S390 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 1, 2010 These individuals—and countless oth- they sought to open the port in Port- from the President of the United ers—are real examples of the early con- au-Prince an provide humanitarian as- States, together with an accompanying tributions of African Americans in Col- sistance and evacuation for the criti- report; which was referred jointly, pur- orado and throughout the American cally injured. Working under the joint suant to the order of January 30, 1975 West. Yet I do not speak of these indi- task force and partnering with the Hai- as modified by the order of April 11, viduals so their stories remain in his- tian port officials and maritime com- 1986; to the Committees on the Budget; tory books or museums, but instead to munity, the Oak’s crew surveyed the and Appropriations: highlight the continuing efforts and port and placed out buoys to improve To the Congress of the United States: contributions of Colorado’s Black com- the conditions. Having spent time in We begin a new year at a moment of munity to our State. From the time Haiti on previous missions training the continuing challenge for the American that James Beckwourth and ‘‘Aunt’’ Haitian Coast Guard members in CPR people. Even as we recover from crisis, Clara Brown made their way to Colo- and first aid, small arms maintenance, millions of families are still feeling the rado along with other Black men, and boat maintenance, the Oak’s crew- pain of lost jobs and savings. Busi- women and children until present day, members were able to quickly improve nesses are still struggling to find af- there have been many other commu- the situation. I am especially proud of fordable loans to expand and hire work- nity leaders, public officials, and entre- the crew’s accomplishment in reopen- ers. Our Nation is still experiencing the preneurs who have overcome the strug- ing the port to traffic on January 21, consequences of a deep and lasting re- gles of progress. They rose above the 2010. Because of their efforts, life-sav- cession, even as we have seen encour- challenges of frontier life and those ing relief aid reached the Haitian peo- aging signs that the turmoil of the past hard times of the great depression. ple. 2 years is waning. Moving from reces- They joined many others to mine Colo- In addition to opening the port, the sion to recovery, and ultimately to rado’s mineral wealth and forge the Oak’s crew distributed food, water, and prosperity, remains at the heart of my steel of Colorado’s railways to con- medical supplies and aided in evacu- Administration’s efforts. This Budget tribute to Colorado’s burgeoning econ- ating hundreds of American citizens provides a blueprint for the work omy. They have fought in every major and critically injured Haitians to the ahead. American war to protect a collective United States. Their quick response to But in order to understand where we freedom that for so many years they a terrifying situation saved the lives of are going in the coming year, it is im- were denied. And they have risen in many people, and these impressive portant to remember where we started solidarity to defend the civil rights of achievements bring great credit upon just 1 year ago. Last January, the every American citizen regardless of the Oak. United States faced an economic crisis It is with great pride that I thank the color of their skin. unlike any we had known in genera- Commander Mike Glander, the com- Today, I am proud to see Colorado’s tions. Irresponsible risk-taking and manding officer of the Oak, and the African-American community continue debt-fueled speculation—unchecked by men and women under his command. sound oversight—led to the near-col- as a vibrant force in our State, just as These crewmembers have upheld the lapse of our financial system. Our they can be found in our history. best traditions of the Coast Guard and As I marched recently in Denver’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was have represented the city of Charles- annual Martin Luther King, Jr. falling at the fastest rate in a quarter- ton, the State of South Carolina, and ‘‘marade,’’ I was reminded of Dr. King’s century. Five trillion dollars of Ameri- this Nation with honor and distinction. cans’ household wealth had evaporated dream of a nation where people are not They have worked diligently to support in just 12 weeks as stocks, pensions, judged by the color of their skin but by the values that make this Nation and home values plummeted. We were the content of their character. We have great. I know the Coast Guard is espe- made much progress in working to ful- losing an average of 700,000 jobs each cially proud of the heroic actions of the month, equivalent to the population of fill Dr. King’s dream; and it was evi- Oak’s crewmembers, but on behalf of dent to me, that his message is still the State of Vermont. The capital and the people of the State of South Caro- credit markets, integral to the normal being heard. lina and our great country, I salute the Mr. President, I hope all Coloradans functioning of our economy, were vir- outstanding work of the crewmembers