3570 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 SENATE—Monday, March 10, 2008

The Senate met at 2 p.m. and was SCHEDULE opportunities to offer amendments. called to order by the Honorable JIM Mr. REID. Mr. President, following Until the Chair rules that it is a dila- WEBB, a Senator from the Common- my remarks and those of the Repub- tory tactic, that can go on for a long wealth of Virginia. lican leader, the Senate will be in a pe- period of time. I have explained to the Republican riod of morning business until 3 p.m. PRAYER leader—we talked at some length on Senators will be allowed to speak for one occasion on the telephone—that we The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- up to 10 minutes each, with the time fered the following prayer: are going to finish this bill this week. equally divided and controlled between The question is, we would like to do it Let us pray. the two leaders or their designees. Fol- Eternal God, as we begin another on Thursday. It is my understanding lowing morning business, the Senate that all the Presidentials will be here workweek, humble us under Your will proceed to consideration of the on Thursday. They will be here on Fri- mighty hand, that in due time You concurrent resolution on the budget. day if we don’t finish this bill on may exalt us. There will be no rollcall votes today. Thursday. They will be here on Satur- As our lawmakers grapple with to- f day if we don’t finish the bill on Fri- day’s challenges, give them the humil- day. I hope we can work toward fin- ity to cast their cares on You, for You MEASURE PLACED ON THE ishing this bill sometime Thursday. It possess great love for them. Remind CALENDAR—S. 2734 is my recollection that we did it last them that You sustain the universe by Mr. REID. Mr. President, S. 2734 is at year on Thursday. That is what we are Your providential power and that noth- the desk and due for its second reading. facing. As a result, we will work to see ing is too difficult for You to accom- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- if we can have a process that is fair and plish. Let not their hearts be troubled pore. The clerk will read the bill by gives people the opportunity to offer by overwhelming obstacles, but may title for the second time. the amendments they believe are im- they run with patience the race that is The assistant legislative clerk read portant. set before them. Inspire their thinking, as follows: There are a number of issues we strengthen their resolve, and give them A bill (S. 2734) to aid families and neigh- know. I think Senators GREGG and success in their efforts. borhoods facing home foreclosure and ad- CONRAD will agree there are probably We pray in the Name of Him who is dress the subprime mortgage crisis. four main issues that are going to be the author and finisher of our faith. Mr. REID. I object to any further extremely controversial in the budget Amen. proceedings with respect to this bill at this year. We will work toward having f this time. a time that we can complete that. This week marks the 75th anniver- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE sary of President Franklin Roosevelt’s pore. Objection is heard. first fireside chat. In his first fireside The Honorable JIM WEBB led the The bill will be placed on the cal- chat on March 12, 1933, President Roo- Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: endar. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the sevelt reassured the American people f United States of America, and to the Repub- that despite the fear and uncertainty lic for which it stands, one nation under God, BUDGET DEBATE of a banking crisis and a deeply trou- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. bled economy, working people—or, in Mr. REID. Mr. President, in an hour his words, ‘‘average citizens’’—would f we are starting the budget. Under the be just fine. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING law that governs what we do, there is He said: PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE 50 hours of debate on this matter. It is You . . . must have faith; you must not be one of the few items in the Senate that stampeded by rumors or guesses. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The has a time certain. The good news is Let us unite in banishing fear. We have clerk will please read a communication that we have Senators CONRAD and provided the machinery to restore our finan- to the Senate from the President pro cial system, and it is up to you to support GREGG who will be managing this. and make it work. It is your problem, my tempore (Mr. BYRD). They are two experts on money within The legislative clerk read the fol- friends, your problem no less than mine. To- this body. They work extremely well gether we cannot fail. lowing letter: together. They disagree on a number of U.S. SENATE, President Roosevelt was right. With issues in the budget, but they approach President Roosevelt’s leadership and PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, it in a gentlemanly fashion. They are, Washington, DC, March 10, 2008. the grit and determination of the To the Senate: in my estimation, two of the finest American people, our country not only Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, Senators this body has ever had. As far survived the Great Depression but em- of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby as matters relating to money, they are, braced a new era of prosperity. That appoint the Honorable JIM WEBB, a Senator in my years of service here in the Sen- success was due in no small part to from the Commonwealth of Virginia, to per- ate, really outstanding. They are President Roosevelt’s understanding form the duties of the Chair. friends. They are adversaries. They do that working Americans built our ROBERT C. BYRD, it in a way that should make the Sen- President pro tempore. country and working Americans were ate and the country proud. That is the critical to our continued prosperity. Mr. WEBB thereupon assumed the good news. Seven years ago, President George chair as Acting President pro tempore. The bad news is that other than the Bush inherited a budget surplus for the f time limit on this budget, there are a year of more than $200 billion, the re- lot of changes we talk about needing to sult of a responsible Clinton adminis- RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY make, and we have for years, but we tration economic policy. These sur- LEADER haven’t made them, which means we pluses were projected to continue for The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- come to a point where we have what is the foreseeable future. pore. The majority leader is recog- called the vote-athon, which means Now 7 years into the Bush adminis- nized. Senators have an unlimited number of tration, we find that tax breaks for big

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

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3571 business and the superwealthy have erosity for those doing the best, one tion’s deep cuts in Medicare and Med- combined with $12 billion per month would think the President would take icaid and will expand health care cov- war in Iraq and cuts to investments in care of those struggling the most. But erage for children. It would make our workforce and infrastructure to that is not the case. America safer by embracing our troops create a budget deficit of more than On the housing crisis, for example, and veterans and rejecting the admin- $400 billion and a national debt that the proposal we have put forward calls istration’s plan to underfund antiter- has grown by $3 trillion. The result: an for five simple things. Transparency—if rorism and anticrime initiatives. economy that is failing millions of you are going to buy a home, have it so In stark contrast to the President’s American families. that people understand the terms of continued fiscal irresponsibility, our President Bush said last week that the deal. It is very simple. JACK REED budget would restore fiscal discipline. he doesn’t believe America is headed pushed that. CDBG money to go to It would maintain strong pay-as-you- toward a recession. You have to hunt local governments to buy foreclosed go rules, which were in effect in the hard to find an economist who would properties. Local governments are cry- Clinton years, which really worked. agree with him. The question is no ing for these moneys. Revenue bonds The budget would be fully balanced in longer are we headed for a recession would allow the law to be changed. In- 3 years. but how long and how deep it will be. stead of revenue bonds to buy new Our bipartisan budget sets a path to- For the second month in a row, the homes, you could buy foreclosed or ward a stronger economic future. We American economy lost jobs—22,000 in used homes. And then the loss can make it even stronger by passing January, 63,000 in February. Who bore carryforward that is so important for an amendment that will be offered by the worst of this job loss? People who the homebuilding industry—the money the distinguished chairman of the Fi- work in the manufacturing industry, you have made in the past could be off- nance Committee, Senator BAUCUS of people who work in construction, peo- set with the money that has been lost Montana. Several colleagues will join ple who build homes. It is not manufac- in recent years. Finally, the bank- in that. The Baucus amendment would turing that lost jobs; it is not construc- ruptcy provision—we have talked a lot use projected surpluses to cut taxes on tion that lost jobs; it is the people who about it here—to allow people to have the middle class—extending marriage work in those industries that cause the bankruptcy court take a look at penalty relief, the child tax credit, and those industries to be deemed as losing their loans and see if they can readjust the 10-percent tax bracket. The amend- jobs. the loans. ment also reforms the estate tax to In 7 years of Bush economics, oil is The President pays for his tax give- protect small businesses and family up to an alltime high. Today, the last aways to the wealthy in part by pro- farms and includes other tax cuts as I looked, it was over $107 a barrel. Gas posing deep cuts to Medicare and Med- well. prices are double what they were when icaid—that is a fact—while under- Democrats believe in cutting taxes— the President took office, and they are funding everything from terrorism pre- not for chief executive officers of these climbing. The average gallon of gaso- vention to veterans education. That is big companies, not for oil men, but for not just irresponsible fiscal policy. line in America now is about $3.20 a middle-class families who need help the Many believe, as I met with a group of gallon. The highest gasoline is in San most. religious leaders last week, that it is Mr. President, I have already talked Francisco; the lowest is in Casper, WY. immoral fiscal policy. about the two men who are going to The cost of college is up by some 60 This week, we are proposing a budget manage this bill: Chairman CONRAD percent since President Bush took of- that abandons Bush economics, lowers and ranking member JUDD GREGG. fice. Health care costs are up 80 percent taxes for the middle class, creates new They really do good work. Now it is up since President Bush took office. Has jobs, and turns our struggling economy to the full Senate to follow Senator anything gone down? Yes. Annual around. This requires both immediate CONRAD’s lead, and that of Senator household income is down by $1,000. help and long-term solutions. In short, JUDD GREGG, to move forward and get a Who has prospered from 7 years of our budget calls for further steps to budget that can be the blueprint for Bush economics? At parties and private stimulate growth and address the hous- what we do the rest of this Congress. meetings, President Bush’s CEO friends ing crisis. It sets aside $35 billion for I look forward to an open, productive and oil buddies must be telling him the measures such as extending unemploy- budget debate this week. I hope that economy is doing great, because they ment insurance, providing home heat- with the kind of steely resolve Presi- are doing really well. Exxon, for exam- ing and nutrition assistance, and re- dent Roosevelt showed, we can put the ple, made the highest net profit of any building our crumbling roads and failed Bush economic policies behind us company in the history of the country. bridges. Everyone should know that for and pass a fair, responsible budget that It is no wonder the President doesn’t every billion dollars we spend in devel- makes America stronger, safer, and see a recession coming, because the oping roads, bridges, dams, highways, more prosperous. people he deals with are doing just fine. water systems, sewer systems, we cre- f Look at the enormous compensation ate 47,500 high-paying jobs. We help PEACE CORPS packages earned by CEOs of companies families avoid losing their homes in that have been failures: Contrywide, our budget to foreclosure, a measure Mr. REID. Mr. President, I had the Citigroup, Merrill Lynch. These com- that has been blocked by Republican good fortune to meet earlier today pensation packages were in the hun- filibuster. with the head of the Peace Corps. His dreds of millions of dollars for compa- For the long-term, our budget calls name is Ron Tschetter—a wonderful nies that were failing, even as their in- for meaningful investments in energy, man who was approved overwhelmingly dustry has spiraled downward and the education, and infrastructure. These not that long ago by the full Senate. consumers they serve have suffered. investments will create jobs, provide The Peace Corps is one of the pro- The middle class has not done so well. Americans with new tools to succeed, grams that is so good for this country They have been forgotten. They have increase productivity, improve our en- and the world. We have a little over been left behind. vironment, and help ensure a strong 8,000 Peace Corps volunteers. We should After 7 years of fiscal irrespon- and growing economy. These are not have twice as many. The President said sibility, consider what President Bush just wishes or dreams. We were able to a couple years ago he was going to dou- wants to do next. His budget calls for accomplish that. The last years of the ble the Peace Corps from 7,000 to 14,000. spending $51 billion to hand out more Clinton administration, we were spend- That has not happened. He has in- tax breaks for Americans with incomes ing less money than we were taking in. creased it by a few hundred, and that is of greater than $1 million. That works We were actually paying down the very, very important. From Nevada, we out that each of these millionaires will debt. have 22 Peace Corps volunteers out of get $125,000—all to a fortunate few who The budget we are working on this the 8,000. They are from all over the need help the least. With such gen- week also rejects the Bush administra- world.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3572 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 As I have had the good fortune of family in Kentucky that is just start- Republicans made a pledge last year being able to travel as a representative ing to think about college for a new to fight tax increases and to rein in of our country around the world over baby. If that family took the $2,300 spending. We stuck by that pledge last the last several decades, every place I Democrats are asking for in new taxes year. In these difficult economic times, go, I visit with Peace Corps volunteers and invested it each year in a tax-free we will certainly stick by it this year. because there is no group of individuals college savings account, they would With this budget, Democrats want to that does more for our country in set- have nearly $75,000 for college by the spend more from Washington and raise ting good, high-quality standards than time that child was ready to attend your taxes to pay for it. I, for one, will the Peace Corps volunteers. They do school. vote to allow families to keep more of great work, and I am very proud of This budget is not the answer Ameri- what they earn so they can decide how them. cans have been looking for. It is a cli- to spend it. These Peace Corps volunteers, when che. When faced with a challenge, f they are interviewed, are not Demo- Democrats always answer with a sim- HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES crats or Republicans, they are Ameri- ple three-word response: tax and spend. cans, and they do great public service. And this year is certainly no different. CORPORAL GARY BRENT COLEMAN They are true public servants, and I am American families and their children Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I very proud of the work they have done are the ones who will lose out under rise today to honor the life of a soldier and will continue to do throughout the this tax-and-spend plan. Democrats who gave his life in defense of his coun- world on behalf of America. promise to pay for everything but try. CPL Gary Brent Coleman of f make families pay instead. They prom- Pikeville, KY, perished on November ised middle-class tax relief last year 21, 2003, in Balad, Iraq, when his vehicle RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY but did nothing to enact it. They prom- overturned mid-chase during combat LEADER ise to reduce the debt but increase it operations. He was 24 years old. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- instead. And they promise to address The memorial service for Corporal pore. The Republican leader is recog- long-term entitlement spending but Coleman was so large it filled the audi- nized. only make the problem worse with torium of his alma mater, Pikeville f higher taxes and more spending. High School. Brent, as he was known, Over the last 25 years, Republican had been a local hero for his prowess on BUDGET WEEK economic policies have lifted tens of the football field. He became an even Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, last millions of working families into the greater hero by stepping forward in a week our friends on the other side middle class. We did it through lower time of war. pulled back the curtain on their budget taxes, controlled spending, and keeping Friends, family members and fellow proposal, and taxpayers all across our defenses strong. Democrats know soldiers spoke, one after another, on America groaned. It really was not these policies worked. That is why, as the effect Brent had had in their lives. very pretty. The Democrats propose to we began this Congress, many Demo- When it was over, Brent’s father, Gary increase discretionary spending above crats assured voters they would not Keene Coleman, said, ‘‘I was . . . proud the $1 trillion mark for the first time raise taxes on working-class and mid- that Brent had made that type of an ever. To pay for it, they want to in- dle-class voters. Well, this budget cer- impact on so many people. But I would crease taxes by a lot—the largest tax tainly fell short of that mark. rather for him to be here.’’ hike in history. The proposed tax hike the Democrats For his bravery in uniform, Corporal The timing, of course, could not be sent down last week is four times big- Coleman received many medals, awards worse. At a time when Americans are ger than the one in 1993 that even and decorations, including the Army seeing record gas prices, falling home President Clinton said was too big for Achievement Medal, the Army Com- values, and higher health care and tui- Americans and, ultimately, even for mendation Medal, the Purple Heart and tion costs, the other side sees higher him. How can Democrats think the the Bronze Star Medal. taxes and more spending. Rather than American people will accept this one? Brent was born in Pikeville, in east- offer a plan to address the concerns of Do they think Americans want to see ern Kentucky, and spent the majority the day, they offer a plan to make the gains of the last 6 years washed of his life in the area. From a young those costs harder to meet inside the away by a budget that reinstates every age he was not afraid to speak his limits of a family budget. At a time of tax we have lowered or repealed over mind. When Brent was about six or heightened economic worry, our that period? seven, he and his family went to the friends’ plan for America is for families Budget week is always a clarifying circus. They had lions there, and the to keep less of their money and they time of year on Capitol Hill. What the lion tamer was directing them with his insist that Government spend more. other side’s budget makes clear once whip. The effect of all this on U.S. families again is that our friends on the other But young Brent thought the lion would be crushing. Under the Demo- side are more concerned about growing tamer was using the whip on the cratic budget, the average American the size and scope of Washington lions—and that despite their sharp family would see their annual tax bill spending, while we want to grow the claws and teeth, they needed a small go up by $2,300 a year. Nearly 20 mil- family’s budget. At a time of great eco- boy to come to their aid. ‘‘Stop that lion seniors would see their taxes go up nomic uncertainty, Americans expect right now!’’ he yelled to the lion tamer. by more than $2,000 a year. And 8 mil- more from Government than a $1.2 tril- The whole circus audience laughed at lion low-income workers would be lion tax hike and billions of dollars in Brent’s display of compassion and added to the tax roles. new spending. bravery. At a time of increased economic con- This budget spends more than $775 Brent loved sports, and grew up play- cern, Democrats want the average billion from the Social Security sur- ing T-Ball, baseball, and football. Once American family to have $2,300 less for plus. It increases gross debt by more when Brent and his cousin Ben were the family budget under their plan. than $2 trillion. It increases the deficit both 12 years old, Brent showed Ben That is enough money to pay for an en- by almost $400 billion. And it com- how to hold the football close to his tire year’s worth of gas for two cars. It pletely ignores the question of where chest. Ben took the ball and ran, Brent is about what the average American we are going to get the money to pay tackled him, and I guess Ben was hold- family with two kids spends on health for $66 trillion in promised entitle- ing the ball a little too tightly—it care in 9 months. It is also enough to ments—this despite the fact that the broke his shoulder and his rib. buy 8 months’ worth of groceries. Democratic chairman of the Budget Gary took Brent and his brother, The average American family would Committee has explicitly said we need Jason, to the Super Bowl every year. suffer a lot under this plan. Consider a to reform entitlement programs. Brent’s favorite team was the Detroit

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The reason be- for up to 10 minutes each and with the to watch for Brent, it was his passion, hind the nickname was because Cor- time equally divided and controlled be- and he excelled at it. At Pikeville High poral Coleman worked out hard every- tween the two leaders or their des- School, Brent was an all-county run- day here for two to three hours a day. ignees. ning back for the Pikeville Panthers. ‘‘Then whenever he got the oppor- The Senator from Washington is rec- He was named offensive player of the tunity, he would go outside our bunker ognized. year at the start of his senior year, in into the sun in just his PT shorts, place f 1996, and he is still the leading rusher mirrors around him, put on his shades and scorer in the school’s history. and throw on some music and tan. It AIR FORCE CONTRACT AWARD The Kentucky High School Athletic was like he was a movie star.’’ Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, in the Association recognizes Brent for hold- Brent was well liked by his fellow last several days, we have learned some ing these records: 8th overall in career soldiers; and not just because of funny surprising things about the Air Force’s yards rushing, tenth overall in career stories like these. He was liked and re- decision to award a $40 billion contract touchdowns, and 11th overall in career spected because he always gave his to the European company, Airbus. points scored. best, and encouraged others to do the The Air Force wants Airbus, which is ‘‘Brent was idolized by the students same. headquartered in Toulouse, France, to and their parents,’’ says Eddie Cole- ‘‘He would always volunteer for the supply our next generation of aerial re- man, Brent’s uncle. ‘‘He was a local tough missions,’’ Staff Sergeant fueling tankers. It chose Airbus over hero before he was the real hero.’’ Gallegos says. ‘‘ ‘Be smart and be ag- the American company, Boeing, which With so much talent came an appro- gressive,’ he would say, because he felt has been making those tankers for the priate nickname. Brent’s teammates if you’re passive then you not only en- called him ‘‘Rocket,’’ because he could last 50 years. danger yourself, but also your soldiers. I have made it clear over the past find a hole and plow right through it. Footage from a local television sta- . . . He was there for anybody, no mat- several days that I think this decision tion shows Brent earned yet another ter what platoon, what day of the is shortsighted and dangerous. But nickname—‘‘Stumpy.’’ ‘‘I guess be- week, or what time of day.’’ today, even more questions have been cause I’m short and fat,’’ a grinning At Brent’s funeral, his sergeant told raised about the process the Air Force Brent said to the TV reporter. the Coleman family, ‘‘Brent was 24 and followed to make this decision. So I ‘‘He didn’t lack for confidence,’’ his they get a lot of 18-year-olds. Brent want to take the opportunity this father Gary tells us. ‘‘Brent was some- would always volunteer to take the afternoon to walk through the impact I one with compassion, always trying to young ones’ places to protect them.’’ believe the Air Force decision will have do good, always trying to do the right ‘‘He served his country. He never because I think we need to take a good thing, and he had a competitive person- complained. He was made for the mili- hard look at whether we as Members of ality.’’ tary, physically and mentally,’’ Brent’s the Senate think this contract should Everyone around him could see Brent father, Gary, says. ‘‘He said he had a be finalized. was special, and that did not change job to do.’’ First, we need to be very cautious when Brent joined the Army. After at- Mr. President, I had the honor of about any decision that awards the tending Marshall University in Hun- meeting Gary Coleman in 2005, and I right to build a critical part of our tington, WV, for 2 years, he enlisted on presented him with an American flag military air technology to a company July 11, 2001, and underwent basic flown over this Capitol. Neither that that is controlled by a foreign govern- training at the U.S. Army Armor Cen- flag nor the words we say here today ment. What happens if that govern- ter at Fort Knox, KY. He graduated can make up for what the Coleman ment disagrees with us on foreign pol- Basic in the top five overall. family has lost. But they are the very icy? What if it decides it wants to slow Brent was then assigned to Company least we can do to honor Brent’s mem- down our military capacity? Do we B, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, ory. want another country to have that 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort We are thinking today of Brent’s kind of control? Carson, CO. Upon graduating basic loved ones, including his wife Kirsten The Air Force, of course, did not take training, he told his family, ‘‘I know I Sinley Coleman; his mother Janie that into consideration. They said they can make it on my own.’’ Adkins Johnson; his father Gary Keene didn’t have to. I think this case is a Brent saw service to his country as a Coleman; his brother Jason Byron perfect example of how misguided that way of life. ‘‘He was going to make a Coleman; his grandmother Ruby Cole- idea is. career out of it, and I encouraged him man Damron; and many other family Airbus is owned by the European to,’’ says Gary. Brent held several posi- members and friends. Aeronautic Defense and Space Com- tions on the M1A1 Abrams tank, in- Mr. President, today, March 10, is pany—EADS—which in turn is con- cluding gunner and loader, and he Brent’s birthday. It is a day to cele- trolled by several nations. Among eventually became a tank commander. brate Brent’s life, and I thought an ap- them are countries which have not al- Stationed in Colorado Springs, Brent propriate day for me to speak on how ways agreed with the United States on met a special woman there, and Brent he lived, and what he lived for. foreign policy. They include Russia, and Kirsten Sinley Coleman became To the Coleman family who have lost which has a 5-percent stake, and the husband and wife. They married in a husband, brother, and son, I want to United Arab Emirates, which controls March, 3 weeks before Brent deployed say this: CPL Gary Brent Coleman left 7.5 percent of EADS. to Iraq. this world a hero. And on behalf of a Now, EADS has already dem- The star running back and tank com- grateful Nation, the U.S. Senate hon- onstrated it is willing to bend the rules mander who had already acquired a few ors his life of sacrifice and service. if it can help the company make nicknames soon picked up another f money. I have talked extensively on from his fellow soldiers: ‘‘Hollywood.’’ the floor of the Senate about their at- I will let SSG Jason Gallegos, who RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME tempts to sell military helicopters and served with Brent, explain why. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- planes to Iran and to Venezuela. But Brent ‘‘was about five-foot-five and pore. Under the previous order, the now we are opening the doors to a key weighed about 175 pounds,’’ Staff Ser- leadership time is reserved. piece of our military defense to them.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3574 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 America’s global military strength is the tanker contract and propose to the something. If you win, you win; if you built on our ability to use our military EADS board ‘‘two takeover projects in lose, you lose. But the leadership in the might anywhere in the world at a mo- the fields of defense, security, or serv- House apparently thinks those rules ment’s notice. Aerial tankers are the ices.’’ don’t apply to the FISA debate. linchpin of our air power because they And he said: ‘‘One of them at least Even though the Speaker failed to allow the U.S. Air Force to stretch should be in the United States.’’ pass a 21-day extension of the existing across the globe. Until now, the tech- That brings me to my final point this law in her own body, the leadership has nology that powered these critical afternoon. Why didn’t the Air Force acted as though the PAA deadline was planes rested in the hands of Boeing consider these obvious questions about extended. There has been no action. and its American workforce that has national security and about economic So what is the House going to do this been building them for more than 50 security? Well, the Los Angeles Times week? Well, the Speaker has signaled years. today suggests an answer. They report that the House will vote on overriding Until now, our tankers have been on the front page of their paper today the President’s veto of the 2008 intel- built by manufacturers, designers, and that EADS and its partner, Northrop ligence authorization bill, even though engineers who are bound by law from Grumman, may have played a role in she knows there are not enough votes selling technology to countries that narrowing the scope of what the Air to override the vote. Why? Because ap- sponsor terrorism. But as a result of Force looked at. In fact, the Times re- parently, the House leadership has de- this contract, we are allowing EADS to ports that Northrop executives ensured cided it is more important to make a take over a cornerstone of our military that the Air Force wouldn’t ask the political statement about interroga- technology, and we are actually paying competitors how Government subsidies tion techniques than to give the intel- them to do it. In fact, I argue that de- would help pay for the design and de- ligence community the tools it needs cision was a $40 billion investment in velopment of the tanker—the subject to conduct surveillance of foreign in- the military research budget of EADS of the very WTO dispute I just men- telligence. and Airbus. tioned. The IC—the intelligence commu- The Air Force has said it wasn’t their According to that article, Northrop nity—needs these tools and authorities responsibility to take our security or made threats in order to shape the cri- that are provided in the bill we passed. our industry into account. Well, I say teria the Air Force followed. They are working tirelessly to protect to my colleagues: Congress must—we The Times reports: us from real and constant terrorist must—be more forward-looking than Northrop threatened at one point to pull threats, and they should not have to that. out of the competition if the Air Force didn’t wait any longer for the House to pass Secondly, I question why the Air change the way the aircraft would be evalu- that measure. Force was not required to take the eco- ated. Secondly, let me talk about Korea nomic impact into consideration when So did the Air Force pull a bait and briefly. I just came from an Appropria- it awarded this contract. If Boeing had switch with this contract? Did it un- tions Defense Subcommittee hearing won this contract, it would have cre- fairly change the process to benefit with General Bell, our commanding ated 44,000 U.S. jobs. But it is far from EADS? general in Korea. He told us that not clear what kind of an investment Air- I believe there are many serious just a brave new wind but a typhoon bus and its partner, Northrop Grum- questions about this selection process. has blown through South Korea, and man, plan to make in the United As U.S. Senators, it is our job to con- the previous government that was in States. sider the future of our national secu- many ways anti-American was totally Our economy is hurting. We are near- rity and our defense. I believe we need willing to accommodate North Korea ing a recession, if we aren’t already open and honest answers to those ques- in all of its efforts, which included there. Families across the country are tions before this contract is finalized. building missiles and nuclear weapons, struggling to get by, in part because In fact, I think we ought to demand the and rebuff the United States. their factory jobs have been moved answers. Our economy and our aero- Well, the people of Korea had enough, overseas. Workers across this country space industry are suffering, and we and they overwhelmingly elected a new are frustrated, and they are angry that are at war across the globe. We have to President, President Lee Myung-bak, at a time such as this, their Govern- get this right. Our future depends on it. who ran on a platform of revitalizing ment is saying it wants to take Amer- Mr. President, I yield the floor. the economy, making any actions with ican tax dollars—our tax dollars—and The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- North Korea reciprocal, and improving give that money to a foreign company pore. The Senator from Missouri is rec- their alliance with the U.S. position. to build planes for our military. ognized. The candidate who came in second We have more reason for concern be- f agreed with him on these issues. The cause for decades Europe provided sub- previous leadership candidate got sin- sidies, their subsidies, to prop up Air- NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES gle digits. bus and EADS. Airbus, they have said, Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise The most important things we can do is a jobs program that has led to tens today to talk about three issues that I are to increase our trade and our mili- of thousands of layoffs in the United think are vitally important for our na- tary assistance to South Korea. South States, and EADS has made little se- tional security. First, there is this Korea is already our largest importer cret of its desire to dismantle the matter of terrorist surveillance and for military equipment, and they live American aerospace industry. our national security. in a very dangerous part of the world. Our Government, in fact, is con- This body passed the bipartisan FISA They are right next door to China and cerned enough about these practices Act bill overwhelmingly—more than 2 close to bordering on Russia, just that we now have a WTO case against to 1—several days before the Protect across the straits from Japan, and they the EU over this. Yet here we are, last America Act was to expire. The Direc- are potentially—they have been and week our Government awarded Airbus tor of National Intelligence has told us they will be our most important ally. this $40 billion contract anyway. That how important this bill is because But we have given higher foreign mili- should give us a great deal of pause be- without it, intelligence gaps likely will tary sales status to three former So- cause EADS is already looking to build reopen, putting the safety of America— viet Union States and five countries on the toehold that contract gives those of us in the United States—and from the Warsaw Pact, none of which them into our aerospace industry. our troops on the battlefield at risk. are as good friends as South Korea. In fact, a report in a leading French Yet the House Speaker refuses to allow I have filed a bill, S. 1846, the United news service today says the executive a vote on the Senate’s bill, even though States-Republic of Korea Defense Co- president of EADS—Airbus—wants to a majority of House Members support operation and Improvement Act of 2007, build on the company’s success with its passage. If you vote, that means that would give them the status of

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Three of them aisle to let us bring up for a vote and gion safe, peaceful, and secure. are Americans. Yet our Democratic pass the Korean free-trade agreement Secondarily, for Korea, we also need colleagues, through all their rhetoric, and the Colombia free-trade agree- to approve the United States-Korea seem to care more about improving our ment. Not only will that benefit us eco- Free Trade Agreement. Free trade is image with rogue regimes such as nomically, it will strengthen the U.S. one of the best ways we have of assur- Syria and Iran than helping our friends image throughout the world and help ing that other countries get the devel- in places such as Colombia and Korea. build a stable, strategic ally in Colom- opment they need, we can develop the Their rejection of the free-trade agree- bia that can stop the threat of more re- friendship we have and improve our ments damages our strategic alliances gimes committed to the Marxism that economy and theirs. A Korea-United and says to the world that the United Cuba so famously demonstrated, which States trade agreement would give States is closed for business. And it brought destruction and hardship to lower tariff barriers, and get rid of does so at a time when we need to be the people of Cuba. many of them, to keep our agriculture, open for business, open for better ties. These are important foreign policy machine goods, and high-tech goods So why, in light of the economic and matters. One leader in the majority on from going into South Korea. We need strategic benefits of the Colombia the other side of the body said: Well, to do that. FTA, are the Democrats determined to politically, we cannot do it. Politi- But there are political objections. delay and deny these benefits? Why, cally, we cannot help those who help That brings me to the third important through their actions, are they us? Politically, we cannot pass a bill point: Colombia. Colombia has pending emboldening Venezuelan leftist Hugo that will keep our country safer by with the United States a United Chavez and undercutting the President passing the FISA bill? Politically, we States-Colombia Free Trade Agree- of Colombia, who is a friend? President cannot help an ally such as South ment. As I have just said, trade and Uribe has done more to reduce violence Korea, which is in a very strategic po- commercial ties are one of the most ef- in Colombia than any modern leader in sition? And politically, we cannot help fective arrows in our quiver of smart Bogota, including crimes against labor Colombia, which is fighting narcotraf- power. In Colombia, it is an affirma- unionists. He has pushed back Marxist fickers as well as the efforts by Hugo tion of support to our friends. They are guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Chavez for spreading a Marxist regime our strongest ally on an increasingly Forces of Colombia, FARC, and the Na- and the totalitarian government which left-leaning continent—another area tional Liberation Army, the ELN. He impoverishes and denies rights to his where they are our best friends in a has reduced crime and substantially citizens? dangerous area. improved Colombia’s security and eco- Mr. President, the time to act is now. The administration of the President nomic situations, with official statis- I urge my colleagues on both sides to of Colombia, President Uribe, finds tics showing murders plummeting by make these matters a serious concern itself surrounded by states determined as much as 50 percent and kidnappings and see if we can do the job for which to undermine Colombia’s burgeoning by as much as 75 percent. we were elected—to help keep our democracy. The states around them Today’s Wall Street Journal, which I country safe and secure. provide safe haven to insurgent ter- will submit later, is entitled ‘‘Delaying Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- rorist groups, allowing them freedom and Denying.’’ They sum it up like sent that the editorial from the Wall to maneuver in border areas, and they this: Street Journal of today, March 10, 2008, even provide monetary support for What is it about Democrats and Hugo Cha- called ‘‘The Chavez Democrats’’ be drug and terror activities against vez? Even as the Venezuelan strongman was printed in the RECORD, along with a President Uribe’s government in Co- threatening war last week against Colombia, lombia. If we are serious, as we must similar and very compelling article on Congress was threatening to hand him a the op-ed page of the Washington Post, be, about maintaining peace, security, huge strategic victory by spurning Colom- and stability in Latin America, the bia’s free trade overtures to the U.S. by Jackson Diehl, called ‘‘The FARC’s northern part of Latin America, we This isn’t the first time Democrats have Guardian Angel,’’ be printed in the must work with them. come to Mr. Chavez’s aid, but it would be the RECORD. Free trade will not only expand our most destructive. The Venezuelan is engaged There being no objection, the mate- economic and commercial ties, but it in a high-stakes competition over the polit- rial was ordered to be printed in the ical and economic direction of Latin Amer- RECORD, as follows: will strengthen the critical cultural ica. He wants the region to follow his path of [From the Wall Street Journal, Mar. 10, 2008] ties and strategic alliances, and that ever greater state control of the economy, will lead to a more peaceful and stable while assisting U.S. enemies wherever he THE CHAVEZ DEMOCRATS world. can. He’s already won converts in Bolivia What is it about Democrats and Hugo At a time when America’s image is and Ecuador, and he came far too close for Cha´ vez? Even as the Venezuelan strongman suffering in the world and our economy American comfort in Mexico’s election last was threatening war last week against Co- at home is slumping, we should be year. lombia, Congress was threatening to hand helping our friends and allies and ex- Meanwhile, Colombian President Alvaro him a huge strategic victory by spurning Co- Uribe is embracing greater economic and po- lombia’s free trade overtures to the U.S. panding our export opportunities to litical freedom. He has bravely assisted the This isn’t the first time Democrats have create jobs here. U.S. fight against narco-traffickers, and he come to Mr. Cha´ vez’s aid, but it would be the If the Democratic leadership in Con- now wants to link his country more closely most destructive. The Venezuelan is engaged gress is so concerned about improving to America with a free trade accord. As a in a high-stakes competition over the polit- America’s image abroad and helping strategic matter, to reject Colombia’s offer ical and economic direction of Latin Amer- our slumping economy, why don’t we now would tell everyone in Latin America ica. He wants the region to follow his path of start by helping our friends? We can do that it is far more dangerous to trust Amer- ever greater state control of the economy, that by opening up markets for ex- ica than it is to trash it. while assisting U.S. enemies wherever he ports. Friends like Colombia and Korea Mr. President, continuing to deny can. He’s already won converts in Bolivia and delay Colombia TPA will be a and Ecuador, and he came far too close for are fighting terrorism, embracing American comfort in Mexico’s election last America’s values. It is a solid security great disadvantage to America’s econ- year. rock for us to build upon. omy, damage our reputation in Colom- Meanwhile, Colombian President A´ lvaro In Colombia, the interdiction of two bia and throughout Latin America, un- Uribe is embracing greater economic and po- high-value targets—senior terror plan- dercut a key ally in President Uribe, litical freedom. He has bravely assisted the

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Mr. President, I yield the ´ ´ ica than it is to trash it. leaders by Ivan Marquez and Rodrigo floor and suggest the absence of a Yet Democrats on Capitol Hill are doing Granda, envoys who held a series of secret their best to help Mr. Cha´ vez prevail against meetings with Cha´ vez. Judging from the quorum. Mr. Uribe. Even as Mr. Cha´ vez was doing his memos, Cha´ vez did most of the talking: He The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- war dance, Senate Finance Chairman Max outlines a five-stage plan for undermining pore. The clerk will call the roll. Baucus was warning the White House not to Uribe’s government, beginning with the re- The bill clerk proceeded to call the send the Colombia deal to the Hill for a vote lease of several of the scores of hostages the roll. without the permission of Democratic lead- FARC is holding. Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I ask ers. He was seconded by Ways and Means The first e-mail, dated Feb. 8, discusses the unanimous consent that the order for Chairman Charlie Rangel, who told Congress ´ money: It says that Chavez, whom they call the quorum call be rescinded. Daily that ‘‘they don’t have the votes for it, ‘‘angel,’’ ‘‘has the first 50 [million] available it’s not going to come on the floor,’’ adding and has a plan to get us the remaining 200 in The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- that ‘‘what they [the White House] don’t un- the course of the year.’’ Cha´ vez proposed pore. Without objection, it is so or- derstand it’s not the facts on the ground, it’s sending the first ‘‘packet’’ of money dered. the politics that’s in the air.’’ ‘‘through the black market in order to avoid f Mr. Rangel is right about the politics. No problems.’’ He said more could be arranged matter what U.S. strategic interests may be by giving the FARC a quota of petroleum to CONCLUSION OF MORNING in Colombia, this is an election year in sell abroad or gasoline to retail in Colombia BUSINESS America. And Democrats don’t want to upset or Venezuela. their union and anti-trade allies. The prob- Cha´ vez then got to the plans that most in- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- lem is that the time available to pass any- terested him. He wanted the FARC to pro- pore. Morning business is closed. thing this year is growing short. The closer pose collecting all of its hostages in the f the election gets, the more leverage protec- open, possibly in Venezuela, for a proposed tionists have to run out the clock on the exchange for 500 FARC prisoners in Colom- CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR Bush Presidency. The deal has the support of bian jails. Cha´ vez said he would travel to the THE UNITED STATES GOVERN- a bipartisan majority in the Senate, and area for a meeting with the FARC’s top lead- MENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 probably also in the House. Sooner or later er, Manuel Marulanda, and said the presi- the White House will have to force the issue. dents of Ecuador, Nicaragua and Bolivia The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Our guess is that Messrs. Baucus and Ran- would accompany him. Meanwhile, Cha´ vez pore. Under the previous order, the gel understand the stakes and privately said he would set up a new diplomatic group, Senate will proceed to the concurrent favor the accord. The bottleneck is Speaker composed of those countries and the FARC, budget resolution, which the clerk will Nancy Pelosi, who is refusing to allow a vote plus Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, for the report. under pressure from her left-wing Members. purpose of recognizing the FARC as a legiti- The bill clerk read as follows: These Democrats deride any link between mate ‘‘belligerent’’ in Colombia and forcing A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 70) Hugo Cha´ vez and trade as a ‘‘scare tactic,’’ Uribe into releasing its prisoners. setting forth the congressional budget for as if greater economic prosperity had no po- In ‘‘the early morning hours,’’ the FARC the United States Government for fiscal year litical consequences. ‘‘President Bush’s re- envoys recounted in a Feb. 9 e-mail, Cha´ vez 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary cent fear-mongering on trade shows just how reached the subject of whether the release of levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through desperate he is to deliver one final victory Ingrid Betancourt, a former Colombian pres- 2013. for multinational corporations,’’ declared Il- idential candidate who is the FARC’s best- linois Democrat Phil Hare, who is one of Ms. known hostage, would complicate his plan to Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I would Pelosi’s main trade policy deputies. back a pro-FARC alternative to Uribe. ‘‘He like to be informed when I have used 45 invites the FARC to parcipate in a few ses- minutes. [From the Washington Post, Mar. 10, 2008] sions of analysis he has laid out for following The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- THE FARC’S GUARDIAN ANGEL the Colombian political situation,’’ the e- pore. The Chair will so inform the Sen- (By Jackson Diehl) mail concluded. ator. Assuming these documents are authentic— Latin American nations and the Bush ad- Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, we ministration spent the past week loudly ar- and it’s hard to believe that the cerebral and guing over what censure, if any, Colombia calculating Uribe would knowingly hand come to the floor with a budget resolu- should face for a bombing raid that killed over forgeries to the world media and the Or- tion that came out of the committee one of the top leaders of the FARC terrorist ganization of American States—both the last week. I think it is important to set group at a jungle camp in Ecuador. More Bush administration and Latin Amerian gov- the stage in recognition of the fiscal quietly, they are just beginning to consider a ernments will have fateful decisions to make condition of the country as we present far more serious and potentially explosive about Cha´ vez. His reported actions are, first this budget. question: What to do about the revelation of all, a violation of UN. Security Council We have seen a dramatic deteriora- ´ Resolution 1373, passed in September 2001, that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez tion in the budget situation under this forged a strategic alliance with the FARC which prohibits all states from providing fi- aimed at Colombia’s democratic govern- nancing or havens to terrorist organizations. President. As we all know, he inherited ment. More directly, the Colombian evidence would a budget that was in surplus; in fact, a First reports of the documents recovered be more than enough to justify a State De- budget that was estimated to have a from laptops at the FARC camp spoke of partment decision to cite Venezuela as a future of surpluses so large that the promises by Cha´ vez to deliver up to $300 mil- state sponsor of terrorism. Once cited, Ven- head of the Federal Reserve said we lion to a group renowned for kidnapping, ezuela would be subject to a number of auto- were in danger of paying off the Fed- drug trafficking and massacres of civilians; matic sanctions, some of which could com- eral debt. That is a danger I would like they also showed that Ecuadoran President plicate its continuing export of oil to the Rafel Correa was prepared to remove from United States. A cutoff would temporarily to have. his own army officers who objected to the inconvenience Americans—and cripple Ven- The President then took us on a fis- FARC’s Ecuadoran bases. ezuela, which could have trouble selling its cal course that has produced four of But in their totality, the hundreds of pages heavy oil in other markets. the five largest deficits in our history. of documents so far made public by Colombia For now, the Bush administration appears In fact, it may turn out to be five of paint an even more chilling picture. The raid anxious to avoid this kind of confrontation. the largest deficits in our history, de- appears to have preempted a breathtakingly U.S. intelligence agencies are analyzing the pending on how events unfold this ambitious ‘‘strategic plan’’ agreed on by Colombian evidence; officials say they will year. Cha´ vez and the FARC with the initial goal of share any conclusions with key Latin Amer- gaining international recognition for a ican governments. Yet those governments We can see in the previous years we movement designated a terrorist organiza- have mostly shrunk from confronting Cha´ vez were having budget surpluses, and then tion by both the United States and Europe. in the past, and some have quietly urged the President took us into deficit and Cha´ vez then intended to force Colombian Bush to take him on. If the president decides deepened those deficits until we

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When President starts have plunged, and plunged dra- for the middle class, and restore fiscal Bush came into office in 2000, the debt matically. We also have word that in- responsibility by balancing the budget at the end of his first year—we do not ventories of unsold homes are growing, in 4 years and maintaining balance in hold him responsible for his first year and growing dramatically; that fore- the fifth. because he is working on the budget he closures are running at a very alarm- Mr. President, we also want to make inherited—the debt stood at $5.8 tril- ing rate. And all of this signals trouble America safer by supporting the lion. At the end of last year, the debt in the economy. troops, by providing for veterans had reached over $9 trillion. And by the There are other indicators as well. If health care, by protecting the home- end of 2009, which will be for the 8 we look at business investment in this land, and rejecting the President’s cuts years for which he is responsible, we economic period versus what we have in law enforcement. For example, he will see the debt will have risen to over seen in the nine previous recoveries eliminates the COPS Program. He cuts $10 trillion. This President will almost since World War II, that growth of first responders’ grants by 78 percent. have doubled the debt of the United business investment is lagging in this We don’t think that makes sense, and States in just 8 years. business cycle by 52 percent. That we reject those cuts in this budget. Not only will he have almost doubled should tell us there is something amiss Mr. President, we now anticipate the debt of the country, the gross debt, in the economic policy of this adminis- that economic growth is going to slow all of the money we owe, but he will tration. Something is not working. sharply in this year. We can see it all also have more than doubled what we Certainly by comparison with previous around us—more job layoffs announced owe to foreign nations. It took 42 business cycles, the nine significant today, dramatic slowing of the econ- Presidents, all the Presidents pictured business cycles since World War II, this omy. Economists today are saying they here, 224 years to run up a $1 trillion of one is showing much more weakness believe our country is already in reces- U.S. debt held abroad. This President than the previous nine. sion. Of course, we will not know for has more than doubled that amount— That is also true in job creation. If several months, but it has all the ap- much more than doubled that we look at the nine previous business pearance of a reduction in economic amount—in just 7 years. The result of cycles—that is the dotted red line on growth. The Congressional Budget Of- that is we now owe Japan almost $600 this chart, and this business cycle is fice is forecasting for this year an eco- billion. We owe China almost $500 bil- the black line—we are now 9.6 million nomic growth of only 1.6 percent, down lion. We owe the United Kingdom over private sector jobs short of the typical from the 2.5 percent pace over the $150 billion. We owe the oil exporters business cycle, going all the way back course of 2007 and 2.6 percent in 2006. almost $140 billion, and so it goes. to World War II. And, by the way, these were already That is a warning sign to all of us There are a lot of alarm bells that weak economic growth numbers. 2006 about the fiscal condition of our coun- are ringing, warning signs to which we was weak, 2007 was weak, and CBO is try. The long-term projections are so- need to pay attention and need to re- expecting even weaker growth in 2008. bering as well. Partly as a result of spond to in a budget. We have seen real So in this budget resolution we provide this tremendous buildup of debt, the median household income decline by for a second stimulus package. We have value of the dollar has shrunk rather almost $1,000 under President Bush, already had one stimulus package to dramatically. This chart shows the dol- from $49,163 in 2000 to just over $48,000 try to increase aggregate demand in lar against the Euro. It has gone down in 2006, the last year for which we have the economy, to give a lift. We believe 40 percent since 2002. Anybody who has complete statistics. it is prudent to provide the room in the traveled has seen that in what they Mr. President, these numbers cry out budget for a second stimulus package, buy abroad. We see it in the prices of for a response. And the first way that some $35 billion of standby authority, goods that are being imported. We also we respond is in a budget because the so if this economy does continue to see it in terms of the kinds of reactions budget sets the policy priorities for the shed jobs and to weaken that we are we are getting in the marketplace to coming year. And we have attempted prepared to respond and prepared to re- further American indebtedness. We are to do that in this budget by empha- spond in these ways: hearing warnings from people who are sizing strengthening the economy and Housing relief. We have legislation saying: United States, you have to get creating jobs by doing the following: on the floor now to provide relief for your fiscal house in order. You cannot investing in energy, education, and in- what is happening in the housing mar- keep running up these massive debts frastructure. ket. That package is a $16 billion or $17 and deficits. Those are the top three priorities to billion package that could be accom- We see that during this period of the help strengthen the economy. Invest in modated in this $35 billion of standby Bush administration that economic energy. Why? To reduce our depend- stimulus relief. growth has lagged previous recoveries. ence on foreign oil. We are now spend- Also, we may need to extend unem- We have gone back and looked at all of ing $1 billion a day buying foreign oil. ployment insurance and provide for ad- the major recoveries since World War How much better off would our country ditional funding for food stamps or per- II. There have been nine previous re- be, how much stronger would the econ- haps State fiscal relief. We know 21 of coveries. At the same point in the busi- omy be if we were generating our own the States are increasingly in difficult ness cycle, the economy had typically energy rather than importing it from financial straits, so we may need to ex- grown at an average pace of 3.4 percent around the world? tend some relief to them. a year during those previous recov- So part of this budget is designed to This budget also provides room for eries. reduce our dependence on foreign en- additional funding for low-income Look at what is happening here. In ergy and to strengthen our education heating assistance and the WIC Pro- this recovery, the average GDP growth and our job training because if we are gram, the women, infant, and chil- is only 2.5 percent, well short of what not the best educated and best trained, dren’s feeding program, and/or infra- we have seen at the same point in pre- we are not going to command the structure spending in 2008. vious economic cycles. strongest economy for very long. When we did the last stimulus pro- Now we have a new element to con- Also, to build our infrastructure. We gram, we asked the agencies of the sider, and that is a housing slump with all remember the incredible sight of Government if they had construction new home building falling dramati- the 35–W bridge collapsing last year. I projects that were ready to go—where

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the engineering has been done, the de- from Baltimore and took 21⁄2 hours to neapolis and St. Paul. That is a bridge sign has been done, the land acquisi- get here—filled up, and it cost $3.18 a I traveled over many times when my tion is finished—and all they need is gallon. I filled up the other day, and it wife was in medical school at the Uni- money to begin construction and to was over $3.20 a gallon. There are some versity of Minnesota, and I think all of begin hiring people. And they told us, projections now that gas is going to go us, our hearts went out to those people. yes, they do have projects like that. So to $4 a gallon. Look what is happening Imagine the horror of driving home we have provided for taking up some of just since 2001 when gas was less than from work and having the bridge fall those projects as part of the stimulus $1.50. It has more than doubled in just out from under you. We know there package. those 7 years, and we see it continuing were lives lost and people injured. That Why? Because we know in road build- to jump. I am told oil prices today are should not happen. That should not ing, highway construction, and bridge also rising on world markets. There happen anywhere in America. It construction that for every $1 billion, was some speculation that oil might shouldn’t happen anywhere in the there are about 45,000 jobs created. reach $108 a barrel today on the world world. And, Mr. President, we think it is very market. Mr. President, we know there are de- important that standby authority be So to address this continuing prob- ficiencies in the infrastructure funding ready to go if indeed this economy lem of energy dependence, we are pro- for highways, for bridges, for airports, weakens further. posing in this budget to invest in en- and for rail, and all of those are going We also provide for tax relief in this ergy, to create green jobs, to reduce to have to be strengthened and im- budget resolution: the alternative min- our dependence on foreign energy, to proved. This budget begins the process. imum tax. If something is not done, it strengthen our economy, and to help It begins the process by creating a re- will affect 20 million more American with high home heating costs. We have serve fund to allow for major infra- families this year—the alternative to do that a package of energy tax in- structure legislation. minimum tax. So we provide an addi- centives of over $13 billion, $3.5 billion We have had a group of the country’s tional year’s relief from that levy. over the President’s budget in discre- business leaders come to us and tell us We also provide the energy tax incen- tionary funding for energy, and an en- they have a plan they think could gen- tives necessary to reduce our depend- ergy reserve fund for investing in clean erate a multiplier effect in terms of ence on foreign oil, education tax in- energy and the environment. matching public sector investment centives to make college more afford- We all know there are global climate with private sector investment to build able for American families, and we pro- change initiatives coming before Con- infrastructure in this country. We have vide the stimulus package, where I pre- gress. If any of those are adopted, we created a reserve fund to allow for the viously described some of the provi- are going to need a reserve fund like adoption of such legislation if the com- sions, and they help the housing indus- this to prepare for it. mittees of jurisdiction proceed, and if try. Our tax provisions would fit in Education is also a great challenge to they pay for it, if they provide offsets that $35 billion package; for example, us. We see from the National Science for it. We also provide $3.9 billion more extending net operating loss provisions Foundation a chart that compares than the President for key discre- to home building companies so they what is happening to bachelor’s degrees tionary transportation accounts in aren’t buffeted by further write-downs in engineering in the thousands in 2009, and we provide another $6.5 billion of their assets at the worst possible China versus what is happening here. to fully fund highways, fully fund tran- time. You can see we are pretty well flat, sit, increase funding for airport im- And, of course, the important tax ex- with about 75,000 engineers a year provement, and fund ready-to-go infra- tenders, those permanent provisions being produced. But look what has hap- structure projects. that are about to expire that provide pened in China. China is now up to a Those are projects that are ready to for the research and development cred- rate of producing more than 350,000 en- be built; they only lack the money. We it, the wind energy credit, and the like, gineers a year. That should serve as an- also fix the highway trust fund short- those are provided for in this budget other alarm to us because we know en- fall that exists. I think that is roughly resolution as well. gineering is critical to economic $1.4 billion that needs to be dealt with. The first amendment that will be of- growth. And if you are producing many We not only have challenges and op- fered to this budget will be to extend more engineers, you are laying the portunities in education and energy the middle-class tax provisions pre- foundation for stronger economic and infrastructure, but we also have viously enacted. Those provisions are growth in the years ahead. them in health care. We can see the about to expire, and we want to extend I chose that as just one example. We number of uninsured children in our them. Those are the marriage penalty know there are many others where we country has jumped by 700,000 just in relief, the child tax credit, and the 10- face global competition for doing the the year 2006. We went from 8.7 million percent bracket. There is room in this best job of educating our young people. uninsured children to 9.4 million. So budget to extend them all and still bal- So this budget resolution invests in this budget seeks to make wise and ance the budget in 4 years. education. It does it to generate eco- careful investment there to improve There is also room in this budget for nomic growth and jobs, to prepare the health care, to expand coverage, to in- estate tax reform along the lines of workforce to compete in the global crease health research, and to promote what we advocated last year. As you economy, and to make college more af- food and drug safety. We do that by know, we faced this unusual situation fordable and to improve student again providing for a reserve fund that where the exemption per person, the achievement. will allow the $35 billion children’s $3.5 million next year but the year We seek to do that by providing some health insurance compromise that was after, in 2010, there will be no estate $13 billion in education tax cuts, some adopted last year but vetoed by the tax. In 2011, the estate tax comes back $5.7 billion in funding over the Presi- President to once again proceed this with only $1 million per person exemp- dent’s budget in discretionary money year. tions. So we provide the continuation for the Department of Education and We also provided $4.4 billion over the of the $3.5 million exemption per per- Head Start, and a $2 billion education President’s budget in discretionary son and have that indexed for inflation. reserve fund for school construction funding for health and a reserve fund Mr. President, there is not an Amer- and higher education reauthorization. to address the cut in Medicare physi- ican family who doesn’t know what is But it doesn’t end with energy and cian payments and make other im- happening to gas prices. I was just education, Mr. President. It also ex- provements to Medicare. We know the talking to my staff this morning about tends to the challenges in infrastruc- doctors of the country are scheduled what they are experiencing. One of my ture. We all remember this very strik- for a very sharp cut in Medicare pay- staff—who was caught up in a horren- ing picture from last year when the ments. I think that is rejected here vir- dous traffic jam yesterday coming bridge on 35–W collapsed between Min- tually universally. But we have to do

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3579 something about it. We provided a re- years—because we think that is criti- year and maintain balance in the fifth. serve fund to address that, so later this cally important for the long-term eco- According to the Congressional Budget year Congress will be able to act. nomic health of the country. Office, the President’s budget does bal- The budget resolution also provides This is a comparison of spending ance in the fourth year but then $3.2 billion above the President’s for under the resolution and the Presi- promptly falls back out of balance in our veterans. We know that veterans dent’s budget. The red line is the Presi- the fifth year. Our budget not only bal- funding in the President’s budget is dent’s spending line, the green line is ances by the fourth year but stays in $44.9 billion. We have provided $48.2 bil- ours. You can see there is very little balance in the fifth. lion in funding for our veterans. This is difference. That is a difference of 2.1 Now, this is where we get into the focused on veteran health care, pri- percent in overall spending over the 5 question of, Well, how do you come up marily in terms of veterans because we years. So we do have some additional with 2.6 percent more revenue than the all recognize that is an area in which spending to meet these priorities in President has? I believe you can come we simply must do better if we are education and energy and infrastruc- up with the 2.6-percent more revenue going to keep the commitment that ture and reducing the cuts the Presi- than the President has by looking at was made to our veterans. dent proposed for law enforcement, three areas: the tax gap—that is the In terms of war funding and defense weatherization, and other priorities. difference between what is owed and funding, we match the President’s re- Spending as a share of GDP under the what is paid. The Internal Revenue quest. He has asked for $2.9 trillion resolution goes down each and every Service tells us that for 2001 the tax over the next 5 years, and we matched year, from 20.8 percent of GDP in 2009 gap was over $300 billion; that is, the that amount in this budget—$2.9 tril- to 19 percent of GDP in 2013, applying vast majority of us pay what we owe, lion. the spending discipline that I think is but some do not. Before we ask for a The budget also provides $2.3 billion necessary, that I think most of us tax increase from anyone, I think we more than the President’s budget for would say is necessary if we are going ought to go to those who are not pay- law enforcement and first responders. to address these problems of deficit and ing what they owe. Now, I think that is This is an area which I find utterly in- debt. The first thing we have to do is the first thing we ought to do before we explicable in the President’s budget. bring down the deficit, and this budget ask for a tax increase from anyone. President Bush sent this Congress a seeks to do that. But it is not just the tax gap, it is budget that eliminates the COPS Pro- We also, for this year, for 2009—this also those offshore tax havens that are gram—eliminated it. He did not just shows the overall spending difference proliferating and costing us a lot of cut it, he eliminated it. The COPS Pro- for this year. I have showed the spend- money. There is a report from the Per- gram has put 100,000 police officers on ing comparison for 5 years showing manent Subcommittee on Investiga- the streets in this country, put over 250 that we are spending 2.2 percent more, tions from February of last year. This police officers on the street in my but I think it is also important to look is what they said: State of North Dakota. Why the Presi- at 2009, the first year of this 5-year Experts have estimated that the total loss dent would eliminate the COPS Pro- budget, on overall spending. We are to the Treasury from offshore tax evasion gram eludes me. spending 1 percent more than the alone approaches $100 billion per year, in- He has also proposed cutting the first President—1 percent more. cluding $40 to $70 billion from individuals responder grants; that is for emergency Some say: Well, you should not spend and another $30 billion from corporations en- medical personnel, that is for our fire- more than the President did. But the gaging in offshore tax evasion. Abusive tax fighters and our other first responders. problem is, he had cuts that I do not shelters add tens of billions of dollars more. He has proposed cutting these grants 78 think are broadly embraced by the Shame on us for allowing this kind of percent. We have rejected those cuts in American people. I do not think they abuse to occur. Let me say, there have this budget at a cost of $2.3 billion. think we should eliminate the COPS been some in this Chamber who have While we have restored funding in Program. I do not think they think we made a serious effort to close this kind certain key priority areas and made should eliminate weatherization. I do of scam down, and I would be the first targeted investments in reducing our not think they believe we should cut to recognize the ranking member of the energy dependence and promoting edu- the grants to first responders, our Finance Committee, Senator GRASSLEY cation and in building our infrastruc- emergency personnel, by 78 percent. I of Iowa, who has been very serious ture, we have also sought to be fiscally do not think the American people about going after not only abusive tax responsible by balancing the budget by think we should fail to invest in reduc- shelters but offshore tax havens. the fourth year and maintaining bal- ing our dependence on foreign energy. I Here is an example of what is going ance in the fifth. do not think that is what the American on. There is a little five-story building Those are the numbers that are in people want. I do not think they be- in the Cayman Islands called Ugland the budget resolution, but this is be- lieve we should continue to dramati- House, a nice little building; 12,748 fore we extend the middle-class tax cally underfund infrastructure, which companies call it home. Mr. President, cuts. When we extend the middle-class leads to bridges collapsing in our coun- 12,748 companies say they are doing tax cuts, these numbers will drop dra- try. So we have spent more than the business out of this little five-story matically, but we will still be in sur- President—in total for 2009, 1 percent building. Can you imagine having 12,000 plus, we will still be balancing by 2012, more. That 1 percent will go to those companies conducting business out of by the fourth year, and be maintaining high-priority areas of energy, edu- that little building? Of course they are balance in the fifth. But we do think it cation, and infrastructure. not conducting business; the only busi- is critically important to extend the On the revenue side, this is the com- ness they are conducting is monkey middle-class tax cuts and to reform the parison when the middle-class tax cuts business because what they are doing is estate tax, which previous legislation are extended. We will have 2.6 percent cheating all of the rest of us who pay has left in a chaotic state, I think more revenue than in the President’s our taxes. They are engaged in very would be a fair way to say it. budget—2.6 percent more revenue than ambitious tax scams and tax schemes We also, under this budget resolu- in the President’s budget. to avoid paying what they owe in this tion, bring down the debt as a share of Now, this shows that difference in country. gross domestic product each and every revenue. The President’s budget has Here is a picture of a building that year. Again, this is before the amend- $15.2 trillion over the 5 years, and our was in the Boston Globe. Let’s put up ment to extend the middle-class tax budget is $15.6 trillion—a 2.6-percent the Boston Globe story. This was a cuts, but you will see the same pattern difference. Because we have more rev- building that is also in the Cayman Is- after we extend the middle-class tax enue, of course, we have the ability to lands where shell companies allowed cuts—the debt as a share of GDP going fund in those high-priority areas but KBR to avoid Medicare and Social Se- down each and every year of the 5 still balance the budget in the fourth curity deductions.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3580 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 This story says: United States for tax purposes, and adjustment to deal with health care. Kellogg, Brown and Root, the nation’s top lease them back to the European cities One of the things we know is that lots Iraq war contractor, and until last year a that built them in the first place. That of different health modalities are being subsidiary of Halliburton, has avoided pay- should not be allowed. That is not fair used across the country to address ill- ing hundreds of millions of dollars in Medi- to the rest of us who pay what we owe. ness. Some of them work and some care and Social Security taxes by hiring Last year, when we went after some don’t. We have to know which ones workers through shell companies based in of these scams, the President threat- this tropical tax haven. work. ened a veto. He said that would be a Second, we have program integrity So what they were doing is hiring tax increase. I guess it would be a tax initiatives to crack down on waste, people paid for by American taxpayers, increase on those who are getting away fraud, and abuse in Social Security and hiring them for contracts, and they without paying what they fairly owe, Medicare. In fact, I received a letter were running them through these shell but I don’t consider it a tax increase to from the Secretary of Health, Sec- operations down in the Cayman Is- make people pay what they already retary Leavitt, thanking us for the lands, and by doing that they were owe. I don’t consider it a tax increase program integrity funds that we have avoiding paying their Medicare and So- to shut down a tax scam. I don’t con- included so that he can continue his cial Security taxes to this country and sider it a tax increase to shut down important investigations to shut down saved hundreds of millions of dollars, these abusive tax shelters. these Medicare fraud operations that according to this story in the Boston We tried to codify economic sub- he found in Florida and other parts of Globe from March 6 of this year. This stance, prohibiting transactions with the country last year and that he is is just days ago that this story ap- no economic rationale, done solely to continuing to crackdown on. peared. evade taxes. We tried to shut down He found a circumstance in which They point out: schemes to lease foreign subway and you go to these strip malls, and half of More than 21,000 people working for KBR sewer systems and depreciate assets. the offices in the strip malls are front in Iraq, including 10,000 Americans, are listed as employees of two companies that exist in We tried to end deferral of offshore organizations collecting Medicare pay- a computer file on the fourth floor of a build- compensation by hedge fund managers ments. You go to the door and nobody ing on a palm-studded boulevard here in the trying to evade current taxation. We is there during the day, during work Caribbean. Neither company has an office or tried to expand broker reporting. We time. They are just billing mills. They phone number in the Cayman Islands. tried to tax people who use expatria- are sending out Medicare bills. Good- They do not even have a phone num- tion to evade taxes. Over and over the ness knows if any service is actually ber. They do not even have a real of- President said: No, I will have to veto being extended or not. But these are fice. What they have is a scam. This is because that would be a tax increase. scams that are operating that need to the kind of scam we ought to shut I think the President has it entirely be shut down. down. wrong. Those are not tax increases. We also have a point of order against Here is the building, a very nice Those are just making those folks pay long-term deficit increases which is building. On the fourth floor of this what the rest of us are already paying. important to any strategy to contain building, apparently 21,000 people are In this budget we provide a number burgeoning deficits and debt. supposedly employed, at least for the of enforcement mechanisms to try to Before yielding the floor, I want to purpose of records. help restore some fiscal discipline. We ask our colleagues for their coopera- Now, it does not stop there. This is a have discretionary caps for 2008 and tion. This is going to be an especially story from late last month in the New 2009. We maintain a strong pay-go rule. challenging budget. The numbers are York Times: We have a point of order against long- very close on the two sides. We have U.S. among countries investigating tax term deficit increases. We allow rec- two Presidential candidates on this evasion. onciliation for deficit reduction only, side. They have a Presidential can- This is in Liechtenstein. I have never and we have a point of order against didate on the other side. We know they been to Liechtenstein. I am sure it is a mandatory spending on an appropria- may not be here for all of the delibera- lovely place. But the Internal Revenue tions bill. These are important enforce- tions. That means we are going to have Service says: ment mechanisms that ought to be to coordinate and cooperate. We also It was beginning enforcement action part of any budget resolution. They are have a Member on our side who is ill. against more than 100 U.S. taxpayers on sus- part of ours. I hope they are adopted by That means we will have a special picion of evading taxes through investments my colleagues. challenge getting the budget done this in Liechtenstein. Finally, this budget resolution has year, but we must do it. We must get it They have the Deputy Director of the provisions addressing long-term chal- done. I will be asking for all of our col- Center for Tax Policy and Administra- lenges. More daunting than any of our leagues’ cooperation as we proceed. tion at the OECD saying Liechtenstein short-term problems is where this is all I yield the floor. is the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, it is. headed. We can’t pay our bills now; The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. This kind of scam is going on down in that is, before the baby boomers retire. CARDIN). The Senator from Iowa. the Cayman Islands, going on in Liech- What is going to happen then? What is Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, the tenstein, going on in other tax haven going to happen to the commitments chairman spoke about his budget. For places, but it is also happening with that have been made in Social Security Senator GREGG, the ranking member of abusive tax shelters. Last year, I and Medicare? What is going to happen the Budget Committee, I would like to showed pictures of European sewer sys- with this tremendous imbalance be- start this debate on the Republican tems. People might ask: What does a tween spending and revenue? We have side. Since we are on the budget resolu- European sewer system have to do with offered these three elements as part of tion, Senator GREGG would usually revenue in the United States? It turns an approach, understanding that the open debate for our side of the aisle. He out it has a lot to do with it because it larger plan to deal with our fiscal prob- wanted to take the lead today but has turns out U.S. companies are buying lems is going to have to come in some a necessary conflict in his schedule. He European sewer systems. Later on in sort of special process, a process that asked me to substitute, and I am this debate I will show a picture of one Senator GREGG and I have offered our pleased to do so. Senator GREGG will be of those. It may not be the most wel- colleagues to create a task force with here tomorrow to give what is nor- come picture on the Senate floor, of a 16 Members—eight Democrats, eight mally the opening statement by the European sewer system, but, nonethe- Republicans—and ask them to come senior member of the Budget Com- less, this is part of an incredible scam back with a plan as to how to deal with mittee on the Republican side. that is going on in which U.S. compa- long-term imbalances. I am going to first talk about the nies buy European sewer systems, In this resolution, we have compara- process and recent history of the Sen- write them off on their books in the tive effectiveness reserve fund and cap ate budget resolutions. Almost all of

