the CARE Act covers funding to urban funding without that provision. We used data Director, Health Care. areas. Part B covers funding to states, territories, from HHS, H.R. 1105, and an Explanatory Enclosures. and the District of Columbia. 6 Statement submitted by the Chairman of the ENDNOTES The stop-loss provision in H.R. 1105 states that ‘‘within the amounts provided for Part A . . ., House Committee on Appropriations to H.R. 1 Pub. L. No. 101–381, 104 Stat. 576 (codified as 7 $10,853,000 is available . . . for increasing supple- 1105 to estimate these amounts. In order to amended at 42 U.S.C. 300ff through 300ff–121). Unless conduct these analyses, we made a number of mental grants for fiscal year 2009 to metropolitan otherwise indicated, references to the CARE Act areas that received grant funding in fiscal year 2008 refer to current law. assumptions. These assumptions are de- . . . to ensure that an area’s total funding under 2 Pub. L. No. 109–415, 120 Stat. 2767. The CARE Act scribed in notes to the accompanying tables. [Part A to an EMA] for fiscal year 2008, together programs had previously been reauthorized by the See enclosure I for estimates of Part A with the amount of this additional funding, is not CARE Act funding for EMAs with and with- Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104–146, 110 Stat. 1346) and the Ryan White CARE less than 93.7 percent of the amount of such area’s out the stop-loss provision. See enclosure II Act Amendments of 2000 (Pub. L. No. 106–345, 114 total funding under part A for fiscal year 2006, and for estimates of Part A CARE Act funding Stat. 1319). to ensure . . . that an area’s total funding under for TGAs with and without the stop-loss pro- 3 H.R. 1105, 111th Cong. (2009). For purposes of this [Part A to a TGA] for fiscal year 2008, together with vision. report, unless otherwise specified we use the term the amount of this additional funding, is not less H.R. 1105 to refer to the bill as passed by the House than 88.7 percent of the amount of such area’s total The objective of this work was to provide of Representatives. funding under part A for fiscal year 2006.’’ Because pertinent and timely information by showing 4 In this report, we use the term urban areas to the provision would apply to an EMA’s or TGA’s the effect of the stop-loss provision on EMAs refer to both EMAs and TGAs. An EMA is a metro- ‘‘total funding’’ under Part A, we consider the total and TGAs for fiscal year 2009 that Congress politan area with a population of 50,000 or more that amount subject to the stop-loss provision to be for- can use in determining funding for CARE had more than 2,000 AIDS cases reported in the most mula, supplemental, and MAI grants made with Part recent 5-year period. The 2,000 AIDS-case criterion A funds. MAI grants are authorized by 42 U.S.C. Act programs. We used data from agency ref- does not include cases of HIV that have not pro- 300ff–121, which specifically directs HHS to provide erence documents to conduct our analyses. gressed to AIDS. In fiscal year 2008, there were 22 funding under Part A. Because of time constraints, we did not con- EMAs. The Modernization Act of 2006 created a new 7 155 Cong. Rec. H1653, H2377 (daily ed. Feb. 23, 2009) duct any additional analysis of the proposed program for TGAs. A TGA is a metropolitan area (statement of Rep. Obey).

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VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD Insert offset folio 407/1 here ES09MR09.003 6706 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 Mr. ENZI. Madam President, I yield It also reflects the fact we have re- and the traditions of this country, the floor. cently upgraded our efforts with Egypt. would not want to refuse the possi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I think if we come along now and pass bility of asylum to those folks. In fact, ator from Massachusetts is recognized. this amendment, we wind up saying this amendment assumes that every AMENDMENT NO. 630 that the efforts we have made are in- resident of Gaza, regardless of age, Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I rise sufficient, and it is a slap in the face to background, political opinion or any to talk about two amendments offered the Egyptians in the process. So this is other distinguishing characteristic, is by the good Senator from Arizona, Mr. a sensitive time. It is an important pro-Hamas and ineligible for consider- KYL, amendment No. 630 and amend- time. I hope Egypt’s good interven- ation for resettlement in the United ment No. 629. I say to my friend from tions—and I recently was in Egypt. I States, even if they are lucky enough Arizona that I regret to sort of be in met with President Mubarak. I met to escape from Gaza. It ignores the fact the position of opposing a couple of his with General Suleiman and the people that a whole bunch of folks in Fatah amendments because these are subjects involved directly in this effort. I am were killed by Hamas and some of I would have loved to have worked with absolutely confident about their focus them knee-capped and otherwise as- him on closely and I appreciate the re- on the border, as well as their focus on saulted in the course of the recent war lationship we have and the conversa- these reconciliation efforts. So in the because they weren’t part of Hamas. tions we have had recently about a context of those efforts, this amend- It is unnecessary. There are ample number of very important issues in ment is, frankly, not helpful to the laws on the books which prohibit entry front of the Senate. broader interests in the region at this into the United States of any person So I find myself a little bit in an un- moment. who has been involved in terrorism or comfortable position, but nevertheless AMENDMENT NO. 629 other crimes. During the Cold War, we a necessary one, because, first of all, on The second amendment, No. 629, did not bar Russians from coming to amendment No. 630—which refers to would prohibit the use of any funds in the United States, just as we don’t bar the issue of requiring a report on the omnibus to resettle Palestinians Cubans or North Koreans from entering whether more United States assistance from Gaza into the United States. the United States, even though they to Egypt is going to improve Egyptian Now, let me first point out, in 2008 live in oppressive regimes that we ob- efforts to counter illicit smuggling in the United States did not resettle any- ject to—or did live, in the case of the Gaza—we all agree we have to increase one from Gaza. So this is an amend- Soviet Union, in that situation. This the efforts with respect to smuggling. ment, this is a solution in search of a amendment, therefore, is not only un- In fact, we agree so much that over problem. The fact is, there is no prob- necessary but it would establish for the the course of the last administration, lem currently. But let’s assume—let’s first time since the passage of the 1980 and now continuing into this one, we assume for the purposes of argument— Refugee Act a law that discriminates have entered into new agreements with against a particular nationality in a the Egyptians, with new technical in the future a Palestinian escaped from Gaza to get away from Hamas op- particular geographic region. means that are going to be applied to I urge my colleagues to vote against pression and applied to be resettled in this effort, with an increased effort both these amendments, and I yield the the United States. This amendment that is going to be taking place right floor. now. would prevent that resettlement. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Now, obviously, any Palestinian ref- But the problem with the amendment ator from Arizona. is—it is a well-intended amendment, ugee ought to be subjected to a com- Mr. KYL. Madam President, while but again everyone here understands plete and thorough battery of security my colleague from Massachusetts is what the effect of this amendment is checks, screens, background checks, as still here, let me advise him of two going to be. It is simply to keep us, if we do already for any refugee from things with respect to amendment No. it were to pass, from enacting this bill anywhere. And, of course, we want to 629. First of all, it was certainly not before the current continuing resolu- be assured that an asylum seeker does my intention that we deal individually tion expires. Because given what we not have ties with Hamas, with Islamic with political asylees, but the amend- have heard from the House, a vote for Jihaddists or any other terrorist orga- ment could have been read that way the amendment is effectively a vote nization. and I appreciate the point. Secondly, it against the Omnibus appropriations But the point is, we already have ex- was a response to a news story which bill and a vote for a year-long con- actly those kinds of security screens gained a great deal of attention from tinuing resolution at last year’s fund- and background checks. We have them my constituents related to the January ing levels. That is what is at stake in the regular Department of Homeland 30 order by the President, ordering $20 here. Security resettlement procedures. So I million for urgent relief efforts to pro- But going from there, given the fact see no reason to make an exception to vide migration assistance to Pales- there are so many priorities in this bill the normal procedures that suddenly tinian refugees. That has gotten a lot we want to pass, and we need to, let me singles out a resident of Gaza. It also of attention from folks. They wanted talk for a moment about the substance, sends a message, not just of indiffer- to know what we were doing. just on the substance itself. I person- ence, but, frankly, of hostility to tens We have talked to the State Depart- ally do not think this is the best mo- of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza ment, and while I haven’t withdrawn ment or best way to go about achieving who are victims of Hamas. the amendment yet, we have received what we want to achieve with the Now, I just was in Gaza. I became— assurances from them orally that—and Egyptians, who have been particularly unbeknownst to me; I did not realize it I believe and hope we will receive as- helpful at this moment with respect to at the time—the highest ranking surances in writing—that was not the the efforts to try to seek Hamas-Fatah American to go into Gaza in something intention of that order. Assuming that reconciliation, and particularly helpful like 8 or 9 years, and I saw thousands of is the case, there would be no need for with respect to some of the issues on kids roaming around the rubble of the amendment, and it would be my in- the border at Rafah and with respect to Gaza. I met with Fatah businessmen tention tomorrow to withdraw it. I the tunnels. and others, with people who are strug- hope they will have something to us in Moreover, the bill that is in front of gling to make ends meet and pull their writing. If not, if they have a spokes- us states that ‘‘not less than lives together. If one of them were to man of high enough authority to pro- $1,300,000,000 shall be made available escape because of the oppression of vide the assurance orally, that will suf- for grants only for Egypt, including for Hamas and wanted to come to the fice as well, but we will want to get border security programs and activities United States, it would seem, given the that. in the Sinai.’’ So there is additional daily deprivations and brutality of I will speak to the other amendment, money here. There is money available Hamas militants, the United States, but I wished to respond to my col- to be spent on this task. commensurate with our highest values league.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6707 Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I ap- Immediately after the war, the Gaza after the Sinai border wall was blown preciate the comments of the Senator. Hamas folks immediately began to try up by Hamas in January, defense officials As I said, I know he works reasonably to restore those tunnels, and we under- said. on these things and I look forward to The Chinese rockets have a range of 40 kil- stand that. But there are specific steps ometers. They are very similar to the 122 working with him on it and I thank now to counter that in new means mm Soviet-made Katyusha that was used ex- him. which I will not go into here on the tensively by Hizbullah during the Second AMENDMENT NO. 630 floor of the Senate—I can’t. But Egypt Lebanon War and are slightly more sophisti- Mr. KYL. Madam President, if my has agreed to engage in a significantly cated than an Iranian-made Grad-model colleague would like to hear a brief ratcheted-up effort. Since there is addi- Katyusha that is also in Hamas’s arsenal. comment with regard to amendment tional money and that is exactly what The four rockets that hit Beersheba this week were filled with metal balls that can No. 630, although I don’t need to hold is contained, again, I say this is unnec- him here, it will be my intention to get scatter up to 100 meters from the impact essary, particularly given the impact site, officials said. These rockets have also a vote on that amendment. Let me ex- that this might have on this bill if it been fired into Ashkelon and Ashdod. plain why, even though I certainly rec- were to pass. The three countries that manufacture ognize the validity of some of the So we have three reasons there. One, Grad-model Katyushas are China, Russia and points made by the Senator from Mas- the problem is being addressed. Two, it Bulgaria. sachusetts. does have an impact on the Egyptians Defense officials told The Jerusalem Post the rockets were smuggled into Gaza in the This amendment deals with a prob- in terms of what they have already lem that was violently brought to our 12 days after Hamas blew a hole in the border agreed to, given the fact that we have wall between Gaza and Egypt on January 23. attention again when the cease-fire be- agreed to it. Three, it has a huge dam- ‘‘Huge quantities of weaponry were smug- tween Hamas and Israel was broken aging impact on the overall omnibus gled into Gaza then from above ground, in- and hundreds of rockets were again bill we are trying to pass. But I thank cluding the Grad rockets,’’ an official said, rained down on Israel, most of which my friend. adding that even after the border wall was had been smuggled across the Sinai and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- sealed, Hamas continued to smuggle the into the Gaza Strip; many of the weap- long-range rockets into Gaza via tunnels ator from Arizona. under the Philadelphi Corridor. ons having come from Iran, or at least Mr. KYL. Madam President, I cer- groups sponsored by Iran. We have par- From China, the rockets make several tainly acknowledge what my colleague stops before reaching Gaza. In many cases, tially, as a result—in fact, signifi- has said. Let me quote from one news officials said, they are bought by Iran or cantly, as a result of the assistance article which illustrates the reason Hizbullah and then transferred to Sinai. that I know the Senator from Massa- why I think we need to do this. This is In some instances, the Shin Bet (Israel Se- chusetts has supported, and we have all curity Agency) has learned of weapons that from March 3—very recent—from the supported, to Egypt—gotten a lot of co- came from Yemen and Eritrea, were moved Jerusalem Post. The authors of the ar- operation from Egypt in helping to to Sudan, then north to Egypt, and finally ticle talk about Hamas’s ongoing bring this smuggling to a much lower smuggled into Gaza. smuggling into Gaza—ongoing. They level than it otherwise would have ‘‘This is a complicated smuggling system talk about the persistence of Hamas that involves many different people around been. I am very cognizant of that. I arms smuggling which almost ensures the world,’’ one official said. have thanked the Egyptian Govern- a resumption of hostilities in Gaza. The Grad-model Katyushas, officials said, ment for its efforts, and we want to were packed with large quantities of ammo- That is the point of this: to try to pre- continue to thank them for those ef- nia and less-than-maximum explosives to in- forts. The problem is smuggling does vent more hostilities. If those weapons crease their durability and lethality. continue. are not smuggled into Gaza, they are Last Thursday, Egyptian Foreign Minister All this amendment does is to ask for not going to rain them down on the Ahmed Aboul Gheit told Foreign Minister people of Israel and there won’t be a Tzipi Livni that Cairo was not responsible a report about what other uses this for Hamas’s military buildup and that the money could be put to, to help the need for Israel to engage in any hos- tilities. I am afraid that if it continues, long-range rockets in the group’s arsenal Egyptians, the Israelis, the United were not smuggled through the tunnels from States, and others who engaged in the they would have no choice but to try to Sinai. effort to stop the smuggling from the defend itself. Defense officials said. Wednesday that Sinai through primarily tunnels but by I will conclude with these two para- Aboul Gheit was partially correct, in that other means as well into Gaza so Israel graphs in this one article: some of the rockets did not come into Gaza can no longer be threatened. The In most cases, following the exposure of a through tunnels, but that they did enter the Strip from Sinai. amendment is not to denigrate these tunnel, Egyptian forces have either placed a efforts of the Egyptians in any way. I guard at the mouth of the tunnel or blocked the tunnel’s entrance rather than taking [From the Jerusalem Post, Mar. 3 2009] understand there is some sensitivity by steps to demolish the tunnel completely. As ANALYSIS: WHEN IT COMES TO TUNNELS, folks at the State Department, for ex- such, smugglers have been able to employ EGYPT STILL HAS ITS HEAD IN THE SAND ample, that the amendment may look these tunnels again after a short interval. (By Yoram Cohen and Matthew Levitt) like we are not grateful for those ef- When a tunnel entrance has been blocked, This week’s Egyptian-hosted international forts. Quite to the contrary. But I do diggers typically cut a new access channel conference on the reconstruction of the Gaza think—and I will be happy to read nearby and connect it with the existing tun- Strip underlined that the rehabilitation of some news reports—that illustrates it nel closer to the border. Gaza is high on the international commu- is the view of the Israeli Government In addition, there is no evidence that nity’s agenda. that this smuggling is continuing and Egyptian forces are taking steps to arrest But the implementation of any rebuilding and punish smugglers. These rings are rarely will continue unless more is done, in- project may be premature. Indeed, given broken up, and in the absence of lengthy jail Hamas’s ongoing weapons smuggling into cluding by the Egyptians. So the pur- terms, there is little deterrence. Gaza, Israel’s mid-January unilateral pose of the amendment is simply to I ask unanimous consent that three ceasefire may be short-lived. keep track of what else we might do to of these similar reports be printed in Although the United States and Israel try to stop the smuggling. reached an agreement on January 16 to If my colleague would like to inter- the RECORD at this point. counter the smuggling, Egypt and Israel cede at this point, I would be happy to There being no objection, the mate- have yet to forge a similar understanding. hear his comments. rial was ordered to be printed in the The persistence of Hamas’s arms-smuggling The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- RECORD, as follows: almost ensures an eventual resumption of ator from Massachusetts. [From the Jerusalem Post, Jan. 1, 2009] hostilities in Gaza. Beyond small arms, Israeli intelligence es- LATEST ROCKETS MANUFACTURED IN CHINA Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I un- timates that some 250 tons of explosives, 80 derstand what the Senator is saying. (By Yaakov Katz) tons of fertilizer, 4,000 rocket-propelled gre- Again, I was just in Israel and I know The Grad-model Katyusha rockets that nades, and 1,800 rockets were transported the smuggling continues. We all under- were fired into Beersheba on Wednesday were from Egypt to Gaza from September 2005 to stand that. manufactured in China and smuggled into December 2008.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6708 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 According to Israeli figures, from June 2007 3, 2008 that it would not allow an Islamic ‘‘The smuggling is part of a broad world- to December 2008, Hamas increased not only state on its northern border. If arms smug- wide apparatus, from Iran to Yemen and the quantity but also the quality of its arse- gling continues, however, such an outcome other sources, to the Gaza Strip, by land and nal in Gaza, improving the performance of will become more likely. sea. We are working against them,’’ Defense its improvised explosive devices and expand- As such, Egypt needs to adopt a sustained Minister Ehud Barak said. ing the distance and payload capabilities of and effective approach to its activities coun- its Kassam rocket warheads. tering the movement of weapons from Sudan [From the Jerusalem Post, Feb. 26, 2009] Most small-range rockets fired from Gaza to the Sinai Peninsula, as well as the tunnels ISRAEL THANKS CYPRUS FOR CONFISCATING themselves. First, Egypt should close these prior to and during the recent conflict were IRANIAN ARMS ON WAY TO GAZA tunnels for good rather than temporarily se- locally produced. However, over the past (By Herb Keinon) year, Hamas has acquired a formidable col- curing them. At the same time, Egyptian se- lection of imported 122-mm. rockets—the curity forces should arrest smugglers, target President Shimon Peres thanked visiting longer-range Grads—brought in piecemeal their networks, and impose stricter penalties Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kypriano through tunnels and reassembled in Gaza. for these illegal activities. Finally, Egypt on Wednesday for confiscating Iranian arms These Grads, an Iranian-produced version of should better publicize these efforts to cre- that were believed to be headed to Gaza. the Chinese-designed rocket, increase the ate a deterrent effect. Peres, according to his office, said the con- reach of Hamas into Israel, making them a More effective bilateral cooperation be- fiscation of the ship’s cargo was extremely sought-after commodity and well worth the tween Israel and Egypt, with US oversight important, and that fighting the arms smug- effort and expense of smuggling them all the and active involvement, should be initiated. gling to the Gaza Strip required this type of way from Iran. Discussions between all three parties would cooperation. According to Israeli assessments, the go a long way toward increasing coordina- Last Wednesday, Cypriot authorities said arms-smuggling network is directed by tion and efforts to combat this threat. the ship suspected of transporting the con- In this regard, the United States could Hamas offices in Damascus and aided by traband cargo was free to go after the cargo play an important role as a watchdog, pro- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was unloaded and stored at a Cypriot naval viding periodic reports on the effectiveness (IRGC), which provides the majority of the base. of Egyptian and Israeli action. Perhaps most Cypriot officials said that the cargo was weaponry. importantly, the three countries’ intel- ‘‘material that could be used to make muni- The arms travel overland to Egypt through ligence services should join forces and share tions,’’ and the Cypriot government said the a variety of routes that cross Yemen, Eri- information to successfully combat the ship had breached the UN ban on Iranian trea, Ethiopia, and South Africa and eventu- Hamas weapons-smuggling networks. arms exports. ally meet in Sudan, where they are moved to Much of the weaponry is provided by Iran, The US military said it found arms aboard Egypt’s Sinai desert. After the material en- and specifically by the IRGC, increasing the ship after stopping it last month in the ters the Sinai, it is transferred into Gaza via Iran’s regional influence while threatening Red Sea. tunnels underneath the Philadelphi Corridor. the position of Fatah in Palestinian politics. The issue also came up in talks Kypriano Less frequently, arms are moved to Gaza Dealing effectively with these tunnel sys- held with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. via the Mediterranean Sea. The weapons are tems could curtail Iranian influence. Con- ‘‘Iran must be made aware that the weapon deposited in waterproof barrels submerged versely, if Gaza remains a terror base—a safe smuggling to Syria, Lebanon and Hamas below the surface and tied to buoys eventu- haven for extremists and global jihadists— constitutes a severe violation of inter- ally retrieved by fishermen. regional instability and Palestinian suf- national agreements, and must cease,’’ Livni Despite recent improvements to the fering will surely grow. said. ‘‘The weapon smuggling organized by countersmuggling effort in the Sinai, Egypt Iran is one of the central problems in the re- is averse to recognizing the severity of the [From Haaretz, Feb. 26, 2009] gion. If the weapon smuggling to Gaza con- issue. Egypt’s approach to countering GAZA ROCKETS STRIKE NEGEV; IAF RETURNS tinues, Israel will have no other option than Hamas’s extensive network of smuggling FIRE to initiate another defensive operation. That tunnels has been tentative, generally limited (By Amos Harel and Anshel Pfeffer) is why the international community must to exposing tunnel openings and seizing exhaust all the legal and operative means at weapons arsenals inside the Sinai Peninsula. While talks between rival Palestinian fac- its disposal to put an end to the arms smug- In most cases, following the exposure of a tions continue in Cairo, a near-daily ritual gling.’’ tunnel, Egyptian forces have either placed a continues of Gaza militants firing Qassam guard at the mouth of the tunnel or blocked rockets and the Israel Air Force retaliating [From VOA News, Feb. 16, 2009] the tunnel entrance, rather than taking by striking smuggling tunnels along the steps to demolish the tunnel completely. As Philadelphi route. ISRAEL POUNDS GAZA SMUGGLING TUNNELS Yesterday morning. two rockets landed in such, smugglers have been able to employ AFTER MORE ROCKET ATTACKS open fields in the Eshkol region, causing nei- these tunnels again after a short interval. (By Luis Ramirez) ther casualties nor damage. In the ensuing When a tunnel entrance has been blocked, air strikes, an Israel Defense Forces spokes- Israeli warplanes have attacked smuggling diggers typically cut a new access channel man said, pilots reported seeing secondary tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, nearby and connect with the existing tunnel blasts from the smuggling tunnels, indi- after militants in Gaza fired at least two closer to the border. cating that they contained explosives. rockets into southern Israel. The tit-for-tat In addition, there is no evidence that Security officials said yesterday the ex- violence is further complicating prospects to Egyptian forces are taking steps to arrest tended waiting period for a cease-fire agree- draft a truce between Israel and the militant and punish smugglers. These rings are rarely ment between Israel and Hamas could under- Islamic group Hamas. broken up, and in the absence of lengthy jail mine the relative calm that currently pre- The rocket attacks have again become an terms, there is little deterrence. vails in the Gaza Strip. almost everyday occurrence in the four Moreover, cooperation between Egypt and Egypt has been trying to broker a long- weeks since Israel called off its 22-day offen- Israel has been lacking. In mid-February, for term cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in sive on militants in Gaza. example, Egypt announced it would not send the aftermath of Israel’s 22-day military of- Nearly a month after both sides declared a delegation to Israel as originally planned fensive. separate cease-fires, efforts by Egypt to me- to discuss anti-smuggling and cease-fire ne- The officials said Hamas look steps to re- diate a durable truce are deadlocked. gotiation efforts. Although Israel recognizes duce the rocket fire from smaller militant Hamas wants Israel to open all of its bor- an effort is being made—Shin Bet (Israel Se- factions after Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. der crossings, including one to Egypt. Israel curity Agency) chief Yuval Diskin told the However, since then, the group has notice- wants Hamas to stop militants from firing cabinet on February 15 that Egyptian ac- ably cut down its efforts. They added that rockets into its territory and the smuggling tions are indeed combating arms smug- Egypt is making only limited attempts to of weapons into the seaside enclave. gling—Israeli officials note that the effort is, stem the tide of weapons flowing into the Israeli officials say they will not consider at best, ‘‘slow.’’ territory. reopening border crossings until Hamas re- Finally, the United States has provided An Israeli intelligence source recently said turns Gilad Schalit, an Israeli soldier who Egypt with various technological devices— that significant quantities of weapons and has been held since he was captured in the such as seismographic sensors—to expose the explosives, including Grad rockets, anti-air- Gaza Strip in 2006. tunnels, but Egyptian forces still require craft missiles and explosive materials, had Hamas legislator Mushir al-Masri, a training to make full use of these tools. been transported from Egypt to Gaza spokesman for the militant Islamist group, It is imperative that Egypt recognize that through the Rafah crossing. rejected any attempt by Israel to link the re- arms smuggling is not just an Israeli issue Israel tightened its blockade of Gaza alter lease of Schalit to a longer-term cease-fire. but an Egyptian national security priority. Hamas took control of the Strip in 2007. Al-Masri says Hamas’ position is obvious. The head of the Egyptian parliament’s for- Egypt also limits the movement through its He says Hamas wants a cease-fire and is not eign relations committee said on December border crossing with the territory. backing away on that issue. But he says the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6709 Israeli attempt to connect the Schalit case State certifies that no such funds will Thus the long and winding title for the with a cease-fire agreement is going to de- be diverted to Hamas or entities con- Sharm el-Sheikh powwow: ‘‘The Inter- stroy the process and he says Hamas con- trolled by Hamas. As I said, the reason national Conference in Support of the Pales- siders that ‘‘a stab in the face’’ of the Egyp- is because some of the money is going tinian Economy for the Reconstruction of tian efforts to mediate peace. Gaza.’’ Thus, also, the confusion and con- Hamas is also demanding that Israel re- to these other organizations. tradictory news accounts over how much of lease hundreds of prisoners—including mili- There is a recent op-ed in Forbes the multiple billions in aid will flow to the tants who were responsible for a number of magazine—and I will ask for its inclu- West Bank, how much to Gaza, when and suicide bombings—in exchange for Schalit. sion in a moment—by Claudia Rosett, how this will happen, and who will decide. Despite the setbacks, prospects for a truce the same intrepid reporter, inciden- And so, despite a record which suggests remain alive. tally, who first revealed the United Na- that decades of aid to the Palestinians—bi- Israeli officials say the country’s security tions oil-for-food scandal. In it she lateral, multilateral, you name it—have fos- cabinet is due to meet Wednesday to discuss wrote: tered not peace, but continuing violence, a response to Hamas’ demands, and details of On the matter of how exactly the ‘‘safe- here we go again. The plan this time seems a possible peace deal. guards’’ will work, the State Department has to be to flood the Palestinian Authority with Mr. KYL. Madam President, again, I been stunningly vague. At a State Depart- funds that might somehow grease the way wish to compliment the Egyptian Gov- ment press briefing on Monday, while Clin- toward somehow easing Hamas out of the cockpit in Gaza. ernment and others who have insisted ton was in Egypt making her pledge, a spokesman said that up to $300 million would Speaking of her aim to ‘‘foster conditions’’ on trying to stop this smuggling. My to create a responsible, accountable Pales- amendment asks for a study by the go for Gaza’s ‘‘urgent humanitarian needs’’ as identified by the U.N. and the Palestinian tinian state, living in peace with Israel, Clin- Secretary of State and the DNI about Authority. Those funds, he said, would flow ton pledged that America’s $900 million in whether additional taxpayer support via the United States Agency for Inter- new aid to Palestinians—still to be approved out of the annual appropriation for national Development ‘‘in coordination with by Congress—would include $300 million for Egypt would aid in stopping this smug- U.N. agencies, international organizations, Gaza. To blunt concerns that some of these gling activity. and USAID grantees’’ and ‘‘through the taxpayer dollars might end up bankrolling State Department for the U.N. agencies, in- Hamas, Clinton spelled out that ‘‘We have That is one of the two amendments— worked with the Palestinian Authority to in- amendment No. 630—that will be voted cluding the international committee of the Red Cross, and other humanitarian organiza- stall safeguards that will ensure that our on this evening. The other amendment tions.’’ funding is used only where, and for whom, it is amendment No. 631; that is to say, if Then she further notes that one of is intended, and does not end up in the wrong the unanimous consent agreement goes hands.’’ the institutions that the U.N. uses to into effect, which includes the four Good luck. The downside of this gamble, funnel aid to the Palestinian Authority amendments we are likely to vote on, and the likelier scenario, is that this new is the Commercial Bank of Syria. Here two of those would be my amendments, multibillion-dollar wave of aid, pouring in is what she says about that: from many sources, will boost Hamas. In No. 630 and 631. Under Secretary Stuart Levey alleged that case anyone needs a reminder, Hamas is an AMENDMENT NO. 631 the bank had been used by terrorists to move Islamist, terrorist group, spun out of the Let me briefly describe amendment money, ‘‘and as a state-owned entity with in- Egyptian Sunni Muslim Brotherhood but 631. It deals with the $300 million for adequate money laundering and terrorist fi- backed and trained these days by the Shiite Gaza reconstruction that Secretary nancing controls, the Commercial Bank in mullocracy of terrorist-sponsoring Iran— Clinton offered at the Sharm el-Sheikh Syria poses a significant risk of being used which looks close to acquiring a nuclear ar- Donors Conference last Monday. We to further the Syrian Government’s con- senal. Hamas is dedicated in its charter to tinuing support for international terrorist the destruction of Israel and hostile in its don’t have details from the administra- groups.’’ Among the terrorist groups cited as principles to western democracy. tion on its plans to keep the $300 mil- examples of such clients were Hezbollah in Hamas was elected in 2006 by a Gazan popu- lion out of Hamas’s hands. Clearly, ob- Lebanon, and such denizens of Gaza as Pales- lation that five years earlier had celebrated viously, we want to do that. What we tinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America by do have is a general acknowledgment the Liberation of Palestine and Hamas. handing out sweets and dancing in the by the State Department of its concern I ask unanimous consent that this ar- streets. Hamas consolidated its control over that this is important to do. Obviously, ticle be printed in the RECORD. Gaza in 2007, kicking out Fatah in a bloody we are all aware that Hamas controls There being no objection, the mate- battle that included fighting in hospitals and rial was ordered to be printed in the apartment buildings, and both sides throw- nearly every means of power and lever- ing prisoners off rooftops. Nor does Hamas age in the Gaza Strip. So I don’t think RECORD, as follows: mind putting Gaza’s 1.5 million people at we can be too careful in ensuring that [From Forbes magazine, Mar. 5, 2009] risk in order to pursue its terrorist ‘‘Death none of our taxpayer dollars get into CAN WE GIVE TO GAZA WITHOUT GIVING TO to Israel’’ agenda. Since Israel called a halt the hands of a terrorist group such as HAMAS? on Jan. 17 to its Operation Cast Lead, Hamas. (By Claudia Rosett) Hamas-controlled Gaza has continued to Section 7040(f) of the bill addresses If stuffing billions worth of aid into the serve as a launching pad for attacks on this problem partly. It provides limita- Palestinian territories could end Islamist Israel, firing more than 50 rockets, including 11 over the past weekend, one of them hit- tions on the disbursements of the main terrorism out of Gaza, it might be worth the money. That seems to be President Obama’s ting a school in Ashkelon. types of assistance funds—these are the gamble, with Secretary of State Hillary Were such attacks targeting, say, New bilateral economic assistance, inter- Clinton jetting to a donors’ conference in York, one might hope they would be treated national security assistance and multi- Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, this past Monday, as terrorism and answered with force. But on lateral assistance and export invest- to chip in $900 million on behalf of U.S. tax Monday, the de facto reply of the ‘‘inter- ment assistance—to the Palestinian payers. All told, more than 70 countries, national community’’ to these assaults on Authority. So there are limitations on cheered on by United Nations Secretary-Gen- Israel was to promise Gaza—already one of the funds going to the Palestinian Au- eral Ban Ki-Moon, pledged a whopping total the developed world’s top per-capita welfare clients—billions more in aid. Clinton, while thority. of $4.5 billion in fresh aid to the Palestin- ians. making her pledge, and detailing rosy vi- The problem is, some of this money The focus was largely on repairing damage sions of the future, made just one ritual nod goes through the United Nations and to Gaza, after Israel’s recent three-week bat- to the Hamas rockets of the here-and-now: through nongovernmental organiza- tle to shut down mortar and rocket attacks ‘‘These attacks must stop.’’ Expect more tions—the so-called NGOs. So what my out of the terrorist-controlled enclave. But, rockets. amendment does is to close this loop- as Clinton described it, this is a nuanced ef- As for the financial safeguards—somewhere hole to ensure that none of our money fort. The broad aim is to bypass the Iranian- in Gaza, or maybe Damascus or Tehran, goes to them and then Hamas as well. backed Hamas terrorists who control Gaza, members of Hamas must be smiling. As long and shovel resources for strictly humani- as Gaza is controlled by Hamas, any aid fun- It adds the crucial step of making ex- tarian uses into the enclave ‘‘in coordination neled into the enclave is one dollar less that plicit that no funds from the omnibus with’’ the Palestinian Authority, which is Hamas might be impelled to spend on upkeep shall be made available for reconstruc- run by the U.S.-favored Fatah faction, of its turf, and one dollar more available for tion in Gaza until the Secretary of Hamas’ rival, based in the West Bank. terrorist activities.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6710 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 On the matter of how exactly the ‘‘safe- terrorist group’s politburo, and as chief Syria, an UNRWA partner subject to U.S. guards’’ will work, the State Department has strategist and fundraiser. In 2006 he was al- sanctions and run by the Syrian regime. An- been stunningly vague. At a State Depart- leged by Israeli then-Vice Premier Shimon other UNRWA partner is the Arab Bank, ment press briefing on Monday, while Clin- Peres to have ordered the kidnapping into which is under investigation for financing ton was in Egypt making her pledge, a Gaza of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has Palestinian militants and suicide bombers spokesman said that up to $300 million would not been released. responsible for the deaths of Israelis and go for Gaza’s ‘‘urgent humanitarian needs’’ It’s hard to know whether it is of any con- Americans in Israel. as identified by the U.N. and the Palestinian cern to UNRWA that one of the conduits ‘‘Yet, the Senate is poised to allow mil- Authority. Those funds, he said, would flow headlined by Ban Ki-moon for its Gaza relief lions of taxpayer dollars to go to UNRWA, via United States Agency for International appeal is a U.S.-censured bank, which also fails to vet its own staff and aid Development ‘‘in coordination with U.N. headquartered in a country that hosts recipients for ties to violent Islamist groups. agencies, international organizations and Hamas leaders such as Meshal, and is des- The bailouts and spending sprees have be- USAID grantees’’ and ‘‘through the State ignated by the U.S. as a state sponsor of ter- come so vast that even violent extremists Department for the U.N. agencies, [Inter- rorism. The U.N. has no definition of ter- and their enabling UN agencies are getting a national Committee of the Red Cross] and rorism. UNRWA, which employs mostly local ‘piece of the pie.’ ’’ other humanitarian organizations.’’ Palestinian staff, and has never had an inde- BACKGROUND: UNRWA’s website solicits That’s just the U.S. agenda, before we get pendent outside audit, is not bound by U.S. donations for its ‘‘Special Gaza Appeal,’’ and to the even less transparent donations, such sanctions. My queries to UNRWA about this directs donors to send money to accounts as the $1.65 billion pledged by the Gulf Arab Syrian banking connection were answered with the Commercial Bank of Syria, which States, to be handled out of the Saudi cap- evasively by a spokesperson, who stated in the U.S. Department of the Treasury has ital. To explore every rabbit hole on this list an email that ‘‘UNRWA’s strict financial designated as a ‘‘primary money laundering could be the work of an entire career. But regulations, and its close oversight of all re- concern,’’ and with the Arab Bank, which is reportedly under investigation by the U.S. let’s go down just one of the big ones. sources contributed to it, serve to ensure government for financing Palestinian mili- Looking for further hints about what this that funds are used appropriately in our hu- tant groups. Treasury also states that the three-ring aid circus might entail, I pulled manitarian relief activities.’’ Commercial Bank ‘‘has been used by terror- up the Web site on Tuesday of the U.N.’s lead It’s likewise hard to say whether the U.S. ists to move their money and it continues to agency in Gaza, the U.N. Relief and Works State Department cares that U.S. funds afford direct opportunities for the Syrian Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near might mingle via UNRWA with money flow- government to facilitate international ter- East, best known as UNRWA. There, on ing to Gaza through the Commercial Bank of rorist activity and money laundering.’’ The UNRWA’s home page, as of this writing, is a Syria. My queries to the State Department Arab Bank was reportedly fined $24 million photo of the U.N.’s Ban Ki-moon, standing in received no reply. for extremist financing in 2005. a damaged UNRWA warehouse, backlit by These are, of course, busy times for Amer- what appear to be rays of the sun, during his ican diplomacy in the Middle East. There are Mr. KYL. Madam President, what visit in January to Gaza. Next to Ban’s slows of new envoys setting out, and the new these all point out is that in addition photo is a blurb about his appeal for ‘‘crucial administration is stepping up ‘‘engagement’’ to ensuring that money that goes to funds needed for Gaza’s reconstruction after already begun during the final years of the Palestinian Authority doesn’t get the recent Israeli offensive.’’ President Bush, by courting Syria as a po- into the hands of Hamas, which is as- But just below Ban’s photo is where it gets tential U.S. partner. But if President Obama sured by the legislation, we need to interesting. The same Web page lists several wants to try banking on multi-tiered diplo- make sure that other funds that go to macy and massive aid to turn terrorist-in- banks, complete with Society for Worldwide the United Nations or the NGOs also Interbank Financial Telecommunication fested, Iranian-armed Gaza into a place of (SWIFT) codes and account numbers through peace, it looks like someone in his adminis- are not diverted to Hamas. That is which benefactors are invited to send money tration needs to be keeping a closer eye on what we have provided by this amend- to UNRWA for its ‘‘Special Gaza Appeal.’’ who, exactly, might be cashing in on the lar- ment. One of them is the state-owned Commer- gesse. Incidentally, I would say this: One of cial Bank of Syria, headquartered in Damas- Mr. KYL. Madam President, I also my colleagues said: Well, isn’t a secre- cus, which is an intriguing choice for Ban ask that a press release from the rank- tarial certification a little bit much? and UNRWA to condone, because for the past ing member on the House Foreign Af- My response is: Well, if the Secretary five years this bank has been under sanc- can’t certify it, we probably shouldn’t tions by the U.S. Treasury as an institution fairs Committee and members of the of ‘‘primary money-laundering concern.’’ House Republican leadership also be be sending taxpayer money. But I had In 2004, Treasury imposed sanctions on the printed in the RECORD. also suggested language such as the Commercial Bank of Syria alleging it had There being no objection, the mate- following: That all possible steps have laundered illicit proceeds from the U.N.’s rial was ordered to be printed in the been taken to ensure that no such Oil-for-Food program in Iraq, and had also RECORD, as follows: funds have been diverted by Hamas or handled ‘‘numerous transactions that may entities controlled by Hamas. If there be indicative of terrorist financing and ROS-LEHTINEN, BOEHNER, CANTOR, MCCOTTER, is any objection to the exact language PENCE QUESTION OMNIBUS FUNDING FOR UN money laundering.’’ According to Treasury, of my amendment, I would be happy to this included two accounts ‘‘that reference a PALESTINIAN AGENCY PARTNERING WITH reputed financier for Usama bin Laden.’’ BANKS TARGETED BY U.S. amend the language to include the lan- In 2006, Treasury finalized its rule, which is (WASHINGTON).—U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros- guage I indicated. still current, against the Commercial Bank Lehtinen (R–FL), Ranking Republican on the So I hope my colleagues, when we of Syria. Under-Secretary Stuart Levey al- House Foreign Affairs Committee, Repub- vote at 5:30 this afternoon, will con- leged that the bank had been used by terror- lican Leader John Boehner, Republican Whip sider the arguments I have made with ists to move money, and ‘‘as a state-owned Eric Cantor, Republican Conference Chair- respect to these two amendments: to entity with inadequate money laundering man Mike Pence, and Republican Policy make sure that, first of all, our Egyp- and terrorist financing controls, the Com- Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter tian friends have all the support they mercial Bank of Syria poses a significant called on the Senate to pull funding for need to ensure that smuggling does not risk of being used to further the Syrian Gov- UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority from ernment’s continuing support for inter- a $410 billion spending bill. Statement fol- occur in the future and threaten the national terrorist groups.’’ Among the ter- lows: people of Israel; secondly, that no rorist groups cited as examples of such cli- ‘‘The Administration should withdraw its American taxpayer money is spent ei- ents were Hezbollah in Lebanon, and such pledge to provide $900 million in bonus fund- ther through the Palestinian Authority denizens of Gaza as Palestinian Islamic ing to the Palestinian Authority and Gaza or—and this is not controlled in the Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation reconstruction. These funds are proposed in bill—through the United Nations or of Palestine and Hamas. addition to what is already included in the other NGOs to provide support to any UNRWA’s choice of this bank is all the Omnibus appropriations bill pending in the terrorist groups, including Hamas, and more curious in light of the lifestyle choices Senate. And some of the funds will be going of a number of Hamas leaders, such as through UNRWA at a time when this UN my amendment would prevent that Khaled Meshal, who are based not in Gaza, agency is partnering with banks targeted by from happening. but work ‘‘in exile’’ in Damascus. According the U.S. for their roles in financing violent The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- to a Council on Foreign Relations Islamist militants. ator from Vermont is recognized. backgrounder released in 2006, Meshal has ‘‘We need to protect taxpayer funds from Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, my served Hamas from Damascus as head of the finding their way to the Commercial Bank of friend from Arizona’s amendment No.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6711 630 would require the Secretary of would prohibit the use of any funds in I hope we don’t start doing things State to report on whether additional the omnibus to resettle Palestinians that label whole groups of people as foreign military financing assistance from Gaza into the United States. We terrorists, no matter who they are as provided for Egypt could be used to im- are going to vote on that tomorrow. individuals. prove Egypt’s efforts to counter illegal Frankly, it is unnecessary and for The Senator from Arizona has also smuggling and intercept weapons into the United States, a Nation of immi- offered amendment No. 631 which pro- Gaza. grants, it goes against everything we hibits funds for reconstruction efforts We all want Egypt to intercept those stand for. in Gaza until the Secretary of State weapons. So on the face of it, it ap- We don’t resettle anybody from Gaza, certifies that none of the funds will be pears this amendment is very appeal- nor do we resettle anybody from Gaza diverted to Hamas or entities con- ing. But I note for my friend from Ari- who is living in the U.N. refugee camps trolled by Hamas. Again, it is an ap- zona that the omnibus bill already ex- in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, or pealing amendment. We all want to be plicitly authorizes the use of FMF as- Jordan. The amendment is a solution sure no funds are diverted to Hamas. sistance provided to Egypt ‘‘for border looking for a problem. If a Palestinian But, of course, that is already in the security programs and activities in the from Gaza gets to a place like Italy, or bill. I don’t know how many times we Sinai.’’ somewhere in Europe, the amendment have to vote on it. We voted on that; That was language put in by the dis- would prevent the State Department all Republicans and Democrats voted tinguished ranking Republican member from even considering that person for on that in committee. It is already in on the Appropriations Subcommittee, resettlement to the United States. We the bill. Senator GREGG, precisely for the pur- would have to tell them sorry, you There is also permanent law in this pose of the Kyl amendment—to enable can’t come in, because you are from a country that prohibits any funds going those funds to be used to help police place that has terrorists. to Hamas or entities controlled by the border and reduce the smuggling I think back to my family who came Hamas. So the amendment is unneces- into Gaza. to Vermont about 150 years ago. On my sary—unless the intent of the amend- Now, I understand there is a concern father’s side, they were Irish. If we had ment is simply to send the bill back to about adding amendments to this bill a law like this in place then, it is ques- the other body and further delay its and sending it back to the other body. tionable whether they could have en- passage. All this does, if passed, is send the bill tered this country. If the Irish were Anybody can read the bill. Section fighting to keep their land, if they back to the other body because what 7040(f) of the bill, on page 861, bans were fighting to keep their rights, if the Senator from Arizona is asking for funding to Hamas and any entity effec- they were fighting for the ability to is already in the bill. Egypt is already tively controlled by Hamas or a power vote, and they lived in what is now the cooperating with Israel and the United sharing government. Republic of Ireland, they were consid- Section 7039 of the bill, on page 856, States to reduce smuggling of weapons ered terrorists. We have gone back requires that the Secretary of State into Gaza. We need Egypt’s continued through the record and found when take all appropriate steps to ensure help. The Egyptian Government will— they left Ireland, even though they had that assistance doesn’t go to any indi- in fact, they already do—regard this been offered free room and board for vidual or entity in the West Bank or amendment requiring a report by the the rest of their lives. They were very Gaza that advocates, plans, sponsors, Secretary of State as a public slap in small rooms, with bars on the windows, engages in, or has engaged in terrorist the face. The distinguished Secretary and they didn’t know that the rest of activity. It cannot be any clearer than of State has just come back from the their lives would come very soon. But that. region. The State Department says the they left for Canada, the United States, Maybe every one of us should intro- bill gives them the authority and the or Australia. duce our own amendment to say the money they want to do precisely what I was thinking about the birthday same thing over and over again and the Kyl amendment asks for. Why pass party for Senator KENNEDY the other have 100 of us saying we don’t want any something that is a public humiliation night at the Kennedy Center. There money to go to Hamas. The easy way of an ally in the area? were a number of Irish-Americans to do that is to vote for the bill the Egypt could undoubtedly do more. there who could speak about their way it was when the Senator from New Everybody could. But publicly shaming roots, when their families came here, Hampshire and I presented it to the them as they are trying to negotiate a and why they had to leave Ireland to committee, which adopted it with only lasting cease-fire between Hamas and come here. They were hunted because one dissenting vote. It prohibits that. Israel is in no one’s interest. It is not they fought to practice their own reli- The Palestinian Antiterrorist Act of in our interest or Egypt’s interest, and gion. They were hunted because they 2006 prohibits money going to a Hamas- it is certainly not in Israel’s interest. spoke Irish. They were hunted because controlled Palestinian Authority. That Maybe some think this makes a good they wanted to keep their land. They is section 620(k) of the Foreign Assist- talking point. were hunted because they would not re- ance Act. I am more interested not in what nounce their religion. Thank goodness So we prohibited assistance to Hamas makes great talking points, but in the United States had open arms for at least three times already. And there stopping the smuggling of weapons into them. are undoubtedly other laws on the Gaza. That is why Senator GREGG put We have very strict rules about who books that prohibit funding going to the language into the foreign aid bill in can come into this country. This, terrorist organizations, which Hamas the first place. again, is an unnecessary amendment, is. Do we get extra political points for There is no question that the money saying that we in the Congress are doing this? Why don’t we all stand and can be used. We don’t need a report going to pick and choose which groups say: I am against any assistance for from the State Department telling us of people can resettle here. Hamas? I have not heard a single Sen- what we already know. We wrote the When my maternal grandparents ator—Republican, Democrat, or Inde- law. We know what it says. We don’t came from Italy, a country that had pendent—say they do want to support need the State Department to tell us numerous wars at that time, thank Hamas. That is probably why we have what it says. goodness they weren’t blocked from all voted overwhelmingly in favor of The key point is this: You can vote coming here. My grandmother lived laws to prohibit it. against the Kyl amendment and still be long enough to see her grandson run for It appears to me some of these on record voting for everything in the the U.S. Senate. They came to this amendments are intended simply to try Kyl amendment simply by voting for country not speaking English, not to make a point, or to send the bill final passage of the omnibus bill. reading or writing it, learning English back to the other body. Also, the Senator from Arizona has and raising six children. We could all Mr. GREGG. Will the Senator yield offered amendment No. 629, which tell stories like that. for a question?

