E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 111 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 156 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2010 No. 25 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was to the Senate from the President pro SCHEDULE called to order by the Honorable tempore (Mr. BYRD). Mr. CASEY. Madam President, KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, a Senator from The legislative clerk read the fol- today, the Senate will resume consider- the State of New York. lowing letter: ation of the House message with re- U.S. SENATE, spect to H.R. 1299, the legislative vehi- PRAYER PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, cle for the Travel Promotion Act. Yes- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Today’s Washington, DC, February 25, 2010. terday, the majority leader filed clo- opening prayer will be offered by guest To the Senate: ture on the motion to concur. That Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, vote will occur tomorrow morning, un- Chaplain Rev. Benny Tate, senior pas- of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby tor of Rock Springs Church in Milner, appoint the Honorable KIRSTEN E. less we are able to reach an agreement GA. GILLIBRAND, a Senator from the State of New to vote today. The guest Chaplain offered the fol- York, to perform the duties of the Chair. In addition, we are also working on lowing prayer: ROBERT C. BYRD, an agreement to consider a bill that Let us pray. President pro tempore. would extend certain expiring tax pro- Our Heavenly Father, we bow our Mrs. GILLIBRAND thereupon as- visions for 30 days. If we are able to heads in Your presence. The Bible sumed the chair as Acting President reach an agreement, we could see votes teaches us, ‘‘Behold how good it is for pro tempore. on that after 4 p.m. There will be no brethren to dwell together in unity, be- f rollcall votes prior to 4 p.m. to allow Senators to attend the health care cause a House divided will not stand.’’ RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME May Your servants in this body not summit with the President of the look to parties, personalities, pref- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- United States. erences or press, but may they focus on pore. Under the previous order, the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- principles and people. leadership time is reserved. pore. The Senator from Georgia is rec- God, we call our Senators politicians, f ognized. but You call them ministers in the UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE GUEST CHAPLAIN DR. BENNY TATE Bible. May all 100 Members of this body ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICAL Mr. CHAMBLISS. Madam President, make full proof of their ministry. I ask CORRECTIONS ACT OF 2009 I rise this morning to thank our distin- guished guest Chaplain, Dr. Benny for Your guidance on their decisions The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Tate, of Milner, GA, who has brought and Your grace on their families. Keep pore. Under the previous order, the us an inspirational message with which every one of them close and clean, Senate will resume consideration of to begin our day. being accountable to You. the House message with respect to H.R. Dr. Tate is the senior pastor of Rock We ask for protection for our men 1299, which the clerk will report. Springs Church in Milner, GA, and has and women who so bravely protect us The legislative clerk read as follows: served his congregation well for 20 all over our world. We pray respecting A House message to accompany H.R. 1299, all faiths, but pray this prayer in the an Act making technical corrections to the years. When Dr. Tate began preaching Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. laws affecting certain administrative au- at Rock Springs Church, only 20 people came to worship on a given Sunday. f thorities of the United States Capitol Police, and for other purposes. Today, Dr. Benny Tate preaches to PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pending: more than 4,000 people on any given The Honorable KIRSTEN E. Reid amendment No. 3326 (to the House Sunday. Rock Springs Church is now GILLIBRAND led the Pledge of Alle- amendment to the Senate amendment), to the largest church in the Congrega- giance, as follows: change the enactment date. tional Methodist denomination. Reid amendment No. 3327 (to amendment I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Dr. Tate is the kind of pastor who No. 3326), of a perfecting nature. United States of America, and to the Repub- finds creative ways to go out to the Reid amendment No. 3328, to provide for a community and spread the word of lic for which it stands, one nation under God, study. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Reid amendment No. 3329 of a perfecting God. He hosts the ‘‘Apples of Gold’’ f nature. radio program, reaching out to central Reid amendment No. 3330 (to amendment Georgians through 15 radio stations. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING No. 3329), of a perfecting nature. He has worked with local civic orga- PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- nizations, leading his flock by example. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The pore. The Senator from Pennsylvania He served as the Chappell Mill Fire clerk will please read a communication is recognized. Station Chaplain and as a Georgia

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

S757