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3581 the revenue side of the budget is Fi- ments. So I would say, with all due re- When we look at this budget over the nance Committee jurisdiction. Most of spect to the chairman, the chairman’s short term, it contains a material in- the spending side of the budget is also mark was developed exclusively by crease in spending. Over the next fiscal Finance Committee jurisdiction. For Democrats in a partisan fashion. year, the discretionary spending rises those of us who sit on the Finance Republicans, during committee by 9 percent over last year’s spending. Committee, we need to pay very care- markup, used that markup to educate Now, how many Americans got a 9- ful attention to the budget. Chairman ourselves, others on the other side, and percent raise? How many American CONRAD, along with Senator WYDEN of the public. We asked questions. I pur- families raised their discretionary Oregon and Senator STABENOW of sued questions about how this budget household spending by 9 percent? On Michigan, are all Finance Committee deals with the resources and demands the spending side of the ledger, spend- Democrats. This Senator, along with that fall on Senator BAUCUS and me in ing, then, goes up, and I say fairly dra- Senators BUNNING, CRAPO, and ENSIGN our respective roles as chairman and matically. You would think proponents are all Finance Committee Repub- ranking member of the Finance Com- of fiscal responsibility would be look- licans. mittee. We offered a relatively small ing at spending cuts, not 9 percent in- When I was Finance chairman for number of amendments. Most were de- creases. part of the year 2001 and all of the feated; some accepted. It is a different story on the other years 2003 through 2006, there was co- On reforming farm program payment side of the ledger, the revenue side. Let ordination regarding the fiscal re- limits, I am pleased to say Senator AL- me start off with one smidgeon of good sources and fiscal demands on the Fi- LARD’s amendment prevailed on a roll- news on the revenue side in this budget nance Committee. That coordination call vote. That amendment improved resolution. The alternative minimum occurred with respect to revenue lev- this resolution, though not enough to tax patch expired the first day of this els, spending levels, and reconciliation gain the support of Senator ALLARD, year. If that patch is not addressed, 25 instructions. Did we always agree over this Senator, or any other Republicans. million families, most of them middle- those years? The answer is no. Did we Before I discuss the substance of the income families, would pay an average compromise when we had disagree- budget, I want to start off by comple- of at least $2,000 in AMT this year. The ments? The answer is most often yes. menting the chairman of the com- chairman reduced the revenue baseline We did have some different priorities, mittee and his staff. They conducted by $62 billion, which is a revenue loss but we worked through those dif- the markup in a professional manner. from extending that patch. All middle- ferences during this committee’s budg- The Democratic and Republican mem- income Americans ought to thank the et process. We came up with com- bers have sharp, well-intentioned rea- chairman of the Budget Committee— promises that largely held together. I sons for coming down in different and I thank him on the Senate floor might add, those compromises and the places on the budget resolution. We right now—for that provision. levels regarding revenue spending and were able to debate those differences in Unfortunately, for years beyond 2008, pay-go still applies, so there is a big reconciliation instructions were in a full and fair manner. Senate hurdle built into this budget to sync with the administration. My point I know if Senator GREGG were here patching the alternative minimum tax is that we hashed out the fiscal dif- speaking today, he would make these points as well. We are at the Senate in years beyond 2008. ferences in the Budget Committee and The rest of current law expired or ex- floor stage of the budget on process. on the Senate floor. The committee piring tax relief provisions will need to What I would like to do is step back and floor debate, amendment votes, be offset with other tax increases. and take a look at the budget from both pro and con, made a very real dif- There are also several bipartisan tax three vantage points. It is kind of like ference. The product of that process, bills that would require offsetting tax the budget resolution that we will vote we farmers do before planting season. increases under this budget. That is a on as the last vote probably this week, We look at the condition of the soil and very large tax increase over the next the product made a real difference. prospects of various crops. The first fiscal year. My staff calculates that tax Those budget resolutions, though not vantage point will be looking at what increase to be roughly $150 billion. perfect, provided me, while I was chair- the budget purports to do. From this The definition of ‘‘fiscal responsi- man of the Finance Committee, with angle, I am going to look at what the bility’’ under this budget, over the fis- the budget resources to deal with the Democratic leadership says the budget cal year, is higher spending of $22 bil- policy demands on the Finance Com- is designed to do and whether those lion and higher taxes of $150 billion. Is mittee. Most often, I used these re- purposes make sense from a fiscal that a legitimate fiscal goal? Is that sources to guide the Finance Com- standpoint. The second vantage point the notion of fiscal responsibility the mittee, usually in a bipartisan manner, will be looking at how well the budget American people were looking for when to deal with short-term, midterm, and carries out its stated purpose. The they turned congressional power over even long-term problems. Last year third vantage point will be looking at to the Democrats in November 2006? was different. After the people spoke in what the reconciliation would mean for Did we in Congress misread those re- the November 2006 elections, control of the Senate. I will address the reconcili- sults? Did the people really want us to the Senate changed from Republican to ation in a separate speech later. I be- increase spending and to raise taxes? Democrat, and the budget resolution lieve I will wait until tomorrow to do Now, that is not what I am hearing was basically a Democratic resolution. that. from back home. What I heard from This year we see some repetition of Let’s start off with the first question: folks across Iowa was: Rein in spend- last year’s dramatically different fiscal What does the Democratic leadership ing. Live within your means. path. As with the rest of the Budget say this budget is designed to do? It seems to me if you are going to as- Committee Republicans, I learned Then, after stating what they say it sume the mantle of fiscal discipline, about this resolution for the first time does, we need to look at the fiscal con- you ought to treat a dollar of new tax when the chairman of the Budget Com- sequences of that policy. relief the same as a dollar of new mittee put the markup document be- The budget’s proponents claim it is spending. fore the committee. Committee Demo- all about fiscal responsibility. There What do I mean by ‘‘new spending?’’ crats were consulted extensively, along are two basic parts to the Federal ledg- I mean spending above the Congres- with the Democratic caucus. Most of er: the revenue part and the spending sional Budget Office baseline. And the Republicans’ knowledge prior to part. If we spend more than we take in, what do I mean by ‘‘new tax relief?’’ I markup was derived from what we read then the Treasury sells more debt. This mean new tax policy that loses rev- in the press. I don’t say this to be crit- has been the pattern of much of the enue. I do not mean extension of exist- ical of the Democratic leadership. It is post-World War II period. If we spend ing tax policy. unfortunate but perhaps necessary that less than we take in, then the Treasury We see the same pattern over the 5- budgets are usually partisan docu- buys back debt. year period of this budget. Over 5

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 years, the tax hike and the spending heard about the Baucus amendment— can see them for the entire United increases grow exponentially. On the as the answer to the tax increases that States up there on the chart. Nation- spending side, discretionary spending I have pointed out. Isn’t it ironic that ally, we are talking about over 9 mil- grows by $211 billion. When you throw my friend, our chairman, my partner lion families and individuals. In Iowa, in the special reserve funds, you can from the 2001 tax relief bill, and several we are talking about 127,000 families add another $300 billion in new spend- other tax relief bills, is the author of and individuals when it comes to cap- ing on top of that. this key amendment? ital gains. Over the 5 years, the budget assumes The Senator from Montana, my I want to emphasize, I went from a dramatic tax increase—at least $1.2 friend, Mr. BAUCUS, took a lot of heat dividends to capital gains. The chart trillion. In 2011, the bipartisan tax re- for working with me in a bipartisan has changed to tell you what there is lief plans of 2001 and 2003 will expire. fashion in 2001. He took a lot of heat in each of the respective States on cap- Some folks will call these provisions from people in his caucus, quite frank- ital gains. the Bush tax cuts. It is true President ly. Many on the other side who fought There are many marginal rates, Bush signed both bills, but the bipar- him and that bill were also denying tax other than the top rate, that would rise tisan compromises occurred in the Fi- increases in last year’s budget. So they if this budget stands, even with the nance Committee. In 2011, President now turn to his amendment—this up- Baucus amendment. The 25-percent Bush will have been gone from office by coming amendment—as they did last rate, which for 2007 starts at $31,850 for more than 2 years. He will probably be year, to try to deflect the tax increase singles and $63,700 for married couples, hanging around his ranch in Crawford, charge because there is a real charge in would rise 3 percentage points to 28 TX. You can call this package of tax what is in this budget. If something is percent. The 28-percent rate, which for 2007 starts at $77,100 for singles and relief for virtually every American the not done to stop tax increases, they are $128,500 for married couples, would rise Bush tax cuts, but for the taxpayer, if going to happen automatically. And 3 percentage points to 31 percent. The we let them expire, it will be a big tax don’t let anybody tell me something 33-percent rate, which for 2007 starts at increase, and it will be a big tax in- cannot be done about it. $160,850 for singles and $198,850 for mar- crease that will happen without even a At Budget markup, we were told the ried couples, would go up to 36 percent. vote of Congress. Baucus amendment would contain The top rate would rise from the cur- So I have a couple charts in the enough revenue room—$323 billion—to rent 35 percent level to 39.6 percent. Chamber. The charts use the analogy accommodate extension of several To sum up, even with the Baucus of a brick wall to show the ugly tax in- components of the bipartisan tax relief amendment—even with the Baucus creases Americans are going to face. plans that go back to 2001. We were amendment added to this budget, there On this chart, you see a family of told the 10-percent bracket, the mar- would be marginal rate increases on four. That is the average American riage penalty, the child tax credit, and millions of taxpayers, and not millions family. Here is the husband, his wife, some death tax relief would be covered. of millionaire taxpayers. Those mar- and two children. The family makes There were provisions that were not ginal rate increases would go up, $50,000 a year in income. That is right intended to be covered. The excluded whether it is the 28 percent to 31 per- about the national median household provisions were the lower rates for cap- cent or the 33 percent to 36 percent or income today. For example, the Census ital gains and dividends and other mar- what have you. Those marginal rate in- Bureau stated, for 2006, the national ginal rate reductions. creases would reach taxpayers with in- median household income was $48,200. Now, some on the other side will de- comes as low as $31,850 for singles and Under the Democratic leadership’s scribe this excluded group—excluded $63,700 for married couples, and these budget, this family will face a tax in- from the Baucus amendment—as top- people are not filthy rich. crease of $2,300 per year. You see the rate taxpayers and other high-income Now, what I just described is accu- figure $2,300 for that family of four. people. Now, I hope you will not believe rate only if the Democratic leadership That is a loss in their paycheck of it. The facts are otherwise. intends to follow the letter and spirit about $200 per month. It is a hit on Low-income folks, including millions of the Baucus amendment. If you look their yearly budget of $2,300. Where I of seniors, pay no tax on their dividend at last year’s track record, the House am from, the Midwest—or anyplace in or capital gains income. If this budget neutered the effect of the amendment this country, I will bet—that is still a stands, even with Senator BAUCUS’s in the conference agreement. They cre- lot of money. amendment, millions of these low-in- ated a Rube Goldberg type of mecha- Now, I have another example. This come taxpayers, especially senior citi- nism to impede the amendment. Of next chart has the same brick wall but zens, will pay a 10-percent rate on cap- course, after the budget conference re- a different family: a single mom with ital gains and could pay as high as a 15- port was agreed to, all talk and action two kids. Here we have a person earn- percent rate on dividends. around the amendment ceased. So I ing about $30,000 a year. In 2011, under I have a couple charts to show how wouldn’t put much stock in the follow- this budget, she and her family run wide the dividend and capital gains tax through on the Baucus amendment, straight into that brick wall—that increases would be. The chart that is and things can only get worse for mid- brick tax wall. That is a brick wall of up now deals with just dividends. It dle-income taxpayers beyond that about $1,100 per year of taxes. That is shows the number of taxpayers claim- point. almost $100 a month out of this fam- ing dividend income. Nationally, over This budget asks a lot of the tax- ily’s budget. 24 million families and individuals re- paying population—about $1.2 trillion So when you hear folks rail against ported dividend income—24 million worth of a lot being asked of taxpayers. the 2001 and 2003 bipartisan tax relief Americans. There are 24 million Ameri- That is a big chunk on the revenues plans, you will hear a lot of talk about cans, all of whom you are not going to ledger. Compare that to what is going millionaires, you will hear a lot of talk call filthy rich. Very few of them you on on the spending side of the ledger. about the death tax, but you will not are going to call filthy rich. The answer is $211 billion more spend- hear the critics talk about these two In my State of Iowa, for instance, ing on the discretionary side. Nothing families—a family of four: husband, over 299,000 families and individuals is proposed to rein in any entitlement wife, and two children; or a single claimed dividend income on their re- spending. If the definition of fiscal re- mother with two children. You will not turns. Now, there are not 299,000 mil- sponsibility is higher spending, no enti- hear these critics—almost all of whom lionaire families or even 299,000 people tlement savings, and dramatically voted against these two tax bills—con- in Iowa you can call filthy rich. higher taxes, then this budget is fis- sider these two families. As to capital gains, you can see the cally responsible. Keep in mind that Now, those on the other side will numbers not only for my State of Iowa, while ramping up $1.2 trillion on the point to the Baucus amendment that but you can see the numbers for all the taxpayers, the budget spends $775 bil- will be upcoming—at least we have other States in the United States. You lion of the Social Security surplus and

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3583 grows the gross Federal debt by $2 tril- tax gap can yield the necessary rev- big numbers. This chart takes the form lion. enue. of an inverted pyramid, as my col- For those on our side, this budget is As far as those three points are con- leagues can see. At the top of the chart not fiscally responsible. We don’t agree cerned, in the preceding presentation is gross tax gap. That is what appeared that the definition of fiscal responsi- by the chairman of the committee, my in the budget resolution markup docu- bility is higher spending, no entitle- colleagues heard some of these points ment, the last year that the IRS testi- ment savings, and dramatically higher expressed already. fied that the improvements in collec- taxes. For those of us on the Repub- On the first point, I would refer ev- tions have brought the tax gap down by lican side of the aisle, you can’t solve eryone to the track record of the tax $55 billion to a net tax gap of $290 bil- all fiscal problems just on the tax side staffs to the period 2001 to 2006. During lion. of the ledger. that period, I chaired for 41⁄2 years and As we work our way down the in- Now I wish to go to the second part Senator BAUCUS chaired for 11⁄2 years. verted pyramid, we go to the tax gap of my discussion and annualize the tax During that period, we changed the tax proposals. There are two categories. side of the budget. I am looking at how shelter rules and closed numerous cor- The first is the Treasury tax gap strat- this budget will carry out its objec- porate loopholes. If you don’t believe egy set of proposals. On an annualized tives. me, then just go down and ask the K basis, these proposals raised $3.6 billion Let’s take a look at the short term. Street crowd of highly paid lobbyists per year. By the short term, I am referring to who defended or fought every one of Some of these proposals have proved the fiscal year of the budget, and this those. During that 6-year period, an ac- controversial on both sides of the aisle. chart here is for the fiscal year. This is tive Finance Committee tax staff was Many are complicated and wide-rang- the first fiscal year. That is the first able to achieve $51 billion in enacted ing and may need further work. It is fiscal year out of five fiscal years. revenue raisers. That figure should not by accident that they are still a A lot of people from farm country get give everyone some perspective of what work in progress. their water from wells. When the well is doable. It is very hard to find that The second set of proposals comes water is low, you can either dig it deep- revenue. from the Joint Tax Committee’s white er, cut back water use, or pay to have Now, some on the other side will book. This pamphlet, requested by Sen- the water trucked in. This well shows argue for my second point that the off- ator BAUCUS and me—and we requested the extra demands on the revenue side shore activities will produce up to $100 this a few years ago—was published in of the budget. That is the bucket: $152 billion a year. The anecdote alluded to late January 2005. A note of caution is billion. These demands reflect the ex- usually referred to fraudulent activi- in order about the chart’s figures. The tenders for this year and next year. ties. Of course, tax fraud is a crime $44 billion annualized figure includes The bucket contains next year’s AMT now. Perhaps we could continue to many tax expenditure reform pro- patch because under this budget, that make progress on this front with more posals. Some tax gap proponents have has to be offset. The bucket also covers enforcement, but the figures bandied strongly opposed the mixing of these pending bipartisan tax legislation, and around have no Joint Tax or Treasury proposals with pure tax gap proposals. that is bipartisan because it is gen- scoring that I am aware of. I will speak in more detail about these erally agreed that we ought to do some I will expand on this point in a sepa- proposals as we go on in this week’s de- of this tax legislation. All of these rate discussion later on in this week bate. If one were to delete the tax ex- items are listed on the chart for my when we have some more debate on it. penditure reform proposals from this colleagues to add up. But it is tough to get the revenue that figure, it would drop considerably. The water in the well represents is alluded to in the speeches we are For purposes of this exercise, I am known, specified, and scored revenue- going to hear this week. going to use the full set of Joint Tax raising proposals supported by the Sen- The third counterpoint is that the proposals. If we do that and add them ate Democratic caucus. Included are tax gap will yield a readily available, to the Treasury proposal, we come $35 billion in Finance Committee-ap- easily tapped revenue source. As a pre- away with roughly $44 billion per year proved offsets and $29 billion that has liminary matter, let me say that the in tax gap-related proposals. been approved elsewhere. That total, tax gap is a serious tax policy and a se- As a side note, a couple of recently then, is the $61 billion you see at the rious administration issue. I have de- enacted tax gap proposals have run bottom of the well. voted a lot of time and energy to clos- into rough sledding with the new ma- When you net the offsets against the ing the gap over the last few years, as jority. The first proposal is from the demands, you find an offset shortfall of the chairman of the committee, Sen- 2005 Joint Tax book. It deals with with- $91 billion. Somehow, you have to find ator BAUCUS, is doing in his recent holding on contractor payments en- a way to fill up that well if you are chairmanship. acted in 2006. Ways and Means Demo- going to offset everything where there Unfortunately, as IRS officials have crats are seeking to delay it. In addi- is a bipartisan agreement of what told us in several hearings, the tax gap tion, many House and Senate Demo- ought to be offset. The upshot of the number currently estimated to be $250 crats are insisting on repealing another analysis in this chart is that known billion net annually is not the same tax gap measure, this one dating from offsets cover only about 40 percent of thing as a revenue estimate. They have 2004, providing supplementary private the revenue needed to carry out pend- cautioned us to be careful about de- debt collectors. If enacted, the Joint ing time-sensitive tax legislation that signing tax gap closure measures that Tax scores that proposal as actually there is a great deal of bipartisan sup- are driven by unrealistic revenue tar- losing revenue. port for and bipartisan agreement that gets in unrealistic timeframes. As we work our way further down the it ought to pass and some of it ought to When we went through the tax gap inverted pyramid that I call the tax be passing very shortly. discussion last year, these points were gap reality check, we total up enacted Now, some on the other side will disputed by some on the other side. tax gap provisions. During the fiscal probably respond with three counter- With a Senate Democratic majority in year of the new majority, we find $572 points, so I want to anticipate that— place for over a year, we may have a million of enacted tax gap provisions. not that I am going to stop them from bit of a yardstick to use to see just how The enacted provisions represent two- responding. The first will be that the much revenue can come in. Let’s take tenths of 1 percent of that great big, gi- committee tax staffs will find the addi- a look at the claims on tax gap revenue gantic figure that we call tax gaps— tional $91 billion that is needed to fill and how we have done. just two-tenths of 1 percent. Now, that up the well. The second will be a claim We have three charts that I hope will ought to give anybody pause when you that offshore shelter activity is a vast, help us understand. The first chart is are putting this year’s budget together easily tapped revenue source. The third the tax gap reality check. My col- and you are anticipating a lot of counterpoint will be that closing the leagues can see it here. We see some money coming in from this source.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3584 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 What experience we have had hasn’t track record in that regard. We have revenue. Secondly, the proposed spend- produced a lot of revenue. enacted $51 billion in loophole closers ing plan would need to be abandoned or Let’s look at the demands on the tax and antishelter measures for the period curtailed. There is not much history on gap revenue in this budget. We have of 2001 to 2006. There are not, however, that side for doing that, taking that another chart. It totals up the pro- enough loophole closers to offset the avenue. Third, add to the deficit for the posed uses of the tax gap revenue. This time-sensitive tax legislation we face cost of the new programs. Unfortu- chart is in the shape of a pyramid—the in the first fiscal year of this budget. nately, this avenue has been taken far way a pyramid ought to be, not upside We have, likewise, found revenue in po- too many times—by both political par- down. licing offshore shelters and other ac- ties, I am sorry to say. Listed in the first category is tivities, but it fits under the umbrella We will hear a lot of criticism of our annualized tax relief and spending de- of loophole closers and other tax shel- candidate, Senator MCCAIN, from those mands in the budget that are assumed ter oversight. on the other side. They will argue, like to be offset by, and among other Finally, the tax gap is an important the President’s budget, that a continu- things, this tax gap revenue. You can problem that needs to be tackled, but ation of current-law levels of taxation see that they total $314 billion per targeting revenue from closing the tax ‘‘costs’’ the Federal Government too year. I have accounted for the Baucus gap needs to be more realistic than it much revenue. They will argue that amendment’s annualized impact of $65 is in this document. This budget antici- the spending increases they propose are billion. So the net demand on the an- pates revenue that is incredibly out of more important than the restrained nual tax gap is about $249 billion. If line with our track record of bringing levels of the President’s budget. They you have been following the charts and in money from the tax gap, as worthy will argue that, despite the record tax the arithmetic, you can see that the as closing the tax gap is. There has to hikes in their budget, entitlement re- budget uses almost all of the tax gap be a reality check between what is out form is a matter for another day. I have a chart that I believe helps set revenue, up to about 85 percent. there and what people at the IRS say the basis of this larger debate. It shows Keep in mind that the track record is we can collect, and they are much the glidepath for revenue under current that only $572 million of tax gap raisers more aggressive at that because of the law. It shows that trend in the post- were enacted last year. To give you leadership of Senator BAUCUS. But will World War II context. You will see rev- perspective, you can look at the ratio it bring in the revenue? We have shown enues average about 18.3 percent of the of demands on tax gap revenue to the that it will not, based upon the prac- economy. That is the dotted line across revenue raised from enacted provisions. tice we have had. there, so for those years since 1968 That is what this chart does. The ratio When you step back from the dif- until now. And what we propose would is 435 to 1. There are $435 of proposed ferences across the aisle on this budg- be a continuation of that policy; we tax gap uses in the budget for every $1 et, you probably won’t be surprised to have averaged, with what the Federal of enacted tax gap revenue. find similar differences among the Government is taking in from all sorts When you look over these numbers, Presidential candidates of the two par- of taxes and Federal Government lev- it should lead to a healthy skepticism ties. ies, about 18.3 percent of gross national of using tax gap revenue as some sort Generally, the candidates on the product. That means that 535 Members of instant revenue source to accommo- other side have proposed to take heav- of Congress are going to decide how to date all the spending this budget pro- ily from the taxpayer under the guise spend 18.3 percent of the total economy poses to do. We ought to listen to the of fiscal responsibility. This is true of our country and that the taxpayers career statistics of income folks over when they are talking about ending the are going to spend the other 81.7 per- at the Internal Revenue Service. When bipartisan tax relief plans of 2001 and cent. You will also see that the state of they tell us not to treat the tax gap 2003. It is true when they are talking the economy affects revenues more number like a revenue estimate, they about the same loophole closers for a than anything else. There are dips are on pretty solid ground. It doesn’t myriad number of expansions of exist- when we have been in recession and mean we should not be aggressive ing entitlements or creating new ones. peaks when growth was high. about the tax gap. We should. But the Nowhere is there discussion of reining Our side cares about keeping the rev- thirst for quick-and-dirty revenue rais- in spending. So the tax side of the Fed- enue line at a reasonable level. We ers should not drive the strategy for eral ledger is the only route to fiscal don’t see the merits of an imperative dealing with this important problem. responsibility from the perspective of behind a growing role for Government I wish to step back and summarize the candidates on the other side. in the economy. I say that because a the last two major points. I want to give one telling example. I 40-year history of about 18 to 19 percent The first point is that this budget have a chart here that shows the rev- of the total economy being used by the does represent the priorities of the enue from the key revenue raisers from Federal Government has been a level Democratic leadership. It is put for- one of our colleagues on the other side. that has not been so high that the pub- ward with the stated objective of That proposal would repeal the bipar- lic has revolted against it. They might achieving fiscal responsibility. The tisan tax relief plans for taxpayers revolt at times, when it gets way high budget dramatically raises taxes, in- earning above $250,000 a year. This pro- and we have tax decreases to bring it creases spending considerably above posal raises $226 billion over 5 years back down. Also, I think you can say the already generous baseline, and does and 10 years. A key fact is that the that at that level of taxation, it hasn’t nothing about entitlements. Most ex- source of that revenue peters out over been harmful to the economy. As you perts agree that entitlement spending, the next few years because under cur- have seen each generation during this left unchecked, will cannibalize the rent law the tax relief sunsets at the period of time, they have lived better rest of the budget. From the perspec- end of 2010. You can see it right there. than the generation before. Our econ- tive of the Republican caucus, this fis- Let the tax laws work the way they omy has done well. cal blueprint is not fiscal responsi- want them to work, and the revenue When you argue about 18.3 percent bility. doesn’t come in. being the right figure, often the other The second point is that an examina- Like the Democratic leadership’s side disagrees. If they don’t disagree di- tion of the budget, even from the per- budget, the candidates on the other rectly, their policies help us draw a dif- spective of its own proponents, shows side oversubscribe the revenue sources ferent conclusion about whether they that it doesn’t work. There is too much from proposals that are popular with agree or disagree. They impliedly or pressure on the revenue raising. We the Democratic base. The deficiency explicitly reject our premise that the have raised revenue from closing cor- can only be made up in three ways: size of Government needs to be kept in porate loopholes. We have raised rev- One, the undefined sources of revenue check. enue from anti-tax shelter measures. I would need to be tapped. Taxpayers We have another chart. It is a copy of am proud of the Finance Committee’s should rightly be worried about that an editorial, dated October 22, 2007,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3585 from the New York Times. I suppose pand revenue coming into the Federal administrator of my State, a former that is pretty small print for the public Treasury. That is what, on this side of chairman of the Multistate Tax Com- to read. The lead-off paragraph says it the aisle, we propose to do. Are we mission. I believe the tax gap over 5 best: equipped to do it? The history of 2001 years is likely to be $2 trillion. But it President Bush considers himself a cham- through 2006 is enough evidence for me doesn’t stop there. pion tax cutter, but all the leading Repub- and most Americans that it can be I put up what the Permanent Sub- lican Presidential candidates are eager to done and that we did it. committee on Investigations says is outdo him. Their zeal is misguided. This I yield the floor. the loss to the tax havens. They say country’s meager tax take puts its economic The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who prospects at risk and leaves the Government $100 billion a year without any growth ill equipped to face the challenges from yields time? The Senator from North over 5 years, that would be $500 billion. globalization. Dakota. So with the tax gap and the tax havens, The bottom line of the editorial di- Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, first of that is $2.5 trillion over 5 years. Then rectly states the view behind this budg- all, I wish to say, while I disagree with abusive tax shelters over the 5 years, I et and the position of the Democratic some of the observations of the Sen- believe, based on the Permanent Sub- candidates for President. From this ator from Iowa, I have enormous re- committee on Investigations’ work, is perspective, the historical level of tax- spect for him. He has earned that re- another $200 billion. That is a total of ation is not appropriate as a measure. spect by the way he conducts himself $2.7 trillion of leakage over 5 years in The New York Times implies that as a Senator. While we have policy dis- the revenue system—$2.7 trillion. If we the Federal Government must grow as agreements, I have absolutely no dis- got 15 percent of it, 1–5—15 percent of a percentage of our economy by at agreement or question about his mo- it, $1 in every $7 in the tax gap, the tax least 5 to 8 percentage points. If we tive because he has proved to me re- havens, the abusive tax shelters, $1 in were to follow the path suggested by peatedly that he is trying to do the every $7—we can’t do that? If we can’t the New York Times, the Government’s very best for this country, as am I. do that, then the Revenue Commis- share of our economy would grow by I want to go back to some basic facts. sioner ought to be replaced and all the one-third. The Democratic leadership’s We heard the Senator talk about a 9- rest of us ought to be replaced if we budget takes some big steps down that percent increase in spending that is in have designed a tax system that has path. So do the campaign proposals of this budget. I don’t know how they that much leakage in it, in which the the Democratic Presidential can- came up with that calculation, but vast majority of us pay what we owe didates. there is no 9 percent increase in spend- but we are letting a bunch of scoun- Our Republican conference takes a ing in this budget. If you look at the drels escape? Shame on us. That is ex- different view. America is a leading spending that is in this resolution over actly what our own Permanent Sub- market economy. American prosperity 5 years and compare it to the Presi- committee on Investigations has told and economic strength, in our view, is dent’s budget, it is 2.1 percent more. us. derived from a vigorous private sector That is total spending. That is over 5 All this talk about, well, we are that provides all Americans the oppor- years. If we look at just the next year, going to have a trillion dollars of tax tunity to work hard, save, and invest 2009, the Bush budget calls for $3.04 increases—let’s look at the record. more of their money. A growing econ- trillion of spending. We call for $3.08 Let’s go to the record. What has this omy is the best policy objective. It trillion. That is a difference of 1 per- Congress, controlled by Democrats, makes fiscal sense as well. cent. That is total spending. done? It has cut taxes $194 billion so I think what the Senator’s staff has I have one more chart to back up the far, with $7 billion of revenue raisers done is to look at one small part of point that it makes fiscal sense. My and loophole closers enacted for that Federal spending, just nondefense do- last chart shows that despite criticisms period. to the contrary, the bipartisan tax re- mestic discretionary spending, which is lief plan drove revenue back up after about one-sixth or one-seventh of the I say to my colleagues, these are just the economic shocks we suffered in the budget. But if we look at total spend- the facts. What is most of this? Most of early part of this decade because of a ing, there is a 1-percent difference this is the stimulus package we just recession and because of 9/11. total spending for 2009. OK? The dif- passed. Most of it was bipartisan. The I am referring to the stock market ference between our President’s budget reference was to Democratic control of bubble, corporate scandals, and 9/11 ter- and our budget is 1 percent—1 percent. the House and the Senate, $194 billion ror attacks—all those events that were That is a fact. of tax cuts and $7 billion of revenue detrimental to this economy of ours On the comparison of revenues, the raisers. That has been the record of and yet it bounced back. The revenue President’s revenue line we see is the this Democratic Congress: $194 billion outperformed Congressional Budget red line, ours is the green line. What is of tax cuts and $7 billion of revenue projections by a significant margin, the difference? The difference is over 5 raisers. That is not a projection, that and all one has to do is look at what years, the President calls for $15.2 tril- is not sitting around conjuring up how CBO said would happen, the blue line, lion of revenue; we call for $15.4 tril- we can make the other side look as bad and look at the red line of what actu- lion. That is a difference of 2.6 percent. as we can make it, that is a fact of ally happened. I believe this revenue can be achieved what has been done. People on our side, including our without any tax increase. I believe The other side talks about the mir- Presidential candidate, do not take that. Why do I believe that? Because of acle of the tax cuts producing more this significant data lightly. We be- the three things I mentioned before. revenue. We don’t need to look at a lieve the bias ought to be against grow- The tax gap—the Senator put up a projection there either. Let’s just look ing Government, not the other way chart that shows what the tax gap was at the record. around; another way of saying—dis- in 2001. The net tax gap in 2001 was $290 In 2000, the tax base of the United abusing people who say that the way to billion. States was $2.03 trillion. Now, adjusted bring more money in is to raise tax The Senator correctly says very lit- for inflation, it is $2.05 trillion. The rates and if you lower tax rates, you tle has been done in the last year to do revenue base of the country has basi- bring a decline to revenue in the Fed- anything about it. In fact, very little cally been static for 8 years. The spend- eral Treasury. Not so. This chart shows has been done over the last 10 years to ing, most of it controlled by our col- that we can reduce tax rates, we can do anything about it. My belief is the leagues on the other side because they enhance the entrepreneurship of the tax gap has done nothing but grow were in charge until last year, has gone average American, particularly the from 2001. So it is not $290 billion a up 50 percent. Again, we don’t have to small businesspeople in this country year anymore. I believe over 5 years look at some projection or some guess who create at least 70 percent of the the tax gap is probably in the range of or some economists’ estimates. Let’s jobs that are created, and we can ex- $2 trillion. I say this as a former tax just look at what happened on the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3586 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 record: revenue flat, spending up sub- other nonwithheld revenue pushed that long-term fiscal security. I am pre- stantially when our colleagues con- number up. pared to join Chairman CONRAD in this trolled everything, the House, the Sen- We had a triple whammy hit to the important mission to balance our budg- ate, the White House. What happened economy in the next year, 2001. The et, restore our military readiness, to the debt? The debt exploded. This is stock market bubble burst, the cor- honor our commitment to troops and not a projection, this is not guessing porate scandals rocked Wall Street and veterans, and enhance our national se- ahead, this is what is happening. And whacked main street businesses, and curity. my friends across the aisle controlled the terrorist attacks occurred. I urge my colleagues to do the same. everything—they controlled the Sen- Because the economny was rocked, It is time that we provide a real future ate, they controlled the House, they revenues dropped for 2001 and 2002. Rev- for our children and our country. controlled the White House—and here enues steadily came back after the eco- I yield the floor. is their record. The debt exploded, not nomic growth plan of 2003 was put in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- some projection, not some guesstimate place. Any review of the revenue base- ator from North Dakota. of the future. That is what has hap- line data would confirm what I have Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I thank pened. The revenue was flat, the spend- said. the Senator from Hawaii for his kind ing went up dramatically, went up I yield the floor. remarks. I also thank him for the enor- about 50 percent, and the debt exploded Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, Senator mous contribution he made to the as a result. That is not a projection, AKAKA is here. He would like to speak work of the Budget Committee, espe- that is not a claim, that is a fact. on the budget. I will give him time off cially with respect to funding for vet- I yield the floor. the resolution. How much time does erans affairs, and specifically veterans Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I the Senator wish? health care. One of the things I am would like to respond to the distin- Mr. AKAKA. Four minutes. most proud about in this budget is we guished chairman. The Senator from Mr. CONRAD. I provide 5 minutes off are showing a $3.2 billion increase over North Dakota disputed the 9 percent the resolution to the Senator from Ha- what the President requested for vet- increase I cited with respect to the dis- waii, Mr. AKAKA. erans health care because I think the cretionary spending. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- vast majority of us recognize the ex- Here’s how the Republican staff of ator from Hawaii is recognized. traordinary ongoing need for improve- the Senate Budget Committee reached Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to ments to veterans health care. Our vet- that figure: commend Budget Committee chairman erans have made an enormous commit- 1. Take the increase in the Presi- KENT CONRAD for his fine work on this ment to this country, and we must dent’s budget—6.5 percent over last budget resolution. It will lower our keep our commitment to them. year. taxes and create hundreds of thousands Last year, as the Chair will recall, 2. Add the amount of $22 billion the of new jobs for Americans. In addition, the budget contained the largest in- budget assumes over that request. I am very pleased this budget resolu- crease for veterans health care in our 3. These additions in discretionary tion honors our Nation’s veterans by history. This year we have another sig- are not offset. providing the necessary funds for our nificant increase that largely parallels 4. Add the two together and you ar- wounded warriors. Funding for our vet- the budget proposed by the veterans or- rive at a 9 percent increase in discre- erans is very important, and I wish to ganizations themselves in recognition tionary. speak about this again at a later time. of the extraordinary need that exists. 5. I said a 9 percent increase in dis- The resolution passed by the Budget I yield the floor. cretionary and I reconfirmed the figure Committee last Thursday will balance The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who with our Budget Committee staff. our Federal budget by 2012 and fund yields time? As to the tax gap figure of $290 bil- programs that are critical to the Mr. GRASSLEY. I yield whatever lion, I say to the chairman, that is the health and safety of Americans. It pro- time Senator ALEXANDER might con- figure that is derived from career stat- vides tax relief to middle-income sume. isticians at the IRS statistics of in- Americans, honors our fighting men The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- come—‘‘SOI’’—Division. I will reiterate and women in the Armed Forces, shows ator from Tennessee is recognized. that these statisticians have cautioned respect for our wounded and disabled Mr. ALEXANDER. Will the Chair us to not treat that figure like a rev- veterans, and ensures the continued please let me know when I have com- enue estimate. safety and security of our Nation. pleted 15 minutes? I reiterate my recognition of the tax By focusing on the real needs of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The gap problem. I am pleased that Chair- Americans and reviving our slowing Chair will so advise the Senator. man BAUCUS has made this a top pri- economy, the budget resolution seeks Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I ority. I have been his teammate in that to restore balance—balance to our fi- first commend the Senators from regard and will continue to be. All I nances and balance to our priorities for North Dakota and Iowa for the way would say is be careful about realism America. The budget resolution in- they conduct this debate. This is al- about the revenue we can raise and its creases funding for veterans health ways a model for how the Senate ought timeframe. My inverted pyramid chart care and children’s health care. It pro- to work. Sometimes toward the end of is a yardstick of that realism. vides a substantial increase above the the debate it is not but at least at the We should close the gap, but the rev- President’s budget for education and beginning it is. What we are supposed enue raised is what it is. Head Start. It promotes greater effi- to do is act like grownups, deal with I am pleased that the distinguished ciency and renewable energy programs. big issues, base our arguments on prin- chairman agreed that 15 percent is the It extends middle-class tax cuts, such ciple, and come to results. We often are knowable tax gap-related offsets in as marriage penalty relief and the able to do that, and these two Senators terms of scored proposals. I would cau- child tax credit, and it brings more are among the leaders in helping to tion everyone that the $44 billion middle-class Americans into a 10-per- make that happen. annualized figures is the celing on the cent tax bracket. The budget resolu- This is a week during which we talk tax-gap related offsets. I will discuss tion also invests in building and repair- about the Federal budget. I want to this data in more detail as the debate ing roads, bridges, harbors, airports, talk more about the family budget be- proceeds. and schools because we recognize our cause what we do with the Federal The distinguished chairman’s final economic success depends on public in- budget makes a big difference to the point was that revenues have been flat frastructure investment. family budget. since 2001. In fact, 2000 was an anomaly. As Chairman CONRAD has noted, this We know this week in homes in Ten- The stock market had not burst and budget is only a first step, but it is an nessee, Iowa, and across America peo- the chairman knows capital gains and important step to reach our goal of ple are talking about their family

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What I am suggesting is not nificant amount of the royalties from higher in some parts of the country. very hard to make such sense out of— the revenue from that can be taken They are worried about whether there it is a debate we hear quite a bit. into the State, put in a trust fund, will be enough money to afford a rea- In December, when we debated the which could either lower taxes or pro- sonable health insurance plan and Energy bill, we on this side were will- tect the coastal areas or could be spent whether the homes so many Americans ing to join with many Democrats and to improve the higher education sys- have been able to buy will maintain pass a fuel efficiency standard. This is tem. their value. They are worried about one of the best things this Congress has The State of Virginia has said it whether we are going to be able to keep done to reduce our dependence on for- wants to do this. Most of us on this our advantage and brainpower here in eign oil, thereby reducing our use of oil side of the aisle, the Republican side of America so we can keep our jobs from and helping to stabilize the price of the aisle, say, why not? And why not going overseas. They are worried about gasoline. But, first, we had to stop an take some of the royalties as well and whether our schools are going to be effort from the other side to add $20 devote them to conservation purposes, good enough to help our children have billion in taxes. as Senator DOMENICI and Senator good jobs. Those working in small busi- Earlier this year, most of us on this SALAZAR on the Democratic side of the nesses are worried about the cost of side joined with most on the other side aisle led us to do in the 2005 Energy runaway lawsuits. Women who are to pass an economic stimulus plan. bill. pregnant in rural areas are worried But, first, we had to reject $40 billion I would like to see us take some of about having to drive 60 or 80 miles to in more spending that the other side the money that we are spending and a doctor because the high cost of med- wanted to add to the proposal. use it to give incentives to utilities to ical malpractice insurance has run the My point is that more spending is not increase incentives for using elec- OB/GYN doctors out of the rural areas. a new argument and that the other side tricity in the off-peak hours. To put Women must go to the big cities and would propose more spending, more that in plain English, the Tennessee they have to drive long distances to taxes, and more debt, and this side of Valley Authority uses about 27,000 have their babies. the aisle would say, let’s have less of megawatts of electricity on any given Those who work with the capital that. There is another part to the story day, a typical day, on the average. But markets—and there are tens of mil- on the Republican side of the aisle and at night, it has 7,000 or 8,000 megawatts lions of Americans who do—want to re- exactly what we would do to help bal- it doesn’t use. So if we had ways to vive those capital markets. Those who ance the family budget. plug in hybrid cars at night, we are sitting in traffic jams want us to Over this week, we will be hearing wouldn’t have to spend money for new meet our obligations to build roads, proposals to lower or to keep taxes low. plants and could lower the cost of elec- bridges, railroads, and airports. We There are a variety of proposals to do tricity, improve the quality of the air, want simpler taxes. We would like to that. One would be to lower corporate and deal with climate change at the have less Government. All of these tax rates from 35 to 25 percent. That same time. ideas would affect the family budget. would help keep jobs in America. That That is all part of the Republican We must maintain a good balance in helps the family budget. One would be plan. Not just Republican ideas, but management-labor relations, for exam- to index capital gains for inflation. the Republican plan, which we hope is ple, by not getting rid of the secret bal- That would help keep jobs in America. so compelling that it attracts Demo- lot in labor relations or keeping the That helps the family budget. I would cratic support to help balance the fam- right-to-work law. Those are all impor- like to see us make permanent the ex- ily budget. tant issues. I saw in my State of Ten- pensing provisions that we passed in On the Republican side of the aisle, nessee that having a right-to-work law the stimulus package. That would help we want to make sure every American helped to attract the auto industry. keep small businesses healthy in this has health insurance without the Gov- Now, a third of our manufacturing jobs country and create new jobs. Those in- ernment choosing the doctor. We have are auto jobs and our family incomes comes would increase family incomes, a variety of proposals for doing this. have gone up. So let me talk for just a moment and that would help the family budget. We want to integrate the idea of every about what Republicans want to do to We would like to lower energy costs American having access to health in- help balance the Federal budget. as well and bring some common sense surance with two words: private sector. So the question is whether we will to the discussion about energy. That We believe we can do that, and do that adopt the Democratic budget which, would mean, from our point of view, in a way that lowers the cost of health according to evidence presented by the more nuclear power because that is the care and makes a basic health care Republican leaders of the Budget and cleanest power. If we are really serious plan available to every American. Finance Committees, would raise about climate change in this genera- One way, of course, to lower the costs taxes, raise spending, raise debt, and tion and about cleaning up the sulfur of health care would be, as I mentioned wreck the Federal budget or whether and the nitrogen and the mercury, we a little earlier, to stop runaway law- we will adopt the Republican pro- need to remember 66 percent of all the suits that are driving up the costs of growth plan which keeps taxes low, clean energy we produce in America is medical malpractice lawsuits and caus- which lowers energy costs, which helps produced by nuclear power. Instead of ing OB/GYN doctors to leave rural make it possible for every American wasting dollars by spending, for exam- areas. We have pregnant women in family to have health insurance with- ple, $11 billion to subsidize more large Tennessee who drive 60 or 80 miles to out the government choosing the doc- wind turbines, we could spend the Memphis for their prenatal health care tor. money to encourage the building of nu- or to have their babies because the OB/ I wish to talk about the other picture clear power. We could encourage re- GYN doctors’ health care costs—their that taking the Republican pro-growth processing of nuclear waste which medical malpractice costs—are so high plan to help balance the family budget would reduce by 95 percent the amount because of unnecessary lawsuits that instead of the Democratic budget for of that waste and storing it, thus mak- they have left town and gone to some more taxes, more spending, and more ing it easier for nuclear power. other place. debt. More oil would increase the supply of We could enact a small business Traditionally, this budget week when oil and reduce the price of oil. Simple health insurance plan, which has sig- we talk about the Federal budget is economics tells us that. Most of us on nificant support on both sides of the

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I help an estimated 1 million more teachers according to the America particularly thank him for his leader- Americans to have health insurance at COMPETES Act, and to put us on a ship in structuring a budget that I am a lower cost. path of double funding for the physical convinced, unlike the President’s budg- These are some of the ideas we on sciences are things that would be part et, speaks to the shared values of the this side of the aisle believe would of a Republican pro-growth plan to American people, speaks to the prior- make a difference in helping the family help balance the family budget. ities that our Nation needs to pursue, budget. Most Americans are concerned As we begin this debate on the budg- meets the challenges our country has, today about the values of their homes. et, what we are likely to see are two and ultimately goes to the very heart There are a number of proposals that very different visions of America’s fu- of turning this economy in a much dif- would simply add billions of dollars in ture. ferent direction so that it can work for spending as a way of approaching the The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. working families. housing slowdown. However, we would STABENOW). The Senator has used 15 Under his leadership, we have a budg- like to see proposals like that of Sen- minutes. et that I am proud to support on the ator ISAKSON of Georgia that would Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, floor of the Senate. And whether you adopt an idea—similar to what the gov- I ask unanimous consent for 4 more live in the East or West or North or ernment had in the 1970s—to give a minutes. South, I think Americans will find this $5,000 tax credit to home buyers who The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without budget, as they become more fully buy newly constructed or homes that objection, it is so ordered. aware of it, is one that has the integ- Mr. ALEXANDER. So again, the are being foreclosed. This would bring rity, the honesty, as well as the pur- question is whether we will adopt the back into the marketplace those who poses to meet the challenges. The Democratic budget which would raise would buy foreclosed homes or new chairman deserves enormous credit for taxes, raise spending, raise debt, and homes. Another idea, which I believe working with all Members on both wreck the Federal budget or whether there is substantial agreement with on sides to try to achieve those goals, and we will adopt the Republican pro- both sides of the aisle, is to increase I appreciate his leadership. growth plan. Will we make room for the amount of money that would be Madam President, this week in the the Republican pro-growth plan which available to State housing agencies to Senate, we are fighting for the eco- would begin to keep taxes low, which help refinance subprime mortgages or nomic future of America. This is the would begin to lower energy costs, mortgages that are now headed to fore- week that we put together on the floor which would help make it possible for closure or in foreclosure. of the Senate the Federal Govern- In terms of education, I know for a every American family to have health ment’s budget. And that budget is fact if you want a stronger economy insurance without the Government more than just a balance sheet of reve- and higher family incomes, you have to choosing the doctor, which would stim- nues and expenditures, it is a balance have a focus on education. Better ulate home buying, which would make sheet of priorities and values. The lines schools, better colleges, and better uni- more room for science, which would ad- of numbers come together to form a versities mean better jobs. And that just our spending so we are able to re- bigger picture, laying out a vision of doesn’t always mean more spending. ward outstanding teachers and give where we plan to lead the Nation. Every year, when we make the budg- For example, giving parents more parents more choices of good schools. et, we look at where our country choices of schools, particularly low-in- This is a different picture of how we stands, at how we can improve the come parents, with the idea of a Pell can move ahead in this country. We hear a lot of talk about change. A lives of the American people, and what grant for kids would be one way of real change would be to stop more we can do to make sound investments helping hard-working American fami- taxes. Stop excessive spending. Stop that brighten the future of generations lies make sure their children have a more debt. And focus more attention to come. chance to attend a good school. It is a responsibility that we cannot Another way to make sure there are on the family budget. Have a Federal budget that emphasizes lower taxes, afford to take lightly. When we create good schools is to pay outstanding a budget, we have to answer some fun- teachers more money for teaching well. lower energy costs, lower health insur- ance costs, stimulating home buying, damental questions: What are the most This weekend, there was a story in the important problems we face as a na- New York Times about a charter more for science and more for better schools. That’s really the way to create tion? What are the challenges of mid- school in New York City where teach- dle-class working families? How do we ers are being paid $125,000 a year. And better jobs. I thank the Chair, and I yield the meet those challenges? the manager of the school said: I would floor. Several weeks ago, President Bush rather have a classroom with 30 kids The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who gave us his answer. And his answer and the very best teacher, rather than yields time? was, there is nothing wrong with Amer- a classroom with 20 students and an av- Mr. CONRAD. Madam President, Sen- ica that cannot be fixed by giving away erage teacher. ator MENENDEZ, who is a very valuable more tax breaks to the wealthy, giving I agree with that, Mr. President. So member of the Budget Committee, as is away more subsidies to big oil compa- let’s double the amount of money we the occupant of the Chair, is here and nies, continuing the war in Iraq, and would spend for the teachers’ incentive is available for his opening remarks. never admitting what it costs. fund, enacted in No Child Left Behind, How much time would the Senator The President is fighting to keep which would give to State and local desire? taxes low for the wealthy and wants to governments funds to experiment with Mr. MENENDEZ. If the Chair could, I make it up by charging veterans more programs that reward outstanding think about 20, 25 minutes. for their health care. Apparently, that teaching and outstanding school lead- Mr. CONRAD. I yield such time as is the answer some of my colleagues on ership by paying those individuals the Senator may consume. the other side of the aisle are giving as more. Again, I thank the Senator from New well. They agree with the President the We have strong agreement about the Jersey, who is truly an outstanding American people should cover their America COMPETES Act. We under- member of the Budget Committee. He eyes, pretend their problems do not stand that since World War II Amer- has made an incredibly valuable con- exist, that everything magically will ica’s technological advances have been tribution there, and I very much appre- work itself out. the source of its growth. Using some of ciate the leadership he has brought to I believe a vote for the President’s the funding we have in this budget to the committee. budget is a vote for the status quo. It have a sufficient amount of funding to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- is a vote for the way things are going give 11⁄2 million low-income children an ator from New Jersey. in America in terms of this economy.