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6712 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 Mr. LEAHY. Yes, without losing my to the security of Israel. We put all The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without right to the floor. that in here. So it becomes, in some objection, it is so ordered. The clerk Mr. GREGG. I want to associate my- ways, worse than redundancy. will report. self with the Senator’s concern. I think The Senator from New Hampshire The assistant legislative clerk read a proper explanation of how the bill is put his finger on it. It appears to be an as follows: structured is in order. As I understand officious way of telling Egypt: We don’t The Senator from Kentucky [Mr. BUNNING] it, as the bill left the subcommittee, trust you. I would rather continue as proposes an amendment numbered 665. and then the full committee, it made it the Secretary of State has, as her pred- Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I unalterably clear no money that goes ecessors in the past administration did, ask unanimous consent that the read- into Gaza can be used for Hamas. That working cooperatively with Egypt to ing of the amendment be dispensed doesn’t need to be restated in an try to address this problem. with. amendment. In fact, doing that might The last point about saying nobody The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without imply that the language in the bill should be allowed into the U.S. from objection, it is so ordered. isn’t as strong as it should be. Also, on Gaza, there are tens of thousands of The amendment is as follows: the issue of resettlement of Palestinian Palestinians in Gaza who are victims of (Purpose: To require the Secretary of State refugees, there may be many we would Hamas every day. Are we going to say to issue a report on investments by foreign companies in the energy sector of Iran) want to come to the United States— that a Palestinian child cannot be con- maybe physicists and other folks. This On page 942, between lines 14 and 15, insert sidered for resettlement, because of his the following: blanket approach that nobody can or her place or origin? Are we going to INVESTMENTS IN ENERGY SECTOR OF IRAN enter the country is really over the top say to a child’s parents, if they were and far too broad a brush to paint on SEC. 7093. (a) None of the amounts appro- being persecuted by Hamas, they are priated or otherwise made available by this the entire population of an area. ineligible for resettlement? Are we Act may be made available for the Depart- Obviously, we don’t want terrorists going to say, as the distinguished Sen- ment of State until the Secretary of State, or anybody who is sympathetic to the ator from New Hampshire suggested, to in consultation with the Secretary of the Hamas to come. But there are others a scientist who has great skills, we Treasury, submits to Congress a report on we may wish to come to the United cannot accept you because there are investments by foreign companies in the en- States because maybe they were oppo- terrorists in Gaza? That is not what ergy sector of Iran since the date of the en- sition leaders to Hamas. made this Nation great. We have that actment of the Iran Sanctions Act (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note), including Thirdly, the issue of the language wonderful Statue of Liberty with the relative to Egypt concerns me, and I information compiled from credible media upraised torch in the New York Har- reports. The report shall include the status guess it concerned the Senator from bor—or the New Jersey Harbor, depend- of any United States investigations of com- Vermont. I will put this in the form of ing on where you live—saying we are a panies that may have violated the Iran Sanc- a question. welcoming country. I trust our State tions Act, including explanations of why the To complete my inquiry of the chair- Department and our intelligence agen- Department of State has not made a deter- man of the subcommittee, the language cies and others, that if somebody with mination of whether any such investment relative to Egypt in using funds from an interest that is hostile toward the constitutes a violation of such Act. the money that was allocated to Egypt, (b) In this section, the term ‘‘investment’’ United States tries to come here, they has the meaning given the term in section 14 approximately $1.3 billion for the pur- will be barred. But let’s not make a of the Iran Sanctions Act (Public Law 104– pose of making sure the border entries blanket rule against a whole group of 172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note). into Gaza and other entries that might people based solely on their ethnicity Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I affect Israel are adequately monitored, or place of origin. would like to send a modification to that language truly is not necessary I thank the distinguished senior Sen- the desk, if possible. because we have language in the bill ator from New Hampshire for coming The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there that says it can be used for the purpose down here and pointing these things objection? The Senator from Vermont. of limiting access on the borders. out. He and I worked hard to get a bi- Mr. LEAHY. I will have to object. I There is an ongoing, good-faith ef- partisan bill that reflects the best in- object. fort, as I understand it, by the Govern- terests of the United States no matter The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- ment of Egypt to police those borders, who the administration might be. tion is heard. using our resources to some degree. Madam President, I yield the floor. Mr. BUNNING. Then I will speak on Further, Egypt has worked very hard Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask the original amendment No. 665. to be an ally to us in the region. It is unanimous consent that at 5:30 p.m. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- one of our key allies in the sense that today the Senate proceed to vote in re- ator from Kentucky. Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, we it has always been reasonably sup- lation to the following amendments in have had sanctions against Iran on our portive of what we have tried to do. I the order listed; provided that prior to books since 1987. They, along with think we have a responsibility to be each vote, there be 2 minutes of debate other multilateral efforts, have served equally supportive of them when they equally divided and controlled in the to put a financial chokehold on Iran’s make a legitimate request, which is usual form; that after the first vote, rogue behavior. Now is the time to en- that we not be overly officious in di- the vote time be limited to 10 minutes force these sanctions and deny Iran the recting them under this language. each, with provisions of the previous The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- financial capital it needs to fund its order regarding intervening amend- ator from Vermont. nuclear proliferation and support for ments remaining in effect: McCain Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, the international terrorism. This is why I amendment No. 593, Kyl amendment senior Senator from New Hampshire is have offered an amendment requiring No. 630, Kyl amendment No. 631, Enzi correct on every one of the points he the State Department to provide Con- amendment No. 668. has made. He and I worked closely to- gress with the report of potential viola- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there gether on this so all of these issues we tions of existing Iranian sanctions objection? have been discussing came out of our under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. subcommittee with strong bipartisan Without objection, it is so ordered. Under the act, a company is found in support. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- violation of our sanctions if it invests Both of us were sensitive to a number ator from Kentucky. more than $20 million in 1 year in of things: One, we did not want money AMENDMENT NO. 665 Iran’s energy sector. Since enactment, going to Hamas; two, we wanted to Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I companies have invested more than $29 help Egypt because Egypt has, with call up Bunning amendment No. 665 billion in Iran’s energy sector. This some peril to itself, been cooperating and ask for its immediate consider- does not include the $70 billion in pend- with us. Obviously, we are committed ation. ing transactions that are known about,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6713 most of which are long-term contracts The Senator apparently believes that AMENDMENT NO. 593 to purchase Iranian gas and oil. putting items in the bill language of- Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I have As it stands, the State Department is fers better control over spending. The come to the floor today to discuss my not required to provide any type of re- opposite is true. When items are con- pending amendment which would pro- port to Congress or publish in the Fed- tained in bill language, the executive hibit funds to be spent on thousands of eral Registry a list of potential viola- branch is afforded less opportunity to earmarks that are listed in the state- tions of our sanctions against Iran. exercise management over use of the ment of managers but are not included Time and time again, I have asked the funds. For example, if the Congress ap- in the bill text. State Department for transparency on propriates $1 million for an item in bill Most Americans would say: Why this issue, as well as imposing some language, the funding can be used only don’t you have what you want to spend sort of timeline on ruling on pending for that purpose. Under current law, in the bill itself? So far, obviously, the investigations of existing sanctions. funds must be spent for the purpose for answer has been that this has just The State Department has no enforce- which the funds were appropriated un- grown and grown over the years, as able guidelines on these sanctions and, less the Congress has provided agencies earmarks have grown over the years. thus, gives them little or no teeth. As additional authority to transfer funds. And let me just also point out, there is it stands, pending investigations of While most agencies have some ability an attempt to say: Look, we have al- companies in violation of our sanctions to transfer funds, the rules are more ways done this. This has always been laws have gone on as long as 10 years. often restrictive. The only other re- the case. So we are just doing what we Furthermore, since enactment, there course an agency has is to propose the have always done. You know, the fact has only been one found violation of funding for rescission. is, Mr. President, we haven’t always the Iran Sanctions Act by a French The effect of this amendment would done this. The fact is this porkbarrel company. Through the use of a Presi- be to require that every item specified and earmark spending has grown and dential waiver, this violation was to- in bill language could not be altered grown and grown and grown over the tally waived. without either the use of authorized years. My amendment is in no way seeking transfer authority or the passage of a One of the people I admired most to change or remove this flexibility. It new law governing the use of funds. If when I served in the other body was a simply asks the State Department for a product is allocated $1 million in re- Congressman from Tennessee, Con- a report on pending violations of our port language but only costs $800,000 to gressman Natcher, who would not existing sanctions laws against Iran. complete, in most cases agencies are allow a single earmark in his appro- I have long said that the danger of a afforded some flexibility to reapply the priations bills, not a single one. He was nuclear Iran poses one of if not the remaining funds for other authorized proud of that, and he continued to get greatest threat to our national secu- purposes. However, once the items are reelected. I did a little research. It is a little rity. As this rogue nation continues to included in bill language, unless addi- hard to get the information, but up ignore three U.N. Security Council res- tional legal authority has been en- until the 1960s or the 1970s there was no olutions, the time for Congress to act acted, they cannot be allocated for an- such thing as earmarks. There was no is now. I ask my colleagues to join me other purpose. If a Government pro- such thing. Citizens Against Govern- and support the Bunning amendment. gram manager has an additional and ment Waste have tracked the growth of Now more than ever, we need to tight- unneeded $200,000 but which can only earmarks, and in 1991, according to en our economic chokehold on Iran. be used for that one purpose, what in- that organization, there were 546 ear- I ask for the yeas and nays in a time- centive does he or she have to make marks—546 earmarks in 1991. In this ly fashion. certain all the funds that are approved The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a bill, we have nearly 9,000. for spending are really necessary? The Now, that is how evil grows. That is sufficient second? unintended consequence of this amend- There appears to be a sufficient sec- what happens when this kind of activ- ment is to limit the ability of agencies ity continues to be allowed. There were ond. to adjust to changing circumstances, The yeas and nays were ordered. 546 earmarks. In 2008, there were 11,610 such as reduced costs or resolution of earmarks. That is an increase of 337 Mr. BUNNING. I yield the floor. environmental issues. This amendment The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- percent in 17 years. The numbers for needlessly ties the hands of agencies. fiscal 2009: with the three bills already ator from Hawaii. This amendment will not save fund- enacted, there were nearly 3,000, and AMENDMENT NO. 593 ing. If it were to be enacted, the Con- Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I this is another 9,000. gress would simply move items that I don’t enjoy bringing this up all the wish to speak on amendment No. 593, currently appear in report language to time, but the fact is, there is another an amendment submitted by the Sen- bill language. article this morning in RollCall with ator from Arizona. We shouldn’t see this amendment as the headline ‘‘Abramoff Case Keeps On This amendment limits the flexi- a way to reduce spending. It would bility of the executive branch. It has Going.’’ Quoting from the article, it probably necessitate the adding of an says: no impact on Government spending and additional 1,000 pages to the bill, but it will not add to congressional oversight. Disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff would not save a dime. may one day see an end to the scandal that It is an amendment which will serve no I am not sure what useful purpose he largely created—at least in his scheduled useful purpose to either the Congress this amendment is thought to have. Its release from prison in 2011—but the complex or the executive branch. enactment would limit the flexibility criminal investigation spurred by his activi- The amendment of the Senator from of our agencies to manage funds. The ties shows no sign of winding down any time Arizona states that no funds for con- amendment provides no additional con- soon. gressionally directed spending pro- gressional oversight of funding. It It talks about former Senate aides grams could be spent unless the items would have no impact on spending. Its who are either under indictment or in were included in bill language. The adoption would, however, force the prison or, according to this article, Senator seems to believe that the in- Senate to send the bill back to the going to be indicted. But that is what clusion of the items in bill language af- House, further delaying the passage of happens when you are able to put in an fords the Congress greater oversight this important legislation. Therefore, I earmark without anybody knowing over the items. This is not correct. The urge my colleagues to vote no on this about it, without any scrutiny, without Senate has the ability to review, de- amendment. any oversight, but directly related to bate, and vote in relation to any item, I yield the floor. the influence of the individual Member whether it is included in this measure The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. or staff member. as bill language or just identified in re- UDALL of Colorado). The Senator from You can’t make up these stories. You port language. Arizona. can’t make them up. We have various