.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE S758 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 25, 2010 Youth Camp board member, just to I know that representatives of our po- we know there was more talk about bi- name a couple of his activities. He has litical parties are there, along with the partisanship. But instead of working also written three books as well as President. They are talking about together to solve these problems, bi- pieces for the local Griffin Daily News. something that is very near and dear partisanship has so often translated One of his books has been read by to all of our hearts, and that is how to into: Take it or leave it; if we can do both my wife and myself and has a very bring down the costs of health care this strictly with a majority party unique and very appropriate title which is priced out of the reach of vote, we will. called ‘‘Happy Wife, Happy Life.’’ All of many of the American people, includ- That is what happened on Christmas us males have a great appreciation for ing too many in my State of Texas. Eve. I remember that 7 a.m. vote on that title. Unfortunately, sometimes in Wash- Christmas Eve when 60 Senators on the I have had the privilege of attending ington what happens is, you see what is other side voted to pass a health care Dr. Benny Tate’s church on many occa- happening on TV or what is happening bill that the American people have sions. I have always found Rock on the floor of the Senate, and it looks simply said in poll after poll they do Springs Church to be a very holy, spir- like one thing. Then you find out that not want. Of course, now we see the it-filled church. behind the scenes something very dif- White House repackaging an unpopular Dr. Tate has a very unique way of ferent is happening. What I am speak- House bill with an unpopular Senate spreading the gospel in a manner that ing about in particular is, in contrast bill and posting 11 pages on the White is mixed with humor and yet direct, to a bipartisan summit on health care, House Web site and claiming this is personal feelings and the word of the my understanding is there are efforts somehow a package that is sacrosanct Holy Spirit and the message that Jesus underway on the part of the staff of the and cannot be touched. But in no sense Christ gives to him. In short, he has ef- majority party to consider the use of could it possibly be considered a bipar- fected positive changes in the church reconciliation to try to pass an un- tisan piece of legislation. To only let and the community through his out- popular health care bill with 51 votes the majority party say: Well, this is reach. We appreciate his efforts and his on a party-line basis. the basic template, and you can tweak words of worship this morning, and I I think that contrast between what it around the edges but you cannot am very pleased to have my dear people are seeing on TV and what is ac- change any part of it—that is not bi- friend, Dr. Benny Tate, with us today. tually happening behind the scenes is partisanship. I yield the floor and I suggest the ab- pretty telling. I would say it is dis- So now after the election of Senator sence of a quorum. appointing because I think health care SCOTT BROWN, who campaigned on the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- reform is too important. It affects one- pledge that he would be the 41st vote to pore. The clerk will call the roll. sixth of our economy. It affects 300 mil- defeat the Senate health care bill be- The legislative clerk proceeded to lion Americans. It is simply too signifi- cause of its spending, its raising taxes, call the roll. cant a step to take to try to do so and its raising premiums on people strictly along partisan party lines. Mr. KAUFMAN. Madam President, I with insurance, its taking $1⁄2 trillion So while it is true that reconciliation ask unanimous consent that the order from Medicare—already another fis- has been used in the past, it has never for the quorum call be rescinded. cally unsustainable entitlement pro- been used for anything such as this. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- gram, with $38 trillion in unfunded li- This would be unprecedented. I think it pore. Without objection, it is so or- abilities—to create yet another entitle- would be an act of defiance toward the dered. ment program, the people of Massachu- American people who overwhelmingly Mr. KAUFMAN. Madam President, I setts sent Senator SCOTT BROWN here ask unanimous consent to speak as in disapprove of this legislation. There is no doubt that we need to stop the health care bill that they morning business for up to 5 minutes. health care reform. Premiums have don’t want. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- more than doubled over the last dec- Now we find the majority party pore. Without objection, it is so or- ade. Medicare, which provides access to wanting to use reconciliation, a dered. health care for our seniors, has a $38 hyperpartisan tactic, to ram a bill (The remarks of Mr. KAUFMAN are trillion unfunded liability which trans- through that the American people have printed in today’s RECORD under lates into an IOU for every American rejected, most recently in Massachu- ‘‘Morning Business.’’) family in the amount of $325,000. setts. If we are talking about trying to Mr. KAUFMAN. Madam President, I If we heard anything out of the re- regain the public’s confidence, not only yield the floor and suggest the absence cent election in Massachusetts, I think is bipartisanship important in terms of of a quorum. it is that the American people think bringing