and Americans can reflect on the con- tually frozen. The fear among econo- of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oak. tributions of African Americans of our mists—from across the political spec- This January, the men and women of State and throughout our great Nation trum—was that we risked sinking into the Oak were a living expression to the not only during the Black History a second Great Depression. world of the Oak’s motto—Decora Month but in every month of the year. Immediately, we undertook a series Fides Robur—Honor, Faithfulness, of difficult steps to prevent that out- f Strength. come. We acted to get lending flowing RECOGNIZING THE CUTTER OAK f again so that businesses could get CREW MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT loans to buy equipment and ordinary Americans could get financing to buy Mr. DEMINT. Mr. President, I would Messages from the President of the homes and cars, go to college, and start like to congratulate the crewmembers United States were communicated to or run businesses. We enacted measures of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oak, a the Senate by Mr. Pate, one of his sec- to foster greater stability in the hous- 225-foot sea-going Buoy Tender retaries. homeported in Charleston, SC, for their ing market, help responsible home- bravery, stamina, and fortitude in f owners stay in their homes, and help to their response to the tragic aftermath EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED stop the broader decline in home val- of the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, As in executive session the Presiding ues. To achieve this, and to prevent an Haiti. Officer laid before the Senate messages economic collapse that would have af- One day after the earthquake, with from the President of the United fected millions of additional families, just a few hours’ notice, the Oak’s States submitting sundry nominations we had no choice but to use authority crewmembers departed from Charles- which were referred to the appropriate enacted under the previous Adminis- ton stocked with medical supplies, food committees. tration to extend assistance to some of provisions, and 62,880 bottles of water. (The nominations received today are the very banks and financial institu- Their engineers and food service spe- printed at the end of the Senate pro- tions whose actions had helped precipi- cialists worked around the clock to en- ceedings.) tate the turmoil. We also took steps to sure the ship had all the supplies they f prevent the rapid dissolution of the needed for the humanitarian rescue American auto industry—which faced a mission, and on January 18, 2010, the BUDGET OF THE UNITED STATES crisis partly of its own making—to pre- Coast Guard Cutter Oak arrived in GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR vent the loss of hundreds of thousands Haiti. 2011—PM 43 of additional jobs during an already The crew faced a tremendous chal- The PRESIDING OFFICER laid be- fragile time. Many of these decisions lenge both physically and mentally as fore the Senate the following message were not popular, but we deemed them

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:33 Feb 02, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G01FE6.003 S01FEPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with SENATE February 1, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S391 necessary to prevent a deeper and their loved ones, while their incomes and wellness—as well as to improve the longer recession. flat-lined and their sense of economic health of the Nation by increasing the Even as we worked to stop the eco- security evaporated. Beneath the sta- number of primary care physicians, nomic freefall and address the crises in tistics are the stories of hardship I’ve protecting the safety of our food and our banking sector, our housing mar- heard all across America. For too drugs, and investing in critical bio- ket, and our auto industry, we also many, there has long been a sense that medical research. began attacking the economic crisis on the American dream—a chance to Because small businesses are critical a broader front. Less than 1 month make your own way, to support your creators of new jobs and economic after taking office, we enacted the family, save for college and retirement, growth, the Budget eliminates capital most sweeping economic recovery own a home—was slipping away. And gains taxes for investments in small package in history: the American Re- this sense of anxiety has been com- firms and includes measures to in- covery and Reinvestment Act. The Re- bined with a deep frustration that crease these firms’ access to the loans covery Act not only provided tax cuts Washington either didn’t notice, or they need to meet payroll, expand their to small businesses and 95 percent of didn’t care enough to act. operations, and hire new workers. working families and provided emer- Those days are over. In the after- Because we know the nation that gency relief to those out of work or math of this crisis, what is clear is leads in clean energy will be the nation without health insurance; it also