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6714 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 staff members who became lobbyists, Great Depression, in the view of many have not received scrutiny nor author- and obviously, as we know, we have experts we are going to continue busi- ization nor what they deserve if we are former Members of Congress now resid- ness here as usual with 9,000 earmarks going to spend nearly $8 billion of the ing in Federal prison. So I come to my for things which certainly do not have taxpayers’ money. opposition to these earmarks because a priority for the American people at I would also like to respond to what it makes good people do bad things. A this time. So if the President really one of my colleagues said—little porky colleague from the other body, who was wants to change Washington, as soon projects. Another one said: Well, that a great American hero, ended up mak- as this bill reaches his desk he should is the way business is done. I would ing a list of the appropriations that he veto it and send it back and say: Clean argue that it is time to do business dif- would get and the money that he would it up. Clean it up. Then let’s fix the ferently. get in return, and now he resides in system, which is obviously badly bro- An article appeared in the Chicago Federal prison. ken. Tribune today entitled ‘‘Some Odor.’’ May I also say we continue to hear I would remind my colleagues that The article said: that the President will do something back in January of 2007 we passed a The bill may still pass this week and if it about this. Last week Mr. Gibbs said pretty tough reform bill through the does, President Barack Obama is likely to we will see and hear the President out- Senate, and then 7 months later, I be- sign it. But maybe, with the benefit of a few line a process of dealing with this prob- lieve it was, we then finally passed a more days to digest how much this thing smacks of Washington business as usual, lem in a different way and that the much watered-down effort to bring in Democrats in Congress and the White House rules of the road going forward for the porkbarrel earmark spending under will feel some pangs of responsibility. those many appropriations bills that control. I ask unanimous consent to have In the last week or so, the Senator will go through Congress and come to printed in the RECORD this morning’s his desk will be done differently. There from Wisconsin and I have introduced Chicago Tribune article entitled is an easy way of doing that, Mr. Presi- legislation which we call a line-item ‘‘Some Odor,’’ along with the Wash- dent. Just authorize them. Just send veto, which is more understandable ington Post editorial this morning en- these requests through the authorizing but, frankly, is really an enhanced re- titled ‘‘Truck Stop.’’ committees and have them authorized scission. The President would issue a There being no objection, the mate- and you will never see the Senator rescission and then the Congress would rial was ordered to be printed in the from Arizona on the Senate floor again have to vote in order for it to take RECORD, as follows: complaining about earmarks because place. [From the Chicago Tribune, Mar. 9. 2009] There is another aspect of this, be- then they will have done what we did SOME ODOR cause I see my colleague from Alabama for most of this Nation’s history, and Democrats were pushing full speed ahead that is to authorize projects and then is here: policy changes. Policy changes last week for the $410 billion bill to finance have the appropriators fund the have been enacted in an appropriations the government for the rest of the year. projects. It is the way that the Con- bill. Appropriations, as is the title, is That’s the one that increases discretionary gress should do business and the way funding for the Government. So what spending by 8 percent and is loaded with 8,570 we have gotten away from in recent have we done? We have made changes earmarks worth $7.7 billion. It’s the one the years. in health care in both the stimulus White House has dismissed as ‘‘last year’s So I say to the President, if you real- package and in the omnibus bill; wel- business.’’ But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ly want to see something different, fare changes, a number of changes that had to acknowledge Thursday night that he veto this bill. Just simply veto this bill have been made in Government policy. couldn’t rustle up enough votes to break a and say: I am sending it back to you. There are several provisions that would Republican filibuster. He had to pull the bill. Authorize those earmarks, don’t put weaken U.S. sanctions against the Cas- And suddenly, $1.7 million to study pig them in, all 9,000 of them. tro regime in Cuba. That is a legiti- odor was in jeopardy. New Orleans might not I don’t know if they are good or bad mate subject of debate. Why should it get $6.6 million to study termites. New York projects. I continuously see Members be put in an appropriations bill? The could have to forgo $2.1 million to study DC school vouchers, why should the grape genetics. California might have to come to the floor on both sides of the struggle without $200,000 for gang tattoo re- aisle saying: This is a good project. vouchers for the District of Columbia moval. Arkansas? No $1.75 million for a fish This is a good project. schools, which provide financial assist- hatchery visitors center. Texas? It could still As you know, Mr. President, we are ance to 1,800 students in the District of study honeybees, but without $1.7 million in twittering over the top 10 every day— Columbia who want to attend private federal money to do it. the top 10—and the responses we get elementary and secondary schools, why All are earmarks in this spending bill. are from local authorities to Members should that policy be changed under The bill may still pass this week and if it does, President Barack Obama is likely to of Congress saying: This is a good, this bill? sign it. But maybe, with the benefit of a few worthwhile project. Fine, get it author- NAFTA and trucking—you can argue more days to digest how much this thing ized. Get it authorized and you will not whether we should allow Mexican smacks of Washington business as usual, hear a word of criticism from me. trucks into the United States of Amer- Democrats in Congress and the White House Here we are, unemployment at 8.1 ica or not. It was part of the North will feel some pangs of responsibility. percent in February, the highest since American Free Trade Agreement many late 1983—when we didn’t do earmarks, years ago. You could have that debate. [From the Washington Post, Mar. 6, 2009] 25 years ago—and employers having cut But how can you rationalize a process TRUCK STOP: CONGRESS FLASHES A YELLOW another 65,000 jobs. The Labor Depart- that puts it into what is supposed to be LIGHT ON FREE TRADE WITH MEXICO ment also reported that job losses in an appropriations bill without debate PRESIDENT OBAMA seems to have re- solved, for now, an incipient dispute with December were the biggest monthly de- or anything else? Canada over ‘‘Buy American’’ rules in the cline in jobs since October 1949. So we We need to end this earmarking prac- stimulus package. The law would have hurt are going to spend $1.7 million for pig tice. We don’t have the votes probably. Canadian steel exports to the United States, odor research—that has been bandied I can count fairly well, not as well as but, at the White House’s insistence, Con- about a lot—and $6.6 million for ter- some, but I can count fairly well. But gress appended language that blunted the mite research, $1.9 million for the I can tell you that this week’s debate worst protectionist consequences. Now, how- Pleasure Beach Water Taxi Service has aroused a lot of Americans. We ever, Congress has turned on Mexico, the Project in Connecticut, $951,000 for have heard from them. We have heard United States’ other partner in the North from them. They voted for change. American Free Trade Agreement. A $410 bil- Sustainable Las Vegas. And the list lion omnibus spending bill contains a provi- goes on and on. I have talked about They voted for change, and they are sion that would pretty much kill any chance many of them. not getting change. They are getting that long-haul freight trucks from Mexico The message is this: As we are in the business as usual. They are getting could operate in the United States, as had most dire economic times since the 9,000 porkbarrel earmark projects that been promised under NAFTA.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6715 Economically, giving U.S. and Mexican mentioned in the statement of man- SEC X. PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF FUNDS. trucks reciprocal access to each other’s mar- agers but not included in the statutory None of the funds in this Act may be used kets makes a lot of sense. Currently, Mexi- bill language. But the money would be for any project listed in the statement of can rigs can drive in only a small zone on the appropriated and available to be spent managers [joint explanatory statement] that U.S. side of the border, where they must off- is not listed and specifically provided for in load their goods onto U.S. trucks. The proc- as the executive branch sees fit. So this Act. ess wastes time, money and fuel, harming voting for this amendment thinking it No Senate action has occurred on this the U.S. environment and raising the cost of will reduce spending would be a vote amendment. Mexican goods to U.S. consumers. Yet access cast on a false assumption. Total spending provided in the Omnibus for Mexican trucks has been bitterly resisted I ask unanimous consent to have Appropriations Act, 2009, generally equals by U.S. interests, most notably the Team- printed in the RECORD a memo to me the sum of numerous separate appropriations sters union—which claims that poorly regu- by the Congressional Research Service. and obligation limitations as well as rescis- lated trucks from south of the border would Part of that memo reads that prohib- sions. The funding levels are provided in the be a menace on U.S. highways. text of the measure for individual accounts In an effort to disprove that, the Bush ad- iting the use of funds for ‘‘ projects re- and would have statutory effect. The House ministration promoted a pilot project under ferred to in the McCain amendment and Senate Appropriations Committees pro- which Mexican trucks, screened by U.S. per- number 593 would not have the effect of vided more detailed instructions to agencies sonnel, could operate freely within the reducing the spending provided in the in a ‘‘joint explanatory statement’’ accom- United States. The Mexican trucks compiled measure.’’ This is also true for the panying the bill. For example, the commit- a safety record comparable to that of Amer- amendment which had been offered by tees provided direction allocating funds ican rigs. Mexican participation was limited, within certain accounts for a variety of ac- however, because of the political uncer- the Senator from Oklahoma, Senate amendment No. 610. According to Con- tivities and projects. Such statements do not tainty. And safety was always a smokescreen have any statutory effect and as a result, do for the Teamsters’ real concern—economic gressional Research Service, ‘‘[t]he not reduce spending provided in the accom- turf—anyway. Now the Democratic majority funds that might have been set aside panying bill. An amendment that would pro- on the Hill has slipped into the omnibus bill for these projects could not be used to hibit the use of funds for projects identified a provision killing the program. The provi- fund the projects, but would be avail- solely in a joint explanatory statement (in- sion seems certain to survive, given that the able for other activities funded within cluding the 11 projects listed in S. Amdt. 610 president supported such a measure when he the pertinent account.’’ and the projects referred to in S. Amdt. 593) was a senator; his transportation secretary, There being no objection, the mate- would not have the effect of reducing the Ray LaHood, backed it as a member of the rial was ordered to be printed in the spending provided in the measure. The funds House. that might have been set aside for these RECORD, as follows: When the U.S. economy needs all the help projects could not be used to fund the it can get, this legislation perpetuates ineffi- CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE, projects, but would be available for other ac- ciency and invites Mexican retaliation Washington, DC, March 9, 2009. tivities funded within the pertinent account. against U.S. exports. To a world looking for MEMORANDUM If the provisions included in S. Amdt. 610 signs that Democratic rule in Washington To: Honorable Carl Levin, Attention: Jack and/or S. Amdt. 593 become law, they would would not mean revived protectionism, this not have a direct effect on the spending pro- can only be a disappointment. Danielson From: Sandy Streeter, 7–8653, Analyst on the vided in the Omnibus Appropriations Act, Mr. MCCAIN. The Washington Post Congress and Legislative Process 2009. article I just referred to states: Subject: Spending Effect of Two Specified If I can be of further assistance, please con- When the U.S. economy needs all the help Senate Amendments tact me. it can get, this legislation perpetuates ineffi- This memorandum responds to your re- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. ciency and invites Mexican retaliation quest for the spending effect of S. Amdt. 610 SHAHEEN). The Senator from Alabama. against U.S. exports. To a world looking for and S. Amdt. 593 to the Omnibus Appropria- AMENDMENT NO. 604 signs that Democratic rule in Washington tions Act, 2009 (H.R. 1105). would not mean revived protectionism, this The texts of the two amendments are pro- Mr. SESSIONS. Madam President, I can only be a disappointment. vided below. Senate amendment 610 stated: ask unanimous consent to call up So I object to this legislation on At the appropriate place, insert the fol- amendment No. 604, the E-Verify grounds that there are fundamental lowing: amendment. I believe it has been Sec. . Notwithstanding any other provi- policy changes which should be debated agreed to by the leaders. sion of this Act, none of the funds made The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and be the subject of separate legisla- available under this Act may be obligated or tion. I also object to the 9,000 earmarks otherwise expended for any congressionally objection, it is so ordered. that are in this legislation, which directed spending item for— The clerk will report the amendment. sends the message to the American (1) the Pleasure Beach Water Taxi Service The legislative clerk read as follows: people that we are doing business as Project of Connecticut; The Senator from Alabama [Mr. SESSIONS] usual. (2) the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy of proposes an amendment numbered 604. Michigan; I am encouraged to continue to hear Mr. SESSIONS. Madam President, I the news that the President will issue (3) the Polynesian Voyaging Society of Ha- waii; ask unanimous consent that the read- rescissions. He will say we are not (4) the American Lighthouse Foundation of ing of the amendment be dispensed going to do business like this anymore. Maine; with. Well, the best way that the President (5) the commemoration of the 150th anni- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without can send the message is, after we pass versary of John Brown’s raid on the arsenal objection, it is so ordered. this legislation, to veto it and send it at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in The amendment is as follows: back and ask for clean legislation. West Virginia; (6) the Orange County Great Park Corpora- (Purpose: To extend the pilot program for I urge my colleagues to vote for my employment eligibility confirmation es- amendment, which separates this 1,844 tion in California; (7) odor and manure management research tablished in title IV of the Illegal Immi- pages, which was supposed to be origi- in Iowa; gration Reform and Immigrant Responsi- nally just a statement of the managers (8) tattoo removal in California; bility Act of 1996 for 6 years) but is now full of thousands of earmark (9) the California National Historic Trail On page 1121, line 5, strike ‘‘143, 144,’’ and projects, and at least not have those Interpretive Center in Nevada; insert ‘‘144’’. have the force of law. (10) the Iowa Department of Education for On page 1121, between lines 10 and 11, insert I yield the floor. the Harkin grant program; and the following Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, there are (11) the construction of recreation and fair- SEC. 102. Section 143 of division A of the many reasons to oppose the amend- grounds in Kotzebue, Alaska. Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, ment offered by the Senator from Ari- On March 4, 2009, the Senate rejected the and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 amendment by a vote of 34–61. (Public Law 110-329; 122 Stat. 3580) is amend- zona, but a principal reason is that pas- Senate amendment 593 would have a broad- ed by striking ‘‘shall’’ and all that follows sage would not reduce Federal spending er impact; it states: through the end and inserting ‘‘is amended by one dollar. The amendment would At the appropriate place, insert the fol- by striking ‘11-year’ and inserting ‘17- prohibit spending on specific programs lowing: year’.’’.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6716 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 Mr. SESSIONS. Madam President, employers should do is take the 2 min- of Labor Statistics reported that the when we recently worked on the stim- utes it takes to use E-Verify and deter- unemployment rate in February ulus package, I attempted, on three dif- mine whether a job applicant is legally jumped to 8.1 percent, 651,000 jobs lost ferent occasions, to get a vote on my authorized to work in the country. in January, which equates to roughly amendment which incorporated E- Short-term extensions, such as the 6 12 million workers without jobs. This is Verify provisions that were included in month extension included in the under- the highest unemployment rate since the House version of the bill. I was ex- lying bill, are not the right way to go. the mid 1980s. tremely disappointed that all of my at- It is baffling to me that we would go Immigration by illegal immigrants tempts were blocked by Democrats. through the process of wanting to ex- and other poorly educated aliens has The provisions I refer to were both tend this program for 6 months. Why 6 had a depressing effect on the standard unanimously accepted without a vote months? If you are committed to it, if of living of lower skilled American by the House Appropriations Com- you understand, as almost every top of- workers. This is a matter of very little mittee. The provision that extended ficial who has dealt with it under- dispute. The U.S. Commission on Im- the E-Verify Program for another 4 stands, the E-Verify central component migration Reform, chaired by the late years had, in addition to being included of creating a lawful system of immi- civil rights pioneer Barbara Jordan, in the House-passed stimulus bill, over- gration, a short term extension is sim- found that immigration of unskilled whelmingly passed the House last July ply unsatisfactory. E-Verify is a cen- immigrants ‘‘comes at a cost to U.S. by a vote of 407 to 2. tral component of eliminating the jobs workers.’’ The E-Verify system is the system magnet that draws people into our The Center for Immigration Studies that about 2,000 businesses a week are country illegally. has estimated that such immigration voluntarily signing up to use. Over E-Verify is an on-line system oper- has reduced the wage of average na- 112,000 businesses are now using it vol- ated by the Department of Homeland tive-born workers in a low-skilled oc- untarily. They simply check a person’s Security and the Social Security Ad- cupation by 12 percent or almost $2,000 Social Security number when they ministration. Participating employers annually. Is there any doubt about make employment applications to can check the work status of new hires that? I do not think so. verify they are lawfully in the country, on line by comparing information from In addition, Harvard economist and not here illegally. their I–9 form against the Social Secu- George Borjas, himself a Cuban ref- The main purpose of the stimulus rity Administration and DHS data- ugee, an immigrant who came here as a package was to put Americans back to bases. It is free and voluntary. It is the young man, has estimated that immi- work. It is common sense, therefore, to best means available for determining gration in recent decades has reduced include a simple requirement that the employment eligibility of new hires. wages of native-born workers with a people hired to fill stimulus-related According to Homeland Security, 96 high school degree by 8.2 percent. jobs be lawful American citizens or percent of employees are cleared auto- It also takes jobs. A report in today’s residents. They could be here lawfully matically, and growth continues USA Today cites to studies by the Her- and obtain a job, whether through as a throughout the country voluntarily by itage Foundation and the Center for green card or otherwise. The actions of businesses. As of February 2 of this Immigration Studies which found that the majority in blocking that amend- year, there have been over 2 million in- according to their estimate, out of the ment seems to be a clear signal that quiries run. In 2008, there were more 2.5 million jobs projected to be created they are indifferent to the utilization than 6 million inquiries run. So we can by the stimulus plan, 300,000 would be of American tax money to hire people see that those numbers are going up going to people illegally here. That is who are unlawfully in the country and exponentially, since more than one- approximately 15 percent. indifferent to the fact that would deny third of the number of inquiries made Doris Meissner, in February of this an American citizen that job. last year were already made from Jan- year, former head of the INS under So I tried to offer the amendment uary 1 through February 2 of this year. President Clinton, said this. that incorporated both the House pro- An employer who verifies work au- ‘‘Mandatory,’’ this amendment does vision to the Senate bill. But it was thorization under the E-Verify system not make anything mandatory, but she blocked. That was interesting, because will have established a rebuttable pre- said: the House had it in their bill, we did sumption that it did not knowingly Mandatory employer verification must be not have it in ours. We could not get a hire an unauthorized alien. In other at the center of legislation to combat illegal vote on it. Had we had a vote on it, I words, if law enforcement says you ille- immigration . . . the E-Verify system pro- am certain it would have passed. But gally hired someone knowing they were vides a valuable tool for employers who are trying to comply with the law. E-Verify also we did not get a vote on it. illegal and wants to prosecute, compa- provides an opportunity to determine the When they went to conference, it was nies using E-Verify have a defense. best electronic means to implement not in the Senate bill, but it was in the That is one of the reasons people like verification requirements. The Administra- House bill. So one side or the other had to use it. tion should support reauthorization of E- to give. So what happened? The House I was most disappointed to learn that Verify and expand the program . . . gave. Speaker PELOSI and her team on January 28 of this year, President This is an expert in this. She knows gave in and they took the language Obama pushed back the implementa- that E-Verify is the cornerstone of the out. tion of Executive Order 12989 which entire effort to clear a lawful system of So I did not think that was good. I would require all Federal contractors immigration. am pleased now that at least we will and subcontractors to use E-Verify. It Mr. Alexander Aleinikoff, the Clinton get a vote, apparently, on that portion was supposed to take effect on Feb- administration INS official and Presi- of the amendment that would reau- ruary 20, but now it has been pushed dent Obama’s transition team member, thorize the E-Verify Program for an back to May 21. called it a ‘‘myth’’ that ‘‘there is little additional 5 years. I will be introducing Congress needs to act on this. My or no competition between undocu- soon a bill to make the E-Verify sys- amendment that I called up today only mented workers and American work- tem permanent and make it mandatory incorporates one part of what we need ers.’’ for contractors who get contracts with to do, that is, a short 5-year extension. It is a myth. Of course it does. Of the U.S. Government, get money from Though I do plan to offer the other pro- course it pulls down the wages of lower the U.S. taxpayers. Every one of them visions at some point later, it is imper- hard-working American citizens. They should be using this program. In fact, ative that we reauthorize this success- are competition. it should have been law already. That ful program which is currently set to Even the distinguished majority would include the TARP spending or expire when the CR runs. leader, Senator REID, has indicated he other bills we are passing that spend It is important, particularly because supports the program. In a time of in- taxpayers’ money. At a minimum what of the economic downturn. The Bureau creased unemployment, our focus

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6717 should be on creating jobs for Amer- The PRESIDING OFFICER. One The Enzi amendment seeks to stop ican citizens. It is critical that we ex- minute remains prior to the debate on the ramp down approach and impose tend the E-Verify Program in order to the McCain amendment. draconian cuts when our cities simply protect American jobs and to create a AMENDMENT NO. 668 cannot afford to keep up. system we can be proud of. Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I re- I urge my colleagues to agree to the Some critics have argued, the pro- alize time is of the essence, so I will modest adjustment included in the un- gram is too cumbersome and costly. simply say I wish to oppose amend- derlying bill and vote no on the Enzi But in a recent letter to the Wall ment No. 668, which was submitted by amendment. Street Journal, Mark Powell, a human Senator ENZI, which would strip a hold- I yield the floor and I suggest the ab- resources officer executive for a For- harmless provision enacted last year in sence of a quorum. tune 500 company, wrote this: the Ryan White Act, an act we passed The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The E-Verify program is free, only takes a several years ago to combat the spread clerk will call the roll. few minutes, and is less work than a car of HIV/AIDS. It is an amendment that The legislative clerk proceeded to dealership would do in checking a credit call the roll. score. will cause some problems to the cities that are helping in this fight, and I Mr. INOUYE. I ask unanimous con- Well, that is correct. How else can hope my colleagues will oppose this sent that the order for the quorum call you explain so many employers signing be rescinded. up voluntarily. Recent improvements amendment. In 2006, the Ryan White Care Act pro- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without have also made the system more accu- grams were reauthorized, enacting objection, it is so ordered. rate. The USCIS has begun to incor- some dramatic shifts in the formula by porate Department of State passport AMENDMENT NO. 593 information into the E-Verify program. which funds are disbursed to munici- The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is This allows the system to check pass- palities. Without increased funding, now 2 minutes equally divided prior to port numbers for citizens providing a some cities were slated to have more a vote on amendment No. 593, offered U.S. passport as Form I–9. Addition- than 25 percent of their funding cut. by the Senator from Arizona, Mr. ally, foreign born workers who receive To reduce the impact of these ex- MCCAIN. a tentative nonconfirmation can now treme cuts, the Labor HHS Appropria- Mr. INOUYE. I yield back the re- directly call USCIS instead of visiting tions bill has included provisions since mainder of my time and ask for the a Social Security Administration office 2006 that accomplish two things. yeas and nays. to resolve the case. Both of these meas- First, the bill has provided increases The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ures are steps toward greater accuracy in the formula funds to offset the cuts. objection, it is so ordered. Second, the bill included language in by eliminating any unforeseen delays Is there a sufficient second? Part A providing a fully funded partial in this system. There appears to be. I will conclude by saying I hope our hold-harmless account. The question is on agreeing to the As the formula funding is increased colleagues will consider this amend- amendment. every year, the funding needed for the ment and will all vote for it. It would The clerk will call the roll. hold harmless is decreased. The fiscal represent, in my view, a statement The legislative clerk called the roll. year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill that the fundamental electronic sys- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the ensures that no municipality receives tem that will help businesses, particu- Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. KEN- more than a 6.3 percent cut from fiscal larly those that are doing business NEDY) is necessarily absent. year 2006 funding levels. with the Government, to ensure the ap- Mr. KYL. The following Senators are The fiscal year 2009 Omnibus Appro- plicant who applies with them for a job necessarily absent: the Senator from priations bill includes a $35 million in- is lawfully in the country. That system Utah (Mr. BENNETT), the Senator from crease for Part A grants, of which $10.8 would continue, and it would give en- Texas (Mrs. HUTCHISON), and the Sen- million is used specifically to hold cit- couragement for other businesses to ator from Nebraska (Mr. JOHANNS). ies to no more than a 6.3 percent cut in voluntarily sign up for the program. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there their funding level. There are 12 States that have made it any other Senators in the Chamber de- mandatory. I think this is a good The remaining $25 million is used to increase the formula allotments as the siring to vote? amendment. My amendment is not as The result was announced—yeas 32, far as we should go; it simply reauthor- second part of efforts to reduce the im- pact of the authorized shift in the for- nays 63, as follows: izes the program. It is time to do that. [Rollcall Vote No. 86 Leg.] I believe our colleagues are prepared to mula. YEAS—32 vote for it. I certainly hope so. I think The Enzi amendment seeks to stop it would send a very bad message were the efforts to soften the blow to those Barrasso DeMint Lugar Bayh Ensign Martinez we not to do so. geographical regions negatively im- pacted from the authorized shift in for- Brownback Enzi McCain We need to make it clear this Bunning Feingold McCaskill foundational system will be continued mula. Burr Graham McConnell When the reauthorization was de- Cantwell Grassley Risch and will remain a part of our enforce- Chambliss Gregg ment mechanism and we will continue bated, the best information out there Sessions Coburn Hatch Thune was that there were 40,000 new cases of Corker Inhofe to enhance it, improve it in the years Vitter HIV per year in the U.S. Cornyn Isakson to come. Voinovich I would note, of course, if someone In 2007, just after that reauthoriza- Crapo Kyl shows up as not being lawful, and they tion passed, we learned that number is NAYS—63 cannot be hired, we do not have inves- really more than 56,000. Between 2004 Akaka Conrad Leahy tigators or police or arrest warrants or and 2007, we saw a 15 percent increase Alexander Dodd Levin jail for them. The employer simply de- in HIV diagnoses. We knew none of this Baucus Dorgan Lieberman when the reauthorization passed. Begich Durbin Lincoln nies their employment eligibility; they Bennet Feinstein Menendez are not hired. That is not too much to With this many new infections hap- Bingaman Gillibrand Merkley ask. I think it is the right thing. It is pening, we cannot afford to cut HIV Bond Hagan Mikulski treatment funding to any one area so Boxer Harkin Murkowski good policy. Brown Inouye Murray I urge my colleagues to support it. drastically. Burris Johnson Nelson (FL) I yield the floor. We are not overriding the formula. Byrd Kaufman Nelson (NE) The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- All we are doing is ramping down the Cardin Kerry Pryor funding gradually. As the formula Carper Klobuchar Reed ator from Hawaii is recognized. Casey Kohl Reid Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, how funding increases, the need for the hold Cochran Landrieu Roberts much time remains? harmless decreases. Collins Lautenberg Rockefeller

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6718 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 Sanders Specter Warner The question is on agreeing to the Palestinian Authority and not to Schumer Stabenow Webb Shaheen Tester Whitehouse amendment. Hamas or other terrorists. Shelby Udall (CO) Wicker The clerk will call the roll. The problem is, according to a State Snowe Udall (NM) Wyden The assistant legislative clerk called Department spokesman, other parts of NOT VOTING—4 the roll. the money are going to go to NGOs and Bennett Johanns Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the through the U.N. including potentially Hutchison Kennedy Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. KEN- to a bank in Syria, which launders The amendment (No. 593) was re- NEDY) is necessarily absent. money to get to Hamas. jected. Mr. KYL. The following Senators are The point of this amendment is to Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I necessarily absent: the Senator from provide that the Secretary certify that move to reconsider the vote. Utah (Mr. BENNETT), the Senator from none of this money goes to Hamas, Mr. MENENDEZ. I move to lay that Texas (Mrs. HUTCHISON), and the Sen- whether it is through the Palestinian motion on the table. ator from Nebraska (Mr. JOHANNS). Authority or the U.N. or these NGOs. The motion to lay on the table was The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. WAR- This amendment is necessary to pro- agreed to. NER). Are there any other Senators in tect American taxpayer money from the Chamber desiring to vote? getting to terrorist organizations such AMENDMENT NO. 630 The result was announced—yeas 34, as Hamas. The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is nays 61, as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- now 2 minutes equally divided prior to [Rollcall Vote No. 87 Leg.] ator from Vermont is recognized. a vote on amendment No. 630, offered YEAS—34 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am in by the Senator from Arizona, Mr. KYL. complete agreement with the Senator Mr. KYL. Colleagues, this amend- Alexander Ensign Murkowski Barrasso Enzi Nelson (NE) from Arizona that no money should be ment is very simple. It simply calls for Bayh Feingold Risch diverted to Hamas. That is why the a study by the Secretary of State and Brownback Graham Roberts omnibus bill already does that. When the DNI about whether additional U.S. Bunning Grassley Sessions Senator GREGG and I wrote this bill we taxpayer support out of the annual ap- Burr Hatch Shelby Chambliss Inhofe included specific provisions. Section propriation for Egypt would aid in Snowe Coburn Isakson Specter 7040(f) of the bill prohibits funding to Collins Kyl stopping smuggling activity from the Thune Cornyn Martinez Hamas, to any entity effectively con- Sinai into Gaza. Vitter Crapo McCain trolled by Hamas, or to any power- Egypt has been helpful to the United DeMint McConnell sharing government. States but much more could be done. I NAYS—61 When it comes to what the State De- put in the RECORD during my earlier remarks articles that demonstrate the Akaka Gillibrand Murray partment might do, the State Depart- Baucus Gregg degree to which Egypt is not helping. I Nelson (FL) ment lawyers have said they would not Begich Hagan Pryor do anything differently if the Kyl think, therefore, those who argue this Bennet Harkin Reed amendment were adopted, because laws is a slap in the face at Egypt miss the Bingaman Inouye Reid Bond Johnson Rockefeller that protect against the diversion of point. Egypt has been recognized for its Boxer Kaufman support, but it can do much more, and Sanders funds to Hamas are already in the bill. Brown Kerry Schumer Burris Klobuchar You can vote against the Kyl amend- a mere study asking to identify what Shaheen Byrd Kohl ment and still be on record as voting else it could do would be very appro- Stabenow Cantwell Landrieu for blocking funds to Hamas. Nobody in priate when we are talking about Tester Cardin Lautenberg this body, Republican or Democrat, spending U.S. taxpayer dollars. Carper Leahy Udall (CO) Casey Levin Udall (NM) wants any funds to go to Hamas. This The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Voinovich ator from Vermont. Cochran Lieberman is an unnecessary amendment. I oppose Conrad Lincoln Warner it. Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, this Corker Lugar Webb amendment is unnecessary. As the sen- Dodd McCaskill Whitehouse Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I ask for the ior Senator from New Hampshire and I Dorgan Menendez Wicker yeas and nays. Durbin Merkley Wyden The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a both said on the floor this afternoon, Feinstein Mikulski the omnibus bill already explicitly au- sufficient second? thorizes the use of foreign military fi- NOT VOTING—4 There is a sufficient second. nancing assistance to Egypt for border Bennett Johanns The question is on agreeing to the Hutchison Kennedy security programs and activities in the amendment. Sinai. Senator GREGG and I put that The amendment (No. 630) was re- The clerk will call the roll. language in to help them police the jected. The legislative clerk called the roll. border and reduce the smuggling into AMENDMENT NO. 631 Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Gaza. Egypt is cooperating with Israel The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. KEN- and the United States to do this. If we 2 minutes of debate, equally divided, NEDY) is necessarily absent. were to pass this it would be seen in prior to a vote on amendment No. 631, Mr. KYL. The following Senators are Egypt as though we do not acknowl- offered by the Senator from Arizona, necessarily absent: the Senator from edge their cooperation, it would be Mr. KYL. Utah (Mr. BENNETT), the Senator from seen as publicly shaming Egypt. The Senator from Arizona is recog- Texas (Mrs. HUTCHISON), and the Sen- Senators can vote against the Kyl nized. ator from Nebraska (Mr. JOHANNS). amendment and still be on record sup- Mr. KYL. Mr. President, this amend- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there porting additional funds to stop smug- ment deals with $300 million in this bill any other Senators in the Chamber de- gling into Gaza. That is already in the that Secretary of State Clinton an- siring to vote? omnibus bill. This is an unnecessary nounced at the donors conference at The result was announced—yeas 39, roiling of the waters. Both Senator Sharm el-Sheikh would go to support nays 56, as follows: GREGG and I said this afternoon that it efforts of the Palestinians in Gaza. [Rollcall Vote No. 88 Leg.] should be opposed. The point of the amendment is to YEAS—39 Madam President, I ask for the yeas keep the money out of the hands of Alexander Chambliss Enzi and nays. Hamas. Recognizing that this was im- Barrasso Coburn Feingold The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a portant, there is a section of the bill Bond Collins Graham sufficient second? that explicitly puts limitations on the Brownback Cornyn Grassley Bunning Crapo Hatch There appears to be a sufficient sec- money that flows to the Palestinian Burr DeMint Inhofe ond. Authority to make sure it goes to the Casey Ensign Isakson

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6719 Klobuchar Murkowski Shelby Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, when Harkin Lieberman Schumer Kyl Nelson (FL) Snowe the reauthorization of the Ryan White Inouye Lincoln Shaheen Lieberman Nelson (NE) Specter Johnson Menendez Stabenow Martinez Risch Thune legislation came through, the best sci- Kaufman Merkley Tester McCain Roberts Vitter entists who testified before us said Kerry Mikulski Udall (CO) McConnell Sessions Wicker there were about 40,000 new cases of Klobuchar Murray Udall (NM) Kohl Pryor NAYS—56 HIV in the United States. In 2007, just Warner Landrieu Reed Webb Akaka Feinstein Mikulski Lautenberg Reid after the reauthorization passed, the Whitehouse Baucus Gillibrand Murray Leahy Rockefeller number was more like 56,000. Wyden Bayh Gregg Pryor Levin Sanders Begich Hagan Between 2004 and 2007, we saw a 15- Reed NOT VOTING—4 Bennet Harkin Reid percent increase in HIV diagnoses. So Bingaman Inouye Rockefeller we put this formula in without know- Bennett Johanns Boxer Johnson Sanders ing this information. Some of the cit- Hutchison Kennedy Brown Kaufman Schumer Burris Kerry ies, such as San Francisco and New The amendment (No. 668) was re- Shaheen Byrd Kohl York—I know Senator DODD told me jected. Stabenow Cantwell Landrieu Tester about a couple cities in Connecticut Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I move Cardin Lautenberg to reconsider the vote. Carper Leahy Udall (CO) that will get up to a 25-percent cut in Cochran Levin Udall (NM) Ryan White. Mr. REID. I move to lay that motion Conrad Lincoln Voinovich What we did was we put in this bill a on the table. Corker Lugar Warner $35 million increase for Ryan White. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Dodd McCaskill Webb Dorgan Menendez Whitehouse Mr. President, $25 million goes for the objection, it is so ordered. Durbin Merkley Wyden Enzi formula. About $10.8 million goes AMENDMENT NO. 637 NOT VOTING—4 to help hold harmless those largest cit- Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I call Bennett Johanns ies that will be facing a 25-percent cut. up amendment No. 637 and ask for its Hutchison Kennedy We cannot afford to have these cities immediate consideration. The amendment (No. 631) was re- take that 25-percent cut. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there jected. If we want to go after the HIV/AIDS, objection to setting aside the pending Mr. INOUYE. I move to reconsider we have to go where the people are di- amendment? Without objection, it is so the vote, and I move to lay that mo- agnosed with HIV/AIDS. That is what ordered. tion on the table. this bill does. The clerk will report the amendment. The motion to lay on the table was I urge the defeat of the Enzi amend- The legislative clerk read as follows: agreed to. ment. The Senator from Wyoming [Mr. BAR- RASSO], for himself, and Mr. ENZI, proposes AMENDMENT NO. 668 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The an amendment numbered 637. The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is question is on agreeing to the amend- now 2 minutes equally divided prior to ment. Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask a vote on amendment No. 668 offered by Mr. ENSIGN. I ask for the yeas and unanimous consent that the reading of the Senator from Wyoming, Mr. ENZI. nays. the amendment be dispensed with. Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, this amend- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ment is an issue of the fairness of HIV/ sufficient second? objection, it is so ordered. AIDS funding on which most of my col- There appears to be a sufficient sec- The amendment is as follows: leagues who were here last year voted ond. (Purpose: To remove the new application fee with me. With just those votes again, The clerk will call the roll. for a permit to drill) my amendment would be adopted. Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the On page 426, lines 18 through 22, strike ‘‘to be reduced’’ and all that follows through When we passed the last reauthoriza- Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. KEN- ‘‘each new application,’’. tion of Ryan White 3 years ago, we NEDY) is necessarily absent. changed the formula to follow the HIV/ Mr. KYL. The following Senators are Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I AIDS patients. We did not just keep in- necessarily absent: the Senator from would like to talk a minute, if I could, creasing the amounts the cities got. Utah (Mr. BENNETT), the Senator from on my amendment. The amount had to relate to HIV or Texas (Mrs. HUTCHISON), and the Sen- Imagine you run a small company, a AIDS patients who were still living. We ator from Nebraska (Mr. JOHANNS). small, independent oil-and-gas oper- even put in a hold harmless clause so The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are they ation in Wyoming, and you have about no one would lose more than 5 percent any other Senators in the Chamber de- a dozen people you employ—people who over the 3-year period. The reauthor- siring to vote? are getting good benefits, people who ization passed unanimously with the The result was announced—yeas 42, have health insurance, people who have House agreeing with our changes. nays 53, as follows: retirement benefits—and you are ap- plying for a permit to explore for en- This amendment does not affect Wyo- [Rollcall Vote No. 89 Leg.] ming, but I am sensitive as chairman ergy. As a result, people are going to be YEAS—42 of the committee when we passed the put to work, your business is going to reauthorization. The omnibus has a Alexander DeMint McConnell grow, and the economy of your commu- Barrasso Ensign Murkowski provision which, according to the GAO, Bond Enzi Nelson (FL) nity is going to prosper. only four States gain money. Of the $10 Brownback Graham Nelson (NE) Well, the success of your business million being redistributed, San Fran- Bunning Grassley Risch strategy relies on the Government, un- Burr Gregg Roberts fortunately. It relies on the Govern- cisco gets $6.7 million. New York, New Carper Hatch Sessions Jersey, Connecticut, and California are Chambliss Inhofe Shelby ment to process your application and the only States that gain. This is redis- Coburn Isakson Snowe to provide you with a response—is it tributed money, which means it is not Cochran Kyl Specter OK to explore or is it not OK? The law Collins Lugar Thune new money. This is money being taken Corker Martinez Vitter says the Government has to let you from those with an increasing problem Cornyn McCain Voinovich know in 30 days up or down, yes or no, to pay for those with a decreasing Crapo McCaskill Wicker is it OK. Well, you have 30 days to get problem. NAYS—53 geared up. You are waiting for your re- This language is an attempt to Akaka Brown Dodd sponse. change a formula for which most of my Baucus Burris Dorgan Now, Mr. President, when you put in colleagues voted. I ask my colleagues Bayh Byrd Durbin that application, you also had to send Begich Cantwell Feingold in $4,000—$4,000 for each well. So if you to vote for the amendment. Bennet Cardin Feinstein The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Bingaman Casey Gillibrand are applying to do 10, that is $40,000, ator from Iowa. Boxer Conrad Hagan but you know you are going to get your