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Baby boomers worry this budget. The Bush budget, sup- was not the Federal Government that about whether they are going to be ported by many of our Republican col- provided the immediate response, it able to retire with dignity, and senior leagues, creates jobs in China, while was the local police, the firefighters Americans are worried that the strong the Democratic budget creates good- and emergency management and med- base of Social Security could crumble paying jobs in America. The Demo- ical units from our hometowns. Yet in right under them. Our climate is in cri- cratic budget focuses on rebuilding our the years after September 11, the ad- sis, and our attachment to an umbil- infrastructure, expanding incentives ministration has left our local commu- ical cord of foreign oil means our en- for green initiatives and industries, nities to shoulder far too much of the tire way of life hangs by a liquid and investing in math, science, and en- financial burden. Our budget, however, thread. gineering and technology so American will ensure that first responders across The Government is going into debt to businesses can create and keep the best the Nation will get the resources they the tune of more than $10 billion per jobs here in America. need. month to finance a war in Iraq that has Our budget puts the family budget I was proud to work with Chairman not made any of us safer, while local first. It provides middle-class tax relief CONRAD to ensure that homeland secu- police and fire departments are getting by extending the marriage penalty re- rity grants that our communities rely squeezed for funds, and crime in our lief, a child tax credit, a patch for the on most were protected in this budget. neighborhoods is on the rise. alternative minimum tax that will pro- The Democratic budget restores more If you have worked in Newark all tect millions of middle-class families than $2 billion in misguided cuts the your life and just lost your job, we hear from paying higher taxes next year; it President made to State homeland se- you. If you are scared to walk through works to make college more affordable curity grants, to port security, inter- your neighborhood in Camden because by extending a tuition tax credit; and operable communications, rail and there is violence on the streets, we it supports job training programs that transit security. hear you. If your family may be in dan- will prepare the workforce for the 21st Our budget will ensure that States ger of losing your home in Trenton or century. facing threats from high-risk targets Long Branch or North Arlington; if you This budget moves us down the road or densely populated areas, commu- are teaching at a school with a budget to energy independence. It helps create nities that are near ports, chemical stretched as far as it can go in Ham- a highly skilled workforce and green- plants, airports, cities with mass tran- ilton, Plainfield, or Asbury Park; if collar jobs. I am proud of the push for sit or rail systems, will not be short- your commute to work just keeps get- funding for energy efficiency and con- changed. By restoring more than $750 ting more frustrating in Cherry Hill; if servation block grants, a provision I million in grants to firefighters, we every day you drive by a barren indus- authored in our last Energy bill to pro- will also ensure that our fire depart- trial site that is not being redeveloped vide cities with support for projects ments can buy new equipment or en- in Penns Grove or Paulsboro; if it is a that foster more efficient use of energy sure that our fire stations are fully struggle to pay your college tuition in and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. staffed. Unlike the President, we will New Brunswick or pay your heating We all know oil and natural gas keep our commitment to fulfilling the bill in Toms River or pay your health prices are sky high, the sea levels are recommendations of the 9/11 Commis- care costs in Edison, Democrats under- rising, along with the temperature. So sion, and we will keep our commitment stand what people—certainly I do—all this program is a key part of our strat- to our first responders. across America are going through. egy to meet those challenges. None of us can stand and pretend one The Democratic budget recognizes we We more than double the funding for budget can be the magic bullet that cannot think about national security the Byrne/JAG Program that many makes all of these problems disappear. without thinking about hometown se- local law enforcement officials across One year is not enough time for that. curity. While our resources are being the country consider the most success- One year cannot undo 7 years of the drained day after day on the streets of ful crime prevention program in recent Bush administration’s mismanagement Baghdad and Mosul, we are struggling history. I am proud to have introduced that turned a record surplus into a to protect high-risk targets on the the amendment that was passed unani- soaring deficit. And 1 year cannot undo streets of our own neighborhoods. mously in the Budget Committee set- 5 years of a war in Iraq that has We know our police departments are ting aside a minimum of $520 million to claimed thousands of American lives just a phone call away during an emer- fund it. I am going to ensure that we and incinerated more than a half tril- gency. Our brave men and women in continue to support this vital program. lion dollars that we could have used to law enforcement have dedicated them- We have also included language to make American lives better. selves to serving and protecting our help the FBI cut down its massive In one budget we cannot fully fund communities. So it is unbelievable to backlog in evaluating immigration ap- all of the programs that deserve our me that the Bush administration has plications for those who follow our support or give the tax relief we want reduced or eliminated nearly every rules to legally enter the country. Cut- to middle-class working families, not major anticrime program over the ting down this backlog is essential if under this administration. But this course of the last 7 years, especially the FBI is going to be able to quickly year, we can set the wheels in motion since crime and violence have been on separate those who have come to pur- of the long and indispensable process of the rise in the country, according to sue the American dream versus those change. We can develop a plan to meet the FBI reports. who may have come to destroy it. the challenges we face head on, and we Crime is going up, violent crime is Our budget puts a priority on making can start to move our country forward. going up, and the Bush administra- health care more affordable and more This is exactly what the Senate tion’s cuts to the most essential public accessible to all Americans. We have Democratic budget does. Here is the vi- safety programs, the very essence of worked to create a reserve fund to sion our budget puts forth for our Na- homeland security, go down. What block President Bush’s unilateral tion, a nation that is more prosperous, should be going up is going down. What changes to Medicaid that would se- with more affordable health care, on should be going down is going up. How verely reduce Federal health care funds the path to energy independence, a na- can we expect law enforcement to to States for low-income families. This

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3590 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 was the very essence of the social safe- If you ask for more of the same, it have people who are hungry. We have ty net that we as a society should be seems to me, you get more of the same. mothers who can’t afford childcare. judged by. Those who are happy with the economy Yes, sir, we need more revenue. We The reserve fund would also help pro- that we are in would be happy with the should ask the wealthiest people in tect New Jersey’s FamilyCare Program President’s budget. Those who are lan- this country to help us come up with from the President’s Draconian cuts to guishing, and that is the overwhelming the revenue. children’s health coverage scheduled majority of American families in this Mr. KYL. I am happy to have the for this summer. We have included sup- country, under the President’s eco- Senator from Vermont confirm that on port for other legislation, and this nomic policies, the reality is they want the other side of the aisle there is a be- budget includes funding for the Patient to see change. That change is rep- lief that the U.S. Government needs Navigator Program, which I worked resented in the Democratic budget. more revenue. hard to have passed into law. If pa- Democrats have a fiscally responsible I would actually put it the other way tients are having trouble figuring out plan to get our economy moving again around. Especially in times of eco- the complicated health care system we and strengthen our national security. nomic difficulties—and I think we all are in, but they do not know how to get The budget we are putting forth cuts agree that our economy is not in great early screening or do not know about taxes for the middle class, creates a shape right now; there is a discussion options for follow-up treatment, pa- half million new jobs in America, and that we may even be in or very close to tient navigators make sure someone is we do all of this while working toward a recession—of course, the worst thing there to help them. the balanced budget and paying down to do during that period is to give the Our budget also keeps our commit- debt. Federal Government more revenue, to ment to our schools, our teachers, and It is a plan that puts forth a basic take more revenue out of the pockets our students. I am proud that our budg- idea about what America should be. of taxpayers, average Americans who et provides the largest increase for ele- This should be a country where anyone have to pay attention to their own mentary and secondary education in 6 willing to work hard can get an edu- budgets. years. Instead of taking money away cation and a job, a country where ev- As a matter of fact, our problem is from our schools while asking them to eryone has access to services that can not the lack of Federal revenues. We do more, our budget will fund programs keep them healthy, a country where a are collecting more money now at the that provide enrichment and oppor- lifetime of hard work guarantees the Federal Government level than the his- tunity to our students. right to retire with dignity, a country toric average over the last 40 years. I We do not just say education is a pri- hardly think the Federal Government that knows its past and cares about its ority, we put our money where our val- needs more revenue. I argue, instead, future. ues are by providing $3 billion more Let’s invest in that future. Let’s pass that our families need to keep more of than the President for No Child Left this budget. Let’s begin the hard work the hard-earned revenue that is a re- Behind, and $8.8 billion more than the of making that vision a reality and sult of the efforts of their families in President for education and training working hard every day. changing economic circumstances for overall. It is true that because many on the families. That is what this debate is all We soundly reject the President’s Democratic side of the aisle have plans proposal to freeze education funding about. That is what the Democratic to spend more money, as my distin- and eliminate 48 programs in the De- budget is all about. That is why I am guished colleague from Vermont is sug- partment of Education, including edu- proud to have voted for it in com- gesting, they therefore see a need to cation technology, mentoring, reading mittee, proud to stand on the floor to take money from taxpayers’ pockets so programs, and vocational education. defend it, and proud to support Senator that we in Washington, in our infinite Instead of pretending our young people CONRAD in his efforts in that regard. wisdom, can make decisions about how are not facing severe hardships when it I yield the floor. that money should be spent. I think The PRESIDING OFFICER. The dis- comes to paying for college, our budget that is the wrong prescription virtually tinguished Senator from Arizona. makes the needed investments in any time but certainly at a time when Mr. KYL. Madam President, I note grants and scholarships for college and we may be heading into a recession. that my friend and colleague, the allows for an increase in the Pell grant It at least is the case that our Demo- chairman of the Budget Committee, is maximum next year. That is the sup- cratic friends in their budget would port our young people deserve, and here. I thought I would begin by raise taxes in some cases—not all but under this budget that is the support quoting something he said which I in some cases—to pay for this addi- they are going to get. think sets the tone for the discussion tional spending they believe should I have often said, as someone who of the budget. I believe it was during a occur. As with last year’s budget, grew up poor in a tenement in Union March 4, 2007, interview on ‘‘60 Min- which would have increased taxes by City, NJ, the first one in my family to utes’’ when the distinguished chairman $900 billion, this year the budget would go to college, that would never have said: increase taxes by $1.2 trillion—the big- happened but for the power of the Fed- I believe, first of all, that we need more gest tax hike in the history of the eral Government being able to provide revenue. United States. me grants and loans. That power gave Now I won’t pretend that I know the Once again, there is a suggestion out me the educational opportunity and exact context in which this statement there that we can soak the rich and no- foundation that allowed me to be the was made, but it is not the first time I body else will have to bear the burden. junior Senator from New Jersey. The have heard Democratic colleagues say The top 1 percent would pay something reality is, that should be a birthright we need more revenue. In one of our in- like $25 billion in taxes; that is the for every young person in our country formal meetings, colleagues said: We amount we could expect from this who is willing to work hard and give will need a much bigger revenue budget in 2009. Of course, that wouldn’t something back to their Nation. stream when the next President is begin to take care of the spending pro- This budget meets that battle. Let elected. That individual was presuming posals that have been added up on the me close by saying our debate over the it would be a Democratic President. other side of the aisle. budget is a debate over the direction of Mr. SANDERS. Will the Senator Every time we try to target the rich the economy, the fulfillment of our yield? in order to collect a lot of money to shared values, and the direction of our Mr. KYL. Yes, of course. pay for spending in Washington, we end country. The President and those who Mr. SANDERS. Let me say, very up hitting everybody else. The best ex- support him are offering the same old clearly, to set the record straight, as ample of that is the alternative min- ideas that got us into this mess in the an Independent, we need more revenue. imum tax, the AMT. Originally, this first place, ideas that have weakened We have the highest rate of childhood tax was designed to ensure that mil- the economy and hurt the middle class. poverty in the industrialized world. We lionaires would always pay some taxes,

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The with low incomes, small businesses—in off or offset your income with losses or amount of reserve funds included in the other words, just about every group in deductions and therefore there is no 2008 budget have now grown this year, this country we really don’t want to tax liability. We said: No, that is not representing up to $300 billion in new hit with higher taxes. But when the right. The AMT will come into play at taxes and spending. As I said, that current tax rates expire at the end of that point so everybody has to pay looks good on paper, but it doesn’t 2010 and the Democratic budget per- some taxes. It seemed like a good idea come about in reality. mits the rates to go back up to where at the time. I will get to a final point in a minute they were before, the so-called Bush What has happened in the meantime, about collecting revenues and what tax cuts, we are going to see 116 mil- we all know, because it has not been that has to do with the death tax, but lion taxpayers start sending more of indexed for inflation, we now this year let me deal with a couple other items their paychecks to Washington, DC. had something like 23 million tax- before I talk about that. The poor Federal Government needs payers subject to that kind of alter- The ranking member of the Budget more revenue, as my colleague said native minimum tax liability, some- Committee has noted something that earlier. For the 7.8 million taxpayers thing people on both sides of the aisle started last year, and it certainly is in- taken off the rolls, if the current tax have sought to avoid. We don’t want to cluded in this year’s budget. That is policies are allowed to expire, 7.8 mil- tax everybody. We don’t want to hit the fact that budget enforcement lion families who currently don’t pay the middle class, let alone other tax- mechanisms which were put into the any income taxes because of the way payers. But it is a good example of budget last year amid great fanfare we constructed the 2003 tax cuts would how, when we try to aim at the rich, about how we are not going to have be put back on the rolls again. So there we end up somehow always managing sham budgets; we are going to have you have people in the lower income to hit the poor or the middle class. pay-go—whenever we spend, we will brackets—7.8 million taxpayers we That is the same thing here. make sure we collect it in advance—it took off the rolls—who would come In the budget, there is a suggestion turns out that has been waived more back as taxpayers under the Demo- that we are only going to hit the rich. times than it has been abided by. With cratic budget. Families, 43 million There are problems with that: No. 1, it the budgetary sleights of hand that working families with children would is not true, as I will point out; sec- were put in place last year, we find see their taxes raised by an average of ondly, you wouldn’t begin to get the that the same things roll over into the $2,300 in the year 2011 on average. Take kind of revenue our colleagues say they budget this year, with the result that, a security guard earning $50,000, with a need in order to engage in the spending again, we have greater debt that is not wife and two kids. He would see his programs the budget calls for. I have a couple other examples. The really going to be paid for, notwith- taxes go up by $2,300 in 2011. Take a energy and education tax incentives in standing what the budget seems to sug- widowed teacher’s aide with two kids. this budget must be paid for by other gest. Her taxes will go up by $1,100 in 2011. tax increases. The same applies to the The House budget included reconcili- That may not seem like a lot of money middle-class tax relief promised and ation instructions to pay for a 1-year here in Washington, but it is a lot of any AMT relief after 2008. I remember extension of the AMT patch by presum- money for a family working hard to because I chaired the subcommittee of ably raising taxes on oil and gas com- make ends meet, worrying each month the Finance Committee that has juris- panies, taxing private equity, and codi- about where they will get the money to diction over the IRS. I heard a lot fying the so-called economic substance do all the things they need to do. about tax gap collection. So we held a doctrine. The Senate committee did We tend to think in this body and in hearing. We said: How much money not include reconciliation instructions the Congress generally not in terms of could we really collect by enforcing in the Senate budget resolution, I pre- millions anymore or even hundreds of revenue collections? Everybody owes sume because of the conclusion that at millions but in billions of dollars. In these taxes. If we just collected the the end of the last year, the AMT did fact, trillions are starting to creep into money, how much could we expect to not need to be paid for. our lexicon. We need to get back to get? The experts said: Actually, not Obviously, there is an understanding focus on what families are really con- very much. You would spend more than in this caucus that those who oppose cerned about. One thousand there, you would end up collecting in many higher taxes on oil and gas—there are $2,000 there, $4,000 there ends up being cases because it is not a matter of just those who oppose higher taxes on oil a lot of money to these families. going out and collecting a due debt and gas and oppose taxes on private eq- Who else is going to get hit? Senior but, rather, forcing the kind of book- uity, and it would be a very difficult citizens, 18 million senior citizens will keeping on various kinds of small busi- thing to get such a bill passed in the see their taxes rise by an average of nesses that would probably put most of Senate. But no one should be surprised $2,200 under this budget. So every Dem- them out of business if they were real- that the same reconciliation instruc- ocrat who proudly casts a vote in favor ly to keep the kinds of records that tions could very well magically appear of this budget, understand, this budget would enable us to collect the kinds of in the Senate after a conference in assumes that seniors will have an aver- taxes that we suggest maybe they owe. order to get around Republican opposi- age tax increase in 2011 of $2,200. An el- So this business of recouping a portion tion to higher taxes. That is why you derly couple with $40,000 in income, if of the tax gap and using that to pay for have heard many Republicans predict the Democrats roll back our current these spending programs is one that that when the conference report is con- tax policy, a couple over age 65 at does not have the support of those who cluded on this budget—if, indeed, a $40,000 in income will see their taxes go have testified before the Finance Com- budget is passed—and it comes back up by $2,200 in 2011. Eighteen million mittee. here to the Senate, we are going to see seniors will see their taxes increase if The bottom line is, we are not going some things that never would have the current tax rates are not extended, to be able to collect the kinds of reve- been in the bill at this point in time which is not the case under the Demo- nues and the increased taxes called for and which I hope my colleagues would cratic bill. Seniors especially benefit here in order to pay for spending pro- recognize and would oppose at that from reasonable capital gains and divi- grams the Democrats have identified. time. dends tax rates because frequently Finally, there is talk about a so- I said I would get to the matter of they have small investments. They are called reserve fund. This is an inter- whom this budget really hurts. We in part of a teacher’s pension or some

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We will have the Economists Henry Aaron and Alicia under the Democratic budget. hearing, but we will not have a markup Munnell estimated the amount spent We talk about small businesses. to put out a bill. That is very dis- on avoiding the death tax is approxi- Small businesses are the engine of our appointing. Yet the budget actually as- mately equal to the amount collected. economy. They provide more employ- sumes that such a bill will pass. The IRS estimates it takes about 38 ment opportunities than all of the big The budget, as I understand it, has a hours to complete form 706, the Federal businesses combined. Yet they pay the provision for an amendment of the estate tax return. Estate planning for income tax rate at the highest level, death tax for so-called death tax re- businesses can range from $5,000 to which is the level of the ‘‘rich.’’ So form. It is not very good reform be- $250,000 for family limited partnerships whenever Democrats talk about taxing cause it would freeze the rate at 45 per- and up to $1 million for closely held the rich, understand their shotgun also cent, which is a very high rate of tax- businesses. Fifty-two percent of the es- includes all of the small businesses be- ation. It would set the exemption level tates that filed a return were required cause that is the rate they pay. So in at $3.5 million, which is not bad, but it to incur sizable legal, accounting, and the tax world, small businesses are the could be better. other professional expenses even same thing as high-income individuals. I have a better idea about what real though they owed no tax. Is that whom we want to harm, espe- reform would look like. What I would So my point about the death tax is cially at a time when our economy, like to do is to set the exempted that almost no one thinks it is fair. Al- being in jeopardy as it is, has to rely amount at $5 million per person, index most everybody acknowledges it should upon the jobs created by small busi- that for inflation, and put the top be reformed. We have tried year after nesses? Seventy-five percent of all indi- death tax rate at no more than 35 per- year to reform it. We have not been vidual returns in the top 1 percent of cent. I think it ought to be closer to 25 able to get the necessary votes to ac- income include business income. In percent, but in the spirit of trying to complish that, though virtually every fact, 83 percent of all individual re- reach a compromise, I will propose we Republican has supported reform. turns above $1 million included busi- at least have it no higher than 35 per- The chairman of the Finance Com- ness income. Think about that. That cent. This would protect almost 120,000 mittee assured us we would work to- means that the bulk of the people who families, family businesses, and family ward the goal of getting a bill this year are reporting income in this category farms from having to pay the death tax but now says there will not be a goal, include business income. each and every year. And it would pro- and as to the ‘‘reform’’ in the budget, Small businesses pay 54 percent of all mote continued economic growth and it turns out to be very little reform at individual income taxes. This is one of job creation. all. In fact, it was the same ‘‘reform’’ the worst things about the Democratic It is interesting to me that the we passed last year as part of the budg- budget—not just for the lack of equity, United States has the third highest es- et. As everybody knows, the budget is not just because it hurts individuals, tate tax rate in the world and is 37 per- not law. The budget is a goal, and we but because it has a devastating im- cent above the international average. did not follow up on that goal. When I pact on our economy at this critical Twenty-four nations have no estate tried to do so, I was asked to back off time. tax. There are only two countries that for a future commitment, that we If tax rates are allowed to rise to have rates higher than ours. Ours would try to work on it this year. Now their pre-2001 levels, 27 million small would be at 45 percent under the Demo- we are told we are not going to do it businesses will see their tax bill in- crat budget. In France it is only 40 per- this year. creased by over $4,000. I will repeat it: cent. The average is about 13 percent. So let’s just understand that what we 27 million small businesses will see One of the reasons other countries do would be doing in passing a budget that their tax bill increase by over $4,000. not have this kind of tax at the time of theoretically has a proposal for death I might just note parenthetically, death is because of the amount of tax reform is not serious. We are not there is a direct correlation, by the money that people will spend to try to going to have death tax reform. way, between high taxes and high un- avoid it. It has been estimated, as a For those who vote for the amend- employment. In the United States, we matter of fact, that there is almost an ment which will be offered here to sug- have had relatively low taxes because equal amount of money spent each gest there will be death tax reform, un- of the Bush tax cuts. We collect about year in an effort to try to avoid pay- derstand that if you do not follow it up 34 percent of revenues as a percent of ment of the tax as there is paying the with real action to pass a bill that re- GDP; in fact, 34.2 percent. Our unem- tax itself. And by ‘‘trying to avoid it,’’ forms the death tax, then this is noth- ployment rate is 4.8 percent. In the Eu- I mean hiring lawyers and accountants ing more than an unkept promise. ropean Union, the tax rates are more and buying insurance policies, all of So I urge my colleagues, as they than 10 percent above that. They col- which cost a lot of money. But due to think about this, to recognize we will lect 45.4 percent of revenues as a per- some extent—— be held accountable. We now have a cent of their GDP, and their unemploy- Mr. SANDERS. Madam President, year of experience following the Demo- ment rate is almost 8 percent. It is 7.9 will my colleague yield? cratic budget that was passed last percent right at this moment. So if we Mr. KYL. Let me conclude my point year, and we see all of the unfulfilled want higher unemployment, then raise on this, though I do appreciate the commitments that were made in that taxes. It is a pretty sure way to get intercession of my colleague earlier, budget now. Since the budget tracks so there. acknowledging that folks on his side of carefully this year what we did last Let me conclude by discussing briefly the aisle would like to see a lot more year, one has to ask the same ques- what this budget does with respect to revenue because of the spending they tions: Is it going to be the same this the death tax because this has been a would like to accomplish. year where on the death tax, for exam- matter of particular concern to me. I Let me finish this point about the ple, we are not able to get relief? As I have talked to Chairman BAUCUS about death tax. said, I will propose an amendment that this matter. The U.S. Treasury estimates that the I think takes a little bit better stab at In the Finance Committee, I offered estate tax reduces bequests by 14 per- death tax relief. I would hope we could an amendment to reform the death tax. cent. Individuals are either choosing to get support as we have from some of In exchange for my agreeing to lay the save less or rely heavily on estate plan- our Democratic colleagues on that to amendment aside because the other ning, which is a large deadweight loss demonstrate we want to do something

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substantive this year on that subject the revenues of this Government and DORGAN and I in part made our reputa- rather than simply put it in the budget the expenditures of this Government. tions by going after them and very suc- and claim we have done something My response was, yes, you are going to cessfully collecting money from tax- when, in fact, everybody knows that have to do something about revenue. payers who were not paying what they just putting it in the budget does not Yes, you are going to have to be tough legitimately owed. actually change anything. on spending, and you are going to have I could go through chapter and verse Let me close, Madam President, by to reform the entitlement programs. of what I found as I examined the saying—I will be happy to yield, but I I also said in this interview, none of books and records of major companies. will be happy to stop and let my col- which aired, that the first place to look I have shown some of it on the floor of league from Vermont just go ahead, if for revenue is not a tax increase. The the Senate: a little five-story building he would like to do that—I want to ac- first place to look for revenue is to go in the Cayman Islands that claims it is knowledge the hard work of the chair- after the tax gap, the difference be- the home of 12,600 companies. Now, man of the Budget Committee, who is tween what is owed and what is paid, to they are not doing business out of that here. I know he is very much com- go after these offshore tax havens and little building in the Cayman Islands. mitted to trying his very best. But at a abusive tax shelters. That was the con- They are doing monkey business. They time when, as he acknowledged, many text within which I said it. are avoiding their taxes. folks on his side of the aisle think the Now, let me just indicate why this I showed earlier another building in Federal Government needs more rev- matters. the Cayman Islands: a five-story build- enue, we are just in a debate in which Mr. KYL. Madam President, might I ing we now know is being used by one we have to agree to disagree. He always just ask the Senator to yield for 1 sec- company alone to dodge hundreds of does so in an amiable way, and I re- ond? millions of taxes they owe to the spect that. Mr. CONRAD. Yes. United States. That is not right. But I just believe it is the American Mr. KYL. I specifically indicated that I would also say with respect to the taxpayer who deserves more revenue, I did not know the context. tax cuts that have been promoted by not the U.S. Government. Therefore, Mr. CONRAD. Yes. this administration, overwhelmingly reluctantly, I will be opposing this Mr. KYL. Because I respect the Sen- they have gone to the wealthiest budget in the form it is in and hope we ator so much and was sure he would among us. Here, in 2007, those earning can make substantial changes to it in a tell us what the context was, No. 1. over $1 million a year on average got a true spirit of bipartisanship. No. 2, I certainly agree with the dis- tax break of almost $120,000 a year. I do I thank you. tinguished chairman of the Budget not think that is right. I have wealthy The PRESIDING OFFICER. The dis- Committee on both of the subsequent friends, as I think probably all of us in tinguished Senator from North Dakota. two comments: one, that we should re- this Chamber do, who have said to me: Mr. CONRAD. Madam President, the duce spending, and, two, that we I don’t need it. I don’t need that Senator began by quoting me about the should have entitlement reform. $120,000 tax cut. I am much more wor- need for more revenue and was kind I would only make the point that I do ried about the debt that is being sent enough to indicate he did not know the not see a lot of reduced spending and to our kids. context of it. I just thought I would entitlement reform in the budget, but The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. provide the context because this was a perhaps the chairman could go on and CONRAD). The Senator from Vermont. ‘‘60 Minutes’’ program interview, and discuss that as well. Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, the they were asking me in the context of I thank the Senator for yielding. Senator from Arizona has just left the the Comptroller General of the United Mr. CONRAD. I thank the Senator floor, unfortunately. But I did want to States warning the American people we for his courtesy. I would say to him, I make two points. He has referred to are on an utterly unsustainable fiscal do not believe entitlement reform is something called the death tax, which course because the debt is soaring be- ever going to happen—long-term enti- is what we call the estate tax, which fore the baby boomers retire, and that tlement reform—in a 5-year budget res- was developed by President Teddy Roo- we face a very serious consequence if olution. I think the only way we are sevelt way back when. What he forgot we do not deal with it. going to get entitlement reform is a bi- to mention is that this estate tax—and So one question put to me was: partisan effort, and that is what Sen- as I understand it, the Senator from Do you think taxes ought to be raised? ator GREGG, the ranking Republican, Arizona, if he had all of his wish ful- and I have offered, which is a task filled would repeal the estate tax com- Senator CONRAD: force of 16 members, equally divided, pletely—benefits only the wealthiest I believe, first of all, we need more rev- Republicans and Democrats, to come three-tenths of 1 percent of the popu- enue. up with a long-term plan. lation. The next sentence, which the Senator I would be very candid. I think the So for all of the concerns about the did not provide: truth is, it is going to require more onerous impact of the estate tax, it We need to be tough on spending. revenue. Again, I would say before any benefits three-tenths of 1 percent. Mr. And the next sentence after that also tax increase, the first place I would President, 99.7 percent of the families the Senator did not provide: look are these places where people are will not benefit at all from the repeal And we need to reform the entitlement not paying what they legitimately owe of the estate tax. programs. We need to do all of it. when the vast majority of us do. The second point is, if the estate tax Let me say, I am not alone in that Now, I must say, I used to be a tax were completely repealed, the estimate view. The ranking Republican on the commissioner. I was the elected tax is over a 20-year period it would add Budget Committee said this at a hear- commissioner of my State. I was chair- about $1 trillion to our debt—$1 tril- ing on our long-term fiscal challenges. man for several terms of the Multistate lion—which, like the war in Iraq, is This is the Republican ranking mem- Tax Commission. Senator DORGAN and simply not paid for. ber: I are probably the only ones who have So when people talk about fiscal re- . . . [W]e also know revenues are going to audited the books and records of com- sponsibility, I find it a little bit hard have to go up, if you’re going to maintain a panies and individuals. to understand how they could dump an- stable economy and a productive economy, I can tell you, there is loads of other $1 trillion into our national debt, because of the simple fact that you’re going money out there. One reason I was which benefits only the top three- to have this huge generation that has to be elected to the U.S. Senate is I found for tenths of 1 percent of the population, paid for. my State lots of money that was not which means it will be the middle class So the Senator’s reference to my being paid over to the State of North and working families who are obliged quote was in the context of dealing Dakota because people were fudging. to have to pay that off over many with the enormous imbalance between Large companies were fudging. Senator years. Sometimes when our friends on

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3594 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 the Republican side talk about fiscal the highest infant mortality rate of The President has said in his budget responsibility, I am not quite sure any major country on Earth. We have that we need to reduce the number of where they are coming from. the highest overall poverty rate of any children receiving childcare by 200,000 I thank the Presiding Officer, by the major country on Earth. We have the kids. Any mother, any parent under- way, for sitting in for me, and as soon largest gap between the rich and the stands that our current childcare situ- as I finish, I will take the chair. poor, the most people behind bars, and ation in America today is an absolute However, I wish to say a budget—and we are the only country in the indus- disaster. We say to single moms, go out the budget we are debating right now trialized world not to have a national and work, but we forget to ask what on the floor of the Senate—is not just health care program. are those moms supposed to do with numbers. A budget is about the values Now, I wonder if my friends who get their 2-year-olds or their 3-year-olds? of our country and the priorities of our up and talk about the European Union Should we leave them home alone in country. Within that context, it is im- might on occasion mention the kind of the apartment or should we provide portant to understand what, in fact, is health care systems that exist in every quality childcare for them? going on in America right now. single one of those countries, which Well, in Vermont and all over this The simple reality is, the middle guarantees health care to all of their country, it is increasingly difficult for class is collapsing. Everybody who gets people. Try to describe the types of pa- families to secure quality, affordable into their car in the morning and pays rental leave programs that exist when childcare, and the President’s brilliant $3.20 for a gallon of gas, then goes to families have a baby. Americans could response is, let’s cut the number of work and finds that they are paying a not understand the extent to which children receiving childcare assistance lot more for their health insurance those countries are ahead of us in by 200,000. than they used to, understands they terms of family values. My friend from Arizona said: Are don’t have a pension when at one time So while the middle class in this there some people who want to spend they were promised a pension, under- country declines, while poverty in- more money? And I said: Yes, I do. I do stands that over 8 million Americans creases, while we have the highest in- not want the children in this country since Bush has been President have fant mortality rate of any other coun- to have the dubious distinction of hav- lost their health insurance. try, while 17,000 Americans die because ing the highest rate of poverty of any The middle class is in collapse. they don’t have any health insurance, major country on Earth, and I would Wages are going down for tens of mil- there is another reality in American hope that every Member of the Senate lions of Americans. society today, a reality that we should would be deeply humiliated and embar- During the Bush administration, pri- also be talking about, and that is the rassed about that reality taking place vate sector job growth has averaged wealthiest people in this country have within this country. less than 50,000 per month compared never had it so good since the 1920s. There is a housing crisis all over with over 220,000 under the Clinton ad- According to Forbes magazine, the America—in Vermont and all over ministration. Since President Bush has collective net worth of the wealthiest America—and I am not just talking been in office, from 2001, nearly 5 mil- 400 Americans increased by $290 billion about foreclosures. I am talking about lion more Americans have slipped into last year. Four hundred families, $290 the needs of working families to find poverty. Median household income for billion increase last year, to $1.54 tril- safe and affordable housing. The Presi- working-age families is down by $2,500. lion. In addition, the top 1 percent now dent’s response in the middle of this Eight and a half million Americans owns more wealth than the bottom 90 crisis is, let’s provide 100,000 fewer sec- lost their health insurance. Three mil- percent. tion 8 housing vouchers to low-income lion lost their pensions. The annual Sometimes my Republican friends families. trade deficit has more than doubled, talk about averages and so forth. That The President, in his budget, has said and over 3 million good-paying manu- is not the reality. If you look at the there is not enough money for special facturing jobs have been lost. The price American economy as one would look education. We made a promise to of gas at the pump and home heating at a football game or a baseball game, school districts all over America dec- oil has more than doubled, while the important question to ask is, who ades ago. We said: If you mainstream ExxonMobile made $40 billion in profits is winning and who is losing? Well, let kids—which I think is a great idea—we last year—more than any company in me be very clear. The middle class is will pick up the very high cost of spe- the history of the world. The personal losing. Working families are losing. cial education. That was the promise. savings rate recently dipped below The people on top have never had it so Today, in Vermont and all over Amer- zero—something that hasn’t happened good since the 1920s. They are winning, ica, more and more kids are coming in since the Great Depression. Home fore- and they are winning big time. To ig- with special ed needs. School districts closures, of course, are now the highest nore that reality is to ignore what is are paying outrageously high property on record, turning the American dream happening in American society. taxes to accommodate those kids. I of home ownership into an American The question then becomes, given think it is time to keep the promise we nightmare for millions. that reality, where do we go from here? made to school districts and ade- The reason I raise these issues is, it What we do know is the President has quately fund special education. Yes, I is important to put the debate over the given us his answer. The President has think we should do that. budget in a general context. This is not brought forth a budget. He has told us I think we should adequately fund some abstraction. This is not some aca- that in his budget, we don’t have Head Start so all of the families in demic exercise. We are talking about enough money to meet the health care America who want their kids to get a the priorities of the American people needs of this country. So at a time decent start so they are not behind within the context of what is really when our health care system is disinte- when they enter the first grade have happening to the middle-class and grating, the President has decided we that opportunity. But somehow, in the working families. cannot adequately fund the Children’s midst of not funding the needs of our I found it interesting that my good Health Insurance Program and that we kids, as well as not funding housing, friend from Arizona talked about the should cut Medicare and Medicaid by not funding LIHEAP, not funding vir- European Union and tried to compare more than $600 billion over the next tually every need of low- and middle- the United States in terms of tax pol- decade. Think about it. The health care income families, the President does icy to other countries. Well, let me system is disintegrating, more and have some money available. If you are also compare the United States to more people uninsured, more and more rich, the President has money avail- some other countries. people having higher deductibles and able for you. The President believes we Today, the United States has the copayments. The President’s response: have enough money to provide $812 bil- highest rate of childhood poverty of Let’s make a terrible situation even lion in tax cuts for households earning any major country on Earth. We have worse. more than $1 million per year over the

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Fortunately, while the jail, and we spend $50,000 to keep them more equitable, more fair, and begins budget resolution we will be debating in jail—rather than providing the to address longstanding social needs. this week is not perfect, it is a vast im- childcare and educational opportuni- Here is the option: $32.5 billion more provement over the President’s budget. ties they need. in tax relief for millionaires and bil- I thank the Presiding Officer, Senator In my opinion, there are three major lionaires—and I suspect that many of CONRAD, for his hard work in giving us trends in American society that we our friends on the Republican side that budget. Instead of cutting back on should be addressing in this budget think that is a great idea—or there is the educational needs of this country, process. First, the fact that the United another option. It is $10 billion over a this budget resolution provides $5.4 bil- States has the most unequal distribu- 3-year period to go into the program of lion more than the President’s request tion of wealth and income of any major special ed. This will not only allow for education, including the largest in- country, and the gap between the very school districts the opportunity to bet- crease for elementary and secondary rich and everyone else is growing ter educate kids with special ed needs, education programs since 2002. Instead wider. it will also lower property taxes and of cutting back on the needs of our vet- Second, as I mentioned earlier, we local taxes. Most importantly, it will erans—which has long been the history have the highest rate of childhood pov- keep the promise that was made to of the Bush administration—this budg- erty. Third—and I know the Presiding school districts all over this country. The Federal Government made a et resolution provides a $3.2 billion in- Officer has made this point over and promise that it would fund 40 percent over again—we have a $9.2 trillion na- crease over the President’s budget for of the cost of special ed. Unfortunately, tional debt, which is soaring to $10 tril- our veterans. Instead of ignoring the today we are about at 17 percent. If you urgent need to reduce our dependence lion; that under the Bush administra- want to raise our credibility, let’s keep on foreign oil and fossil fuels, this tion we have seen a $3 trillion increase the promise we made to school dis- budget resolution provides $8.45 billion in the national debt. This is a debt that tricts all over America and take care of to invest in clean energy, creating mil- is unsustainable economically, and it is some of our most vulnerable kids. So lions of good-paying, green-collar jobs a debt that is immoral because we are $10 billion goes to that. and energy efficiency. simply piling it up and leaving it to Then this amendment would also in- Instead of cutting back on our Na- our kids and our grandchildren. crease Head Start by $5 billion over the tion’s enormous infrastructure needs— I think those are some of the trends next 3 years. Every study indicates can you imagine the engineers, civil in American society that we should be that Head Start works. It gives kids, engineers, telling us we have over $1 dealing with in this budget. This week, who otherwise don’t have the intellec- trillion in unmet infrastructure needs, I will be offering an amendment which tual and emotional environment, the and this White House is refusing to is being cosponsored by Senators DUR- chance to do well when they get to even acknowledge the severity of the BIN, MIKULSKI and BOXER, which is a school. It is a good investment. It is problem and is asking the cities and very simple amendment. It doesn’t go better to invest $5 billion in Head Start towns that are hard pressed to come up as far as I personally would like it to than it would be in jails. with the money? go, but it is a step forward perhaps in This amendment would provide a $4 This budget resolution provides al- changing the nature of the debate that billion increase for the Child Care De- most $9 billion more than the Presi- we have on the floor of the Senate. It velopment Block Grant Program so dent for our roads, bridges, highways, puts the needs of our kids, working that working families all over this sewers, and clean water improvement. families, persons with disabilities, and country will have a fair shot at trying It is not enough, but it is a step for- senior citizens on fixed incomes ahead to find affordable childcare. ward. I think over the long term, we of the wealthy few. That is what it This amendment puts a $3.5 billion can do even better than that. We have does. increase into the Food Stamp Program. made progress in this budget, and we Specifically, this amendment would In my view, hunger in America is not can do better. restore the top income tax bracket to something we should be about. This One area to which I will be paying 39.6 percent for households earning will take us a small step toward ad- particular attention is our children. It more than $1 million per year. dressing hunger. is not acceptable to me, as I said ear- That is the only group of people im- This amendment would put $4 billion lier, that we have the highest rate of pacted, households earning more than into the LIHEAP program because no- childhood poverty among our children. $1 million a year. That is three-tenths body in America should go cold in the Where are all of those people who keep of 1 percent of our population. We use winter or die of heat exposure when the talking about family values? How do that revenue to address the urgent temperature gets to 120 and they don’t they continue to ignore the reality unmet needs of our kids, dealing with have an air conditioner. This amendment would also provide that, by far, we have the highest rate job creation and deficit reduction. $3 billion for school construction, and of childhood poverty of any major According to the Joint Tax Com- it would create good-paying jobs in the country? Nearly one out of every five mittee, restoring the top income tax process and make sure our kids have bracket for people making more than children in this country lives in pov- good schools in which to learn. erty. That is not a family value; that is $1 million to what it was in 2000, before Also, this amendment would reduce a national disgrace. the Bush tax breaks for the wealthy, the deficit by $3 billion. So that is What happens to these kids when would increase revenue by $32.5 billion what we do. We reduce the deficit, pro- they become adults? Many of them will over the next 3 years, including $10.8 tect our children, and protect the most do well, but many of them will not. My billion in fiscal year 2009 alone. vulnerable people. That is one option. colleagues may have recently seen an We have a choice in the Senate. We Or we give another $32 billion in tax re- article in many of the papers talking can give $32.5 billion to the top three- lief to people who don’t need it. I think about the fact that the United States tenths of 1 percent, or people making the choice is pretty clear. I hope this has more people behind bars, at great at least $1 million a year, including bil- amendment will receive widespread expense—great expense for States and lionaires, or else we can do something support. for the Federal Government—than any else with this money. Let me suggest I yield the floor. other country; more than China in we should do something else. Let me The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. total numbers. I happen to believe suggest that at a time when all of the SANDERS). The Senator from Michigan there is a correlation between the fact Presidential candidates are talking is recognized.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3596 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 Ms. STABENOW. First, I thank our the same, unfortunately, that we have know there is a new economy. We know colleague from Vermont, who is pas- seen for the last 8 years. Six of those that alternative energy and moving sionate and cares very deeply about eight years have been dominated by forward in ways that will address glob- people in the country, about their fu- colleagues on the other side of the al warming and stop our dependence on ture, and about the children. I could aisle, by a Republican President and a foreign oil can create jobs as well. So not agree more with him about what Republican Congress. Unfortunately, in we have a major new initiative in this has been the underfunding of a very my mind, when we talk about what bill for green-collar jobs. important investment, and that is spe- they are going to propose, in totality Secondly, jobs rebuilding America— cial education. what we see is more debt. We see more water projects, sewers, roads, bridges. The Federal Government was sup- tax cuts for the wealthiest among us, We are at a point in our country where posed to pay 40 percent of special edu- more spending in Iraq and, at the same we have an aging infrastructure. A lot cation and has never, I believe, gotten time, we see less investment in Amer- of we baby boomers are aging but at over 18 or 19 percent. So I thank the ica. That is exactly the opposite of the same time so is the infrastructure Senator for the amendment he will what we ought to be doing. around us. The great thing about in- offer later. Our budget changes that. It focuses vesting and rebuilding America is that I thank the Budget Committee chair- on balancing the budget by 2012 and these are not jobs you can outsource to man also who is someone who does 2013. It provides middle-class tax cuts another country; these are jobs right such an extraordinary job on a daily so we can make sure the folks who are here in America—good-paying jobs. basis on such a wide range of issues. trying to hold things together—every- That is our second priority. There is no one more committed to the body talks about middle-class families Our third priority is to continue our long-term fiscal health of the country, and middle-class people being squeezed, focus on education and job training. We no one more committed to getting our seeing gas prices and health care and know we need to refocus on job train- priorities right, no one who works childcare costs go up. Yet the reality ing and on those who lost jobs because more effectively across the aisle to is, unfortunately, the budget put for- of trade by fully funding trade adjust- bring people together to do the right ward by the President doesn’t help ment assistance for people to go back thing. So I thank our distinguished col- them at all. I am proud to say we have to school and gain new opportunities. league, the chairman of the Budget a budget that, in fact, invests in Amer- Mr. President, we are saying jobs, Committee, for all of his incredible ica. I want to speak to one piece of jobs, jobs. I want to focus specifically leadership and pointing us in the right that. on the piece in which I have been most direction and creating a budget resolu- Last year, we set up three main pri- involved. This is very exciting. We tion that I am proud of. orities for our budget, and I was very passed an energy bill last year with a Mr. CONRAD. Will the Senator yield? proud of those—one to fully fund vet- number of programs in it that were not Ms. STABENOW. Yes. erans health care and make sure we are funded but that were great ideas. This Mr. CONRAD. I thank the distin- keeping the promises to the veterans of year, we come back and say let’s make guished Senator from Michigan, who is America. We did it last year, and we those things a reality in this budget. an incredibly valuable member of the are doing it again this year. We will Energy efficiency and conservation: Budget Committee, and also incredibly continue, as long as we are in the ma- Providing over $1.1 billion for State important member of the Finance jority, to make sure that is the case. and local communities to not only Committee and the Agriculture Com- We want to make sure people have the focus on energy efficiency and con- mittee. We are able to serve on three opportunity to go to college. We passed servation but buildings and weatheriza- committees together, and that is rare the largest package since the GI bill tion. There is a huge amount of energy around here. My admiration for her after World War II. No. 3 was children’s savings to be had by focusing in this grows every day. In terms of her lead- health insurance, which we passed on a area. It also creates lots and lots of ership, we could not have produced a bipartisan basis. It was an extraor- jobs. It will put people to work budget resolution as responsible as this dinary effort. We actually had the weatherizing buildings and focusing on one, nor one that embraces the needs of votes to overturn a Presidential veto energy efficiency. the American people and their values and could not do that in the House of Advanced batteries: For us to go as closely as this one without the lead- Representatives. We added 10 million where we want to go in terms of new ership of the Senator from Michigan. I children to the Children’s Health Insur- alternative fuel vehicles, it involves fo- wanted to tell her how much I appre- ance Program, which gives them the cusing on advanced battery tech- ciate that. opportunity to make sure their chil- nology. We are doing that but not near- Ms. STABENOW. I thank the Sen- dren have health insurance. ly as fast as other countries. In the ator. That means a lot. This year, we continue those things, American budget last year, there was Mr. President, I am going to take a but we have three more items we have $22 million. Yet you can look over to few minutes because I expect to have picked. Mr. President, just to be sim- China, Japan, and South Korea where multiple opportunities in which to par- ple, what I would say is our priorities hundreds of millions of dollars are ticipate and talk about various parts of are jobs, jobs, jobs. I can tell you, com- being spent. As a result of that, we see the budget resolution that I believe re- ing from the great State of Michigan, very tangible things happening. When flect the values and priorities of the that is certainly what we want our Ford Motor Company came forward American people. That is what budgets focus to be on. We are talking about with the first Ford Escape hybrid, an are. That is what our own individual middle-income families who are strug- American SUV hybrid, unfortunately, budgets are. gling. And the best stimulus that you even though the brain power came When we look at our checkbooks and can possibly give somebody is a good- from here and the engineering came where we spend our money, we hope it paying job so they can pay their bills, from here, the battery came from reflects the values we want to project. take care of their family, send their Japan because we weren’t making Sometimes it does and sometimes it kids to college, and be able to have the them here. doesn’t in my own budget, my own American dream. I am very proud of We don’t want to change from de- checkbook. But the reality is, that is the fact that our budget focuses on pendence on foreign oil to a dependence our job in terms of the Federal budget three priorities: jobs, jobs, jobs. How? on foreign technology. So investing in and where we invest that makes sense We have three pieces in our budget. the future in battery technology is in- for American families. We focus on green-collar jobs. I am credibly important, not only for vehi- I have to say that listening to col- very proud of the fact that the initia- cles but battery storage is critical for leagues tonight, as I had the oppor- tive I put forward is incorporated. The such things as winds turbines, solar, tunity to preside—colleagues on the Presiding Officer is passionate about and other areas where we need to be other side of the aisle—I heard more of pieces of this legislation as well. We able to move forward with alternative

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3597 energy. Battery storage is critical. I hopes and dreams, most of this debate annualized basis. I want my colleagues am proud that we put forward for the does not have anything to do with to hear that again. Everything I have first time an aggressive investment in them. Most of this debate has to do found in terms of waste where we do innovation and production here at with us, which is exactly the opposite not do it right, where we are wasting home. reason of why we were sent here. What taxpayers’ dollars every year, and I can Retooling older plants. As we have we have heard is a partisan debate, par- conservatively, just on what I found new standards for fuel efficiency com- tisanship based on parties, not par- and I can fully document—I want you ing into play, we want to make sure we tisanship based on principles, not par- to understand that, Mr. President; it is are retooling our old plants to keep tisanship based on children, not par- not TOM COBURN’s opinion, it is the American jobs here, biofuel production tisanship based on the future, but who opinion of the GAO, the CBO, oversight and access, meaning infrastructure. I can twang it, who can manipulate it, committees, and other committees of come from a State where we are grow- who can create doubt and undermine Congress that are documenting what I ing the biofuels and making the auto- someone else’s position. am about to share. mobiles. If you cannot drive up to the I traveled to Oklahoma City. My What I am going to share tomorrow service station and fuel with E–85 or brother has been in the hospital for 16 is how we fail because we are talking biofuel, it is not going to matter in the days. He had a major operation called about a budget today—I told KENT end. Whipple—it takes a long time to get CONRAD, I am not out to game his So being able to have that infrastruc- over it—for pancreatic carcinoma. budget. It will spend more money. That ture and investment in infrastructure That is what they do the operation for. is not a whole lot different from what is absolutely critical. Finally, a green He has four kids and four grandkids we have been doing. But how dare we job training program to refocus on and one on the way. I got to thinking, spend another penny when I can docu- those jobs we know are there for the as he lay there with an NG tube in him ment, and none of my colleagues can future. Again, the Presiding Officer has and a feeding tube through his jeju- refute, $366 billion a year of waste or been a passionate advocate, and I know num, what would he like for his kids? fraud, $366 billion a year. Let me ex- he believes strongly that jobs and en- What would he like for us to be talking plain what that means to the average ergy and focusing on global warming about for the future? Down the hall consumer. and jobs can go together, and that is were a whole lot of other people just If you are at home today and you are what this does. This says we are going like him. He is 61 years old. He is not in the 25-percent tax bracket in terms to take this first step to focus on the thinking about himself as he lays there of income tax, what that means is that American people. in the hospital. He is thinking about about 9 percent of the money you pay, What I will say again, as we go for- what is the future for his grandkids. we blow. So that is one-third, that is 9 ward, there are many items that are in I visited with one of my longest term out of the 28 percent, one-third of all this budget that are very important. friends this weekend. He is not think- the money you pay to the Federal Gov- But what I am very proud of is the fact ing about himself right now. He is ernment, not counting your Social Se- that we have put forward a budget res- thinking about his grandkids. He has curity and Medicare taxes, but of your olution with three very simple prior- one and one on the way, going to be de- income taxes, one-third of it, we blow. ities: jobs, jobs, jobs. And that is right livered this next weekend. He didn’t The interesting thing is that not where the American people are. People mention one thing about himself. He since 1995 has the Congress done any want American jobs where they can mentioned about what the future was rescission spending. Let me explain care for their families, they can have for his kids. what that is. That is the Congress the dignity of work, they can have I think about the ladies whom I saw looks at our budget and says: Are there good wages and be able to have an this morning in my medical office any areas where we can save money, American dream. This budget resolu- about to have babies. Their hopes and where we are not doing well, where we tion is laser-focused on that priority. their dreams are about the generation can be more efficient, where we can im- I thank the Chair. that is to come, about how this miracle prove things? We haven’t had a rescis- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- birth is going to take place over the sion package since 1995. That is 13 ator from Oklahoma. next couple of weeks for both these la- years that we have not had a rescission Mr. COBURN. Mr. President, I am dies. One is named Natalie and one is package. There are lots of reasons for going to spend a few minutes tonight named Brooke; one is a first-time that, none of them good. It does not on some observations. My hope is over mom, the other is a second-time mom. matter which party is in control. There the next couple of days to outline The things they are looking forward to has not been a rescission package for 13 something that has never been done on with their children are totally depend- years. So it is not about parties. It is the Senate floor before, and that is to ent on whether we act as adults in this not about gaming somebody because discuss where we as a body fail. We are body. somebody is a Democrat or somebody all the time telling the American peo- I have just been struck at how far off is a Republican. Our problems in our ple what we do great or how bad the the mark we are. Nation today are much more serious other side is, but rarely do we take a I think KENT CONRAD is a great guy. than partisanship. They are much look at ourselves and say: What is I looked at what he did last year. He is greater than the beneficial effects of going on? What are the problems we a pretty fiscally conservative guy. winning an election based on how you face? KENT sponsored less than $20 billion can make somebody else look lousy. I had a great weekend this weekend worth of new spending over the next 5 One of the important things I hope in Oklahoma. Part of Oklahoma got years, total sponsorships. Many times will come out as we go through this in snow, part of it had 65 degrees and Sun in the last 3 or 4 years, we have had de- the next couple of days is whether we and no wind. But I had some experi- bates about how we handle the prob- really care about what is going to hap- ences I want to share because I think lems. The differences between us are pen. We can look at the stock market— they are pertinent and also poignant to not that great. What guides us, though, it has weak knees today; look at the the issue we are discussing. and what is destroying our country, I price of commodities—it is rising. I also note I have been listening to fear, is the fact that we are putting po- There is no secret we are in a time of the debate all afternoon, and the de- litical parties and the benefits of the economic weakness. Depression is de- bate is nothing but finger-pointing— political budget ahead of the best in- scribed as two quarters successively. one budget, the other budget, how bad terests of our kids. We are probably there. Nobody knows. somebody is, what somebody didn’t do, One of the things I hope to do tomor- Nobody has a crystal ball to know that. what somebody wants to do. It strikes row is to outline for the American pub- But the fact is, it is what we are leav- me that as I reflect on the people lic and this body everything I found in ing right now for these two, Brooke whom I saw this weekend and their the last 3 years in terms of waste on an and Natalie’s children who are going to

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3598 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 be born in the next 3 weeks. What do in its performance. Why is he leaving mean we could either—if you wanted a we leave them? We are leaving them a that position? Because he is scared to bigger Government, you could do more, gift, and the gift is debtor’s prison. death for our country because nobody or if you wanted to pay fewer taxes, Let me say that again. I don’t say is listening in positions of power. No- you could pay less? But most impor- that lightly. We are leaving them a body is paying attention to the tantly, we could live up to the heritage gift. According to the Government Ac- unsustainable course on which we find that is ours, which is creating an op- countability Office, if you are born to- ourselves. We are not. We haven’t in portunity for our children and our morrow, you inherit $400,000 of un- the budget. We didn’t in our budget. We grandchildren in the future. funded liabilities. Does anybody know are not. We don’t on the supplementals I am convinced that Americans anybody who is working and struggling that come through here to ‘‘fund the aren’t really asking for higher taxes. and making a middle-class income or war’’ because we load up $20 billion to What they are asking for is smart even an upper income who is going to $30 billion more debt right on top of spending, hard work by us to make be able to afford that amount? Just our kids. sure what we spend is worth it. What paying the interest on it is $28,000 a We hear all these false numbers. Yes, they are asking for is no more ear- year, and you have to absorb that by I said false. The budget numbers are marks. That is what 85 percent of them the time you get old enough to work. games. The President’s numbers about are asking for. And they are asking for So we are talking about another $6,000 the deficit are wrong. The Budget Com- no more bridges to nowhere and what worth of interest before they start pay- mittee’s numbers about the deficit are it symbolizes in terms of excess, in ing off any principal. So, in essence, wrong. They are not realistic. They do terms of a lack of common sense or a the heritage through our incom- not take into account the fact that we lack of caring. I don’t know which it is, petence, our bickering, our partisan- are going to steal about $170 billion but the fact is, we are on a collision ship because we have to show some- worth of Social Security money this course that is going to undermine the body up, the heritage is every kid who year—I think $163 billion is the accu- future of this country. is born, by the time they get a chance rate number. We are going to write an Will Durant, a historian, said that to work, is going to be accumulating IOU, and then we are not going to tell democracies never fail and are never about $1 million worth of debt. The the American public that we increased collapsed from without until they have question we have to ask ourselves is, the debt another $163 billion. We are moral decay that causes the collapse What happens to them? What happens just going to pass that along to our from within. When we are spending the to the dream of a Brooke or a Natalie kids. money of our grandchildren today and and their children? What is going to I have some little things for you to not doing anything about the waste we happen to them? think about as we outline this. There is have in our budget, the question has to We are about this far from losing the $2.5 billion a year in Social Security be asked: Are we already there? Have triple-A credit rating on our country, disability fraud. There is another $1 we already risen to the point where the on our bonds. At the same time, we see billion in improper payments. Think political class, the political elites care that in the last 8 years, the price of about this. Just $2.5 billion. Just $2.5 so much about their positions—both gold relative to the dollar is fourfold. billion. Just 2,500 millions. Just 2,500 parties—that they are willing to throw What does that tell us? Is there a millions or 2,500,000 thousands. They the future of the next two generations shortage of gold? No. Is there a fourfold are pretty hard numbers to get our of this great country under the bus? increase in the demand for gold for in- hands on. The next year is critical for this Na- dustrial uses? No. It is a flight to safe- So anyhow, in the next few days, I tion, as we see what happened today in ty because many people in the world do am going to list out one by one, I am the stock market, another lower earn- not believe we are going to be able to going to go through everything we ings, as we see consumer confidence de- pay back the $79 trillion of unfunded li- have seen in the last 3 years that con- cline. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Senate abilities we have left. tinues daily in this Federal Govern- stood up to the challenge that is facing So as we come to a budget for the ment that this body won’t attack. this country and did so without the United States and we pass one—which When we offer amendments in this first partisan word about parties and we will, probably—we do it absent the body, they are either accepted so they said: Let’s fix it. Let’s fix it. light of looking at $360 billion-plus can be thrown out in conference when I have had an ongoing study since I that is wasted every year—$360 billion. they actually do something, such as have been in Government to ask Fed- People might say: What is that? It is the census amendment that was in the eral employees this question, and I pretty easy. How about Medicare fraud, Senate. We are now going to be asked have never had a different answer. And $80 billion a year. How about Medicare for about $2 billion more for the census the question is this: If you are a Fed- improper payments? We pay people even though we have been saying all eral employee, no matter where you when they do not deserve to be paid— along there was a problem there. We ig- work, what branch you work in, or not fraud, just incompetency—$10 bil- nored it, the House conferees with the what you do, if you had to, tomorrow, lion a year. There is $90 billion in one Senate conferees ignored it, and now for the sake of our future, become 5 program. There is nothing in this budg- we are going to spend $2 billion more. percent more efficient—in other words, et that fixes that situation. There was What we are going to do is outline not spend $1 out of $20—could you do nothing in the Republican budgets that thoroughly what just one office, just it? Do you realize I have asked that fixed that. Why not? I know the answer one Senate office, has found over 3 question thousands of times, and I have to why not. The answer to why not is years, and it is all going to be fully never been told no. I have never been because we were too busy making po- documented, with footnotes, so you can told no. litical games, political strokes. We see exactly where it came from. It is Well, if that is the case, why aren’t were too busy being partisan. The time going to be indisputable. we doing it, when we are going to have for partisanship in our country is past. Now ask yourself, if you are an a $607 billion deficit? We are going to We may not believe that, but history is American out there struggling to pay be at $10 trillion of debt at the end of going to show it. your gas and things are not looking this year. That is real debt. That David Walker, the Comptroller Gen- great for the next 6 months for you, doesn’t talk about unfunded liabilities, eral of the United States, one of the what would you think if all the Sen- which are $79 trillion. So we have $10 fairest, most openminded men I believe ators did that and we really did get rid trillion worth of debt, $79 trillion under I have ever met in my life, on Wednes- of all the waste, fraud, and abuse in the infinity, of unfunded liabilities, and we day is leaving that position. Why is he Federal Government, or at least a don’t talk about that. doing that? He has a guaranteed job meaningful component of it, and that How is it that we find ourselves al- until 2012, a great job, head of an agen- we really probably could cut $600 bil- lowing such things as the military to cy that really is stellar in what it does lion out of our budget, which would continue to hang on to buildings they

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3599 do not want to the tune of $2 billion to ture? I am having trouble knowing kids’ and grandkids’ future. That is not $3 billion a year just in maintenance whether this body really believes that. something I want to be accused of. So costs? How is it that we have $18 bil- We have outlined to appropriations I will take the ridicule of this body for lion worth of buildings we don’t want committees, everybody has been sent a being ‘‘Doctor No,’’ for saying: We are but we can’t sell because of the road- report of everything we have found in not going to spend more money on new blocks we have put in the way to be the last 3 years, and it has been essen- things, we are not going to have more able to sell them? How is it that the tially ignored because we are too inter- programs until we can pay for the pro- Pentagon pays performance bonuses of ested in making sure we beat the path grams we have. $8 billion a year to companies that to looking good at home. And if it takes one person saying: I don’t meet the requirements of per- When you take an oath to be a U.S. am not going to agree to pass bills formance bonuses? How is it that we Senator—and I don’t think this is said under unanimous consent, I am not are allowing that to continue to hap- often enough—there is nothing in that going to agree to not have the oppor- pen? We have known of that for 3 oath that says anything about your tunity to amend them, then so be it. years. Why is it happening? State. I am not here to represent the The $3,000 per family per year is By the way, what is the big stir right vital interests of Oklahoma. I was enough to make a difference, a big dif- now? The big stir is Boeing didn’t get elected by Oklahomans to represent ference, in their future. I think the contract and Lockheed—or EADS the vital interests of this country. And Brooke’s and Natalie’s babies are did. Nobody is asking the right ques- when I get confused about where my worth it. I do not know about you all. tion on that. It doesn’t matter who got loyalties lie, our country suffers, and I am ready to give up something. Most of all, I am willing to give up my seat the contract. It is a cost-plus contract. that is exactly what is happening to us in the Senate for doing what I think is If we don’t know what we want in a re- right now. right in the long term for our country. fueling tanker now after 8 years of We have gone from 600 earmarks in 1998 to a high of 14,870, almost 12,000 If I do what is politically expedient studying it, we are never going to and win reelection, what good is it if I know. So a $35 billion contract is going last year. What is going on? Where is the common sense? People from have not fixed the very real problems to become a $45 billion contract, just Vermont to Oklahoma to California to that are facing our country? It is time like all the rest of them. Instead, we New Mexico to Montana, they know for a gut check in this country. It is ought to be insisting, if you are doing better. So the special interests of the time for the American people to look business with the Federal Government few are being advantaged while we sac- at you, us, and say: Are you really and making money, you ought to take rifice those that come after us. Now, doing for us, or are you really doing for some risk. There ought to be no more that is a firm indictment. But you you? My accusation is too often we do cost-plus contracts on procurements can’t continue to waste $360 billion a for us and not for the generations to like that. There ought to be none. Who- year, ignore oversight, not do anything come. ever has that contract ought to take about it, and then puff up and say—Re- I will be back to outline in detail part of the risk for the American peo- publican and Democrat—I am going to where this $360 million—billion; let me ple because they are having a great pass a budget and I am never going to make sure everyone understands—$360 benefit in terms of the profits they are look at any of that. billion worth of waste, fraud, and abuse going to make. Well, that is exactly what my party occurs every year in our budget, and So we have a lot in front of us. What has done. That is exactly what the we have done nothing. Let me say it is $350 billion in annual waste? What party in charge today is doing. We are again: We have done nothing about it. does that mean? Here is what it means. ignoring the very real fact that this How dare we talk about raising It means $3,000 for every family. That Government needs hands-on manage- taxes. How dare we talk about any- is what we are wasting. Three thousand ment, it needs aggressive oversight, thing except doing the business that dollars for every family in this country and it needs this $360 billion worth of should be at hand, which is being good we are blowing, that we are throwing waste eliminated in this budget. And if stewards of our children’s future. I yield the floor, and I suggest the ab- away because we care more about par- we pass this budget or any other budg- sence of a quorum. tisanship than we do the future. We et—whether my party offered one or care more about making the executive The PRESIDING OFFICER. The not, even the President’s budget—if we clerk will call the roll. branch look bad than we do the future. pass any budget that doesn’t take this We care more about our earmarks than The bill clerk proceeded to call the into account, what we are doing is spit- roll. we do the future. ting all over the hopes and dreams of There is a legitimate role for the Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- the youngest Americans in our coun- imous consent that the order for the Federal Government to have the Sen- try. We are saying: You don’t count. ate and the House direct spending. quorum call be rescinded. We got ours, you will have to worry The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without That is not the dispute. But the way about getting yours. We will take, you objection, it is so ordered. you do it best is through oversight, not will have to give. And, oh, by the way, Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- through earmarking. The way you do it we are sorry there is not going to be imous consent that on Tuesday, March best is to know exactly what is hap- enough resources left for you to have a 11, when the Senate resumes consider- pening rather than earmarking it. The college education or to own a home or ation of S. Con. Res. 70, the concurrent gateway drug to overspending since for us to defend ourselves or for you to resolution on the budget, there be de- 1998 has been earmarks because when have health care like many of us are bate only, with no amendments in you earmark, you don’t vote against going to have as we wander off at 65, order, until the Senate recesses for the bills. What happens is, the next time knowing that you are going to be party conference meetings, and that you earmark, the committee chairman working hard through increased pay- the recess time on Tuesday be charged comes up to you and says: You didn’t roll taxes just to pay for the promises equally against each side. We will re- vote for my bill last time. Sorry, I that we couldn’t make efficient and cess at 12:30 and come back at 2:15. can’t fill a thing. So we have this al- that we overpromised. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without most extortion-like process whereas So, Mr. President, I know I have car- objection, it is so ordered. earmarks are granted to you if you ried on some tonight, but I think our f vote for a bill. You are not even look- problems are much more severe than ing at the total bill, you are looking at what our behavior would deem. I think MORNING BUSINESS the earmarks. the degree of difficulty we find our- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- Do our children deserve better? Are selves in today is directly attributable imous consent that we now proceed to they worth our sacrifice? Is it really to our lack of courage. a period of morning business with Sen- worth it for us to not necessarily get We are more interested in not offend- ators allowed to speak for up to 10 min- what we want if we can secure the fu- ing somebody than we are securing our utes each.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.000 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3600 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Aging for being champions of this leg- countries have elected leaders whose objection, it is so ordered. islation and for working with us to de- record and rhetoric cast serious doubt f velop a comprehensive bill that will on their commitment to market-based help meet the growing need for senior economic policies. For this reason, it is SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE housing in this Nation. important for the United States to ELDERLY Senior citizens deserve to have hous- maintain a strong relationship with Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise ing that will help them maintain their the constructive forces in these coun- today to speak about S. 2736, Section independence. They do not deserve to tries. We want to encourage those who 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly end up homeless with no where to turn are working for economic liberaliza- Act of 2008 introduced with my col- because they are stuck on long waiting tion and reforms that promote foreign league Senator CHARLES SCHUMER. The lists. This Nation must do a better job investment and the creation of jobs. HUD section 202 Supportive Housing at helping Americans have a place to We want to support those who are pur- for the Elderly Program is the only call home during their golden years. I suing policies that will improve social program that provides capital grants hope my colleagues will join me in my and economic development in health to nonprofit community organizations effort to do so. and education and advance the welfare for the development of supportive f for the less fortunate. It is in these housing and rental assistance exclu- countries where the effect of greater, ANDEAN TRADE PREFERENCE ACT sively for low-income seniors. This pro- and not lesser, engagement will yield gram provides supportive services cou- Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, on Feb- the highest long term benefits. pled with housing to allow seniors to ruary 28, 2008 we ratified the Andean The ability to benefit from trade remain safely in their homes and age in Trade Preference Act, ATPA. Histori- preferences is difficult in an environ- place. Access to supportive services re- cally, these preferences have been deci- ment in which the rule of law is com- duces the occurrence of costly nursing sive in encouraging both development ing under severe attack. Both coun- home stays and helps save both seniors and liberalization in a key region. Re- tries are facing challenges on this and the Federal Government money. newing them is an important step in front, with weakened justice systems There are over 300,000 seniors living our relations with the region, but we that struggle to uphold the law. In this in 6,000 section 202 developments across should also be realistic, and sophisti- regard, an environment that supports the country. Unfortunately, the pro- cated, in our expectations for what free economic exchange and account- gram is far from meeting the growing these preferences can accomplish. As able governance is weakened by the in- demand. Approximately 730,000 addi- we look at where each of the four An- ability of these governments to imple- tional senior housing units will be dean nations stands today, we see that ment the law. needed by 2020 to address the future they are at very different stages of de- Both Bolivia and Ecuador have much housing needs of low-income seniors. velopment, politically and economi- to gain by focusing on strengthening Currently, there are 10 seniors vying cally, so the preferences will impact and depoliticizing the rule of law. for each unit that becomes available. each country differently. Without an improvement on the legal This leaves many seniors waiting years Peru has made commendable strides front in these countries, the potential before finding a home. To complicate in its economic liberalization process for these trade preferences to serve as matters, we are losing older section 202 while remaining a trustworthy coun- development tools is limited. properties in exchange for high priced terpart on many nontrade matters. It is my hope that 10 months from condominiums and apartments. As a Earlier this year we cemented our rela- now, when we again address the issue result, many seniors currently partici- tionship through ratification of a Free of preferences for the Andean coun- pating in the program could end up Trade Agreement, FTA. As we go tries, we will be well into the imple- homeless. through the FTA implementation proc- mentation of FTAs with Peru and Co- Congress should act now to plan ap- ess, preferences are still necessary to lombia and at the same time wit- propriately for the increased demand minimize disruption to current com- nessing an improved commitment in that will exist for housing in the com- mercial flows between the United Ecuador and Bolivia to the reforms ing years and ensure that seniors can States and Peru. that are essential to getting the most find safe, affordable housing. Accord- Colombia has made outstanding out of trade preference legislation. ingly, I am pleased to join Senator progress politically and economically. f SCHUMER in introducing the section 202 During the past 6 years, Colombia’s Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act economic growth, one of the fastest in THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT of 2008. Our legislation would help pro- Latin America, has helped usher in a Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise mote the construction of new senior new era of unprecedented stability for today to speak about the need for hate housing facilities as well as preserve that country—kidnappings, once ramp- crimes legislation. Each Congress, Sen- and improve upon existing facilities. ant, have dropped sharply, down nearly ator KENNEDY and I introduce hate The legislation would also support the 90 percent since 1999; and the once sky- crimes legislation that would strength- conversion of existing facilities into high murder rate has plummeted to its en and add new categories to current assisted living facilities that provide a lowest in almost 20 years. The FTA hate crimes law, sending a signal that wide variety of additional supportive signed between our two countries in- violence of any kind is unacceptable in health and social services. Under cur- cludes environmental standards as well our society. Likewise, each Congress I rent law, these processes are time con- as worker protections and safeguards have come to the floor to highlight a suming, bureaucratic, and far too often similar to the trade pact with Peru, separate hate crime that has occurred require waivers and special permission which enjoyed bipartisan support. in our country. from HUD to complete. This legislation Colombia’s own private sector unions On the night of February 22, 2008, 17- also provides priority consideration for have endorsed the agreement. An ex- year-old Simmie Lewis Williams, Jr., our homeless seniors seeking a place to tension on the Andean Trade Pref- was gunned down in his hometown of call their own. With this legislation, erence Act is crucial given that the Co- Fort Lauderdale, FL. The shooting oc- we hope to reduce current impediments lombia FTA has not been ratified by curred on a stretch of road known by and increase the availability of afford- the Congress, and would help leverage police to be frequented by transves- able and supportive housing for our na- our considerable aid commitment, en- tites. Simmie, openly gay, had been tions most vulnerable seniors. suring Colombia remains on its path to dressed as a woman the night of his I want to thank the American Asso- becoming a secure and prosperous na- murder. He was known for being soft- ciation of Homes and Services for the tion. spoken and kind. Witnesses say that Aging as well as the Wisconsin Associa- Our trade preferences for Bolivia and Simmie became engaged in a heated ar- tion of Homes and Services for the Ecuador are important because both gument with two men dressed in dark