solutions to health care but The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- there is too much spending and too transparency is crucial when we are pore. The clerk will call the roll. much borrowing taking place in Wash- talking about something so big that af- The legislative clerk proceeded to ington, DC; too many responsibilities, fects so many. call the roll. such as this unfunded Medicare liabil- You will remember in 2008 when Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I ity, that are simply not being met. President Obama was Senator Obama ask unanimous consent that the order We know Medicaid continues to be running for President of the United for the quorum call be rescinded. problematic in not providing access to States, he promised to broadcast nego- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- enough low-income people who are os- tiations on C–SPAN for the American pore. Without objection, it is so or- tensibly beneficiaries of Medicaid. In people to see who was arguing on their dered. the Metroplex in Texas, Dallas-Fort behalf and who was not. Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I Worth, only 38 percent of doctors will In stark contrast, again, between wish to speak as in morning business, see a new Medicaid patient because re- what was said then and what was actu- and I ask unanimous consent to do so. imbursement rates are so low. That is ally done, we saw the White House cut- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- not keeping the promise of access. It is, ting deals with special interest groups, pore. Without objection, it is so or- unfortunately, too much like appearing such as the pharmaceutical industry. dered. to do one thing on the one hand and ac- We saw individual Senators demand HEALTH CARE REFORM tually delivering something far dif- and get special deals for their States as Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, as ferent on the other hand. a condition to giving their votes to are many of us, I have been watching I think everyone agrees we need to pass that bill. with great interest the bipartisan solve these important problems. But As much as anything else in the bill, health care summit that is being how we go about solving the problem is I think the way the bill was passed broadcast on television. I am happy important to maintaining the con- with the sweetheart deals, secret nego- there is a bipartisan meeting at the fidence and trust of the American peo- tiations, and lack of transparency White House to discuss health care re- ple. I think bipartisanship on this sub- turned the American people off to form. The practicalities are that only ject is absolutely crucial. these health care bills. I know the 38 of the 535 Members of Congress can After Massachusetts sent our newest President said that after his election participate directly in the summit, but Senator, SCOTT BROWN, to Washington, Washington would not be business as

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 25, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S759 usual. Unfortunately, it has been, and under the President’s proposal will cost tinue to increase by 5 to 6 percent a the American people don’t like it. Texas taxpayers an additional $24.3 bil- year. This subject—health care reform—is lion over the next 10 years. That $24.3 I thought health care reform was too big and too important and too cost- billion is an unfunded mandate that is about bringing down the cost and mak- ly to do through sweetheart deals, contained in this bill. ing it more affordable, ‘‘bending the backroom negotiations, and with utter Where does that money come from? cost curve,’’ to use the jargon that has disregard for transparency. The Amer- Well, too often—I think some of our been used here time after time over the ican people are smarter than I think former Governors will tell you that last year and a half. But we find out many folks in Washington, DC, give what happens is, that is money that that for those in the individual mar- them credit for because they know this has to be used for an unfunded mandate ket, premiums will go up 10 to 13 per- health care proposal is not lasting re- from the Federal Government that cent. For those in the larger employer form, and it simply would not work as comes from education, higher edu- market, it will go up 5 to 6 percent. It advertised. cation budgets, law enforcement budg- will not bend the cost curve down. It The White House proposal will still ets, and other State priorities. It is will either be ineffective at all and increase premiums on American fami- simply irresponsible for Congress to keep premiums basically where they lies; that is, if you have health insur- force on State taxpayers this responsi- would have been anyway or it will ance now, this White House proposal, bility to pay for this unfunded mandate make it worse. an amalgam of the Senate and House when there are other priorities the Then there is the gamesmanship in bills, will raise your insurance pre- States have chosen that they think are how it deals with the budget deficit. miums because of costly Federal Gov- important—things such as education, Here is what CBO said about the bill’s ernment mandates. But this White as I mentioned, and law enforcement. impact on the budget deficit: House bill does one thing the Senate The unfunded mandate in this bill is Washington budget gimmicks allow the bill did not. It actually spends $75 bil- simply unacceptable. The Wall Street White House to pretend the bills reduce the lion more than the Senate