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6720 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 response in 30 days. Well, the calendar more people to help process the per- vided and controlled in the usual fash- proceeds and the clock winds down and mits, then they could actually under- ion prior to a vote in relation to each; you begin checking your mail every stand there is some purpose in this fee, and that after the first vote in the se- day. Nothing arrives. Each day for 30 that it is being used to help with quence, remaining votes be limited to days you check your mail. Nothing. studying this, looking at this, getting 10 minutes each; that upon the disposi- You have called the agency but no per- more people to work through these tion of all remaining amendments, mit. They say they are deferring a de- 2,600 applications for permits, for there be 30 minutes of debate prior to a cision. Another 30 days passes. Noth- which they still have no answer. vote on the motion to invoke cloture ing. You wait another 90 days and still Unfortunately, that is still not the on H.R. 1105 that will be equally di- no permit. You have paid your $4,000 case. The fee doesn’t go to the Bureau vided and controlled between the lead- but no permit. of Land Management to reduce the per- ers or their designees, with the remain- Half a year has passed—as has hap- mit backlog. It doesn’t go to hire more ing provisions of the order of March 6, pened to many people in Wyoming— people to look at these permits, to say 2009, remaining in effect. and what do you have? Nothing. You if we should give them a yes or a no. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without have sent in $4,000, you have waited 6 At the very least, all of the revenue objection, it is so ordered. months, the Government has promised should be spent on reducing this permit Mr. REID. What this means is we will you an answer in 30 days, and you have backlog so that the Government can tomorrow debate all of the amend- nothing—not a yes, not a no, nothing. keep its word to let people know in 30 ments. I think there are seven left. A That is the situation that small busi- days yes or no, up or down. Instead, number of those may not be brought to ness owners in my State are facing this money is going into the Wash- a vote. After the debate is completed, every day. It is a sad state of affairs ington black hole. we will set a time to start voting, and when the Government can’t meet its So I urge my colleagues to support we will go right through the sequence own deadline. this amendment. We should not be re- as indicated in the unanimous consent Meanwhile, the backlog of these per- warding the inefficiency of Washington order. mits at the Bureau of Land Manage- and the way this Government is cur- It should work out very well. Every- ment continues to grow. As of Feb- rently working. one has had an opportunity to offer the ruary 14 of this year, in the field office Mr. President, I yield the floor. amendments they want that are on the in Buffalo, WY, Johnson County, the Mr. WARNER. Is there further debate list. Bureau of Land Management has over on the amendment? f 2,600 applications for permits that are If not, the question is on agreeing to still pending—2,609 permits still pend- the amendment. EXECUTIVE SESSION ing. For those applications in Buffalo, The amendment (No. 637) was re- jected. WY, Washington has collected $4,000 NOMINATION OF DAVID W. OGDEN per permit. That is over $10 million. Mr. REID. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote. TO BE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GEN- The energy producers in Wyoming con- ERAL tinue to wait for an answer. Mr. CARPER. I move to lay that mo- America’s independent producers tion on the table. Mr. REID. I now move to executive drill and manage 90 percent of Amer- The motion to lay and the table was session to consider Calendar No. 21, the ica’s wells. They produce 82 percent of agreed to. nomination of David Ogden to be Dep- America’s natural gas and 62 percent of PROJECT ATTRIBUTION CORRECTION uty Attorney General. American oil. There are approximately Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 5,000 of these independent producers in today to join with our chair, Senator question is on agreeing to the motion. the United States, and on average they MURRAY, in a colloquy to correct a The motion was agreed to. have about a dozen employees. These clerical error in the attribution table The clerk will report the nomination. are small businesses. These small busi- accompanying division I of H.R. 1105. The assistant legislative clerk read ness men and women create jobs in the Senator BARRASSO is listed as having the nomination of David W. Ogden, of United States. These folks are entre- requested the ‘‘Casper Civic Audito- Virginia, to be Deputy Attorney Gen- preneurs whose hard work and innova- rium’’ project under HUD Economic eral. tive skills are integral to meeting our Development Initiatives. My staff has CLOTURE MOTION Nation’s energy needs. confirmed that this project was not re- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I send a The fees to apply for a permit place quested by Senator BARRASSO and, as cloture motion to the desk. an especially heavy burden on small such, Senator BARRASSO’s name should The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- independent producers without any not be listed as a requestor. ture motion having been presented tangible benefit whatsoever. Congress Mrs. MURRAY. My colleague and under rule XXII, the clerk will report should be focused on promoting job subcommittee ranking member, Sen- the motion. growth not on imposing additional fees ator BOND, is correct. This resulted The assistant legislative clerk read on U.S. energy investment and produc- from a clerical error involving confu- as follows: tion. Unfortunately, the fee is just the sion between two different projects in CLOTURE MOTION beginning of what these independent the city of Casper. Senator BARRASSO We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- producers are facing. The administra- should not be listed as a sponsor of the ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the tion has already moved to restrict oil- Civic Auditorium project. Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move and-gas exploration and development Mr. BOND. I thank the chair for her to bring to a close debate on the nomination in the United States. The administra- assistance in this matter. of David W. Ogden, of Virginia, to be Deputy tion is proposing more fees, more Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- Attorney General. imous consent that on Tuesday, March Harry Reid, Patrick J. Leahy, Sheldon taxes, and more restrictions on these Whitehouse, Richard Durbin, Charles activities. None of this will make the 10, tomorrow, after the opening of the E. Schumer, Ron Wyden, Patty Mur- United States more energy inde- Senate, the Senate resume consider- ray, Amy Klobuchar, Debbie Stabenow, pendent. None of the administration’s ation of H.R. 1105; that the remaining Bernard Sanders, Russell D. Feingold, proposals will make the Federal Gov- amendments be considered, debated, Benjamin L. Cardin, Dianne Feinstein, ernment operate more efficiently. and that after all debate is concluded Daniel K. Akaka, Herb Kohl, Jon I have talked to a number of these on the remaining amendments, the Tester, Edward E. Kaufman. folks who are in this business, and they Senate then proceed to vote in relation Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent tell me if the money that was collected to the amendments in the sequence es- that the mandatory quorum be waived. from this application fee—this $4,000 tablished under a subsequent order, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without per permit—were actually used to hire with 2 minutes of debate equally di- objection, it is so ordered.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.000 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6721 Mr. REID. I regret that we need to The assistant legislative clerk read Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- file cloture on the nomination of David as follows: imous consent that the mandatory Ogden to be the Deputy Attorney Gen- CLOTURE MOTION quorum be waived. eral. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Mr. Ogden is eminently qualified for ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the objection, it is so ordered. this job. He is a graduate of Harvard Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move f Law School and clerked on the Su- to bring to a close debate on the nomination preme Court for Justice Harry Black- of Austan Dean Goolsbee, of Illinois, to be a LEGISLATIVE SESSION Member of the Council of Economic Advis- mun. During the Clinton Administra- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I now move tion, he served as the Assistant Attor- ers. Harry Reid, Christopher J. Dodd, Patrick that the Senate return to legislative ney General for the Civil Division and J. Leahy, Sherrod Brown, Byron L. session. as Chief of Staff to the Attorney Gen- Dorgan, Jack Reed, Jeff Merkley, Mi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without eral. He is currently a partner in a chael F. Bennet, Charles E. Schumer, objection, the motion is agreed to. major Washington law firm. Amy Klobuchar, Richard Durbin, Patty Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a His nomination was reported favor- Murray, John F. Kerry, Sheldon White- quorum. ably by the Judiciary Committee by a house, Ben Nelson, Jeff Bingaman, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Herb Kohl. vote of 14–5, with 3 Republicans includ- clerk will call the roll. ing Ranking Member SPECTER sup- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- The assistant legislative clerk pro- porting him. So there is little doubt imous that the mandatory quorum be ceeded to call the roll. cloture will be invoked and he will be waived. Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- confirmed. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without sent that the order for the quorum call As I understand it, the argument of objection, it is so ordered. be rescinded. those who oppose him is that he took f The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without positions on behalf of law firm clients objection, it is so ordered. that some members do not agree with. LEGISLATIVE SESSION In my view, that is an unfair basis for Mr. REID. Mr. President, I now move f opposing a nominee. that the Senate return to legislative MORNING BUSINESS In any event, it is unfortunate we session. Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- could not enter into a unanimous con- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without sent that the Senate proceed to a pe- sent agreement to debate the nomina- objection, the motion is agreed to. riod of morning business, with Sen- tion and have a simple up/down vote. f ators permitted to speak for up to 10 President Obama deserves to have his minutes each. advisors, especially members of his na- EXECUTIVE SESSION The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tional security team, in place as quick- objection, it is so ordered. ly as possible. If we are forced to file NOMINATION OF CECILIA ELENA cloture on nominees who are obviously f ROUSE TO BE A MEMBER OF going to be confirmed, we are wasting THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC AD- PRESIDENTIAL PROBLEM SOLVING up valuable time that should be used to VISERS address the pressing problems facing Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, in the nation. Mr. REID. I now move to executive the midst of much talk about biparti- sanship and not much to show for it, I f session to consider Calendar No. 16, the nomination of Cecilia Elena Rouse, of have a nomination for an issue upon LEGISLATIVE SESSION California, to be a member of the Coun- which we can work together, and that Mr. REID. I now move that the Sen- cil of Economic Advisers. is this: review the maze of conflicting ate return to legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without forms, FBI investigations, IRS audits, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the motion is agreed to. ethics requirements, and financial dis- objection, the motion is agreed to. The clerk will report the nomination. closures to make it possible for Presi- f The assistant legislative clerk read dent Obama and future Presidents to the nomination of Cecilia Elena Rouse, put together promptly a team to help EXECUTIVE SESSION of California, to be a member of the them solve big problems. Council of Economic Advisers. This is an urgent problem today be- NOMINATION OF AUSTAN DEAN CLOTURE MOTION cause during the worst banking crisis GOOLSBEE TO BE A MEMBER OF Mr. REID. I now send a cloture mo- since the Great Depression, the man in THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC AD- tion to the desk. charge of fixing the crisis, Treasury VISERS The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- Secretary Timothy Geithner, appar- ture motion having been filed pursuant ently is sitting in his office without Mr. REID. Mr. President, I now move to rule XXII, the clerk will report the much help, at least from any Obama to executive session to consider Cal- motion. Presidential appointees. endar No. 15, the nomination of Austan The assistant legislative clerk read According to news accounts, among Dean Goolsbee to be a member of the as follows: the key vacant positions at the Treas- Council of Economic Advisers. ury Department are the Assistant Sec- CLOTURE MOTION The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without retary for Tax Policy; the Deputy As- objection, the motion is agreed to. We, the undersigned Senators, in accord- sistant Secretary for Tax Policy; the ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the The clerk will report the nomination. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax The assistant legislative clerk read Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination Analysis; the Deputy Assistant Sec- the nomination of Austan Dean of Cecilia Elena Rouse, of California, to be a retary for Tax, Trade, and Tariff Pol- Goolsbee, of Illinois, to be a member of Member of the Council of Economic Advis- icy; and the Deputy Assistant Sec- the Council of Economic Advisers. ers. retary for International Tax Affairs. CLOTURE MOTION Harry Reid, Christopher J. Dodd, Patrick The first choice for Deputy Secretary Mr. REID. I now send a cloture peti- J. Leahy, Sherrod Brown, Byron L. of the Treasury appears to have with- tion to the desk. Dorgan, Jack Reed, Jeff Merkley, Mi- drawn her name from consideration. chael F. Bennet, Charles E. Schumer, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo- Amy Klobuchar, Richard Durbin, Patty Four months after the President’s ture motion having been presented Murray, John F. Kerry, Sheldon White- election, according to under rule XXII, the clerk will report house, Ben Nelson, Jeff Bingaman, TheBigMoney.com, the list of vacan- the motion. Herb Kohl. cies on the Treasury Department Web

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6722 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 site shows that ‘‘Main Treasury Build- disqualify every Presidential nominee ator from Connecticut. I suggest Sen- ing is a lonely place, conjuring up vi- for minor tax discrepancies that result ator LIEBERMAN and Senator COLLINS, sions of Geithner signing dollar bills from the complexity of our Byzantine who are the chairman and ranking one by one . . . , watering the plants, Tax Code, a Tax Code which has member of the committee with juris- and answering the phones when he’s reached 3.7 million words, according to diction over this mess and who have a not crafting a bank rescue plan.’’ a January report by the National Tax- tradition of working well together, Of course, there are the career em- payer Advocate, and which is badly in should set as a goal to clean it up by ployees available and at least one hold- need of reform. the end of the year. Invite all the over Assistant Secretary and various I suspect very few Americans with former White House counsels of both czars in the White House—but even one complex tax returns can go through a parties to give their opinions. Consoli- of the czars has expressed concern multiple-year audit without finding date and simplify the forms so we learn about the slow pace of filling Treasury something with which the IRS might only what we need to know. Department jobs at a critical time. disagree. To help with this, I suggest that Sen- Part of the problem may be attrib- Take the case of former Dallas mayor ators LIEBERMAN and COLLINS form one uted to the Treasury Secretary’s boss, Ron Kirk, President Obama’s nominee of those ‘‘gangs’’ that we occasionally our impressive new President, who is to be U.S. Trade Representative, who form in the Senate, maybe a dozen or nevertheless subject to the criticism headlines report paid back taxes pri- more Senators equally divided among that he is living over the store but not marily because he failed to list as in- both parties—some from the Homeland minding it. come—and then take a charitable de- Security and Governmental Affairs Presidents have many problems to duction on—speaking fees that he gave Committee and some not—in order to solve, but no one ever suggested that away to charity. Common sense sug- limit the possibility that everyone will the wisest course is to try to solve gests, and his tax preparer thought, run away from the final recommenda- them all at once. There is a tradition what Mr. Kirk did was appropriate. tions because they fear someone might that Washington, DC, can only do one After all, he did not keep the money. think Senators are not interested in thing well at a time. And Presidents The IRS apparently has a more con- ethical and good government. are supposed to exclude from the White voluted rule for dealing with such Good government right now means House the merely important issues so things. In any event, the matter is so fixing the banks and having the best they may deal with the truly Presi- trivial as to be irrelevant to his suit- possible team to do it. As a Washington dential problems, which surely must ability to be the trade nominee. Post editorial writer said yesterday of not include being distracted by debates Tax audits are only the beginning. the President: with radio talk show hosts. There is the FBI full field investigation As he convened his ‘‘health care summit’’ President Eisenhower, who knew during which friends of the nominee at the White House . . . the stock market something about leading complex orga- was hitting another 12-year low, General Mo- are asked such questions as: Does he tors was again teetering on the brink of in- nizations, said in 1952: ‘‘I will go to live beyond his means? solvency and the country was still waiting to Korea.’’ The country relaxed and elect- When I was nominated for Education hear the details of the Treasury’s proposal to ed him, confident that the general Secretary a few years ago, one of my bail out banks. would end the Korean war. friends replied to the FBI agent: Don’t Maybe we can make this grand bar- We need for President Obama to say we all? gain with our new President: If you in Eisenhower fashion ‘‘I will fix the There are Federal financial disclo- will keep your eye on the ball—in this banks’’—and then stay home long sures. Then there is the White House case, fixing the banks so the economy enough to do it. Then the country questionnaire, and, of course, the ques- will get moving again—we will work in might relax a little and gain some con- tions from the confirming Senate com- a bipartisan way to make it easier for fidence that this might actually hap- mittee. The definition of what con- you and for future Presidents to pen, which is the first step and perhaps stitutes ‘‘income’’ on some forms is dif- promptly assemble a team and govern the main step in economic recovery. ferent than the definition of ‘‘income’’ us properly. But the President needs a team at on others. It is easy to make a mis- f Treasury to help persuade the Amer- take. ican people that he can and will get the This is not as bad as it could be. We PRESIDENT OBAMA’S STEM CELL job done. have a Democratic President and a EXECUTIVE ORDER The President has brought on himself Democratic Congress with big majori- Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I wish to some of the difficulty of putting to- ties in both Chambers. So the nominees highlight the Executive order signed gether a team. In addition to having have gone through fairly quickly. But today by President Obama that will too many balls in the air at once, in when the Congress is of a different bring hope to millions of patients and my opinion, his standards for hiring party than the President, the congres- their loved ones and relief to scientists sometimes seem to have the effect of sional questionnaires expand and some- and researchers throughout the coun- disqualifying people who know some- times delay the nomination for more try. thing about the problem from being weeks. With this Executive order, President hired to solve the problem. Washington, DC, has become the only Obama has overturned the harmful re- But another part of the President’s place where you hire a lawyer, an ac- strictions on scientific discovery estab- difficulty in filling jobs—one that has countant, and an ethics officer before lished by President Bush and his ad- afflicted every President since Water- you find a house and put your kid in ministration. And with his Presidential gate—is the maze of investigations and school. memorandum, President Obama has set forms that prospective senior officials The motto around here has become: our country on a path where science, must complete and the risk they run ‘‘Innocent until nominated.’’ not politics or ideology, will guide pub- that they will be trapped and humili- Every legal counsel to every Presi- lic policy and Government decision- ated and disqualified by an uninten- dent since Nixon would, I suspect, making. tional and relatively harmless mis- agree that in the name of effective gov- Today’s Executive order will help our take. ernment, this process needs to be Nation’s scientists perform promising I voted against the nomination of changed. Most have tried to change it, stem cell research that may one day Secretary Geithner because I thought but in Washington style, new regula- provide relief to the more than 100 mil- it was a bad example for the man in tions pile up on top of old ones, cre- lion Americans suffering from Parkin- charge of collecting the taxes not to ating a more bewildering maze. son’s, diabetes, spinal cord injury, have paid them. And I thought his ex- So I have this suggestion—and one of ALS, cancer, and many other dev- cuse for not paying was not plausible. the Senators to whom I want to make astating conditions for which there is But that does not mean that we should the suggestion is here today, the Sen- still no cure.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6723 Several of my Senate colleagues, led cure to their disease but it will mean popular television programs in the by Senators HARKIN, SPECTER, KEN- that future generations of Americans Middle East. Al Youm also profiled the NEDY, HATCH and FEINSTEIN, and I, may not have to suffer as they did. To- first Arab singer to represent Israel in tried to allow embryonic stem cell re- day’s announcement brings hope that the Eurovision Festival. search to go forward with the passage not only can future discoveries be pos- Al Youm further enhances the strong of the Stem Cell Research Research sible, but they are possible right here core of program options already offered Enhancement Act in both the Senate in the United States. by Alhurra Television. Launched in and the House, but these efforts were I applaud the President for his ac- 2004 under the U.S. Broadcasting Board consistently blocked by President tions today in support of science and of Governors, the 24-hour broadcast Bush’s veto. hope. And I congratulate the many ad- network has gained traction in the I am joining my colleagues again on vocates and researchers in Connecticut competitive television marketplace of this legislation because we need to cod- and around the country for their per- the Middle East. Recent surveys of the ify the protection of embryonic stem sistence in making this hard-fought Middle East by research companies cell research in order to guard against victory for science a reality. such as ACNielsen show that Alhurra has a weekly reach of an estimated 26 the possibility that a future President f might seek to undo the tremendous million adults. Alhurra is broadcast on ALHURRA TELEVISION step taken today by President Obama. the Nilesat and Arabsat satellites in In my own State of Connecticut, we Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I rise the Middle East and the Hotbird sat- lost a great pioneer in the global effort to call my colleagues attention to a ellite system in Europe. Al Youm is for stem cell research last month with promising development for U.S. public also streamed live on the Internet— the untimely death of Dr. Xiangzhong diplomacy efforts in the Middle East. Alhurra.com—at 4–7 p.m. GMT. ‘‘Jerry’’ Yang. Since he came to the Yesterday, Alhurra Television, the U.S. f United States from China, Dr. Yang de- Government-sponsored Arabic lan- INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY voted his life’s work to furthering guage channel, launched a new Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, yes- science and working toward curing groundbreaking live television show terday I joined people around the world deadly and debilitating diseases. originating simultaneously from five in marking International Women’s Dr. Yang was a brilliant and pre- countries and three continents includ- Day. Since the beginning of the 20th scient reproductive biologist at the ing Dubai, Beirut, Cairo, Jerusalem century, variations of this day have University of Connecticut who con- and Alhurra’s headquarters in Spring- been observed as an opportunity to ducted some the world’s leading work field, Va. The 3-hour daily program ti- highlight the issues that directly affect in the 1990’s to refine the cloning of tled Al Youm (Today in Arabic), pro- the lives of women and girls. At the cows and bulls through the use of adult vides viewers a window to the world same time, it is a day to reflect upon cells in order to improve the efficiency through its coverage of the latest news the lives, accomplishments, and strug- from the Middle East, the United of cloning technology and improve the gles of women in our personal and col- States, and the world. The show also availability of cloned cattle for size lective histories. Much has been includes topics such as health, sports and weight, high milk production, and achieved since the first celebrants of technology, entertainment news, and other favorable genetic traits. Dr. National Women’s Day began advo- social and cultural issues. Al Youm in- Yang collaborated with Japanese sci- cating for voting rights, shorter work- cludes interviews with everyone from entists in 1998 to clone a prize bull with ing hours, and higher pay. I am pleased politicians to athletes, leaders in busi- cells scratched from the animal’s ear. that this Congress has already added to While at the University of Con- ness, and the arts. those achievements by passing the On its opening broadcast, Al Youm necticut, Dr. Yang organized research- Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 to carried an interview with House Inter- ers to help found the university’s Cen- help ensure protection from pay dis- national Relations Committee Chair- ter for Regenerative Biology in 2001. As crimination. the center’s director, Dr. Yang contin- man Howard Berman and included a re- Nevertheless, the need for such activ- ued his work toward producing tissue port from Alhurra’s White House cor- ism continues and the theme selected to be used in heart surgery, organ re- respondent discussing the Obama ad- by the United Nations for this year’s placement, and other medical proce- ministration’s outreach to a moderate International Women’s Day reminds us dures. faction of the Taliban. Since its launch of that. The theme is ‘‘Women and men He was a leading force behind the coincided with International Women’s united to end violence against women Connecticut State Stem Cell Research Day, Al Youm had a series of reports and girls.’’ Throughout the world, Program which was signed into law in on the role of women in the Middle whether in war-torn villages in eastern 2005. This $100 million initiative to sup- East, including a story on young girls Congo or Darfur or Sri Lanka, this port stem cell research earned Con- being forced into marriage and a live theme is tragically relevant. Here in necticut the moniker ‘‘Stem Cell Cen- interview with the Executive Director America, too, this year’s theme is trag- tral’’ by the New York Times. Dr. Yang of Dubai’s Social Development Insti- ically relevant. Despite all the progress will be missed, but with today’s an- tute. There was also a profile of the we have made, gender-based violence nouncement by President Obama, the former First Lady of Lebanon and her and sexual assault remain a devastat- fruits of his persistence will inform work as the founder of a health center ingly regular occurrence. generations of stem cell scientists to for children with blood diseases. Al We must do more to protect women come who will now be able to conduct Youm had the latest financial and and girls here at home and abroad their work without the arbitrary re- sports news, as well as a health seg- whose lives are affected by this vio- strictions put in place by President ment on the growing problem of obe- lence. I believe one way we can affirm Bush. sity. our commitment to improving the sta- Today is a momentous day for pa- Al Youm’s entertainment segments tus of women domestically and inter- tients and their loved ones as well as featured well-known singers and per- nationally is by ratifying the Conven- researchers and scientists throughout formers in the region. Popular Arab tion on the Elimination of All Forms of the country. To the thousands of par- singer Myriam Fares introduced her Discrimination Against Women— ents in the State of Connecticut whose latest song that has not been released CEDAW—now. The Convention was children live every day with juvenile to the public. Hisham Abbas, another signed by the U.S. in 1980 and favorably diabetes or who watched and suffered famous Arab singer, joined Al Youm reported by the Senate Foreign Rela- as their loved one succumbed to ALS, during its debut and sang his most pop- tions Committee in 2002 with several cancer, or Parkinson’s disease, today’s ular hit song, Feno. Actress Nadine Al reservations, understandings and dec- announcement can’t bring that loved Rassi appeared live to discuss her pro- larations clarifying the Senate’s posi- one back or immediately provide a gram, Assr El Harim, one of the most tion. Nevertheless, it still hasn’t been

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6724 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 considered by the full Senate. Our rati- motorist has accelerated to beat me through I would see our money go to sustainable fication would send an important mes- the crosswalk. Also, I have been in the mid- sources. Fund quality research and develop- sage to the international community dle of a busy intersection with the walk sig- ment of alternative energy (other than those about our commitment to the rights of nal and had to stop for turning drivers as that will compete with food supply) rather they were not going to stop for me. That in- than throwing good money after bad. women and girls. furiates me! SIMONSONS, Boise. We still have a long way to go, but And then, we have the air quality issues in International Women’s Day reminds us the Treasure Valley that most greedy motor- Like most Idahoans, the escalating price of that transformation is possible. We ists totally ignore...it is not their problem, gasoline is hitting my family very hard. We recognize the awesome power of our he- apparently. How irresponsible!! do not drive SUVs; we drive small 4-cylinder So, to be honest with you, I am not so un- roes who have struggled for change, es- vehicles. But, when the price of gasoline is happy about the situation, and only hope four times higher than it was a few years pecially women who have refused to that people will start using alternative give in or remain silent in the face of ago, and our wages have not increased, we modes of transportation and that there will are having a hard time, even living paycheck injustice. Many famous women come to be less cars on the street for both the safety to paycheck. mind, but there are also so many more of pedestrians and the improvement of air I believe that the ban on domestic drilling whose names may not be noted in the quality. Maybe it will take a bigger price for oil is another of many senseless acts of pages of history but whose courage and hike to alert citizens to their responsibility national suicide. Moreover, I believe that the compassion have made a lasting dif- for the issues of their community and the en- idea of human-caused global warming is a vironment. ference in the lives they’ve touched. grab for political power by the elites over MARILYN. our sovereign people. I watched a Nova pro- Let’s commit today to honor their leg- PS. I am a respected, educated native of gram on PBS several years ago called acy and to work for a lasting end to vi- Boise and my motto is, ‘‘If the bus is good ‘‘Cracking the Ice Age’’ where the statement olence against women and girls. enough for me, it is good enough for every- one.’’ I know the local transit system is not was made that the majority of greenhouse f the best, but if perhaps increased rider-ship gases in the atmosphere come from volca- noes and deep-sea geothermal vents. IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH increases revenue, perhaps there could be an increase in routes and efficiency. The environmental policy implications of ENERGY PRICES this statement are staggering. It means we Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in mid- Our lives have been greatly affected by ris- are not harming the environment by driving June, I asked Idahoans to share with ing energy costs. My local store prices are our cars. The high price of gasoline may be me how high energy prices are affect- high and we have been unable to afford gas making the radical environmentalists feel good, but it is destroying our nation’s fami- ing their lives, and they responded by to go 65 miles to a cheaper outlet grocery store. lies. I admonish you to lift the ban on oil ex- the hundreds. The stories, numbering Gas prices have made it almost impossible ploration and to firmly resist the idea of well over 1,200, are heartbreaking and for us to visit our children and grandchildren some in the Democrat Party to nationalize touching. While energy prices have who live 4-1/2 hours and 2-1/2 hours away re- our country’s oil companies, with the ensu- dropped in recent weeks, the concerns spectively. We used to visit them (and they ing Soviet style rationing of gasoline that expressed remain very relevant. To re- visited us) about once a month. Now we are would inevitably result. spect the efforts of those who took the reduced to twice a year. DUANE, Hayden. Propane and electricity have risen too, opportunity to share their thoughts, I making eating out or a movie impossible. We The effects of rising gasoline prices are am submitting every e-mail sent to me are a lower middle class family making hugely negative!!!!! through an address set up specifically about $40,000 a year, yet we cannot afford We chose to keep our home in Bingham for this purpose to the CONGRESSIONAL anything but the basics. How are we sup- County because of rural living expenses seem RECORD. This is not an issue that will posed to ‘‘tighten our belts’’ any further? to be less than city taxes, etc. However that be easily resolved, but it is one that de- These energy considerations should have creates the need to drive 50 miles round trip serves immediate and serious atten- been taken into account while President for me and 100 mile round trip for my hus- Clinton had his first term. At least then we band each day. Our budget is strangling as a tion, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. would be in a much better position today. Their stories not only detail their result of the inflated fuel prices. They have Not that I am excusing this Congress or removed the flexibility we once had to visit struggles to meet everyday expenses, President from their responsibility. Please our families who live in southeastern Idaho. but also have suggestions and rec- do not wait any longer to protect our citi- My father is approaching 90 and needs more ommendations as to what Congress can zens from slowly going broke. Otherwise we visits. How do you prioritize visiting my fa- do now to tackle this problem and find may not be able to afford Congress at all! ther or saving the money so I can get to solutions that last beyond today. I ask RENATA, Kamiah. work each day? Or visiting my son and grandchildren or saving the money to get to unanimous consent to have today’s let- I absolutely agree with your policy of work each day! Mind you, I am also in a car- ters printed in the RECORD. using our own resources to keep America’s pool to help with the current gouge to the There being no objection, the mate- economy going. Our electrical company has pocketbook as a result of the super-inflated diesel-powered trucks to travel a six-state rial was ordered to be printed in the gasoline prices. We are conserving in every area, and we are not able to pass along all RECORD, as follows: way possible but it still is adding to the pain our overhead because of the tight bidding of My husband and I are not feeling the ef- every time we need to put gasoline in our ve- jobs. Also, our employees have to have more fects as much as others, except perhaps at wages just to keep even or we are not able to hicles. Media refers to the prices and ‘‘feel- the supermarket. I use Valley Transit or keep them. Bottom line—our net return is ing the pinch’’. That connotation does not walk because I am legally blind and cannot down. even begin to describe the ‘‘pain at the drive. My husband has been a cyclist most of The time to act was several years ago, but pump.’’ his life and also has the mindset of using al- in reality ANWR and coastal drilling has to My daughter and her family, who lives in ternative transportation. We live close to his be on fast track along with oil refining ca- Kansas City, Missouri, cannot afford to drive place of employment, so he walks to work. pacities increased. Some time when we reach to Idaho due to the exorbitant prices of fuel. Our 19-year-old daughter, who has a vehicle a crisis mode other alternatives are explored The gouging affects our basic needs of being of her own, has parked it for the most part but in the infancy stage the timing is not with our family, caring for the aging people and rides her bike to work from the North- here yet to allow an impact, although we in our society because we have to cut back in west Boise to Zoo Boise. We are pleased that need to proceed ahead with incentives so every way possible. Where we used to feel she has been influenced by our lifestyle of other forms of energy can come on line. Has like supporting local restaurants and other not being tied to a vehicle for transpor- the federal land bank been explored to use places, we do not anymore because we simply tation. fees paid for no production to be applied to cannot afford to take a drive, go see a part It has been my opinion for many years that raise (example: safflower seed for diesel of Idaho and support the residents in those many Boiseans are greedy motorists. They fuel)?? locations. It is too expensive to enjoy simple must have their cars, a huge part of their I appreciate the effort you are doing for pleasures such as driving to the mountains image....too good for public transportation, our nation and state. or to visit relatives. and they are rude behind the wheel. As a pe- TOM. The food prices are hugely affected, also. destrian, I cannot tell you how many times We are forced to cut back on what we buy at I have almost been hit in the crosswalk when I do not support more drilling or any other the grocery store. The food budget just does I had the walk signal. Many times a turning method of increasing the oil supply. Rather, not go as far anymore. And for those of us

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6725 who are trying to add a little each grocery Before all of the energy garbage, we had a definite disadvantage to those who dwell in visit to have a small food supply on hand, pretty good life. My newly married wife and larger cities and more populated states when that just is not happening as a result of the I both had good jobs, afforded everything we one considers the astronomical price of gaso- gouging of fuel prices. It affects everything needed and did not have a lot of worries. Now line. Visiting family in distant cities has in our current lifestyle. And for why? with the energy problems, people have cut now become a greater challenge as we spend So those at the head of oil companies can back on spending, so my wife may lose her more and more of our family’s single income continue to stuff their already over-inflated job because of the lack of work. She is look- to buy fuel for our car. As I reflect on alter- earnings. It is a travesty! The greed of [our ing for a second job just so we can afford fuel nate forms of transportation in my rural leadership and the oil companies is] well- to get to work. My job is getting more and area, I find that I can either walk or ride a known. They should not be able to sleep at more unstable being in the construction bike several miles to accomplish my daily nights if they had any conscience at all. market. Our company is a small company, tasks. I would not consider this a problem Something must be done so that the rich and the fuel is really making the work al- until I factor in my infant who accompanies governing bodies of the oil companies in most not worth doing. It is costing $150 a me everywhere and the extreme tempera- their greed are held at bay. I have always re- week for each truck if it stays pretty close tures we have in the Rocky Mountain States, spected free enterprise in America, but now, to town. which range below freezing in the winter to as a result of greed, I ask, ‘‘Why do they My wife and I are pretty young and have near 100 degrees in the summer. profit from crushing our economy, jobs, and not built up a big savings to draw from so we Generally I do not believe in turning to the destroy lives of the American citizens’’. It is now have to watch every penny like it is our government to solve problems, but since not right! We are told American does not last. We no longer can afford eating out, let Congress has helped create our current en- have any fuel reserves yet other reports say alone eating at home. We are not sure how ergy crisis and has put into place roadblocks we have a tremendous supply and oil compa- much longer we can keep up on our bills and that require citizens to address her for help, nies are playing the game to drive up prices. such, especially if our jobs crash. I am writing to urge the United States Sen- Is anyone in Congress willing to stand up to It is pretty sad and I do not see any reason ate to act. I believe that we can drill for oil the oil companies and special interests that for it, especially fuel. We did not just all of in our own country safely and without en- control so many issues that are in disarray?? a sudden start using more fuel. Then when dangering our environment while we explore We aren’t rich folks in Idaho. Most of us the demand drops even a little they cut back other energy options. Someone once raised live a relatively simple life style and fami- production and the cost shoots for the stars. the concern that logging endangered forests lies all over are negatively affected because I think it is time the government steps in and the environment but we have found that of the greed and dishonesty of our governing and does something. simply removing access to certain areas has officials. They are raking and destroying the Idaho Power seems to be capitalizing on not solved the problem. Instead new prob- citizens of this great country and the econ- the fuel shortage. Knowing people will be lems have risen in the form of diseased trees omy for their own gain. They will have ac- staying home more, so they have raised their and ruined forests. Similarly, removing ac- countability for their greed at some point, prices to get their extra dollars. cess to areas that house oil reserves does not whether in this life or the next. Feel free to I think now we have more of a war trying solve the problem. It only creates a much pass along my opinion. to survive in our own country then we do larger problem in the form of dependence on RONDA. across seas. foreign oil. The reality is that our country Thanks for your time. cannot remain dependent on other countries. We will have to pay it, but with a 95-year- BRYCE. We need to drill domestically while explor- old mother 450 miles away and a very ill sis- ing other forms of energy production. Hybrid ter about 425 miles away. It is tough. We We are frantically searching for some cars, while presenting themselves as a won- cannot fly to get to either so we have to other way to heat our home. Our home was derful alternative to gas only cars, would drive. A couple of hundred dollars to get to built in 1916 and there is no space for a fur- also create problems of electrical shortages either place is tough when you are retired on nace. We have never heated our 4 upstairs if everyone drove them. Not to mention the fixed income. Drilling is great but too late to bedrooms, even the year we had 45 days in a fact that the vast majority of citizens can- do any good now. The speculators are the row of below zero weather. We have no heat not afford such expensive cars. We need to problem not so much the source or avail- in our bedroom on the main level or in our look at real solutions and not just more band ability. We need new refineries too! bathroom. We heat by propane. We used to aids and temporary fixes. GEORGE, Boise. heat by coal but could not find replacement One Congressman stated that our country parts for our Stokermatic coal stove. We could conserve a large amount of energy if Thank you for representing our family’s switched to propane. In January, it cost us every individual would telecommute to work interests on the Senate floor. We appreciate $702 for a fill-up on our tank and, just last one day each week. While it is true that we your diligent efforts that push for common- week, it cost us $847 for a fill-up because the could conserve much energy, I question how sense efforts. price is going up. We are trying to find a way they plan for individuals who work in farm- Like most of our neighbors, our family has to get our old, old, wood-burning stove re- ing, retail, production, construction, and been impacted by the rising costs of fuel and paired so we can heat our kitchen by wood transportation trades to telecommute. Sim- groceries. My husband is a student at BSU, but have to do some serious thinking to find ply stated, not all individuals have jobs suit- and I am a stay-at-home mom with our beau- a way to get the heat into our dining room ed to telecommuting. tiful one-year-old daughter. My husband and living room so we only turn on the pro- I hesitate to support the creation of an in- works hard in school and has a part time job, pane stove when we have to leave for a few centive program to reward those who con- but it is getting harder to budget for the days in the winter. We are making enough to serve energy because it most likely would re- skyrocketing prices we see. get by but no more. My husband is 67 years ward those who live in metropolitan areas We are in support of energy conservation old and retired, but still reads meters for who do not have to travel very far to work or efforts. We ride our bikes to the grocery Rocky Mountain Power three days a week so shop and would punish those who live in store and fill up the bike trailer with gro- we can try and keep warm in the winter. spread out areas of the country where alter- ceries. We walk, run or bike where we can. Something needs to be done. We do not qual- nate forms of transportation (subway, light We support technology that reduces the need ify for assistance because we make too much rail, buses, etc) do not exist. Of course, our of oil. There are many things we can do to money. We had to buy a new car and are still Idaho farmers could cut back on crop growth use less oil, however, we still need it. We paying house payments. We barley make in order to return to the use of horse and support exploring U.S. oil reserves. We sup- ends meet. We do without a lot and we do plow in order to receive conservation incen- port corn and sugar ethanol exploration. We spend our evenings, in the spring fall and tives, but then what would the urbanites want the United States to prepare so we will winter, covered up in blankets because our eat? be strong enough to stay true to the prin- house is cold. That is without heating the KIMBERLEE, Burley. ciples we were founded upon. We have plenty whole house, just the kitchen and dining of opportunities within the States to drill for room and living room and what little heat ANWR must be opened to drilling. This $4+ oil. Why do the environmentalist liberals trickles into the bathroom. gasoline is going to stop our already fragile care more for the caribou than for humans? GRANT and DIANE, Liberty. economy in its tracks. It is bad enough now We can have both. Dependence on foreign oil with gas prices this high, but add to that does not lessen pollution, it just means As a native Idahoan I have always loved this winter the cost of natural gas doubling, someone else will drill with less environ- the rural, small-town lifestyle of living in and most families are going to have to de- mentally friendly machinery. We have better the country, enjoying the beauty of the cide—heat or eat. technology and can more efficiently drill. quite, still landscape and the aroma of pure, We have enough energy in the ground in Please keep up your hard work. We offer clean air. Yet the distance I have to travel in the United States to become nearly energy our support and gratitude for your service. order to shop at the store, visit friends or independent. Let us use it and in the mean NATE and AMY, Boise. family, or go to the doctor places me at a time continue to develop alternative fuels