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.001 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3601 clothing before the shots were fired. others is largely dependent upon how with disabilities in his capacity as Simmie’s mother buried her son a week we respond to our life experiences. We president of the National Independent later. The funeral was, in part, paid for can choose to make a difference in our Living Council. by members of the local gay commu- world, or sit back and let others blaze Kelly has received several local and nity. Police are considering the murder trails. As I get older, I am more and national awards. In 2000, he received as a bias-motivated crime. more convinced that these choices have the University of Idaho’s President’s I believe that the Government’s first little to do with our physical capabili- Medallion. Kelly was honored with the duty is to defend its citizens, to defend ties or the circumstances of our up- 2005 Hewlett-Packard Company Award them against the harms that come out bringing. I meet people who have over- for Distinguished Leadership in Human of hate. Federal laws intended to pro- come seemingly monumental chal- Rights and, in 2007, Kelly was honored tect individuals from heinous and vio- lenges and live to make a difference in at the Kennedy Center with induction lent crimes motivated by hate are woe- the lives of others. In the same man- into the Spinal Cord Injury Hall of fully inadequate. This legislation ner, I meet those with observably few Fame for significant contributions to would better equip the Government to challenges who are content to sit on quality of life and advancements to- fulfill its most important obligation by the sidelines. A most remarkable ex- ward a better future for all individuals protecting new groups of people as well ample of someone who has responded to with spinal cord injury or disease. as better protecting citizens already the circumstances and events in his life One of Kelly’s profound strengths is covered under deficient laws. I believe by choosing to make a difference in the unique ability to perceive and appre- that by passing this legislation and lives of others is Idahoan Kelly ciate the position of others, and to help changing current law, we can change Buckland, president of the National others understand his point of view in hearts and minds as well. Council for Independent Living and an a respectful, honest manner. He is f extraordinary advocate for people with highly skilled at helping those who ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS disabilities. may perceive themselves in opposition Kelly grew up on a farm outside of to one another reach a place where Rexburg, ID. When he was 15, he be- they can meet and find a common mid- CONGRATULATING JOSHUA KORS came a quadriplegic as a result of a dle ground. Despite his many accom- ∑ Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise diving accident. Kelly has recalled plishments, Kelly is exceedingly hum- today to congratulate Joshua Kors on that, upon returning home after a year ble, preferring to give credit to others winning the George Polk Award for of hospitalization, he became deeply for many of the successes in which he’s magazine reporting and his selection as depressed. But with the encouragement been instrumental. He has observed a finalist for Harvard’s Goldsmith of his parents who, among other that we all have something we perceive Prize for Investigative Reporting. things, rigged up farm equipment so as a hindrance to our own success, but I am grateful for the work Mr. Kors that Kelly could continue doing what it is our responsibility to acknowledge has done on behalf of our troops and for he had done before the accident, Kelly perceived limitations and move for- the leadership he has demonstrated in began to recover from his depression. ward rather than devote time and en- his relentless pursuit of the facts. Recalling the people that helped him ergy in focusing on what we think our America counts on its investigative and others during his hospitalization, particular limitations prevent us from reporters to expose corruption, mis- Kelly made a choice that would change doing. management and abuse, particularly in his life and the lives of many others Kelly has devoted his time and en- government. Mr. Kors’ work brought to over the years: he chose to use his ergy to ensuring that those who have light the military’s appalling misuse of many gifts and talents to help those in experienced legal, occupational and administrative discharges for many of need. personal difficulties as a result of their our combat-wounded soldiers. Kelly obtained a bachelor’s degree in disabilities have a voice in changing Mr. Kors’ profile of the difficulties social work from Boise State Univer- our laws to ensure true independence SPC Jon Town encountered after re- sity. He graduated summa cum laude for all. His own words echo his convic- turning from Iraq showed all of us in with a master’s degree in rehabilita- tions: ‘‘I want to insure that no one troubling detail the devastating im- tion counseling from Drake University. need be institutionalized because there pact of the Pentagon’s policy on one He was exposed to the legislative proc- are inadequate community services. I soldier and his family—a story which is ess early in his career and realized that want freedom to be a reality for every- repeated in the lives of too many oth- he had an interest and a gift for public one.’’ ers similarly discharged. policy. In the 1980s, Kelly was instru- Kelly Buckland is a voice of compas- With the lives and livelihoods of mental in the initial effort to install sion, inspiration and reason and it is these wounded warriors on the line, curb cuts in the city sidewalks in Bur- my distinct honor to recognize him Mr. Kors’ reporting has clearly made a ley, ID, to help with wheelchair acces- ∑ difference already. today. sibility. Kelly’s advocacy then turned It is now up to Congress to ensure f to the State, where he was able to help that the Department of Defense treats RECOGNIZING VICTORIA WILLIAMS our soldiers fairly. Our troops have change Idaho State law to provide pro- ∑ Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I would courageously put themselves in harm’s tections for parents with disabilities. like to take this time to recognize and way and it is incumbent upon our gov- Idaho State law now prohibits the re- congratulate Ms. Victoria Williams of ernment to ensure that they receive moval of a child from a home or the de- the best possible care when they re- nial of visitations solely because of a Menasha, WI, for being selected as turn. parent’s disability. Idaho was the first Goodwill Industries International 2007 Many of us on Capitol Hill have State in the Nation to pass equal child Achiever of the Year. pledged to continue to fight to elimi- custody rights for parents with disabil- Ms. Williams has earned this award nate the misuse of personality dis- ities in all areas of child custody. for the bravery and spirit she displays charges through all legislative and ad- As the executive director of the through good times and bad. Through- ministrative means at our disposal. Idaho State Independent Living Coun- out her life, Ms. Williams has overcome I thank Mr. Kors for his outstanding cil, Kelly made it his priority to fight adversity and serious obstacles to be- work and congratulate him on his ac- for equal rights and equal protection come a proud mother and advocate for complishments.∑ under the law for those with disabil- others. ities, especially in areas of fair housing Through family tragedies and per- f and healthcare. His outreach and advo- sonal struggles, Ms. Williams never HONORING KELLY BUCKLAND cacy has gone beyond just the State gave up. Instead, she dedicated herself ∑ Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, our out- level as well—Kelly has testified before to work on behalf of others in her com- look on life and the effect we have on Congress on issues facing individuals munity. As a job coach for people with

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.001 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3602 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 disabilities, Ms. Williams is doing her Run School Board. Mrs. Pollard and MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE ‘‘dream job,’’ and helping those with her students have tirelessly worked on At 2:29 p.m., a message from the whom she works achieve their own the many aspects of this project. And, House of Representatives, delivered by dreams. In her new role as assistant most importantly, these students have Ms. Niland, one of its reading clerks, store team leader she will continue to been provided an excellent opportunity announced that the Speaker has signed motivate others and do great things. to pursue practical and timely solu- the following enrolled joint resolution: As her employer’s name suggests, Ms. tions that will benefit the school, the S. J. Res. 25. Joint resolution providing for Williams exemplifies and delivers good environment, and their community. the appointment of John W. McCarter as a will. She tirelessly works to improve Indeed, these young people have em- citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the the lives of those around her. She is barked on an important endeavor. As a Smithsonian Institution. able to turn what life has presented to Nation, we must increase the diversity f of our energy sources and enhance our her, both good and bad, into valuable MEASURES PLACED ON THE Nation’s energy independence. Bio- lessons for others. She is an inspiration CALENDAR to her sons, her colleagues, and to all diesel provides a part of the solution to of us. As the Goodwill Industries Inter- our energy needs. It has the potential The following bill was read the sec- national Achiever of the Year, she em- to improve our Nation’s energy inde- ond time, and placed on the calendar: bodies the Goodwill promise of enrich- pendence in the near term by replacing S. 2734. A bill to aid families and neighbor- some of the oil we import from abroad hoods facing home foreclosure and address ing individual lives and the greater the subprime mortgage crisis. community. with homegrown, sustainable biofuels. On behalf of our State and Nation, I Utilizing this fuel source could reduce f join Goodwill Industries in recognizing our impact on the environment and MEASURES READ THE FIRST TIME and commending Ms. Williams, an ex- slow changes to our climate that will traordinary woman, for sharing her otherwise threaten our future. With The following bills were read the first gifts with others.∑ this new technology, we could dramati- time: cally reduce carbon dioxide emissions f S. 2738. A bill to identify and remove crimi- and help create jobs as well as spur our nal aliens incarcerated in correctional facili- RECOGNIZING THE BIRCH RUN economy. ties in the United States and for other pur- BIODIESEL PROJECT I know my colleagues will share my poses. ∑ Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I recently enthusiasm in recognizing everyone af- S. 2739. A bill to authorize certain pro- visited Birch Run High School in filiated with the biodiesel project at grams and activities in the Department of Birch Run High School. I look forward the Interior, the Forest Service, and the De- Michigan to learn about its biodiesel partment of Energy, to implement further project. This project is an innovative, to hearing about their many successes ∑ the Act approving the Covenant to Establish forward-thinking endeavor, and I am in the future. a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana proud that young people in Michigan f Islands in Political Union with the United are making strides to understand and LOCATING BOB LEVINSON States of America, to amend the Compact of begin to solve some of our Nation’s Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, ∑ Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. Presi- most pressing concerns. and for other purposes. dent, 1 year ago yesterday, a man who The biodiesel project was initiated in f had spent more than 28 years serving the second semester of the 2007–2008 the United States of America, a dedi- EXECUTIVE AND OTHER school year at Birch Run by Mrs. Jan cated husband and father and con- COMMUNICATIONS Pollard, a chemistry teacher at the stituent of mine, disappeared from The following communications were school. Mrs. Pollard was instrumental Kish Island, in the Persian Gulf. I rise laid before the Senate, together with in helping the school secure the fund- today to remind this body of the plight accompanying papers, reports, and doc- ing necessary to establish this project of this missing person and the suffering uments, and were referred as indicated: by approaching officials associated of his family. EC–5318. A communication from the Direc- with the Watershed Initiative Net- On March 8, 2007, Bob Levinson, a re- tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- work—WIN—grant program. She wrote tired veteran of both the FBI and DEA, ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, and submitted a proposal for $10,000 to arrived in Kish—an Iranian resort is- pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled WIN, which was ultimately approved. land that does not require a visa to ‘‘Flumioxazin; Pesticide Tolerance’’ (FRL No. 8352–5) received on March 3, 2008; to the The biodiesel project is a part of a visit. From what we know, he checked comprehensive effort that includes a Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and into his hotel, checked out on March Forestry. greenhouse and a bee keeping compo- 9th, got into a taxi, and then vanished. EC–5319. A communication from the Direc- nent. The students currently working I have worked closely with the State tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- on the biodiesel project include Ross Department and the Swiss Government ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, Fredenburg, the team leader; Derek to lodge a number of requests for infor- pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled Bentley; Ryan Johnson; and Dillon mation with the Iranian Government. ‘‘Bifenazate; Pesticide Tolerance’’ (FRL No. Fredenburg, the apprentice leader for Unfortunately, Iran claims it has no 8351–6) received on March 3, 2008; to the Com- the 2008–2009 school year. These stu- mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For- information on the welfare or where- estry. dents have completed all the construc- abouts of Mr. Levinson. EC–5320. A communication from the Con- tion work, installed the necessary Last December, Bob’s wife Christine gressional Review Coordinator, Animal and equipment, and run the project, includ- traveled to Iran and visited Kish on a Plant Health Inspection Service, Department ing all manufacturing and testing of factfinding mission. Although she did of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to the biodiesel fuel. They obtain, at no not find any proof of his whereabouts, law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Importa- cost, used vegetable oil from the school she came away with the strong belief tion of Fruits and Vegetables’’ (Docket No. and from local restaurants to convert that Bob is alive. APHIS–2007–0116) received on March 4, 2008; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, to biodiesel fuel. The project has pro- Mr. President, I have worked closely and Forestry. duced approximately 200 gallons of bio- with the administration to try to as- EC–5321. A communication from the Under diesel fuel thus far. By next year, the certain what exactly happened to Mr. Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), trans- school expects to be able to provide Levinson. Today, just one day after the mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a vio- biodiesel fuel for its entire 26-bus fleet. anniversary of his disappearance, I ask lation of the Antideficiency Act by the per- This exciting project has the support my colleagues to remember this Amer- sonnel from the Navy Region Southwest; to the Committee on Appropriations. of many in the community, including ican citizen, whose whereabouts are EC–5322. A communication from the Under Birch Run School Superintendent still unknown, and to urge the U.S. Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), trans- Wayne Wright, Birch Run Principal Government to do everything in its mitting, pursuant to law, the report of a vio- Mike Baszler and members of the Birch power to locate and bring him home.∑ lation of the Antideficiency Act by the Fleet

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.001 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3603 Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Implementation Plans; Wisconsin; Approval amendment to a manufacturing license Center; to the Committee on Appropriations. of Construction Permit Waiver’’ (FRL No. agreement for the manufacture of significant EC–5323. A communication from the Sec- 8533–1) received on March 4, 2008; to the Com- military equipment abroad and the export of retary of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- mittee on Environment and Public Works. defense articles to Russia for the RD–180 Liq- ant to law, a six-month periodic report on EC–5333. A communication from the Direc- uid Propellant Rocket Engine Program; to the national emergency that was declared in tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- the Committee on Foreign Relations. Executive Order 12956 relative to Iran; to the ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, EC–5343. A communication from the Sec- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled retary of Health and Human Services, trans- Affairs. ‘‘Determination of Nonattainment and Re- mitting, pursuant to law, the report of the EC–5324. A communication from the Sec- classification of the Atlanta, Georgia 8-Hour addition of workers from the Lawrence retary of the Federal Trade Commission, Ozone Nonattainment Area’’ (FRL No. 8539– Livermore National Laboratory to the Spe- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of 2) received on March 4, 2008; to the Com- cial Exposure Cohort; to the Committee on a rule entitled ‘‘Notice Announcing 2008 Ad- mittee on Environment and Public Works. Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. justed Thresholds for Clayton Act 7A’’ EC–5334. A communication from the Direc- EC–5344. A communication from the Sec- (RIN3084–AA91) received on March 3, 2008; to tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- retary of Health and Human Services, trans- the Committee on Commerce, Science, and ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, mitting, pursuant to law, the report of the Transportation. pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled addition of workers from the Combustion EC–5325. A communication from the Attor- ‘‘In-Use Testing for Heavy-Duty Diesel En- Engineering facility to the Special Exposure ney Advisor, Department of Transportation, gines and Vehicles; Emission Measurement Cohort; to the Committee on Health, Edu- transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of Accuracy Margins for Portable Emission cation, Labor, and Pensions. a vacancy in the position of Under Secretary Measurement Systems and Program Revi- EC–5345. A communication from the Sec- of Transportation for Policy, received on sions’’ ((RIN2060–AO69)(FRL No. 8539–3)) re- retary of Health and Human Services, trans- March 3, 2008; to the Committee on Com- ceived on March 4, 2008; to the Committee on mitting, pursuant to law, the report of the merce, Science, and Transportation. Environment and Public Works. addition of workers from the Mound Plant EC–5326. A communication from the Chief EC–5335. A communication from the Direc- near Dayton, Ohio, to the Special Exposure Financial Officer, Department of Energy, tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- Cohort; to the Committee on Health, Edu- transmitting, pursuant to law, a report rel- ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, cation, Labor, and Pensions. ative to the status of the Department’s pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled EC–5346. A communication from the Chair- uncosted obligations; to the Committee on ‘‘National Emission Standards for Hazardous man, Council of the District of Columbia, Energy and Natural Resources. Air Pollutants for Source Categories: Gaso- transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on EC–5327. A communication from the Acting line Distribution Bulk Terminals, Bulk D.C. Act 17–295, ‘‘Burned Fire Fighter Relief Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Plants, and Pipeline Facilities; and Gasoline Temporary Amendment Act of 2008’’ received Parks, Department of the Interior, transmit- Dispensing Facilities; Correction’’ (FRL No. on March 4, 2008; to the Committee on Home- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- 8540–2) received on March 4, 2008; to the Com- land Security and Governmental Affairs. EC–5347. A communication from the Chair- titled ‘‘Endangered and Threatened Wildlife mittee on Environment and Public Works. man, Council of the District of Columbia, and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat EC–5336. A communication from the Fed- transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on for the Guajon’’ (RIN1018–AU46) received on eral Register Certifying Officer, Financial D.C. Act 17–293, ‘‘Park East Assistance Act of March 3, 2008; to the Committee on Environ- Management Service, Department of the 2008’’ received on March 4, 2008; to the Com- ment and Public Works. Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the mittee on Homeland Security and Govern- EC–5328. A communication from the Direc- report of a rule entitled ‘‘Standards for the mental Affairs. tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- Administrative Collection of Claims’’ EC–5348. A communication from the Chair- ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, (RIN1510–AA91) received on March 4, 2008; to man, Council of the District of Columbia, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled the Committee on Finance. transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality EC–5337. A communication from the Pro- D.C. Act 17–294, ‘‘Choice in Drug Treatment Implementation Plans; Commonwealth of gram Manager, Centers for Medicare and Temporary Amendment Act of 2008’’ received Virginia; Control of Particulate Matter from Medicaid Services, Department of Health on March 4, 2008; to the Committee on Home- Pulp and Paper Mills; Correction’’ (FRL No. and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant land Security and Governmental Affairs. 8537–6) received on March 3, 2008; to the Com- to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Revisit EC–5349. A communication from the Chair- mittee on Environment and Public Works. User Fee Program for Medicare Survey and man, Council of the District of Columbia, EC–5329. A communication from the Direc- Certification Activities’’ (RIN0938–AP22) re- transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- ceived on March 3, 2008; to the Committee on D.C. Act 17–310, ‘‘New Convention Center ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, Finance. Hotel Omnibus Financing and Development pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled EC–5338. A communication from the Trade Amendment Act of 2008’’ received on March ‘‘Partial Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule Representative, Executive Office of the 4, 2008; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- Revising the California State Implementa- President, transmitting, pursuant to law, rity and Governmental Affairs. tion Plan, Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollu- the 2008 Trade Policy Agenda and 2007 An- EC–5350. A communication from the Chair- tion Control District and San Joaquin Valley nual Report on the Trade Agreements Pro- man, Council of the District of Columbia, Air Pollution Control District’’ (FRL No. gram; to the Committee on Finance. transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on 8537–9) received on March 3, 2008; to the Com- EC–5339. A communication from the Assist- D.C. Act 17–311, ‘‘Uniform Anatomical Gift mittee on Environment and Public Works. ant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs, Revision Act of 2008’’ received on March 4, EC–5330. A communication from the Direc- Department of State, transmitting, pursuant 2008; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- to law, a report relative to the President’s rity and Governmental Affairs. ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, waiver of restriction on the provisions of EC–5351. A communication from the Presi- pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled funds to the Palestinian Authority; to the dent, Overseas Private Investment Corpora- ‘‘Final Authorization of State Hazardous Committee on Foreign Relations. tion, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report Waste Management Program Revisions’’ EC–5340. A communication from the Assist- relative to the Corporation’s employment (FRL No. 8538–1) received on March 3, 2008; to ant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs, category rating system activities for fiscal the Committee on Environment and Public Department of State, transmitting, pursuant year 2007; to the Committee on Homeland Se- Works. to law, a report relative to steps taken to en- curity and Governmental Affairs. EC–5331. A communication from the Direc- courage Arab League states to normalize EC–5352. A communication from the Comp- tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- their relations with Israel; to the Committee troller General of the United States, trans- ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, on Foreign Relations. mitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled EC–5341. A communication from the Assist- whether the financial statements of the De- ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality ant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs, posit Insurance Fund and FSLIC Resolution Implementation Plans; Maryland; Update to Department of State, transmitting, pursuant Fund are presented fairly; to the Committee Materials Incorporated by Reference; Correc- to law, the certification of a proposed agree- on Homeland Security and Governmental Af- tion’’ (FRL No. 8536–3) received on March 4, ment for the export of defense articles to fairs. 2008; to the Committee on Environment and Japan for the production of the Evolved EC–5353. A communication from the Direc- Public Works. SeaSparrow Missile; to the Committee on tor, Administrative Office of the United EC–5332. A communication from the Direc- Foreign Relations. States Courts, transmitting, pursuant to tor, Regulatory Management Division, Envi- EC–5342. A communication from the Assist- law, an update to the report entitled ‘‘Long ronmental Protection Agency, transmitting, ant Secretary, Office of Legislative Affairs, Range Plan for Information Technology in pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled Department of State, transmitting, pursuant the Federal Judiciary’’; to the Committee on ‘‘Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality to law, the certification of a proposed the Judiciary.

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REPORTS OF COMMITTEES (Mr. SANDERS) was added as a cospon- (Mr. COCHRAN) was added as a cospon- The following reports of committees sor of S. 82, a bill to reaffirm the au- sor of S. 1675, a bill to implement the were submitted: thority of the Comptroller General to recommendations of the Federal Com- audit and evaluate the programs, ac- munications Commission report to the By Mr. LEAHY, from the Committee on Congress regarding low-power FM serv- the Judiciary, with an amendment in the na- tivities, and financial transactions of ture of a substitute: the intelligence community, and for ice. S. 1638. A bill to adjust the salaries of Fed- other purposes. S. 1681 eral justices and judges, and for other pur- S. 661 At the request of Mr. DODD, the name poses. At the request of Ms. COLLINS, her of the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. f name was added as a cosponsor of S. WHITEHOUSE) was added as a cosponsor 661, a bill to establish kinship navi- of S. 1681, a bill to provide for a paid INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND family and medical leave insurance JOINT RESOLUTIONS gator programs, to establish guardian- ship assistance payments for children, program, and for other purposes. The following bills and joint resolu- and for other purposes. S. 1760 tions were introduced, read the first S. 819 At the request of Mr. BROWN, the and second times by unanimous con- At the request of Mr. DORGAN, the name of the Senator from New York sent, and referred as indicated: name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. (Mrs. CLINTON) was added as a cospon- By Mr. AKAKA: BROWN) was added as a cosponsor of S. sor of S. 1760, a bill to amend the Pub- S. 2737. A bill to amend title 38, United 819, a bill to amend the Internal Rev- lic Health Service Act with respect to States Code, to grant jurisdiction to the the Healthy Start Initiative. United States Court of Appeals for Veterans enue Code of 1986 to expand tax-free S. 1926 Claims to review compliance of the schedule distributions from individual retire- of ratings for disabilities under section 1151 ment accounts for charitable purposes. At the request of Mr. MENENDEZ, his of that title with statutory requirements ap- S. 911 name was added as a cosponsor of S. 1926, a bill to establish the National In- plicable to entitlement to disability com- At the request of Mr. REED, the name pensation under chapter 11 of that title, and of the Senator from Colorado (Mr. frastructure Bank to provide funding for other purposes; to the Committee on Vet- for qualified infrastructure projects, SALAZAR) was added as a cosponsor of erans’ Affairs. and for other purposes. By Mr. COBURN: S. 911, a bill to amend the Public S. 1951 S. 2738. A bill to identify and remove crimi- Health Service Act to advance medical nal aliens incarcerated in correctional facili- research and treatments into pediatric At the request of Mr. BAUCUS, the ties in the United States and for other pur- cancers, ensure patients and families name of the Senator from New York poses; read the first time. have access to the current treatments (Mrs. CLINTON) was added as a cospon- By Mr. BINGAMAN: and information regarding pediatric sor of S. 1951, a bill to amend title XIX S. 2739. A bill to authorize certain pro- cancers, establish a population-based of the Social Security Act to ensure grams and activities in the Department of national childhood cancer database, that individuals eligible for medical as- the Interior, the Forest Service, and the De- sistance under the Medicaid program and promote public awareness of pedi- partment of Energy, to implement further continue to have access to prescription atric cancers. the Act approving the Covenant to Establish drugs, and for other purposes. a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana S. 1010 S. 2064 Islands in Political Union with the United At the request of Mr. SMITH, the At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the States of America, to amend the Compact of name of the Senator from Colorado Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, name of the Senator from New York (Mr. SALAZAR) was added as a cospon- and for other purposes; read the first time. (Mrs. CLINTON) was added as a cospon- sor of S. 1010, a bill to amend the Inter- f sor of S. 2064, a bill to fund comprehen- nal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage sive programs to ensure an adequate SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND guaranteed lifetime income payments supply of nurses. SENATE RESOLUTIONS from annuities and similar payments of S. 2181 life insurance proceeds at dates later The following concurrent resolutions At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the than death by excluding from income a and Senate resolutions were read, and name of the Senator from New York portion of such payments. referred (or acted upon), as indicated: (Mrs. CLINTON) was added as a cospon- By Mr. CASEY (for himself and Ms. S. 1175 sor of S. 2181, a bill to amend title SNOWE): At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the XVIII of the Social Security Act to S. Res. 477. A resolution supporting the name of the Senator from New York protect Medicare beneficiaries’ access goals and ideals of designating March 2008 as (Mr. SCHUMER) was added as a cospon- to home health services under the National Multiple Sclerosis Education and sor of S. 1175, a bill to end the use of Awareness Month; to the Committee on Medicare program. child soldiers in hostilities around the S. 2209 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. world, and for other purposes. By Mr. SMITH (for himself and Mr. At the request of Mr. HATCH, the KERRY): S. 1275 name of the Senator from New York S. Res. 478. A resolution supporting the At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the (Mr. SCHUMER) was added as a cospon- goals and ideals of ‘‘World Water Day’’; to name of the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. sor of S. 2209, a bill to amend the Inter- the Committee on Foreign Relations. AKAKA) was added as a cosponsor of S. nal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide in- f 1275, a bill to amend the Public Health centives to improve America’s research Service Act and title XIX of the Social ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS competitiveness, and for other pur- Security Act to provide for a screening poses. S. 22 and treatment program for prostate S. 2291 At the request of Mr. WEBB, the name cancer in the same manner as is pro- At the request of Mr. AKAKA, the of the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. vided for breast and cervical cancer. name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. BYRD) was added as a cosponsor of S. S. 1464 VOINOVICH) was added as a cosponsor of 22, a bill to amend title 38, United At the request of Mr. FEINGOLD, the S. 2291, a bill to enhance citizen access States Code, to establish a program of name of the Senator from Michigan to Government information and serv- educational assistance for members of (Mr. LEVIN) was withdrawn as a cospon- ices by establishing plain language as the Armed Forces who serve in the sor of S. 1464, a bill to establish a Glob- the standard style of Government doc- Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, al Service Fellowship Program, and for uments issued to the public, and for and for other purposes. other purposes. other purposes. S. 82 S. 1675 S. 2314 At the request of Mr. AKAKA, the At the request of Ms. CANTWELL, the At the request of Mr. SALAZAR, the name of the Senator from Vermont name of the Senator from Mississippi name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr.

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WYDEN) was added as a cosponsor of S. (Mrs. BOXER) was added as a cosponsor (Mr. COBURN) was added as a cosponsor 2314, a bill to amend the Internal Rev- of S. 2666, a bill to amend the Internal of S. 2720, a bill to withhold Federal fi- enue Code of 1986 to make geothermal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage in- nancial assistance from each country heat pump systems eligible for the en- vestment in affordable housing, and for that denies or unreasonably delays the ergy credit and the residential energy other purposes. acceptance of nationals of such coun- efficient property credit, and for other S. 2684 try who have been ordered removed purposes. At the request of Mr. DODD, the name from the United States and to prohibit S. 2369 of the Senator from California (Mrs. the issuance of visas to nationals of At the request of Mr. BAUCUS, the BOXER) was added as a cosponsor of S. such country. name of the Senator from North Caro- 2684, a bill to reform the housing choice S. RES. 390 lina (Mrs. DOLE) was added as a cospon- voucher program under section 8 of the At the request of Mr. KOHL, the name sor of S. 2369, a bill to amend title 35, United States Housing Act of 1937. of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. BROWN) United States Code, to provide that S. 2688 was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 390, certain tax planning inventions are not At the request of Mr. INOUYE, the a resolution designating March 11, 2008, patentable, and for other purposes. names of the Senator from Florida (Mr. as National Funeral Director and Mor- S. 2420 NELSON) and the Senator from Alaska tician Recognition Day. At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the (Ms. MURKOWSKI) were added as cospon- f name of the Senator from Maine (Ms. sors of S. 2688, a bill to improve the STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED COLLINS) was added as a cosponsor of S. protections afforded under Federal law BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS 2420, a bill to encourage the donation of to consumers from contaminated sea- excess food to nonprofit organizations food by directing the Secretary of By Mr. AKAKA: that provide assistance to food-inse- Commerce to establish a program, in S. 2737. A bill to amend title 38, cure people in the United States in coordination with other appropriate United States Code, to grant jurisdic- contracts entered into by executive Federal agencies, to strengthen activi- tion to the United States Court of Ap- agencies for the provision, service, or ties for ensuring that seafood sold or peals for Veterans Claims to review sale of food. offered for sale to the public in or af- compliance of the schedule of ratings S. 2433 fecting interstate commerce is fit for for disabilities under section 1151 of At the request of Mr. HAGEL, the human consumption. that title with statutory requirements applicable to entitlement to disability name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. S. 2705 compensation under chapter 11 of that SMITH) was added as a cosponsor of S. At the request of Mr. DURBIN, the 2433, a bill to require the President to name of the Senator from New York title, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. develop and implement a comprehen- (Mrs. CLINTON) was added as a cospon- Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I sive strategy to further the United sor of S. 2705, a bill to authorize pro- introduce the proposed Veterans’ Rat- States foreign policy objective of pro- grams to increase the number of nurses ing Schedule Review Act. This legisla- moting the reduction of global poverty, within the Armed Forces through as- tion would remove a barrier to legal re- the elimination of extreme global pov- sistance for service as nurse faculty or dress faced by veterans who believe erty, and the achievement of the Mil- education as nurses, and for other pur- that a provision of the VA Schedule for lennium Development Goal of reducing poses. Rating Disabilities—the Rating Sched- by one-half the proportion of people S. 2712 ule—does not comply with a law passed worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who At the request of Mr. DEMINT, the by Congress. The amount of compensa- live on less than $1 per day. name of the Senator from Oklahoma tion veterans with service-connected S. 2452 (Mr. COBURN) was added as a cosponsor conditions receive is based on a dis- At the request of Mr. DODD, the name of S. 2712, a bill to require the Sec- ability rating, which VA assigns to of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. retary of Homeland Security to com- these conditions. VA uses its rating LAUTENBERG) was added as a cosponsor plete at least 700 miles of reinforced schedule to determine which rating to of S. 2452, a bill to amend the Truth in fencing along the Southwest border by assign to a veteran’s particular condi- Lending Act to provide protection to December 31, 2010, and for other pur- tion. Under current law, the Court of consumers with respect to certain poses. Appeals for Veterans Claims has juris- high-cost loans, and for other purposes. S. 2716 diction to consider only Constitutional S. 2533 At the request of Mr. DOMENICI, the challenges to the rating schedule. At the request of Mr. KENNEDY, the names of the Senator from Oklahoma When legislation was passed providing name of the Senator from Virginia (Mr. (Mr. COBURN) and the Senator from for judicial review, review of the rating WEBB) was added as a cosponsor of S. Pennsylvania (Mr. SPECTER) were schedule was specifically prohibited as 2533, a bill to enact a safe, fair, and re- added as cosponsors of S. 2716, a bill to part of a final compromise. sponsible state secrets privilege Act. authorize the National Guard to pro- This legislation would expand the ju- S. 2609 vide support for the border control ac- risdiction of the court to include cases At the request of Mr. FEINGOLD, the tivities of the United States Customs where a provision of the rating sched- names of the Senator from Michigan and Border Protection of the Depart- ule or the absence of a rating for a con- (Mr. LEVIN) and the Senator from Con- ment of Homeland Security, and for dition mandated by statute is chal- necticut (Mr. LIEBERMAN) were added other purposes. lenged. Under the proposed change, as- as cosponsors of S. 2609, a bill to estab- S. 2718 pects of the VA rating schedule that lish a Global Service Fellowship Pro- At the request of Mr. BARRASSO, the appear to violate requirements of law gram, and for other purposes. name of the Senator from Pennsyl- set forth in chapter 11 of title 38, S. 2632 vania (Mr. SPECTER) was added as a co- United States Code, would be subject At the request of Mr. BOND, the sponsor of S. 2718, a bill to withhold 10 to the court’s jurisdiction. names of the Senator from Nevada (Mr. percent of the Federal funding appor- I expect VA to comply with all laws ENSIGN) and the Senator from Arizona tioned for highway construction and passed by Congress in developing and (Mr. KYL) were added as cosponsors of maintenance from States that issue revising the rating schedule. However, S. 2632, a bill to ensure that the Sex Of- driver’s licenses to individuals without justice to our Nation’s veterans re- fender Registration and Notification verifying the legal status of such indi- quires a forum in which the rating Act is applied retroactively. viduals. schedule can be challenged when some- S. 2666 S. 2720 one believes that a statute passed by At the request of Ms. CANTWELL, the At the request of Mr. SPECTER, the Congress to provide compensation for name of the Senator from California name of the Senator from Oklahoma the service-disabled is being violated.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.001 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3606 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 Veterans seeking to challenge the de- for disabilities complies with applicable re- risks and by promoting new education pro- nial of benefits based on the rating quirements of chapter 11 of this title.’’. grams, supporting research, and expanding schedule’s lack of consistency with f access to medical treatment; and other laws are subject to rejection by (5) recognizes all Americans living with SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS multiple sclerosis, expresses gratitude to the court due to the prohibition in cur- their family members and friends who are a rent law. The United States Court of source of love and encouragement to them, Appeals for the Federal Circuit held, in SENATE RESOLUTION 477—SUP- and salutes the health care professionals and Wanner v. Principi, 370 F.3d 1124, 2004, PORTING THE GOALS AND medical researchers who provide assistance that the language in current law ‘‘re- IDEALS OF DESIGNATING MARCH to those so afflicted and continue to work to moves from the Veterans Court’s juris- 2008 AS NATIONAL MULTIPLE find cures and improve treatments. diction all review involving the con- SCLEROSIS EDUCATION AND Mr. President, I offer today, along tent of the rating schedules and the AWARENESS MONTH with my colleague Senator SNOWE, this resolution supporting the goals and Secretary’s actions in adopting or re- Mr. CASEY (for himself and Ms. ideals National Multiple Sclerosis Edu- vising them.’’ SNOWE) submitted the following resolu- cation and Awareness Month. I am One example of the kind of case that tion; which was referred to the Com- would be affected by the change to the pleased to introduce this resolution mittee on Health, Education, Labor, which recognizes and reaffirms our law is VA’s lack of action in response and Pensions: to legislation enacted in 2002 which al- commitment to combating multiple S. RES. 477 lows veterans who qualify for com- sclerosis by promoting awareness pensation due to the loss of hearing in Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact men about its causes and risks and by pro- and women of all ages; moting new education programs, sup- both ears to receive special ‘‘paired Whereas multiple sclerosis affects men and organ’’ benefits. In the years since that porting research and expanding access women of all races and ethnicities; to medical treatment. It is also my law was passed, many veterans serving Whereas approximately 400,000 Americans in Iraq have suffered hearing loss after live with multiple sclerosis; hope that this resolution that Senator being exposed to Improvised Explosive Whereas approximately 2,500,000 people SNOWE and I offer today will help us to Device blasts. However, VA has yet to worldwide have been diagnosed with mul- more consciously recognize all Ameri- issue regulations to amend the rating tiple sclerosis; cans living with multiple sclerosis. We schedule, as required by the law. Under Whereas approximately 200 people a week are grateful to their family members are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; and friends who are a source of love the current state of the law, no one Whereas over 400 cases of childhood mul- and encouragement to them and we sa- could bring a legal challenge to that tiple sclerosis have been identified in med- lute the health care professionals and failure to act. ical journals since 1980 and it is estimated medical researchers who provide assist- I note that the exception to the ban that between 8,000 and 10,000 children and ance to those with MS and who con- on review of the rating schedule pro- adolescents are affected; tinue to work to find cures and im- posed in this bill is a limited one. The Whereas the exact cause of multiple scle- prove treatments. bill would not allow for a wholesale as- rosis is still unknown; Whereas the symptoms of multiple scle- We know a lot about MS but unfortu- sault on the rating schedule. It would nately there is still a great deal we do merely provide judicial review of cases rosis are unpredictable and vary from person to person; not know. We know it can strike males where compliance with a law passed by Whereas there is no laboratory test avail- and females of all ages, races and Congress is challenged. able for multiple sclerosis; ethnicities. Today, approximately I urge all of my colleagues to support Whereas multiple sclerosis is not genetic, 400,000 Americans live with this disease this measure, so that veterans seeking contagious, or directly inherited, but studies and about 2.5 million people have been justice may have an appropriate forum show there are genetic factors that indicate diagnosed worldwide. Every week, an- to challenge the VA’s compliance with certain individuals are susceptible to the dis- ease; other 200 people are diagnosed and it is governing statutes. estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- Whereas multiple sclerosis symptoms occur when an immune system attack affects children and adolescents have MS. sent that the text of the bill be printed the myelin, destroying it and replacing it The exact cause of multiple sclerosis in the RECORD. with scar tissue and severing nerve fibers is still unknown and its symptoms are There being no objection, the text of interfering with the transmission of nerve unpredictable, varying from person to the bill was ordered to be printed in signals; person. We have no laboratory test the RECORD, as follows: Whereas in rare cases multiple sclerosis is that will tell us if someone has mul- S. 2737 so progressive it is fatal; tiple sclerosis. This disease is not ge- Whereas there is no known cure for mul- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- tiple sclerosis; and netic, contagious, or directly inherited, resentatives of the United States of America in Whereas March 2008 is recognized as Na- but studies show there are genetic fac- Congress assembled, tional Multiple Sclerosis Education and tors that indicate certain individuals SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it are susceptible to the disease. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans’ Resolved, That the Senate— Multiple sclerosis symptoms occur Rating Schedule Review Act’’. (1) supports the goals and ideals of Na- when an immune system attack affects SEC. 2. REVIEW BY UNITED STATES COURT OF tional Multiple Sclerosis Education and the myelin, destroying it and replacing APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS OF Awareness Month; it with scar tissue and severing nerve COMPLIANCE OF SCHEDULE OF RAT- (2) invites the chief executive officers of INGS FOR DISABILITIES WITH STAT- fibers, thus interfering with the trans- UTORY REQUIREMENTS APPLICA- the States, territories, and possessions of the mission of nerve signals. There is as BLE TO ENTITLEMENT TO DIS- United States to issue proclamations desig- ABILITY COMPENSATION. nating March 2008 as National Multiple Scle- yet no known cure for multiple scle- Section 7252(b) of title 38, United States rosis Education and Awareness Month and rosis. MS can be an especially dev- Code, is amended— recognizing the goals and ideals of National astating disease as it is often diagnosed (1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(b)’’; Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness in young adults who are just setting (2) by striking the third sentence; and Month; out on their own, beginning their per- (3) by adding at the end the following new (3) commends the efforts of the States, ter- sonal and professional lives. While MS paragraph: ritories, and possessions of the United is not a fatal disease, it is a noncur- ‘‘(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph States, localities, non-profit organizations, able, sometimes progressive disease (B), the Court may not review the schedule businesses, and other entities and the people that can affect every aspect of life. of the United States who support the goals of ratings for disabilities adopted under sec- Because MS is an unpredictable dis- tion 1155 of this title or any action of the and ideals of National Multiple Sclerosis Secretary in adopting or revising that sched- Education and Awareness Month; ease, it presents those suffering from it ule. (4) recognizes and reaffirms our Nation’s with many uncertainties about the fu- ‘‘(B) The Court may review whether, and commitment to combating multiple sclerosis ture. For instance, one young con- the extent to which, the schedule of ratings by promoting awareness about its causes and stituent of mine suffering from MS

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.001 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3607 confided that she felt limited in choos- Whereas every dollar spent on water and opment goals as a basis for working co- ing a career, feeling that she needed to sanitation saves on average $9 in costs avert- operatively. To ensure environmental find an occupation that could accom- ed and productivity gained; stability, one of the goals established 1 modate any potential disabilities. In Whereas, at any given time, ⁄2 of the is to reduce by half the proportion of considering employment offers, she not world’s hospital beds are occupied by pa- tients suffering from a water-borne disease; people without sustainable access to only had to consider the merits of the Whereas 88 percent of all diseases are safe drinking water and basic sanita- job itself, but also had to factor in find- caused by unsafe drinking water, inadequate tion by 2015. While some progress has ing employment with someone who sanitation, and poor hygiene; been made, much more remains to be provided adequate insurance coverage Whereas 1,100,000,000 (1 in 6) people lack ac- done. The United Nation’s 2007 Millen- and leave policies, and was also willing cess to an improved water supply; nium Development Goals Report re- to accommodate situations like the Whereas 2,600,000,000 people in the world veals that we are on pace to miss the need for flexible work schedules and lack access to improved sanitation; 2015 target for access to basic sanita- adaptive equipment. Whereas the global celebration of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of tion by over 600 million. MS can also complicate decisions Each day millions of women and girls about personal relationships, marriage, the 1992 United Nations Conference on Envi- ronment and Development in Rio de Janeiro; spend hours traveling miles to trans- and child bearing. Since MS affects Whereas the participants in the 2002 World port water to their homes. In many twice as many women as men, young Summit on Sustainable Development in Jo- cases, the source is polluted. At any women with MS often struggle with hannesburg, including the United States, given time, half of the world’s hospital the decision of whether or not to have agreed to the Plan of Implementation which beds are occupied by patients suffering children who could potentially inherit included an agreement to work to reduce by from waterborne diseases. These dis- the disease. In making such decisions, 1⁄2 from the baseline year 1990 ‘‘the propor- eases are the leading cause of death for they also have to consider options for tion of people who are unable to reach or to caring for those children in the event afford safe drinking water’’, ‘‘and the propor- children under 5. that MS leaves them impaired or dis- tion of people without access to basic sanita- The Senator Paul Simon Water for abled. tion’’ by 2015; and the Poor Act of 2005 set a goal of pro- Because many of the symptoms of Whereas Congress passed and the President viding equal and affordable access to signed into law the Senator Paul Simon clean and safe water and sanitation in MS—like fatigue, pain, vision prob- Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Public Law lems, and numbness of extremities—are developing countries. This access has 109-121), which was intended to ‘‘elevate the long been recognized by the U.S. as a ‘‘invisible’’ to others, people often role of water and sanitation policy in the de- don’t realize the extent to which the velopment of U.S. foreign policy and improve contributing factor to our foreign pol- disease affects those who suffer from it. the effectiveness of U.S. official programs’’: icy interests. More importantly, access For those suffering from MS, some of Now, therefore, be it to clean and safe water is basic human the most important steps they can Resolved, That the Senate— right. take are to seek prompt treatment (1) supports the goals of ideals of ‘‘World We urge our colleagues to support with a physician qualified to address Water Day’’; this important piece of legislation. (2) urges an increased effort and the invest- MS, consider beginning therapy with f one of the FDA approved disease modi- ment of greater resources by the Department of State, the United States Agency for Inter- AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND fying drugs, and develop a supportive national Development, and all relevant Fed- network of family and friends. eral departments and agencies toward pro- PROPOSED The most important thing that we in viding sustainable and equitable access to SA 4147. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an Congress can do for those who have MS safe drinking water and sanitation for the amendment intended to be proposed by him is recognize the scope of this illness, poor and the very poor; and to the concurrent resolution S. Con. Res. 70, which we are doing through this reso- (3) encourages the people of the United setting forth the congressional budget for lution, and resolve to find ways to im- States to observe the week with appropriate the United States Government for fiscal year prove treatments for those suffering activities that promote awareness of the im- 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary from this devastating disease, and ulti- portance of access to clean water. levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through mately, resolve to help find a cure. Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise 2013; which was ordered to lie on the table. today to introduce a resolution sup- SA 4148. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an With this resolution, I also invite the amendment intended to be proposed by him chief executive officers of the States, porting the ideals and goals of World to the concurrent resolution S. Con. Res. 70, territories and possessions of the U.S. Water Day. I am pleased to have my supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. to issue proclamations designating Na- colleague Senator JOHN KERRY joining SA 4149. Mr. REID (for Mr. BINGAMAN) pro- tional Multiple Sclerosis Education me in this cause by serving as the co- posed an amendment to the resolution S. and Awareness Month. sponsor of this resolution. Res. 178, expressing the sympathy of the Sen- March 22 was established as World ate to the families of women and girls mur- SENATE RESOLUTION 478—SUP- Water Day by the United Nations Gen- dered in Guatemala, and encouraging the eral Assembly to promote awareness of United States to work with Guatemala to PORTING THE GOALS AND bring an end to these crimes. the importance of access to clean water IDEALS OF ‘‘WORLD WATER SA 4150. Mr. REID (for Mr. BINGAMAN) pro- DAY’’ and improved sanitation. Over 1 billion posed an amendment to the resolution S. Mr. SMITH (for himself and Mr. people lack access to an improved Res. 178, supra. KERRY) submitted the following resolu- water supply and 2.6 billion people lack SA 4151. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an tion; which was referred to the Com- access to improved sanitation. amendment intended to be proposed by him Activities are planned internation- to the concurrent resolution S. Con. Res. 70, mittee on Foreign Relations: setting forth the congressional budget for S. RES. 478 ally to further the goals and ideals of World Water Day. In many cities the United States Government for fiscal year Whereas the United Nations General As- 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary sembly, via resolution, has designated March across the United States, UNICEF is levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through 22 of each year as World Water Day; sponsoring the Tap Project. Res- 2013; which was ordered to lie on the table. Whereas a person needs 4 to 5 liters of taurants will offer patrons the oppor- SA 4152. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an water per day to survive; tunity to add at least $1 to their amendment intended to be proposed by him Whereas a person can live weeks without checks during the week of March 16. to the concurrent resolution S. Con. Res. 70, food, but only days without water; Each dollar donated will result in a supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. Whereas every 15 seconds a child dies from child receiving clean water for 40 days. f a water-borne disease; Thee are currently 16 featured cities, Whereas, for children under age 5, water- TEXT OF AMENDMENTS borne diseases are the leading cause of death; including Portland, OR, and Boston Whereas millions of women and children MA. SA 4147. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an spend several hours a day collecting water In 2000, the United Nations member amendment intended to be proposed by from distant, often polluted sources; States adopted eight millennium devel- him to the concurrent resolution S.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.001 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3608 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 Con. Res. 70, setting forth the congres- resolution S. Res. 178, expressing the agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, sional budget for the United States sympathy of the Senate to the families the motions to reconsider be laid on Government for fiscal year 2009 and in- of women and girls murdered in Guate- the table, that there be no intervening cluding the appropriate budgetary lev- mala, and encouraging the United action or debate, and that any state- els for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 States to work with Guatemala to ments relating to this matter be print- through 2013; which was ordered to lie bring an end to these crimes; as fol- ed in the RECORD. on the table; as follows: lows: The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without On page 18, line 16, increase the amount by Strike the third whereas clause of the pre- objection, it is so ordered. $2,000,000. amble and insert the following: The concurrent resolution (S. Con. On page 18, line 17, increase the amount by Whereas, while the overall murder rate in Res. 66) was agreed to. $1,000,000. Guatemala has increased substantially, the The preamble was agreed to. On page 18, line 21, increase the amount by rate at which women have been murdered in The concurrent resolution, with its $1,000,000. Guatemala has increased at an alarming preamble, reads as follows: On page 27, line 16, decrease the amount by rate, almost doubling from 2001 to 2006; $2,000,000. S. CON. RES. 66 On page 27, line 17, decrease the amount by SA 4151. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an Whereas 2008 marks the 175th anniversary $1,000,000. amendment intended to be proposed by of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and On page 27, line 21, decrease the amount by him to the concurrent resolution S. Commerce between the United States and $1,000,000. Con. Res. 70, setting forth the congres- the Kingdom of Thailand in 1833, during President Andrew Jackson’s administration SA 4148. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an sional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009 and in- and the reign of King Rama III, and the com- amendment intended to be proposed by mencement of the relationship between the 2 him to the concurrent resolution S. cluding the appropriate budgetary lev- countries; Con. Res. 70, setting forth the congres- els for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 Whereas Thailand was the first treaty ally sional budget for the United States through 2013; which was ordered to lie of the United States in the Asia-Pacific re- Government for fiscal year 2009 and in- on the table; as follows: gion and remains a steadfast friend with On page 55, line 18, after the word ‘‘pro- shared values of freedom, democracy, and cluding the appropriate budgetary lev- liberty; els for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 gram’’ insert ‘‘or increasing Federal student loan limits’’. Whereas, in December 2003, the United through 2013; which was ordered to lie States designated Thailand as a major ally on the table; as follows: SA 4152. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- On page 19, line 16, increase the amount by amendment intended to be proposed by tion, which improved the security of both $71,000,000. him to the concurrent resolution S. countries, particularly by facilitating joint On page 19, line 17, increase the amount by Con. Res. 70, setting forth the congres- counterterrorism efforts; $54,000,000. Whereas, for more than a quarter century, On page 19, line 21, increase the amount by sional budget for the United States Thailand has been the host country of Cobra $12,000,000. Government for fiscal year 2009 and in- Gold, the United States Pacific Command’s On page 19, line 25, increase the amount by cluding the appropriate budgetary lev- annual multinational military training exer- $3,000,000. els for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 cise, designed to ensure regional peace and On page 20, line 4, increase the amount by through 2013; which was ordered to lie promote regional security cooperation; $1,000,000. on the table; as follows: Whereas, in the wake of the tragic 2004 tsu- On page 27, line 16, decrease the amount by nami, the United States and Thailand On page 55, line 18, after the word ‘‘pro- $71,000,000. launched joint relief operations from gram’’ insert ‘‘or increasing Federal student On page 27, line 17, decrease the amount by Utapao, Thailand, strengthening the overall loan limits’’. $54,000,000. capacity of the forces involved in providing On page 27, line 21, decrease the amount by f relief and setting the model for effective hu- $12,000,000. PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR manitarian operations throughout the entire On page 27, line 25, decrease the amount by region affected by the deadly tsunami; $3,000,000. Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask Whereas Thailand is a key partner of the On page 28, line 4, decrease the amount by unanimous consent that Lindsey Miller United States in Southeast Asia and has sup- $1,000,000. of my office be granted the privilege of ported closer relations between the United the floor for the duration of the debate States and the Association of Southeast Mr. REID (for Mr. BINGA- SA 4149. on the budget resolution. Asian Nations; MAN) proposed an amendment to the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Whereas, on June 22, 2006, Congress agreed resolution S. Res. 178, expressing the objection, it is so ordered. to House Concurrent Resolution 409, 109th sympathy of the Senate to the families Congress, commemorating the 60th anniver- of women and girls murdered in Guate- f sary of the ascension to the throne of His mala, and encouraging the United COMMEMORATING THE 175TH ANNI- Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thai- States to work with Guatemala to VERSARY OF THE SPECIAL RE- land; Whereas, on December 5, 2007, the people of bring an end to these crimes; as fol- LATIONSHIP BETWEEN U.S. AND Thailand celebrated the 80th birthday of His lows: THAILAND Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the On page 5, strike line 7 through line 11, and Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent world’s longest-serving monarch, who is insert the following: that the Committee on Foreign Rela- loved and respected for his lifelong dedica- (4) urges the Government of Guatemala to tions be discharged from further con- tion to the social and economic development strengthen laws with respect to domestic vi- sideration of S. Con. Res. 66. of the people of Thailand; olence and sexual harassment, to improve Whereas, on December 23, 2007, the Royal the integrity of the prosecutorial and judi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Thai Government held nationwide par- cial systems, and to provide the resources objection, it is so ordered. liamentary elections that are paving the way and commitment necessary to adequately The clerk will report the concurrent for a successful return of democracy to Thai- enforce justice for crimes against women; resolution by title. land; On page 5, insert ‘‘continue to’’ before ‘‘in- The bill clerk read as follows: Whereas approximately 500,000 people of corporate’’ in line 13. A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 66) Thai descent live in the United States, join- On page 5, insert ‘‘continue to’’ after ‘‘en- commemorating the 175th anniversary of the ing in the pursuit of the American Dream; courages the Secretary of State to’’ in line commencement of the special relationship Whereas Thailand is the 20th largest trad- 18. between the United States and the Kingdom ing partner of the United States, with bilat- On page 7, beginning in line 7, strike ‘‘all of Thailand. eral trade totaling approximately instances of improper investigatory meth- There being no objection, the Senate $30,600,000,000 per year; and ods’’ and insert ‘‘instances of failure to in- Whereas the bonds of friendship and mu- vestigate and prosecute crimes’’. proceeded to consider the concurrent tual respect between the United States and resolution. Thailand are strong: Now, therefore, be it SA 4150. Mr. REID (for Mr. BINGA- Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- MAN) proposed an amendment to the that the concurrent resolution be resentatives concurring), That Congress—

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:20 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S10MR8.001 S10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3609 (1) commemorates the 175th anniversary of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without The resolution, as amended, with its relations between the United States and the objection, it is so ordered. preamble, as amended, will be printed Kingdom of Thailand; The clerk will report the resolution in a future edition of the RECORD. (2) offers sincere congratulations to the by title. Kingdom of Thailand and the people of Thai- The bill clerk read as follows: f land for the democratic, free, and fair elec- A resolution (S. Res. 178) expressing the tions held on December 23, 2007; sympathy of the Senate to the families of ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 11, (3) commemorates the 80th birthday of His women and girls murdered in Guatemala, Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thai- 2008 and encouraging the United States to work land and offers sincere congratulations and with Guatemala to bring an end to these Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- best wishes for the continued prosperity of crimes. imous consent that when the Senate the Kingdom of Thailand; and There being no objection, the Senate completes its business today, it stand (4) looks forward to continued, enduring adjourned until tomorrow, March 11, at ties of friendship between the peoples of proceeded to consider the resolution. Thailand and the United States. Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent 10 a.m.; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be f that the amendment at the desk be agreed to; the resolution, as amended, approved to date, the morning hour be MEASURES READ THE FIRST be agreed to; the amendment to the deemed expired, the time for the two TIME—S. 2738 AND S. 2739 preamble be agreed to; the preamble, leaders be reserved for their use later Mr. REID. It is my understanding as amended, be agreed to; the motions in the day, the Senate proceed to a pe- there are two bills at the desk due for to reconsider be laid upon the table riod of morning business for up to 1 their first reading. with no intervening action or debate; hour, with Senators permitted to speak The PRESIDING OFFICER. The and that any statements relating to therein for up to 10 minutes each and clerk will report the bills by title. the measure be printed in the RECORD. the time equally divided and controlled The bill clerk read as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without between the two leaders or their des- A bill (S. 2738) to identify and remove objection, it is so ordered. ignees, with the Republicans control- criminal aliens incarcerated in correctional The amendment (No. 4149) was agreed ling the first half and the majority facilities in the United States and for other to, as follows: controlling the final half; that fol- purposes. On page 5, strike line 7 through line 11, and lowing morning business, the Senate A bill (S. 2739) to authorize certain pro- insert the following: resume consideration of S. Con. Res. 70, grams and activities in the Department of (4) urges the Government of Guatemala to the concurrent resolution on the budg- strengthen laws with respect to domestic vi- the Interior, the Forest Service, and the De- et. But the time, as we have already partment of Energy, to implement further olence and sexual harassment, to improve entered in the RECORD, until 2:15 is for the Act approving the Covenant to Establish the integrity of the prosecutorial and judi- a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana cial systems, and to provide the resources debate only regarding the budget reso- Islands in Political Union with the United and commitment necessary to adequately lution—we have already gotten consent States of America, to amend the Compact of enforce justice for crimes against women; that the recess be from 12:30 to 2:15 for Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, On page 5, insert ‘‘continue to’’ before ‘‘in- the weekly caucus lunches—and that and for other purposes. corporate’’ in line 13. all time during any morning business On page 5, insert ‘‘continue to’’ after ‘‘en- Mr. REID. I now ask for their second courages the Secretary of State to’’ in line period count against the time allotted reading en bloc but I object to my own 18. for the budget resolution. So that order request en bloc. On page 7, beginning in line 7, strike ‘‘all has already been entered. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- instances of improper investigatory meth- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without tion is heard. ods’’ and insert ‘‘instances of failure to in- objection, it is so ordered. vestigate and prosecute crimes’’. The bills will receive their second reading on the next legislative day. The amendment (No. 4150) was agreed f to, as follows: f Strike the third whereas clause of the pre- ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF amble and insert the following: TOMORROW THE SENATE TO FAMILIES OF Whereas, while the overall murder rate in Guatemala has increased substantially, the Mr. REID. If there is no further busi- WOMEN AND GIRLS MURDERED ness to come before the Senate, I ask IN GUATEMALA rate at which women have been murdered in Guatemala has increased at an alarming unanimous consent that the Senate Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent rate, almost doubling from 2001 to 2006; stand adjourned under the previous that the Committee on Foreign Rela- The resolution (S. Res. 178), as order. tions be discharged from further con- amended, was agreed to. There being no objection, the Senate, sideration of S. Res. 178 and the Senate The preamble, as amended, was at 7:19 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, proceed to its consideration. agreed to. March 11, 2008, at 10 a.m.

