S716 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 21, 2009 merging scores of agencies and pro- national USA continues to provide the us who are yet to be licensed. Not to men- grams—the largest government reorga- opportunity for people from around the tion that the reduced number of cars would nization in half a century. Secretary world, and especially young people, to lower pollution levels greatly. Please look Chertoff has moved the Department to see the real America firsthand and into a public transportation system locally. It would be greatly appreciated by many, the next level, where it now has a fo- meet the American people. This is the and thank you for finally giving the people cused, long-term strategy clarifying best way to build good will across the more of a voice on the issue and for bringing the Department’s priorities, roles, and globe, and I congratulate Hostelling attention to the Congress. responsibilities, as well as those of International USA for its 75 years of BRITTAN CHASTAINE. other key Federal, State, and local service. I assume you have already seen this partners. He has worked tirelessly to f ensure an integrated and overarching website dollargas.us. It seems to me that as IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH a nation we are not only in serious debt, but vision of how the government will ENERGY PRICES we are allowing ourselves to be put in ‘‘bond- tackle its role of defending the home- age’’ by other countries needlessly. I am land. Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in mid- angry and frustrated that we are not more We have much work ahead to trans- June, I asked Idahoans to share with assertive in addressing this problem. form the Department into a mature me how high energy prices are affect- We have a family of nine children all are agency whose whole is greater than the ing their lives, and they responded by on their own. Some are married and have sum of its parts. But we have made the hundreds. The stories, numbering young families as well as trying to get steady progress. The threat of natural well over 1,200, are heartbreaking and through college. As you know, job wages are touching. While energy prices have not very substantial in college towns for stu- disasters is ongoing and the threat of dents. The increase in the cost of fuel is driv- terrorism remains with us. As I have dropped in recent weeks, the concerns ing other costs up as well. These young often said, these are not ordinary expressed remain very relevant. To re- adults are trying very hard to make ends times. They demand extraordinary spect the efforts of those who took the meet and it is becoming more difficult for commitment from those who have cho- opportunity to share their thoughts, I them to live within their means. Wages are sen public service. Secretary Chertoff am submitting every e-mail sent to me not keeping up with the cost of living. This has given our country his extraor- through an address set up specifically is forcing mothers out of the home and chil- dren which is not in the best interest of the dinary commitment, and he will be for this purpose to the CONGRESSIONAL family. well and gratefully remembered for it. RECORD. This is not an issue that will The rising cost of fuel is also precluding f be easily resolved, but it is one that de- their visits to our home as well as our visits serves immediate and serious atten- to their homes. The visits are the short 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF tion, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. range effect but the long range effect is HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL USA Their stories not only detail their grandchildren having less interaction with Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I struggles to meet everyday expenses, grandparents which further weakens the would like to take a moment today to but also have suggestions and rec- family structure. The family is the basic recognize the 75th anniversary of ommendations as to what Congress can unit of society and as the family weakens Hostelling International USA. Since the values of society and our nation are also do now to tackle this problem and find weakened. There is strength, honor, value 1934, Hostelling International USA has solutions that last beyond today. I ask and a sense of duty in knowing personal her- helped facilitate travel within the unanimous consent to have today’s let- itage. United States by the world’s youth and ters printed in the RECORD. Our livelihood is farming, luckily we have promoted intercultural understanding. There being no objection, the mate- enough fuel which was bought two years ago As part of the international hostelling rial was ordered to be printed in the and hopefully will finish out the needs for this year. It is a tragedy that farms are movement, this organization has RECORD, as follows: helped Americans to experience dif- being sold and subdivisions are taking over I am an Idaho youth, currently learning good Idaho farm ground. Rising fuel costs ferent parts of their own country and how to drive, but due to the ridiculously and fertilizer prices are becoming a serious helped international travelers to better high gas prices it is not as much fun as I was burden. understand our unique and proud his- expecting it to be. Because of these prices I I do hope you will strongly support open- tory, people, and way of life. feel bad about doing something I need to ing and drilling domestic oil resources as The sharing of cultures that natu- know how to do. I am also a musician and well as other technologies that provide effi- rally occurs in a hostel helps people to because of that I am constantly going to re- cient energy alternatives. hearsals and performances and need to drive Thank you for your time. Thank you for better understand and identify with in order to get where I need to be. I do in fact others of various backgrounds. Instead listening. Please represent the state of Idaho carpool but because most of the people I in finding ways to cut rising fuel and energy of retreating to a hotel room every would carpool with also have very busy costs. night, travelers in a hostel are literally schedules it is extremely hard to coordinate. CHERYL OKELBERRY. living beside and interacting with fel- Not only must I travel to get to my rehears- low travelers from other countries. als and performances but I am also a transfer My husband is a Viet Nam veteran who re- Several of my staff have stayed in hos- student at my school due to their spectac- tired after 30 years with the Boise Police De- tels while traveling, and I know their ular music program. Because I am not in the partment. I have worked all my life so when school’s boundary it is quite a distance for experiences have helped shape their he was eligible for retirement, we had saved me to travel two ways every day. Simply be- and planned and we were in a good position ability to appreciate different cultures cause I have a passion for music and want to to do so. In the five years since he retired, and points of view. In this respect, it is pursue a career in it I must break not only we have seen our insurance premiums rise the small, everyday human inter- my own but also my parents’ wallets. Due to over $400 per month to $1,020 per month, and actions that can have the biggest im- my age many people will not hire me so it is we know that is a bargain! Because of oil pact, like encountering someone who quite a financial strain seeing as how I do prices, grocery prices are rising, Idaho Power may not speak English and learning to not make an income, and only so many peo- just raised their rates, the gas company is communicate or sharing favorite foods ple need a babysitter. sure to follow and fuel prices have made it I personally would greatly appreciate if the among an international group of trav- almost prohibitive to travel except in neces- government would take the time and money sity. We have a little place in the mountains elers. to look into alternative renewable energy and to get there now costs $90+ just to enjoy In my home State of Iowa, the North- sources. Not only can we do that on a na- a weekend away from the heat and noise in east Iowa Council of Hostelling Inter- tional level but on a more local level we Boise. Our nest egg is dwindling, and we are national USA has provided activities could create more public transportation sys- stuck in the house watching it disappear! for youth and adults alike in Postville tems. The only place we have anything is in And we are far luckier than most—we don’t and surrounding communities since Boise, and I, as well as many others, live in have to choose between food and gas, yet. 1975. I am glad that Iowans have the Meridian. If there was a bus or light rail that Saudi Arabia says they make money at $70 benefit of this programming to give a I could get on in my town and travel to Boise per barrel; why is the price $130? The govern- or Nampa, and anywhere in between, I assure ment has so mismanaged its own affairs that greater understanding of the world and you I would use it. And, I’m pretty positive we find ourselves at the mercy of speculators its people to residents who may not that I’m not the only person who would. Not and oil shieks who don’t like us much any- have had a chance to travel widely. I only would this save many people’s wallets way. We have been so short sighted that we am also glad that Hostelling Inter- but it would also be very handy for those of haven’t the refineries to process oil even if

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