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6726 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 and allow proven technologies such as nu- Hicks; his wife’s sons Avi Rappoport thank you for everything you have clear to be built. and Richard Haven, and his five grand- done for the health of our livestock A majority of Americans support using our children.∑ sector and agricultural communities in own supplies. Congress needs to get out of South Dakota and across the Nation. I the way and open things up and make it easy f wish you the very best in your retire- for us to develop these resources. Stop being TRIBUTE TO DR. SAM HOLLAND a hinderance. ment.∑ ∑ Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today MARK, Boise. f I would like to recognize the career of f a remarkable veterinary professional 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS who has influenced livestock health in VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA the State of South Dakota and across ∑ Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I the Nation: South Dakota State veteri- REMEMBERING WYMAN HICKS recognize Vermillion, SD. The city of narian Dr. Sam Holland. Dr. Holland Vermillion will commemorate the ∑ Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I wish to has earned the respect of his col- 150th anniversary of its founding this share with my colleagues the memory leagues, farmers and ranchers, and year. of a remarkable man, Mr. Wyman Congressmen and Congresswomen and Located in Clay County, Vermillion Hicks of Marin County. Mr. Hicks government officials on a national was founded in 1859 on the banks of the passed away on February 4, 2009, at the basis. His talent and commitment to Vermillion River. Originally settled by age of 90. Mr. Hicks was a passionate his profession have not only influenced French fur traders, Vermillion’s name activist, educator, and inventor who the physical health of our livestock was translated from its native title contributed selflessly to the military, herds but also improved the economic Wase Wakpala, which means red government, and his community. health and viability of agricultural stream. The city is home to the Uni- Wyman Hicks was born in Oakland, communities across America. versity of South Dakota, the State’s CA, on June 25, 1918. A bright child As South Dakota State veterinarian oldest institution of higher education, whose family experienced the hard- since 1995 and most immediate past which was founded in 1862. Since its es- ships of poverty, Mr. Hicks developed a president of the National Assembly of tablishment 150 years ago, the commu- strong sense of justice and community State Animal Health Officials, Dr. Hol- nity of Vermillion has served as a service early in life. While attending land’s guidance and extensive expertise strong example of South Dakota values the University of California at Berke- have helped to effectively navigate and traditions and I am confident it ley, Mr. Hicks spent his summers in livestock health concerns. As a prac- will continue to prosper. Alaska helping laborers and workers ticing large-animal veterinarian for 15 I would like to offer my congratula- form a union. years, he made monumental impacts to tions to the citizens of Vermillion on In 1938, Mr. Hicks traveled to Ger- a sector of the animal health front this milestone anniversary and wish many, where he helped German Jews that, now in the midst of shortages of them continued prosperity in the years find sponsors to help them escape to veterinarians for underserved popu- to come.∑ America. After receiving warnings lations, especially has needed his con- from the U.S. consul that the Gestapo tributions. Dr. Holland’s involvement f wanted to arrest him, Mr. Hicks re- has shaped responses on a national MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE turned to California to help farm work- basis to a number of livestock health RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT ers in the Central Valley. issues, from developing a national During the Second World War, Mr. model to respond to chronic wasting Hicks enlisted in the Army. He became disease to a Veterinary Medical Re- ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION a captain in the Signal Corps serving in serve Corps for emergency situations. SIGNED New Guinea and the Philippines, and His expertise has also influenced dis- Under the authority of the Senate of worked to rebuild Japan after the war. cussions and action to diseases such as January 6, 2009, the Secretary of the Mr. Hicks returned to Berkeley on the brucellosis, pseudorabies, and tricho- Senate, on March 6, 2009, during the ad- GI bill, where he received his bach- moniasis, just to name a few. journment of the Senate, received a elor’s and master’s degrees in econom- Dr. Holland’s involvement in South message from the House of Representa- ics. Later, as the director of new prod- Dakota’s State-based meat inspection tives announcing that the Speaker had uct development at Crown Zellerbach, program is arguably no small factor signed the following enrolled joint res- Mr. Hicks contributed to the develop- why this most recent Federal farm bill olution: ment of the strap-handled shopping finally included language to allow for bag. the transportation of State-inspected H.J. Res. 38. An act making further con- Wyman Hicks demonstrated a life- meat across State lines. And he has tinuing appropriations for fiscal year 2009, and for other purposes. long dedication to education, commu- long adopted a commonsense approach nity governance, and civil rights. He to trade, to maintain and address the Under the authority of the Senate of served on the Sausalito City Council integrity of our livestock herd health January 6, 2009, the enrolled joint reso- and the Bay Area Air Quality District before opening our borders to more lution was signed on March 6, 2009, dur- Board, and was an active member of food imports. ing the adjournment of the Senate, by the American Civil Liberties Union and On the subject of trade, I am particu- the President pro tempore (Mr. BYRD). the Congress of Racial Equality. Mr. larly grateful for the time and knowl- f Hicks served as president of the Marin edge Dr. Holland dedicated to shaping MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE County Day School, and later became a the Foot and Mouth Disease Preven- professor in the management depart- tion Act to ensure this legislation was At 2:11 p.m., a message from the ment of Sonoma State College. In 1987 targeted and effective on the animal House of Representatives, delivered by he married Diana King. health front. I am confident that the Mr. Zapata, one of its reading clerks, From 1988 until 1991, Mr. Hicks was a successes we achieved on this measure announced that the House has passed member of my staff. His service to the as a team would have been impossible the following bill, in which it requests U.S. Congress was invaluable, and for if not for his input and leadership. the concurrence of the Senate: that I am grateful. Mr. Hicks was a I am very pleased to hear that Dr. H.R. 1106. An act to prevent mortgage fore- generous man who dedicated his life to Holland will continue to be involved closures and enhance mortgage credit avail- public service. He will be deeply with the South Dakota Medical Exam- ability. missed. ining Board, through which he will The message also announced that Wyman is survived by his wife Diana maintain a presence on the South Da- pursuant to section 2 of the Migratory King; his sons Kevin Hicks and Todd kota animal health front. Dr. Holland, Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715a)

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6727 and the order of the House of January of Energy Biomass Technology Specific S. 547. A bill to amend title XIX of the So- 6, 2009, the Speaker appoints the fol- Super Energy Savings Performance Con- cial Security Act to reduce the costs of pre- lowing Members of the House of Rep- tracts; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- scription drugs for enrollees of Medicaid ural Resources. managed care organizations by extending the resentatives to the Migratory Bird EC–918. A communication from the Acting discounts offered under fee-for-service Med- Conservation Commission: Mr. DINGELL Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory icaid to such organizations; to the Com- of Michigan and Mr. WITTMAN of Vir- Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law, mittee on Finance. ginia. a report relative to the status of all exten- By Mr. SCHUMER: S. 548. A bill to amend the Public Utility f sions granted by Congress regarding the re- quirements of Section 13 of the Federal Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a MEASURES PLACED ON THE Power Act; to the Committee on Energy and Federal energy efficiency resource standard CALENDAR Natural Resources. for retail electricity and natural gas dis- EC–919. A communication from the Chief tributors, and for other purposes; to the The following bill was read the sec- Human Capital Officer, Corporation for Na- Committee on Energy and Natural Re- ond time, and placed on the calendar: tional and Community Service, transmit- sources. S. 542. A bill to repeal the provision of law ting, pursuant to law, the report of a va- By Mr. BURRIS: that provides automatic pay adjustments for cancy and designation of acting officer for S. 549. A bill for the relief of Simeon Members of Congress. the position of Chief Financial Officer, re- Simeonov, Stela Simeonova, Stoyan Simeonov, and Vania Simeonova; to the f ceived in the Office of the President of the Senate on March 4, 2009; to the Committee Committee on the Judiciary. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. BURRIS: S. 550. A bill for the relief of Francisca COMMUNICATIONS EC–920. A communication from the Acting Director, Legislative and Regulatory Depart- Lino; to the Committee on the Judiciary. The following communications were ment, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corpora- By Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, laid before the Senate, together with tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, the re- Ms. STABENOW, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. MI- accompanying papers, reports, and doc- port of a rule entitled ‘‘Benefits Payable in KULSKI, Mr. VITTER, and Mrs. MUR- Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest RAY): uments, and were referred as indicated: S. 551. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- Assumptions for Valuing and Paying Bene- EC–911. A communication from the Under enue Code of 1986 to exempt certain shipping fits’’ (29 CFR Part 4022) received in the Office Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), trans- from the harbor maintenance tax; to the mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a vio- of the President of the Senate on March 5, Committee on Finance. lation of the Antideficiency Act that oc- 2009; to the Committee on Health, Education, By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Labor, and Pensions. curred within the U.S. Army Information Mrs. GILLIBRAND): Technology Agency, and has been assigned EC–921. A communication from the Asso- S. 552. A bill to amend the Food Security case number 08–01; to the Committee on Ap- ciate Legal Counsel, Equal Employment Op- Act of 1985 to encourage owners and opera- propriations. portunity Commission, transmitting, pursu- tors of privately held farm, ranch, and forest EC–912. A communication from the Assist- ant to law, the report of a vacancy for the land to voluntarily make their land avail- ant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), position of General Counsel, received in the able for access by the public for maple-tap- transmitting, pursuant to law, a report rel- Office of the President of the Senate on ping activities under programs administered ative to the adverse health events of expo- March 5, 2009; to the Committee on Health, by States and tribal governments; to the sure to depleted uranium munitions; to the Education, Labor, and Pensions. Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Committee on Armed Services. f Forestry. By Ms. KLOBUCHAR: EC–913. A communication from the Deputy REPORTS OF COMMITTEES General Counsel for Operations, Department S. 553. A bill to revise the authorized route of Housing and Urban Development, trans- The following reports of committees of the North Country National Scenic Trail mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a were submitted: in northeastern Minnesota to include exist- ing hiking trails along Lake Superior’s north nomination, discontinuation of service in By Mrs. FEINSTEIN, from the Select Com- shore and in Superior National Forest and acting role, and action on a nomination in mittee on Intelligence: the position of Secretary, received in the Of- Special Report entitled ‘‘Report of the Se- Chippewa National Forest, and for other pur- poses; to the Committee on Energy and Nat- fice of the President of the Senate on March lect Committee on Intelligence for the 110th ural Resources. 4, 2009; to the Committee on Banking, Hous- Congress’’ (Rept. No. 111–6). By Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mrs. ing, and Urban Affairs. f HUTCHISON): EC–914. A communication from the Deputy INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND S. 554. A bill to improve the safety of General Counsel for Operations, Department motorcoaches, and for other purposes; to the of Housing and Urban Development, trans- JOINT RESOLUTIONS Committee on Commerce, Science, and mitting, pursuant to law, (11) reports rel- Transportation. ative to vacancy announcements and des- The following bills and joint resolu- ignated acting officer notifications within tions were introduced, read the first f the Department, received in the Office of the and second times by unanimous con- SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND President of the Senate on March 5, 2009; to sent, and referred as indicated: SENATE RESOLUTIONS the Committee on Banking, Housing, and By Mr. ENZI (for himself and Mr. BAR- Urban Affairs. RASSO): The following concurrent resolutions EC–915. A communication from the Asso- S. 544. A bill for the relief of Ashley Ross and Senate resolutions were read, and ciate General Counsel for Legislation and Fuller; to the Committee on the Judiciary. referred (or acted upon), as indicated: Regulations, Office of the Secretary, Depart- By Mr. KERRY (for himself, Mr. SPEC- By Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, ment of Housing and Urban Development, TER, Mr. AKAKA, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. Mr. LEVIN, Mr. HARKIN, Mr. KENNEDY, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. CARPER): Mr. REED, Mr. COCHRAN, Ms. SNOWE, a rule entitled ‘‘Civil Money Penalties: Cer- S. 545. A bill to develop capacity and infra- Mr. KERRY, and Mr. JOHNSON): tain Prohibited Conduct; Technical Correc- structure for mentoring programs; to the S. Res. 69. A resolution designating March tion’’ (RIN2501–AD23) received in the Office Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 2009 as ‘‘National Reading Month’’ and au- of the President of the Senate on March 5, Pensions. thorizing the collection of nonmonetary 2009; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, By Mr. REID: book donations in Senate office buildings and Urban Affairs. S. 546. A bill to amend title 10, United during the period beginning March 9, 2009 EC–916. A communication from the Acting States Code, to permit certain retired mem- and ending March 27, 2009 from Senators and Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, Na- bers of the uniformed services who have a officers and employees of the Senate to as- tional Marine Fisheries Service, Department service-connected disability to receive both sist elementary school students in the Wash- of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, disability compensation from the Depart- ington, D.C. metropolitan area; considered a report relative to the disclosure of finan- ment of Veterans Affairs for their disability and agreed to. cial interest and recusal requirements; to and either retired pay by reason of their By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. the Committee on Commerce, Science, and years of military service of Combat-Related VOINOVICH, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN): Transportation. Special Compensation; to the Committee on S. Res. 70. A resolution congratulating the EC–917. A communication from the Sec- Armed Services. people of the Republic of Lithuania on the retary of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. 1000th anniversary of Lithuania and cele- law, a report relative to the increase of the CASEY, Ms. STABENOW, and Mr. brating the rich history of Lithuania; to the maximum award ceiling for U.S. Department WHITEHOUSE): Committee on Foreign Relations.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6728 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 By Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Mr. two-fiscal year budget authority, and S. 527 MENENDEZ, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Ms. for other purposes. At the request of Mr. THUNE, the SNOWE, and Mr. BROWNBACK): S. 435 names of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. S. Res. 71. A resolution condemning the ROBERTS) and the Senator from Min- Government of Iran for its state-sponsored At the request of Mr. CASEY, the nesota (Ms. KLOBUCHAR) were added as persecution of the Baha’i minority in Iran name of the Senator from Massachu- cosponsors of S. 527, a bill to amend the and its continued violation of the Inter- setts (Mr. KENNEDY) was added as a co- national Covenants on Human Rights; to the sponsor of S. 435, a bill to provide for Clean Air act to prohibit the issuance Committee on Foreign Relations. evidence-based and promising practices of permits under title V of that Act for By Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mrs. related to juvenile delinquency and certain emissions from agricultural MURRAY, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. ISAK- criminal street gang activity preven- production. SON, Mr. LUGAR, and Mr. DODD): S. 542 S. Con. Res. 10. A concurrent resolution tion and intervention to help build in- dividual, family, and community At the request of Mr. DORGAN, his congratulating the Sailors of the United name was added as a cosponsor of S. States Submarine Force upon the comple- strength and resiliency to ensure that tion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile sub- youth lead productive, safe, health, 542, a bill to repeal the provision of law marine (SSBN) deterrent patrols; considered gang-free, and law-abiding lives. that provides automatic pay adjust- and agreed to. ments for Members of Congress. S. 450 f At the request of Mr. REID, the name At the request of Mr. BAUCUS, the of the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS name of the Senator from Pennsyl- DODD) was added as a cosponsor of S. S. 132 vania (Mr. CASEY) was added as a co- 542, supra. sponsor of S. 450, a bill to understand At the request of Mr. HATCH, the S.J. RES. 7 name of the Senator from Utah (Mr. and comprehensively address the oral At the request of Mr. FEINGOLD, the health problems associated with meth- BENNETT) was added as a cosponsor of name of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. S. 132, a bill to increase and enhance amphetamine use. DURBIN) was added as a cosponsor of law enforcement resources committed S. 462 S.J. Res. 7, a joint resolution proposing to investigation and prosecution of vio- At the request of Mrs. BOXER, the an amendment to the Constitution of lent gangs, to deter and punish violent name of the Senator from New Jersey the United States relative to the elec- gang crime, to protect law-abiding citi- (Mr. MENENDEZ) was added as a cospon- tion of Senators. zens and communities from violent sor of S. 462, a bill to amend the Lacey S. CON. RES. 4 criminals, to revise and enhance crimi- Act Amendments of 1981 to prohibit the At the request of Mr. NELSON of Flor- nal penalties for violent crimes, to ex- importation, exportation, transpor- ida, the names of the Senator from pand and improve gang prevention pro- tation, and sale, receipt, acquisition, or Missouri (Mr. BOND), the Senator from grams, and for other purposes. purchase in interstate or foreign com- Indiana (Mr. LUGAR), the Senator from S. 277 merce, of any live animal of any pro- Idaho (Mr. RISCH), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. ROBERTS) and the Senator At the request of Mr. LEAHY, his hibited wildlife species, and for other name was added as a cosponsor of S. purposes. from West Virginia (Mr. ROCKEFELLER) 277, a bill to amend the National and S. 475 were added as cosponsors of S. Con. Res. 4, a concurrent resolution calling Community Service Act of 1990 to ex- At the request of Mr. BURR, the on the President and the allies of the pand and improve opportunities for names of the Senator from Georgia United States to raise the case of Rob- service, and for other purposes. (Mr. ISAKSON) and the Senator from ert Levinson with officials of the Gov- S. 307 Pennsylvania (Mr. SPECTER) were added as cosponsors of S. 475, a bill to ernment of Iran at every level and op- At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the portunity, and urging officials of the names of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to guarantee the equity of spouses Government of Iran to fulfill their BEGICH) and the Senator from Idaho promises of assistance to the family of (Mr. RISCH) were added as cosponsors of of military personnel with regard to matters of residency, and for other pur- Robert Levinson and to share informa- S. 307, a bill to amend title XVIII of the tion on the investigation into the dis- poses. Social Security Act to provide flexi- appearance of Robert Levinson with bility in the manner in which beds are S. 482 the Federal Bureau of Investigation. EINGOLD counted for purposes of determining At the request of Mr. F , the S. RES. 20 whether a hospital may be designated name of the Senator from Montana At the request of Mr. VOINOVICH, the as a critical access hospital under the (Mr. TESTER) was added as a cosponsor name of the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Medicare program and to exempt from of S. 482, a bill to require Senate can- BAYH) was added as a cosponsor of S. the critical access hospital inpatient didates to file designations, state- Res. 20, a resolution celebrating the bed limitation the number of beds pro- ments, and reports in electronic form. 60th anniversary of the North Atlantic vided for certain veterans. S. 486 Treaty Organization. S. 388 At the request of Mr. SANDERS, the S. RES. 60 At the request of Ms. MIKULSKI, the name of the Senator from Rhode Island At the request of Mrs. SHAHEEN, the name of the Senator from Delaware (Mr. WHITEHOUSE) was added as a co- names of the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. KAUFMAN) was added as a cospon- sponsor of S. 486, a bill to achieve ac- (Mr. LIEBERMAN), the Senator from sor of S. 388, a bill to extend the termi- cess to comprehensive primary health Maryland (Ms. MIKULSKI), the Senator nation date for the exemption of re- care services for all Americans and to from Indiana (Mr. BAYH) and the Sen- turning workers from the numerical reform the organization of primary ator from Illinois (Mr. DURBIN) were limitations for temporary workers. care delivery through an expansion of added as cosponsors of S. Res. 60, a res- S. 423 the Community Health Center and Na- olution commemorating the 10-year an- At the request of Mr. AKAKA, the tional Health Service Corps programs. niversary of the accession of the Czech names of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. S. 487 Republic, the Republic of Hungary, and WYDEN), the Senator from Pennsyl- At the request of Mr. HARKIN, the the Republic of Poland as members of vania (Mr. SPECTER) and the Senator names of the Senator from Connecticut the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- from Georgia (Mr. ISAKSON) were added (Mr. DODD) and the Senator from Mas- tion. as cosponsors of S. 423, a bill to amend sachusetts (Mr. KERRY) were added as AMENDMENT NO. 593 title 38, United States Code, to author- cosponsors of S. 487, a bill to amend the At the request of Mr. MCCAIN, the ize advance appropriations for certain Public Health Service Act to provide name of the Senator from South Caro- medical care accounts of the Depart- for human embryonic stem cell re- lina (Mr. DEMINT) was added as a co- ment of Veterans Affairs by providing search. sponsor of amendment No. 593 proposed

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6729 to H.R. 1105, a bill making omnibus ap- gress passed the first legislation in this SEC. 3. COORDINATION OF SERVICE ELIGIBILITY propriations for the fiscal year ending vein, which allowed veterans with at FOR COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL COMPENSATION AND CONCURRENT September 30, 2009, and for other pur- least a 50 percent disability rating to RECEIPT. poses. become eligible for concurrent receipt (a) AMENDMENTS TO STANDARDIZE SIMILAR f of benefits over a 10-year phase-in pe- PROVISIONS.— riod. The following year we success- (1) QUALIFIED RETIREES.—Subsection (a) of STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED fully eliminated the ten year phase-in section 1414 of title 10, United States Code, BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS for those veterans with a 100 percent as amended by section 2(a), is amended— By Mr. REID: (A) by striking ‘‘a member or’’ and all that disability rating. In 2005, we passed leg- follows through ‘‘retiree’)’’ and inserting ‘‘a S. 546. A bill to amend title 10, islation that permitted the concurrent qualified retiree’’; and United States Code, to permit certain receipt of retired and disability com- (B) by adding at the end the following new retired members of the uniformed serv- pensation to veterans who have been paragraph: ices who have a service-connected dis- classified by the VA as ‘‘unemploy- ‘‘(2) QUALIFIED RETIREES.—For purposes of ability to receive both disability com- able,’’ however this group of veterans this section, a qualified retiree, with respect pensation from the Department of Vet- has had to wait until this year to re- to any month, is a member or former mem- erans Affairs for their disability and ei- ceive the benefit of this legislation. ber of the uniformed services who— ther retired pay by reason of their ‘‘(A) is entitled to retired pay (other by Our Nation’s veterans should have to reason of section 12731b of this title); and years of military service or Combat- wait no longer. ‘‘(B) is also entitled for that month to vet- Related Special Compensation; to the It is past time to eliminate the re- erans’ disability compensation.’’. Committee on Armed Services. maining bar to concurrent receipt of (2) DISABILITY RETIREES.—Paragraph (2) of Mr. REID. Mr. President, I take a disability compensation and military subsection (b) of section 1414 of such title is great deal of pride in the work done by retirement pay. I am proud to intro- amended to read as follows: the 110th Congress to fulfill our Gov- duce the Retired Pay Restoration Act ‘‘(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR RETIREES WITH ernment’s obligations to our Nation’s of 2009. FEWER THAN 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.—The re- tired pay of a qualified retiree who is retired veterans. Our legislative accomplish- Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- ments in those 2 years were significant. under chapter 61 of this title with fewer than sent that the text of the bill be printed 20 years of creditable service is subject to re- We significantly increased funding in the RECORD. duction by the lesser of— for the Department of Veterans Affairs; There being no objection, the text of ‘‘(A) the amount of the reduction under we enacted a comprehensive program the bill was ordered to be printed in sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38; or that provides tuition and benefits to the RECORD, as follows: ‘‘(B) the amount (if any) by which the amount of the member’s retired pay under every veteran who serves after 9/11; we S. 546 refused to allow our wounded warriors such chapter exceeds the amount equal to 21⁄2 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- percent of the member’s years of creditable to fall through the cracks, remedying resentatives of the United States of America in the substandard care that many were service multiplied by the member’s retired Congress assembled, pay base under section 1406(b)(1) or 1407 of receiving, and broadening eligibility SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. this title, whichever is applicable to the for treatment programs to address the This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Retired Pay member.’’. war’s physical and psychological toll; Restoration Act of 2009’’. (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments we brought attention and funding to SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY FOR PAYMENT OF BOTH RE- made by this section shall take effect on veterans’ mental health issues, improv- TIRED PAY AND VETERANS’ DIS- January 1, 2009, and shall apply to payments ing the level of care and access to ABILITY COMPENSATION FOR CER- for months beginning on or after that date. treatment for both veterans and their TAIN MILITARY RETIREES WITH COMPENSABLE SERVICE-CON- By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, family members; and we added provi- NECTED DISABILITIES. Mr. CASEY, Ms. STABENOW, and sions to the Housing and Economic Re- (a) EXTENSION OF CONCURRENT RECEIPT AU- Mr. WHITEHOUSE): covery Act to help protect our veterans THORITY TO RETIREES WITH SERVICE-CON- S. 547. A bill to amend title XIX of from becoming victims of the housing NECTED DISABILITIES RATED LESS THAN 50 the Social Security Act to reduce the PERCENT.— crisis. costs of prescription drugs for enrollees (1) REPEAL OF 50 PERCENT REQUIREMENT.— Indeed, we can be proud of these ac- of Medicaid managed care organiza- complishments, but I rise today to Section 1414 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) of sub- tions by extending the discounts of- bring to light one area in which Con- section (a). fered under fee-for-service Medicaid to gress can and must do more. For eight (2) COMPUTATION.—Paragraph (1) of sub- such organizations; to the Commmittee years I have been working to eliminate section (c) of such section is amended by on Finance. an unconscionable policy under which adding at the end the following new subpara- Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I am a veteran who is classified as ‘disabled’ graph: introducing legislation today with Sen- by the Veterans Administration is re- ‘‘(G) For a month for which the retiree re- ators CASEY, STABENOW, and WHITE- ceives veterans’ disability compensation for quired, in essence, to pay his or her HOUSE entitled the Drug Rebate Equali- own disability compensation out of re- a disability rated as 40 percent or less or has a service-connected disability rated as zero zation Act of 2009. tirement pay received from the Depart- percent, $0.’’. The Medicaid drug rebate ensures ment of Defense. (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— that State Medicaid programs receive As it stands now, a disabled veteran (1) The heading of section 1414 of such title the best price for prescription drugs for is, by law, prevented from collecting is amended to read as follows: their beneficiaries. Unfortunately, both disability pay and retired pay. De- ‘‘§ 1414. Members eligible for retired pay who health plans that serve over 10 million spite the fact that a veteran is eligible are also eligible for veterans’ disability Medicaid beneficiaries cannot access for each for a different reason, the law compensation: concurrent payment of re- the same discounts through the federal prohibits receiving both. The end re- tired pay and disability compensation’’. drug rebate program. Plans typically sult of this prohibition known as ‘‘Con- (2) The item relating to such section in the get no rebate on generic drugs and current Receipt’’ is that for every dol- table of sections at the beginning of chapter about a third of the rebate on branded lar a veteran receives as disability 71 of such title is amended to read as follows: drugs that states receive. States are compensation, a dollar is deducted ‘‘1414. Members eligible for retired pay who paying more for the acquisition of pre- from his or her retirement pay. In are also eligible for veterans’ scription drugs for these health plan some cases, this ban takes away a vet- disability compensation: con- enrollees than for beneficiaries in fee- eran’s full retirement pay, wiping away current payment of retired pay for-service Medicaid, thereby raising and disability compensation.’’. the benefits he or she earned in 20 or (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments costs for Federal and State govern- more years of service. made by this section shall take effect on ments. In fact, the December 2008 Con- Since 2000, I have been working to January 1, 2009, and shall apply to payments gressional Budget Office Health Op- end this absurd policy. In 2003, Con- for months beginning on or after that date. tions report found that equalizing the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6730 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 drug rebate between Medicaid fee-for- There being no objection, the text of ‘‘(1) Covered outpatients drugs are not sub- service and managed care would save the bill was ordered to be printed in ject to the requirements of this section if Federal taxpayers $11 billion over 10 the RECORD, as follows: such drugs are— ‘‘(A) dispensed by health maintenance or- years. S. 547 Even with this price disadvantage, ganizations, including Medicaid managed Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- care organizations that contract under sec- the total cost of prescription drugs for tion 1903(m); and health plans is less on a per member resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, ‘‘(B) subject to discounts under section per month basis because of health 340B of the Public Health Service Act.’’. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. plans’ greater use of generics and case (c) REPORTS.—Each State with a contract management. Unfortunately, many This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Drug Rebate with a Medicaid managed care organization States are considering, or have already Equalization Act of 2009’’. under section 1903(m) of the Social Security begun, carving out prescription drugs SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG DIS- Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(m)) shall report to the from health plans for the sole purpose COUNTS TO ENROLLEES OF MED- Secretary on a quarterly basis the total ICAID MANAGED CARE ORGANIZA- amount of rebates in dollars and volume re- of obtaining savings under the rebate— TIONS. this undermines the plans’ ability to ceived from manufacturers (as defined in sec- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1903(m)(2)(A) (42 tion 1927(k)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r– maintain a comprehensive care and U.S.C. 1396b(m)(2)(A)) is amended— 8(k)(5)) for drugs provided to individuals en- disease management program that in- (1) in clause (xi), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the rolled with such an organization as a result cludes prescription drugs. Not only will end; of the amendments made by this section for this legislation save money, it will (2) in clause (xii), by striking the period at both brand-name and generic drugs. The Sec- eliminate this incentive and ensure the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and retary shall review the reports submitted by that health plans can maintain a com- (3) by adding at the end the following: States under this subsection and, after such prehensive care coordination system ‘‘(xiii) such contract provides that (I) pay- review, make publically available the aggre- ment for covered outpatient drugs dispensed for their patients. gate data contained in such reports. to individuals eligible for medical assistance (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section and the This present drug rebate policy was who are enrolled with the entity shall be passed by the Senate in 2005 as part of amendments made by this section take ef- subject to the same rebate required by the fect on the date of enactment of this Act and the Deficit Reduction Act. This year’s agreement entered into under section 1927 as apply to rebate agreements entered into or version of the bill improves on last the State is subject to, and (II) capitation renewed under section 1927 of the Social Se- year’s bill in several important ways. rates paid to the entity shall be based on ac- curity Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r–8) on or after such First, it requires States—not health tual cost experience related to rebates and date. plans—to collect the rebate. To protect subject to the Federal regulations requiring plans against inappropriate cuts in actuarially sound rates.’’. By Mr. BROWN (for himself and payment, it requires states to publicly (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section Mrs. HUTCHISON): disclose information about savings ob- 1927 (42 U.S.C. 1396r–8) is amended— S. 554. A bill to improve the safety of (1) in subsection (d)— tained under the legislation. Second, (A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end motorcoaches, and for other purposes; the bill will reiterate that nothing in the following: to the Committee on Commerce, the legislation prevents a State from ‘‘(C) Notwithstanding the subparagraphs Science, and Transportation. maintaining oversight control of its (A) and (B)— Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, last contracts with the health plans. Fi- ‘‘(i) a Medicaid managed care organization week was the two year anniversary of a nally, the bill maintains the fee-for- with a contract under section 1903(m) may horrific motorcoach crash involving service prohibition against health exclude or otherwise restrict coverage of a the Bluffton University baseball team. covered outpatient drug on the basis of poli- plans ‘‘double dipping’’ into the Med- Seven Ohioans—Tyler Williams, Cody icaid drug rebate and the 340b discount cies or practices of the organization, such as those affecting utilization management, for- Holp, Scott Harmon, Zack Arend, drug pricing program. These changes mulary adherence, and cost sharing or dis- David Joseph Betts, and Jerome and significantly improve the bill and will pute resolution, in lieu of any State policies Jean Niemeyer—lost their lives that help improve its chances of passage. or practices relating to the exclusion or re- day. Extending the Medicaid drug rebate striction of coverage of such drugs, provided, As their bus rolled along Interstate- to enrollees in health plans is sup- however, that any such exclusions and re- 75 on March 2, 2007, the Bluffton play- ported widely and includes the Na- strictions of coverage shall be subject to any ers and coaches were hours away from tional Governors Association, the Na- contractual requirements and oversight by the State as contained in the Medicaid man- beginning their spring break in Flor- tional Association of State Medicaid ida. But as the team slept in prepara- Directors, the National Medicaid Com- aged care organization’s contract with the State, and the State shall maintain approval tion for their season opener later in the mission, the National Association of authority over the formulary used by the week, their motorcoach crashed Community Health Centers, the Part- Medicaid managed care organization; and through a retaining wall and fell thirty nership for Medicaid, the Association ‘‘(ii) nothing in this section or paragraph feet to the highway below. for Community Affiliated Plans, and (2)(A)(xiii) of section 1903(m) shall be con- Since then I have talked with family the Medicaid Health Plans of America. strued as requiring a Medicaid managed care members of the players on the bus that Last week, President Obama high- organization with a contract under such sec- day and other passenger safety advo- lighted changes in Medicaid prescrip- tion to maintain the same such policies and cates, and time and again the conversa- tion drug rebates in his fiscal year 2010 practices as those established by the State tions came back to one thing: we need budget to help pay for an expansion of for purposes of individuals who receive med- ical assistance for covered outpatient drugs commonsense motorcoach safety meas- health coverage for more Americans. I on a fee-for service basis.’’; and ures that will protect both passengers welcome President Obama’s support (B) in paragraph (4), by inserting after sub- and other motorists on the road. and look forward to working with him paragraph (E) the following: In the 110th Congress, Senator to make this policy a reality. ‘‘(F) Notwithstanding the preceding sub- This legislation modernizes the Med- paragraphs of this paragraph, any formulary HUTCHISON and I introduced the Motor- icaid program, protects the ability of established by Medicaid managed care orga- coach Enhanced Safety Act to finally health plans to effectively coordinate nization with a contract under section require basic safety devices like seat prescription drugs as part of their care 1903(m) may be based on positive inclusion of belts and stronger windows on coordination systems, and will save drugs selected by a formulary committee motorcoaches. Federal taxpayers $11 billion over 10 consisting of physicians, pharmacists, and Bus trips should not turn into trage- other individuals with appropriate clinical years. dies, and that is why today we are experience as long as drugs excluded from again introducing the Motorcoach En- I urge my colleagues to join me in the formulary are available through prior supporting this legislation. authorization, as described in paragraph hanced Safety Act of 2009. We need Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- (5).’’; and these new standards now to ensure the sent that the text of the bill be printed (2) in subsection (j), by striking paragraph safety of every rider and driver on the in the RECORD. (1) and inserting the following: road.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6731 In 2007, the American Bus Associa- SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS SENATE RESOLUTION 70—CON- tion reported that over 750 million pas- GRATULATING THE PEOPLE OF senger trips covering more than 60 bil- THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA lion miles were made by motorcoaches ON THE 1000TH ANNIVERSARY OF in the United States. SENATE RESOLUTION 69—DESIG- LITHUANIA AND CELEBRATING More and more people are choosing NATING MARCH 2009 AS ‘‘NA- THE RICH HISTORY OF LITH- buses for their transportation, and it TIONAL READING MONTH’’ AND UANIA seems every week you read about an- AUTHORIZING THE COLLECTION Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. VOINO- other serious motorcoach accident . . . OF NONMONETARY BOOK DONA- VICH, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) submitted the crash involving a minor-league TIONS IN SENATE OFFICE BUILD- the following resolution; which was re- hockey team from Albany, New York; INGS DURING THE PERIOD BE- ferred to the Committee on Foreign the fatal motorcoach accidents in GINNING MARCH 9, 2009 AND END- Relations: Texas; the tour bus crash in Arizona ING MARCH 27, 2009 FROM SEN- that killed 7 passengers. The number of ATORS AND OFFICERS AND EM- S. RES. 70 serious accidents and tragic deaths will PLOYEES OF THE SENATE TO Whereas the name ‘‘Lithuania’’ first ap- only grow if we do not take action. ASSIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL peared in European records in the year 1009, Our legislation directs the Secretary STUDENTS IN THE WASHINGTON, when it was mentioned in the German manu- of the Department of Transportation to D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA script ‘‘Annals of Quedlinburg’’; implement numerous safety regula- Whereas Duke Mindaugas united various tions already recommended by the Na- Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. Baltic tribes and established the state of Lithuania during the period between 1236 and tional Transportation Safety Board. LEVIN, Mr. HARKIN, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. Incredibly, many of these recommenda- 1263; REED, Mr. COCHRAN, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. Whereas, by the end of the 14th century, tions—including seatbelts, fire extin- KERRY, and Mr. JOHNSON) submitted Lithuania was the largest country in Europe, guishers, increased driver training, and the following resolution; which was encompassing territory from the Baltic Sea stronger windows—have languished for considered and agreed to: to the Black Sea; years. Whereas Vilnius University was founded in Our bill places firm timelines on the S. RES. 69 1579 and remained the easternmost univer- development and implementation of Whereas literacy is a learned skill that is sity in Europe for 200 years; these rules and does so in a manner improved through practice and regular read- Whereas the February 16, 1918, Act of Inde- consistent with the recommendations ing; pendence of Lithuania led to the establish- Whereas public and school libraries play an of the National Transportation Safety ment of Lithuania as a sovereign and demo- important role in helping children learn to cratic state; Board—the guardian of our Nation’s read and gain critical information literacy Whereas, under the cover of the Molotov- travel safety. skills by providing easy and free access to Ribbentrop Pact, on June 17, 1940, Latvia, This includes safety belts and strong- books and other information on a wide range Estonia and Lithuania were forcibly incor- er seating systems to ensure occupants of topics; porated into the Soviet Union in violation of stay in their seats in a crash. Whereas the reading of books with children pre-existing peace treaties; Stronger and better glazing on win- improves children’s language, cognitive, and Whereas, during 50 years of Soviet occupa- dows to prevent passengers from being literacy skills; tion of the Baltic states, Congress strongly, easily ejected out of the motorcoach, Whereas research demonstrates that read- consistently, and on a bipartisan basis re- crush-resistant roofs that can better ing aloud with children is the single most fused to legally recognize the incorporation important activity for helping them become of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania by the So- withstand rollovers, improved protec- successful readers; tion against fires by reducing flamma- viet Union; Whereas quality children’s books and the Whereas, on March 11, 1990, the Republic of bility of the motorcoach interior, and continued efforts of educators, parents, and Lithuania was restored and Lithuania be- better training for operators in the volunteer reading partners can instill a love came the first Soviet republic to declare case of fire. of reading that will last a lifetime; independence; John Betts’ son David was a second Whereas school reading programs provide Whereas on September 2, 1991, the United baseman on the Bluffton baseball team students with a chance to improve their States Government formally recognized and was on the bus when it crashed in reading skills and take pleasure in stories; Lithuania as an independent and sovereign Atlanta 2 years ago. Mr. Betts lost his Whereas such programs have a profound nation; and lasting positive impact on a child’s life Whereas Lithuania has successfully devel- son in that tragic accident, but has through improved reading comprehension, since been a tireless advocate for mo- oped into a free and democratic country, motivation, and achievement, as well as im- with a free market economy and respect for torcoach safety reform. proved overall academic performance, class- the rule of law; In testimony before the Senate Com- room behavior, self-confidence, and social Whereas Lithuania is a full and responsible merce Subcommittee on Surface skills; and member of the United Nations, the Organiza- Transportation and Merchant Marine Whereas all people of the United States tion for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, can help celebrate the importance of reading the European Union, and the North Atlantic Mr. Betts said: by donating children’s books, volunteering Treaty Organization; to read to and mentor young students, and Motorcoach transportation may be one of Whereas, in 2007, the United States Gov- supporting public policies aimed at improv- the safest modes when you look at statistics ernment and the Government of Lithuania ing literacy rates: Now, therefore, be it of lives lost per miles traveled compared to celebrated 85 years of continuous diplomatic other modes of transportation. However, as Resolved, Notwithstanding any other rules relations; family members here today representing and regulations of the Senate— Whereas the United States Government those who had a loved one die in such a (1) the Senate designates March 2009 as welcomes and appreciates efforts by the Gov- crash, our first response is that such statis- ‘‘National Reading Month’’; ernment of Lithuania to maintain inter- tics are not comforting. As a father, am I to (2) a Senator or officer or employee of the national peace and stability in Europe and disregard David’s death as his being one of Senate may solicit another Senator or offi- around the world by contributing to inter- the unlucky few? As NTSB recommendations cer or employee of the Senate within Senate national civilian and military operations in languish here in the United States, Europe buildings for nonmonetary book donations Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Geor- and Australia have already required basic oc- during the period beginning March 9, 2009 gia; and cupant safety protection measures such as and ending March 27, 2009 to assist elemen- Whereas Lithuania is a strong and loyal seat belts. tary school students in the Washington, D.C. ally of the United States, and the people of metropolitan area, if such solicitation does Lithuania share common values with the Mr. Betts eloquent words challenge people of the United States: Now, therefore, Congress to take action so that other not otherwise violate any rule or regulation of the Senate or any Federal law; and be it Americans do not tragically, need- (3) a Senator or officer or employee of the Resolved, That the Senate— lessly, lose their lives, and it is my Senate may work with a nonprofit organiza- (1) congratulates the people of the Repub- hope that we will swiftly pass this long tion with respect to the delivery of dona- lic of Lithuania on the occasion of the 1000th overdue bill. tions described in paragraph (2). anniversary of Lithuania;