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The House met at 12:30 p.m. and was according to past experiences and ever- INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION called to order by the Speaker pro tem- present pressures. Help us, Lord, to see ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008— pore (Ms. HIRONO). how our attitude guides any attempt to VETO MESSAGE FROM THE f form relationships or pattern progress PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED for ourselves and the Nation. STATES (H. DOC. NO. 110–100) DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO Most often, Lord, this unconscious The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- TEMPORE attitude places an emphasis either fore the House the following veto mes- The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- upon the principle of duality or upon sage from the President of the United fore the House the following commu- the principle of unity. Either we view States: nication from the Speaker: everyone and everything as a com- To the House of Representatives: bative conquest or a realized connec- WASHINGTON, DC, I am returning herewith without my March 10, 2008. tion. Every moment we approach the approval H.R. 2082, the ‘‘Intelligence I hereby appoint the Honorable MAZIE K. whole universe through a cultivation of Authorization Act for Fiscal Year HIRONO to act as Speaker pro tempore on controlling power or through growth in 2008.’’ The bill would impede the United this day. sympathy. States Government’s efforts to protect NANCY PELOSI, Once we know there are no winners the American people effectively from Speaker of the House of Representatives. or losers, the game never ends. It is all terrorist attacks and other threats be- f a matter of attitude. Life is either a cause it imposes several unnecessary competitive struggle or a simple joy MORNING-HOUR DEBATE and unacceptable burdens on our Intel- both now and forever. Amen. ligence Community. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- f Section 444 of the bill would impose ant to the order of the House of Janu- THE JOURNAL additional Senate confirmation re- ary 4, 2007, the Chair will now recog- quirements on two national security nize Members from lists submitted by The SPEAKER pro tempore. The positions—the Director of the National the majority and minority leaders for Chair has examined the Journal of the Security Agency and the Director of morning-hour debate. last day’s proceedings and announces the National Reconnaissance Office. The Chair will alternate recognition to the House her approval thereof. The National Commission on Terrorist between the parties, with each party Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 limited to 30 minutes and each Mem- nal stands approved. Commission) observed that the effec- ber, other than the majority and mi- f tiveness of the Intelligence Community nority leaders and the minority whip, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE suffers due to delays in the confirma- limited to 5 minutes. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the tion process; section 444 would only ag- f gentleman from Missouri (Mr. gravate those serious problems. Senior intelligence officials need to assume RECESS CARNAHAN) come forward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. their duties and responsibilities as The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. CARNAHAN led the Pledge of Al- quickly as possible to address the ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair legiance as follows: pressing requirements of national secu- declares the House in recess until 2 rity. Instead of addressing the 9/11 I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the p.m. today. United States of America, and to the Repub- Commission’s concern, the bill would Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 33 lic for which it stands, one nation under God, subject two additional vital positions minutes p.m.), the House stood in re- indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. to a more protracted process of Senate cess until 2 p.m. f confirmation. Apart from causing such f potentially harmful delays, this unwar- COMMUNICATION FROM THE ranted requirement for Senate con- b 1400 CLERK OF THE HOUSE firmation would also risk injecting po- The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- AFTER RECESS litical pressure into these positions of fore the House the following commu- technical expertise and public trust. The recess having expired, the House nication from the Clerk of the House of Section 413 would create a new In- was called to order by the Speaker pro Representatives: spector General for the Intelligence tempore (Ms. HIRONO) at 2 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Community. This new office is duplica- f Washington, DC, March 8, 2008. tive and unnecessary. Each intel- Hon. NANCY PELOSI, ligence community component already PRAYER The Speaker, The Capitol, House of Representa- has an Inspector General, and the In- The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. tives, Washington, DC. spector General of the Office of the Di- DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: Pursuant to the Coughlin, offered the following prayer: permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II rector of National Intelligence has Today at the beginning of another of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- been vested with all the legal powers of week of time and work, we stand before tives, I have the honor to transmit a sealed any inspector general to carry out in- You, Lord God of the universe. We also envelope received from the White House on vestigations on matters under the ju- stand before the world community. March 8, 2008, at 11 :30 a.m. and said to con- risdiction of the Director of National There is no way of separating ourselves tain a message from the President whereby Intelligence. There is no reason to from this reality. he returns without his approval, H.R. 2082, commit taxpayer resources to an addi- The truth of our living today and the the ‘‘Intelligence Authorization Act for Fis- tional inspector general with com- cal Year 2008.’’ ensuing week is dependent upon our at- With best wishes, I am peting jurisdiction over the same intel- titude of mind toward the world we live Sincerely, ligence elements. Creating duplicative in. This attitude is a matter of habit, LORRAINE C. MILLER, inspectors general, who may have in- dealing with others and circumstances Clerk of the House. consistent views on the handling of

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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In addition, the creation duct a separate, lawful intelligence (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was of a new inspector general would add program, and from taking all lawful ac- given permission to address the House yet another position in the Intelligence tions necessary to protect Americans for 1 minute and to revise and extend Community subject to Senate con- from attack. his remarks.) firmation, contrary to the 9/11 Commis- Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, a Other provisions of the bill purport week ago Friday, the market dropped sion’s recommendations. to require the executive branch to sub- 400-plus points, and the Air Force an- Section 327 of the bill would harm mit information to the Congress that our national security by requiring any nounced its award of a refueling air- may be constitutionally protected from craft contract to foreign-based Airbus element of the Intelligence Community disclosure, including information the to use only the interrogation methods over U.S.-based Boeing. At a time when disclosure of which could impair for- we are working on national economic authorized in the Army Field Manual eign relations, the national security, on Interrogations. It is vitally impor- stimulus plans for our sagging econ- the deliberative processes of the Execu- omy, outsourcing vital defense work tant that the Central Intelligence tive, or the performance of the Execu- and good-paying jobs raises questions Agency (CIA) be allowed to maintain a tive’s constitutional duties. Section that are both troubling and alarming. separate and classified interrogation 326, for example, would require that the Their decision to reward foreign inter- program. The Army Field Manual is di- executive branch report, on a very ests by spending $40 billion abroad has rected at guiding the actions of nearly short deadline and in accordance with been ridiculed. Many today are still three million active duty and reserve a rigid set of specific statutory require- shaking their heads. It reminds me of a military personnel in connection with ments, the details of highly classified time not long ago when we were being the detention of lawful combatants interrogation techniques and the con- asked to relinquish control of our during the course of traditional armed fidential legal advice concerning them. ports. This latest debacle doesn’t make conflicts, but terrorists often are The executive branch voluntarily has sense, and it is not good for our coun- trained specifically to resist tech- provided much of this information to try. niques prescribed in publicly available appropriate Members of Congress, dem- Air Force officials have agreed to military regulations such as the Man- onstrating that questions concerning move up a debriefing with Boeing offi- ual. The CIA’s ability to conduct a sep- access to such information are best ad- cials to explain why they would arate and specialized interrogation pro- dressed through the customary prac- outsource the construction of 179 aerial gram for terrorists who possess the tices and arrangements between the ex- tankers abroad. Adding insult to in- most critical information in the War ecutive and legislative branches on jury, many believe the Air Force deci- on Terror has helped the United States such matters, rather than through the sion will end up actually buying a more prevent a number of attacks, including enactment of legislation. costly and less capable aircraft. Many Members are disturbed by what plots to fly passenger airplanes into In addition, section 406 would require has transpired as a result of this deal. the Library Tower in Los Angeles and a consolidated inventory of Special Ac- It degrades our national defense indus- into Heathrow Airport or buildings in cess Programs (SAPs) to be submitted try. It diminishes economic develop- downtown London. While details of the to the Congress. Special Access Pro- current CIA program are classified, the ment opportunities and jobs here at grams concern the most sensitive in- home. When will we insist on putting Attorney General has reviewed it and formation maintained by the Govern- determined that it is lawful under ex- America’s interests first? This Con- ment, and SAP materials are main- gress should act swiftly and respon- isting domestic and international law, tained separately precisely to avoid the including Common Article 3 of the Ge- sibly to review and to stop this ques- existence of one document that can tionable contract award. neva Conventions. I remain committed serve as a roadmap to our Nation’s f to an intelligence-gathering program most vital information. The executive that complies with our legal obliga- branch must be permitted to present JUDGES’ HALL OF SHAME— tions and our basic values as a people. this information in a manner that does MARILYN MACKEL The United States opposes torture, and not jeopardize national security. The (Mr. POE asked and was given per- I remain committed to following inter- executive branch will continue to keep mission to address the House for 1 national and domestic law regarding the Congress appropriately informed of minute.) the humane treatment of people in its the matters to which the provisions re- Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, judges custody, including the ‘‘Detainee late in accordance with the accommo- should keep politics out of their judi- Treatment Act of 2005.’’ dation principles the Constitution con- cial decisions, but not so with Cali- My disagreement over section 327 is templates and the executive and legis- fornia Judge Marilyn Mackel. She is a not over any particular interrogation lative branches have long and success- loud opponent of U.S. liberation of technique; for instance, it is not over fully used to address information shar- Iraq. So when Shawn Sage, a foster waterboarding, which is not part of the ing on matters of national security. child of 17, appeared before her to ob- current CIA program. Rather, my con- GEORGE W. BUSH. tain permission to early enlist in the cern is the need to maintain a separate THE WHITE HOUSE, March 8, 2008. United States Marine Corps, she sum- CIA program that will shield from dis- marily denounced his request and told closure to al Qaeda and other terrorists The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ob- jections of the President will be spread him she was opposed to the war in Iraq. the interrogation techniques they may Shawn appeared in court with his at large upon the Journal, and the veto face upon capture. In accordance with supporting foster parents just to be in- message and the bill will be printed as a clear purpose of the ‘‘Military Com- sulted by a judge who makes decisions missions Act of 2006,’’ my veto is in- a House document. based on politics. Judge Mackel is a re- tended to allow the continuation of a Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I peat offender, however. Judge ‘‘Gone separate and classified CIA interroga- ask unanimous consent that further Wild’’ Mackel has shown prejudice tion program that the Department of consideration of the veto message and against the military before when she Justice has determined is lawful and the bill be postponed until Tuesday, prevented a foster child from joining that operates according to rules dis- March 11, 2008. the United States Navy, all because of tinct from the more general rules ap- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there a political bias. plicable to the Department of Defense. objection to the request of the gen- As a former judge, it appears to me While I will continue to work with the tleman from Iowa? the abuse of power by this anti-Amer- Congress on the implementation of There was no objection. ican military, peacenik judge is the

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Judge Mackel is the and counting, this Congress has al- ance with the subpoena is inconsistent with newest member of the Judges’ Hall of lowed the quality of our surveillance the precedents and privileges of the House. Shame. programs to erode. As a result, our in- Sincerely, And that’s just the way it is. telligence agencies have lost critical SILVESTRE REYES, f tools in the war on terror and are left Chairman. potentially blind to lethal terrorist f ECONOMIC STIMULUS plots. In light of these dangers, Demo- (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER crat leaders are facing a chorus of PRO TEMPORE given permission to address the House Members demanding action on the bi- for 1 minute and to revise and extend partisan Senate-passed surveillance The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- his remarks.) bill. ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- Madam Speaker, it is time that we will postpone further proceedings er, I voted for the President’s economic bring this bill to the floor. The Demo- today on motions to suspend the rules stimulus package, and I think it is crat chairman of the Senate Intel- on which a recorded vote or the yeas going to actually help some people, but ligence Committee has said that pass- and nays are ordered, or on which the not nearly enough. In my city and in ing this legislation is the right way to vote is objected to under clause 6 of other major cities throughout the go in terms of the security of our Na- rule XX. country, unemployment among young tion. In the House, over 20 Democrats Record votes on postponed questions people is at an all-time high. have publicly urged Speaker PELOSI to will be taken after 6:30 p.m. today. For example, in Chicago, more than bring the bill up for a vote. In fact, it f 50 percent of the young African Amer- seems that the Democrat leadership ican males between the ages of 16 and NATIONAL 9–1–1 EDUCATION will not bring this bill up precisely be- 22 do not go to school and do not work. MONTH cause they know it will pass. We want to stimulate the economy. Madam Speaker, enough is enough. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- Let us put young people to work, and I We have floated temporary patches and er, I move to suspend the rules and guarantee that will help. Band-Aids for months. It is time to get agree to the resolution (H. Res. 537) ex- f serious about our national security. It pressing support for the designation and goals of ‘‘National 9–1–1 Education FISA is time to bring a permanent fix to FISA and to a vote on this floor. Month’’, and for other purposes, as (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina amended. asked and was given permission to ad- f The Clerk read the title of the resolu- dress the House for 1 minute and to re- COMMUNICATION FROM THE tion. vise and extend his remarks.) CLERK OF THE HOUSE The text of the resolution is as fol- Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- lows: Madam Speaker, for over 20 days, the H. RES. 537 majority leadership in this House has fore the House the following commu- Whereas 9–1–1 is nationally recognized as refused to bring a permanent fix to the nication from the Clerk of the House of Representatives: the number to call in an emergency to re- Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ceive immediate help from police, fire, emer- OFFICE OF THE CLERK, to the floor. Everyone knows that the gency medical services, or other appropriate HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, bill which passed the Senate would emergency response entities; Washington, DC, March 7, 2008. pass the House with bipartisan support. Whereas in 1967, the President’s Commis- Hon. NANCY PELOSI, sion on Law Enforcement and Administra- Yet, we have seen no action on the part The Speaker, House of Representatives, The tion of Justice recommended that a ‘‘single of the majority. We need to send a Capitol, Washington, DC. number should be established’’ nationwide clear message to our law enforcement, DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: Pursuant to the to our military, and to our intelligence permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II for reporting emergency situations, and community that they will have every of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- other Federal Government agencies and var- tives, the Clerk received the following mes- ious governmental officials also supported lawful resource necessary to do their and encouraged the recommendation; jobs and to protect American families. sage from the Secretary of the Senate on March 7, 2008, at 3:20 p.m.: Whereas in 1968, the American Telephone We need to send a clear message to our That the Senate passed S. 2733. and Telegraph Company (AT&T) announced friends and to our enemies that Amer- Appointments: that it would establish the digits 9–1–1 as the ica will do everything possible to stop Public Interest Declassification Board. emergency code throughout the United those who have declared war on all With best wishes, I am States; Americans anywhere, anytime. It is Sincerely, Whereas 9–1–1 was designated by Congress misguided to obstruct our ability to LORRAINE C. MILLER, as the national emergency call number under track our enemies out of an unfounded Clerk of the House. the Wireless Communications and Public fear that our intelligence community f Safety Act of 1999 (Public Law 106–81); Whereas the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 has the intent and the time to go spy- COMMUNICATION FROM THE HON- (Public Law 108–494) established enhanced 9– ing on everyday Americans. The origi- ORABLE SILVESTRE REYES, 1–1 as ‘‘a high national priority’’ as part of nal FISA law addresses those concerns. MEMBER OF CONGRESS our Nation’s homeland security and public This fix to FISA is about tracking po- The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- safety; tential terrorists overseas and not pun- Whereas it is important that policy mak- fore the House the following commu- ishing individuals and businesses that ers at all levels of government understand nication from the Honorable SILVESTRE would cooperate with our government. the importance of 9–1–1, how the system In conclusion, God bless our troops, REYES, Member of Congress: works today, and the steps that are needed and we will never forget September the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, PER- to modernize the 9–1–1 system; 11th. MANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON IN- Whereas the 9–1–1 system is the connection TELLIGENCE, between the eyes and ears of the public and f Washington, DC, March 6, 2008. emergency responders, and is a significant THE EXPIRATION OF THE Hon. NANCY PELOSI, homeland security asset; PROTECT AMERICA ACT Speaker, House of Representatives, Whereas there are over 6,000 9–1–1 public Washington, DC. safety answering points (PSAPs) serving (Ms. FALLIN asked and was given DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: This is to notify more than 3,000 counties and parishes permission to address the House for 1 you formally, pursuant to Rule VIII of the throughout the United States;

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Whereas PSAPs answer more than from Georgia (Mr. WESTMORELAND) tem more efficient, reliable and well- 200,000,000 9–1–1 calls each year in the United each will control 20 minutes. known, let us do our part in elevating States, and a growing number of 9–1–1 calls The Chair recognizes the gentleman the importance of the numbers 9–1–1 by are made using wireless and Internet Pro- from Illinois. tocol-based communications services; passing the measure at hand, which ex- Whereas a growing segment of the popu- GENERAL LEAVE presses the support of the entire House lation, including the deaf, hard of hearing, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- of Representatives for the designation and deaf-blind, and individuals with speech er, I ask unanimous consent that all and goals of National 9–1–1 Month. disabilities, are increasingly communicating Members may have 5 legislative days Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- with nontraditional text, video, and instant in which to revise and extend their re- ance of my time. messaging communications services, and an- marks. ticipate that these services will be able to Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam connect directly to 9–1–1; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Speaker, I yield myself as much time Whereas the growth and variety of means objection to the request of the gen- as I may consume. of communication, including mobile and tleman from Illinois? I rise today in support of this resolu- Internet Protocol-based systems, impose There was no objection. tion expressing support for the designa- challenges for accessing 9–1–1 and imple- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Now I would tion and goals of National 9–1–1 Edu- menting enhanced 9–1–1, and require in- yield myself such time as I might con- cation Month. Every day across this creased education and awareness about their sume. capabilities and limitations; great Nation, lives are saved thanks to As a member of the House Committee this simple, yet vital, support service. Whereas numerous other N–1–1 and 800 on Oversight and Government Reform, number services exist for non-emergency sit- Recommended in 1967 by the Presi- uations, including 2–1–1, 3–1–1, 5–1–1, 7–1–1, 8– I am pleased to join my colleagues in dent’s Commission on Law Enforce- 1–1, poison control centers, and mental the consideration of H. Res. 537, as ment and Administration of Justice health hotlines, and the public needs to be amended, which expresses the House’s and established a year later by AT&T, educated on when to use these services in ad- support for the designation and goals dition to or instead of 9–1–1; 9–1–1 has continued to evolve as an in- of National 9–1–1 Month. tegral part of America’s vital emer- Whereas international visitors and individ- H. Res. 537 was introduced by Rep- uals immigrating to the United States make gency response and homeland security. resentative ANNA ESHOO of the great up an increasing part of the Nation’s popu- Each year over 200 million calls are re- State of California on July 11, 2007, and lation in any given year, and such visitors ceived by the 6,000-plus public safety has the support and cosponsorship of and individuals may have limited knowledge answering points across the country. nearly 60 Members of Congress. Upon of our emergency calling system; These calls come from people of all introduction, the measure was referred Whereas people of all ages use 9–1–1, and it walks of life, young and old, wealthy is critical to educate members of the public to the Committee on Oversight and and poor. As this service is a vital ac- of all ages on the proper use of 9–1–1; Government Reform where it was cess point for the public to reach a pub- Whereas thousands of 9–1–1 calls are made passed by the panel by voice vote after lic safety official during a time of need, every year by children properly trained in having been amended on February 26, the use of 9–1–1, resulting in lives saved, and it is critical that we continue to edu- 2008. which, in turn, underscores the critical im- cate our citizens on the services 9–1–1 Madam Speaker, it is only fitting portance of training children early in life provides and the appropriate uses of that we consider this resolution today, about 9–1–1; the number. as it makes the important point of Whereas there is a need to reduce the wide- We must also continue to modernize spread misuse of the 9–1–1 system, including highlighting National 9–1–1 Month as a prank and non-emergency calls, which can way of reminding everybody of the sig- this vital tool. There is a growing pop- result in costly and inefficient use of 9–1–1 nificance these three small numbers ulation of citizens, otherwise unable to and emergency response resources; hold in times of emergency and dis- communicate clearly, who are learning Whereas we as a Nation should strive to tress. to communicate through new tech- host at least 1 educational event in every Whether young or old, the number 9– nologies such as text, video, and in- school in the country each year regarding stant messaging. We should strive to the proper use of 9–1–1; 1–1, which had its first debut back in 1968 when AT&T, under the encourage- connect the use of emerging tech- Whereas an established National 9–1–1 Edu- nologies to the 9–1–1 system. cation Month could include public awareness ment of Congress, established the dig- events, including conferences and media out- its as the Nation’s emergency tele- Madam Speaker, once again, in- reach, training activities for parents, teach- phone number, is known by most creased awareness and understanding ers, school administrators, care givers, chil- Americans as the number to ring when of this service will help save lives and dren, the elderly, and businesses; educational someone needs a fire, police, or ambu- increase national security. For this events in schools and other appropriate lance response right away because of a reason, I support this resolution and venues; and production and distribution of ask that my colleagues do the same. educational content on 9–1–1 designed to edu- threat to health, safety, or property. cate people of all ages on the importance and There are countless stories that I am Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I’m proud to proper use of 9–1–1; and sure we can all recall where children as have sponsored this Resolution to establish a Whereas Americans deserve the finest the young as 3 or 4 have remembered to National 9–1–1 Education Month. Nation can offer in 9–1–1 education: Now, pick up the phone and dial the numer- Forty years ago President Johnson’s Com- therefore, be it ical sequence of 9–1–1, thereby saving mission on Law Enforcement and Justice rec- Resolved, That the House of Representa- ommended that a single, nationwide telephone tives— the lives of parents, grandparents, (1) supports the designation of an appro- caretakers, and siblings. number be established for reporting emer- priate month as ‘‘National 9–1–1 Education Further, urging support for National gencies—9–1–1. Since then, 9–1–1 has been Month’’ and the goals of such designation; 9–1–1 Month education would be futile used by millions of people across the country and if we failed to mention the commit- to quickly and efficiently contact their local fire (2) requests that the President issue a ment and diligence of the thousands of and police departments, as well as report proclamation— persons that serve on the other end of emergencies in their communities. Over 200 (A) designating a month as ‘‘National 9–1– the 9–1–1 line. By simply doing their million emergency calls are made each year 1 Education Month’’; and jobs, these 9–1–1 call takers are saving through the 6,000 9–1–1 public safety answer- (B) calling upon Government officials, par- ents, teachers, school administrators, care lives every hour of every day by dis- ing points serving more than 3,000 counties. givers, businesses, nonprofit organizations, patching emergency first responders As the connection between the eyes and and the people of the United States to ob- and by providing verbal support and ears of the public and the emergency re- serve such month with appropriate cere- comfort in some of the most perilous sponse system in the U.S., 9–1–1 answering monies, training events, and activities. moments of our lives. points are often the first to know of emer- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- As localities and communities across gencies caused by natural disasters, to na- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- our great country consistently search tional security threats, making 9–1–1 a vital linois (Mr. DAVIS) and the gentleman for ways to make the 9–1–1 calling sys- homeland security asset. Educating people of

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3614 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 all ages and backgrounds about 9–1–1 is cru- (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, sionate spirit, let us pass without res- cial to the effectiveness of our emergency re- map, regulation, document, paper, or other ervation H.R. 3196 and rename the post- sponse system. It is especially important for record of the United States to the facility re- al facility on Sussex Street in Port ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to Jervis, New York, after this great vulnerable populations like children, the deaf be a reference to the ‘‘E. Arthur Gray Post and the hard of hearing, and those with limited Office Building’’. American citizen. English skills to understand and use. Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- A National 9–1–1 Education Month will en- ance of my time. ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- courage the development of public awareness Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam linois (Mr. DAVIS) and the gentleman events, advertising to the public, targeted out- Speaker, I yield myself such time as I from Georgia (Mr. WESTMORELAND) reach to schools, and training activities for may consume. each will control 20 minutes. parents and teachers. The deaf and hard of Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- The Chair recognizes the gentleman hearing are increasingly using text, video and port of this bill designating the facility from Illinois. instant messaging to access 9–1–1 operators. of the United States Postal Service lo- With such an effective and comprehensive GENERAL LEAVE cated at 20 Sussex Street in Port Jer- emergency network, everyone benefits from Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- vis, New York, as the E. Arthur Gray learning. er, I ask unanimous consent that all Post Office Building. As co-chairs of the E9–1–1 Caucus, Mr. Members may have 5 legislative days A native of Port Jervis, Arthur Gray SHIMKUS and I understand the importance of in which to revise and extend their re- spent a lifetime serving his commu- the 9–1–1 emergency network to the public marks. nity, State, and country. He was well- safety and security of our country and this res- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there known in the community, first as a olution will help to ensure that all Americans objection to the request of the gen- high school basketball star, then as a can access these critical services in an emer- tleman from Illinois? veteran of the Second World War who gency. I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- There was no objection. later became a local funeral home di- porting a National 9–1–1 Education Month. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- rector. Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam er, I yield myself such time as I may Mr. Gray accomplished a lot by the Speaker, I yield back the balance of consume. time he was elected to his first term as my time. As a member of the House Committee mayor of Port Jervis in 1978. Described Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- on Oversight and Government Reform, as generous and always willing to lend er, I have no further requests for time, I stand with my colleagues from the a helping hand, Mayor Gray was the and I would yield back the balance of Empire State of New York in consider- longest serving mayor in the history of my time. ation of H.R. 3196, which renames a Port Jervis, maintaining his position The SPEAKER pro tempore. The postal facility in Port Jervis, New for five and a half terms until 1988, question is on the motion offered by York, in honor of E. Arthur Gray, when he was elected to represent the the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. former mayor and statesman from Or- 34th District in the New York State DAVIS) that the House suspend the ange County, New York. H.R. 3196 en- Senate. rules and agree to the resolution, H. joys the support of the entire congres- His commitment to the community Res. 537, as amended. sional delegation from New York, and extended far beyond his office doors. He The question was taken. was introduced by my colleague Rep- was a former member and chairman of The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the resentative JOHN HALL back on July 26, the Port Jervis Community Develop- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being 2007. The measure was taken up by the ment Agency, a former member of the in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Oversight Committee on February 26, Orange County Economic Development Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam 2008, and was passed by a voice vote. Agency, former chairman of the Na- Speaker, on that I demand the yeas H.R. 3196 calls for honoring E. Arthur tional League of Small Cities Advisory and nays. Gray’s service to his community, Council, and participated in numerous The yeas and nays were ordered. State, and therefore his country by local boards and organizations. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- designating the post office in his home- Sadly, Arthur Gray died on April 10, ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the town of Port Jervis, New York, as the 2007, at the age of 82. A loving husband, Chair’s prior announcement, further E. Arthur Gray Post Office Building. father of two, grandfather, and truly proceedings on this motion will be E. Arthur Gray was Port Jervis’s dedicated public servant, Arthur Gray 1 postponed. longest serving mayor, completing 5 ⁄2 exemplified civic duty and social re- terms from 1978 to 1988. After his ten- f sponsibility. His contributions to his ure as mayor, in 1988 Gray became a community and beyond will not soon b 1430 New York State senator by ousting a be forgotten, and I urge that we accept E. ARTHUR GRAY POST OFFICE 16-year incumbent. Gray represented this bill memorializing the tremendous BUILDING New York’s 39th District during his life of this man. time in the New York legislature. Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- A native and lifelong resident of Port ance of my time. er, I move to suspend the rules and Jervis, Gray began his professional ca- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- pass the bill (H.R. 3196) to designate reer as cofounder and director of Gray- er, I urge passage of this bill and yield the facility of the United States Postal Parker Funeral Home in Port Jervis, back the balance of my time. Service located at 20 Sussex Street in New York, before entering the realm of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Port Jervis, New York, as the ‘‘E. Ar- public service and politics. Well-known question is on the motion offered by thur Gray Post Office Building’’. throughout Orange County, New York, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. The Clerk read the title of the bill. for his stellar high school basketball DAVIS) that the House suspend the The text of the bill is as follows: days at Port Jervis High School and as rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3196. H.R. 3196 a World War II veteran, Gray gave un- The question was taken. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- selfishly of himself by serving as the The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the resentatives of the United States of America in chairman of the Port Jervis Commu- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Congress assembled, nity Development Agency, a member of in the affirmative, the ayes have it. SECTION 1. E. ARTHUR GRAY POST OFFICE the Orange County Economic Develop- Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam BUILDING. ment Agency and as chairman of the Speaker, on that I demand the yeas (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 National League of Small Cities Advi- and nays. Sussex Street in Port Jervis, New York, sory Council. The yeas and nays were ordered. shall be known and designated as the ‘‘E. Ar- Madam Speaker, in honor of E. Ar- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- thur Gray Post Office Building’’. thur Gray’s public service and compas- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3615 Chair’s prior announcement, further and a rural mail carrier for the citizens Madam Speaker, as a member of the proceedings on this motion will be of Lebanon, Missouri. House Committee on Oversight and postponed. Since 1989, Mr. Steve Allee held a Government Reform, I am pleased to f full-time position as a rural carrier at join my colleagues from the great the Lebanon, Missouri, Post Office. He State of Missouri in the consideration STEVE W. ALLEE CARRIER ANNEX was a dedicated employee, a loving of H.R. 4166, which names the postal fa- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- family man to his wife Debbie, his chil- cility in Lebanon, Missouri, after Steve er, I move to suspend the rules and dren and his grandchildren, a member W. Allee, a dedicated and long-serving pass the bill (H.R. 4166) to designate of the Buffalo Prairie Baptist Church, United States postal worker. the facility of the United States Postal and a friend to many. H.R. 4166, which was introduced by Service located at 701 East Copeland Tragically, Madam Speaker, on Au- Representative IKE SKELTON of Mis- Drive in Lebanon, Missouri, as the gust 20, 2007, Mr. Allee was killed in souri on November 13, 2007, was consid- ‘‘Steve W. Allee Carrier Annex’’. the line of duty when his vehicle was ered and reported from the Oversight The Clerk read the title of the bill. swept away by floodwaters in rural Committee on February 26, 2008, by a The text of the bill is as follows: Lebanon. This flash flood was unprece- voice vote. The measure has the sup- H.R. 4166 dented in its magnitude. As Mr. Allee port of the entire congressional delega- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- completed his route, he approached a tion from Missouri and provides us resentatives of the United States of America in country bridge under which a typically with yet another opportunity to pay Congress assembled, dry creekbed usually lies. However, on tribute to an American citizen whose SECTION 1. STEVE W. ALLEE CARRIER ANNEX. this day, the rapidly falling rainwater life was taken while simply performing (a) DESIGNATION.—The facility of the had overtaken the bridge. When Mr. his professional duties of delivering the United States Postal Service located at 701 Allee attempted to cross, his vehicle mail. East Copeland Drive in Lebanon, Missouri, The story of Mr. Allee’s tragic death shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Steve was swept away. W. Allee Carrier Annex’’. Today, I urge the House of Rep- begins on Monday, August 20, 2007, (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, resentatives to honor this man for his where, according to a Missouri State map, regulation, document, paper, or other public service and his commitment to Highway Patrol report, at 2 p.m. in record of the United States to the facility re- his community. Let us pay our respects Laclede County, 10 miles east of Leb- ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to to his personal and postal family by anon, Missouri, a 2003 Chevy Blazer be a reference to the ‘‘Steve W. Allee Carrier designating the facility, the United driven by Steve Allee, 51, of Stoutland, Annex’’. States Postal Service located at 701 Missouri, came upon a flooded roadway The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- East Copeland Drive in Lebanon, Mis- and was swept away as a result of ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- souri, as the Steve W. Allee Carrier flooding on the Missouri River. linois (Mr. DAVIS) and the gentleman Annex. b 1445 from Georgia (Mr. WESTMORELAND) Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam each will control 20 minutes. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I Allee, who was on duty during the ac- The Chair recognizes the gentleman may consume. cident, was found 2 miles downstream from Illinois. In his hometown of Lebanon, Mis- and pronounced dead at the scene. At the urging of Representative GENERAL LEAVE souri, Steve Allee was known not just SKELTON, passage of H.R. 4166 will Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- as a rural postal carrier at the Lebanon allow Congress to make in order a er, I ask unanimous consent that all Post Office, but also as a dear friend small tribute to this big-hearted indi- Members may have 5 legislative days and loving family man. He came from a vidual, a United States postal carrier to revise and extend their remarks. family of letter carriers. His father was himself. Mr. Allee had been delivering The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there a highway contract driver, and his mail since 1989, when he succumbed to objection to the request of the gen- cousin is the postmaster in Stoutland, his death as a result of the Missouri tleman from Illinois? Missouri. There was no objection. Mr. Allee was a dedicated post office River overrunning its banks last fall. Let us also remember and express our Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- employee for over 15 years until the gratitude for the life of this dedicated er, I yield such time as he may con- tragic loss of his life while on the job postal worker, who was tragically sume to the honorable gentleman from on August 20, 2007. On that tragic day, taken from us by a force of nature Missouri (Mr. SKELTON), the author of Mr. Allee was going about his daily while performing his vocation of deliv- this bill. routine of delivering mail until a tor- ering the mail, by passing H.R. 4166. Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I rential rainstorm began. He was at- I want to thank Representative IKE certainly thank the gentleman for tempting to cross a bridge over what is SKELTON for moving to honor this gen- yielding and giving me this oppor- normally a dry creekbed, but due to tleman for the work that he not only tunity. the rainfall, the creek had become did but for the life that he gave. It goes without saying that the flooded. Mr. Allee perished as his vehi- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- United States Postal Service has an cle was washed away in the rush of ance of my time. historic reputation for excellence and water. This serves as an example of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unyielding dedication to the people of how public servants in the course of question is on the motion offered by our Nation. ‘‘Neither snow nor rain nor their everyday duties are sometimes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. heat nor gloom of night stays these thrust into dangerous and, in this case, DAVIS) that the House suspend the carriers from the swift completion of deadly circumstances. rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4166. their appointed rounds’’ are the words We acknowledge Mr. Allee’s service The question was taken. engraved on the outside of the James and his sacrifice. He will be deeply The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the A. Farley Post Office Building in New missed by all the people’s lives that he opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being York City. Every day, thousands of touched. in the affirmative, the ayes have it. postal employees proudly wear the uni- With this, I ask my colleagues to join Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam form of the United States Postal Serv- me in support of this fitting tribute to Speaker, on that I demand the yeas ice with the understanding of the enor- a dedicated postal employee who lost and nays. mity of this commitment. his life in the line of duty. The yeas and nays were ordered. Today, Madam Speaker, I stand be- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- fore the House in support of H.R. 4166, ance of my time. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the a bill I introduced to pay tribute to the Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speak- Chair’s prior announcement, further life of one of those public servants, Mr. er, I yield myself such time as I may proceedings on this motion will be Steven W. Allee of Stoutland, Missouri, consume. postponed.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3616 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 CONGRATULATING IOWA STATE (4) laying the foundation for the modern for 150 years of leadership and service UNIVERSITY FOR 150 YEARS OF plastics industry with polyethylene research to the United States and the world as LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE by Professor Henry Gilman; Iowa’s land-grant university. (5) development of the process still used Iowa State University is not in the Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I today to refine pure rare-earth materials, in- Second District, but it is a very impor- move to suspend the rules and agree to cluding reactor-grade uranium, by Professor tant place to me. The university serves the resolution (H. Res. 924) congratu- Frank Spedding and Harley Wilhelm, as a re- thousands of students across Iowa, lating Iowa State University of Science sult of Iowa State’s key role in the Manhat- helping them prepare for the workforce and Technology for 150 years of leader- tan Project in WWII; (6) development of modern livestock ani- and starting them on the path to suc- ship and service to the United States mal genetics by Professor Jay Lush; and cess. Iowa State is my alma mater. I and the world as Iowa’s land-grant uni- (7) first field-testing of a genetically al- received a first-rate education at the versity, as amended. tered plant (tobacco) in 1987 and genetically university; and although I now rep- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- altered tree (poplar) in 1989 by Professor resent the University of Iowa Hawk- tion. Robert Thornburg; Whereas Iowa State hired one of the first eyes, I am proud to be a Cyclone. The text of the resolution is as fol- Iowa State has many claims to fame. lows: permanent campus artists-in-residence, with sculptor Christian Petersen holding that po- It was the first land-grant institution H. RES. 924 sition from 1934 to 1955 and providing hun- to be coeducational from its opening, Whereas Iowa State University of Science dreds of sculptures and other art objects to with 16 women in its first class. and Technology was established by the Iowa the university, whose Art on Campus collec- Future suffragette Carrie Chapman General Assembly on March 22, 1858, as the tion today includes more than 600 major pub- Catt was an 1880 graduate. George Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm lic works of art; Washington Carver was the first Afri- in response to the State of Iowa’s desire to Whereas Iowa State has had a technology can American student, earning a bach- provide higher education opportunities to transfer office since 1935, longer than all but elor’s degree in 1894 and a master’s de- farm families and working classes in Iowa, one other university in the United States, predating the passage of the Federal Morrill and is acknowledged today as a leader in gree in 1896 and was also the institu- Act by 4 years; putting technology to work, being cited as a tion’s first African American faculty Whereas on September 11, 1862, Iowa be- ‘‘model of economic development’’ and ‘‘li- member. came the first State in the United States to censing powerhouse’’ in a 2007 study commis- Iowa State is also known for its cut- accept the terms and conditions of the Mor- sioned by the National Science Foundation; ting-edge agricultural research. Agri- rill Act creating the land-grant system of Whereas Iowa State University is today culture is a driving force in our State’s colleges and universities; spearheading new advances in science and economy, and the work the university Whereas the Iowa Agricultural College and technology, including new materials, infor- does helps us remain competitive and Model Farm, known today as Iowa State mation sciences, green architecture, biologi- strong. I am proud to say that most un- University of Science and Technology, re- cal research, and the development of bio- dergraduate and graduate students en- ceived Iowa’s land-grant charter on March renewable fuels and other resources to sup- 29, 1864, making it one of the first land-grant port the bioeconomy and the Nation’s inde- rolled at Iowa State come from Iowa, institutions in the United States; pendence from nonrenewable petroleum re- and a large proportion of these stu- Whereas Iowa State University was a pio- sources; and dents remain in Iowa. neer in all 3 parts of the land-grant mission, Whereas more than 257,000 degrees have In fact, about 71 percent of College of including— been awarded by Iowa State, and its grad- Agriculture and Life Science graduates (1) allowing access to all, regardless of uates include heads of State, leaders of in- stay in Iowa for their first jobs. Young race, gender, or social class; dustry, great humanitarians, and gifted sci- men and women graduate and gain em- (2) practical research; and entists, whose work has improved the qual- ployment on farms and agricultural (3) outreach; ity of life for people worldwide: Now, there- services, in forestry, in fishing, and Whereas Iowa State University fulfilled fore, be it the 3 parts of the land-grant mission by— Resolved, That the United States House of much more. (1) creating the first land-grant institution Representatives congratulates Iowa State I congratulate Iowa State University to be coeducational from its opening, with 16 University of Science and Technology for 150 for 150 years of excellence, and I look women in its first class; future suffragist years of outstanding service to the State of forward to another 150 years of the Carrie Chapman Catt was an 1880 graduate; Iowa, the United States, and the world in same. and George Washington Carver was the first fulfilling its mission as a land-grant univer- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- African-American student, earning a bach- sity; and thanks the State of Iowa for its vi- ance of my time. elor’s degree in 1894 and a master’s degree in sionary leadership in the beginning of the Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam 1896, and was also the institution’s first Afri- land-grant movement in the United States of Speaker, I yield myself such time as I can-American faculty member; America. may consume. (2) establishing the United States’ first En- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- gineering Experiment Station and domestic ant to the rule, the gentleman from port of House Resolution 924, congratu- economy experimental kitchen, and one of Iowa (Mr. LOEBSACK) and the gen- the first agriculture experiment stations; lating Iowa State University of Science and tleman from New York (Mr. KUHL) each and Technology for 150 years of leader- (3) organizing the Farmers Institutes in will control 20 minutes. ship and service to the United States the winter of 1869, by Iowa State President The Chair recognizes the gentleman and the world as Iowa’s land-grant uni- Adonijah Welch, and organizing the nation’s from Iowa. versity. first county Extension Service in 1903 in GENERAL LEAVE Iowa Agriculture College and Model Sioux County in northwest Iowa by Professor Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I Farm, now Iowa State University, was Perry Holden; request 5 legislative days during which officially established on March 22, 1858. Whereas some of the most important tech- As a land-grant institution, Iowa agri- nological advancements of the modern world Members may insert material relevant were the result of research at Iowa State, in- to House Resolution 924 into the culture college focused on ideals that cluding— RECORD. higher education should be accessible (1) development of hybrid seed corn in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there to all and that the university should 1920s; objection to the request of the gen- teach liberal and practical subjects. (2) pioneering work on soybean oil extrac- tleman from Iowa? These ideas are integral to the land- tion and producing ethanol from corn and There was no objection. grant university policy. other plant materials by Professor Orland Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I Even before Abraham Lincoln signed Sweeney in the 1930s; yield myself such time as I may con- a law that gave birth to the land-grant (3) invention of the electronic digital com- sume. universities, Iowa State was actively puter in the late 1930s by Professor John Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Madam Speaker, I am proud to speak bringing knowledge to the people of Berry, whose Atanasoff-Berry Computer was today in strong support of House Reso- Iowa through farmers’ short courses the first to incorporate the 7 basic principles lution 924, congratulating Iowa State and farm demonstrations. The first of- of modern computing; University of Science and Technology ficial class, consisting of 24 men and

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3617 two women, entered at Ames in 1869 velopment of ethanol and to the devel- technology. Last February, the Iowa Board of and graduated in 1872. opment of modern livestock animal ge- Regents approved a $32 million budget and Iowa State then was a leader and is netics and many more. conceptual design for a new biorenewables re- now a leader in agriculture, engineer- Iowa State continues to lead the Na- search laboratory at Iowa State University. ing, extension, home economics, and tion in research into biorenewable fuels The laboratory is the first piece of a new bio- created the Nation’s first State veteri- and modern agriculture. In 2005 Iowa renewables complex planned for the univer- nary medicine school in 1879. In 1959, State’s students finished third in the sity. the college was officially renamed Iowa North American Solar Challenge, the Biorenewables research is the future of ISU State University of Science and Tech- world’s longest solar car race. Iowa and the State of Iowa. I congratulate Iowa nology. The focus on technology has State has excelled in a number of other State University on 150 years, and wish them led to many research patents and in- areas, from development of the elec- many more. Go Cyclones. ventions, including the first binary tronic digital computer in the 1930s to Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I computer, the round hay baler, and research into refining reactor-grade rise today to congratulate my alma mater, many, many more. uranium. Iowa State University, for 150 years of service Today Iowa State University has ap- The campus of Iowa State is also to Iowa and the Nation. Iowa State University proximately 27,000 students, some noteworthy. With over 600 public works was founded on March 22, 1858, as the Iowa change from over 100 years ago. With of art, Iowa State was rated one of the Agricultural College and Model Farm. The col- world-class programs in agriculture, 25 most beautiful campuses in ‘‘The lege was one of the first land grant institutions technology, science and art, the ‘‘U.S. Campus as a Work of Art.’’ Iowa State in the country and was founded in response to News & World Report’’ ranks Iowa has graduated a number of prominent the state of Iowa’s strong desire to provide State among the top 50 public national contributors to our Nation, including, higher education opportunities to farm families universities. Half of Iowa State Univer- as mentioned, George Washington and the working class in Iowa. sity freshmen get an early boost in Carver, who went on to serve as the I’m proud to say that my alma mater has academic success by participating in school’s first African American faculty taken an active role in promoting social justice Iowa State’s highly touted Learning member, as well as suffragette Carrie and racial equality throughout its 150 year his- Communities Program. Additionally, Chapman Catt, who graduated in 1880. tory. Iowa State University was the first coedu- In fact, more than half my colleagues Iowa State University is ranked 18th in cational land grant university with 16 women in the current Iowa delegation at- the Nation for its study or work abroad in its first class. George Washington Carver tended Iowa State, including Mr. programs. was the first African American to graduate LOEBSACK, who is the floor manager of Iowa State University is a very spe- from the college in 1880 and later served as the bill, BRUCE BRALEY, TOM LATHAM, cial place that is full of history; but a faculty member at Iowa State. Women suf- and Senator TOM HARKIN. what truly makes it unique is a rare I look forward to continuing to work fragist Carrie Chapman Catt also graduated combination of campus beauty, the op- with the great institution that is Iowa from Iowa State in 1880. Finally, Iowa State is portunity to be part of the land-grant State University and I am confident home to the only division one football stadium experiment, and to create a progressive that Iowa State will continue to have to be named for an African American. Jack and inventive spirit that they call the great influence in Iowa and across our Trice stadium is named for Iowa State football Cyclone Experience. Nation. Again, congratulations to Iowa player Jack Trice. Trice died due to injuries I extend my congratulations along State University for 150 remarkable suffered during an Iowa State football game in with all my colleagues to the univer- years. 1923. sity president, Gregory Geoffroy, all of Madam Speaker, I urge support of Some of the biggest technological advance- Iowa State University’s faculty, its this resolution. ments in the world of science were made at staff, certainly, its students and alum- Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, Iowa Iowa State University. In the late 1930’s Pro- ni, and wish them continued success. State University is one of the most respected fessor John Atanasoff and graduate student Madam Speaker, I ask that my col- land-grant universities in the Nation. Created Clifford Berry invented the first electronic dig- leagues support this resolution, and I by the Iowa General Assembly in 1858, the ital computer at Iowa State. In the 1920’s hy- reserve the balance of my time. Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm was brid seed corn was developed at Iowa State Mr. LOEBSACK. First I want to designated the first land-grant college when and in the 1930’s Professor Orland Sweeny thank the gentleman from New York Iowa became the first state to accept the conducted pioneer work on ethanol production for his wonderful words for Iowa State terms of the Federal Morrill Act in 1864. from corn. Finally, the school established the University. The act allowed Iowa to sell Federal land to Nation’s first engineering experiment station Madam Speaker, I yield as much finance a new college open to all, regardless and domestic economy experimental kitchen, time as he may consume to my friend of wealth, race or sex; offering a practical edu- and one of the first agricultural experiment sta- and mentor, the gentleman from Iowa cation in engineering, agriculture, and military tions. (Mr. BOSWELL). science as well as classical studies; and shar- I’m proud to call Iowa State my alma mater Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I ing research knowledge with all Iowans. Iowa and congratulate them for 150 years of aca- rise today in support of House Resolu- State University officially opened in 1869 and demic excellence. I urge my colleagues to join tion 924, celebrating the 150th anniver- was the first coeducational land-grant school. with me in congratulating the Iowa Sate com- sary of Iowa State University. Today, we are proudly celebrating the 150th munity for all they have done and will continue I want to thank my dear friend, Con- anniversary of Iowa State University. to do for Iowa and the nation. gressman LOEBSACK, for his leadership Iowa State University has been a leader in Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, as a proud and yielding the time, and I also want science in technology throughout its long his- original cosponsor of House Resolution 924, a to thank Congressman BRALEY and tory. The world’s first electronic digital com- resolution congratulating Iowa State University Congressman LATHAM for their leader- puter was developed at Iowa State by math on its sesquicentennial, I would like to take a ship on this resolution. and physics professor John V. Atanasoff and moment to express my support for its passage Iowa State University has made graduate student Clifford Berry, in the late and thank the leadership of the House for noteworthy contributions to the State 1930s. Their invention, the ABC computer, bringing it to the floor for consideration. of Iowa, our Nation and the world since has been called the most important techno- I am proud to have the opportunity to rep- being established in 1958. Iowa State logical innovation of the 20th century. resent the 4th Congressional District of Iowa, was the first co-ed land-grant institu- The university is a leader in virtual reality re- the home of Iowa State University and want to tion providing opportunities for stu- search and its most advanced virtual reality congratulate them on their 150th Anniversary. dents regardless of gender, race, or so- theater, the C6, is the Nation’s first six-sided Iowa State’s contributions to the State of Iowa, cial class. Iowa State is home to crit- theater that totally immerses the user in im- Nation and world are second-to-none and it ical agriculture research, from the de- ages and sound. deserves to receive special recognition. Estab- velopment of the hybrid seed corn in Iowa State is one of the top three U.S. uni- lished on March 22, 1858, Iowa State Univer- the 1920s to important work on the de- versities in the development of patentable bio- sity has been a pioneer on many fronts; it has

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3618 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 demonstrated leadership on very important The text of the resolution is as fol- Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I issues such as equal education and agri- lows: yield myself such time as I may con- culture. Iconic figures such as George Wash- H. RES. 948 sume. ington Carver and suffragist Carrie Chapman Whereas on January 3, 2008, the University Madam Speaker, I would like to con- Catt received their education from this out- of Kansas (KU) football team won the 2008 gratulate the University of Kansas for standing center of learning. FedEx Orange Bowl, defeating Virginia Tech winning the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl Widely recognized and respected for its by a score of 24 to 21 for the first major bowl and having the most successful year in service, Iowa State University has now been a victory in university history; the program’s history. leader in higher education for 150 years. Whereas the KU football team won 12 On January 3, 2008, Kansas captured Today, it is regarded as one of the greatest games this season to set a school record; its first major bowl victory in univer- agricultural institutions in the Nation and was Whereas KU ranked seventh in the final sity history by defeating Virginia one of the first institutions to be designated as Top 25 polls released on January 8, 2008, for the second highest final ranking in school Tech. College football fans, student a land grant institution. The entire agricultural history (the school ranked sixth in 1968); athletes, and the Nation were treated economy is dependent on the agricultural re- Whereas the KU football team reached a to an exceptional college bowl game. search carried out by Iowa State University. number 2 ranking on November 18, 2007, their I want to extend my congratulations And, its work in biorenewable energy has con- highest national ranking in program history; to head coach Mark Mangino, athletic tributed to the development of alternative fuel Whereas the KU team set the school record director Lou Perkins, University of sources important to help America reduce its for points, an average of 42.77 points per Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway, dependence on foreign energy sources. But game, and total yards (479.77 yards); and Kansas’s student athletes for win- agriculture and renewable energy are not the Whereas KU was the only school in the country to rank in the top 5 nationally in ning the Orange Bowl and obtaining a only areas in which Iowa State University ex- both scoring offense (second) and scoring de- school record 12–1 season. cels. Engineering, architecture and computer fense (fifth); I also want to extend my congratula- sciences, to name a few, are other areas of Whereas Head Coach Mark Mangino was tions to the Virginia Tech Hokies and higher learning that attract students from all awarded multiple national coach of the year their student athletes for a great sea- over the globe to Ames, Iowa. honors; son. I would also like to applaud Iowa State Uni- Whereas Head Coach Mark Mangino has Winning the Orange Bowl and fin- versity President Gregory Geoffrey, the fac- produced a minimum of 6 wins in 3 straight ishing the season with a 12–1 record has seasons for the first time in 46 years for the ulty, staff, students and alumni for continuing brought positive national attention to the rich tradition of excellence and upholding KU football program; Whereas the KU football team produced 2 Kansas, and I know the fans of the uni- its superior reputation. On behalf of all Iowans, first-team All-Americans, cornerback Aqib versity will cherish this moment as I want to thank Iowa State University for being Talib and offensive tackle Anthony Collins, they look forward to the 2008 season. a source of pride and for the positive influence and 1 second-team All-American in defensive Student athletes balance a rigorous it has had on the state of Iowa. Again, I am tackle James McClinton; and school workload with the many prac- honored to represent this wonderful university Whereas the KU football team was also tices and games in which they com- and proud to call myself a Cyclone. honored to have 2 Academic All-America re- pete. I am proud of student athletes for Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam cipients on the team, Russell Brorsen and John Larson: Now, therefore, be it their dedication to their schoolwork Speaker, I have no further requests for and their sport. time, and I yield back the balance of Resolved, That the House of Representa- tives— Madam Speaker, once again I con- my time. gratulate the University of Kansas for Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I (1) congratulates and commends the Uni- versity of Kansas football team for winning their success, and I reserve the balance yield back the balance of my time. the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl and for having of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the most successful year in program history; question is on the motion offered by (2) recognizes the significant achievements b 1500 the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. of the players, coaches, students, alumni, Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam LOEBSACK) that the House suspend the and support staff whose dedication and hard Speaker, I yield myself such time as I rules and agree to the resolution, H. work helped the University of Kansas foot- may consume. ball team win the FedEx Orange Bowl; and Res. 924, as amended. I noticed that the gentleman from The question was taken. (3) respectfully requests the Clerk of the House of Representatives to transmit en- Iowa was a little quizzical and hesitant The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the in congratulating a fellow Big 12 team opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being rolled copies of this resolution to the fol- lowing individuals for display: from Kansas. But in any case, Madam in the affirmative, the ayes have it. (A) Robert Hemenway, Chancellor of the Speaker, I rise today in support of Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam University of Kansas. House Resolution 948 congratulating Speaker, on that I demand the yeas (B) Richard Lariviere, Provost and Execu- the University of Kansas football team, and nays. tive Vice Chancellor of the University of affectionately known as KU, for win- The yeas and nays were ordered. Kansas. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- (C) Lew Perkins, Athletics Director of the ning the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl and ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the University of Kansas. having the most successful year in pro- Chair’s prior announcement, further (D) Mark Mangino, Head Coach. gram history. proceedings on this motion will be The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- On January 3, 2008, the University of postponed. ant to the rule, the gentleman from Kansas football team won the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl defeating Virginia f Iowa (Mr. LOEBSACK) and the gen- Tech by a score of 24–20 for its first CONGRATULATING THE UNIVER- tleman from New York (Mr. KUHL) each will control 20 minutes. major bowl victory in university his- SITY OF KANSAS FOOTBALL tory. The Chair recognizes the gentleman TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2008 The KU football team won a school from Iowa. FEDEX ORANGE BOWL record 12 games this past season and Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I GENERAL LEAVE ended the season ranked seventh in the move to suspend the rules and agree to Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I final top 25 polls released on January 8, the resolution (H. Res. 948) congratu- request 5 legislative days during which 2008. This is the second highest final lating the University of Kansas (‘‘KU’’) Members may insert material relevant ranking in school history. football team for winning the 2008 to House Resolution 948 into the This past year’s KU team set the FedEx Orange Bowl and having the RECORD. school record with points per game, most successful year in program his- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there with an average of 42 points per game, tory, as amended. objection to the request of the gen- and total yards per game, with an aver- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- tleman from Iowa? age of 479 yards. KU is the only school tion. There was no objection. in the country to rank in the top five

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3619 nationally in both scoring offense, Mr. LOEBSACK. Yes. The text of the resolution is as fol- which was second, and scoring defense, Mr. SKELTON. I thank you. lows: in which they were fifth. Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam H. RES. 493 Following the remarkable year, head Speaker, I yield back the balance of Whereas on May 13, 2007, the women’s coach Mark Mangino was awarded mul- my time. water polo team of the University of Cali- tiple national Coach of the Year Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I fornia, Los Angeles (UCLA), defeated Stan- awards. And, in fact, Coach Mangino thank Chairman SKELTON for his com- ford 5–4 in the championship game of the has produced a minimum of six wins in ments. NCAA Division I Women’s Water Polo Na- three straight seasons, for the first Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I tional Championship tournament; time in 46 years for the KU football rise today to introduce House Resolution 948, Whereas the victory gave Head Coach Adam Krikorian and the Bruins women’s program. which honors the University of Kansas football The KU football team also produced water polo team their third consecutive program on their recent victory at the Orange NCAA Championship and was the team’s two first team All Americans, corner- Bowl and their most successful year in pro- fifth overall national title; back Aquib Talib and offensive tackle gram history. Whereas Kelly Rulon, a driver for the Bru- Anthony Collins. Equally important, On January 3, the KU football team won the ins, was selected as the tournament’s Most the team produced two academic All 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl, marking their first Valuable Player; American recipients, Russell Brorsen major bowl victory in university history. Lead- Whereas UCLA women’s water polo players and John Larson. ing up to the bowl game, the team placed 12 Kelly Rulon, Emily Feher, Courtney In addition to successful athletic pro- Mathewson, Jillian Kraus, and Kacy Kunkel wins on their roster, setting a new school were named to the NCAA All-Tournament grams, KU also provides faculty, aca- record for wins in a season. KU also reached demic and research programs of inter- First Team; the number two spot of the AP national poll, Whereas the UCLA women’s water polo national distinction, and outstanding which marked the highest national ranking that team finished the 2007 season with a record libraries, teaching museums, and the program has ever received. of 28 wins and 2 losses, and now has a record teaching technology. These resources Among their athletic accomplishments this of 90 wins and 6 losses over the past 3 sea- enrich the undergraduate experience season, the team also produced three stu- sons; and are essential for graduate-level dents who received All-American titles for their Whereas the 2007 Women’s Water Polo Na- education and for research. tional Championship makes UCLA the first performances on the field and two other stu- school ever to win 100 NCAA sports national From early existence, the University dents who were Academic All-American recipi- of Kansas has been fueled by high aspi- titles; ents. Head Coach Mark Mangino also re- Whereas UCLA won its 100th NCAA title rations and has enjoyed a national rep- ceived multiple national Coach of the Year less than 58 years after the UCLA men’s ten- utation for innovation and academic honors. nis team won the school’s first NCAA title in excellence. I extend my congratula- Please join me in recognizing these accom- 1950; tions to head coach Mark Mangino, all plishments and congratulating KU on their Whereas 16 different men’s and women’s of the hardworking players, the fans, amazing victories this season. sports programs contributed to the Bruins’ and to the University of Kansas. I am 100 NCAA national championships, includ- Mr. LOEBSACK. I yield back the bal- ing— happy to join my friend and colleague ance of my time. in honoring this exceptional team for (1) men’s basketball in 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1995; all of its accomplishments and wish all question is on the motion offered by (2) men’s golf in 1988; involved continued success. I ask my the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. (3) women’s golf in 1991 and 2004; colleagues to support this resolution. LOEBSACK) that the House suspend the (4) men’s gymnastics in 1984 and 1987; Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- rules and agree to the resolution, H. (5) women’s gymnastics in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004; ance of my time. Res. 948, as amended. Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I (6) men’s soccer in 1985, 1990, 1997, and 2002; The question was taken. am pleased to yield such time as he (7) women’s softball in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the 1989, 1990, 1992, 1999, 2003, and 2004; may consume to the gentleman from opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being (8) men’s swimming in 1982; Missouri (Mr. SKELTON), also the dis- in the affirmative, the ayes have it. (9) men’s tennis in 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, tinguished Chair of the Armed Services Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam 1960, 1961, 1965, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1982, Committee on which I serve. 1984, and 2005; Speaker, on that I demand the yeas Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I (10) men’s track and field in 1956, 1966, 1971, thank the gentleman for yielding, and and nays. 1972, 1973, 1978, 1987, and 1988; The yeas and nays were ordered. let me take this opportunity to con- (11) women’s outdoor track and field in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- gratulate the gentlelady from Kansas 1982, 1983, and 2004; ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the (12) women’s indoor track and field in 2000 (Mrs. BOYDA) for paying tribute to the Chair’s prior announcement, further and 2001; Kansas University football program. It proceedings on this motion will be (13) men’s volleyball in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, is impressive. postponed. 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989, But I would yield to the gentleman 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2006; from Iowa if he would answer a few f (14) women’s volleyball in 1984, 1990, and questions. CONGRATULATING THE WOMEN’S 1991; Mr. LOEBSACK. Yes, I will. (15) men’s water polo in 1969, 1971, 1972, WATER POLO TEAM OF UCLA 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, and 2004; and Mr. SKELTON. I would be remiss if I FOR WINNING THE 2007 NA- did not take this opportunity to ask (16) women’s water polo in 2001, 2003, 2005, TIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2006, and 2007; you if you know of the outcome of the Whereas UCLA teams have won 14 NCAA Missouri University Tigers football Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to national championships during the tenure of team when they played the Kansas Daniel G. Guerrero, the current Director of Jayhawks on November 24, 2007. the resolution (H. Res. 493) congratu- Athletics at UCLA; and Mr. LOEBSACK. No. lating the women’s water polo team of Whereas UCLA, under the leadership of Mr. SKELTON. Would you be inter- the University of California, Los Ange- Chancellor Gene Block, continues to estab- ested in knowing that the Missouri Ti- les, for winning the 2007 NCAA Division lish itself as one of the top research univer- gers defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 36– I Women’s Water Polo National Cham- sities as well as top athletic programs in the 28 on November 24, 2007? pionship, and congratulating UCLA on Nation: Now, therefore, be it Mr. LOEBSACK. Yes. its 100th NCAA sports national title, Resolved, That the House of Representa- Mr. SKELTON. And would you also making it the most accomplished ath- tives— (1) congratulates the women’s water polo be interested in knowing that the Mis- letic program in NCAA history, as team of the University of California, Los An- souri Tigers finished fourth on the na- amended. geles, and Head Coach Adam Krikorian for tional Associated Press poll to Kansas’ The Clerk read the title of the resolu- winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Women’s number 7 on the Associated Press poll? tion. Water Polo National Championship;