began that we cannot simply go back to busi- that leads the world, the Budget cre- to lay a new foundation for long-term ness as usual. We cannot go back to an ates the incentives to build a new clean energy economy—from new loan guar- economic growth and prosperity. With economy that yielded cycle after cycle antees that will encourage a range of investments in health care, education, of speculative booms and painful busts. renewable energy efforts and new nu- infrastructure, and clean energy, the We cannot continue to accept an edu- clear power plants to spurring the de- Recovery Act both saved and created cation system in which our students velopment of clean energy on Federal millions of jobs and began the hard trail their peers in other countries, and lands. More broadly, the Budget makes work of transforming our economy to a health-care system in which explod- critical investments that will ensure thrive in the modern, global market- ing costs put our businesses at a com- that we continue to lead the world in place and reverse the financial decline petitive disadvantage and squeeze the new fields and industries: doubling re- incomes of our workers. We cannot working families experienced in the search and development funding in key continue to ignore the clean energy last decade. Because of these and other physical sciences agencies; expanding challenge and stand still while other steps, we can safely say we have avoid- broadband networks across our coun- countries move forward in the emerg- ed the depression many feared, and we try; and working to promote American ing industries of the 21st Century. And are no longer facing the potential col- exports abroad. lapse of our financial system. But our we cannot continue to borrow against And because we know that our future work is far from complete. our children’s future, or allow special is dependent on maintaining American First and foremost, there are still too interests to determine how public dol- leadership abroad and ensuring our se- many Americans without work. The lars are spent. That is why, as we curity at home, the Budget funds all steps we have taken have helped stop strive to meet the crisis of the mo- the elements of our national power—in- the staggering job losses we were expe- ment, we are continuing to lay a new cluding our military—to achieve our riencing at the beginning of last year. foundation for the future. goals of winding down the war in Iraq, But the damage has been done. More Already, we have made historic executing our new strategy in Afghani- than seven million jobs were lost since strides to reform and improve our stan, and fighting al Qaeda all over the the recession began 2 years ago. This schools, to pass health insurance re- world. To honor the sacrifice of the represents not only a terrible human form, to build a new clean energy econ- men and women who shoulder this bur- tragedy, but also a very deep hole from omy, to cut wasteful spending, and to den and who have throughout our his- which we have to climb out. Until our limit the influence of lobbyists and tory, the Budget also provides signifi- businesses are hiring again and jobs are special interests so that we are better cant resources, including advanced ap- being created to replace those we have serving the national interest. However, propriations, to care for our Nation’s lost—until America is back at work— there is much left to do, and this Budg- veterans. my Administration will not rest and et lays out the way ahead. Rising to these challenges is the re- this recovery will not be finished. Because an educated workforce is es- sponsibility we bear for the future of That is why this Budget includes sential in a 21st Century global econ- our children, our grandchildren, and plans to encourage small businesses to omy, we are undertaking a reform of our Nation. This is an obligation to hire as quickly and effectively as pos- elementary and secondary school fund- change not just what we do in Wash- sible, to make additional investments ing by setting high standards, encour- ington, but how we do it. in infrastructure, and to jump-start aging innovation, and rewarding suc- As we look to the future, we must clean energy investments that will cess; making the successful Race to the recognize that the era of irrespon- help the private sector create good jobs Top fund permanent and opening it up sibility in Washington must end. On in America. to innovative school districts; invest- the day my Administration took office, Long before this crisis hit, middle- ing in educating the next generation of we faced an additional $7.5 trillion in class families were under growing scientists and engineers; and putting national debt by the end of this decade strain. For decades, Washington failed our Nation closer to meeting the goal as a result of the failure to pay for two to address fundamental weaknesses in of leading the world in new college large tax cuts, primarily for the the economy: rising health-care costs, graduates by 2020. Moreover, since in wealthiest Americans, and a new enti- a growing dependence on foreign oil, today’s economy learning must last a tlement