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6732 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 (2) commends the Government of Lith- of the International Covenants on Human no evidence to support these prepos- uania for its success in implementing polit- Rights; terous accusations and has refused to ical and economic reforms, for establishing (2) calls on the Government of Iran to im- allow a lawyer for the seven to even political, religious and economic freedom, mediately release the seven leaders and all meet with them. These actions are and for its commitment to human rights; other prisoners held solely on account of and their religion, including Mrs. Fariba clear and unambiguous violations of (3) recognizes the close and enduring rela- Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Iran’s international commitments tionship between the United States Govern- Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz under the International Covenant on ment and the Government of Lithuania. Tavakkoli, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Vahid Civil and Political Rights. Some in the Tizfahm, Ms. Raha Sabet, Mr. Sasan Taqva, international community have already f and Ms. Haleh Roohi; and condemned this mockery of justice, SENATE RESOLUTION 71—CON- (3) calls on the President and Secretary of and rightly so. My colleagues and I be- State, in cooperation with the international lieve the time has now come to add the DEMNING THE GOVERNMENT OF community, to immediately condemn the IRAN FOR ITS STATE-SPON- Government of Iran’s continued violation of United States Senate to this growing SORED PERSECUTION OF THE human rights and demand the immediate re- chorus of voices. BAHA’I MINORITY IN IRAN AND lease of prisoners held solely on account of Our resolution is simple and straight- ITS CONTINUED VIOLATION OF their religion, including Mrs. Fariba forward. It denounces the Iranian gov- THE INTERNATIONAL COVE- Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. ernment’s persecution of the Baha’is NANTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz and calls on the regime to immediately Tavakkoli, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Vahid release all prisoners held for their reli- Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Mr. MENEN- Tizfahm, Ms. Raha Sabet, Mr. Sasan Taqva, gious beliefs, including the seven DEZ, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Ms. SNOWE, and and Ms. Haleh Roohi. Baha’i leaders. It further calls on Mr. BROWNBACK) submitted the fol- Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I rise lowing resolution; which was referred today to speak in support of a resolu- President Barack Obama and Secretary to the Committee on Foreign Rela- tion that I am offering with my col- of State Hillary Clinton to work with the international community in con- tions: leagues, Senators BROWNBACK, MENEN- demning the Iranian regime for its re- S. RES. 71 DEZ, SNOWE, and WHITEHOUSE. This res- olution condemns the Iranian govern- peated human rights violations. Whereas, in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, I hope that colleagues will join me 1996, 2000, 2006, and 2008, Congress declared ment’s persecution of its own Baha’i and Senators BROWNBACK, MENENDEZ, that it deplored the religious persecution by community and urges the Obama ad- the Government of Iran of the Baha’i com- ministration to speak out strongly SNOWE, and WHITEHOUSE in supporting munity and would hold the Government of against this continued injustice. this commonsense resolution. Iran responsible for upholding the rights of The Baha’i Faith, the world’s young- f all Iranian nationals, including members of est independent monotheistic religion, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- the Baha’i faith; was founded in Iran in 1844. Today, it is Whereas, in November 2007, the Iranian TION 10—CONGRATULATING THE practiced by more than 5 million peo- SAILORS OF THE UNITED Ministry of Information in Shiraz jailed Ba- ple across the planet, from Bangalore, ha’is Ms. Raha Sabet, age 33, Mr. Sasan STATES SUBMARINE FORCE India to Beaverton, Oregon. Roughly Taqva, age 32, and Ms. Haleh Roohi, age 29, UPON THE COMPLETION OF 1,000 300,000 of these adherents still live in for educating underprivileged children and OHIO-CLASS BALLISTIC MISSILE Iran. Although Baha’i teachings em- gave them 4-year prison terms, which they SUBMARINE (SSBN) DETERRENT phasize equality, unity, and peace, Ira- are serving; PATROLS Whereas Ms. Sabet, Mr. Taqva, and Ms. nian authorities have viewed the reli- Rooshi were targeted solely on the basis of gion as an apostasy and have treated it Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mrs. their religion; as a threat since the beginning. MURRAY, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. ISAKSON, Whereas, on January 23, 2008, the Depart- The current Islamic Republic has Mr. LUGAR, and Mr. DODD) submitted ment of State released a statement urging been particularly hostile to Baha’i the following concurrent resolution; the Government of Iran to release all indi- which was considered and agreed to: viduals held without due process and a fair practitioners since its establishment in trial, including the 3 young Baha’is being 1979. In 1983, Iran’s government for- S. CON. RES. 10 held in an Iranian Ministry of Intelligence mally banned all Baha’i religious insti- Whereas the Sailors of the United States detention center in Shiraz; tutions and criminalized membership Submarine Force recently completed the Whereas, in March and May of 2008, Iranian in them and service to them. The re- 1,000th deterrent patrol of the Ohio-class bal- intelligence officials in Mashhad and Tehran gime has officially recognized Chris- listic missile submarine (SSBN); arrested and imprisoned Mrs. Fariba tians, Jews, and Zoroastrians as reli- Whereas this milestone is significant for Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. gious minorities. It refuses to extend the Submarine Force, its crews and their Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz this same status to the Baha’is, even families, the United States Navy, and the en- Tavakkoli, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, and Mr. tire country; Vahid Tizfahm, the members of the coordi- though they make up Iran’s largest re- Whereas this milestone was reached nating group for the Baha’i community in ligious minority. According to the through the combined efforts and impressive Iran; State Department’s 2008 International achievements of all of the submariners who Whereas, on February 11, 2009, the deputy Religious Freedom Report, the regime have participated in such patrols since the prosecutor in Tehran, Mr. Hassan Haddad, continues to create ‘‘a threatening at- first patrol of USS Ohio (SSBN 726) in 1982; announced that those seven leaders will go mosphere for nearly all non-Shi’a reli- Whereas, as a result of the dedication and on trial at a Revolutionary Court on charges gious groups, most notably for Ba- commitment to excellence of the Sailors of of ‘‘espionage for Israel, insulting religious ha’is.’’ The government routinely the United States Submarine Force, ballistic sanctities and propaganda against the Is- seizes personal property from members missile submarines have always been ready lamic Republic’’; and vigilant, reassuring United States allies Whereas the lawyer for these seven leaders, of the Baha’i community, denies access and deterring anyone who might seek to do Mrs. Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel Laureate, has to education and employment opportu- harm to the United States or United States been denied all access to the prisoners and nities, and detains Baha’is based solely allies; their files; on their religious beliefs. Whereas the national maritime strategy of Whereas these seven Baha’i leaders were Last year, the Iranian regime impris- the United States recognizes the critical targeted solely on the basis of their religion; oned seven leaders of the Baha’i com- need for strategic deterrence in today’s un- and munity. In February 2009, Tehran’s certain world; Whereas the Government of Iran is party deputy prosecutor announced that Whereas the true strength of the ballistic to the International Covenants on Human these seven leaders would be tried on missile submarine lies in the extremely tal- Rights: Now, therefore, be it ented and motivated Sailors who have volun- Resolved, That the Senate— charges of ‘‘espionage for Israel, insult- tarily chosen to serve in the submarine com- (1) condemns the Government of Iran for ing religious sanctities, and propa- munity; and its state-sponsored persecution of the Baha’i ganda against the Islamic Republic.’’ Whereas the inherent stealth, unparalleled minority in Iran and its continued violation Not surprisingly, the regime provided firepower, and nearly limitless endurance of

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6733 the ballistic missile submarine provide a Because of the limited time available The clerk will report the concurrent credible deterrence for any enemies that for the hearing, witnesses may testify resolution by title. would seek to use force against the United by invitation only. However, those The assistant legislative clerk read States or United States allies: Now, there- wishing to submit written testimony as follows: fore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- for the hearing record may do so by A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 4) resentatives concurring), That Congress— sending it to the Committee on Energy calling on the President and the allies of the (1) congratulates the Sailors of the United and Natural Resources, United States United States to raise the case of Robert States Submarine Force upon the comple- Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510–6150, or Levinson with officials of the Government of tion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile sub- by e-mail to Aman- Iran at every level and opportunity, and urg- marine (SSBN) deterrent patrols; and ing officials of the Government of Iran to [email protected]. fulfill their promises of assistance to the (2) honors and thanks the crews of ballistic For further information, please con- missile submarines and their devoted fami- family of Robert Levinson and to share in- lies for their continued dedication and sac- tact Sam Fowler at (202) 224–7571 or formation on the investigation into the dis- rifice. Amanda Kelly at (202) 224–6836. appearance of Robert Levinson with the Fed- eral Bureau of Investigation. f f There being no objection, the Senate AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND proceeded to consider the concurrent MEET PROPOSED resolution. SA 674. Mr. CORNYN submitted an amend- COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. Presi- ment intended to be proposed by him to the Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- dent, exactly two years ago today, Bob bill H.R. 1105, making omnibus appropria- imous consent that the Committee on Levinson went missing while on a busi- tions for the fiscal year ending September 30, Finance be authorized to meet during ness trip to Kish Island, Iran. Bob 2009, and for other purposes; which was or- the session of the Senate on Monday, Levinson checked out of his hotel on dered to lie on the table. March 9, 2009, at 5 p.m., in room 215 of March 9, 2007, and got in a taxi cab to f the Dirksen Senate Office Building. head to the airport. TEXT OF AMENDMENTS The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without But he never checked in for his SA 674. Mr. CORNYN submitted an objection, it is so ordered. flight. The authorities in Dubai and amendment intended to be proposed by COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, surrounding countries have verified him to the bill H.R. 1105, making omni- AND PENSIONS that Mr. Levinson never arrived on any bus appropriations for the fiscal year Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- flight from Iran or passed through ending September 30, 2009, and for imous consent that the Committee on passport control. other purposes; which was ordered to Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- I would like to recognize that Bob lie on the table; as follows: sions be authorized to meet during the Levinson’s wife Christine Levinson is At the appropriate place in title I of divi- session of the Senate, to conduct a in the Senate today with her sister sion F, insert the following: hearing entitled ‘‘Preventing Worker Suzi Halpin. SEC. ll. No funds made available under Exploitation: Protecting Individuals Many of my fellow Senators and this Act shall be used to implement the Ex- with Disabilities and Other Vulnerable their staffs have met with Christine ecutive Order dated January 30, 2009, entitled Problems’’ on Monday, March 9, 2009. and cosponsored the resolution we are ‘‘Notification of Employee Rights Under The hearing will commence at 2:30 p.m. aiming to pass today. She is a tireless Federal Labor Laws’’ to the extent that the advocate of her husband’s case and I implementation of such order is in conflict in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Of- with Executive Order 13201, dated February fice Building. thank her and her sister for coming to 17, 2001. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Washington on this sad, but important day. f objection, it is so ordered. f So what happened to Bob Levinson? NOTICES OF HEARINGS We still do not know, although a man PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION named David Belfield, an American fu- Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I wish Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I gitive from justice residing in Iran, and to announce that the Committee on wish to make a request for the distin- one of the last people to see Bob Rules and Administration will meet on guished Senator of Connecticut and Levinson on Kish Island before his dis- Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. ask unanimous consent that Ellen appearance, has claimed that the Gov- to receive testimony on ‘‘Voter Reg- Cohen, a fellow on the staff of Senator ernment of Iran imprisoned Mr. istration: Assessing Current Prob- LIEBERMAN, be granted floor privileges Levinson. lems.’’ for the duration of this debate. Mr. Belfield himself was detained by Individuals and organizations that The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Iranian security services after meeting wish to submit a statement for the pore. Without objection, it is so or- Bob Levinson at the hotel on March 8, hearing record are requested to contact dered. 2007, the night before Mr. Levinson the Chief Clerk, Lynden Armstrong, at Mr. LIEBERMAN. Madam President, vanished. 202–224–6352. I ask unanimous consent that Gustavo The Iranians claim they do not know For further information regarding Delgado, Jr., be granted the privilege what happened to Bob Levinson, but I this hearing, please contact Jean of the floor for the remainder of the believe they are not being completely Bordewich at the Rules and Adminis- consideration of the omnibus bill. Mr. forthcoming. They promised in Decem- tration Committee 202–224–6352. Delgado is a member of my staff. ber 2007 that they would share the re- COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without sults of their investigation into Bob RESOURCES objection it is so ordered. Levinson’s case with his family. Presi- Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I f dent Ahmadinejad stated in July 2008 would like to announce for the infor- that Iranian authorities would cooper- mation of the Senate and the public RAISING THE CASE OF ROBERT ate with the FBI. We are still waiting that a hearing has been scheduled be- LEVINSON for the promised assistance. fore the Senate Committee on Energy Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- Meanwhile, Christine and the rest of and Natural Resources. The hearing sent that the Foreign Relations Com- the Levinson family pray every day for will be held on Thursday, March 12, mittee be discharged from further con- Bob’s return. The past 2 years have 2009, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD–366 of the sideration of S. Con. Res. 4 and the been incredibly hard on the family. Dirksen Senate Office Building. Senate proceed to its immediate con- In the intervening time, Bob The purpose of the hearing is to con- sideration. Levinson has missed graduations and sider the nomination of David Hayes to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without report cards and sports events. He has be Deputy Secretary of the Interior. objection, it is so ordered. missed the first steps of his grandson

VerDate Mar 15 2010 15:41 Jun 29, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09MR9.001 S09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6734 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 Ryan, and the birth of his grand- 3. I hope that we will be able to pass disappearance of Robert Levinson with the daughter Grace Olivia. this resolution by this evening. I want Federal Bureau of Investigation; I want to recognize the great per- to thank Senator VOINOVICH, as well as (4) urges the President and the allies of the sonal courage Christine has shown in 16 other Senators, for joining me as co- United States to engage with officials of the Government of Iran to raise the case of Rob- travelling to Iran in December 2007 to sponsors of this resolution. ert Levinson at every opportunity, notwith- seek answers from the Iranians on We cannot and we will not forget Bob standing other serious disagreements the what happened to her husband. Levinson or his family. United States Government has had with the She has steadfastly pursued this case Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- Government of Iran on a broad array of for 2 years now, giving press interviews sent that the concurrent resolution be issues, including human rights, the nuclear to publicize Bob’s plight and seek leads agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, program of Iran, the Middle East peace proc- on the case, engaging the Iranian Mis- the motions to reconsider be laid upon ess, regional stability, and international ter- sion to the U.N., talking to Swiss dip- the table, with no intervening action rorism; and (5) expresses sympathy to the family of lomats, speaking at rallies, making or debate, and any statements relating Robert Levinson during this trying period. trips to Washington to meet with Mem- to the measure be printed in the f bers of Congress and officials at the RECORD. White House, the State Department The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without CONGRATULATING SAILORS OF and the FBI. objection, it is so ordered. THE U.S. SUBMARINE FORCE At the same time, she also had to The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- juggle all her other duties as a mother Res. 4) was agreed to. sent that the Senate proceed to the im- of seven and grandmother of two. I do The preamble was agreed to. mediate consideration of S. Con. Res. want to salute Mrs. Levinson, as well The concurrent resolution, with its 10 submitted earlier today. as her family and friends who have sup- preamble, reads as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ported her during these trying times. S. CON. RES. 4 clerk will report the resolution by So what is the next step? What can Whereas United States citizen Robert title. we do now? Levinson is a retired agent of the Federal The assistant legislative clerk read President Obama has called for a re- Bureau of Investigation, a resident of Flor- as follows: newed diplomatic effort on Iran. Our ida, the husband of Christine Levinson, and A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 10) new U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice has father of their 7 children; congratulating the Sailors of the United stated that the new administration Whereas Robert Levinson traveled from States Submarine Force upon the comple- will engage in ‘‘direct diplomacy’’ with Dubai to Kish Island, Iran, on March 8, 2007; tion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile sub- Whereas, after traveling to Kish Island and marine (SSBN) deterrent patrols. the Iranians. Secretary Clinton said checking into the Hotel Maryam, he dis- There being no objection, the Senate Tehran would be invited to an Afghani- appeared on March 9, 2007; stan neighbors conference in the Neth- proceeded to consider the concurrent Whereas neither his family nor the United resolution. erlands at the end of the month. States Government has received further in- Mr. DODD. Mr. President, it is with We obviously have serious disagree- formation on his fate or whereabouts; great pleasure that I cosponsor this ments with Tehran on a number of Whereas March 9, 2009, marks the second anniversary of the disappearance of Robert concurrent resolution with the Senator issues, including its nuclear program, from Washington to congratulate the its despicable policy towards Israel, Levinson; Whereas the Government of Switzerland, sailors of the United States submarine and its support for the terrorist groups which has served as Protecting Power for the force upon their completion of 1,000 Hamas and Hezbollah. United States in the Islamic Republic of Iran Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine But the U.S. and Iran have common in the absence of diplomatic relations be- deterrent patrols. Ballistic missile sub- interests as well. Peace in Iraq, as well tween the United States Government and the marines serve as our Nation’s primary as in Afghanistan, is in the interests of Government of Iran since 1980, has continu- and most secure nuclear deterrent. both Tehran and Washington. We can ously pressed the Government of Iran on the case of Robert Levinson and lent vital assist- This milestone is a testament to the jointly confront the scourge caused by hard work and dedication of the sailors the narcotics drug trade. ance and support to the Levinson family dur- ing their December 2007 visit to Iran; who provide our security against the Cooperation on the case of Bob Whereas officials of the Government of rising threats that are permeating the Levinson a humanitarian issue in my Iran promised their continued assistance to globe. I stand here today to urge my mind—must be a top issue if any future the relatives of Robert Levinson during the colleagues to join me in supporting improvement in relations is to occur. visit of the family to the Islamic Republic of this concurrent resolution in honor of It is but one small step we can take to- Iran in December 2007; and all those who made this milestone pos- ward working together on this range of Whereas the President of the Islamic Re- sible. issues of mutual concern. public of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stat- The strategic deterrence capability ed during an interview with NBC News During her confirmation hearing in provided by the Ohio class remains as January, I asked Secretary of State broadcast on July 28, 2008, that officials of the Government of Iran were willing to co- critical to our national security today Hillary Clinton about Bob Levinson’s operate with the Federal Bureau of Inves- as it did when we commissioned the case. She stated that ‘‘it would be an tigation in the search for Robert Levinson: first Ohio-class submarine in 1981. As extraordinary opportunity for the gov- Now, therefore, be it result of the rapid advancements in the ernment of Iran to make such a gesture Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- information and technology industries, to permit contact, to release him, to resentatives concurring), That Congress— our adversaries across the globe are de- make it clear that there is a new atti- (1) commends the Embassy of Switzerland veloping weaponry at a much faster tude in Iran, as we believe there will be in Tehran and the Government of Switzer- rate than they were two decades ago. land for the ongoing assistance to the United with the Obama administration toward States Government and to the family of Rob- Because of this, we must always be pre- engagement, carefully constructed, and ert Levinson, particularly during the visit by pared for the next generation of with very clear outcomes attempted.’’ Christine Levinson and other relatives to threats. No other weapon can provide We do not have direct diplomatic re- Iran in December 2007; deterrence against these threats like lations with Iran and our relations (2) expresses appreciation for efforts by the ballistic missile submarine. It is with Iran are difficult, to say the least. Iranian officials to ensure the safety of the imperative that we continue to fund But I again call on the government of family of Robert Levinson during their De- the research and development to main- Iran to work with the U.S. and our al- cember 2007 visit to Iran, as well as for the tain this fleet, thereby ensuring the fu- lies to ensure Bob Levinson’s return to promise of continued assistance; (3) urges the Government of Iran, as a hu- ture of ballistic missile submarines in this country and allow the Levinsons manitarian gesture, to intensify its coopera- our naval force. I, along with many of to return to a normal life. tion on the case of Robert Levinson with the my colleagues, am committed to im- Those points are included in S. Con. Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran and to proving and embracing new tech- Res. 4 which I introduced on February share the results of its investigation into the nologies that will allow us to maintain

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At the same time, and vigilant, reassuring United States allies DURBIN; the Senator from Maryland, we realize that this security is not pro- and deterring anyone who might seek to do Mr. CARDIN; and the Senator from West vided without cost and sacrifice. Thou- harm to the United States or United States Virginia, Mr. BYRD, as Majority Ad- sands of submariners in our Navy spend allies; ministrative Co-Chairman. months and possibly years of their Whereas the national maritime strategy of f lives underneath the sea to ensure our the United States recognizes the critical need for strategic deterrence in today’s un- safety and our freedom. Additionally, certain world; ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 10, we must remember the countless hours Whereas the true strength of the ballistic 2009 spent by Connecticut laborers to design missile submarine lies in the extremely tal- Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- and construct the Trident submarines, ented and motivated Sailors who have volun- sent that when the Senate completes tarily chosen to serve in the submarine com- also made possible by vendor support its business today, it stand adjourned from all around the country. It is ex- munity; and Whereas the inherent stealth, unparalleled until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10; tremely important that we take the that following the prayer and pledge time to thank those service members firepower, and nearly limitless endurance of the ballistic missile submarine provide a the Journal of proceedings be approved and those American workers for their credible deterrence for any enemies that to date; the morning hour be deemed sacrifice and their service to our great would seek to use force against the United expired, the time for the two leaders be Nation. States or United States allies: Now, there- reserved for their use later in the day, Again, my sincerest congratulations fore, be it and the Senate resume consideration of go to all the sailors who made the suc- Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- resentatives concurring), That Congress— H.R. 1105, the Omnibus appropriations cessful completion of 1,000 deterrent bill, as provided under the previous patrols possible. I hope that my col- (1) congratulates the Sailors of the United States Submarine Force upon the comple- order; further, that the Senate recess leagues will join me in supporting this tion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile sub- from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. for the weekly resolution in their honor. marine (SSBN) deterrent patrols; and part conference luncheons. Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- (2) honors and thanks the crews of ballistic The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without sent that the resolution be agreed to, missile submarines and their devoted fami- objection, it is so ordered. the preamble be agreed to, the motions lies for their continued dedication and sac- to reconsider be laid upon the table, rifice. f with no intervening action or debate, f PROGRAM and any statements related to the APPOINTMENT measure be printed in the RECORD. Mr. DURBIN. We expect to be in a se- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ries of votes tomorrow afternoon in re- Chair announces, on behalf of the Ma- objection, it is so ordered. lation to the remaining pending jority Leader, pursuant to the provi- The concurrent resolution (S. Con. amendments to the omnibus bill, in ad- sions of S. Res. 105, opted April 13, 1989, Res. 10) was agreed to. dition to a vote on cloture on the bill as amended by S. Res. 149 adopted Oc- The preamble was agreed to. and, hopefully, a vote on passage of the tober 5, 1993, as amended by Public Law legislation. The concurrent resolution, with its 105–275, adopted October 21, 1998, fur- preamble, reads as follows: ther amended by S. Res. 75, adopted f S. CON. RES. 10 March 25, 1999, amended by S. Res. 383, ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. Whereas the Sailors of the United States adopted October 27, 2000, and amended TOMORROW Submarine Force recently completed the by S. Res. 355, adopted November 13, 1,000th deterrent patrol of the Ohio-class bal- 2002, and further amended by S. Res. Mr. DURBIN. If there is no further listic missile submarine (SSBN); 480, adopted November 21, 2004, the ap- business to come before the Senate, I Whereas this milestone is significant for ask unanimous consent that it stand the Submarine Force, its crews and their pointment of the following Senators as families, the United States Navy, and the en- members of the Senate National Secu- adjourned under the previous order. tire country; rity Working Group for the 111th Con- There being no objection, the Senate, Whereas this milestone was reached gress: The Senator from Michigan, Mr. at 7:20 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, through the combined efforts and impressive LEVIN, as Democratic Co-Chairman; March 10, 2009, at 10 a.m.