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3620 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 (2) congratulates UCLA on becoming the Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam students, alumni, and staff have been instru- first school to win 100 NCAA sports national Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 493 mental over the years in helping UCLA championship titles, making it the most ac- as well. But there is a person in the achieve 100 championships. complished athletic program in NCAA his- Chamber who is a little closer than the The list of Bruin athletes who contributed to tory; and (3) recognizes the achievements of all the gentleman from Iowa or myself from the school’s heritage of victory is a rollcall of players, coaches, students, alumni, and staff New York, and so I yield such time as the greatest athletes of our time: Lewis of UCLA who were instrumental over the he may consume to the gentleman Alcindor, Arthur Ashe, Evelyn Ashford, Jimmy years in this prestigious achievement. from California (Mr. LEWIS). Connors, Gale Devers, Mitch Gaylord, Flor- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam ence Griffith-Joyner, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, ant to the rule, the gentleman from Speaker, I very much appreciate my Karch Kiraly, Jackie Robinson, Bill Walton, Iowa (Mr. LOEBSACK) and the gen- colleague’s courtesy. Almost all that I and others. tleman from New York (Mr. KUHL) each was going to say about UCLA’s prowess I’m especially proud that UCLA is a public will control 20 minutes. in athletics has already been stated for university committed to diversity and fulfilling The Chair recognizes the gentleman the RECORD. the promise of Title IX. Since 1982, Bruin from Iowa. Having said that, Madam Speaker, women teams have contributed 30 champion- GENERAL LEAVE many a person looking at the wondrous ships to UCLA’s total. This is enough to put Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I world of athletics oftentimes thinks them 11th on the NCAA’s all-time champions request 5 legislative days during which only of the 11 banners that involves list. Members may insert material relevant John Wooden’s era as coach of UCLA’s One hundred championships is a reflection to House Resolution 493 into the basketball team. As has been sug- of the teamwork that is the hallmark of UCLA RECORD. gested, one would really miss the point athletics and its strong tradition of combining The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there of the fabulous work done at the UCLA excellence in athletics with excellence in aca- objection to the request of the gen- campus, way beyond athletics, in aca- demics. UCLA’s commitment to hard work, tleman from Iowa? demics, et cetera. But indeed, the wom- discipline, and sportsmanship has created a There was no objection. en’s water polo team set the standard tradition of victory unparalleled in college Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I by winning the 100th championship sports. yield myself such time as I may con- when they won one more time. It is a Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam sume. fabulous item to be associated with Speaker, I join with my colleagues Madam Speaker, I rise today to con- UCLA and to get this recognition from from Iowa and California in support of gratulate the University of California, so many great friends. this resolution. Los Angeles, on its 100th NCAA team In the meantime, I want you all to Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of championship. On May 13, 2007, the know that my dog Bruin very much ap- House Resolution 493—Congratulating the women’s water polo team, led by head preciates the attention. women’s water polo team of the University of coach Adam Krikorian, defeated Stan- Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate California, Los Angeles, for winning the 2007 ford 9–4 in the last round of the Wom- the UCLA Bruins for being the most accom- NCAA Division I Women’s Water Polo Na- en’s Water Polo National Champion- plished athletic program in NCAA history, hav- tional Championship, and congratulating UCLA ship tournament, thereby making the ing won 100 NCAA championships. on its 100th NCAA sports national title, making University of California, Los Angeles, Many observers might presume that for it the most accomplished athletic program in the first team in history to win 100 UCLA the only game in town is men’s basket- NCAA history. NCAA team championships. ball. Many walk into Pauley Pavilion and see On May 13, 2007, the UCLA women’s water This was the team’s third consecu- 11 championship banners, experience the leg- polo team defeated Stanford 5–4 in the cham- tive NCAA championship and its fifth acy of John Wooden, and presume that’s all pionship game of the NCAA Division I Wom- overall national title. Team member there is. But for UCLA, that is only the begin- en’s Water Polo National Championship tour- Kelly Rulon was selected as the tour- ning. nament. nament’s Most Valuable Player, and The UCLA men’s tennis team won the first The victory gave head coach Adam Ms. Rulon and four of her teammates, NCAA championship for the Bruins in 1950 Krikorian and the Bruins women’s water polo Emily Feher, Courtney Mathewson, and the last 58 years have been witness to an team their third consecutive NCAA champion- Jillian Kraus, and Kacy Kunkel, were unprecedented record of success. Including ship and was the team’s fifth overall national named to the NCAA all-tournament the 11 men’s basketball titles, UCLA’s cham- title. team. pionship record extends across 16 different Kelly Rulon, a driver for the Bruins, was se- UCLA won its first national title in programs including multiple titles in men’s lected as the tournament’s most valuable play- men’s tennis in 1950. Since then, 16 dif- volleyball, 19; men’s tennis, 16; women’s soft- er; and Emily Feher, Courtney Mathewson, ferent athletics programs, nine men’s ball, 10; men’s track and field, 8; men’s water Jillian Kraus, and Kacy Kunkel were named to programs and seven women’s, have won polo, 8; women’s gymnastics, 5; women’s the NCAA All-Tournament First Team. national championships in the sports of track and field, 5; and women’s water polo, 5. The UCLA women’s water polo team fin- basketball, golf, gymnastics, soccer, UCLA’s 100th championship came from the ished the 2007 season with a record of 28 softball, swimming, tennis, track and women’s water polo team, which won its third wins and 2 losses and now has a record of 90 field, volleyball, and, of course, water consecutive NCAA Division I championship on wins and 6 losses over the past 3 seasons. polo. In the last 5 years alone, under May 13, 2007. The Bruins, coached by Adam This national title makes UCLA the first the leadership of director of athletics Krikorian, finished 28–2 and have been 90–6 school ever to win 100 NCAA sports national Dan Guerrero, UCLA teams have won over the past three seasons. Courtney titles—only 58 years after the UCLA men’s 14 NCAA national championships in Mathewson scored three goals and Jillian tennis team won the school’s first NCAA title nine different sports. Kraus added two more as the Bruins beat rival in 1950. Along the way, 16 different men’s and This extraordinary achievement is a Stanford. Kelly Rulon was selected as the women’s sports programs contributed to the tribute to the skill and dedication of tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Rulon, Bruins’ 100 NCAA national championships. the many players, coaches, students, Mathewson, and Kraus were joined by Emily UCLA teams have won 14 NCAA national alumni, families, professors, staff, and Feher and Kacy Kunkel as members to the championships during the tenure of Daniel G. fans who have helped to make UCLA an NCAA All-Tournament First Team. Guerrero, the current director of athletics. athletic powerhouse as well as an aca- These championships reflect the philoso- Under the leadership of Chancellor Gene demic force. phies of great Bruin coaches like basketball Block, UCLA continues to establish itself as Madam Speaker, I express my sup- icon John Wooden and volleyball legend Al one of the top research universities as well as port for H. Res. 493 and urge my col- Scates. Their commitment to hard work, dis- top athletic programs in the Nation. leagues to pass this measure. cipline, and sportsmanship has created a leg- I extend my congratulations to Chancellor Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- acy of victory unparalleled in college sports. Block, Athletics Director Guerrero, Head ance of my time. Additionally, the contributions of all the fans, Coach Adam Krikorian and his staff, all of the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3621 hard-working players, the fans, and to UCLA. Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, on Bean Fattah Linder Becerra Feeney Lipinski I am happy to join my good friend and col- that I demand the yeas and nays. Berkley Ferguson LoBiondo league Representative LEWIS in honoring this The yeas and nays were ordered. Berman Filner Loebsack exceptional team and all of its accomplish- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Biggert Flake Lofgren, Zoe ments and wish all involved continued suc- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Bilbray Forbes Lowey Bilirakis Fortenberry Lucas cess. Chair’s prior announcement, further Bishop (GA) Fossella Lungren, Daniel Ms. LINDA T. SA´ NCHEZ of California. proceedings on this motion will be Bishop (NY) Foxx E. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to con- postponed. Bishop (UT) Frank (MA) Mack Blackburn Franks (AZ) Mahoney (FL) gratulate the University of California, Los An- f Blumenauer Frelinghuysen Maloney (NY) geles—My alma mater—on its 100th NCAA Blunt Gallegly Manzullo team championship. RECESS Boehner Garrett (NJ) Markey In a Nation with so many colleges and uni- Bono Mack Gerlach Marshall The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Boozman Giffords Matheson versities known for their strong sports pro- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair Boswell Gillibrand Matsui grams, heck, in a city the size of Los Angeles declares the House in recess until ap- Boucher Gingrey McCarthy (CA) with sports powerhouse USC right across Boustany Gohmert McCarthy (NY) proximately 6:30 p.m. today. Boyd (FL) Gonzalez McCaul (TX) town, this is a truly amazing accomplishment. Accordingly (at 3 o’clock and 11 min- Boyda (KS) Goode McCollum (MN) At UCLA, which has so many firsts in other utes p.m.), the House stood in recess Brady (PA) Goodlatte McCotter areas, the 2007 UCLA women’s water polo until approximately 6:30 p.m. Brady (TX) Gordon McDermott Team helped UCLA reach another first: the Braley (IA) Granger McGovern f Broun (GA) Graves McHenry first to 100 NCAA team championships. Brown (SC) Green, Al McHugh On May 13, 2007, the women’s water polo b 1834 Buchanan Green, Gene McIntyre team, led by Head Coach Adam Krikorian, de- Burgess Grijalva McKeon feated Stanford 9–4 in the last round of the AFTER RECESS Burton (IN) Gutierrez McMorris Butterfield Hall (NY) Rodgers Women’s Water Polo National Championship The recess having expired, the House Camp (MI) Hall (TX) McNerney tournament, thereby making history. was called to order by the Speaker pro Campbell (CA) Hare McNulty This was the team’s third consecutive NCAA tempore (Ms. LEE) at 6 o’clock and 34 Cannon Harman Meek (FL) Cantor Hastings (FL) Meeks (NY) championship and its fifth overall national title. minutes p.m. Capito Hastings (WA) Melancon Team member Kelly Rulon was selected as f Capps Hayes Mica the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Capuano Heller Michaud Ms. Rulon and four of her teammates—Emily ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Cardoza Hensarling Miller (FL) Carnahan Herger Miller (NC) Feher, Courtney Mathewson, Jillian Kraus, PRO TEMPORE Carney Herseth Sandlin Miller, Gary and Kacy Kunke—were named to the NCAA The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Carter Higgins Miller, George all-tournament team. Castle Hill Mollohan ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Castor Hinchey Moore (KS) UCLA won its first national title in men’s ten- will resume on motions to suspend the Chabot Hinojosa Moore (WI) nis in 1950. Since then, 16 different athletics rules previously postponed. Chandler Hirono Moran (KS) programs—nine men’s programs and seven Votes will be taken in the following Clarke Hobson Murphy (CT) women’s—have won national championships Clay Hodes Murphy, Patrick order: Cleaver Hoekstra Murphy, Tim in the sports of basketball, golf, gymnastics, H. Res. 537, by the yeas and nays; Clyburn Holden Murtha soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and H.R. 3196, by the yeas and nays; Coble Holt Musgrave field, volleyball, and, of course, water polo. Cole (OK) Honda Myrick H.R. 4166, by the yeas and nays. Conaway Hoyer Nadler In the last 5 years alone, under the leader- Votes on House Resolutions 924, 948 Conyers Hunter Napolitano ship of Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, UCLA and 493 will be taken later this week. Cooper Inglis (SC) Neugebauer athletics teams have won 14 NCAA national The first electronic vote will be con- Costa Inslee Nunes championships in nine different sports. Courtney Israel Obey ducted as a 15-minute vote. Remaining Cramer Issa Olver This extraordinary achievement is a tribute electronic votes will be conducted as 5- Crenshaw Jackson (IL) Ortiz to the skill and dedication of the many players, minute votes. Crowley Jackson-Lee Pallone coaches, students, alumni, families, profes- Culberson (TX) Pascrell f Cummings Johnson (GA) Pastor sors, staff, and fans who have helped to make Davis (AL) Johnson (IL) Paul UCLA an athletic powerhouse as well as one NATIONAL 9–1–1 EDUCATION Davis (CA) Johnson, E. B. Payne of the top academic universities in the Nation. MONTH Davis (IL) Johnson, Sam Pearce UCLA’s accomplishment also demonstrates Davis (KY) Jones (NC) Perlmutter the success of Title IX. Of the 100 NCAA The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- Davis, David Jones (OH) Peterson (MN) finished business is the vote on the mo- Davis, Lincoln Jordan Petri championships that UCLA teams have earned, Deal (GA) Kagen Pickering women’s teams have been responsible for 30. tion to suspend the rules and agree to DeFazio Kanjorski Pitts And the NCAA didn’t even begin awarding the resolution, H. Res. 537, as amended, DeGette Kaptur Platts Delahunt Keller Poe championships in women’s sports until the on which the yeas and nays were or- dered. DeLauro Kennedy Pomeroy 1981–82 season. Dent Kildee Porter To all the athletes of UCLA, past and The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Diaz-Balart, L. Kind Price (GA) present, male and female, you rock. tion. Diaz-Balart, M. King (IA) Price (NC) The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Dicks King (NY) Putnam Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Dingell Kingston Radanovich Speaker, I have no further requests for question is on the motion offered by Doggett Kirk Rahall time, and I yield back the balance of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Donnelly Klein (FL) Ramstad DAVIS) that the House suspend the Doyle Kline (MN) Regula my time. Drake Knollenberg Rehberg Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I rules and agree to the resolution, H. Dreier Kucinich Reichert yield back the balance of my time. Res. 537, as amended. Duncan Kuhl (NY) Renzi The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The vote was taken by electronic de- Edwards LaHood Reyes vice, and there were—yeas 381, nays 0, Ehlers Lamborn Reynolds question is on the motion offered by Ellison Lampson Richardson the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. not voting 47, as follows: Ellsworth Larsen (WA) Rogers (AL) LOEBSACK) that the House suspend the [Roll No. 108] Emanuel Larson (CT) Rogers (KY) Emerson Latham Rogers (MI) rules and agree to the resolution, H. YEAS—381 Engel LaTourette Roskam Res. 493, as amended. Abercrombie Altmire Baird English (PA) Latta Ross The question was taken. Ackerman Andrews Baldwin Eshoo Lee Rothman The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Aderholt Arcuri Barrett (SC) Etheridge Levin Roybal-Allard Akin Baca Barrow Everett Lewis (CA) Royce opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Alexander Bachmann Bartlett (MD) Fallin Lewis (GA) Ruppersberger in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Allen Bachus Barton (TX) Farr Lewis (KY) Ryan (OH)

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3622 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 Ryan (WI) Slaughter Upton Bilirakis Fortenberry Lowey Sarbanes Smith (TX) Van Hollen Salazar Smith (NE) Van Hollen Bishop (GA) Fossella Lucas Saxton Smith (WA) Vela´ zquez Sali Smith (NJ) Vela´ zquez Bishop (NY) Foxx Lungren, Daniel Schakowsky Snyder Visclosky Sa´ nchez, Linda Smith (TX) Visclosky Bishop (UT) Frank (MA) E. Schiff Solis Walberg T. Smith (WA) Walberg Blackburn Franks (AZ) Mack Schmidt Souder Walden (OR) Sarbanes Snyder Walden (OR) Blumenauer Frelinghuysen Mahoney (FL) Schwartz Space Walz (MN) Saxton Solis Walz (MN) Blunt Gallegly Maloney (NY) Scott (GA) Spratt Wamp Schakowsky Souder Wamp Boehner Garrett (NJ) Manzullo Scott (VA) Stark Wasserman Schiff Space Wasserman Bono Mack Gerlach Markey Sensenbrenner Stearns Schultz Schmidt Spratt Schultz Boozman Giffords Marshall Serrano Stupak Watson Schwartz Stark Watson Boren Gillibrand Matheson Sessions Sullivan Watt Scott (GA) Stearns Boswell Watt Gingrey Matsui Sestak Sutton Waxman Scott (VA) Stupak Boucher Gohmert McCarthy (CA) Shadegg Tancredo Weiner Waxman Sensenbrenner Sutton Boustany Gonzalez McCarthy (NY) Shays Tanner Welch (VT) Weiner Serrano Tancredo Boyd (FL) Goode McCaul (TX) Shea-Porter Tauscher Weller Welch (VT) Sessions Tanner Boyda (KS) Goodlatte McCollum (MN) Sherman Terry Westmoreland Sestak Tauscher Weller Brady (PA) Gordon McCotter Shimkus Thompson (CA) Whitfield (KY) Shadegg Terry Westmoreland Brady (TX) Granger McDermott Shuler Thornberry Wilson (OH) Shays Thompson (CA) Whitfield (KY) Braley (IA) Graves McGovern Shuster Tiahrt Wilson (SC) Shea-Porter Thornberry Wilson (OH) Broun (GA) Green, Al McHenry Simpson Tiberi Wittman (VA) Sherman Tiahrt Wilson (SC) Brown (SC) Green, Gene McHugh Sires Tierney Wolf Shimkus Tiberi Wittman (VA) Buchanan Grijalva McIntyre Skelton Towns Wu Shuler Tierney Wolf Burgess Gutierrez McKeon Slaughter Tsongas Wynn Shuster Towns Wu Burton (IN) Hall (NY) McMorris Smith (NE) Udall (NM) Yarmuth Simpson Tsongas Wynn Butterfield Hall (TX) Rodgers Smith (NJ) Upton Young (AK) Sires Turner Yarmuth Camp (MI) Hare McNerney Skelton Udall (NM) Young (AK) Campbell (CA) Harman McNulty NOT VOTING—46 Cannon Hastings (FL) Meek (FL) Berry Hulshof Rohrabacher NOT VOTING—47 Cantor Hastings (WA) Meeks (NY) Bonner Jefferson Ros-Lehtinen Berry Hulshof Rodriguez Capito Hayes Melancon Brown, Corrine Kilpatrick Rush Bonner Jefferson Rohrabacher Capps Heller Mica Brown-Waite, Lynch Sanchez, Loretta Boren Kilpatrick Ros-Lehtinen Capuano Hensarling Michaud Ginny Marchant Taylor Brown, Corrine Langevin Rush Cardoza Herger Miller (FL) Buyer McCrery Thompson (MS) Carnahan Herseth Sandlin Miller (NC) Brown-Waite, Lynch Sanchez, Loretta Calvert Miller (MI) Turner Carney Higgins Miller, Gary Ginny Marchant Sullivan Cohen Mitchell Udall (CO) Buyer McCrery Taylor Carter Hill Miller, George Costello Moran (VA) Walsh (NY) Calvert Miller (MI) Thompson (MS) Castle Hinchey Mollohan Cubin Neal (MA) Waters Cohen Mitchell Udall (CO) Castor Hinojosa Moore (KS) Cuellar Oberstar Weldon (FL) Costello Moran (VA) Walsh (NY) Chabot Hirono Moore (WI) Davis, Tom Pence Cubin Neal (MA) Waters Chandler Hobson Moran (KS) Doolittle Peterson (PA) Wexler Cuellar Oberstar Weldon (FL) Clarke Hodes Murphy (CT) Emerson Pryce (OH) Wilson (NM) Davis, Tom Pence Wexler Clay Hoekstra Murphy, Patrick Gilchrest Rangel Woolsey Doolittle Peterson (PA) Wilson (NM) Cleaver Holden Murphy, Tim Hooley Rodriguez Young (FL) Gilchrest Pryce (OH) Woolsey Clyburn Holt Murtha Hooley Rangel Young (FL) Coble Honda Musgrave ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Cole (OK) Hoyer Myrick The SPEAKER pro tempore (during b 1859 Conaway Hunter Nadler Conyers Inglis (SC) Napolitano the vote). Members are advised there Mr. HERGER changed his vote from Cooper Inslee Neugebauer are 2 minutes remaining in this vote. ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Costa Israel Nunes Courtney Issa Obey b 1909 So (two-thirds being in the affirma- Cramer Jackson (IL) Olver tive) the rules were suspended and the Crenshaw Jackson-Lee Ortiz So (two-thirds being in the affirma- resolution, as amended, was agreed to. Crowley (TX) Pallone tive) the rules were suspended and the The result of the vote was announced Culberson Johnson (GA) Pascrell bill was passed. Cummings Johnson (IL) Pastor The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. Davis (AL) Johnson, E. B. Paul A motion to reconsider was laid on Davis (CA) Johnson, Sam Payne as above recorded. the table. Davis (IL) Jones (NC) Pearce A motion to reconsider was laid on Davis (KY) Jones (OH) Perlmutter the table. f Davis, David Jordan Peterson (MN) Davis, Lincoln Kagen Petri f Deal (GA) Kanjorski Pickering E. ARTHUR GRAY POST OFFICE DeFazio Kaptur Pitts STEVE W. ALLEE CARRIER ANNEX BUILDING DeGette Keller Platts Delahunt Kennedy Poe The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The un- DeLauro Kildee Pomeroy finished business is the vote on the mo- finished business is the vote on the mo- Dent Kind Porter tion to suspend the rules and pass the tion to suspend the rules and pass the Diaz-Balart, L. King (IA) Price (GA) Diaz-Balart, M. King (NY) Price (NC) bill, H.R. 4166, on which the yeas and bill, H.R. 3196, on which the yeas and Dicks Kingston Putnam nays were ordered. nays were ordered. Dingell Kirk Radanovich The Clerk read the title of the bill. The Clerk read the title of the bill. Doggett Klein (FL) Rahall The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Donnelly Kline (MN) Ramstad Doyle Knollenberg Regula question is on the motion offered by question is on the motion offered by Drake Kucinich Rehberg the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Dreier Kuhl (NY) Reichert DAVIS) that the House suspend the DAVIS) that the House suspend the Duncan LaHood Renzi Edwards Lamborn Reyes rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4166. rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3196. Ehlers Lampson Reynolds This will be a 5-minute vote. This will be a 5-minute vote. Ellison Langevin Richardson The vote was taken by electronic de- The vote was taken by electronic de- Ellsworth Larsen (WA) Rogers (AL) vice, and there were—yeas 382, nays 0, vice, and there were—yeas 382, nays 0, Emanuel Larson (CT) Rogers (KY) Engel Latham Rogers (MI) not voting 46, as follows: not voting 46, as follows: English (PA) LaTourette Roskam [Roll No. 110] [Roll No. 109] Eshoo Latta Ross Etheridge Lee Rothman YEAS—382 YEAS—382 Everett Levin Roybal-Allard Abercrombie Baca Bean Abercrombie Arcuri Bartlett (MD) Fallin Lewis (CA) Royce Ackerman Bachmann Becerra Ackerman Baca Barton (TX) Farr Lewis (GA) Ruppersberger Aderholt Bachus Berkley Aderholt Bachmann Bean Fattah Lewis (KY) Ryan (OH) Akin Baird Berman Akin Bachus Becerra Feeney Linder Ryan (WI) Alexander Baldwin Biggert Alexander Baird Berkley Ferguson Lipinski Salazar Allen Barrett (SC) Bilbray Allen Baldwin Berman Filner LoBiondo Sali Altmire Barrow Bilirakis Altmire Barrett (SC) Biggert Flake Loebsack Sa´ nchez, Linda Andrews Bartlett (MD) Bishop (GA) Andrews Barrow Bilbray Forbes Lofgren, Zoe T. Arcuri Barton (TX) Bishop (NY)

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3623 Bishop (UT) Foxx Lungren, Daniel Schakowsky Snyder Visclosky PERSONAL EXPLANATION Blackburn Frank (MA) E. Schiff Solis Walberg Blumenauer Franks (AZ) Mack Schmidt Souder Walden (OR) Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I was ab- Blunt Frelinghuysen Mahoney (FL) Schwartz Space Walz (MN) sent today from three rollcall votes due to fam- Boehner Gallegly Maloney (NY) Scott (GA) Spratt Wamp ily obligations in Arizona that required my at- Bono Mack Garrett (NJ) Manzullo Scott (VA) Stark Wasserman Boozman Gerlach Markey Sensenbrenner Stearns Schultz tention. Boren Giffords Marshall Serrano Stupak Watson Had I been present, I would have voted in Boswell Matheson Sessions Sullivan Gillibrand Watt favor of H. Res. 537, rollcall vote No. 108; Boucher Matsui Sestak Sutton Gingrey Waxman Boustany Gohmert McCarthy (CA) Shadegg Tancredo H.R. 3196, rollcall vote No. 109; and H.R. Weiner Boyd (FL) Gonzalez McCarthy (NY) Shays Tanner 4166, rollcall vote No. 110. Welch (VT) Boyda (KS) Goode McCaul (TX) Shea-Porter Tauscher Weller Brady (PA) Goodlatte McCollum (MN) Sherman Terry f Brady (TX) McCotter Shimkus Thompson (CA) Westmoreland Gordon PERMITTING THE USE OF THE RO- Braley (IA) Granger McDermott Shuler Thornberry Whitfield (KY) Broun (GA) Graves McGovern Shuster Tiahrt Wilson (OH) TUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR A Brown (SC) Green, Al McHenry Simpson Tiberi Wilson (SC) CEREMONY AS PART OF THE Buchanan Green, Gene McHugh Sires Tierney Wittman (VA) COMMEMORATION OF THE DAYS Burgess Gutierrez McIntyre Skelton Towns Wolf Burton (IN) Hall (NY) McKeon Slaughter Tsongas Wu OF REMEMBRANCE OF VICTIMS Butterfield Hall (TX) McMorris Smith (NE) Udall (NM) Wynn OF THE HOLOCAUST Camp (MI) Rodgers Smith (NJ) Upton Hare Yarmuth Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Campbell (CA) Harman McNerney Smith (TX) Van Hollen Young (AK) ´ Cannon Hastings (FL) McNulty Smith (WA) Velazquez Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous con- Cantor Hastings (WA) Meek (FL) sent to discharge the Committee on Capito Meeks (NY) NOT VOTING—46 Hayes House Administration from further Capps Heller Melancon Berry Hulshof Rohrabacher Capuano Hensarling Mica Bonner Jefferson Ros-Lehtinen consideration of House Concurrent Res- Cardoza Herger Michaud Brown, Corrine Kilpatrick Rush olution 306, and ask for its immediate Carnahan Herseth Sandlin Miller (FL) Brown-Waite, Lynch Sanchez, Loretta Carney Miller (NC) consideration in the House. Higgins Ginny Marchant Taylor Carter Miller, Gary The Clerk read the title of the con- Hill Buyer McCrery Thompson (MS) Castle Miller, George Hinchey Calvert Miller (MI) Turner current resolution. Castor Mollohan Hinojosa Cohen Mitchell Udall (CO) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Chabot Moore (KS) Hirono Costello Moran (VA) Chandler Moore (WI) Walsh (NY) objection to the request of the gentle- Hobson Cubin Murtha Clarke Moran (KS) Waters woman from California? Hodes Cuellar Neal (MA) Clay Murphy (CT) Weldon (FL) Hoekstra Davis, Tom Oberstar Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I re- Cleaver Murphy, Patrick Wexler Holden Doolittle Pence serve the right to object, but I will not Clyburn Murphy, Tim Gilchrest Peterson (PA) Wilson (NM) Holt Coble Musgrave Grijalva Pryce (OH) Woolsey object. Honda Cole (OK) Myrick Hooley Rangel Young (FL) Hoyer Madam Speaker, this is a very impor- Conaway Nadler tant resolution. It’s something we do Conyers Hunter Napolitano ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE Cooper Inglis (SC) Neugebauer every year, and I can’t imagine any Inslee The SPEAKER pro tempore (during Costa Nunes the vote). Members are advised there more appropriate use of the rotunda of Courtney Israel Obey the Capitol than to recognize and com- Cramer Issa Olver are 2 minutes remaining in this vote. Crenshaw Jackson (IL) Ortiz memorate the days of the Holocaust Crowley Jackson-Lee Pallone b 1918 and the victims of the Holocaust. It’s Culberson (TX) Pascrell something that we do every year, Johnson (GA) Cummings Pastor So (two-thirds being in the affirma- something we should do every year and Davis (AL) Johnson (IL) Paul tive) the rules were suspended and the Johnson, E. B. perhaps more frequently. And it is ex- Davis (CA) Payne bill was passed. Davis (IL) Johnson, Sam Pearce tremely important for us to recognize Davis (KY) Jones (NC) Perlmutter The result of the vote was announced this as we confront genocide in other Jones (OH) Davis, David Peterson (MN) as above recorded. parts of the world, to recognize the Davis, Lincoln Jordan Petri A motion to reconsider was laid on Deal (GA) Kagen Pickering genocide that started all genocides and DeFazio Kanjorski Pitts the table. started the discussions about the hor- DeGette Kaptur Platts rible nature of genocide. So I’m very Delahunt Keller Poe f DeLauro Kennedy Pomeroy strongly in favor of this. Dent Kildee Porter PERSONAL EXPLANATION Madam Speaker, I withdraw my res- Diaz-Balart, L. Kind Price (GA) Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Madam ervation. Diaz-Balart, M. King (IA) Price (NC) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Dicks King (NY) Putnam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 108, 109, and 110 I Dingell Kingston Radanovich was unavoidably delayed. Had I been present, objection to the request of the gentle- Kirk Doggett Rahall I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ woman from California? Donnelly Klein (FL) Ramstad There was no objection. Doyle Kline (MN) Regula Drake Knollenberg Rehberg f The text of the concurrent resolution Dreier Kucinich Reichert is as follows: Duncan Kuhl (NY) Renzi PERSONAL EXPLANATION H. CON. RES. 306 Edwards LaHood Reyes Ehlers Lamborn Reynolds Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, due to Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Ellison Lampson Richardson official business in the 13th Congressional Senate concurring), Ellsworth Langevin Rodriguez District of Michigan, I was unable to attend SECTION 1. USE OF ROTUNDA FOR HOLOCAUST Emanuel Larsen (WA) Rogers (AL) several votes. Had I been present, I would DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE CERE- Emerson Larson (CT) Rogers (KY) MONY. Engel Latham Rogers (MI) have voted ‘‘yea’’ on final passage of H. Res. English (PA) LaTourette Roskam The Rotunda of the Capitol is authorized 537, Expressing support for the designation to be used on May 1, 2008, for a ceremony as Eshoo Latta Ross and goals of ‘‘National 9–1–1 Education Etheridge Lee Rothman part of the commemoration of the days of re- Everett Levin Roybal-Allard Month,’’ ‘‘yea’’ on final passage of H.R. 3196, membrance of victims of the Holocaust. Fallin Lewis (CA) Royce To designate the facility of the United States Physical preparations for the ceremony shall Farr Lewis (GA) Ruppersberger Postal Service located at 20 Sussex Street in be carried out in accordance with such condi- Fattah Lewis (KY) Ryan (OH) tions as the Architect of the Capitol may Feeney Linder Ryan (WI) Port Jervis, New York, as the ‘‘E. Arthur Gray Ferguson Lipinski Salazar Post Office Building,’’ and ‘‘yea’’ on final pas- prescribe. Filner LoBiondo Sali sage of H.R. 4166, To designate the facility of The concurrent resolution was agreed Flake Loebsack Sa´ nchez, Linda the United States Postal Service located at to. Forbes Lofgren, Zoe T. Fortenberry Lowey Sarbanes 701 East Copeland Drive in Lebanon, Mis- A motion to reconsider was laid on Fossella Lucas Saxton souri, as the ‘‘Steve W. Allee Carrier Annex.’’ the table.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3624 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there I urge my colleagues to join me in ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR objection to the request of the gentle- condemning these hateful remarks. A CEREMONY TO HONOR THE 5 woman from California? f YEARS OF SERVICE AND SAC- There was no objection. SPECIAL ORDERS RIFICE OF OUR TROOPS AND The text of the concurrent resolution THEIR FAMILIES IN THE WAR IN is as follows: The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under IRAQ AND TO REMEMBER THOSE H. CON. RES. 313 the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- WHO ARE SERVING OUR NATION Resolved by the House of Representatives (the uary 18, 2007, and under a previous IN AFGHANISTAN AND THROUGH- Senate concurring), order of the House, the following Mem- OUT THE WORLD SECTION 1. USE OF ROTUNDA FOR CEREMONY bers will be recognized for 5 minutes HONORING THOSE SERVING IN AF- each. Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. GHANISTAN AND IRAQ. f Madam Speaker, I send a concurrent (a) USE OF ROTUNDA.—The rotunda of the resolution, H. Con. Res. 313, to the desk Capitol is authorized to be used on March 13, H.R. 3196, NAMING THE PORT JER- and ask unanimous consent for its im- 2008, for a ceremony to honor the 5 years of VIS POST OFFICE THE E. AR- mediate consideration in the House. service and sacrifice of our troops and their THUR GRAY POST OFFICE The Clerk read the title of the con- families in the war in Iraq and to remember those who are serving our Nation in Afghani- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a current resolution. stan and throughout the world. previous order of the House, the gen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there (b) PREPARATIONS.—Physical preparations tleman from New York (Mr. HALL) is objection to the request of the gentle- for the ceremony referred to in subsection recognized for 5 minutes. woman from California? (a) shall be carried out in accordance with Mr. HALL of New York. Madam Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I re- such conditions as the Architect of the Cap- Speaker, just moments ago, this body itol may prescribe. serve the right to object, but I will not voted to pay an appropriate tribute to object. I simply want to point out this The concurrent resolution was agreed a dedicated public servant in New is a very important thing that we to. York’s 19th Congressional District. A motion to reconsider was laid on should do for our troops. I’m delighted On April 10, 2007, the Hudson Valley the table. that someone has suggested that we lost one of its most involved leaders use the rotunda for this purpose. f when E. Arthur Gray, a former five- We all know how difficult it has been GENERAL LEAVE term mayor of Port Jervis and New for the troops in both Afghanistan and York State Senator, passed away at Iraq and in other parts of the world. We Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous con- the age of 82 years old. He left behind also know that there is not universal a legacy of friendship, involvement and support in our country for the work sent that all Members have 5 legisla- tive days to revise and extend their re- service that earned him a permanent that they are doing, and this makes place in the heart of Port Jervis and marks in the RECORD on the two con- their job doubly difficult. So I’m very serves as an example of what it means pleased to support this resolution and current resolutions just considered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there to work for the betterment of your make certain that we truly and prop- objection to the request of the gentle- community. erly honor the work of our Armed woman from California? By voting to pass legislation that Forces and their families throughout There was no objection. would redesignate the post office in the world when they work in such dif- Port Jervis, New York, as the E. Ar- f ficult circumstances. thur Gray Post Office Building, the Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. REMARKS OF CONGRESSMAN House has acknowledged the contribu- Will the gentleman yield? STEVE KING REGARDING SEN- tions of an individual who loved his Mr. EHLERS. Yes, I would be de- ATOR BARACK OBAMA hometown and who, as a businessman, lighted to yield. (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was government official and family man, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. I given permission to address the House dedicated a significant portion of his would just note that, as the gentleman for 1 minute.) time and energy to its civic life. has mentioned, it is important that we Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, Simply put, Arthur Gray was a Port honor the 5 years of service and sac- I rise to strongly condemn the remarks Jervis resident to the core: born Feb- rifice of our troops and their families made about U.S. Senator and Demo- ruary 28, 1925, in Port Jervis, a grad- in the war in Iraq and remember our cratic Presidential Candidate BARACK uate of Port Jervis High School before troops serving in Afghanistan and OBAMA by Congressman STEVE KING of leaving briefly for college, only to re- throughout the world. Iowa, who said that if BARACK OBAMA turn as president and co-owner of the I would note that Ranking Member became President, al Qaeda terrorists Gray-Parker Funeral Home in his na- EHLERS is a cosponsor of this resolu- would, and I quote, ‘‘be dancing in the tive Port Jervis. tion, and both conflicts are still ongo- streets in greater numbers than they Art Gray’s participation in public life ing. Our troops’ efforts have gone did on September 11.’’ Why? Because, extended to government service. He above and beyond the call of duty. he said, ‘‘of his middle name and be- was mayor of Port Jervis from 1978 to Their sacrifice and dedication to their cause of who his father was.’’ 1988. A lifetime resident of Port Jervis, country must be honored, as well as Senator OBAMA, like all of us in this Gray gave his undivided attention to the sacrifice and dedication of Amer- House, swore on the Bible to defend our issues, both large and small, and was ican troops stationed at home and country from all enemies, foreign and widely known for his open-door policy. around the world. And I am pleased domestic. He has done nothing to war- Art Gray remains the longest-serving that we will have this important rec- rant this attack. He has served his mayor in the history of Port Jervis. ognition in the people’s House, in the country honorably in the U.S. Senate. During his tenure he was able to rein- rotunda. This attack on his patriotism, religion, vigorate the downtown area and great- I thank the gentleman for yielding. heritage, and middle name amount to ly improve the city’s economic devel- Mr. EHLERS. Reserving the right to nothing more than a smear campaign. opment plan. Citizens of the local area object, I simply want to thank the gen- I would fully expect these comments remember Art as a man who was gen- tlewoman from California for her good to come from people like Rush erous in nature and willing to help comments. And I hope every Member of Limbaugh or Ann Coulter, not from those in need. After finishing his serv- this Congress will join us in approving one of my House colleagues. There is ice as mayor, Art Gray maintained his this particular resolution. simply no room in this country for re- commitment to public service by suc- Madam Speaker, I withdraw my res- marks like these, remarks that Mr. cessfully running for a seat in the New ervation of objection. KING declares he stands by. York State senate in 1988.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3625 He represented the 39th Senatorial it was amniotic fluid passing over their in America is enough; and that the District in that capacity until 1990. But vocal cords instead of air, we couldn’t America that rejected human slavery E. Arthur Gray’s contributions to his hear them. and marched into Europe to arrest the city and his country were not limited All of them had at least four things Nazi Holocaust is still courageous and to business and politics. He served as a in common: They were each just little compassionate enough to find a better lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve babies that had done nothing wrong to way for mothers and their babies than during World War II. He was also deep- anyone; each one of them died a name- abortion on demand. ly involved in community life, and the less and lonely death; and each of their So tonight, Madam Speaker, may we list of organizations that count him as mothers, whether she realizes it imme- each remind ourselves that our own a member is astounding. diately or not, will never be the same; days in this sunshine of life are also At one time or another, Art Gray was and all the gifts these children might numbered, and that all too soon, each a member of the Port Jervis Commu- have brought to humanity are now lost of us will walk through these Chambers nity Development Agency, the Orange forever. for the very last time. And if it should County Economic Development Agen- Yet, even in the full glare of such be that this Congress is allowed to con- cy, the National League of Small Cities tragedy, this generation still clings to vene at yet another day to come, may Advisory Council, St. Mary’s Roman a blind, invisible ignorance while his- that be the day when we finally hear Catholic Church, Bon Secours Commu- tory repeats itself and our own silent the cries of the innocent unborn. May nity Hospital Advisory Board, Knights genocide mercilessly annihilates the that be the day when we find the hu- of Columbus Council No. 471, Ancient most helpless of all victims to date, manity, the courage, and the will to Order of Hibernians in America, Elks those yet unborn. embrace together our human and con- Lodge No. 645, BPOE, Port Jervis Lions Madam Speaker, perhaps it’s impor- stitutional duty to protect the least of Club, Tri-States Chamber of Com- tant for those of us in this Chamber to these, our tiny American brothers and merce, Port Jervis Country Club, remind ourselves again of why we are sisters, from this murderous scourge Metaque Falls Hunting Club, Tri- really all here. upon our Nation called abortion on de- States Rod and Gun Club, the Port Jer- Thomas Jefferson said, ‘‘The care of mand. vis Board of Education, and Port Jervis human life and its happiness and not It is March 10, 2008, Madam Speaker, Planning Board. its destruction is the only chief and 12,831 days since Roe v. Wade first When you look at that list, you gain only object of good government.’’ stained the foundation of this Nation a true appreciation for how much time, The phrase in the 14th amendment with the blood of its own children. energy, and dedication Art Gray de- capsulizes our entire Constitution. It This, in the land of the free and the voted to betterment of his hometown. says, ‘‘No State shall deprive any per- home of the brave. However, he devoted just as much, if son of life, liberty or property without not more, to his family and friends. He due process of law.’’ Madam Speaker, f protecting the lives of our innocent was extremely devoted to his wife, JOBS POST BIGGEST DROP citizens and their constitutional rights Helen; son, Gerald; daughter, Brigid; IN 5 YEARS and numerous other family members is why we are all here. It is our sworn and close friends. He is remembered by oath. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a those closest to him as enthusiastic, The bedrock foundation of this Re- previous order of the House, the gentle- optimistic, supporting, loving, and in- public is that clarion declaration of the woman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR) is rec- spirational. self-evident truth that all human ognized for 5 minutes. Through it all, E. Arthur Gray’s life beings are created equal and endowed Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, since was deeply interwoven with the fabric by their creator with the unalienable 2000, our Nation has lost over 3,400,000 of Port Jervis, his home, and it is fit- rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit more manufacturing jobs. In fact, the ting that the adoption of this bill will of happiness. Every conflict and battle job creation record of the Bush admin- help memorialize his service. our Nation has ever faced can be traced istration is the worst since the Hoover to our core commitment to this self- administration. f evident truth. It has made us the bea- The figures released by the U.S. De- b 1930 con of hope for the whole world. It is partment of Labor last week posted the who we are. largest job loss in 5 years. The report SUNSET MEMORIAL And yet, Madam Speaker, another was much weaker than expected, and, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a day has passed, and we in this body strangely, the unemployment rate de- previous order of the House, the gen- have failed again to honor that clined because there were fewer people tleman from Arizona (Mr. FRANKS) is foundational commitment. We failed in the workforce. CNN’s Moneyline re- recognized for 5 minutes. our sworn oath and our God-given re- ported that employers made their deep- Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Madam sponsibilities as we broke faith with est cuts in staffing in almost 5 years in Speaker, I stand with yet another sun- nearly 4,000 more innocent American February. There was a net loss of 63,000 set memorial. It is March 10, 2008, in babies who died today without the pro- more jobs, which is the biggest decline the land of the free and the home of the tection that we should have given since March 2003, and weaker than the brave, and before the sunset today in them. revised 22,000 job loss reported for Jan- America, almost 4,000 more defenseless It seems so sad, Madam Speaker, uary. The job loss was widespread, unborn children were killed by abor- that this sunset memorial may be the reaching beyond the battered construc- tion on demand. That’s just today, only public remembrance these chil- tion industry, which lost 39,000 jobs, Madam Speaker. That’s more than the dren who died today will ever have in and manufacturing, where job losses number of innocent American lives this Chamber. So, as small a gesture as hit 52,000. that were lost on September 11, only it it might be, I would respectfully ask Retailers cut 34,000 jobs while busi- happens every day. this moment for a moment of silence ness and professional service cut 20,000 It has now been exactly 12,831 days for those lost little Americans. jobs. Temporary staffing firms cut since the travesty called Roe v. Wade Madam Speaker, let me conclude in nearly 28,000 jobs off their payrolls, an- was handed down by an arrogant Su- the hope that perhaps someone new other warning sign of employers pull- preme Court. Since then, the very who hears this sunset memorial to- ing back, and hotels cut about 4,000 foundation of this Nation has been night will finally realize that abortion jobs, a sign that discretionary con- stained by the blood of almost 50 mil- really does kill little babies, that it sumer spending could be on the wane. lion of our own children. hurts mothers in ways that we can Overall, the private sector cut over Some of them, Madam Speaker, cried never express, and that 12,831 days kill- 101,000 jobs according to the CNN and screamed as they died, but because ing nearly 50 million unborn children Moneyline report.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3626 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 The widening recession in almost The labor market has weakened signifi- of the United States and construct a every sector, not just the goods-pro- cantly in recent months, prompting fears of balance between the political branches. recession along with a $170 billion economic ducing sector, is extraordinarily im- b 1945 portant. I wish to place those numbers stimulus package and a series of interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. in the RECORD and say, Madam Speak- The War Powers Resolution of 1973 The Fed is next set to meet March 18 to aimed to clarify the intent of the con- er, America needs to create more real consider what to do with interest rates. Fri- wealth here at home and stop bor- day’s report would seem to suggest more stitutional Framers and to ensure that rowing prosperity and piling on more rate cuts are on the way, despite the im- Congress and the President share in debt. We need to create jobs leading to proved unemployment rate. the decision-making process in the energy independence in this country. f event of armed conflict. Yet, since the enactment of the resolution, time and We need to do more than just sort of COMMITTEE HEARINGS ON CON- flash our hand at that and be serious again Presidents have maintained that STITUTIONAL WAR POWERS RES- the resolution’s consultation, report- about it. OLUTION OF 2007 We need new transportation systems ing, and congressional authorization in our country. We need new bridges in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a requirements are unconstitutional ob- the ground. We need people to be em- previous order of the House, the gen- stacles to executive authority. ployed, those who now are idle labor, in tleman from North Carolina (Mr. By more fully clarifying the war pow- helping to build back our economy JONES) is recognized for 5 minutes. ers of the President and the Congress, from coast to coast. Mr. JONES of North Carolina. the legislation I’ve introduced, H.J. A real stimulus package would lead Madam Speaker, this Thursday, March Res. 53, the Constitutional War Powers our Nation to invest here at home, not 13, 2008, the International Organiza- Resolution, improves upon the War just to borrow more from abroad. tions, Human Rights, and Oversight Powers Resolution of 1973 in a number These numbers are serious omens. Subcommittee will conduct a hearing of ways. It clearly spells out the pow- They’re warning signs to those who on ‘‘War Powers for the 21st Century: ers that the Congress and the President have responsibility here in Washington The Congressional Perspective.’’ I must exercise collectively, as well as to do more than manipulate interest would like to thank Chairman BILL the defensive measures the Commander rates. They would engage this Congress DELAHUNT and Ranking Member DANA in Chief may exercise without congres- in an effort to build forward again in ROHRABACHER for scheduling this hear- sional approval. It also provides a more those sectors that would leave future ing. It is my understanding that Chair- robust reporting requirement that generations real wealth, the kind of man DELAHUNT and Ranking Member would enable Congress to be more in- wealth that our ancestors left us: li- ROHRABACHER also plan to hold two ad- formed and to have greater oversight. braries, schools, highways, bridges, ditional war powers hearings during And it protects and preserves the new energy systems, clean water sys- the month of April. checks and balances the Framers in- tems, new transportation systems, new I am extremely grateful for their in- tended in the decision to bring our Na- high-speed rail, new air control towers; terest in this very important issue. tion into war. the kind of wealth that can’t be Along with former Congressmen David Madam Speaker, I look forward to outsourced that belongs to the Amer- Skaggs and Mickey Edwards, who are congressional hearings on this critical ican people for generations to come. cochairmen of the Constitutional issue. The time for Congress to meet Madam Speaker, I place in the Projects War Powers Initiative, this its constitutional duty is long overdue. RECORD the figures from the CNN Thursday I will testify on the legisla- And with that, Madam Speaker, I Moneyline report about what happened tion I introduced in October of 2007, the would like to ask God to continue to with the biggest job loss in 5 years in Constitutional War Powers Resolution, bless our men and women in Afghani- this past quarter. H.J. Res. 53. stan and Iraq, and to ask God to con- JOBS POST BIGGEST DROP IN 5 YEARS Too many times this Congress has tinue to bless the families of our men (By Chris Isidore) abdicated its constitutional duty by al- and women in uniform. NEW YORK.—Employers made their deepest lowing Presidents to overstep their ex- f cut in staffing in almost five years in Feb- ecutive authority. Our Constitution ruary, according to a closely watched gov- states that while the Commander-in- ECONOMIC ISOLATIONISM ernment report Friday that showed the labor Chief has the power to conduct wars, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a market far weaker than expected, fueling al- only Congress has the power to author- previous order of the House, the gen- ready building recession fears. There was a net loss of 63,000 jobs, accord- ize war. tleman from California (Mr. DREIER) is ing to the Labor Department, which is the It is for this reason that in 1999 I recognized for 5 minutes. biggest decline since March 2003 and weaker joined 16 of my colleagues in Congress Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, as the than the revised 22,000 job loss reported for to file a suit against President Clinton two Democratic contenders duke it out January. Economists surveyed by for unconstitutionally conducting of- in the Presidential campaign, there’s Briefing.com had forecast a gain of 25,000 fensive military attacks against Yugo- one issue that they both seem very jobs in the most recent reading. slavia without obtaining a declaration eager to be identified with. And it’s The job loss was widespread, reaching be- yond the battered construction sector, which of war or other explicit authorizations very unfortunate, it’s the issue of eco- lost 39,000 and manufacturing, where job from Congress. nomic isolationism. This kind of policy losses hit 52,000. Retailers cut 34,000 jobs, Now, as threats to international is as dangerous as it is inconsistent while business and professional services cut peace and security continue to evolve, with their own rhetoric. 20,000 jobs. the Constitutional War Powers Resolu- Both Democratic contenders like to Temporary staffing firms cut nearly 28,000 tion, H.J. Res. 53, rededicates Congress talk about the need to enhance our Na- jobs off their payrolls, another warning sign to its primary constitutional role of tion’s image and increase our leader- of employers pulling back, and hotels cut about 4,000 jobs, a sign that discretionary deciding when to use force abroad. ship in the international community. consumer spending could be on the wane. In 1793, James Madison said, ‘‘ . . . They talk about diplomacy and soft Overall the private sector cut 101,000 jobs, The power to declare war, including power, and then they turn around and with only a gain in government employment the power of judging the causes of war, insist we try to withdraw from the limiting losses. is fully and exclusively vested in the worldwide marketplace and cede our Despite the job loss, the unemployment legislature . . . the executive has no global economic leadership. It has even improved to 4.8% from the 4.9% reading in right, in any case, to decide the ques- been suggested by them that we go January. Economists had forecast the unem- ployment rate would rise to 5%. The rate fell tion, whether there is or is not cause back on a 14-year deal with our two because of a big jump in the number of peo- for declaring war.’’ closest neighbors, including our neigh- ple that the government counted as no The Framers of our Constitution bor to the north who has been such a longer in the labor force. sought to decentralize the war powers key political ally.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3627 Perhaps this outlandish rhetoric is and we would disengage to our peril. nize that President Uribe of Colombia delivered with a wink and a nod. Per- Those who regard our leadership in the is our hemisphere’s most popular elect- haps it’s merely an attempt to score a international community so casually ed official with over 80 percent ap- few political points without any inten- that they would trash it for political proval ratings. Compare that to this tion to actually dismantle the deep gain threaten not only our own pros- Congress, which has a 15 percent ap- economic and political ties that we perity, but our ability to play a posi- proval rating. Big difference. share with our trading partners in this tive role in this hemisphere and around Now, there are those who oppose the hemisphere. Frankly, I hope that that the globe as we seek to grow our econo- U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agree- is the case. But either way, Madam mies and to grow the economies of our ment. They say that Colombia, Speaker, this is very dangerous rhet- neighbors. amongst all the good things it’s done, oric. f just hasn’t done enough regarding vio- NAFTA has long been addressed by lence against labor leaders. Let’s re- those running for office as though it U.S.-COLOMBIA TRADE PROMOTION member that Colombia has had 40 were an unmitigated disaster; no one AGREEMENT years of civil strife driven by left-wing seems to want to touch it with a 10- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a gorillas trying to overthrow the demo- foot pole. After all, everyone knows previous order of the House, the gen- cratically elected government of Co- that NAFTA has hurt our economy and tleman from Illinois (Mr. WELLER) is lombia. But today, 71 percent of Colom- cost us millions of jobs. Right? Wrong. recognized for 5 minutes. bians say they feel more secure under In 1994, when Bill Clinton sent NAFTA Mr. WELLER of Illinois. Madam President Uribe; 73 percent say Uribe to the Congress, the gross domestic Speaker, I rise to support the U.S.-Co- respects human rights. Those are Co- product in this country was $6.9 tril- lombia Trade Promotion Agreement, to lombians, not Americans, saying that. lion. Today, we have a $14.1 trillion urge the Speaker of this House to bring Homicides are down 40 percent in Co- economy. In other words, we have more the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion lombia; kidnappings are down 76 per- than doubled the size of our economy Agreement to this House floor for a cent. The murder rate today in in the NAFTA-era. When adjusted for vote. Medellin, once the poster child of vio- inflation, the numbers are still very And let me tell you this: this agree- lence in Colombia, one of the most dan- striking, with 50 percent growth since ment is good for the State that I rep- gerous cities on the planet, today has a 1994. During the same period, 25 million resent. It’s good for Colombia. It’s good lower murder rate than Washington, jobs have been created, while our labor for the United States. It’s good for Illi- DC, or Baltimore. force has grown by 18 million. nois farmers. It’s good for Illinois But let’s look at the facts on labor Fourteen years of NAFTA have seen workers. And it’s good for Illinois man- violence. President Uribe has made our economy grow considerably while ufacturing. major changes, beginning with reform- more Americans are working than ever And I would note that in my district ing the judiciary. He has had hired 418 before and new jobs have abounded. To I have 8,000 Caterpillar workers, union new prosecutors, 545 new investigators. put it bluntly, anyone who says that Caterpillar workers who are manufac- In fact, in the Prosecutor General’s Of- NAFTA has destroyed our economy is turing workers. And under this agree- fice, responsible for targeting those flat out wrong. Not only has the pre- ment, I note under the U.S.-Colombia who are responsible for the violence in dicted ‘‘giant sucking sound’’ that we Trade Agreement that our machinery Colombia, they’ve added over 2,000 new heard about during the NAFTA debate exports see their tariffs imposed on Il- posts. not come to pass, but the precise oppo- linois-made construction equipment Funding has gone up 75 percent in the site has taken place. eliminated on day one. Now, you think last few years alone under President But, Madam Speaker, NAFTA is just about it, mining equipment used in Co- Uribe. And quoting Carlos Rodriguez, one component of the complex rela- lombia is $1 million equipment, that’s president of the United Workers Con- tionships that entail our global engage- a $100,000 tax on U.S.-made products federation, a labor leader in Colombia: ment, where the economic and the po- eliminated on day one. ‘‘Never in the history of Colombia have litical are inextricably entwined, and Currently, Illinois exports $214 mil- we achieved something so important.’’ nowhere is this role more critical than lion to Colombia, and that’s just the Again, that’s a Colombian labor leader. in our own neighborhood. We have beginning. According to the Inter- President Uribe and Colombia, under spent years and countless resources national Trade Commission, Illinois is the government initiatives, have promoting democracy in this hemi- a big winner. Pork products will in- worked to protect labor leaders, giving sphere. The rise of Hugo Chavez in Ven- crease 72 percent, according to their them special protections. Last year, ezuela and his cohorts throughout the economic analysis. Corn and soybeans they spent over $38 million for body region have demonstrated that will see increased sales to Colombia. guard protection for labor union lead- authoritarianism in our backyard is Fabricated metal products, processed ers; 1,500 union members and activists still a reality. As he sends troops to foods, and chemicals will all see in- received special protection, the second the border he shares with our friend creases. And, again, it’s expected that largest protected group in Colombia, and ally, Colombia, we are reminded machinery, manufactured machinery, and it’s been successful. For labor ac- that tyranny in our hemisphere still like products made by John Deere and tivists under this program, none have poses very grave threats. Navistar and Caterpillar, will increase lost their lives. And I would note that NAFTA, CAFTA, the Peru Free 15 percent. the murder rate today for labor union- Trade Agreement, and the proposed Agriculture. The leaders of agri- ists is lower than the national murder agreements with Colombia and Panama culture will tell you the U.S.-Colombia rate for everyone else. build upon the twin pillars of liberty: Trade Promotion Agreement is the So progress has been made. democratic governments and free mar- best for agriculture in the history of And I would note that crimes cat- kets. They enhance our economic all trade negotiations. And let’s not egorized as anti-union violence often strength with new opportunities and forget that 80 percent of U.S. exports are not union related, but regular give us greater leverage to ensure that are currently taxed when they enter crime that everyone in Colombia has we have peaceful and prosperous neigh- Colombia, and they will become duty contended with, many are the responsi- bors. And we know that peace and pros- free immediately. That will allow us to bility of the leftist FARC. perity, Madam Speaker, go hand in become competitive with China and I would note that the International hand. Asia and other competition. Labor Organization has removed Co- We simply cannot disengage eco- We know Colombia, a democracy, as lombia from its labor watch list. Co- nomically without disengaging politi- a reliable partner and ally. We know lombia has agreed to a permanent ILO cally. Engagement through trade is our that Colombia is the oldest democracy representative in Colombia. And per- source of strength and our leadership, in Latin America. And we also recog- haps most telling, 14 Colombian labor

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3628 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 leaders have given their support to the breaking the back of the FARC, and in the tain documents which—if true—are embar- trade agreement. process threatening to shine light on its rassing to Mr. Correa but highly damaging The bottom line is, ladies and gentle- murky relations with neighbouring govern- to Mr. Chavez. As the FARC’s top negotiator, men, this agreement is good for Illinois ments. Mr. Reyes appears to have met representa- When Mr. Uribe took office in 2002, the tives of many governments. According to one workers, it’s good for Illinois manufac- guerrillas were rampant. His predecessor had e-mail, he met Gustavo Larrea, Mr. Correa’s turers, it’s good for Illinois farmers. just halted peace negotiations because the security minister last month. Mr. Larrea is Let’s bring it up for a vote. I ask my FARC had used a ‘‘demilitarised’’ zone cre- alleged to have proposed a formal meeting in colleagues to support this important ated to host the talks as a base for recruit- Quito to discuss securing the border and ne- trade agreement. And I will also in- ment and for kidnapping (many of the politi- gotiating the release of some of the FARC’s clude for the RECORD a copy of an cians it has held hostage were seized during 700-odd hostages. Mr. Larrea said that Co- ‘‘Economist’’ article talking about the talks). The guerrillas had some 17,000 lombian offIcials knew of his meeting, which President Hugo Chavez and the FARC troops; they blocked main roads and was purely to talk about the hostages. bombarded small towns, kidnapping and kill- and their opposition to this agreement. Ecuadorean officials having swapped com- ing almost at will. To make matters worse, plaints with their Colombian counterparts HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, the state’s inability to provide security had about their mutual inability to prevent the Washington, DC. March 10, 2008. spawned murderous right-wing paramilitary FARC from crossing the border. Ecuador DEAR COLLEAGUE: Please read this inform- groups. claims to spend $160m a year containing the ative recent article from The Economist Mr. Uribe’s ‘‘democratic security’’ policy spillover. It is also angry about Colombia about FARC narcoterrorists in Colombia and has achieved a dramatic change. By expand- spraying coca fields on the border with weed- troubling links with the Chavez administra- ing the security forces, he has driven the killer, which it says drifts south on to other tion in Venezuela. As noted below, ‘‘Mr. Cha- FARC from populated areas, while per- crops. vez, still with oil money but politically on suading most of the paramilitaries to de- Nevertheless, Ecuador has given some help the defensive, may have thrown in his lot mobilize. Officials reckon they have reduced to Colombia. Mr. Correa claimed that last with an outlaw army of drug-traffickers.’’ the FARC’s ranks to fewer than 11,000. But year his forces dismantled 47 FARC camps Now more than ever we must support the the guerrillas withdrew to the vast tropical pending Trade Promotion Agreement with inside Ecuador and on three occasions car- lowlands, to areas they have controlled for 40 ried out joint operations with Colombian our neighbor and friend Colombia. years. There they resisted a two-year offen- Sincerely, troops. American surveillance aircraft still sive by 18,000 troops. The army could not get patrol over Colombia from an air base in Ec- JERRY WELLER, near the FARC’s seven-man governing secre- Member of Congress. uador, although Mr. Correa has promised not tariat, of which Mr. Reyes (the NOM DE to renew the lease for this when it expires in GUERRE of Luis Edgar Devia) was a mem- 2009. [From The Economist, Mar. 6, 2008] ber. By contrast, Mr. Chavez has recently been COLOMBIA IS MOVING CLOSER TO BREAKING SEEKING THE SECRETARIAT unambiguous in his support for the FARC. THE FARC—UNLESS VENEZUELA STOPS IT Thwarted, the security forces refined their He fell out with Mr. Uribe last year over his On few, if any, other occasions has a head strategy. They put more effort into seeking attempt to act as a mediator for the hos- of state issued detailed orders for military the FARC’s leaders using information from tages. Since then he has cast aside his pre- mobilization as jauntily as if he were order- guerrilla deserters and infiltrators, and from vious stance as an honest broker seeking a ing pizza, and on live television. That is sophisticated bugging equipment provided by peaceful solution to Colombia’s internal con- what Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s president, the United States. Over the past year, this flict. When the FARC turned over two hos- did on March 2nd, after Colombian forces has started to pay off. Two FARC regional tages to him in January, Mr. Chavez hailed bombed a camp just inside Ecuador, killing commanders have been killed and one cap- the guerrillas as a ‘‘true army’’ whose status Raul Reyes, a senior commander of the Rev- tured. In January and February alone, the as belligerents should be recognised. No olutionary Armed Forces of Colombia army claims to have killed 247 guerrillas and other government in the region, not even (FARC) guerrillas. captured 226, with another 360 deserting. Cuba’s, echoed this call. On ‘‘ALo ‘‘Minister of defence!’’ bellowed Mr. Cha- This pressure has pushed FARC units to the PRESIDENTE’’ Mr. Chavez held a minute’s vez, on ‘‘ALo PRESIDENTE’’ (‘‘Hello Presi- borders with Ecuador, Venezuela and Pan- silence in honor of Mr. Reyes, whom he said dent’’), his weekly radio and television pro- ama. he had met three times over the years. He gramme. ‘‘Send me ten battalions to the bor- Last month the government received a tip- declared that Colombia needed to be ‘‘liber- der, including tanks.’’ He also ordered the off that Mr. Reyes was in a camp less than ated’’ from its ‘‘subservience’’ to the United forward deployment of his new Russian two kilometers (1.25 miles) inside Ecuador. States. fighter-bombers, threatening that if Colom- Mr. Uribe authorized a bombing raid by Bra- Another document allegedly on Mr. bia’s president, Alvaro Uribe, tried a similar zilian-made Super Tucano aircraft, which Reyes’s computer showed that Mr. Chavez raid on Venezuelan soil he would ‘‘send over killed at least 21 guerrillas. Colombian paid (or planned to pay) the FARC $300m. An the Sukhois’’. The next day he broke diplo- troops then crossed the border to recover Mr. (unrelated) e-mail to Mr. Reyes suggested matic ties with Colombia. Reyes’s corpse—and his laptop computers. Venezuelan troops and tanks duly moved that the FARC were trying to obtain ura- (They left three wounded women guerrillas nium for a ‘‘dirty bomb’’. All this prompted to the more populated points of the long bor- unattended.) der between the two countries. Customs offi- some far-fetched exchanges. Mr. Uribe said Most Colombians were jubilant that the that he would denounce Mr. Chavez for ‘‘fi- cials halted Colombian trucks at the busiest government had struck at the very top of the crossing point, between Cucuta and San Cris- nancing genocide’’; in return, Venezuela ac- FARC at last. Mr. Reyes handled the guer- cused Colombia’s police chief, who revealed tobal. rillas’ relations with the outside world; he What made this performance odd was that the contents of Mr. Reyes’s laptop, of being was one of three deputies to Manuel it was Ecuador, not Venezuela, whose sov- a ‘‘drug trafficker’’. Marulanda, the FARC’s elderly leader. For ereignty had been violated. True, Colombia ‘‘This is * * * a microphone war,’’ said the first time the security forces have shown has often accused Venezuela of harbouring General Raul Salazar, a former defense min- that they are capable of infiltrating and de- guerrilla leaders and tolerating camps near ister. Like many other Venezuelans, he feating the guerrillas tough systematic the border similar to the one bombed in Ec- doubts that it will become a real one. That strikes, said Roman Ortiz of Fundacion Ideas uador. But did Venezuela’s president have a is not least because many army officers do para la Paz, a Bogota think-tank. guilty conscience? not want war with Colombia and find Mr. Mr. Uribe doubtless thought that Mr. ‘‘Maybe he knew what was coming,’’ wrote Chavez’s actions an ‘‘embarrassment’’, said Correa could be mollified over the cross-bor- Teodoro Petkoff, a guerrilla leader in the another former defense minister, General der raid. But spurred on by Mr. Chavez, Ec- 1960s who now edits an opposition newspaper Raul Baduel, who is now a prominent oppo- uador’s president sent 3,200 troops to the bor- in Caracas. Mr. Chavez’s apparent over-reac- nent of the president. der and cut diplomatic ties. He demanded an tion was a pre-emptive attempt to ‘‘throw a So what is Mr. Chavez’s game? One pos- emergency meeting of the Organization of veil over the revelations he suspected might sible answer is his obsessive search for an ex- American States (OAS) to condemn Colom- come from Raul Reyes’ computer,’’ sug- ternal enemy to shore up his waning popu- bia, and set off on a tour of regional capitals gested Mr Petkoff. larity at home. In December, his political seeking support. With Ecuador’s president, Rafael Correa, blueprint for a socialist Venezuela, with in- following Mr. Chavez’s lead, this week’s THE LAPTOP LODE definite presidential re-election, was de- events sent Latin America’s diplomats scur- Almost as important as the killing of Mr. feated in a referendum. This came only a rying to prevent war enveloping the Reyes may be the capture of his laptops. year after he won a second six-year term neighbourhood. But they also laid bare that Apart from inside information on the FARC, with 63 percent of the vote, and was the first Colombia’s government is coming close to according to Colombian offIcials, they con- time he had lost a national vote.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3629 In November Venezuelans are due to vote women in our communities. We felt it she kept in her garage, and I remember for mayors and state governors. They are in- befitting, as we recently celebrated going over as a student at UCLA and creasingly discontented about crime, an in- Black History Month in February and going through her works for a paper flation rate that has surged to 25 percent and currently are in the midst of Women’s that I had to do, I knew that she would shortages of basic goods, including food and cooking gas. Because of Mr. Chavez’s mis- History Month. outgrow that space and would have to management of agriculture, Venezuela im- Tonight we will begin by high- find a place that could rightfully house ports much of its food from Colombia. Any lighting some of the findings from the such a precious collection. But we lasting interruption of trade would hurt both recent study of ‘‘The State of Black found a place for her. It was the old countries. Reputable pollsters say that Mr. America,’’ released by the Urban courthouse in Culver City. As you Chavez’s popularity has fallen well below 50 League, and discussing some of the know, you cannot sell a courthouse; so percent. Visible faction fights have broken wonderful women from our own con- we’re on loan. They lent it to us for a out in his newly formed Unified Socialist gressional districts. period of time, and we’re going to see Party of Venezuela. Picking a fight with Colombia and sup- I would like to begin now by yielding that Federal grants go to that library porting the FARC are unlikely to win him time to my colleague and good friend to preserve this collection. friends. One poll, by Hinterlaces, showed 89 from the great State of California, And I am so pleased to put that name percent opposed to a war and 87 percent op- DIANE WATSON. into your psyche because she has skill- posed to the FARC. So the reason for his Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker and fully, artfully, and scholarly recorded military mobilization may be to deter Co- my honorable colleague, STEPHANIE our history, as written by slaves them- lombia from moving against the FARC TUBBS JONES, thank you for this oppor- selves and written by free men. camps in Venezuela where some Colombian tunity to salute our women over a pe- Mayme Clayton, a true African officials believe that Mr. Marulanda is based. A more worrying, though improbable, hy- riod of time. American heroine. pothesis is that Mr. Chavez, a former army I would like now to introduce you to Thank you, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, officer, is throwing off all pretence at being a woman by the name of Mayme Clay- for giving me this time to talk about a civilian democrat and, fearing that he may ton. Mayme Clayton. not remain in power for long, wants to Mayme Clayton, a renowned librar- Mrs. JONES of Ohio. I would like to launch an assault on what he sees as Amer- ian, worked her entire life to assemble thank my colleague for always being ican imperialism and its regional stooge, Mr. a priceless collection of historical arti- with me and supporting me and the Uribe. facts. The collection was assembled Congressional Black Caucus on issues Although George Bush gave public support to Mr. Uribe, other governments in the re- over a 40-year period by Mayme A. that we present. gion, led by Brazil, tried to drive a wedge be- Clayton, 1923 to 2006, a career librarian Madam Speaker, I would like to tween Mr. Correa and Mr. Chavez. There at the University of Southern Cali- begin this evening by paying tribute to were signs that this might work. On March fornia in my district, and University of one of my she-roes and a pillar of the 5th Ecuador agreed to an OAS resolution California, Los Angeles, my alma 11th Congressional District of Ohio and criticizing, but not formally condemning, mater. And Dr. Clayton’s singular com- the Cleveland community, Judge Jean Colombia. The OAS also agreed to inves- mitment to preserve African American Murrell Capers. tigate the bombing. Once the region’s dip- culture and history was inspired by her At 95 years of age, Judge Jean lomats have patched things up between these Murrell Capers is still ticking and two countries, they face another, more in- desire to ensure that children would tractable problem: Mr. Chavez, still with oil know the richness and diversity of Af- kicking. Known for her feistiness and money but politically on the defensive, may rican American contributions to the zest for life, Judge Capers has been a have thrown in his lot with an outlaw army world. trailblazer for many black women in- of drug-traffickers. The Mayme A. Clayton Collection of cluding myself in the law and politics. f African American History and Culture A native of Kentucky, Judge Capers is comprised of seven main compo- moved to Cleveland with her family 88 CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS years ago. She still resides in the fam- MESSAGE HOUR nents. They are as follows: rare and out-of-print books, manuscripts, docu- ily house located in the heart of Cleve- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under ments, films, music, photographs, and land. Judge Capers credits her parents the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- memorabilia. The collection is a re- with her success and longevity to the uary 18, 2007, the gentlewoman from markable cultural treasure, with a vast teachings instilled in her by her par- Ohio (Mrs. JONES) is recognized for 60 ability to educate and to delight. It is ents: ‘‘My parents provided my four minutes as the designee of the major- our hope that this particular collection siblings and me with what we needed, ity leader. will be explored on the Web site to not what we wanted. The two things GENERAL LEAVE learn more about the collection and that impact on the individual are he- Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speak- why Dr. Mayme Clayton assembled it, redity and environment. The most im- er, I ask unanimous consent that Mem- and the goals of the Western States portant thing for you is to learn.’’ bers would have 5 legislative days in Black Research and Educational Cen- In 1932 Judge Capers began teaching which to revise and extend their re- ter. in the Cleveland Public Schools. She marks. It’s a research center, and it’s sched- went on to receive her law degree from The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there uled to receive a Federal grant to re- Case Western Reserve University, objection to the request of the gentle- furbish its facilities that are located in which she calls the ‘‘Harvard of the woman from Ohio? my district, Culver City, California. Midwest.’’ There was no objection The center will be known as the Raised as a devout Presbyterian, Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speak- Mayme Clayton Library, and it has Judge Capers says that the Bible and er, it’s befitting that you are in the housed the largest collection of rare the Constitution are the two books she Speaker’s chair today as we discuss books, films, recordings, and other doc- lives by. Through the teachings of the this very important hour. uments on black Americans outside of Bible and her Christian upbringing, she I have the pleasure to manage this the Schomburg Library. learned the importance of serving the hour on behalf of the Congressional Ms. Clayton’s historic efforts have community. That belief led her into Black Caucus. And we’re going to be not been in vain, but can rightfully politics. talking about black history and wom- serve as historical and intellectual Judge Capers began her profession in en’s history, a combination of last nourishment for this generation as well law and politics in 1945. She was the month and this month’s themes. as future generations of Americans. first black woman in the United States I want to begin by saying that we to be elected a city council member will have an opportunity to discuss the b 2000 and the first to serve as an assistant state of black women in America and When she learned that there was a lo- county prosecutor in Cuyahoga Coun- pay tribute to African American cation for her rare collection, which ty. Because of her commitment to her