program. We also inherited the and an education system unable to pre- lifetime, my Administration will re- worst recession since the Great Depres- pare our children for the jobs of the fu- form the job-training system, stream- sion—which, even before we took any ture. In recent years, spending bills lining it and focusing it on the high- action, added an additional $3 trillion and tax cuts for the wealthy were ap- growth sectors of the economy. to the national debt. Our response to proved without paying for any of it, Because even the best-trained work- this recession, the Recovery Act, which leaving behind a mountain of debt. And ers in the world can’t compete if our has been critical to restoring economic while Wall Street gambled without re- businesses are saddled with rapidly in- growth, will add an additional $1 tril- gard for the consequences, Washington creasing health-care costs, we’re fight- lion to the debt—only 10 percent of looked the other way. ing to reform our Nation’s broken these costs. In total, the surpluses we As a result, the economy may have health insurance system and relieve enjoyed at the start of the last decade been working very well for those at the this unsustainable burden. My Budget have disappeared; instead, we are $12 very top, but it was not working for includes funds to lay the groundwork trillion deeper in debt. In the long the middle class. Year after year, for these reforms—by investing in term, we cannot have sustainable and Americans were forced to work longer health information technology, pa- durable economic growth without get- hours and spend more time away from tient-centered research, and prevention ting our fiscal house in order.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:29 Feb 02, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A01FE6.025 S01FEPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with SENATE S392 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 1, 2010 That is why even as we increased our firms to ensure that taxpayers are MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE short-term deficit to rescue the econ- fully compensated for the extraor- RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT omy, we have refused to go along with dinary support they provided, while ENROLLED BILL SIGNED business as usual, taking responsibility providing a deterrent to the risky prac- Under the order of the Senate of Jan- for every dollar we spend, eliminating tices that contributed to this crisis. uary 6, 2009, the Secretary of the Sen- what we don’t need, and making the Yet even after taking these steps, our ate, on January 29, 2010, during the ad- programs we do need more efficient. fiscal situation remains unacceptable. journment of the Senate, received a We are taking on health care—the sin- A decade of irresponsible choices has message from the House of Representa- gle biggest threat to our Nation’s fiscal created a fiscal hole that will not be tives announcing that the Speaker pro future—and doing so in a fiscally re- solved by a typical Washington budget tempore (Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland) sponsible way that will not add a dime process that puts partisanship and pa- has signed the following enrolled bill: to our deficits and will lower the rate rochial interests above our shared na- of health-care cost growth in the long H.R. 4508. An act to provide for an addi- tional interest. That is why, working tional temporary extension of programs run. with the Congress, we will establish a under the Small Business Act and the Small We are implementing the Recovery Business Investment Act of 1958, and for Act with an unprecedented degree of bipartisan fiscal commission charged with identifying additional policies to other purposes. oversight and openness so that anyone Under the authority of the order of anywhere can see where their tax dol- put our country on a fiscally sustain- able path—balancing the Budget, ex- the Senate of January 6, 2009, the en- lars are going. We’ve banned lobbyists rolled bill was signed on January 29, from serving on agency advisory boards cluding interest payments on the debt, by 2015. 2010, during the adjournment of the and commissions, which had become Senate, by the President pro tempore dominated by special interests. We are This past year, we have seen the con- (Mr. BYRD). using new technology to make Govern- sequences of those in power failing to ment more accessible to the American live up to their responsibilities to f people. And last year, we combed the shareholders and constituents. We have budget, cutting millions of dollars of seen how Main Street is as linked to MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE waste and eliminating excess wherever Wall Street as our economy is to those At 2:03 p.m., a message from the we could—including outdated weapons of other nations. And we have seen the House of Representatives, delivered by systems that even the Pentagon said it results of building an economy on a Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- did not want or need. shaky foundation, rather than on the nounced that pursuant