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HONORING DOUG WARNER For 25 years Mary Kelligrew Kassler has ex- CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTH- emplified public service in a critical area. DAY OF NORTHEASTERN STATE HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN Madam Speaker, I hope that young people UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE contemplating careers will learn about the ex- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES traordinary work she did and that she will be, HON. DAN BOREN Monday, March 9, 2009 at least for some, a role model. OF OKLAHOMA Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, it is a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES privilege to rise today to honor and recognize f Monday, March 9, 2009 an outstanding citizen of Germantown, Ten- HONORING CENTRAL CALIFORNIA Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today nessee, Mr. Doug Warner. to honor a significant milestone for a pres- For the past 22 years, Doug has volun- HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COM- tigious institution of higher learning in my state teered for the Mountain Tennessee Outreach MERCE of Oklahoma. Northeastern State University, Project (T.O.P) which attends to the spiritual, located in Tahlequah, is turning 100 years old physical, emotional or social needs of rural this month. Tennessee residents. Doug has led more than HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH Founded in 1909, Northeastern State Uni- 50 trips to the counties in Tennessee this or- OF CALIFORNIA versity has been a center of learning and ex- ganization aids and brought much comfort to cellence for thousands of Oklahomans. those families in distress. Doug has also been IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES One hundred years ago this month, Gov- there in times of tragedy by collecting and dis- Monday, March 9, 2009 ernor Charles Haskell signed the document tributing supplies to aid in the recovery efforts creating Northeastern State Normal School on after natural disasters such as the Ivan, Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise the site of the former Cherokee National Fe- Katrina and Rita hurricanes. today to congratulate Central California His- male Seminary. Since that day, NSU has be- Besides his work with Mountain T.O.P., panic Chamber of Commerce upon the cele- come a highly regarded academic institution Doug has organized numerous other volunteer bration of their 25th anniversary. The anniver- and the fourth largest university in the state of projects in order to help the lives of his fellow sary will be celebrated on Friday March 13, Oklahoma. citizens and make his community better. 2009 in Fresno, California. With a student body of more then 9,000, Through his service on the Habitat for Human- NSU brings a broad swath of diversity to the ity Board, Doug has sponsored and built more In 1983 a small, influential group of Hispanic learning environment. 29% of the students than 29 Habitat houses as well as collecting business owners in the Fresno area came to- who attend Northeastern State are self-identi- donated furniture and accessories to help gether and identified a need for a business or- fied Native Americans. these families to a new beginning. Doug and ganization that was aimed toward growing and NSU offers degree programs in four aca- his family continue to be an active part of the developing Hispanic owned businesses. The demic colleges and is home to Oklahoma’s Germantown United Methodist Church. leaders began to develop strong ties to the Through this service and countless other ac- California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. only College of Optometry. On the athletic field, things look just as complishments, the quality of life of many Ten- Together they built the foundation and began promising for Northeastern. NSU is a member nesseans has been greatly improved because to gather support from local businesses and of Doug’s leadership, experience and willing- of the NCAA Division II Lonestar Conference leaders to form the Central California Hispanic and fields teams in basketball, baseball, foot- ness to give. Congratulations to Mr. Doug Chamber of Commerce (CCHCC). Under the Warner on being named Citizen of the Year ball, golf, soccer, softball and tennis. leadership of Hugo Morales, Carmen Navarro, In these times of limited educational dollars, 2008 by the Germantown, Tennessee Lions Jo Ann Orijel, the late Albert Ramirez, Jorge it is important for the United States Congress Club. Acuna, David Mendoza, Rose Molina, and oth- to remember the local and regional univer- f ers, the CCHCC was formed. sities that educate so many of our citizens. MARY KELLIGREW KASSLER: 25 The focus for the first couple of years was Northeastern State University is an enormous YEARS OF HER BEST to become incorporated, obtain non-profit sta- asset to eastern Oklahoma and I come to the tus, to expand and cover the Central Valley floor today to honor all they do. HON. BARNEY FRANK and to create by-laws and establish a board of Happy Birthday Northeastern State Univer- OF MASSACHUSETTS directors. This was accomplished by 1985. sity! IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The CCHCC further gained momentum when f Monday, March 9, 2009 State Center Community College District, Cali- EARMARK DECLARATION Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam fornia State University, Fresno, Pepsi-Cola Speaker, after 25 years of extraordinary serv- and other corporations pledged their support. HON. CLIFF STEARNS These early supporters help catapult CCHCC ice in the WIC Program, Mary Kelligrew OF FLORIDA into becoming a viable business organization. Kassler is retiring. I know literally no one who IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has worked harder to make this the kind of Today, CCHCC is involved in addressing Monday, March 9, 2009 country that we all want to live in. Her dedica- the quality of life for the Hispanic community. tion to providing needed assistance at the crit- The CCHCC has hosted several events to Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, pursuant ical time in their lives to lower-income women promote and revitalize local Hispanic busi- to the Republican Leadership standards on and their children is unsurpassed. nesses and boost the economy for the entire earmarks, I am submitting the following infor- I will personally miss her as a source of ab- Central Valley. mation regarding earmarks I received as part solutely reliable advice in this area. She com- of the FY 2009 Omnibus. bined a zeal for the important work she was Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Requesting Member: Congressman CLIFF doing with a balanced outlook and a realistic and congratulate Central California Hispanic STEARNS understanding of how to get things done that Chamber of Commerce on 25 years of busi- Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus made her an advisor on whom I could always ness. I invite my colleagues to join me in wish- Account: Cooperative State Research Edu- rely without any question. ing CCHCC many years of continued success. cation and Extension Service, SGR

● 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 Mar 15 2010 07:35 Jun 30, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\E09MR9.000 E09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6737 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida supported by both the Sheriff’s office and the ment in identifying, researching, and estab- Citrus Mutual municipalities in Lake County. I certify that nei- lishing dialogue on community issues, and Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 89, ther I nor my spouse has any financial interest then in recommending and helping to imple- Lakeland, FL 33802 in this project. ment timely solutions. I certify that neither I Description of Request: I have secured Requesting Member: Congressman CLIFF nor my spouse has any financial interest in $1,217,000 for Florida Citrus Mutual. The STEARNS this project. funding will be used to improve technologies Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus Requesting Member: Congressman CLIFF for treatment and detection, methods of move- Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction STEARNS ment and containment, and means to control Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Jackson- and eliminate these devastating citrus dis- ville Port Authority Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus eases. After two unprecedented, devastating Address of Requesting Entity: 2831 Account: Department of Transportation, Air- hurricane seasons in 2004 and 2005, APHIS Talleyrand Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32206– port Improvement Program determined in January 2006 that eradicating 0005 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Jackson- citrus canker from Florida is no longer fea- Description of Request: I have secured ville Aviation Authority sible. As a result, the scientific community $3,349,000 for the Jacksonville Port Authority. work is working to find disease resistance and/ The funding will be used to increase the Corps Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box or a cure for these diseases. In addition, in of Engineers’ capability for completing Phase 18018, Jacksonville, FL 32229 2005, USDA-Animal Plant Health Inspection II dredging of the federal ship channel to the Description of Request: I have secured Service (USDA–APHIS) detected citrus green- Talleyrand Terminal. Prompt completion of this $722,000 for the Jacksonville Aviation Author- ing in Florida. Greening is another severe cit- deepening project, which began seven years ity. The funding will be used to make taxiway rus disease that must be addressed to ensure ago, is critically important to meet the needs improvements at Cecil Field. The project con- the sustainability of the industry. I certify that of fully loaded cargo ships and for the contin- sists of the 2,000 foot parallel Taxiway Echo neither I nor my spouse has any financial in- ued commercial viability and operational safety east of existing Runway 18L/36R and the 500 terest in this project. of the Jacksonville Port. Navigation safety foot Taxiway A–1 connector, along with the Requesting Member: Congressman CLIFF issues will be addressed in the vicinity of the 120,000 square foot apron. These improve- STEARNS Chaseville Turn where docked oil tankers are ments will open new areas of the airport east Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus in close proximity to vessels attempting to of the existing runway for new economic de- Account: Department of Justice, OJP— navigate the restricted turning area. I certify velopment and job creation. I certify that nei- Byrne Discretionary Grants that neither I nor my spouse has any financial ther I nor my spouse has any financial interest Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alachua interest in this project. in this project. County, FL Requesting Member: Congressman CLIFF Requesting Member: Congressman CLIFF Address of Requesting Entity: 12 SE 1st STEARNS STEARNS Street, Gainesville, FL 32602 Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus Description of Request: I have secured Account: Small Business Administration Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus $550,000 for Alachua County, FL. The funding Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Central Account: Department of Transportation, will be used by Alachua County to manage of- Florida Community College Transportation, Community, and System Pres- fenders with co-occurring mental illness and Address of Requesting Entity: 3001 SW Col- ervation substance abuse disorders. Alachua County lege Rd, Ocala, FL 34474–4415 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Marion proposes an integrated, coordinated con- Description of Request: I have secured County, FL tinuum of care using evidence-based practices $100,000 for Central Florida Community Col- where there will be ‘‘no wrong door’’ to enter lege. The funding will be used to support an Address of Requesting Entity: 601 SE 25th treatment. Persons will be assessed and pro- initiative to identify growth industries compat- Ave., Ocala, FL 34471 vided with a level of treatment consistent with ible with the research strengths of the Univer- Description of Request: I have secured individual need. This innovative approach sity of Florida and the workforce training $475,000 for Marion County, FL. The funding could prove to be an effective keystone to al- strengths of Central Florida Community Col- will used for construction of 9.2 miles of a new leviate jail overcrowding by reducing the re- lege and Santa Fe Community College. The 4-lane, rural, divided roadway (Belleview By- cidivism rate that is prevalent with offenders educational institutions, in cooperation with re- pass) and improvements to State Road 35 suffering from a mental illness compounded by gional economic development entities, would (Baseline Road) in the Belleview area. The drug abuse. I certify that neither I nor my develop a strategic plan to recruit and/or ex- new managed access 4-lane roadway begins spouse has any financial interest in this pand identified industry groups, such as those south of the City of Belleview at US 441 and project. related to the bio-medical industry at the Uni- loops around the city on the east to tie into Requesting Member: Congressman CLIFF versity of Florida. I certify that neither I nor my Baseline Road north of the city at 92nd Place. STEARNS spouse has any financial interest in this Improvements to Baseline Road begin south Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus project. of this intersection and include reconstruction Account: Department of Justice, COPS Law Requesting Member: Congressman CLIFF of this 2-lane road to a 4-lane divided arterial Enforcement Technology STEARNS up to CR 464. I certify that neither I nor my Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lake Bill Number: FY 2009 Omnibus spouse has any financial interest in this County, FL Account: Department of Education, Higher project. Address of Requesting Entity: 315 W. Main Education St., Tavares, FL 32778–3813 Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Central f Description of Request: I have secured Florida Community College $150,000 for Lake County, FL. The funding Address of Requesting Entity: 3001 SW Col- PERSONAL EXPLANATION will be used by Lake County for a 800 MHz lege Rd, Ocala, FL 34474–4415 Radio System to serve the public safety needs Description of Request: I have secured and Emergency Operations Center of the $238,000 for Central Florida Community Col- HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY County. An 800 MHz radio system will allow lege. The funding will be used by Central Flor- OF NEW YORK for the coordination of Lake County’s emer- ida Community College for expansion of the gency response services. The project would Public Policy Institute. The Public Policy Insti- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES allow for the first time portable radio commu- tute (PPI) of Marion County was established in Monday, March 9, 2009 nications across the county. After the recent 1999 as a non-profit, non-partisan citizen- tornados that struck the County February 2, based organization to provide a careful anal- Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, on March 2007, and in previous years Hurricanes, hav- ysis of the issues and trends that shape and 6, 2009, I was absent for one rollcall vote. If ing an 800 MHz radio system will better equip affect public policy. Its mission is to give the I had been here, I would like the RECORD to the County’s public safety personnel to re- community a sense of hope and optimism by reflect that I would have voted ‘‘yes’’ on rollcall spond and offer assistance. The project is creating a broad base of community involve- vote No. 109.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:35 Jun 30, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\E09MR9.000 E09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6738 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 RECOGNITION OF MEADOW BRIDGE for the books that he chose to sell. He cham- INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL’S 100% SENIOR pioned then-controversial 20th-century authors FOOD RECOVERY ACT OF 2009 CLASS REGISTRATION such as William Faulkner and Ernest Heming- way. His son, David, took over the business in HON. FRANK R. WOLF HON. NICK J. RAHALL II 1972 and under the younger Schwartz’s lead- OF VIRGINIA OF WEST VIRGINIA ership the company added more stores. New IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES stores were placed in neighborhoods where national chains could not build. Books were Monday, March 9, 2009 Monday, March 9, 2009 carefully selected to reflect local customer Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to Mr. RAHALL. I rise today in recognition of preferences and coffee and other soft items introduce the School Food Recovery Act of Meadow Bridge High School in Meadow were offered. The company began mentoring 2009. The purpose of this legislation is simple: Bridge, West Virginia. With encouragement and assisting other small bookstores including to keep excess school food out of the garbage from their principal, Al Martine, 100% of the the Cultural Connection Bookstore. and get it into our food banks. senior class has submitted voter registration Schwartz unleashed his biggest innovation, Our Nation’s food banks and food pantries forms to the County Clerk in Fayetteville, West readings with big-name authors including are struggling to keep up with demand. On av- Virginia. President Barack Obama, then Senator erage, client visits are up more than 30 per- Meadow Bridge High School has an eight- Obama, with the introduction of his book The cent over the past year. Families in northern year history of registering their entire senior Audacity of Hope, in 2006. Schwartz Virginia and all around the Nation are going class, and they are the only known school in Bookshops became known for their great au- hungry. Our food banks and food pantries are West Virginia with such an accomplishment to thor events throughout the national book in- their last resort. call their own. Not only that, but Meadow dustry. Schwartz Bookshops’ parent company, Consider that for a family earning $45,000 a Bridge High School was recently honored as a Dickens Books Ltd., also began an operation year, it costs an extra $1,000 today to main- bronze level school in US News and World that sells business books, which today is a tain the same food, gas, and basic good pur- Report. They were singled out because every separate division, 800–CEO–Read. Despite chases compared to 2006—a 9.6% increase. student, even the most disadvantaged, has the advent of the big box booksellers, That reality has led some families in my dis- standardized test scores that are above the Schwartz prospered in the 1980s and 1990s. trict who had been donating food in the past state average. If that doesn’t take hard work After the death of David Schwartz in 2004 his to now turn to the same pantries for food as- or doesn’t deserve recognition here, I don’t widow, Carol Grossmeyer, took over as presi- sistance. know what does. dent and his daughter, Rebecca Schwartz, be- Unfortunately, we are not doing enough to Were he still with us today, I am certain came chairman of the company. prevent the waste of perfectly good food as West Virginia Senator Jennings Randolph, Booksellers now have competition not only these families go hungry. According to a who proposed the 26th Amendment to our from the national chains, but also from online USDA report on waste in the National School Constitution to lower the voting age to 18 in booksellers, digital books, and the economic Lunch Program, it was reported that an esti- 1971, would be very proud of each and every downturn that affect how people both read and mated ‘‘30 million Americans were in danger student at Meadow Bridge High School. As purchase books. Although the Schwartz brick of going hungry and 96 billion pounds of food your elected representative to Washington, I and mortar Bookshops will close, two of the were being wasted at the retail and food serv- am especially moved by the faculty’s efforts to stores will continue operating under new own- ices level.’’ get young people involved in the political proc- ers. Ms. Grossmeyer and Ms. Schwartz will To address this, former Agriculture Sec- ess at a young age. By registering to vote, continue to run Dickens Books Ltd and the retary Dan Glickman awarded twelve $10,000 they have achieved the highest office in our 800–CEO–Read Division which remains profit- grants to school districts during the 1998– land, that of a citizen. able. 1999 school year to develop models to donate West Virginians have a long, proud history Madam Speaker, my district and Greater unused food to local food banks and food pan- of serving their country. It brings me great Milwaukee will experience a profound loss tries and the results were published in a ‘‘best pleasure to be able to recognize the efforts of with the closing of the Harry W. Schwartz practices’’ manual in 1999. However, since the our youngest new voters as they continue in Bookshops; I thank them for their immeas- conclusion of the one-year grants, little has the grand tradition of their classmates, parents urable achievements and salute their legacy. been done at the Federal level to encourage and neighbors who registered to vote before f school districts to donate surplus food to food them. These students take great pride in doing banks. their civic duty, and I look forward to having IN RECOGNITION OF MR. MICHAEL In 1993, Congress passed the Bill Emerson their voices heard at the polls come election E. PRICKETT Good Samaritan Act, which protects donors season. who give to food banks in good faith from all Let us take this moment to recognize the HON. MIKE ROGERS liability. This law has helped encourage many truly spectacular achievement they have at- OF ALABAMA businesses and civic organizations to donate tained with this milestone. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES more and to build connections with food agen- f cies. Monday, March 9, 2009 Unfortunately, the same cannot be said IN TRIBUTE TO HARRY SCHWARTZ Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, about our school cafeterias. Far too few BOOKSHOPS I respectfully ask the attention of the House school districts have been willing to donate ex- today to pay recognition to a constituent of cess food, primarily due to administrative re- HON. GWEN MOORE mine, Mr. Michael Prickett, and his steadfast sistance and a misperception that Federal reg- OF WISCONSIN service to his community. ulation doesn’t allow it. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Prickett has served as the Fire Chief of The School Food Recovery Act will clarify— the Alexandria Fire Department since 1979. once and for all—that schools are covered Monday, March 9, 2009 His 39 years of service have helped further from liability under the Good Samaritan Act Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speak- strengthen the department as an institution the and will allow each school to authorize an em- er, I rise to pay tribute to Milwaukee’s land- people of Calhoun County can rely upon to ployee who has the discretion to release ex- mark bookstore chain, Harry W. Schwartz provide safety and peace of mind. On March cess school food to local food banks on a reg- Bookshops. After 82 years of business and 14th, Mr. Prickett’s family and friends will gath- ular basis. service to the entire Greater Milwaukee com- er to honor his service during a special retire- I believe this legislation will cut through the munity, the company will close its doors at the ment dinner. red tape and ensure that excess school food close of business on March 31, 2009. I am proud to join the members of the Alex- is used to feed the hungry, not to fill a The chain was founded two years before andria Fire Department in thanking Mr. school’s dumpster. It only requires schools to the Great Depression, in 1927, by Harry W. Prickett for his service and wish him and his identify local food banks and pantries, identify Schwartz, who opened his first shop on Down- family the best at this important occasion to the employee authorized to release food to er Avenue. Mr. Schwartz soon became known honor his dedication and leadership. those agencies, and create a database of

VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:35 Jun 30, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\E09MR9.000 E09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6739 these contacts at each school that food banks Bashir, recently indicted by the Inter- gram (TAP) Act, which is designed to increase can use to connect with these individuals. national Criminal Court for war crimes and maple syrup production in the United States. It Madam Speaker, I encourage my col- crimes against humanity. Senator Sam would also further economic development in Brownback and I traveled to Darfur in 2004, leagues to join me in cosponsoring this where we saw first hand the suffering and de- rural areas like Northern and Central New straightforward legislation to help feed the struction that has taken place under the York, which I am honored to represent. hungry. Bashir regime. We heard first hand accounts The United States has the potential to great- f of women who were brutally abused at the ly increase its maple syrup production. In fact, hands of the janjaweed forces. During our there are nearly two billion potential taps dis- FREEMAN IS NOT THE MAN FOR visit we captured the haunting images of the persed across 20 states. However, despite THE JOB terror and destruction, and we will share this wealth of resources, the United States those photographs with your administration currently imports four times as much maple at your request. Mr. Freeman’s appointment syrup as is produced domestically. In fact, we HON. FRANK R. WOLF to this high level post undermines the policy OF VIRGINIA of U.S. divestment from the genocidal re- only tap 7.5 million or one in every 250 maple IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gime of Sudan. trees. According to Cornell University, if the Most recently, Mr. Freeman served as United States’ maple industry increased its Monday, March 9, 2009 president of the Middle East Policy Council, rate to just 2.1%, 42 million more trees could Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I would like to a think-tank funded by the Kingdom of be tapped. This increased production would bring to my colleagues’ attention the following Saudi Arabia. On September 20, 2006, in an have an annual economic impact in excess of letter I recently sent to President Obama re- interview with the Saudi-US Relations Infor- $300 million. mation Service, Mr. Freeman said that In an effort to enhance U.S. maple syrup garding the appointment of former Ambas- ‘‘thanks to the generosity of King Abdullah sador Charles W. Freeman to serve as chair bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia we have man- production, the Maple Tapping Access Pro- of the National Intelligence Council. aged to accumulate an endowment’’ for the gram Act would direct the U.S. Secretary of CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Middle East Policy Council. According to fil- Agriculture to establish a public access pro- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ings with the Internal Revenue Service, Mr. gram, for which $20 million would be author- March 6, 2009. Freeman drew an annual salary from the ized annually. Through this program, State Hon. BARACK H. OBAMA, Middle East Policy Council. However, the and tribal governments could apply for com- The President, The White House, foundation has never publicly released its petitive grants to design and implement pro- Washington DC. list of contributors. grams to encourage landowners to provide ac- DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I write today to In his Pulitzer Prize winning book, The share my deep concern regarding the ap- Looming Tower, Lawrence Wright states on cess to their land for maple tapping activities. pointment of Chas W. Freeman Jr. as chair- page 170 that ‘‘Saudi Arabia, which con- My friend, Mr. SCHUMER, is introducing the man of the National Intelligence Council. stitutes only 1 percent of the world’s Muslim companion measure in the Senate. It is impor- Particularly disturbing is Mr. Freeman’s population . . . supports 90 percent of the ex- tant to note that my legislation differs slightly. position on the international advisory board penses of the entire faith,’’ including ‘‘thou- Specifically, my bill clarifies that participating of the China National Offshore Oil Corp. sands of religious schools around the globe, landowners may provide access to their land (CNOOC), which he has held since March staffed with Wahhabi imams and teachers.’’ I for maple tapping purposes voluntarily or by have enclosed a copy of this book and strong- 2004. The communist government of China, lease or other means. Additionally, my version along with other state-owned companies, are ly encourage you to read it. Wahhabi teach- majority stakeholders in CNOOC. This con- ings exported by the Saudis have inspired a of this measure would allow states and tribes nection would require Mr. Freeman to recuse generation of young radicals that have prov- to use grant funds to encourage landowners to himself from certain matters involving en themselves ready to take up arms in the initiate or expand maple tapping activities on China. name of faith. Many experts believe that the their land. The 2007 United States-China Economic notorious Taliban leader Mullah Omar was The Maple Tapping Access Program Act and Security Review Commission’s Classified educated in a Saudi-funded radical would provide the impetus necessary to stimu- Report to the Congress addresses Chinese ac- madrassah. How can Mr. Freeman possibly late an underdeveloped American maple in- tivities in the areas of espionage, cyber war- be expected to confront this challenge head dustry and foster much-needed rural economic fare, and arms proliferation. In 2006 four of on after taking home years of paychecks the computers in my Capitol Hill office were from the Saudis? development. Accordingly, I ask my col- hacked. It was confirmed by the FBI that The reprehensible regimes with which leagues to join with me to enact this important these attacks originated in the People’s Re- CNOOC does business does not end there. The measure. public of China. The economic stimulus plan company rebuffed public calls to withdraw f recently rolled out by Chinese Premier Wen from Burma in October 2007 after the ruling Jiaobao includes a 14.9 percent increase in military junta opened fire on peaceful HONORING ROBERT JONES ALLEN military spending. It is evident that China protestors in a movement known as the Saf- poses an increasing national, security threat fron Revolution. CNOOC also has invested in HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN to the United States. How is national secu- Iran, a country which is actively seeking to OF MARYLAND rity policy enhanced by having a chairman build nuclear weapons and has vowed to of the NIC who must recuse himself from ‘‘wipe Israel off the map.’’ Such activities IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES matters involving a regime which poses one starkly contrast with the national security Monday, March 09, 2009 of the most serious national security risks to interests of the United States. the United States? The evidence strongly suggests that Mr. Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise In an April 25 speech given by Mr. Freeman Freeman is not the right person for this job today to honor Robert Jones Allen in celebra- at the National War College Alumni Associa- and for the good of our country I urge you to tion of his recent 86th birthday. He is a re- tion, he described the March 2008 protests in reconsider your choice. markable man who, with passion and dedica- Tibet as ‘‘a race riot.’’ The Tibetan people Best wishes. tion, has worked tirelessly throughout his ca- Sincerely, have suffered for decades at the hands of the reer to advance our knowledge of Antarctica authoritarian Chinese government, and such FRANK R. WOLF, a characterization of the March uprising is Member of Congress. and cartography. Mr. Allen devoted his professional life to deeply insulting. I traveled to Tibet in 1997 f where I heard endless accounts of violent op- studying and learning about Antarctica while pression by the Chinese government. I spoke INTRODUCTION OF THE MAPLE performing his cartographic tasks of studying, to Buddhist monks and nuns who recounted TAPPING ACCESS PROGRAM ACT handling and compiling photographic materials their experiences of torture and imprison- and maps concerning Antarctica. Allen Peak, ment in Tibet’s notorious Drapchi Prison. HON. JOHN M. McHUGH which sits on the northern edge of the Sentinel Just last week, the Associated Press re- Range’s main ridge, is named in his honor. Dr. ported that a Tibetan monk was shot three OF NEW YORK times by Chinese security forces after he set IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Robert Bindschadler, one of our nation’s fore- most experts of the continent and a friend of himself on fire. Monday, March 9, 2009 Additionally, CNOOC’s substantial invest- Mr. Allen’s, stated that ‘‘there is no one else ment in Sudan’s oil sector has served as the Mr. MCHUGH. Madam Speaker, I rise today that holds such broad and deep historical lifeline to the regime of President Omar al to introduce the Maple Tapping Access Pro- knowledge of Antarctic movements’’ and refers

VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:35 Jun 30, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\E09MR9.000 E09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6740 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 to Mr. Allen as his ‘‘Antarctic Encyclopedia.’’ On rollcall numbers 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, serve on boards of local charity and commu- His words shed light on Robert Allen’s impor- 98, 99, 106, 108, and 109, had I been nity groups. tance to the scientific community. present, I would have voted ‘‘yes’’. The Chamber has played a significant role Bob Allen’s contributions to Antarctic On rollcall numbers 97, 105, and 107, had in the community’s economic health, estab- science put him in a class all his own. There I been present, I would have voted ‘‘no’’. lishing an Economic Development Partnership is no one else that holds such broad and deep On rollcall number 104, had I been present, with the City of Denton focused on helping historical knowledge of Antarctic measure- I would have voted ‘‘no’’. Though the Helping create new jobs, supporting existing career ments. He remembers who did what, when, Families Save Act of 2009 (H.R. 1106) in- opportunities and expanding the property tax where, what they saw and (most importantly) cluded some good provisions, the bill also in- base. A prime example of this success was where to get the information. His recollections cluded troubling bankruptcy provisions. On the the partnership’s work to attract the largest start with the first scientific expeditions to Ant- amendments considered, had I been present, local employer, the Peterbilt Motors plant, and arctica in the 1940’s and continue to the I would have voted ‘‘yes’’ on rollcalls 101 and later, Peterbilt’s division headquarters. present day. Much of what he knows was 102 and ‘‘no’’ on rollcall 100. Also, had I been Helping in the efforts to secure the sites for never written down, making his anecdotal present, I would have voted ‘‘yes’’ on the Mo- the Denton State School, and the sites for record absolutely unique. Often Bob is able to tion to Recommit with Instructions (rollcall FEMA’s underground center and National show us what we thought was ‘‘new’’ had 103). Teleregistration facility, the Denton Chamber been noted previously. That kind of expertise I regret that I did not have the opportunity of Commerce’s contributions have gone be- and knowledge is priceless. to vote on these important measures. yond just helping the business community. Robert Allen began his career with the U.S. f With programs such as Leadership Denton, Department of Agriculture’s Aerial Photo Lab. Chamber members have learned the inner He served his country in the military’s 656th HONORING MATTHEW C. GARCIA workings of policy. It has worked to supple- Engineering Topography Battalion and later in ment communications with state and federal the 11th Airborne Division. For over 50 years HON. SAM GRAVES officials with the initiation of county wide he worked at the U.S. Geological Survey. OF MISSOURI events such as Denton County Day in Austin His work on the mapping of the Antarctic re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and the Washington Fly-In. A tribute to their gion has proved invaluable to the scientific role in community service and leadership de- Monday, March 9, 2009 community. He has a long-time, intimate rela- velopment is evidenced by the dozens of tionship with most of the over 1/2 million pho- Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly members that have served on local city coun- tographs as well as negatives in the U.S. Ant- pause to recognize Matthew C. Garcia a very cils, school boards and in other elected posi- arctic Mapping Photography collection. The special young man who has exemplified the tions. Antarctic scientific community would, there- finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by It is with great pride that I stand here today fore, consult with him not only to help their ex- taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of to join others in celebrating the 100th Anniver- peditions avoid potentially dangerous areas, America, Troop 357, and in earning the most sary of the Denton Chamber of Commerce. I but also to pinpoint locations that would be prestigious award of Eagle Scout. wish the membership, staff and board all the conducive for their studies. In a time when Matthew has been very active with his troop best and I am proud to represent them in the satellites and computers were rudimentary in- participating in many scout activities. Over the U.S. House of Representatives. struments, Mr. Allen became the first to deter- many years Matthew has been involved with f mine the speed of the Thwaites Glacier, the scouting, he has not only earned numerous fastest moving ice stream in west Antarctica. merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY, His vast experience has led numerous explor- ily, peers, and community. RECIPIENT OF THE ‘‘SCHOLAR- ers and scientists to call on him for answers Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join PATRIOT AWARD’’ and advice. me in commending Matthew C. Garcia for his Mr. Allen’s expertise is not limited to Antarc- accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO tica. In the 1960’s he helped create a map of America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- OF MASSACHUSETTS Mars via satellite images. He also used photo- ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES graphs from the Apollo 6 mission to create f Monday, March 9, 2009 mosaic maps of the United States. He com- CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNI- piled maps of China and the Red Sea using Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise in VERSARY OF THE DENTON satellite data. tribute to the Senior Senator from Massachu- Today Mr. Allen spends his time at the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE setts, EDWARD M. KENNEDY, and to the Amer- United States Antarctic Resource Center ican Academy of Arts and Sciences which has where he still amazes his co-workers with his HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS just honored Senator KENNEDY with its ‘‘Schol- ability to retrieve information from the early OF TEXAS ar-Patriot Award.’’ days of U.S. studies of Antarctica and then IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Nearly 230 years ago in Cambridge, in what would become the Eighth Congressional Dis- apply it to current studies. His devotion to Monday, March 9, 2009 studying this extraordinary region of our planet trict of Massachusetts, John Adams, James merits our praise and gratitude. Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise Bowdoin, John Hancock, and other ‘‘scholar- Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join today to honor the Denton Chamber of Com- patriots’’ established the American Academy me in saluting Mr. Allen for his 60 years of merce, which will celebrate its 100th Anniver- of Arts and Sciences. public service, for his accomplishments, and sary on April 21, 2009. The Academy was created, during the for all he has done to advance scientific un- The Denton Chamber of Commerce is an American Revolution, to provide a forum for derstanding. alliance of businesses, professionals, and or- leaders from science, scholarship, business, f ganizations working to support and promote public affairs, and the arts, to work together as the principles for a prosperous economic envi- citizens in support of a democratic republic. In PERSONAL EXPLANATION ronment. the words of the Academy’s charter, enacted Established April 21, 1909, the Chamber in 1780, the ‘‘end and design of the institution HON. VERNON J. EHLERS has grown to involve over 860 members. In its is . . . to cultivate every art and science OF MICHIGAN 100 years of operation, the Chamber has a which may tend to advance the interest, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES record of promoting, supporting and expanding honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, inde- the Denton business community. Small busi- pendent, and virtuous people.’’ Monday, March 9, 2009 nesses have long benefited from the efforts of Today, the Academy, still in Cambridge, Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, due to ill- the Denton Chamber of Commerce and have flourishes as an independent policy research ness, I unfortunately was unable to be present also found it an avenue to give back to their center. Its members remain true to the original and to vote on legislation considered by the community. Many members are not only suc- mission, conducting multidisciplinary studies of House on March 3, 4, 5, and 6, 2009. cessful in business, but also volunteer and complex and emerging problems. Current

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First, by ities in a Civil Society. As part of the program, holds for the future of American science. It is the time the federal government was estab- the Academy announced the presentation of a privilege to represent Mr. Chyan in the 26th lished in 1789, the Virginia tribes were in no its Scholar-Patriot Award to the dean of our District of Texas. position to seek recognition. They had already state’s congressional delegation, Senator ED- f lost control of their land, withdrawn into iso- WARD M. KENNEDY. Throughout his career, INTRODUCTION OF THE lated communities and stripped of most of Sen. KENNEDY has been a stalwart champion ‘‘THOMASINA E. JORDAN INDIAN their rights. Lacking even the rights granted by of the humanities. I am proud to enter into the TRIBES OF VIRGINIA FEDERAL the English Kings, and our own Bill of Rights, CONGRESSIONAL RECORD the citation from the RECOGNITION ACT’’ federal recognition was nowhere within their Academy, and I congratulate my friend and reach. colleague for this well-deserved recognition. The second unique circumstance for the Vir- ‘‘The American Academy bestows its Scholar- HON. JAMES P. MORAN ginia tribes is what they experienced at the OF VIRGINIA Patriot Award on EDWARD M. KENNEDY for his hands of the state government during the first extraordinary service to the Academy, the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES half of the 20th Century. It has been called a community, and the nation. Monday, March 9, 2009 ‘‘paper genocide.’’ At a time when the federal ‘‘For four decades you have been a fierce Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, in government granted Native Americans the defender of the ideals of opportunity, equity, 2006 representatives and leaders of Virginia’s right to vote, Virginia’s elected officials adopt- and justice. Master of quiet collaboration and Native American tribes left their communities ed racially hostile laws targeted at those class- inspired oratory, you have achieved an unpar- and flew to England to participate in cere- es of people who did not fit into the dominant alleled legislative record. Your efforts to insure monies that were a prelude to the 400th anni- white society. The fact that some of Virginia’s quality education and health care for all Ameri- versary of the first permanent English settle- ruling elite claimed to be blood descendants of cans, including your leadership on the Ameri- ment in America. Some of the distinguished Pocahontas in their view meant that no one cans with Disabilities Act, the State Children’s Virginia residents who made this trip are the else in Virginia could make a claim they were Health Insurance Program, and The Elemen- blood descendants and leaders of the sur- Native American and a descendant of Poca- tary and Secondary Education Act, have viving seven tribes that once were a part of hontas’ people. To do so would mean that Vir- earned you the respect of men and women the Great Powhatan Confederacy that initially ginia’s ruling elite were what they decreed all across the political spectrum. From your first helped sustain the colonists during their dif- non-whites to be: part of ‘‘the inferior Negroid major bill on immigration reform to your recent ficult first years at Jamestown. Virginia’s best race.’’ call for a renewed commitment to community known Indian, Pocahontas, traveled to Eng- With great hypocrisy, Virginia’s ruling elite service, you have championed an open and land in 1617 with her husband John Rolfe and pushed policies that culminated with the en- inclusive society. To your family and the na- was received by English royalty. She died a actment of the Racial Integrity Act of 1924. tion, you are a profile of courageous leader- year later of smallpox and is buried in the This act directed state officials, and zealots ship, the guardian of a dream that lives on. chapel of the parish church in Gravesend, like Walter Plecker, to destroy state and local ‘‘The founding members of the American England. courthouse records and reclassify in Orwellian Academy were pragmatic visionaries, antici- Two years ago, this nation celebrated the fashion all non-whites as ‘‘colored.’’ It targeted pating the needs of a young republic for both 400th anniversary of the settlement of James- Native Americans with a vengeance, denying wise governance and fresh ideas. You follow town. But it was not a celebration for Native Native Americans in Virginia their identity. in their footsteps as a Scholar-Patriot for our American descendants of Pocahontas, for they To call oneself a ‘‘Native American’’ in Vir- time. Asserting that ‘‘our future does not be- have yet to be recognized by our federal gov- ginia was to risk a jail sentence of up to one long to those who are content with today,’’ you ernment. Unlike most Native American tribes year. In defiance of the law, members of Vir- have fulfilled the Academy’s historic mission, that were officially recognized when they ginia’s tribes traveled out of state to obtain translating knowledge into action and cele- signed peace treaties with the federal govern- marriage licenses or to serve their country in brating the life of the mind in service to the ment, Virginia’s six Native American tribes wartime. The law remained in effect until it community, the nation, and the world.’’ made their peace with the Kings of England. was struck down in federal court in 1967. In f Most notable among these was the Treaty of that intervening period between 1924 and 1677 between these tribes and King Charles 1967, state officials waged a war to destroy all RECOGNIZING WEN CHYAN II. This treaty has been recognized by the public and many private records that affirmed Commonwealth of Virginia every year for the the existence of Native Americans in Virginia. HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS past 331 years when the Governor accepts Historians have affirmed that no other state OF TEXAS tribute from the tribes in a ceremony now cele- compares to Virginia’s efforts to eradicate its IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES brated at the State Capitol. I had the honor of citizens’ Indian identity. attending last November what is understood to All of Virginia’s state-recognized tribes have Monday, March 9, 2009 be the longest celebrated treaty in the United filed petitions with the Bureau of Acknowledg- Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise States. ment seeking federal recognition. But it is a today to acknowledge Wen Chyan, from the The forefathers of the tribal leaders who very heavy burden the Virginia tribes will have 26th District of Texas, who was the winner of gathered last Thanksgiving in Richmond were to overcome, and one fraught with complica- the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in the first to welcome the English, and during tions that officials from the bureau have ac- Math, Science, and Technology. the first few years of settlement, ensured their knowledged may never be resolved in their Wen Chyan’s curiosity about chemistry was survival. As was the case for most Native lifetime. The acknowledgment process is al- sparked by his parents, both scientists, at an American tribes, as the settlement prospered ready expensive, subject to unreasonable early age. Wen’s astuteness has earned him and grew, the tribes suffered. Those who re- delays, and lacking in dignity. Virginia’s paper recognition from the U.S. National Chemistry sisted quickly became subdued, were pushed genocide only further complicates these tribes’ Olympiad, U.S.A. Biology Olympiad, and the off their historic lands, and, up through much quest for federal recognition, making it difficult Texas Science and Engineering Fair. His am- of the 20th Century, were denied full rights as to furnish corroborating state and official docu- bition and desire to contribute to medical ad- U.S. citizens. Despite their devastating loss of ments and aggravating the injustice already vancements prompted him to create an anti- land and population, the Virginia tribes sur- visited upon them. microbial coating for medical devices, a devel- vived, preserving their heritage and their iden- It wasn’t until 1997, when Governor George opment that has the potential to save lives. tity. Their story of survival spans four centuries Allen signed legislation directing state agen- Wen is the first TAMS student to advance to of racial hostility and coercive state and state- cies to correct state records, that the tribes such a high level in this competition, which sanctioned actions. were given the opportunity to correct official