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 community, Judge Capers was ap- than their husbands. However, many receive the lowest share of subprime pointed by then Governor James African American women are con- loans. Moreover, the disparity in- Rhodes to serve as a municipal court centrated in low-paying service jobs or creases as income increases. In fact, judge, a position she was elected to staff positions. African American upper-income African American women once her appointment expired. women are 6 percent of the workforce are more than five times more likely A member of my great sorority, but 14 percent of workers earning be- to receive a subprime mortgage than Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., tween $15,000 and $30,000 per year and white men. Since subprime borrowers Judge Capers has accumulated numer- are less than 1 percent of workers earn- typically refinance from one subprime ous awards including the Frances ing over $100,000 per year. Not only do loan to another, this translates into Payne Bolton Award presented by the African American women earn less, the projected foreclosures for more than Western Reserve Republican Club and growth in their earnings has lagged be- one-third of subprime borrowers. has been inducted into the Ohio Wom- hind that of white women, 19 percent ‘‘Considering that over half of all en’s Hall of Fame. and 29 percent respectively. At the loans made to black borrowers in 2005 The interesting thing about Judge upper end of the earnings distribution, and 2006 were subprime and that Afri- Capers’ life is the fact that she was disparities in the labor market impact can American women accounted for born on the very day that Delta Sigma approximately 1 percent of African 48.8 percent of all African American Theta was founded and in the very American women in corporate officer subprime borrowers in 2006, it is easy same year. So we always call her our positions whose earnings are on aver- to imagine the devastation that is headed toward black women and their representative of Delta Sigma Theta. age $229,000 compared to $250,000 for communities. A January, 2008, report Widely recognized for her gorgeous white women.’’ hats, Judge Capers continues to be an Taking the conversation even deeper issued by United for a Fair Economy advocate for all people in the commu- is Dr. Julianne Malveaux, who in her says that the subprime mortgage crisis nity. She still practices law at the age essay, ‘‘Shouldering the Third Burden: will drain $213 billion in wealth from black Americans, producing for African of 95. I can honestly say there would be The status of African American Americans the greatest wealth loss in no Stephanie Tubbs Jones were it not Women,’’ she states: for Judge Jean Murrell Capers. So to- ‘‘The labor market presents the most modern U.S. history.’’ Let’s talk about black women’s night I’m pleased to recognize her for striking example of the third burden. health for a moment. Dr. Doris her life of service and for all that she Black men and women both experience Browne, president and CEO of Brown & does on behalf of candidates through- higher unemployment rates than the Associates, Inc., had these observations out the State of Ohio and throughout general population. However, the un- about the impact of health disparities the United States of America. Tonight employment and underemployment of on African American women: she’s still actively involved in the pres- black men shifts a disproportionate ‘‘Particularly striking are disparities idential elections. Though we’re not on economic responsibility onto the shoul- in the occurrence of illness and death the same side, I still love her dearly. ders of African American women, who experienced by African Americans Let me go on to talk now about the then must support households and chil- caused by higher rates of cardio- Urban League’s State of Black America dren without sufficient contribution vascular disease, cancer, stroke, diabe- Study. Urban League president and from their spouses, partners, or fa- tes, AIDS, and a shorter life expect- CEO Marc Morial states: ‘‘By uplifting thers. The failure of public policy to ancy. For instance, heart disease is the black women, especially those strug- create jobs and access to employment leading cause of death for women in gling hardest to keep their families to- in the wake of urban the United States. However, the death gether and their dreams on track, we deindustrialization puts African Amer- rate for heart disease is 20 percent lift up every American community.’’ ican men at a particular disadvantage higher for African American women I want to applaud the Urban League and thereby places the burden of fam- than white women. In addition, cancer for having the vision to highlight the ily survival on African American is the second leading cause of death issues of black women in this country women.’’ among women; yet the 5-year survival in this year’s report. Oftentimes our Another article about black women rate is 10 percent lower for African issues are overlooked and/or and the foreclosure crisis is written by American women compared to their marginalized. I would like to share Andrea Harris, the president of the white female counterparts. Also, 15 with you a few excerpts from some of North Carolina Institute for Minority million black women in the United the essays featured in this year’s re- Economic Development, and she had States are afflicted with diabetes, port. This year’s essayists do a fan- this to say about the impact of the roughly double the number of U.S. tastic job of highlighting the many foreclosure crisis and its effect on Afri- white women who are diagnosed with struggles of black women in America. can American women: the disease. Black women and the workplace: In ‘‘Nearly two-thirds of the wealth pos- ‘‘With regard to HIV and AIDS, 61 her essay ‘‘African American Women sessed by African American families is percent of those under age 25 with a di- and Work: Still a Tale of Two Cities,’’ in the form of home equity. Without agnosis of HIV/AIDS are African Amer- Alexis Herman has this to say regard- homeownership most of these house- ican, and African American women are ing the inequality women face in the holds own very little and have few op- diagnosed with AIDS at a rate nearly workplace: portunities to build economic security. 24 times higher than white women. ‘‘Over the last 60 years, the labor Half of all African American house- Black women are more likely to be in- force participation of women has more holds with children are headed by fected by heterosexual means, sexual than doubled, which means nearly one women; therefore, homeownership is an contact with men who are HIV posi- out of every two workers is a woman. important economic advantage for tive, compared to other racial and eth- However, this increase in labor force these families. nic groups. Possible explanations for participation was driven largely by ‘‘The 1977 Community Reinvestment these disparities are the complex inter- non-African American women deciding Act was enacted to abolish redlining, action of biological factors, environ- to work outside their homes. African but it created a market for predatory ment, ethnicity, insurance, and certain American women have a long history lending. A recent report by the Con- health behaviors or life-style choices. of working outside of their homes and sumer Federation of America notes Equally important are the effects of so- have the highest labor force participa- that subprime loans have gone dis- cioeconomic factors such as education tion rate among women, 63.4 percent. proportionately to women and that Af- and income in creating health dispari- Not only are more women working, but rican American and Latina women ties. For African American women, more of these working women are have the highest rates of subprime poverty, race, and ethnicity play a sig- mothers as well. Further, one in four lending when compared to all other nificant role in lower health quality married working women earn more Americans, especially white men who and health outcomes.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3631 ‘‘Overcoming persistent health dis- she recognized back then, even though have sought to have the privilege to parities and promoting healthy behav- she fought on behalf of the suffragette have them be able to revise and extend iors for African Americans is a formi- movement, that she as an African their remarks so that they can add in- dable health challenge. African Amer- American woman would not have the formation to this particular time. ican women must devote more time to opportunity to have the right to vote, It is always great to have a chance to care for their own health needs because even if she won the suffragette move- participate in these Special Orders on health education, awareness, and ment. behalf of the Congressional Black Cau- screening are essential in preventing We recalled in our discussion this cus; our Chair, CAROLYN CHEEKS KIL- and controlling chronic diseases in great speech that she gave that was PATRICK; our Vice Chair, BARBARA LEE, women.’’ called ‘‘Ain’t I a Woman?’’ and she who happens to be the Speaker in the All of these points that have been talked about that she had worked and chair right now. made in this wonderful publication by slaved in cotton fields, that she was Madam Speaker, with that I am will- the Urban League point to issues that able to till the land just like a man, ing to yield back the balance of my predominate in the African American that she was able to cut down trees time such that the next person who has community, which particularly fall like a man and she said, But ain’t I a a Special Order can come forward. I upon African American women in our woman? And she went on to talk about thank you for the time. country. The Urban League should be the fact that women across this coun- f applauded for focusing in on the state try have worked very hard and very SIMPLIFYING THE TAX CODE of black women in America. And we diligently but, in fact, they have not focus in again around education, been given the rights or recognition The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under around health care, around job oppor- that they should. And she ends this the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- tunities, around income within the great speech by saying, if one woman uary 18, 2007, the gentleman from workplace. can be determined to have turned this Texas (Mr. BURGESS) is recognized for When we have been looking at issues world upside down, surely all the 60 minutes as the designee of the mi- around women and the workplace, one women in this room ought to be able to nority leader. of the things that we have noticed per- turn it right side up again. And then Mr. BURGESS. And I thank the sistently is that women still only make she said, And the men ought to let Speaker. about 70 cents of every dollar that men them do it. Madam Speaker, it has been said over make in the workplace, and we have to So it is an exciting time as we focus and over again that nothing in this life continue to fight for our opportunity in on Women’s History Month that we is certain except death and taxes. I was to be paid equally in the workplace. It have a time to reflect on great women a practicing physician for over 25 years becomes even a greater dilemma as we like Sojourner Truth and others who back in Texas and I’ve got to tell you, focus in on the foreclosure crisis, which were leading the charge to make sure sometimes death seems a little less has caused so many families to go that women had the right to vote and complicated than our Tax Code. The under. participate in the process. complexity of the Tax Code has done In the State of Ohio, 90,000 houses or I am excited to discuss in that same nothing but grow since the Federal in- homes in Ohio are in the predatory vein 22 women, and these 22 women come tax was first introduced in this lending process. I am told that the were the founders of my sorority, Delta body in 1913. number across the country is some- Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. When it was first created, the Tax where around 900,000 families or houses These 22 women had been part of an- Code was 400 pages. This year, it is in this country are in debt or in trou- other sorority and decided that they 67,506 pages, nearly a 17,000 percent in- ble as a result of the foreclosure crisis. wanted to be more focused on political crease, pretty typical of government It becomes even more important that and social issues and created Delta math. Because I’m a visual person, I Members of Congress and my col- Sigma Theta Sorority at Howard Uni- would like to show you what the statis- leagues begin to focus in on these versity back in 1913, the same year tics look like. issues and try to do what we can to as- that Judge Jean Murrell Capers was Here is a picture from the ‘‘CCH sist those families in the process. born. Part of their first act was to par- Standard Federal Tax Reporter’’ illus- One of the dilemmas that we really ticipate in the suffragette march. trating the exponential increase in the face as well is, though, that the pro- I gave a speech the other day that Tax Code. What this demonstrates, posals that have been placed upon the was interesting in the conversation Madam Speaker, is way back here in table to try to fix the foreclosure proc- that the people who put the march to- 1913, we had one little 400-page book ess have not really focused on the peo- gether, they wanted to push all the Af- that was the Federal Tax Code, and ple who are stuck in the foreclosure. rican American women to the back of then we fast forward to 2007 and 2008 They are more focused on the banking the march because they knew that and you see the number of pages now and financial institutions than on the they would not be able to vote, but the that fill the bookshelf, making the people and the process. African American women started par- complexity of the code something that ticipating in the march and they said, the average person, quite honestly just b 2015 to heck with this, we’re going to be at does not understand. We need to push as Members of Con- the front. And so they moved around Madam Speaker, remember that one gress to make sure that we pursue the march and moved to the front of of the fundamental tenets of the Amer- other opportunities to assist people the march on behalf of the people that ican legal system, including the tax who are really in need of our support. are represented. So it was really system, is that ignorance of the law is It is exciting as we go on and cele- women who were participating in the no excuse. Therefore, in theory, every brate Black History Month and Wom- forefront that clearly had the chance single American who is merely trying en’s History Month together that we to give us or set the example for what to comply with the Tax Code and file think about all the great leaders and we should be able to do. their taxes by April 15 is supposed to be great women who have come before us I am just so pleased to have had this familiar with all of the 67,000 some odd in this country. opportunity on behalf of the Congres- pages that are contained within the I had an opportunity about 2 weeks sional Black Caucus to talk about Tax Code which comprise the tax rules. ago to be in Akron, Ohio, with a group Women’s History Month, to talk about Now, I don’t know if my tax preparer of women. We were focusing on Wom- African American women who have back home knows all of the 67,506 pages en’s History Month and that great done such a great job in the process. I and you have to wonder about other woman, Sojourner Truth, an African am confident that my colleagues would people in other congressional districts. American woman who was a leader in have been here this evening but for What about the small business owner? the suffragette movement, even though other commitments and that is why I What about the single mom who is just

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3632 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 struggling to get by? How are they ever We all complain about paying our Tax Code in half in 1986. As a result of going to know all of the regulations taxes. The fact is if the system was fair that reform, the economy grew, reve- contained within 67,506 pages of the and simple, it would be a lot easier to nues increased and jobs were created. I U.S. Tax Code? take. Americans don’t mind paying for can’t think of a better prescription for The complexity of the Tax Code is a roads. They pay for a strong defense. our slowing economy today than repli- result of countless deductions and ex- They pay for health care for your cating the reform of the Tax Code on emptions aimed at steering a social grandmother. It’s the fact that one an even greater scale. agenda, quite honestly, when it’s sup- family makes exactly the same amount So what should we do? The prescrip- posed to be a Tax Code. That’s one of as the family next door, but they’re tion is fairly simple. Flatten the tax, the fundamental problems with our tax forced to pay a higher share of the tax broaden the base and shift the burden system, is that we try to enforce social burden. The Declaration of Independ- away from families and small busi- policy through the Tax Code rather ence says all men are created equal, nesses. Simplify the Tax Code and than seeing the Tax Code simply as a and that should apply to the tax bur- make it easier for individuals and busi- vehicle for collecting those revenues den as well. nesses to file their taxes and pay their that the government has to collect in Now, let me just show you a break- fair share. Even the National Taxpayer order to run. Special interest groups down by congressional district. Most Advocate, Nina Olsen, stated simplify run rampant through every single page Members of Congress should be inter- the Tax Code as one of her rec- of that 67,000 pages. Anytime Congress ested in this chart, also produced by ommendations in the 2007 Annual Re- wants to punish a special interest the Tax Foundation. In 2004, the Tax port to Congress: group or reward another, Congress adds Foundation ranked Federal individual ‘‘The complexity of the code in- a new credit or a new law to the mam- income tax burden by congressional creases the likelihood that honest tax- moth Tax Code. The result is a Federal district. My district, the 26th District payers will make inadvertent mis- law fraught with opportunities for of Texas, falls here somewhere in the takes, creates opportunities for tax- avoiding taxes and loopholes to be ex- middle, and it is highlighted in yellow payers to avoid paying their fair share ploited at the expense of fellow Ameri- so its easy for me to see, but it com- of taxes, and makes it difficult for the cans. Everyone is familiar with the pares the ranking of Federal income Internal Revenue Service to administer problems inherent in our convoluted tax burden as a percentage of the ad- the tax system. Simplifying the tax Tax Code, and criticizing the American justed gross income versus the ranking law could improve the audit process Tax Code is as American as apple pie of the average income tax liability per and allow less taxpayer burden.’’ and baseball, and for good reason. return. In other words, with identical b 2030 Let me share just a few interesting incomes, we have some States with a facts on why we need fundamental tax much higher burden and some States Pretty simple stuff. Pretty straight- reform. Each year, Americans spend 6.5 with a much lower burden. forward. If the National Taxpayer Ad- billion hours preparing their tax forms, Now that is an average across the vocate thinks it is best for our con- and businesses spend 800 million hours population, so clearly there will be stituents if we simplify the system, it complying with the Tax Code. The cost some differences, but we see New York would make sense that Members of of compliance for Federal taxpayers represented in both the upper and the Congress on both sides of the aisle filling out returns and related chores lower categories. We see California would agree with this sentiment and was $265 billion in 2005. The average likewise represented in both the upper work toward this goal. taxpayer pays over $1,800 per household and the lower categories. So it’s not in- Now, this next data I need to credit in compliance costs. In other words, conceivable that the discrepancy to some polling done by American So- that taxpayer works a little over a should not be that large; but, neverthe- lutions. They conducted a nationwide week just to pay for the cost of pre- less, because of the complexity of the poll on six different topics, with one paring his or her taxes for that year. Tax Code, that’s one of the things being taxes and jobs. This poll crossed A study was done back in 1998 when we’re left with. gender, ethnicity, economic and party the forms in 1998 were less complicated 435 Members of Congress and here is lines, and they discovered the following than they are 10 years later, and it sur- the data from the top seven compared opinions in America. Under taxes and veyed 46 tax experts. Each expert came to the bottom seven. You can defi- jobs, 69 percent think the Federal in- up with 46 different answers when de- nitely see varying tax liabilities come tax system is unfair. Seventy termining tax liability. Forty-six pre- throughout the country. Again, my dis- percent favor tax incentives for compa- parers, each given the same set of data, trict ranked 139th in regards to the nies who keep their headquarters in 46 different figures to determine tax li- Federal income tax burden as a per- the United States of America. What a ability. The tax calculations them- centage of gross income, but ranked great concept. Eighty-two percent selves ranged some $34,000 to $68,000, al- only 127 as the average income tax li- think the option of a single rate sys- most a doubling of the original esti- ability per return. Again, that’s more tem would give taxpayers the conven- mated amount. of the Federal Government’s math for ience of filing their taxes with just a The Tax Foundation prepared the fol- you. single sheet of paper. Pretty powerful lowing information that actually I And yet another aspect of complying stuff. Eighty-two percent want to be think will be of interest to this body: with our Tax Code. Time is precious. able to file on a single sheet of paper. In the year 2007, a person spent 79 We often don’t have enough of it for Madam Speaker, it sounds to me as if days working to pay for their Federal personal things, those mundane things America has spoken fairly clearly on taxes and 41 days on State and local like earning a living, raising your fam- this subject, and the evidence is that taxes for a grand total of 120 days. ily, spending time with your friends, we do need real change in our tax sys- That’s more than health care, more and then there’s the dollars-and-cents tem. The encouraging news is that we than housing, more than transpor- side of the equation where, in fact, have a practical and effective blueprint tation. And, honestly, you can see an time is money and valuable resources for making this real change across-the- immediate return on those categories. are misspent navigating tax law in- board. The blueprint is called the flat It’s a little bit more difficult to see the stead of spent growing the economy tax. tangible return on Federal tax dollars, and creating jobs. Taken together, this In 1981, Robert Hall and Alvin albeit those are the moneys that are is a strong prescription for real change Rabushka proposed a new and radically required to have the Federal Govern- in our Tax Code. simple structure that would transform ment run. But when you look at the We know what works when it comes the Internal Revenue System and our bite that taxes take out of the average to changing the Tax Code because we economy by creating a single rate of income compared with all of the other got a glimpse of it when during Ronald taxation for all Americans. Today, sev- expenditures, it truly is significant. Reagan’s administration he cut the eral States have implemented a single

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3633 rate tax structure for their State in- Now, we all may not agree on just a vidual taxpayers now use a paid pre- come taxes and from Utah to Massa- single rate. I have mentioned some parer for their income tax return. I do chusetts, citizens are seeing the ben- other individuals that have other bills, myself. Mine is not that complicated, efit. and they do have different approaches. but I don’t dare go into the process In Colorado, a single rate generated We may not all agree on whether it without a professional guiding me, lest so much income, so much revenue, that should be a single rate or two rates, as someone at some point say, hey, you lawmakers actually reduced the rate 10 it was back when Ronald Reagan sim- made a mistake. I want a professional years after its implementation. In the plified the Tax Code. We may prefer a with me if I had to go in to justify State of Indiana, the economy boomed tax method that does allow for deduc- what those numbers read on the form. after a single rate went into effect in tions for mortgages or charitable con- We actually anticipate the number of 2003, and in that time corporate income tributions. But regardless, regardless, people using a paid preparer to increase tax receipts have risen 250 percent. each of them embodies the funda- this year. In 1960, less than a fifth of In 1981, a simple concept put forth by mental principle that each American taxpayers used preparers. More than Robert Hall and Alvin Rabushka, revis- should bear the burden of taxation half now. Less than a fifth, less than 20 ited in 1995 by my predecessor in this equally and at the lowest rate possible; percent, back in 1960. In 2005, one of the body, former majority leader Dick we think everyone should be able to do most famous tax preparation compa- Armey, and, most recently, within the their own taxes without the help of a nies garnered $2.4 billion in revenue last couple of years, a book published professional and should be confident from the United States in tax prepara- by Steven Forbes on the flat tax revo- that people who earn the same income tion, up from $841 million 10 years be- lution. All of those authors, all of pay the same taxes. fore in 1996. Pretty astounding. Pretty those authors calling for the same type Madam Speaker, just as an aside, I astounding figures when you stop and of reform in our Tax Code, to allow it remember back in the year 1993, I was think about it. to be flatter, fairer and simpler. just a regular guy working in a medical Now, I respect and I fully appreciate Now we have got several Members of practice back home in Texas. It just so everything that my tax preparer does for me, what my accountant does for Congress who are actually working on happened that that year, the President me, what tax preparation companies the problem. Certainly it is something of the United States and myself had an do, and I think it is a shame that Con- that I remain focused on. Congressman almost identical income reported. And gress has created a system that is so DAVID DREIER from California, the yet when you calculated what I paid as complicated that more than half of the ranking member on the Rules Com- a percentage of income, it was in ex- public feel a need to pay someone, to mittee, and PAUL RYAN of Wisconsin, cess of 30 percent. When you calculated pay someone else, just to figure out the ranking member on the Budget what the other individual paid, it was how much they owe for their tax liabil- Committee, are all working to estab- around 20 percent. So why the discrep- ity. The system doesn’t have to be that lish the single tax rate structure for ancy? With the same amount of earned the United States. Members are work- complicated. income, why should there be such a Now, bear with me, if you would, ing on it in the other body as well. vast difference in the taxes owed and through one last poster, and this really Each of us have our own ideas. The leg- the taxes paid? That is really what got sums it up. A faster, flatter, fairer tax islation proposed is a little bit dif- me to thinking about this subject, structure, let me show you how it ferent, but it all has at the center of it many, many years ago. works. It is pretty simple. the concept that you should be able to We all remember when the Tax Code Here we go. You put in a little bit of file your taxes on a single form at a was changed in 1993. It was changed information, like your name; a little much flatter rate that will be fairer retroactively so that we got both the bit of identification data, income, per- across-the-board, and, in fact, evidence rich and the dead involved in paying sonal exemptions, married filing joint- has shown that it will actually in- additional taxes. But it really got me ly, single head of household; number of crease revenue. focused. Then in 1995 when Congress- dependents. You add up your deduc- The bill that I introduced actually man Armey published his book on the tions. Taxable income is line 1 minus two Congresses ago, and I have contin- flat tax, I read it, I became a believer, line 3. One subtraction equation on the ued to introduce it every year, H.R. and have continued to study the issue form. And then calculate the amount 1040, it makes it easy to remember the and have continued to talk about the of tax owed on this particular form, number, H.R. 1040 allows for a person issue. And this is the time of year to calculate by multiplying line 4 by 0.19. to opt in to a flat tax. They can’t go have these types of talks, because I do The tax is already withheld. Your tax back and forth from the old IRS code think it is important, regardless of refund you are owed or the taxes you and the flat tax, but if they elect to go which party is in power, that we take are to pay. What did that take? Ac- into the flat tax, they may do so. seriously the will of the American peo- cording to the clock up there, a little If quite honestly they have con- ple. Eighty-two percent, 82 percent, less than 30 seconds. Thirty seconds, structed their family or business fi- want to be able to fill out a single page and your income taxes are done. nances such that they have been trying form and be done with their taxes. Now, in all honesty, I haven’t started to utilize the code to maximize their Just by way of comparison, according my taxes this year. Please don’t tell effectiveness, no one is going to require to the Wall Street Journal, citing a my accountant. But I will spend the them to go into the flat tax. They may blog off the National Taxpayers Union better part of a Saturday afternoon, stay under the old IRS code. But for a website, there are about 1.2 million or probably this coming Saturday, going lot of people like myself, regardless of more professional tax preparers during to all those places in the house where whether I would come up better or tax season, which equals roughly the I have secreted away little receipts and worse under the flat tax, just to give population of Hawaii. There are 836,000 things that I knew I would need when up that shoe box full of receipts every doctors in the United States. As a phy- it came time to prepare my taxes. I year, to give up that quality time sician, I think that there is something will gather all of this stuff together spent with my accountant every year, a little askew with this number, that and put it in a form that is present- to give up that $1,800 or $2,500 that I we require half again as many tax pre- able, take another half day and spend spend every year on tax preparation, parers in the country as we do physi- that with my accountant. He will and I promise you, mine are not that cians. Healers shouldn’t be out- spend several weeks churning it complicated, I would gladly give that numbered by tax preparers. The gov- through whatever computer program up to be able to simply file my taxes on ernment math stuff is starting to scare that he uses. And then right before a single page form, or, better yet, popu- me, and really should start to scare a midnight on April 15th, I will get my late a field on a computer screen on the lot of Americans. tax form to sign, and I will send it in Internet, click a mouse, send it in, and Also, according to the Wall Street and I will either pay a little in taxes or be done with it for the year. Journal, more than half of the indi- I will get a little bit of refund.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3634 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 But look at this. Thirty seconds. cut my payment again for Medicare re- really going to complain if this one Your name, a little bit of identification imbursement, I would have a little time, this one time Congress does data, a couple of numbers that are easy cash to fall back on. But, guess what. If something worthwhile and actually to obtain, and taxes are already with- you do that, if you do that, you are ac- makes something easier? After all, who held, your tax liability or your tax re- tually hurt. could complain about making some- fund. No expensive tax attorney bills. b 2045 thing easier, especially a process that No more hours of stressful research comes with such a high cost? trying to figure out whether your mili- If we were to change the Tax Code, One of the things we haven’t even tary service or your marital status will again, with a single rate structure, no talked about, and you now hear talked adversely affect your return. No more capital gains tax, no taxes on divi- about all the time, is the compliance headaches trying to determine where dends, no taxes on savings, which is ex- gap, the 200 to 300 to $350 billion that the estimated tax payments go. No tremely important, and I personally it’s estimated that is owed in taxes but more Congress taking one special in- would eliminate the Clinton tax on So- it’s not paid in taxes because it’s sim- terest group over the other trying to cial Security earnings, what would ply too hard to go through all that you create social good works through the happen? Personal savings would in- have to go through to comply with the Tax Code. Instead, just a very simple crease. IRS code or you are worried about and straightforward system. And re- Would that be a bad thing? Does any- making a mistake and going to jail for member that number: 82 percent of one in this body think personal savings misrepresenting yourself on your tax Americans want something simple like would be a bad thing, particularly form. given our current economic situation? this for their tax preparation. So that compliance gap, the tax gap Businesses might just actually expand Now, in my opinion a single tax rate as it is called, you will hear people talk and create jobs. Would that be a bad structure would eliminate taxes on a bit on both sides of the aisle. They thing given our job creation numbers capital gains, eliminate taxes on divi- want to utilize, well we are going to go this past month? We lost a bunch. We dends and taxes on savings. You know, out and do a better job of collecting didn’t create anything. we always hear that our savings rate in the taxes, so we will use that $350 bil- Without the heavy corporate income this country is really pretty low, and lion to offset an increase in the farm tax, which is currently the second that in fact is one of the things that program or AMT patch, or, God forbid, highest in the industrialized world, may be behind some of the financial we would fix the SGR formula for pa- companies would have less incentive to crisis that we find ourself in now. tients and doctors across the country. offshore their headquarters and off- I will just tell you there was a time But you always hear people talk about shore their earnings. If they had less when I was in business for myself that that tax gap that they are going to col- incentive, and those earnings and head- I thought the prudent thing to do lect that $300 billion and put it to some quarters stayed in this country, would be to hold three months, three other good work, but this gets rid of wouldn’t that ultimately be a good months, of operating capital in some the tax gap. It’s gone tomorrow. easily convertible security, like a CD, thing for the state of our economy? So it really comes down to an all- You wouldn’t have to worry about something that was fairly liquid, earn people not complying with the code be- a little bit of interest along the way, American principle of freedom, and it comes in a prescription. The decision cause it would be so simple. The cost of and have that money in case the dire not complying would be high. The cost wolf was ever at the door and I needed to move to a single-rate system would be entirely up to the business, not up of complying would become much more those funds to continue to operate my bearable. business. It seemed like a prudent to the government. This would be an Well, guess what? This is a very po- think to do. optional program. If someone has con- But here is the deal. You earn some structed their domestic finances or litical year. Everywhere you go, people interest, but guess what? It is taxed at their business finances to maximize are talking about change. regular income rates. So it is suddenly their earnings under the current Fed- I will tell you what, I haven’t heard eroded by, at that time almost a half, eral Tax Code, stay in the code, that the word ‘‘change’’ so much since I was now around a third. And then if you would be your choice. an intern at the newborn nursery at ever get to the point where, okay, I am But if you are tired of the shoe box, the Parkland Hospital back in the going to bring that money back into if you want to fill out a single-page re- 1970s. Everyone is talking about the business and pay it out in salary, turn, single-page form, and then have change. You turn on the television, well, guess what? If you have held it the rest of that time, that half day I people are talking about change. for over a year in that money market am going to spend on Saturday and Let’s consider how that change could or CD, your business had to report that that other half day I am going to spend improve one of the most complicated of and pay taxes on it at the end of that on a week, if you would rather have institutions, the Internal Revenue first year, and then when you do dis- that day to spend with your family, Service. More importantly, let’s con- pense it as earnings to the owners of take a personal day off, go fishing, sider how that change could deliver the business, guess what? It is taxed whatever, earn more money, whatever, prosperity, deliver time back to Amer- again. So it got taxed twice. that’s yours. You don’t owe it to the ica’s families and to America’s tax- So for doing the prudent thing, the government any more. payers. prudent thing, holding 3 months of cap- A flat tax would be less costly. It You know what, when it gets right ital in a relatively liquid account so would save taxpayers $100 billion a down to it, that’s a stimulus, that’s a you can get to it if you need it, for year and would reduce cost of compli- stimulus that every American could doing the prudent thing, you are pun- ance by over 90 percent. The resulting understand and every American could ished on the interest you earn. So that increase in personal savings, well, wait be for. That’s a stimulus package that is not a good deal. You have got to pay a minute, didn’t we just pass a big everyone on the floor of this House taxes on it from your business, and, oh, stimulus package? That would have an should consider and vote for. by the way, if you ever do pay it out to immediate effect on our American I have got a bill, H.R. 1040. Ranking yourself in salary, you get taxed again. economy by putting that money back Member DREIER has a bill, Ranking So you have been taxed three times on in the hands of productive people in Member PAUL RYAN has a bill. I think that money that you thought you were this country. all of those are worth looking at. I doing the right thing. You were put- As I said earlier, recent polling by would like to see those brought up in ting it away against perhaps a lean American Solutions shows that over 80 the appropriate committee of Ways and month or two. Maybe those Medicare percent of Americans favor an op- Means, the Subcommittee on Taxation. payments didn’t come through as fast tional, single-page, one-page tax form Let’s have the debate; let’s have the ar- as I would like, or, God forbid, the SGR with one rate. After all, is anybody gument. Let’s do it out in the open.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3635 Let the American people hear our de- lative program and any special orders No. NHTSA-2007-28322] (RIN: 2127-AJ75) re- bate, and let them decide who is argu- heretofore entered, was granted to: ceived February 20, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. ing on their behalf and who is arguing (The following Members (at the re- 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. on behalf of the special interests. I quest of Mr. HALL of New York) to re- 5654. A letter from the Program Analyst, think it would become quite clear after vise and extend their remarks and in- Department of Transportation, transmitting just a few minutes of that debate. clude extraneous material:) the Department’s final rule — Federal Motor Again, here is an opportunity to give Mr. HALL of New York, for 5 minutes, Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Final time and money back to the American today. Listing of 2008 Light Duty Truck Lines Sub- people. That is a stimulus package of Mr. DEFAZIO, for 5 minutes, today. ject to the Requirements of This Standard which this body, both sides of the aisle, Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. and Exempted Vehicle Lines for Model Year could be justifiably proud. (The following Members (at the re- 2008 [Docket No. NHTSA-2007-28497] (RIN: 2127-AJ97) received February 20, 2008, pursu- quest of Mr. JONES of North Carolina) f ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee RECESS to revise and extend their remarks and on Energy and Commerce. include extraneous material:) The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. 5655. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media Mr. DREIER, for 5 minutes, today, Bureau, Federal Communications Commis- ALTMIRE). Pursuant to clause 12(a) of March 11, 12 and 13. sion, transmitting the Commission’s final rule I, the Chair declares the House in Mr. POE, for 5 minutes, March 14. rule — In the Matter of 2006 Quadrennial recess until approximately 9:07 p.m. Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, for 5 minutes, Regulatory Review — Review of the Commis- Accordingly (at 8 o’clock and 55 min- March 13. sion’s Broadcast Ownership Rules and Other utes p.m.), the House stood in recess Rules Adopted Pursuant to Section 202 of the Mr. WELLER of Illinois, for 5 minutes, until approximately 9:07 p.m. Telecommunications Act of 1996 FCC 07-216 today, March 11, 12, 13 and 14. [MB Docket 06-121 etc.] received February 25, f Mr. JONES of North Carolina, for 5 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the b 2110 minutes, March 14. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Mr. FLAKE, for 5 minutes, March 11. 5656. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media AFTER RECESS Mr. BURTON of Indiana, for 5 minutes, Bureau, Federal Communications Commis- The recess having expired, the House today, March 11, 12, 13 and 14. sion, transmitting the Commission’s final was called to order by the Speaker pro rule — In the Matter of Amendment of Sec- f tempore (Mr. ALTMIRE) at 9 o’clock and tion 73.202(b), Table of Allotments, FM 10 minutes p.m. SENATE ENROLLED BILL SIGNED Broadcast Stations. (Peach Springs, Arizona) [MB Docket No. 07-164 RM-11386] received f The Speaker announced her signa- February 25, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- ture to an enrolled bill of the Senate of 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and VIDING FOR ADOPTION OF the following title: Commerce. HOUSE RESOLUTION 895, ESTAB- S.J. Res. 25. Providing for the appointment 5657. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media of John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of Bureau, Federal Communications Commis- LISHING AN OFFICE OF CON- sion, transmitting the Commission’s final GRESSIONAL ETHICS the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian In- stitution. rule — In the Matter of The Commission’s Ms. SUTTON, from the Committee on Cable Horizontal and Vertical Ownership Rules, submitted a privileged report f Limits Implementation of Section 11 of the (Rept. No. 110–547) on the resolution (H. ADJOURNMENT Cable Television Consumer Protection and Res. 1031) providing for the adoption of Competition Act of 1992 Implementation of Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I move Cable Act Reform Provisions of the Tele- the resolution (H. Res. 895) establishing that the House do now adjourn. communications Act of 1996 Review of the within the House of Representatives an The motion was agreed to; accord- Commission’s Regulations Governing Attri- Office of Congressional Ethics, and for ingly (at 9 o’clock and 11 minutes bution of Broadcast and Cable/MDS Interests other purposes, which was referred to p.m.), under its previous order, the Review of the Commission’s Regulations and the House Calendar and ordered to be House adjourned until tomorrow, Tues- Politics Affecting Investment in the Broad- printed. cast Industry Reexamination of the Commis- day, March 11, 2008, at 10:30 a.m., for sion’s Cross-Interest Policy [MM Docket No. f morning-hour debate. 92-264 CS Docket No. 98-82 CS Docket No. 96- LEAVE OF ABSENCE f 85 MM Docket No. 94-150 MM Docket No. 92- By unanimous consent, leave of ab- 51 MM to the Committee on Energy and EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, Commerce. sence was granted to: ETC. 5658. A letter from the Deputy Bureau Ms. KILPATRICK (at the request of Mr. Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive Chief, Wireline Comp. Bur., Federal Commu- HOYER) for today and March 11, on ac- nications Commission, transmitting the count of official business. communications were taken from the Commission’s final rule — In the Matters of Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi (at the Speaker’s table and referred as follows: Telephone Numbers Requirements for IP-En- request of Mr. HOYER) for today and 5651. A letter from the Deputy Secretary, abled Services Providers Local Numbers March 11 on account of official business Department of Defense, transmitting the De- Portability Porting Interval and Validation in the district. partment’s report for the first quarter of fis- Requirements IP-Enabled Services Tele- Ms. WOOLSEY (at the request of Mr. cal year 2008 as required by the Joint Impro- phone Number Portability CTIA Petitions vised Explosive Device Defeat Fund provi- for Declaratory Ruling on Wireline-Wireless HOYER) for today and the balance of sion in Title VI of Division A of the Depart- Porting Issues Final Regulatory Flexibility the week on account of medical leave. ment of Defense Appropriations Act of 2008, Analysis Numbering Resource Optimization Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida Pub. L. 110-116; to the Committee on Armed [WC Docket No. 07-243 WC Docket No. 07-244 (at the request of Mr. BOEHNER) for Services. WC Docket No. 04-36 CC Docket No. 95-116 CC today on account of a family medical 5652. A letter from the Chief, Congressional Docket No. 99-200] received February 25, 2008, emergency. Action Division, Office of Legislative Liai- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- Mr. BUYER (at the request of Mr. son, Department of the Air Force, Depart- mittee on Energy and Commerce. BOEHNER) for today on account of flight ment of Defense, transmitting notice of a 5659. A letter from the Chief of Staff, Media delays. performance decision on the public-private Bureau, Federal Communications Commis- Mr. YOUNG of Florida (at the request competition affecting Detachment 1, Train- sion, transmitting the Commission’s final ing Support Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, rule — In the Matter of Leased Commercial of Mr. BOEHNER) for today on account Arizona; to the Committee on Armed Serv- Access [MB Docket No. 07-42] received Feb- of illness in the family. ices. ruary 25, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. f 5653. A letter from the Program Analyst, 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED Department of Transportation, transmitting Commerce. the Department’s final rule — Federal Motor 5660. A letter from the General Counsel, By unanimous consent, permission to Vehicle Safety Standards; Lamps, Reflective Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, address the House, following the legis- Devices, and Associated Equipment [Docket transmitting the Commission’s final rule —

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:22 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\H10MR8.000 H10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3636 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 Blanket Authorization Under FPA Section received February 29, 2008, pursuant to 5 Ms. SUTTON: Committee on Rules. House 203 [Docket No. RM07-21-000; Order No. 708] U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Nat- Resolution 1031. Resolution providing for the received February 25, 2008, pursuant to 5 ural Resources. adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 895) estab- U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on En- 5670. A letter from the Deputy General lishing within the House of Representatives ergy and Commerce. Counsel, National Aeronautics and Space Ad- an Office of Congressional Ethics, and for 5661. A letter from the General Counsel, ministration, transmitting the Administra- other purposes (Rept. 110–547). Referred to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, tion’s final rule — CROSS-WAIVER OF LI- the House Calendar. transmitting the Commission’s final rule — ABILITY (RIN: 2700-AB51) received February DISCHARGE OF COMMITTEE Cross-Subsidization Restrictions on Affiliate 28, 2008, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XII, the Transactions [Docket No. RM07-15-000; Order the Committee on Science and Technology. No. 707] received February 25, 2008, pursuant 5671. A letter from the Publications and Committee on Financial Services dis- to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Regulations Unit, Internal Revenue Service, charged from further consideration. Energy and Commerce. transmitting the Service’s final rule — Cred- H.R. 5501 referred to the Committee of 5662. A letter from the Director, Office of it for New Qualified Alternative Motor Vehi- the Whole House on the State of the Congressional Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory cles (Qualified Fuel Cell Motor Vehicles) Union. Commission, transmitting the Commission’s [Notice 2008-33] received February 29, 2008, final rule — Delegated Authority to Order pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Com- f Use of Procedure for Access to Certain Sen- mittee on Ways and Means. REPORTED BILLS SEQUENTIALLY sitive Unclassified Information (RIN: 3150- 5672. A letter from the Chief, Publications REFERRED AI32) received February 28, 2008, pursuant to and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Service, transmitting the Service’s final rule Under clause 2 of rule XII, bills and Energy and Commerce. — Revenue Procedure: Purchase Price Safe reports were delivered to the Clerk for 5663. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Harbors for Sections 143 and 25 (Rev. Proc. printing, and bills referred as follows: for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, 2008-17) received February 25, 2008, pursuant [Omitted from the Record of March 6, 2008] transmitting an annual report required by to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on section 655 of the Foreign Assistance Act of Ways and Means. Mr. RAHALL: Committee on Natural Re- 1961, pursuant to Public Law 104-164, section 5673. A letter from the Program Manager, sources. H.R. 2176. A bill to provide for and 655(a) (110 Stat. 1435); to the Committee on Department of Health and Human Services, approve the settlement of certain land Foreign Affairs. transmitting the Department’s final rule — claims of the Bay Mills Indian Community, 5664. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- Medicare Program; Medicare Secondary with an amendment; referred to the Com- ment of Commerce, transmitting consistent Payer (MSP) Amendments [CMS-6272-F] mittee on Judiciary for a period ending not with the resolution of advice and consent to (RIN: 0938-AN27) received February 25, 2008, later than April 4, 2008, for consideration of ratification of the Convention on the Prohi- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); jointly to such provisions of the bill and amendment as bition of the Development, Production, the Committees on Energy and Commerce fall within the jurisdiction of that com- Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and Ways and Means. mittee pursuant to clause 1(k) of rule X (Rept. 110–541, Pt. 1). Ordered to be printed. and on Their Destruction, adopted by the f Senate of the United States on April 24, 1997, Mr. RAHALL: Committee on Natural Re- and Executive Order 13346 of July 8, 2004, cer- REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON sources. H.R. 4115. A bill to provide for and tification for calendar year 2007; to the Com- PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS approve the settlement of certain land mittee on Foreign Affairs. claims of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chip- 5665. A letter from the Assistant Secretary Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of pewa Indians, with an amendment; referred for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, committees were delivered to the Clerk to the Committee on Judiciary for a period transmitting the Department’s report on for printing and reference to the proper ending not later than April 4, 2008, for con- ‘‘Overseas Surplus Property,’’ pursuant to calendar, as follows: sideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of Public Law 105-277, section 2215; to the Com- [The following action occurred on March 7, that committee pursuant to clause 1(k) of mittee on Foreign Affairs. 2008] 5666. A letter from the Assistant Secretary rule X (Rept. 110–542, Pt. 1). Ordered to be Mr. SPRATT: Committee on the Budget. for Legislative Affairs, Department of State, printed. House Concurrent Resolution 312. Resolution transmitting pursuant to section 36(c) of the revising the congressional budget for the f Arms Export Control Act, certification of a United States Government for fiscal year proposed technical assistance agreement for PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS 2008, establishing the congressional budget the export of technical data, defense serv- for the United States Government for fiscal Under clause 2 of rule XII, public ices, and defense articles to the Governments year 2009, and setting forth appropriate of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, bills and resolutions were introduced budgetary levels for fiscal years 2010 through Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Canada, and severally referred, as follows: 2013 (Rept. 110–543). Referred to the Com- South Africa, and Malaysia (Transmittal No. By Mr. BUYER: mittee of the Whole House on the State of DDTC 014-08); to the Committee on Foreign H.R. 5561. A bill to amend the Economic the Union. Affairs. Stimulus Act of 2008 to provide for a tem- 5667. A letter from the Secretary, Depart- [Filed on March 10, 2008] porary increase in the maximum loan guar- ment of the Treasury, transmitting as re- Mr. OBERSTAR: Committee on Transpor- anty amount for housing loans guaranteed quired by section 401(c) of the National tation and Infrastructure. House Resolution by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; to the Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), and sec- 936. Resolution honoring the 200th anniver- Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. tion 204(c) of the International Emergency sary of the Gallatin Report on Roads and Ca- By Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico: Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1703(c), and nals, celebrating the national unity the Gal- H.R. 5562. A bill to authorize the National pursuant to Executive Order 13313 of July 31, latin Report engendered, and recognizing the Guard to provide support for the border con- 2003, a six-month periodic report on the na- vast contributions that national planning ef- trol activities of the United States Customs tional emergency blocking property of per- forts have provided to the United States; and Border Protection of the Department of sons undermining democratic processes or with amendments (Rept. 110–544). Referred to Homeland Security, and for other purposes; institutions in Zimbabwe that was declared the House Calendar. to the Committee on Armed Services. in Executive Order 13288 of March 6, 2003; to Mr. OBERSTAR: Committee on Transpor- By Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York (for the Committee on Foreign Affairs. tation and Infrastructure. H.R. 5492. A bill to herself, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Cali- 5668. A letter from the Acting Secretary, authorize the Board of Regents of the Smith- fornia, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. Department of Veterans Affairs, transmit- sonian Institution to construct a greenhouse HOLT, Ms. WOOLSEY, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. ting the Department’s Annual Performance facility at its museum support facility in JEFFERSON, Mr. KLEIN of Florida, Mr. and Accountability Report for FY 2007; to Suitland, Maryland, and for other purposes COURTNEY, Mr. SESTAK, and Ms. the Committee on Oversight and Govern- (Rept. 110–545). Referred to the Committee of SHEA-PORTER): ment Reform. the Whole House on the State of the Union. H.R. 5563. A bill to reauthorize and reform 5669. A letter from the Acting Assistant Mr. BERMAN: Committee on Foreign Af- the national service laws; to the Committee Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, De- fairs. H.R. 5501. A bill to authorize appropria- on Education and Labor. partment of the Interior, transmitting the tions for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to pro- By Mr. SHADEGG (for himself, Mr. Department’s final rule — Endangered and vide assistance to foreign countries to com- MOORE of Kansas, Mr. POE, Mr. BACH- Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation bat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, US, and Mr. FOSSELLA): of Critical Habitat for the Guajon and for other purposes (Rept. 110–546 Pt. 1). H.R. 5564. A bill to amend title 38, United (Eleutherodactylus cooki) (RIN: 1018-AU46) Ordered to be printed. States Code, to exclude an individual who

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has been convicted of committing certain those who are serving our Nation in Afghani- H.R. 2131: Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. sex offenses from receiving certain burial-re- stan and throughout the world; considered H.R. 2189: Mr. WEXLER. lated benefits and funeral honors which are and agreed to. H.R. 2332: Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. otherwise available to certain veterans, By Mr. KAGEN (for himself, Mr. OBEY, H.R. 2514: Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of members of the Armed Forces, and related Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Ms. MOORE of Florida and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. individuals, and for other purposes; to the Wisconsin, Mr. KIND, Mr. PETRI, Ms. H.R. 2526: Mrs. MYRICK. Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. BALDWIN, Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin, and H.R. 2548: Ms. LINDA T. SAN´ CHEZ of Cali- By Mr. WILSON of South Carolina: Mr. HINOJOSA): fornia, Mr. FARR, and Ms. WOOLSEY. H.R. 5565. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- H. Res. 1032. A resolution recognizing H.R. 2588: Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Flor- enue Code of 1986 to provide a Federal in- former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett ida. come tax credit for certain home purchases; Favre on the occasion of his retirement from H.R. 2652: Mr. UPTON. to the Committee on Ways and Means. the National Football League, and honoring H.R. 2702: Mrs. MYRICK and Mr. BISHOP of By Mrs. CAPITO (for herself, Mrs. him for his years of commitment to the city New York. BIGGERT, and Mr. BACHUS): of Green Bay and the State of Wisconsin, and H.R. 2734: Mr. LUCAS. H.R. 5566. A bill to amend the Economic his extensive charitable activities in Wis- H.R. 2744: Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. LIN- Stimulus Act of 2008 to provide for a tem- consin and his home State of Mississippi; to COLN DAVIS of Tennessee, Mr. THOMPSON of porary increase in the maximum loan guar- the Committee on Oversight and Govern- Mississippi, Mr. MURTHA, and Mr. HOLDEN. anty amount for housing loans guaranteed ment Reform. H.R. 2747: Mr. COSTA. by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; to the By Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania H.R. 2792: Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. (for himself, Mr. ALTMIRE, and Mr. SCHAKOWSKY, and Mr. ELLISON. By Mr. FLAKE (for himself, Mr. DOYLE): H.R. 2851: Mr. PLATTS, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of BOEHNER, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, and H. Res. 1033. A resolution honoring Mr. Texas, and Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. HOEKSTRA): Myron Cope for his 35 years of service to H.R. 2894: Mr. FILNER, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. H.R. 5567. A bill to rescind earmarks des- southwest Pennsylvania and as the voice of BILIRAKIS, Mr. BOUCHER, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. ignated in the Intelligence Authorization the Pittsburgh Steelers; to the Committee SESTAK, Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mr. BACA, Mr. Act for Fiscal Year 2008; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GUTIERREZ, Mr. WU, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. on Intelligence (Permanent Select). f PALLONE, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. KANJORSKI, Mr. By Mr. GRAVES: MCGOVERN, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. HIGGINS, Mr. H.R. 5568. A bill to amend the Illegal Immi- ADDITIONAL SPONSORS KUCINICH, Mr. CROWLEY, Ms. BEAN, and Ms. gration Reform and Immigrant Responsi- Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors SCHWARTZ. bility Act of 1996 to clarify requirements re- H.R. 2964: Mr. GUTIERREZ, Ms. LEE, and Mr. lating to the construction of a physical fence were added to public bills and resolu- FARR. along the southwest border, and for other tions as follows: H.R. 2965: Mrs. BIGGERT. purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Se- H.R. 63: Mr. LAMBORN. H.R. 3014: Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. curity. H.R. 87: Mrs. CAPITO. H.R. 3132: Mr. ELLISON. By Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California: H.R. 211: Mr. GRAVES. H.R. 3232: Mr. SIRES, Mrs. BONO MACK, Mr. H.R. 5569. A bill to extend for 5 years the H.R. 333: Mr. GONZALEZ. CAPUANO, and Mr. BOREN. EB-5 regional center pilot program; to the H.R. 406: Ms. WATERS, Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. H.R. 3234: Mr. PRICE of Georgia, Mr. Committee on the Judiciary. KANJORSKI, Mr. ROSS, Mr. BARROW, Ms. BEAN, HERGER, Mr. GINGREY, Mr. BROWN of South By Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California: Mr. BOREN, Mr. CARNEY, Mr. COOPER, Mr. Carolina, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. PENCE, Mr. H.R. 5570. A bill to amend the Immigration CRAMER, Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee, PITTS, Mr. MARCHANT, Mr. BILBRAY, Mr. and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset Ms. GIFFORDS, Mr. HILL, Mr. MARSHALL, Mr. KINGSTON, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. DAVID in the special immigrant nonminister reli- MATHESON, Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Penn- DAVIS of Tennessee, Ms. FOXX, Mr. WEST- gious worker visa program; to the Com- sylvania, Mr. SHULER, Mr. THOMPSON of Cali- MORELAND, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, and Mr. mittee on the Judiciary. fornia, Mr. LYNCH, Mr. WELCH of Vermont, KUHL of New York. By Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California: and Mr. KLEIN of Florida. H.R. 3282: Ms. SHEA-PORTER and Mr. SPACE. H.R. 5571. A bill to extend for 5 years the H.R. 522: Mr. JEFFERSON. H.R. 3309: Ms. LEE. program relating to waiver of the foreign H.R. 623: Mr. STARK. H.R. 3326: Mr. DAVIS of Illinois and Mr. country residence requirement with respect H.R. 715: Mr. VAN HOLLEN. GUTIERREZ. to international medical graduates; to the H.R. 818: Mr. JEFFERSON and Mr. PAYNE. H.R. 3337: Mr. ELLISON. Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 914: Mr. KIRK. H.R. 3366: Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas and By Mr. MORAN of Virginia: H.R. 992: Mr. ELLISON. Mr. CARNAHAN. H.R. 5572. A bill to stimulate the economy H.R. 1014: Mr. SMITH of Washington. H.R. 3438: Mrs. CAPPS and Mr. MEEKS of of the United States by providing assistance H.R. 1043: Mr. ENGEL, Mr. NADLER, Mrs. New York. to States for foreclosure mitigation coun- GILLIBRAND, Mr. COSTELLO, and Mr. GON- H.R. 3439: Mr. RAHALL, Mr. MCDERMOTT, seling activities and increased community ZALEZ. and Mr. ABERCROMBIE. development block grant assistance; to the H.R. 1078: Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. H.R. 3514: Mr. COSTELLO, Mr. REYES, and Committee on Financial Services. H.R. 1090: Mr. CULBERSON. Ms. BALDWIN. By Mr. MORAN of Virginia (for him- H.R. 1178: Mr. PASTOR, Mr. PORTER, and Mr. H.R. 3533: Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. CUELLAR, Ms. self, Mr. WOLF, and Mr. DAVIS of Vir- PLATTS. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. HOEKSTRA, Mr. WALBERG, ginia): H.R. 1187: Mr. MARKEY. and Mr. YOUNG of Florida. H.R. 5573. A bill to amend title 5, United H.R. 1188: Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. HOEKSTRA, H.R. 3618: Mr. GONZALEZ. States Code, to provide for a lump-sum pay- Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania, and Mr. H.R. 3637: Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. ment for certain Federal employees who re- FERGUSON. H.R. 3646: Mrs. MYRICK, Ms. SUTTON, and tire with a substantial amount of unused H.R. 1228: Mr. PASTOR. Mr. ISRAEL. sick leave for which they would not other- H.R. 1279: Mr. VAN HOLLEN and Mr. SPACE. H.R. 3660: Mr. ALTMIRE. wise receive any compensation or benefit, H.R. 1282: Mr. JEFFERSON. H.R. 3696: Mr. CHANDLER. and for other purposes; to the Committee on H.R. 1321: Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. H.R. 3754: Mr. TERRY. Oversight and Government Reform. H.R. 1363: Mr. SKELTON. H.R. 3769: Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. By Mr. SALAZAR (for himself, Mr. H.R. 1418: Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania H.R. 3799: Mr. SARBANES, Ms. DELAURO, UDALL of Colorado, and Mr. CHAN- and Mr. ALTMIRE. Mrs. GILLIBRAND, and Mr. CUMMINGS. DLER): H.R. 1512: Mr. BISHOP of New York. H.R. 3819: Ms. SHEA-PORTER. H.R. 5574. A bill to prohibit the transport H.R. 1554: Mr. PASTOR and Ms. HERSETH H.R. 3836: Mr. BISHOP of New York. of hydrolysate from the Pueblo Chemical SANDLIN. H.R. 3846: Mr. CASTLE and Mr. WAXMAN. Depot, Colorado, or the Blue Grass Army H.R. 1621: Mr. DENT. H.R. 3896: Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Depot, Kentucky, to an off-site location; to H.R. 1645: Mr. ROTHMAN. H.R. 3934: Mr. CANNON. the Committee on Armed Services. H.R. 1653: Mr. INSLEE. H.R. 3980: Mr. HINOJOSA. By Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California H.R. 1730: Mr. CONAWAY. H.R. 4008: Mr. GERLACH, Mr. LANGEVIN, and (for herself and Mr. EHLERS): H.R. 1738: Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. KINGSTON. H. Con. Res. 313. Concurrent resolution au- H.R. 1774: Ms. SHEA-PORTER. H.R. 4048: Mr. PAYNE. thorizing the use of the rotunda of the Cap- H.R. 1897: Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. H.R. 4055: Mr. PAYNE. itol for a ceremony to honor the 5 years of H.R. 1927: Mr. ROHRABACHER. H.R. 4071: Mr. MICHAUD and Mr. PASTOR. service and sacrifice of our troops and their H.R. 2016: Mr. BACA. H.R. 4083: Ms. LEE. families in the war in Iraq and to remember H.R. 2066: Mr. LOEBSACK. H.R. 4138: Mr. GORDON and Mr. LOEBSACK.

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H.R. 4236: Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. WU, Mr. Florida, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. DOO- H. Res. 821: Mr. HUNTER. HIGGINS, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, and Mr. WEINER. LITTLE, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. H. Res. 834: Mr. ISRAEL and Mr. ENGLISH of H.R. 4248: Ms. FALLIN and Ms. BALDWIN. LAHOOD, Mr. MCCAUL of Texas, Mr. HAYES, Pennsylvania. H.R. 4296: Mrs. BONO MACK and Mr. LEWIS Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, H. Res. 896: Mr. CALVERT, Ms. LEE, Mr. of Kentucky. Mr. NEUGEBAUER, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. BACHUS, BECERRA, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. BRADY of H.R. 4308: Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. CRENSHAW, Mr. WELDON Pennsylvania, and Ms. SUTTON. H.R. 4311: Mr. MCKEON. of Florida, Mr. THORNBERRY, Mr. MARCHANT, H. Res. 924: Mr. LAMBORN and Mr. H.R. 4355: Mr. ALLEN and Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. ISSA, Mr. BARTLETT COSTELLO. H.R. 4544: Mr. ISRAEL and Mr. GOHMERT. of Maryland, Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. GERLACH, H. Res. 939: Mr. BUYER. H.R. 4790: Mr. WEXLER. Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. LUCAS, Mr. TERRY, Mr. H.R. 4847: Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. MILLER of SHIMKUS, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. CAS- H. Res. 958: Mr. PITTS. North Carolina, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, and Mrs. TLE, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. RADAN- H. Res. 962: Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. THOMPSON MYRICK. OVICH, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. BARRETT of of Mississippi, and Mr. RANGEL. H.R. 4884: Mr. PAYNE and Mr. ANDREWS. South Carolina, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. H. Res. 973: Mr. BACA. H.R. 4900: Mr. SHADEGG, Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. LATHAM, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. H. Res. 977: Mr. SPACE. WELDON of Florida, Mr. EDWARDS, Mr. WEST- LATTA, Mr. FOSSELLA, Mr. OLVER, Ms. FOXX, H. Res. 991: Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Ms. MORELAND, and Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. BROWN of South Carolina, Mr. CUELLAR, BORDALLO, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. BOREN, Mr. H.R. 4959: Ms. BALDWIN and Mr. HONDA. Mr. LEWIS of California, Mrs. DRAKE, Mr. SESTAK, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. BART- H.R. 5036: Mr. MCNULTY. COBLE, Mr. MICA, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. H.R. 5109: Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. INGLIS of LETT of Maryland, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. RANGEL, CULBERSON, Mr. DREIER, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. South Carolina, Mr. WAMP, Mr. LATTA, and Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. DAVIS of ISRAEL, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. CANTOR, Mr. Mr. SIMPSON. Kentucky, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Ms. KAPTUR, RUPPERSBERGER, Mr. STUPAK, Ms. DEGETTE, H.R. 5110: Mr. CUMMINGS and Mr. SPACE. Mr. ANDREWS, Mrs. TAUSCHER, and Mr. Mr. WOLF, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. WAMP, Mrs. H.R. 5148: Ms. ESHOO, Mr. SHAYS, and Mr. LOEBSACK. MYRICK, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, Mr. SCOTT of PLATTS. H. Res. 992: Ms. FALLIN, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. Virginia, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, H.R. 5236: Mr. REHBERG. CARNAHAN, and Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Mr. TAYLOR, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. LEWIS of Geor- H.R. 5265: Mr. CALVERT, Ms. MATSUI, and H. Res. 1004: Mr. POE and Mr. CALVERT. gia, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. SMITH of Mr. POE. H. Res. 1005: Mr. PLATTS, Mr. COOPER, Mr. Texas, Mr. RAMSTAD, Mr. RUSH, Mr. H.R. 5401: Mr. CARNAHAN. MATHESON, Mr. EMANUEL, Mr. SHULER, Mrs. GALLEGLY, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. H.R. 5443: Ms. WATSON. EMERSON, Mr. BONNER, Mr. HOBSON, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. CONAWAY, Mr. H.R. 5474: Ms. GIFFORDS. RAMSTAD, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. LOBIONDO, SNYDER, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. MORAN of Vir- H.R. 5475: Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. HAYES, Mr. MARCHANT, Mr. TIM MURPHY ginia, Mr. WALZ of Minnesota, Mr. LANGEVIN, H.R. 5481: Mrs. SCHMIDT. of Pennsylvania, Mr. REYNOLDS, Mr. WALDEN Mr. REYES, Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas, Mr. H.R. 5483: Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia, Mrs. of Oregon, Mr. COBLE, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. COHEN, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. BARTON of Texas, DRAKE, Mr. GOODE, Mr. CANTOR, Mr. BOU- ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. MORAN of Kan- Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. MARKEY, Ms. CHER, Mr. WOLF, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, and sas, Mr. ISSA, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of BORDALLO, Mr. PUTNAM, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. Mr. FORBES. Florida, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, H.R. 5513: Ms. FOXX. WHITFIELD of Kentucky, Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. AL GREEN H.R. 5515: Ms. GIFFORDS, Mr. MCCRERY, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. JOHN- of Texas, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. HALL of Texas, GOODE, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. FEENEY, SON of Illinois, Mr. DEAL of Georgia, Mr. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. MCNULTY, and Mrs. BLACKBURN. WALSH of New York, Mr. CRENSHAW, Mr. H.R. 5532: Mr. HUNTER. Mr. MACK, and Mr. UPTON. MCCOTTER, Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey, Mr. H.R. 5534: Mr. CAMPBELL of California and H. Con. Res. 305: Mr. OLVER, Mr. BOSWELL, TIBERI, Mr. BILBRAY, Mr. BOUSTANY, Mr. Ms. SUTTON. Mr. SNYDER, Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. DUNCAN, Mr. FORTENBERRY, Mrs. DRAKE, Mr. GILCHREST, H. Con. Res. 163: Mr. WOLF, Mr. SCOTT of MORAN of Virginia, Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, and Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Mr. RENZI, Mr. Virginia, Mr. TAYLOR, Mr. BERMAN, and Mr. Mr. LAHOOD. H. Res. 76: Mr. STARK. DOOLITTLE, Mr. KIRK, and Mr. COLE of Okla- CLAY. H. Res. 123: Mr. ELLISON. homa. H. Con. Res. 262: Ms. BERKLEY and Mr. H. Res. 169: Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. H. Res. 1021: Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. FILNER, SOUDER. COOPER, Mr. HENSARLING, and Mr. ISRAEL. Ms. GIFFORDS, Mr. KIRK, and Ms. TSONGAS. H. Con. Res. 299: Mr. COHEN, Mrs. Wilson of H. Res. 351: Mr. TANCREDO and Mr. SHU- New Mexico, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. H. Res. 1022: Ms. FALLIN, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. STER. EDWARDS, Ms. BORDALLO, and Ms. JACKSON- LATHAM, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. BAIRD, and H. Res. 356: Mr. HUNTER. LEE of Texas. Mr. HINCHEY. H. Res. 407: Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. H. Con. Res. 302: Ms. FALLIN, Mr. COLE of H. Res. 543: Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. H. Res. 1023: Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Oklahoma, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of H. Res. 672: Mr. MARKEY. H. Res. 1026: Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee.