to 36 U.S.C. We continued that process in this bedrock fundamentals of innovation, 2302, and the order of the House of Jan- Budget as well, streamlining what does small business, good schools, smart in- uary 6, 2009, the Speaker appoints the work and ending programs that do vestment, and long-term growth. not—all while making it more possible following Members of the House of Rep- for Americans to judge our progress for We have also witnessed the resilience resentatives to the United States Holo- themselves. The Budget includes more of the American people—our unique caust Memorial Council: Mr. WAXMAN than 120 programs for termination, re- ability to pick ourselves up and forge of California, Ms. GIFFORDS of Arizona, duction, or other savings for a total of ahead even when times are tough. All Mr. KLEIN of Florida, Mr. LATOURETTE approximately $23 billion in 2011, as across our country, there are students of Ohio, and Mr. CANTOR of Virginia. well as an aggressive effort to reduce ready to learn, workers eager to work, f the tens of billions of dollars in im- scientists on the brink of discovery, en- proper Government payments made trepreneurs seeking the chance to open MEASURES PLACED ON THE each year. a small business, and once-shuttered To help put our country on a fiscally factories just waiting to whir back to CALENDAR sustainable path, we will freeze non- life in burgeoning industries. The following bills were read the first security discretionary funding for 3 This is a Nation ready to meet the and second times by unanimous con- years. This freeze will require a level of challenges of this new age and to lead sent, and placed on the calendar: discipline with Americans’ tax dollars the world in this new century. Ameri- H.R. 3254. An act to approve the Taos Pueb- and a number of hard choices and pain- cans are willing to work hard, and, in lo Indian Water Rights Settlement Agree- ful tradeoffs not seen in Washington return, they expect to be able to find a ment, and for other purposes. H.R. 3342. An act to authorize the Sec- for many years. But it is what needs to good job, afford a home, send their be done to restore fiscal responsibility retary of the Interior, acting through the children to world-class schools, receive Commissioner of Reclamation, to develop as we begin to rebuild our economy. high-quality and affordable health water infrastructure in the Rio Grande In addition to closing loopholes that care, and enjoy retirement security in Basin, and to approve the settlement of the allow wealthy investment managers to their later years. These are the build- water rights claims of the Pueblos of Nambe, not pay income taxes on their earnings ing blocks of the middle class that Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque. and ending subsidies for big oil, gas, make America strong, and it is our and coal companies, the Budget elimi- duty to honor the drive, ingenuity, and f nates the Bush tax cuts for those mak- fortitude of the American people by ing more than $250,000 a year and de- laying the groundwork upon which INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND votes those resources instead to reduc- they can pursue these dreams and real- JOINT RESOLUTIONS ing the deficit. Our Nation could not ize the promise of American life. The following bills and joint resolu- afford these tax cuts when they passed, tions were introduced, read the first and it cannot afford them now. This Budget is our plan for how to start accomplishing this in the coming and second times by unanimous con- And the Budget calls for those in the sent, and referred as indicated: financial sector—who benefited so fiscal year. As we look back on the By Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and greatly from the extraordinary meas- progress of the past 12 months and look forward to the work ahead, I have Mr. VITTER): ures taken to rescue them from a crisis S. 2972. A bill to amend titles 18 and 28 of that was largely of their own making— every confidence that we can—and the United States Code to provide assistance to finally recognize their obligation to will—rise to the challenge that our to the Federal law enforcement agencies in taxpayers. The legislation establishing people and our history set for us. investigating offenses involving child vic- the Troubled Asset Relief Program These have been tough times, and tims; to the Committee on the Judiciary. (TARP) included a provision requiring there will be difficult months ahead. By Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mrs. the Administration to devise a way for GILLIBRAND, Mr. LEVIN, and Mr. But the storms of the past are reced- BEGICH): these banks and firms to pay back the ing; the skies are brightening; and the S. 2973. A bill to amend the Internal Rev- American taxpayer. That is why in this horizon is beckoning once more. enue Code of 1986 to provide a temporary Budget we have included a fee on the BARACK OBAMA. payroll increase tax credit for certain em- largest and most indebted financial THE WHITE HOUSE, February 1, 2010. ployers; to the Committee on Finance.

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