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She tells stories about watching records, but the law cannot correct the dam- f skirmishes of the Mexican Revolution from age done to past generations or recover docu- high on the hills across the valley, sitting at ments that were purposely destroyed during MAYOR LYNDA BELL OF THE CITY the knee of an old ‘‘mule skinner’’ listening to the ‘‘Plecker Era.’’ OF HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA tales of the West, and of her brother dynamit- In 1999, the Virginia General Assembly ing their backyard to build a garden for their adopted a resolution calling upon Congress to HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART mother. Cele maintains that her strength and enact legislation recognizing the Virginia OF FLORIDA persistence is due to the 365 steps she tribes. I am pleased to have honored that re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES climbed up and down the steep hills of Bisbee quest, and beginning in 2000 and in subse- Monday, March 9, 2009 to and from school every day. quent sessions, Virginia’s Senators and I have At fifteen, she graduated from high school introduced legislation to recognize the Virginia Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. and began attending the University of Arizona. tribes. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a re- She went on to Sullins College in Bristol, Vir- There is no doubt that the Chickahominy, markable woman and friend from Florida’s ginia and George Washington University in the Eastern Chickahominy, the Monacan, the 25th District, Mayor Lynda Bell of the City of Washington, D.C. Cele worked at the Library Nansemond, the Rappahannock and the Homestead. She was elected Mayor in No- of Congress in the manuscript division in the Upper Mattaponi tribes exist. These tribes vember 2007 and serves as Homestead’s first late 1920’s. She was sent to Mexico City have existed on a continuous basis since be- woman mayor in the city’s 94-year history. where she continued her work of translating fore the first European settlers stepped foot in Prior to this accomplishment, she served four old Spanish manuscripts pertaining to the his- America. They are here with us today. years on the city council from 2003–2007 and tory of the Southwest. I know there is resistance in Congress to was Vice Mayor for two years. In 1931, when Cele opened a dress shop in grant any Native American tribe federal rec- Born in Hollywood, Florida, Mayor Bell was Tucson, she began a career that integrated ognition. And I can appreciate how the issue raised in South Florida and attended Miami- her love of history, creativity as a designer, of gambling and its economic and moral di- Dade College. She has been a resident of business acumen and intelligence with her val- mensions has influenced many Members’ per- Homestead since 1979 and understands the ues and desires to improve the community. spectives on tribal recognition issues. The six needs of the diverse community she rep- Today, Cele will still tell you that her most im- Virginia tribes are not seeking federal legisla- resents. She has a strong personal belief in portant priority always was her love for her tion so that they can build casinos. They find volunteerism and service, and is completely husband Tom and their five children. Her love this assertion offensive to their moral beliefs. dedicated to our community. What most today continues to be centered on her on chil- They are seeking federal recognition because stands out about Mayor Bell is the energy she dren, her 14 grandchildren and her 10 great it is an urgent matter of justice and because puts into her work. Her positive attitude is grandchildren. elder members of their tribes, who were de- what enables her to get things done and en- For the last 78 years, Cele Peterson Fash- nied a public education and the economic op- courages others to join her in working towards ion’s has grown and changed with the times, portunities available to most Americans, are achieving the goals she has laid out for the yet Cele claims she has never worked a day suffering and should be entitled to the federal City of Homestead. in her life. She loves what she does, and has health and housing assistance available to In 2004, Mayor Bell was chosen as the re- adventures and honors that reflect her enthu- federally recognized tribes. cipient of the Athena Award from the Greater siasm. In the 1940’s she initiated a daily radio To underscore this point, the legislation I am Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Com- broadcast from her downtown store. In the introducing includes language approved last merce and was a finalist for the Florida 1950’s she was selected as a young American session by the House of Representatives that League of Cities’ Councilperson of the Year designer to participate in the Merrimack fash- would prevent the tribes from engaging in Award in 2007. ion show at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. gaming on their federal land even if everyone In addition to putting the needs of our com- Her denim tailored ‘‘Station Wagon Togs’’ else in Virginia were allowed to engage in munity first, Mayor Bell also makes life at a drew international recognition. Her designs Class III casino-type gaming. home a priority as a dedicated wife to hus- celebrated Arizona’s special resources: cop- In the name of decency, fairness and hu- band Mark, and loving mother and grand- per, cotton, climate, and cattle. manity, I urge my colleagues to support this mother to three children and seven grand- Along the way, Cele founded what is now legislation and bring closure to centuries of in- children. known as the Tucson Children’s Museum, was justice Virginia’s Native American tribes have Mayor Lynda Bell exemplifies the true a co-founder of the Casa de Los Nin˜os, the experienced. meaning of public service and does so by al- first crisis nursery in the United States, and f ways prioritizing the needs of others first. As was very involved in the beginnings of the Ari- we celebrate Women’s History Month, I ask zona Theater Company and the Tucson Opera HONORING AARON R. KLEINMEYER you to join me in congratulating Mayor Bell for Company. She was the instigator of a non- her invaluable service and contributions to our profit organization that celebrates Tucson’s HON. SAM GRAVES community. Birthday and culture every August. Cele cre- OF MISSOURI f ated the idea for Kids International Neighbor- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES hood, a non-profit organization that promotes HONORING ARIZONA PIONEER AND cultural understanding, acceptance and re- Monday, March 9, 2009 NATIONAL TREASURE MS. CELE spect among children of the world. Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly PETERSON Cele served on University of Arizona boards pause to recognize Aaron R. Kleinmeyer a for the College of Humanities, the School of very special young man who has exemplified HON. RAU´ L M. GRIJALVA Architecture and the Steele Memorial Chil- the finest qualities of citizenship and leader- OF ARIZONA dren’s Research Foundation. She also served ship by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on the boards of the Tucson Trade Bureau, of America, Troop 357, and in earning the Tucson/Mexico Sister Cities, the Tucson Local most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Monday, March 9, 2009 Development Corporation, the Industrial De- Aaron has been very active with his troop Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise velopment Authority, the Tucson Association participating in many scout activities. Over the today to honor a Tucson, Arizona icon, a state for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Tuc- many years Aaron has been involved with of Arizona pioneer and a national treasure— son Symphony Orchestra, Angel Charity for scouting, he has not only earned numerous Ms. Cele Peterson. Cele Peterson, a visionary Children, the Tucson Community Foundation merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- and an activist, will turn 100 on March 14, and the Tucson Downtown Alliance. ily, peers, and community. 2009 and she is still busy as a catalyst for Over the years her achievements have been Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join business, cultural, environmental, and chil- recognized and honored with numerous me in commending Aaron R. Kleinmeyer for dren’s organizations in Tucson, Arizona. She awards including: the City of Hope Woman of

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Ever since moving to Northern Virginia in Monday, March 9, 2009 Cele was named a Don˜a de Los the late 1980’s, Marwan was heavily involved Descendientes del Presidio de Tucson, the Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise group of women responsible for maintaining in local politics and the Democratic Party in today in honor of Mareyjoyce Green, a pro- Tucson’s historic culture. Cele received a Virginia. In his home county of Fairfax, he foundly respected and influential member of Crystal Apple from the Metropolitan Education served as Vice-Chair of Fairfax County Demo- the Greater Cleveland Community, and in rec- Commission and was honored as one of the cratic Committee (FCDC) for Voter Registra- ognition of her dedication to civic engagement, Four Women Who Helped Build Tucson by the tion, chaired the Local Affairs Committee for education and the advancement of women. Concerned Media Professionals. In 2004, the FCDC and until his death, served on the Dr. Mareyjoyce Green earned her under- America-Israel Friendship League honored her Steering Committee for the Democratic Party graduate degree from Wiley College in Mar- with a Cycle of Life Award. In the same year of Virginia. shall, Texas, where she double majored in she was named Grand Marshal of the Tucson On the night he passed away, Marwan was Education and Sociology. Prior to continuing Rodeo Parade. In 2007 the Tucson Pima Pub- planning to attend a dinner with Speaker her education in dance on a scholarship from the University of Wyoming at Laramie, she lic Library designated the Cele Peterson Ari- PELOSI and Northern Virginia leaders at my married her college sweetheart, Charles zona Collection, as an ongoing resource of home. He was feeling especially weak that Green, and began her career as a teacher in local history. day and had to decline. I wish he had been local schools. The couple later moved to As of February 2009 Cele is working on a able to come. Despite his pain, it would have youth apprentice program for the Rodeo Pa- Cleveland where Dr. Green taught dance and brought a smile to his lips to hear the Speaker earned her PhD from Case Western Reserve rade Committee, actively recruiting additions explain how close we are to achieving uni- for the Cele Peterson Collection at the library, University (CWRU), with a focus on the soci- versal healthcare and economic opportunity and encouraging the exchange of cultural ology of poverty. Dr. Green has taught at a for all Americans and the renewed hope for ideas for children through the distribution of I number of local universities including the Ash- peace throughout the world—issues he had Love You in Many Languages, a Kids Inter- tabula Branch of Kent State University and Tri- national Neighborhood book. Cele is also con- spent his life fighting for. C. Her ability to create unique curricula earned tinuing her involvement with a coalition of en- Madam Speaker, when someone dies so her an appointment by the Chair of CRWUs vironmental groups to restore and preserve young, it’s important that we bear in mind the Sociology Department to head Ohio State Uni- native growth and wildflowers on a centrally real tragedy of life is not at death but what versity’s (OSU) Sociology Department in Lake- located urban lot. dies inside of us while we live. In that sense wood in 1962. Four years later, she became Clearly Cele Peterson is committed to find- Marwan lived a long and fruitful life. He never the first woman to head Cleveland State Uni- ing beauty, and changing the world. She often lost his passion, courage or commitment for versity’s (CSU) Sociology Department. quotes her mother, ‘‘Look into that field out justice and human rights. Without Marwan its During her tenure at CSU, Mareyjoyce es- there. You’ll see whatever you want to see. now up to us to stand up and speak out all the tablished a number of groundbreaking pro- You can see wildflowers and beauty or waste louder for what he cared about: dignity of all grams that had a profound effect on both the students of CSU and the residents of the and junk.’’ Cele has always made a clear deci- human beings, the end of the violence and op- Greater Cleveland Community. Her commit- sion to look for beauty. In the process, she be- pression which in many parts of the world is ment to social issues manifested in the estab- came a community legend. taken for granted, and the love of each other lishment of Push to Achievement, a program f as precious instruments of our God. she developed with a fellow professor, Ro- HONORING THE LIFE OF MARWAN berta Steinbacher. The program was formed BURGAN f as a partnership between the Cuyahoga County Department of Human Services and HONORING BENJAMIN P. CARR HON. JAMES P. MORAN the Urban Affairs College of CSU and enabled OF VIRGINIA residents who were receiving public assist- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ance to earn college degrees. Additionally, HON. SAM GRAVES she co-founded WomensSpace; and has Monday, March 9, 2009 OF MISSOURI served as Director of the CSU Women’s Com- Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES prehensive Program for twenty years—the rise today to pay tribute to the life of Marwan only such program in Northeast Ohio that of- Burgan, community activist, human rights Monday, March 9, 2009 fers Women’s Studies as a major. Dr. Green leader, Democratic Party stalwart and dear has tirelessly dedicated her personal and pro- personal friend. Marwan’s long struggle with Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly fessional time in order to ensure that women cancer has ended, but the contributions he pause to recognize Benjamin P. Carr a very obtain the necessary resources to earn ad- made to Northern Virginia, particularly within special young man who has exemplified the vanced degrees and emerge as leaders in the Arab American community, will continue finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by their communities. as a lasting tribute to his life. taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of Dr. Mareyjoyce Green’s ability to mobilize By his own example of civic engagement America, Troop 357, and in earning the most the community and to advocate for the social and leadership, Marwan served as a remark- prestigious award of Eagle Scout. welfare of others has been manifested in the able model for other first-generation Pales- Benjamin has been very active with his various leadership roles she has played and tinian Americans. In 2008, he founded PACE troop participating in many scout activities. has served as an undeniable source of inspi- (Project for American Civic Engagement), to Over the many years Benjamin has been in- ration to all those working for social justice. facilitate placement of underrepresented Upon the occasion of her retirement earlier volved with scouting, he has not only earned young people into Congress as interns and this year as Associate Professor of Sociology numerous merit badges, but also the respect staff. His devotion to public service and efforts and Director of the Women’s Comprehensive of his family, peers, and community. to politically empower young people, espe- Program, the Department of Sociology at CSU cially in the Arab American community, has Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join is establishing the annual Mareyjoyce Green charted a course for a next generation of en- me in commending Benjamin P. Carr for his Graduate Assistantship. gaged, enlightened and energetic leaders. accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join A lifelong civil servant, Marwan worked in America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- me in honoring the leadership and outstanding Congress for eight years, first as a Foreign Af- ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. achievements of Dr. Mareyjoyce Green for her

VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:35 Jun 30, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\E09MR9.000 E09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6744 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 work in both the Greater Cleveland Commu- of 1961, she became the first African-Amer- Americans are looking for healthier options nity and at Cleveland State University. ican woman in the world to obtain a pilot’s li- when they dine out. In my home state of Utah, f cense. restaurant jobs represent about 8% of the em- Let us applaud the efforts of these heroes ployment. American adults buy a meal or a HONORING JUSTIN RICHARD who have paved the way for African-American snack from a restaurant 5 times per week on WHEELER women in aviation. From Bessie Coleman to average and spend 48% of their food budget the modern day flight crew of Delta Connec- on food away from home, almost $1078 per HON. SAM GRAVES tion Flight 5202, barriers are being broken to person annually. Unfortunately, we have also OF MISSOURI assure that our daughters have the oppor- seen the toll diseases such as obesity and di- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tunity to truly become whatever they wish to abetes have taken on society. By providing Monday, March 9, 2009 be. I am proud to recognize the accomplish- nutritional information, individuals with special ments of these women and we are all honored dietary needs will be able to make the right Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly by their efforts. nutritional decisions for them regarding caloric pause to recognize Justin Richard Wheeler a f intake or sodium levels. very special young man who has exemplified I appreciate the interest and leadership my the finest qualities of citizenship and leader- INTRODUCTION OF THE ‘‘LABEL- colleagues have demonstrated on this issue in ship by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts ING EDUCATION AND NUTRITION the past. I believe this legislation represents a of America, Troop 357, and in earning the ACT OF 2009’’ compromise effort that will allow consumers to most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. make informed decisions while also providing Justin has been very active with his troop HON. JIM MATHESON for greater individual responsibility in dietary participating in many scout activities. Over the OF UTAH choices. Finally, I hope my colleagues will many years Justin has been involved with IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES work with me on this piece of legislation and scouting, he has not only earned numerous Monday, March 9, 2009 I look forward to working in a bipartisan way merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- to build upon this legislative proposal. ily, peers, and community. Mr. MATHESON. Madam Speaker, I rise f Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join today along with my colleague Rep. FRED me in commending Justin Richard Wheeler for UPTON to introduce the ‘‘Labeling Education EARMARK DECLARATION his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of and Nutrition Act of 2009’’. America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- I am introducing this legislation so we can HON. VERNON J. EHLERS ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. move toward providing consumers with key OF MICHIGAN f nutritional information they seek while hope- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fully providing restaurants with a workable Monday, March 9, 2009 HONORING THE FLIGHT CREW OF framework to deliver this information to their DELTA CONNECTION FLIGHT 5202 customers. This legislation is a bipartisan ef- Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, pursuant to fort to address nutritional labeling in this Con- the House Republican standards on earmarks, HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON gress. Senators CARPER and MURKOWSKI will I am submitting the following information re- garding earmarks I received as part of H.R. OF TEXAS introduce the companion bill in the coming 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES days. With the introduction of the LEAN Act in both chambers, I believe we have an oppor- Requesting Member: Congressman VERNON Monday, March 9, 2009 tunity to have a constructive national con- J. EHLERS Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. versation about uniform nutrition labeling re- Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Account: Health Resources and Services On February 12, 2009, in the heart of Black quirements and standards. History Month, four African-American women Since 1994, the Nutrition Labeling and Edu- Administration—Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Saint accomplished a feat which has never before cation Act (NLEA) has required food manufac- Mary’s Health Care been performed. They were the first all-fe- turers to provide nutrition information on nearly Address of Requesting Entity: 200 Jefferson male, African-American flight crew to operate all packaged foods. However, the NLEA ex- Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 a flight in the United States. These women empts restaurants. Due to this exemption, Description of Request: Provide $143,000 truly are an inspiration to all of us, and I am states, cities and counties have acted to pro- for an electronic medical records initiative for so honored and pleased to recognize the crew vide nutritional information to consumers. This the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Physicians will of Delta Connection Flight 5202: Captain has led to at least 20 states introducing vary- have real-time access to electronic records Rachelle Jones, First Officer Stephanie Grant, ing degrees of labeling requirement legislation before, during, and after the ICU stay. The re- and flight attendants Diana Galloway and in 2009. sult will be increased patient safety and re- Robin Rogers. From New York City to the state of Cali- duced errors. The technology improves care When these women operated a flight from fornia, more and more cities, counties, and by supporting real-time access to cross-dis- Atlanta, Georgia, to Nashville, Tennessee, and states are passing differing laws mandating ciplinary patient results and evidenced-based the return flight back to Atlanta, they had no that chain restaurants put calories and other information for clinical decisions. Funding will idea that they would be making history. Cap- nutritional information on menus and menu support labor, hardware and software costs. tain Jones is one of only a handful of female boards. The result of this increasing state ac- African-American pilots in the country, and tivity is a patchwork of regulation that can be f after her first-officer became sick and was re- confusing to the consumer and is burdensome TRIBUTE TO JULIA RANSOHOFF placed with First Officer Grant, Captain Jones to restaurant chains. knew that this flight was going to be special. The LEAN Act requires restaurants and gro- HON. ANNA G. ESHOO Together these women have positively chal- cery stores that serve prepared foods and OF CALIFORNIA lenged our ideas of what it means to be in have 20 or more locations to disclose calories IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES aviation in modern America. for each menu item so that consumers can ac- It is important to realize, however, that this cess this information before making a meal Monday, March 9, 2009 feat is merely the extension of a legacy of choice. Under this bill, calories will be posted Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise today black female pilots which began with Elizabeth directly on the menu, menu board or in one of to pay tribute to an outstanding young student, ‘‘Bessie’’ Coleman. Born in Atlanta, Texas, to the approved alternative ways, such as a researcher, and scientist, Julia Ransohoff. A a poor background, Bessie Coleman over- menu insert or a sign directly next to the menu senior at Menlo-Atherton High School in my came numerous obstacles to show the world board. Congressional District, Julia was recently that a Black woman can indeed be a pilot. As we see in our own lives and daily eating named an Intel Science Talent Search Finalist. After realizing that no American flight school habits, consumers increasingly choose to eat She is one of only 40 finalists given this pres- would train her, she studied French and went in restaurants. According to a 2009 Forecast tigious award out of over 1,600 students who to Europe to train at a foreign institute. In June report by the National Restaurant Association, entered the competition.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:35 Jun 30, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\E09MR9.000 E09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 9, 2009 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 6745 Julia was recently recognized by the Society home. They have been living in a deteriorating transit needs of the Alexandria community and for Science and the Public for her double-wide trailer that is not only uncomfort- provide high quality transit service for its resi- groundbreaking research entitled ‘‘The Gender able, but also is not suitable for the disabled dents, workers, and visitors. Divide: Does Donor Gender Matter for members of their family. With the help of Mayor Beatley could have done no better Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation?’’ Edenton Builders, Inc. and thousands of vol- than to name Mr. William B. ‘‘Bill’’ Hurd as the She completed this project as a student inves- unteers from northeastern North Carolina, their first chairman of the Alexandria Transit Com- tigator at the Robbins Laboratory of home will be rebuilt in just one week. On pany. In Mr. Hurd, Mayor Beatley found not Cardiothoracic Transplantation at the Stanford March 13th, when the Cooper family returns only a person who shared his vision of a new School of Medicine. home to Jamesville, North Carolina, from their transit service, but also a supremely com- While working at the Stanford Institutes of vacation here in Washington, D.C., they will petent administrator who worked tirelessly for Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program, be welcomed into their new home. the next 22 years to create and sustain the Julia received the Jessica Lynn Saal Fellow- Madam Speaker, Sgt. Cooper (Ret.) is DASH service. During his tenure as chairman, ship, which is awarded for exemplary perform- someone who truly deserves this honor. He he delivered safe and reliable service with ance and achievement in the summer pro- has earned several medals of honor for his clean buses and friendly, courteous drivers. gram. service as an Army Combat Medic in Oper- Today, ATC is recognized nationally and Not only is this young woman an accom- ation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I remember throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia for plished scientist and researcher, she is a phi- that when my father, Congressman Walter B. the service it provides and has won many out- lanthropist and community activist. Julia is a Jones, Sr., passed away, Sgt. Cooper (Ret.) standing achievement awards over the years, leader in promoting peer health education. paid him the great respect of placing one of including the American Public Transportation Along with her sister, Katie Ransohoff, Julia the medals he had earned on my father’s cas- Association’s (APTA) System Safety Award for created an online peer education program for ket. I will always remember this meaningful five consecutive years, the APTA Public teens to prevent bullying and promote healthy gesture and kind display of appreciation for Transportation System Outstanding Achieve- relationships. She also works to encourage my father’s service. ment Award, the Governor’s Transportation teen literacy through the global reading and Unfortunately, Sgt. Cooper’s (Ret.) service Safety Award, the APTA first place AdWheels writing initiative, Teenlit. Julia is a founder of on behalf of our nation left him with symptoms Marketing Award for innovative and creative the ‘‘Running for a Reason Club’’ at her high of Gulf War Syndrome; he suffers from mul- marketing efforts for four years, the Virginia school, which raises money for end of life care tiple sclerosis as well as serious immune dis- Department of Rail and Public Transportation for children. orders. Due to these illnesses, he is now con- (VDRPT) Outstanding Urban Public Transpor- Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join fined to a wheelchair. Since he returned from tation System Award, the Virginia Department me in honoring an extraordinary young Amer- combat, Cooper has been a tireless advocate of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) In- ican who represents the spirit of innovation for his fellow veterans. He has lobbied the novative Program Award for six years, and the and ingenuity that has guided our country for North Carolina General Assembly for a special Virginia Transit Association (VTA) Outstanding so many generations. license plate honoring Gulf War veterans and Public Transportation Marketing Award for the f has become an outspoken supporter of rights ‘‘Dash About’’ service and ‘‘DASHing Around for the disabled. Alexandria’’ campaign. ATC was also recog- PERSONAL EXPLANATION Sgt. Cooper (Ret.) deserves to be com- nized three years in a row by the Alexandria mended not only for his service to our nation community as one of the top five city services HON. GENE GREEN and his fellow veterans, but also for the acts for quality. OF TEXAS of heroism he has demonstrated within his Today DASH continues to provide clean, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES own family. When his young son Aaron was safe, affordable and reliable service every day run over by a garbage truck two years ago, he to thousands of commuters, city residents, and Monday, March 9, 2009 used his medic skills to save his son’s life, visitors, but it has also grown to meet the Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam though Aaron still lost most of his right arm needs of a growing city and the changing Speaker, I rise today to state how I would and has undergone several surgeries since. times. Over the past 25 years ridership has have voted on March 6, 2009. With the expec- Cooper has served as a role model to his chil- grown by more than 330 percent. Annual rid- tation the Senate would pass the omnibus ap- dren, as his daughter Windy has followed her ership has eclipsed four million. Fourteen propriations bill, and it would not be necessary father’s example by signing up for medical lab thousand people ride DASH everyday and to pass a continuing resolution on Friday, I re- technician training with the Army National 10,000 ride on weekends. Service has grown turned home to Houston on Thursday night to Guard. from 582,000 service miles in the first full year attend meetings in our district. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to offer my of service in 1985 to more than. 1.5 million On Rollcall vote No. 107, to approve the congratulations to the family of Sgt. Jeff Coo- service miles today. journal, I would have voted ‘‘Yea.’’ per (Ret.), a special person whose service to Alexandria has many amenities as a charm- On Rollcall vote No. 108, on the motion to his nation and fellow veterans has made him ing, livable community; its historic homes and recommit on H.J. Res. 38, I would have voted well-deserving of this new home and special gardens, its street side restaurants and shops, ‘‘Aye.’’ honor. the Potomac waterfront and its engaged, civic- On Rollcall vote No. 109, on the final pas- f minded citizenry. DASH contributes to Alexan- sage of H.J. Res. 38, I would have voted dria’s high quality of life by preserving the ‘‘Aye.’’ ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF city’s livability, mitigating traffic, improving cir- f THE ALEXANDRIA TRANSIT COM- culation and mobility throughout the City, and PANY’S (ATC) OPERATION OF providing easier access to local businesses, IN RECOGNITION OF JEFF COOPER: THE CITY’S DASH BUS SYSTEM retail and employment centers, residential de- GULF WAR VETERAN, FATHER, velopments, and the regional Metrorail and the HERO HON. JAMES P. MORAN Virginia Railway Express commuter rail sys- OF VIRGINIA tems. HON. WALTER B. JONES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES And as we begin to focus on the environ- mental challenges of air pollution and global OF NORTH CAROLINA Monday, March 9, 2009 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES warming, DASH has a key roll to play in pro- Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker I moting a less carbon intense alternative to the Monday, March 9, 2009 rise today to recognize the 25th Anniversary of automobile. To demonstrate its commitment to Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I rise today in the Alexandria Transit Company’s (ATC) Op- a greener, eco-friendly city, the new DASH recognition of Sgt. Jeff Cooper (Ret.), a North eration of the City’s DASH Bus System. DASH building under construction will be a LEED Carolina resident and a U.S. Army Veteran. stands for Driving Alexandrians Safely Home. Certified Silver building. The Cooper family was recently chosen by Back during the early 1980s, Alexandria I salute ATC and DASH for twenty-five the ABC television show Extreme Makeover: Mayor Charles ‘‘Chuck’’ Beatley had a vision years of superb service. I also salute its em- Home Edition, as the recipients of a new of a local bus system that would serve the ployees and the Board of Directors, for their

VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:35 Jun 30, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\E09MR9.000 E09MR9 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 6746 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 5 March 9, 2009 contributions and efforts to improve public cal year 2009 for the Department of En- tors combat public corruption by transportation service throughout the City, for ergy. strengthening and clarifying the law, their achievements that have been recognized SD–608 and the nomination of Dawn Elizabeth both nationally and by the Commonwealth of Judiciary Johnsen, of Indiana, to be an Assistant Constitution Subcommittee Virginia, and in providing the highest quality of Attorney General. To hold joint hearings with the House SD–226 service to Alexandria. Committee on the Judiciary Sub- I wish them a successful future. 2:30 p.m. committee on the Constitution, Civil Energy and Natural Resources f Rights, and Civil Liberties to examine To hold hearings to examine the nomina- S. J.Res. 7 and H. J.Res. 21, proposing tion of David J. Hayes, of Virginia, to HONORING DEREK JAMES an amendment to the Constitution of STRICKLAND be Deputy Secretary of the Interior. the United States relative to the elec- SD–366 tion of Senators. Intelligence SH–216 HON. SAM GRAVES Closed business meeting to markup cer- Homeland Security and Governmental Af- OF MISSOURI tain intelligence matters. fairs IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SH–219 To hold hearings to examine violent Monday, March 9, 2009 Islamist extremism, focusing on al- MARCH 17 Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly Shabaab recruitment in American. pause to recognize Derek James Strickland a SD–342 9:30 a.m. Armed Services very special young man who has exemplified Rules and Administration To hold hearings to examine voter reg- To hold hearings to examine United the finest qualities of citizenship and leader- istration, focusing on assessing current States Southern Command, United ship by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts problems. States Northern Command, United of America, Troop 357, and in earning the SR–301 States Africa Command, and United most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. 10:30 a.m. States Transportation Command. Derek has been very active with his troop Joint Economic Committee SH–216 participating in many scout activities. Over the To hold hearings to examine Troubled many years Derek has been involved with Asset Relief Program (TARP) account- MARCH 18 ability and oversight, focusing on scouting, he has not only earned numerous 9:30 a.m. achieving transparency. merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- Veterans’ Affairs SD–106 ily, peers, and community. To hold joint hearings to examine the Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join MARCH 12 legislative presentation of the Vet- me in commending Derek James Strickland erans of Foreign Wars. 9:30 a.m. 334, Cannon Building for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts Energy and Natural Resources 10 a.m. of America and for his efforts put forth in To hold hearings to examine proposed Judiciary achieving the highest distinction of Eagle legislation regarding siting of elec- To hold hearings to examine the Na- Scout. tricity transmission lines, including in- tional Academy of Science’s report f creased federal siting authority and re- gional transmission planning. Strengthening Forensic Science in the SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS SD–366 United States: A Path Forward. Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, Indian Affairs SD–226 To hold hearings to examine the Presi- agreed to by the Senate on February 4, MARCH 19 1977, calls for establishment of a sys- dent’s proposed budget request for fis- tem for a computerized schedule of all cal year 2009 for tribal priorities. 9:30 a.m. SD–628 Armed Services meetings and hearings of Senate com- Veterans’ Affairs To hold hearings to examine United mittees, subcommittees, joint commit- To hold joint hearings to examine legis- States Pacific Command, United States tees, and committees of conference. lative presentations of veterans’ serv- Strategic Command, and United States This title requires all such committees ice organizations. Forces Korea. to notify the Office of the Senate Daily SD–106 SH–216 Digest—designated by the Rules Com- 10 a.m. 10 a.m. mittee—of the time, place, and purpose Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the meetings, when scheduled, and To hold hearings to examine sustainable To hold hearings to examine cybersecu- transportation solutions, focusing on any cancellations or changes in the rity, focusing on assessing our investing in transit to meet 21st cen- vulnerabilities and developing an effec- meetings as they occur. tury challenges. As an additional procedure along tive defense. SD–538 SR–253 with the computerization of this infor- Budget mation, the Office of the Senate Daily To hold hearings to examine the Presi- MARCH 25 dent’s fiscal year 2010 budget and rev- Digest will prepare this information for 9:30 a.m. printing in the Extensions of Remarks enue proposals. SD–608 Veterans’ Affairs section of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Commerce, Science, and Transportation To hold hearings to examine State-of- on Monday and Wednesday of each To hold hearings to examine climate the-Art information technology (IT) week. science, focusing on empowering our solutions for Veterans’ Affairs benefits Meetings scheduled for Tuesday, response to climate change. delivery. March 10, 2009 may be found in the SR–253 SR–418 Daily Digest of today’s RECORD. Finance 2:30 p.m. To hold hearings to examine workforce Commerce, Science, and Transportation MEETINGS SCHEDULED issues in health care reform, focusing Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security on assessing the present and preparing Subcommittee MARCH 11 for the future. To hold hearings to examine Federal 10 a.m. SD–215 Aviation Administration reauthoriza- Budget Judiciary tion, focusing on NextGen and the ben- To hold hearings to examine the Presi- Business meeting to consider S. 49, to efits of modernization. dent’s proposed budget request for fis- help Federal prosecutors and investiga- SR–253

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