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CONGRATULATING JUDGE WIL- throughout northeastern and central Pennsyl- honor that Fairfax County bestows upon its LIAM NEALON ON THE OCCASION vania and has been an inspiration to all whose public safety officials. OF RECEIVING THE PRESIDENT’S lives he has touched. There are several types of Valor Awards AWARD FROM THE FRIENDLY f that can be awarded to a public safety officer: SONS OF ST. PATRICK OF the Life Saving Award, the Certificate of Valor, LACKAWANNA COUNTY HONORING THE ACCOMPLISH- or the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. MENTS OF THE OUACHITA PAR- It is with great pride that we enter into the HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI ISH SCHOOL DISTRICT record the names of the recipients of the 2008 OF PENNSYLVANIA Valor Awards in the Fairfax County Police De- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER partment. Receiving the Life Saving Award: OF LOUISIANA Auxiliary Police Officer Jorge A. Canovas, Pri- Monday, March 10, 2008 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES vate First Class Jeremy T. Hoffman, Private Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise Monday, March 10, 2008 First Class Jason J. Mardocco, Sergeant An- today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues drew B. Wehrlen; Certificate of Valor: Private in the House of Representatives to pay tribute Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, I rise First Class Christopher L. Coleman, Private to U.S. District Court Judge William J. Nealon today to commend the Ouachita Parish School First Class Kirk A. McNickle, Private First who was chosen to receive the President’s District for its designation as one of the top Class Richard D. Shughart II, Private First Award from the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of five school districts in the State of Louisiana, Class Andrew L. Smuck, Private First Class Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. according to rankings recently released by the Brooks R. Gillingham, Master Police Officer On December 15, 2007, Judge Nealon cele- Department of Education. Mark P. Dale, Detective Gregory S. Bender; brated his 45th year as a United States Dis- As test scores throughout the Fifth Congres- the Silver Medal: Private First Class Paul H. trict Court Judge. Appointed to the Federal sional District steadily climb each year, I be- Bennett III, Officer Brian K. Bowman, Private bench by President John F. Kennedy on De- lieve the continued success of the Ouachita First Class Kirk A. McNickle, Major Michael cember 15, 1962, he was the youngest Fed- Parish School District stands as an example of LoMonaco, Master Police Officer Gary S. eral judge in the country. hope and encouragement to other schools in Brown, Private First Class Daniel V. Johnson; Judge Nealon served the Middle District as the state who are striving to improve their cur- the Bronze Medal: Rosemarie C. Silva. Chief Judge from 1976 until 1989. He has rent rankings. Madam Speaker, in closing, we would like served on this court longer than any other The Fifth Congressional District has long to take this opportunity to thank all the men judge in the history of the Middle District. struggled to overcome its status as one of the and women who serve in the Fairfax County Today, he is the third most tenured Federal poorest regions in the country with an edu- Police Department. Their efforts, made on be- judge in the nation out of 1,100 Federal jurists. cational system that is often ranked very low. half of the citizens of Fairfax County, are self- The proud product of Scranton Public The achievements of the Ouachita Parish less acts of heroism and truly merit our high- Schools, he later served in the United States School District give me great hope that our re- est praise. We ask our colleagues to join us Marine Corps from 1942 to 1945 where he gion can defy its history. in applauding this group of remarkable citi- held the rank of first lieutenant. He received a When children excel in school, the trans- zens. bachelor of science degree in economics from formation that takes place within their lives f Villanova University in 1947 and was awarded spills out beyond the walls of the classroom his Juris Doctor degree from the Catholic Uni- and into the community in which they live, and PERSONAL EXPLANATION versity of America in 1950. Prior to being ap- I believe the Ouachita Parish School District is pointed to the Federal bench, Judge Nealon stimulating such progress in North Louisiana. HON. HILDA L. SOLIS served on the Court of Common Pleas of Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join OF CALIFORNIA Lackawanna County. me today in honoring the efforts of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In 1983, the Association of Trial Lawyers of Ouachita Parish School District and its com- America, a professional society of more than mitment to improving education and the quality Monday, March 10, 2008 50,000 trial lawyers, named Judge Nealon the of life in Ouachita Parish and throughout the Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, during rollcall ‘‘Outstanding Federal Trial Judge in the United State. vote No. 107 on motion to appeal the ruling of States.’’ He has been the recipient of numer- f the Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I ous community awards and has served as been present, I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ RECOGNIZING THE FAIRFAX COUN- chairman of several local boards, including the f University of Scranton, Mercy Hospital, and TY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2008 the Catholic Youth Center. VALOR AWARD RECIPIENTS PERSONAL EXPLANATION Having served as president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County HON. TOM DAVIS HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY some 44 years ago, his dinner in 1964 was re- OF VIRGINIA OF CALIFORNIA garded as one of the most memorable the so- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ciety has ever held. Robert F. Kennedy, the United States Attorney General, made his first Monday, March 10, 2008 Monday, March 10, 2008 public appearance that evening just 4 months Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, on March after the tragic assassination of his brother, rise today on behalf of my Virginia colleagues 6, 2008, I was unavoidably detained and was President John F. Kennedy. Judge Nealon FRANK WOLF and JAMES MORAN to recognize not able to record my votes for rollcall Nos. today is the most senior of distinguished past an outstanding group of men and women in 103–107. presidents of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick northern Virginia. The Fairfax County Cham- Had I been present I would have voted: roll- of Lackawanna County. ber of Commerce annually recognizes individ- call No. 103—‘‘yes’’—Providing for consider- Madam Speaker, please join me in con- uals who have demonstrated superior dedica- ation of H.R. 2857, to reauthorize and reform gratulating Judge Nealon on this auspicious tion to public safety with the prestigious Valor the national service laws; rollcall No. 104— occasion. Judge Nealon’s faithful service to Award. Several members of the Fairfax Coun- ‘‘yes’’—Providing for consideration of H.R. his community and to his Nation is well known ty Police Department have earned this highest 2857, to reauthorize and reform the national

● 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 08:24 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E10MR8.000 E10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3640 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 service laws; rollcall No. 105—‘‘no’’—Flake of for people to explore the cliffs of Niagara There are several types of Valor Awards Arizona Amendment; rollcall No. 106—‘‘yes’’— Falls. The falls remains the largest attraction that can be awarded to a public safety officer: Inslee of Washington Amendment; rollcall No. in Niagara County, attracting millions of tour- the Life Saving Award, the Certificate of Valor, 107—‘‘yes’’—Generations Invigorating Vol- ists every year. or the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. unteerism and Education ‘‘GIVE’’ Act. Niagara County was one of the pioneers in It is with great pride that we enter into the f aviation with its ‘‘Grand Balloon Ascension’’ in record the names of the recipients of the 2008 July 1858. This display of aeronautical inge- Valor Awards in the Vienna Police Depart- CONGRATULATING THE HIGHLAND nuity brought crowds from all over Niagara ment. Receiving the Life Saving Award: Ser- PARK GIRLS SWIMMING AND County, and also many of the surrounding geant Anthony R. Clingerman, Master Police DIVING TEAM counties. While the balloon remained in the air Officer Jared B. Evans, Master Police Officer for just over 30 seconds, this display was J. Michael Oliver, Master Police Officer H. HON. PETE SESSIONS seen as a huge accomplishment to the crowds Trent Nelson; the Silver Medal: Sergeant An- OF TEXAS that witnessed the event. The manufacturing thony R. Clingerman. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and research center Bell Aerospace in the Madam Speaker, in closing, we would like town of Wheatfield was instrumental in cre- to take this opportunity to thank all the men Monday, March 10, 2008 ating jobs in Niagara County. This plant is and women who serve in the Vienna Police Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, it is with well-known around the world for its heli- Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of great pleasure that I rise today to congratulate copters, rocket belts, and lunar modules. The the citizens of Fairfax County, are selfless acts the Highland Park Girls Swimming and Diving rocket powered Bell X–1 supersonic aircraft of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. Team on winning the title of UIL 4A State that broke the sound barrier was piloted in We ask our colleagues to join us in applaud- Champions. 1947, by the renowned Chuck Yeager. This ing this group of remarkable citizens. In his first year coaching at Highland Park, historic craft is now displayed in the Smithso- f Jess Cole led the girls to their eighth consecu- nian National Air and Space Museum. tive win in the UIL Texas State Championship Not only was Niagara County a leader in PERSONAL EXPLANATION on Saturday, February 23, 2008. Those who aviation, it was instrumental in the develop- competed at the State meet include Allison Ar- ment and expansion of the telegraph machine HON. HILDA L. SOLIS nold, Megan Arnold, Hannah Ferrin, Bolton and the telephone in western New York. Niag- OF CALIFORNIA Harris, Delaney Rolfe, Katy Streepey, Katy ara County was the location of the second IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tye, and Alex Weber. Their continued success telegraph line in the United States. The line Monday, March 10, 2008 can be attributed to their hard work, dedica- was constructed in 1845 and stretched all the tion, passion for swimming, and a strong way from Lockport to Buffalo. The telegraph Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, during rollcall sense of team spirit. In addition to claiming the line provided a service experienced by few up vote No. 105 on H.R. 2857—GIVE Act, the title of State Champions, the Highland Park to this time in history. The first major message Flake amendment, I was unavoidably de- Girls Swimming and Diving Team now holds sent on this telegraph line was the results of tained. Had I been present, I would have the longest State record in UIL swimming and the 1845 elections. The first telephone arrived voted ‘‘no.’’ diving, matching Class A Booker’s record in in Niagara County in 1878, just 2 years after f girls golf as the longest in Texas high school Alexander Graham Bell patented this inven- TRIBUTE TO VICE ADMIRAL sports since recordkeeping began in 1910. tion. This telephone connected Cataract Bank FRANK DAY MCMULLEN, JR., Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed col- with the home of the bank officer. People USN (RET.) leagues to join me in congratulating the mem- came from all over the county to view this life- bers of the Highland Park Girls Swimming and altering invention. HON. IKE SKELTON Diving Team for their well-deserved victory This bicentennial should be a celebration of OF MISSOURI and wish them all the best in future endeav- the residents of Niagara County past and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ors. present. The traditions of hard work and dedi- cation have been instilled in this community. Monday, March 10, 2008 f You can tell when you meet the people of Ni- Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, let me TRIBUTE TO NIAGARA COUNTY ON agara County that they are all willing to lend take this means to pay tribute to VADM Frank ITS 200TH ANNIVERSARY a hand and help a neighbor. Day McMullen, Jr. A native of Kansas City, Thus, Madam Speaker, in recognition of its MO, he bravely served our country for 36 HON. THOMAS M. REYNOLDS rich history, innovation, and its wonderful resi- years in the United States Navy. Vice Admiral dents, I ask that this honorable body join me OF NEW YORK McMullen passed away on January 2, 2008. in celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Ni- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Frank McMullen graduated from the United agara county. States Naval Academy in 1947. He received Monday, March 10, 2008 f his post-graduate degree from The George Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker, it is with RECOGNIZING THE FAIRFAX COUN- Washington University. He also attended the great pride and delight that I rise today to rec- TY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2008 National War College and served as deputy ognize and celebrate Niagara County on its VALOR AWARD RECIPIENTS assistant to the Secretary of Defense for 200th anniversary. Atomic Energy. Vice Admiral McMullen’s ex- From the locks of the Erie Canal to the roar traordinary career led him to command one of Niagara Falls, and from its rich history to its HON. TOM DAVIS OF VIRGINIA diesel electric and two nuclear powered sub- wonderful and generous people, Niagara IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES marines, the Submarine Squadron in the Holy County has much to celebrate on its bicenten- Loch, Scotland, the Submarine Fortilla in New nial. Monday, March 10, 2008 London, CT, and the Submarine Forces, U.S. The first settlers of this area were amazed Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I Pacific Fleet, in Pearl Harbor, HI. and continually challenged by the geographic rise today on behalf of my Virginia colleagues Vice Admiral McMullen was very fortunate surprises that awaited them. The most well- FRANK WOLF and JAMES MORAN to recognize to have the love and understanding of his fam- known surprise is the 12,000-year-old Niagara an outstanding group of men and women in ily who encouraged him, even when he left Falls, which the early settlers looked upon as northern Virginia. The Fairfax County Cham- home to serve on lengthy deployments. He an unexplained phenomenon of nature. While ber of Commerce annually recognizes individ- was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, who the breathtaking, yet hazardous, Niagara Falls uals who have demonstrated superior dedica- passed away in November 2002, and his rushes 6 million cubic feet of water over its tion to public safety with the prestigious Valor daughter Christine, who passed away in edges every minute during its daytime peak, Award. Several members of the Vienna Police March 1994. the falls did stand still on March 29, 1848. An Department have earned this highest honor Vice Admiral McMullen truly loved his work ice blockade on Lake Erie stopped the flow of that Fairfax County bestows upon its public and was very proud of his service to our coun- water into the falls, allowing for an opportunity safety officials. try. I hope Members of the House will join me

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:24 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E10MR8.000 E10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3641 in honoring this outstanding Missourian, an ex- Medical professionals serve an invaluable Scotts Hill Lions Club as they celebrate their traordinary naval officer, and a wonderful hus- role in our society. They are protectors of pub- 60th anniversary. band, father, and friend. lic health, and purveyors of hope and social The Scotts Hill Lions Club was chartered on f justice. Throughout his career, Dr. Berrien has March 30, 1948, due to the hard work and vi- exemplified each of these roles. Madam sion of Scott Hill’s Mayor Erin Holland and HONORING DR. FREDERICK ‘‘SKIP’’ Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me Adamsville Lions’ Club member Farris Staf- BERRIEN and my constituents with recognizing his con- ford. As a chartered member, the Scotts Hill tributions and offering our warmest wishes for Lions Club became part of Lions Club Inter- HON. JOE COURTNEY his retirement. national, which is the world’s largest service OF CONNECTICUT f club organization with more than 46,000 clubs IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES in over 190 countries and approximately 1.4 RECOGNIZING THE FAIRFAX COUN- Monday, March 10, 2008 million members. TY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2008 Over the course of the last 60 years, the Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, for over VALOR AWARD RECIPIENTS Scotts Hill Lions Club members have volun- three decades, Dr. Frederick ‘‘Skip’’ Berrien teered their time, energy, and resources to has been a prominent figure in Connecticut’s HON. TOM DAVIS supporting local charities, providing care for medical, academic, and child welfare commu- OF VIRGINIA families in need, and have generously contrib- nities. This month, he will retire as the director IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES uted towards relief efforts at home and in for the Child Abuse/Children’s Advocacy Cen- Monday, March 10, 2008 countries throughout the world. To say the ter at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Con- least, the Scotts Hill Lions Club has undoubt- necticut. I rise today to recognize and cele- Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I edly lived out their club’s motto, ‘‘We serve.’’ brate his illustrious career and his contribu- rise today on behalf of my Virginia colleagues, I commend the members of the Scotts Hill tions to our friends and neighbors in Con- FRANK WOLF and JAMES MORAN, to recognize Lions Club and encourage others to follow necticut. an outstanding group of men and women in their example of dedication and service. Their Between 1980 and 1987, Dr. Berrien served northern Virginia. The Fairfax County Cham- hard work will not only be felt locally but as the director of pediatrics and acting medical ber of Commerce annually recognizes individ- around the world for years to come. director in general pediatrics at the UConn/ uals who have demonstrated superior dedica- Please join me in honoring the Scotts Hill Mount Sinai Health Center. Following his ten- tion to public safety with the prestigious Valor Lions Club, President Dan Brigance, Secretary ure at the UConn/Mount Sinai Health Center, Award. Several members of the Herndon Po- Pattie Stewart, and other officers and mem- Dr. Berrien assumed an associate director po- lice Department have earned this highest bers in wishing them the best on this well-de- sition for pediatric ambulatory services at Saint honor that Fairfax County bestows upon its served anniversary. public safety officials. Francis Hospital. He subsequently served as f director of pediatric ambulatory services, clin- There are several types of Valor Awards ical director for sickle cell services, co-director that can be awarded to a public safety officer: HONORING JACQUELINE KONOPKA of the Siberian American Children’s Health the Life Saving Award, the Certificate of Valor, Program, and director of child abuse services/ or the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND It is with great pride that we enter into the Children’s Advocacy Center at St. Francis. Be- OF GEORGIA record the names of the recipients of the 2008 ginning in 2001, Dr. Berrien joined the Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES necticut Children’s Medical Center as a con- Valor Awards in the Herndon Police Depart- sultant for the Suspected Child Abuse and Ne- ment. Receiving the Certificate of Valor: Ser- Monday, March 10, 2008 glect Program. geant Stephen Thompson, Senior Police Offi- Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, While the size and scope of Skip’s medical cer James J. Passmore, Officer Adil Afab, and volunteers who work on behalf of public safety career is clear, his contributions to the aca- Officer Michael R. Croson. officers thicken and strengthen the Thin Blue demic and social services community have Madam Speaker, in closing, we would like Line. also been substantial. From 1977 to 1979, Dr. to take this opportunity to thank all the men Tens of thousands of police officers daily Berrien was a clinical instructor at Boston Uni- and women who serve in the Herndon Police risk the ultimate sacrifice in order to serve a versity and from 1980 until present, an asso- Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of greater good. These public servants have a ciate professor of clinical pediatrics at UConn the citizens of Fairfax County, are selfless acts friend behind the scenes working on their be- School of Medicine. His original research of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. half in the Law Enforcement Assistance Con- ranges from the state of Russian pediatric We ask our colleagues to join us in applaud- nection Inc. health care to pediatric sickle cell pain man- ing this group of remarkable citizens. Today, I call the House’s attention to Jac- agement. His work in Russia after the fall of f queline Konopka, a 25-year-old constituent the Soviet Union, established new, enduring PERSONAL EXPLANATION from Newnan in Georgia’s Third Congres- partnerships with Russian doctors that has sional District. Jackie has gone above and be- benefited both countries. yond to aid the Law Enforcement Assistance Dr. Berrien has added to his role of pro- HON. HILDA L. SOLIS Connection. viding and teaching pediatric care, to serving OF CALIFORNIA A flight attendant for AirTran Airways, Jackie as a forceful advocate for issues such as pre- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES became involved with LEAC after meeting the vention of child abuse and neglect. In the Monday, March 10, 2008 organization’s founder and leader on one of early 1990’s, he was instrumental with devel- Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, during rollcall her flights. Terry Hunt’s description of his work oping the Child Abuse/Children’s Advocacy vote No. 106 on H.R. 2857, GIVE Act, the Ins- on behalf of law enforcement on that fateful Center at St. Francis Hospital. At the time lee Amendment, I was unavoidably detained. flight won over a new and tireless volunteer. there was no program at all to deal with this Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘yes.’’ But Konopka says she’s an easy sell when it critical unmet need in central Connecticut. comes to aiding public safety officials. ‘‘As a f Today as Dr. Berrien leaves, the center is one flight attendant,’’ she says, ‘‘public safety is of the most respected such programs in the HONORING SCOTTS HILL LIONS my No. 1 priority.’’ country and has brought both compassion and CLUB Today, Hunt sees Konopka’s work as inte- justice to this challenging area of law and gral to his organization’s mission: ‘‘Jacqueline medicine. In addition, Skip remains an active HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN Konopka has shown me the true meaning of participant of such organizations as the Amer- OF TENNESSEE life and inspired me to achieve and overcome ican Professional Society on the Abuse of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES personal and professional obstacles. A loyal Children, the International Society for Preven- friend and adviser, Jackie is someone I admire tion of Child Abuse and Neglect, and the Hart- Monday, March 10, 2008 for her perseverance, leadership skills, drive ford Multidisciplinary Intervention Child Abuse Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask and dedication in all she has done and con- Team. my colleagues to join me in congratulating the tinues to do. She is extremely special to me—

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:24 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E10MR8.000 E10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3642 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 in fact, it’s not a stretch to say that had it not grams within a residential and sustainable liv- Sheriff’s Office have earned this highest honor been for her willingness and selflessness to ing and learning environment. that Fairfax County bestows upon its public advance LEAC’s goals, this organization It is an honor to represent such fine people safety officials. would not function.’’ and institutions in the U.S. House of Rep- There are several types of Valor Awards LEAC takes part in various activities to pro- resentatives. that can be awarded to a public safety officer: mote the welfare of law enforcement authori- f the Life Saving Award, the Certificate of Valor, ties, including the Annual Benefit for the Na- or the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. tional Law Enforcement Officers Memorial RECOGNIZING THE FAIRFAX COUN- It is with great pride that we enter into the Fund Gala in Washington, the Annual Chari- TY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2008 RECORD the names of the recipients of the table Golf Classic to support the Law Enforce- VALOR AWARD RECIPIENTS 2008 Valor Awards in the Fairfax County ment Assistance Connection; and A Matter of Sheriff’s Office. Receiving the Certificate of Honor Annual Golf Event and Gala for the Na- HON. TOM DAVIS Valor: First Lieutenant Tyler D. Corey and Pri- tional Law Enforcement Museum in Wash- OF VIRGINIA vate First Class Michael W. Ittner. ington. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Madam Speaker, in closing, we would like Konopka helps plan and organize these to take this opportunity to thank all the men Monday, March 10, 2008 events, but she describes her efforts on behalf and women who serve in the Fairfax County of the LEAC as mainly ‘‘serving as a support Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I Sheriff’s Office. Their efforts, made on behalf for Terry.’’ Nevertheless, she’s breaking new rise today on behalf of my Virginia colleagues of the citizens of Fairfax County, are selfless ground on her own by spearheading a ‘‘night FRANK WOLF and JAMES MORAN to recognize acts of heroism and truly merit our highest out’’ for victims of violent crime. Konopka says an outstanding group of men and women in praise. We ask our colleagues to join us in ap- she wants the event, planned for 2009 in northern Virginia. The Fairfax County Cham- plauding this group of remarkable citizens. Washington, to call attention to the fact that 1 ber of Commerce annually recognizes individ- f out of 3 in this country are sexually assaulted uals who have demonstrated superior dedica- at some point in their lives. tion to public safety with the prestigious Valor COMMENDING THE LSU COLLEGE Madam Speaker, I hope the House will join Award. Several members of the Fairfax Coun- OF EDUCATION FOR REACHING me in thanking and congratulating Jacqueline ty Fire and Rescue Department have earned ITS CENTENNIAL Konopka and the Law Enforcement Assistance this highest honor that Fairfax County bestows Connection Inc. for all that they give and all upon its public safety officials. HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER that they do to support the public servants There are several types of Valor Awards OF LOUISIANA who do so much for all Americans. that can be awarded to a public safety officer: IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Life Saving Award, the Certificate of Valor, f Monday, March 10, 2008 or the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. IN RECOGNITION OF THE RAMAPO It is with great pride that we enter into the Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, I rise COLLEGE DISTINGUISHED CITI- record the names of the recipients of the 2008 today to commend the Louisiana State Univer- ZENS DINNER 2008 Valor Awards in the Fairfax County Fire and sity (LSU) College of Education for reaching Rescue Department. Receiving the Certificate its centennial. HON. SCOTT GARRETT of Valor: Acting Technician Ronald S. Since its establishment, the college has pre- OF NEW JERSEY Seghetti, Firefighter Jason P. Kelly; the Gold pared thousands of educational leaders, in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Medal: Lieutenant Danny R. Urps, Master cluding supervisors, principals, superintend- Technician John F. Linhart, Master Technician ents, and university faculty and administrators. Monday, March 10, 2008 Joseph K. Swift, Firefighter Medic William F. Originally named the ‘‘Teachers’ College,’’ Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Ward; the Silver Medal: Captain Richard C. the LSU College of Education employed two Speaker, I rise today to recognize four individ- Smith, Firefighter John A. Fleming; the Bronze faculty members at its founding in 1908. In uals who have been named by the Ramapo Medal: Firefighter George H. Moore, Battalion 1939, the college expanded to include the College Foundation Board of Governors as the Chief Floyd L. Ellmore, Firefighter Richard M. School of Health & Physical Education, pres- 2008 Distinguished Citizens. This honor high- Tamillow. ently named the Department of Kinesiology. lights their personal and professional commit- Madam Speaker, in closing, we would like This department, initially focused on teacher ment to advance higher education and their to take this opportunity to thank all the men education, has now expanded to include na- significant service to the community. and women who serve in the Fairfax County tionally and internationally recognized re- James E. Jaworski, Esq.; Patricia B. Fire and Rescue Department. Their efforts, search and scholarship programs that gen- Shrader, Esq.; Drew Nieporent, and Edward made on behalf of the citizens of Fairfax erate and disseminate knowledge about all as- P. Wallace, Jr. each support Ramapo College County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly pects of the art and science of human move- in their own unique ways while exemplifying merit our highest praise. We ask our col- ment. the school’s commitment to high standards of leagues to join us in applauding this group of These days the college is a collaborative educational excellence. remarkable citizens. unit that prepares educational and wellness In addition, these individuals are recognized f professionals. With oversight responsibilities for their dedication and unfailing commitment for various professional certification programs to our community. Our communities are only RECOGNIZING THE FAIRFAX COUN- spanning four colleges and one school, the as strong as the people and organizations that TY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2008 college also oversees the K–12 University are willing to put their time, effort, and energy VALOR AWARD RECIPIENTS Laboratory School, which has been ranked into building them. I applaud Ramapo College among the nation’s top 2.5 percent of public for honoring these individuals and, in doing so, HON. TOM DAVIS high schools by Newsweek as well as boasts the true spirit of community that helps to make OF VIRGINIA the state’s first international baccalaureate our country a symbol of strength and hope IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES program. worldwide. The LSU College of Education today em- Ramapo College of New Jersey is located in Monday, March 10, 2008 ploys more than 200 faculty and professional Mahwah, New Jersey. Designated as ‘‘New Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I staff to provide rigorous academic programs, Jersey’s Public Liberal Arts College,’’ Ramapo rise today on behalf of my Virginia colleagues highlighted by challenging, rich and collabo- is a comprehensive institution of higher edu- FRANK WOLF and JAMES MORAN to recognize rative experiences. cation whose faculty and staff dedicate them- an outstanding group of men and women in To celebrate the 100th birthday of the col- selves to the promotion of teaching and learn- northern Virginia. The Fairfax County Cham- lege, the LSU College of Education is hosting ing within a strong liberal arts based cur- ber of Commerce annually recognizes individ- a series of events throughout the 2008–2009 riculum. Its curricular emphasis includes the uals who have demonstrated superior dedica- anniversary year, including a kick-off centen- liberal arts and sciences, social sciences, fine tion to public safety with the prestigious Valor nial celebration, special lecture series, visiting and performing arts, and the professional pro- Award. Two Members of the Fairfax County scholars, and nationwide alumni celebrations.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:24 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E10MR8.000 E10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3643 Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join CONGRATULATING THE HASTINGS same drive and compassion to the national me in honoring the LSU College of Education ST. CECILIA BLUEHAWKS level. In 1984, when President Ronald Reagan for reaching this landmark year. created the President’s Task Force on Victims HON. ADRIAN SMITH of Crime, Suzanne coordinated field hearings f OF NEBRASKA that launched victims’ rights into a national concern. In addition, Suzanne served on the HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES board of the National Organization for Victim OF MS. KAY BEARD Monday, March 10, 2008 Assistance for 10 years. Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, When I came to Congress, I founded the HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER today, I want to congratulate the Hastings St. Congressional Victim’s Rights Caucus to pro- OF MICHIGAN Cecilia Bluehawks on winning the Nebraska vide a voice for and to advocate on behalf of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Class C–I Boys Basketball Championship on crime victims. The Caucus honors individuals, Monday, March 10, 2008 Saturday, March 8, 2008. organizations, and advocates that have truly In a game dominated by the defense, the made a difference for crime victims. Instead of Mr. MCCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I Bluehawks finished ahead of previously un- honoring Suzanne’s contributions with an rise to honor and acknowledge Kay Beard, beaten Bennington by a score of 50 to 43— award, the Caucus has named an award after Wayne County Commissioner and dedicated all the more remarkable when you consider her, to forever honor her work, dedication, and community advocate, upon her retirement from the score was only 24–22 at the beginning of compassion. On April 9, 2008, the Congres- a distinguished 30-year career in public serv- the fourth quarter. sional Victim’s Rights Caucus will present its ice. Both teams deserve congratulations for fin- first ‘‘Suzanne McDaniel Public Awareness Kay became interested in politics at an early ishing a great year. As one of the Bluehawks’ Award.’’ And that’s just the way it is. age at the knee of her grandmother who used coaches remarked, ‘‘This group can do any- f to host meetings of the local congressional thing they want to do when they put their delegation in their Detroit home. Throughout minds to it.’’ IN RECOGNITION OF THOMAS J. her life, Kay was active in civic and community I think that phrase can be used to sum up GRAFF organizations, but did not run for political office all of the great athletes who dedicated them- until 1972 when she launched an unsuccessful selves this year, whether they made the HON. JIM COSTA bid for State representative. Undeterred, Kay championship game or not. OF CALIFORNIA ran for Wayne County commissioner in 1976, f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Kay was later appointed to fill a vacancy on the Wayne County Commission in April 1978. THE SUZANNE MCDANIEL PUBLIC Monday, March 10, 2008 Subsequently, Kay never failed to win another AWARENESS AWARD Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to election she ran in including her most recent recognize Thomas J. Graff, senior counsel to reelection in 2006 to her 15th term. Her 30 HON. TED POE the Environmental Defense Fund of California. years on the commission made her the long- OF TEXAS His more than 35 years as a leader in Califor- est serving member ever. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nia’s environmental and water communities is While managing the daily tasks of a county to be commended, a service that he has per- commissioner, Kay gave back a tremendous Monday, March 10, 2008 formed with intelligence, passion, and humor. amount of time and effort to her community. Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, Suzanne Tom joined the California bar after receiving Kay served on the National Advisory Council McDaniel is one of the ‘‘Old Buffalos,’’ which graduate degrees from the London School of for School-to-Work Opportunities, the Senior is what we call the first advocates in the vic- Economics and Harvard Law School. In 1971, Advisory Council of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of tims’ rights field. I met Suzanne 25 years ago, Tom founded the first California office of the Michigan, the United Way Community Serv- when I was a judge on the Harris County Dis- Environmental Defense Fund. The modern en- ices Board of Directors, and was a founding trict Court. Suzanne worked as the director of vironmental movement was in its infancy, but member of Hospices of Michigan. Her efforts the Witness Office of the Harris County District Tom Graff learned quickly. did not go unnoticed by the citizens of Michi- Attorney’s Office. She was one of the first Tom worked hard to reform California water gan. The Michigan Democratic Women’s Cau- prosecutor-based victim advocates in Texas policy, particularly in the Sacramento-San Joa- cus presented her with its highest honor, the and in the entire country. Since then, Suzanne quin Delta. Working closely with colleagues, Eleanor Roosevelt Award. She was also a re- has tirelessly crusaded for crime victims at the allies and adversaries, Tom contributed to cipient of the Westland ATHENA Award and in local, State and national levels. projects such as Mono Lake, Imperial Valley, honor of her achievements has had a building Suzanne began working in the trenches, in the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, on the grounds of the Eloise Psychiatric Hos- the days when victims were looked at as mere CVPIA, and the 1994 Bay-Delta Accord. His pital renamed the Kay Beard Building. witnesses in a trial. In Harris County, Texas, efforts in protecting California water resources During her 15 terms on the Wayne County Suzanne helped create the first community led to his service on the Colorado River Board of Commissioners, Ms. Beard has dealt interagency council on sexual assault and Board, where he worked with Californians and with issues ranging from the termination of the family violence. Suzanne then went to work for water advocates from throughout the Colorado drain commissioner’s job, a failed smoking the State of Texas in the Governor’s office. River basin. A consistent thread in his environ- ban, the creation of an antifraud law, and a There she wrote groundbreaking reports on mental and water advocacy was economic so- valiant yet unsuccessful attempt to save crime victims and organized conferences to lutions to complex environmental problems. Wayne County General Hospital. Ms. Beard train and educate victims, advocates, and al- Tom Graff’s influence crossed over into felt that spirited opposition was the touchstone lied professions. other aspects of California’s environment and of democracy. Despite displaying a vibrant Suzanne then brought her knowledge, dedi- economy as well. In the 1980s, he launched spirit, Kay has been ordered by her doctor to cation, and leadership to the Texas State At- efforts to address acid rains and transportation step down for health reasons. Her loss will be torney General’s office where she was the issues. Governor Pete Wilson appointed Tom felt by all the citizens of Wayne County who State’s crime victim information officer. In this to the Commission on Transportation Invest- wish her nothing but happiness. position, Suzanne advocated for the passage ment, where Tom participated in infrastructure Madam Speaker, for 30 years Commis- of legislative and regulatory initiatives, includ- issues. sioner Kay Beard has faithfully served Michi- ing the passage of Texas’ State constitutional While the law is, by nature, adversarial, gan and Wayne County. As she enters the amendment for victims. As a testament to Tom’s gifted advocacy has gained him the re- next phase of her life, she leaves behind a Suzanne’s significant contributions to the vic- spect and admiration of many, even those legacy of dedication, integrity, and excellence. tims’ field, the State coalition of victim organi- considered his adversaries. Many testify to Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in con- zations, VOTERS, appointed her as legislative Tom’s practice of active listening in order to gratulating Commissioner Kay Beard upon her liaison. genuinely understand his adversaries’ inter- retirement and recognizing her years of loyal Not only has Suzanne tirelessly advocated ests. This often resulted in solutions that re- service to our community and country. for crime victims in Texas, but she brought the solved both sides’ concerns. In sometimes

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:24 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E10MR8.000 E10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3644 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 tense negotiations, Tom was known to insert HONORING MARTIN’S MILL LADY grown in the region and then shipped to other humor as well as perspective to smooth the MUSTANGS FOR WINNING THE States. way toward resolving potentially intense con- CLASS A DIVISION I TEXAS Today, Ramsey is the site of six churches, flicts. Tom spoke accurately when he said, STATE CHAMPIONSHIP three parks, four public schools, and a public ‘‘We cannot repeat the water wars of the library. Several scenes from The Sopranos episode ‘‘The Happy Wander’’ were shot at past.’’ ‘‘We have to find a way to work to- HON. JEB HENSARLING the Maple Shade Motel, and Ramsey was also gether, or we will all lose.’’ OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a setting for scenes from the 2006 film World Tom’s contributions to California’s environ- Trade Center. Several notable Americans mental community have been public and polit- Monday, March 10, 2008 have resided in Ramsey, including Ryan ical, as well as private and personal. Tom has Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, today I Grant, running back for the Green Bay Pack- served as a lecturer at law schools at the Uni- rise to recognize the Martin’s Mill Lady Mus- ers; Danny Aiello, a stage and film star; and versity of California—Berkeley and Harvard. tangs basketball team for winning the Class A Ryan McGinley, a photographer. Perhaps the His constant practice of mentoring junior col- Division I Texas State Championship. most distinguished resident to call Ramsey leagues and law students has been spoken On March 2, 2008, the Lady Mustangs ‘‘home’’ was Army Master Sergeant Charles made their third straight appearance in the Ernest Hosking, who received a Medal of highly of. State tournament since they secured their first Honor for self-sacrificially saving the lives of In everything that Tom Graff has aspired to championship title in 2006. After trading leads several of his commanders during the Vietnam do, he has helped broaden Californians’ un- throughout the game and trailing late in the war. derstanding of the challenges of balancing en- third quarter, the Lady Mustangs came back to The borough of Ramsey is rich with histor- vironmental and economic concerns, and the secure a 48–43 victory over Sudan. ical, cultural, educational, and recreational in- use of California’s natural resources. It is that I especially want to recognize the three sen- stitutions. For 100 years, Ramsey has been effort that I recognize before you today. iors on the team, Jordan Barncastle, Taylor the cherished residence of many Americans. It Daniel and Christa Williams, for the extraor- is my hope that the borough of Ramsey will f dinary achievement of securing two State continue to be a vibrant community for many championships. In addition, I want to congratu- years to come. SEVEN KILLED IN SHOOTING AT late Jordan Barncastle for being named the f JERUSALEM SEMINARY tournament’s Most Valuable Player after con- tributing 18 points, eight rebounds, and three CONGRATULATING PERKINS COUN- steals in the championship game. TY PLAINSMEN ON WINNING HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE I also want to recognize Head Coach Doug CLASS C–2B NEBRASKA GIRLS Barncastle, who began coaching at Martin’s BASKETBALL STATE TITLE OF NEW YORK Mill High School in 2005 and has led the Lady IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mustangs to the State tournament all 3 years. HON. ADRIAN SMITH This victory was extra special since he was OF NEBRASKA Monday, March 10, 2008 coaching his daughter, Jordan Barncastle, in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES her last game before graduating and heading Monday, March 10, 2008 Ms. CLARKE. Madam Speaker, last Thurs- to Lubbock to play for the Texas Tech Lady day was a tragic day in Jerusalem. An ‘‘act of Raiders. With the game falling during the Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I terror and depravity’’ as Secretary Rice de- week of his birthday, the victory was an an- rise today to congratulate the Perkins County fined it, took the lives of eight young students, swered birthday wish for Coach Barncastle. Plainsmen on their 62 to 49 victory over Sut- while gathering to have dinner. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Fifth Dis- ton to take the Class C–2B Nebraska Girls Basketball State Title on March 1, 2008. They At 8:45 pm, Thursday night, two terrorists trict of Texas, I am honored to recognize the embody the spirit of teamwork, determination, infiltrated a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem and Martin’s Mill Lady Mustangs—both coaches and players—for their talent, dedication, and and heart, which champions display. opened fire in a dining hall. The shooting was exceptional performance. They finished the season unbeaten, but continuing for a few minutes until police forces f definitely not untested. Sutton, who allowed an arrived and the gunmen were stopped. Eight average of just 35 points a game this season, students were killed and seven others were CONGRATULATING THE BOROUGH gave the Plainsmen all they could handle, but wounded and are still hospitalized. OF RAMSEY, NEW JERSEY, ON came up short. ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY Mercaz Harav Seminary is a center for So, it is with a sense of pride that I con- studying of Judaism that is located in Kiryat gratulate the Perkins County Plainsmen girls’ basketball team on winning this championship. Moshe quarter at the entrance of the city. The HON. SCOTT GARRETT OF NEW JERSEY This victory is the result of months and years seminary holds around 500 students, including IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of hard work by the players, students, and foreigners, some of them Americans. In this their coaches. Monday, March 10, 2008 specific evening there were about 80 people in f the dining hall when the gunmen opened fire. Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam RECOGNIZING EILEEN MCGUCKIAN The victims are Neria Cohen, 15 years old; Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate the bor- Segev Paniel Avihail, 15 years old; ough of Ramsey, New Jersey, on its centen- nial celebration. Today, March 10, is the 100th Yehonathan Ytzchak Eldar, 16 years old; HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN anniversary of the incorporation of Ramsey. Avraham David Moses, 16 years old; Roy Rot, OF MARYLAND Ramsey is located at the foothills of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 18 years old; Yochai Lifshitz, 18 years old; Ramapo Mountains in northeast New Jersey Yehonadav Haim Hirshfeld, 19 years old; and and covers 5.9 square miles. Dutch, English, Monday, March 10, 2008 Doron Mahareta, 26 years old. Scottish, and German settlers were among the Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise I urge my colleagues to come together and first colonists to live in Ramsey. The Old today to express my appreciation and grati- find ways to resolve the conflict in the Middle Stone House was built as a Dutch colonial tude to Eileen McGuckian, founder of Peerless East. farmhouse in the 1700s, and it is still pre- Rockville, for her 35 years of service to the served today. A gristmill was erected in the cause of historic preservation. I would also like to express my deep sorrow mid 1780s, and six decades later a railroad Eileen was driven to take action in 1974, for the loss of the young students. To the par- station was assembled—both brought com- when she witnessed the demolition of the his- ents and families of the victims, I offer my sin- merce and development to the area. Ramsey toric and beautiful Masonic Lodge in Rockville. cerest condolences, and grant the families quickly became known as the strawberry cap- Along with a group of like-minded community comfort and peace at this time. ital, due to the large amounts of strawberries members, she formed Peerless Rockville and

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:24 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E10MR8.000 E10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3645 began raising money for the preservation of that now marks a trail leading to the Inter- nator of the city of Flint Employee Combined historic buildings and sites and educating the national & Great Northern Rail Road where Charitable Campaign; a member of the United public on the importance of protecting our she spent her childhood playing outdoors. Way of Genesee County Strengthening Fami- shared history. In the midst of all this activity, Ms. Bendy lies System of Care; a member of the New Im- Peerless Rockville has become a model of sang in her church choir and devoted time to migrant Services Coalition of MidMichigan; a public-private partnership, whose successes organizing and serving on various church member of the Kwanzaa Committee; the sec- have included the rescue and preservation of committees. retary for Unification for Urban Equality; a the 1873 B&O Railroad Station, the Montrose Ms. Bendy’s perseverance and selfless atti- member of the Donald Riegle Annual Service School and Baptist Cemetery, the Dawson tude in the face of cumbersome obstacles Award Event Committee; a member of the farmhouse, the Grand Courtroom of the Red qualifies her to receive this lifetime achieve- Community Outreach for Family and Youth Brick Courthouse, and Wire Hardware, one of ment award. Her work helped Mineola become Steering Committee; a member of the McCree the few examples of 19th century commercial a better place to live, work, raise a family, and Special Groups Committee; the African Amer- architecture remaining in Rockville. In addition, realize the American dream. ican Heritage Collaborative Committee; the Peerless Rockville fulfills its educational mis- Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Fifth Dis- Youth Violence Prevention Coalition; and the sion by providing walking tours and history trict of Texas, I am honored to recognize city of Flint Emergency Evacuation Committee. programs, and maintaining an impressive col- Johnnie Bendy for earning the Lifetime Cleora is married to Percy Magee. She has lection of maps, historic photographs, archi- Achievement Award and for sharing her pas- four children and three stepchildren. She re- tects’ drawings and other documents. These sions to inspire those around her. ceived her bachelor’s degree from Central documents are an invaluable resource for f Michigan University in Community Develop- local residents, students and scholars. Eileen ment. Cleora attends True Gospel Missionary herself made full use of this collection in her TRIBUTE TO CLEORA MAGEE Baptist Church where she serves as dea- award-winning book, Rockville: Portrait of a coness. City. Today, Rockville is a richer and more HON. DALE E. KILDEE Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Rep- beautiful place thanks to Eileen McGuckian. OF MICHIGAN resentatives to join me in congratulating Madam Speaker, please join me in recog- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Cleora Magee on her career of service to the people of Flint, Michigan. The community is nizing and honoring Eileen McGuckian for 35 Monday, March 10, 2008 years of dedicated and outstanding service to losing a great advocate and I wish her the the city of Rockville and to Montgomery Coun- Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today best as she enjoys her well deserved retire- ty, Maryland. to pay tribute to Cleora Magee as she retires ment. f as the executive director of the city of Flint f Human Relations Commission. A celebration HONORING JOHNNIE BENDY FOR will be held in her honor on Saturday, March IN HONOR OF THE MONTEREY PE- RECEIVING THE LIFETIME 15 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. NINSULA CHAMBER OF COM- ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Cleora Magee has served the people of the MERCE Flint area for many years. After working in the HON. JEB HENSARLING registrar’s office at Mott Community College, HON. SAM FARR OF CALIFORNIA OF TEXAS Cleora became a community organizer at the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Urban Coalition of Greater Flint. She went on to work at the Flint Neighborhood Improve- Monday, March 10, 2008 Monday, March 10, 2008 ment and Preservation Project, Incorporated, Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, today I as a community organizer, and a Neighbor- celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mon- rise to recognize Johnnie Bendy for receiving hood Service Center manager. In 1996 she terey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. The the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Min- became the executive director of the city of Monterey Chamber of Commerce was created eola Chamber of Commerce. Flint Human Relations Commission. in 1908 from a loosely organized merchants’ Johnnie Bendy, named after her father who In her capacity as the executive director, association. In 1949, the name was changed passed away weeks before she was born, is Cleora has touched the lives of thousands of to reflect its expansion across the entire pe- known for the impact she has made in her people. She serves many organizations and is ninsula including the sister cities of Carmel, community. Ms. Bendy’s grandmother and el- affiliated with the following: secretary for the Pacific Grove, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Sea- derly neighbors influenced her love for nature board of the Fair Winds Girl Scout Council; side, and Sand City as well as the neighboring and education by taking her fishing, teaching secretary of the board of the Flint Neighbor- unincorporated areas of Big Sur, Carmel Val- her to identify medicinal herbs, and explaining hood Improvement and Preservation Project, ley, Carmel Highlands and Pebble Beach. the intricacies of nature. Being raised by a sin- Incorporated; secretary for the board of the Today, a chamber is more than a non-profit gle mother in the 1930s inevitably led to dif- Flint Neighborhood Coalition; a member of the organization; it is a business, and its product ficult times, and Ms. Bendy recalls going hun- board of directors and chairperson of the is its members. As the largest chamber of gry for days. Michigan Outstate Chapter of the National As- commerce in the tri-county area, it provides After attending grade school in Mineola, Ms. sociation of Human Rights Workers; member leadership on issues, programs and business Bendy worked to pay her way through school of the board and mediator with the Community development that benefit both the community at Texas College. After graduating, Ms. Bendy Resolution Center; member of the Advisory and their member businesses. taught at McFarland School until 1964 when Board of YouthBuild; the Mayor’s Representa- Now 1,000 members strong, the chamber’s she began her career as a librarian at Mineola tive on the Emergency Food and Shelter Pro- commitment to serving the business interests Middle School, a post she held for 38 years. gram Local Board and Allocations Committee; of the entire peninsula strengthens economic In addition to teaching, Ms. Bendy devoted a member of National Association for the Ad- growth, promotes the wonders of Monterey her time volunteering and serving on the city vancement of Colored People; a member of County, and serves the needs of our many planning and zoning commission, the Kind- Flint Rotary; the chairperson of the Sponsor- visitors annually from around the world. ness Cottage, the Mineola Chamber of Com- ship Committee for the National Multicultural In answer to the question, ‘‘What has the merce, the Community Chest, United Way, the Diversity Institute; co-chairperson of the Com- Chamber done for me lately?’’ Board chair East Texas Council of Government, and is a munity Response Committee with the Michi- Terry Low and president and CEO Astrid former president of Friends of the Library. Ms. gan Alliance Against Hate Crimes; a member Coleman offer these programs and goals: pro- Bendy has been recognized both locally and of the Hurley Medical Center Bioethics Com- moting its members by making each one nationally as a Distinguished Teacher, Volun- mittee; a member of the M.L. King, Jr. Annual aware of local products and services and cre- teer of the Year, and 1998 Woman of the Tribute Planning Committee; a member of the ating events to showcase the members; offer- Year. Genesee County Committee for Community ing educational programs, coaching services In 2007, Mineola Mayor Pete Smith dedi- Peace; a member of Community Challenge and forums to help small business owners cated a historical marker to Ms. Bendy in the Visual Change Group; a member of the city of succeed; and presenting a ‘‘voice for busi- Mineola Nature Preserve on the Sabine River Flint Threat Assessment Team; the coordi- ness’’ to legal and legislative authorities about

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:24 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E10MR8.000 E10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 3646 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 10, 2008 issues affecting peninsula business and the Colorectal Cancer Coalition steering com- 10 a.m. community. Recognizing the need for a prop- mittee for Cover Your Butt. Mrs. Lindley also Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs erly prepared workforce, the chamber mobi- works with the American Cancer Society as To hold hearings to examine the Presi- the online chair for Van Zandt County Relay dent’s proposed budget request for fis- lizes business and community resources to cal year 2009 for the Department of ensure quality education on the Monterey Pe- for Life, the ACT District 5 chair, a Cancer Ac- Housing and Urban Development and ninsula, and is dedicated to sustainability tion Network member, and a Cancer Support conduct oversight. through the local greening of businesses. Network member. SD–538 Madam Speaker, I salute 100 years of effort Through her own experience, Mrs. Lindley Finance by the members, volunteers, committee mem- learned the importance of support groups for To hold hearings to examine alternatives bers, board members, community partners, both patients suffering with cancer and their to the current federal estate tax sys- and staff of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber families. But rather than focusing on herself, tem. of Commerce, whose dedication has made Mrs. Lindley organized survivor advocacy to SD–215 Homeland Security and Governmental Af- this organization a vital and integral part of our support cancer patients. With a desire to bring hope to others, Mrs. fairs community. Business meeting to consider H.R. 3247, Lindley took her personal story to the national f to improve the provision of disaster as- stage and courageously shared it with maga- sistance for Hurricanes Katrina and CONGRATULATING EWING TIGERS zines, radio and television hosts. During her Rita, H.R. 3179, to amend title 40, GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM appearance on the TODAY Show, Katie United States Code, to authorize the Couric referred to her as a ‘‘Medical Match- use of Federal supply schedules for the HON. ADRIAN SMITH maker’’ for promoting the ‘‘buddy system’’ acquisition of law enforcement, secu- while fighting this disease. rity, and certain other related items by OF NEBRASKA Today, I have the privilege of meeting with State and local governments, S. 2606, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mrs. Lindley. However, this is not Mrs. to reauthorize the United States Fire Monday, March 10, 2008 Lindley’s first trip to Washington, DC. Desiring Administration, S. 789, to prevent abuse of Government credit cards, S. Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I to take a proactive approach, Mrs. Lindley has 2291, to enhance citizen access to Gov- rise today to commend the Ewing Tigers girls spent much time with lawmakers, both back ernment information and services by basketball team for winning the 2008 Ne- home and in Washington, to petition Congress establishing plain language as the braska State Girls Basketball Class D–2 for their help in the fight against cancer. standard style of Government docu- Championship by the score of 45–44 last Cancer is a devastating disease that has ments issued to the public, S. 2420, to encourage the donation of excess food week, just barely edging the Pleasanton Bull- touched many lives. As a former volunteer and board member of the American Cancer Soci- to nonprofit organizations that provide dogs. ety of Dallas, I have seen how cancer impacts assistance to food-insecure people in The returning champs from 2007—who went a family. As a husband and father, I share a the United States in contracts entered 0–19 just three years ago—found their salva- deep commitment to the fight against cancer. into by executive agencies for the pro- vision, service, or sale of food, S. 2534, tion on the foul line, making three of four free Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Fifth Dis- throws with just 23 seconds to go in the game. to designate the facility of the United trict of Texas, I am honored to recognize Su- States Postal Service located at 2650 A coach I know once said that if you make zanne Lindley for her selfless spirit in the face your free throws, you win the game. Well, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, In- of a consuming disease. dianapolis, Indiana, as the ‘‘Julia M. girls from Ewing certainly proved him right. f Carson Post Office Building’’, H.R. 4210, The players showed grit and determination to designate the facility of the United during their championship game, but also SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS States Postal Service located at 401 dedication, teamwork and responsibility during Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, Washington Avenue in Weldon, North the regular season to get them to the final agreed to by the Senate on February 4, Carolina, as the ‘‘Dock M. Brown Post game. They should be proud of their accom- 1977, calls for establishment of a sys- Office Building’’, H.R. 4342, to des- plishments, as I’m sure their entire community tem for a computerized schedule of all ignate the facility of the United States is of them. Postal Service located at 824 Manatee meetings and hearings of Senate com- Avenue West in Bradenton, Florida, as I hope the girls and their coaches are as mittees, subcommittees, joint commit- the ‘‘Dan Miller Post Office Building’’, proud of themselves as we are of them. They tees, and committees of conference. S. 2725, to designate the facility of the deserve a well earned break, and I look for- This title requires all such committees United States Postal Service located at ward to following their season next year. to notify the Office of the Senate Daily 6892 Main Street in Gloucester, Vir- f Digest—designated by the Rules Com- ginia, as the ‘‘Congresswoman Jo Ann mittee—of the time, place, and purpose S. Davis Post Office’’, H.R. 3720, to des- HONORING SUZANNE LINDLEY FOR of the meetings, when scheduled, and ignate the facility of the United States HER DEDICATION TO HELPING any cancellations or changes in the Postal Service located at 424 Clay Ave- OTHERS FIGHT CANCER nue in Waco, Texas, as the ‘‘Army PFC meetings as they occur. Juan Alonso Covarrubias Post Office As an additional procedure along Building’’, H.R. 3988, to designate the HON. JEB HENSARLING with the computerization of this infor- facility of the United States Postal OF TEXAS mation, the Office of the Senate Daily Service located at 3701 Altamesa Boule- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Digest will prepare this information for vard in Fort Worth, Texas, as the printing in the Extensions of Remarks ‘‘Master Sergeant Kenneth N. Mack Monday, March 10, 2008 section of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Post Office Building’’, H.R. 4211, to des- Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, today I on Monday and Wednesday of each ignate the facility of the United States rise to recognize Suzanne Lindley for her week. Postal Service located at 725 Roanoke Meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, North dedication to inspiring cancer patients and sur- Carolina, as the ‘‘Judge Richard B. vivors and for courageously fighting her own March 11, 2008, may be found in the Allsbrook Post Office’’, H.R. 4240, to battle against colorectal cancer. Daily Digest of today’s RECORD. designate the facility of the United In 1998, after receiving a bleak diagnosis MEETINGS SCHEDULED States Postal Service located at 10799 that she had advanced metastatic colorectal West Alameda Avenue in Lakewood, cancer, Mrs. Lindley reached out to fellow pa- MARCH 12 Colorado, as the ‘‘Felix Sparks Post Of- tients in an attempt to gain emotional and 9:30 a.m. fice Building’’, S. 2622, to designate the medical support. Nine years later, thousands Armed Services facility of the United States Postal Readiness and Management Support Sub- Service located at 11001 Dunklin Road are looking to Mrs. Lindley for inspiration. In committee in St. Louis, Missouri, as the ‘‘William addition to being involved in eight different as- To receive a briefing on the current read- ‘Bill’ Clay Post Office’’, S. 2626 and sociations, Mrs. Lindley is a co-founder and iness of the armed forces of the United H.R. 5400, bills to designate the facility president of Yttrium–90 Microspheres Edu- States. of the United States Postal Service lo- cation and Support, and serves on the SH–219 cated at 160 East Washington Street in

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:24 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\E10MR8.000 E10MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 10, 2008 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 3647 Chagrin Falls, Ohio, as the ‘‘Sergeant 2:30 p.m. 10 a.m. Michael M. Kashkoush Post Office Foreign Relations Commerce, Science, and Transportation Building’’, H.R. 3468, to designate the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Sub- Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security facility of the United States Postal committee Subcommittee Service located at 1704 Weeksville Road To hold hearings to examine the United To hold hearings to examine the finan- in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, as States and Vietnam, focusing on the cial state of the airline industry. the ‘‘Dr. Clifford Bell Jones, Sr. Post bilateral relationship. SR–253 Office’’, H.R. 3532, to designate the fa- SD–419 Appropriations cility of the United States Postal Serv- Armed Services Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related ice located at 5815 McLeod Street in Emerging Threats and Capabilities Sub- Agencies Subcommittee Lula, Georgia, as the ‘‘Private committee To hold hearings to examine proposed Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office’’, To hold hearings to examine tech- budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric H.R. 4203, to designate the facility of nologies to combat weapons of mass de- Administration and the National the United States Postal Service lo- struction. Science Foundation. cated at 3035 Stone Mountain Street in SD–106 SD–192 Lithonia, Georgia, as the ‘‘Specialist Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Finance Jamaal RaShard Addison Post Office fairs Building’’, H.R. 5135, to designate the To hold hearings to examine customs re- Federal Financial Management, Govern- authorization, focusing on strength- facility of the United States Postal ment Information, Federal Services, ening United States economic interests Service located at 201 West Greenway and International Security Sub- and security. Street in Derby, Kansas, as the ‘‘Ser- committee SD–215 geant Jamie O. Maugans Post Office To hold hearings to examine agencies in Judiciary Building’’, and the nomination of Har- peril, focusing on protecting federal in- Business meeting to consider S. 2136, to vey E. Johnson, Jr., of Virginia, to be formation technology and secure sen- address the treatment of primary Deputy Administrator, Federal Emer- sitive information. mortgages in bankruptcy, S. 2133, to gency Management Agency, Depart- SD–342 authorize bankruptcy courts to take ment of Homeland Security. Armed Services certain actions with respect to mort- SD–342 Readiness and Management Support Sub- gage loans in bankruptcy, S. 2041, to Rules and Administration committee amend the False Claims Act, S. 2533, to To hold hearings to examine issues rel- To hold hearings to examine the defense enact a safe, fair, and responsible state ative to in-person voter fraud and voter authorization request for fiscal year secrets privilege Act, S. 702, to author- disenfranchisement. 2009, the future years defense program, ize the Attorney General to award SR–301 and military installation, environ- grants to State courts to develop and Armed Services mental, and base closure programs. implement State courts interpreter Strategic Forces Subcommittee SR–232A programs, S. Res. 468, designating April To hold hearings to examine strategic Intelligence 2008 as ‘‘National 9–1–1 Education forces programs in review of the de- Closed business meeting to consider Month’’, and the nominations of fense authorization request for fiscal pending calendar business. Catharina Haynes, of Texas, to be year 2009 and the future years defense SH–219 United States Circuit Judge for the program. Fifth Circuit, and Rebecca A. Gregory, 4 p.m. SR–232A to be United States Attorney for the Appropriations 10:30 a.m. Eastern District of Texas. Financial Services and General Govern- Appropriations SD–226 ment Subcommittee Defense Subcommittee Appropriations To hold hearings to examine proposed To hold hearings to examine proposed Transportation, Housing and Urban Devel- budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for opment, and Related Agencies Sub- the federal judiciary. the Air Force. committee SD–138 SD–192 To hold hearings to examine proposed Aging budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for MARCH 13 To hold hearings relative to doctors and the Department of Housing and Urban prescription drug information and re- 9:30 a.m. Development. views. Armed Services SD–138 SD–562 To hold hearings to examine the defense 2 p.m. 1:30 p.m. authorization request for fiscal year Commerce, Science, and Transportation Commerce, Science, and Transportation 2009 for the United States European To hold a hearing to examine the nomi- Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Command and the United States Afri- nation of John J. Sullivan, of Mary- Subcommittee can Command, and the future years de- land, to be Deputy Secretary of Com- To hold hearings to examine the gross fense program. merce. SR–253 domestic product as a measurement of SH–216 Armed Services national strength. Foreign Relations Readiness and Management Support Sub- SR–253 Business meeting to consider S. 2731, to committee 2 p.m. authorize appropriations for fiscal To hold hearings to examine the defense Judiciary years 2009 through 2013 to provide as- authorization request for fiscal year To hold hearings to examine Generation sistance to foreign countries to combat 2009 for the current readiness of the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, Rx, focusing on the abuse of prescrip- armed forces, and the future years de- tion and over-the-counter drugs. and the nominations of William Ray- fense program. SD–226 mond Steiger, of Wisconsin, to be Am- SR–232A Armed Services bassador to the Republic of Mozam- 2:30 p.m. SeaPower Subcommittee bique, and Mark Kimmitt, of Virginia, Armed Services To hold hearings to examine the defense to be an Assistant Secretary of State Emerging Threats and Capabilities Sub- authorization request for fiscal year for Political-Military Affairs, both of committee 2009, for the strategic lift programs, the Department of State. To hold hearings to examine the defense and the future years defense program. S–116, Capitol authorization request for fiscal year SR–222 Energy and Natural Resources 2009 for the Cooperative Threat Reduc- 2:15 p.m. Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee tion Program and the Proliferation Se- Energy and Natural Resources To hold hearings to examine old-growth curity Initiative at the Department of To hold hearings to examine hardrock forest science, focusing on policy and Defense, and nuclear nonproliferation mining, focusing on issues relating to management in the Pacific Northwest programs at the National Security Ad- abandoned mine lands and uranium region. ministration, and the future years de- mining. SD–366 fense program. SD–366 SR–222

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