bill that deficit by $132 billion, which is a fraction of Journal summed up the President’s Washington’s $1.3 trillion budget deficit. passed this body on Christmas Eve, at proposal this way: Americans don’t believe ‘‘reducing 7 a.m. It manages to take the worst of both the The White House bill does share some the deficit’’ is possible at the same House and Senate bills and combine them time we are spending $2.5 trillion over common elements with the Senate pro- into something more destructive. . . . posal. It still cuts nearly $500 billion It includes more taxes, more subsidies, and the next 10 years, and they are right. It from Medicare to create a new entitle- even less cost control than the Senate bill. is easy to pretend we are reducing the ment program, including a program And it purports to fix the special interest deficit when we are raising taxes by that is very popular in my State called favors in the Senate bill not by eliminating $500 billion and taking another $500 bil- Medicare Advantage, which gives sen- them—but by expanding them to everyone. lion from Medicare in order to pay for this program. iors access to more choices and the We know the furor it caused across The Obama administration’s own ac- quality care they like. Rather than the country when some Senators were able to negotiate more favorable Med- tuaries have worried that future Con- allow them to continue to keep that gresses would not let the $500 billion in Medicare benefit, this proposal, the icaid reimbursements than the rest of the country and when everybody found Medicare cuts happen. In other words, White House bill—like the Senate the bills spend now but would not pay bill—would cut $500 billion from Medi- out those who were not in those fa- vored States would end up paying for later. care, including Medicare Advantage. I assume the majority leader will those special favors that were nec- The basic problem, again, is that we bring up the doc fix sometime soon be- essary in order to get 60 votes. This bill call this ‘‘health care reform,’’ but the cause he needs to. The 23-percent cut in doesn’t repeal those; it simply expands health care bill offers no long-term reimbursement rates for doctors who them to everybody, vastly increasing plan for the Medicare Program’s sol- don’t take Medicare patients is not the cost of this legislation and making vency—in other words, that $38 trillion taken care of in this bill, and it should it even worse, not better. I mentioned a moment ago. This actu- be. If this is really about health care The President and his congressional ally makes it worse by taking another reform, shouldn’t it be making sure $1⁄2 trillion out of Medicare and makes allies who support this legislation seem that our seniors on Medicare have ac- things worse, not better, when it comes to think the only reason the American cess to doctors and that they can actu- to the program’s long-term solvency. I people oppose these bills is ‘‘misin- ally find a doctor who will see them? If simply think the choice the President formation.’’ I suggest we simply look you cut 23 percent in the doctor reim- has made, and that the Senate and at the facts—in this case straight from bursement rates, which is where we are House health care bills have made, to the Congressional Budget Office—and headed now, they are not going to have force millions of low-income people see what they, the official scorekeeper access to doctors. onto Medicaid is simply not right, giv- for Congress, have to say about these Here is what the Obama administra- ing them no choices but a government- pieces of legislation. tion’s own experts say about the cost run program which, as I mentioned ear- The CBO said premiums for those curve. The Senate bill, they say, will lier, denies them access too many who have health insurance of some increase overall American health care times to a doctor because they cannot kind—85 percent of the American peo- expenditures by $222 billion. find a doctor who will see patients and ple—whether it is through government It will not bend the cost curve down. accept government rates for Medicaid programs like Medicare, the VA, or the It will actually bend it up, making reimbursements. like, but those who have private insur- things worse, not better. I mentioned the 38-percent figure in ance, their premiums will go up by 10 The American people have been pret- the Metroplex of Dallas-Fort Worth. to 13 percent or an average of $2,100 for ty smart about this. They have been Only 38 percent of the doctors there families buying policies on their own. more engaged, better informed on this will see these patients because of the That is in the individual market where subject than I have seen in a long time. rates. Yet these health care bills force most small businesses and individuals Of course, health care reform is a very millions of people onto that program have to shop for their insurance. Their complicated area. But they have gotten along with, in the process, promising health insurance premiums will go up very well informed about it. They want them access to care but then not deliv- an average of $2,100 a family or 10 to 13 lasting reform that will lower costs. ering as advertised. percent. Here is what we know works to lower Then there is this problem. As you No wonder the more people learn costs, but this is not something that is know, the Medicaid Program—the cost about this legislation the less popular in the President’s bill and, apparently, of that is borne by the Federal Govern- it becomes, and individuals who get not something the majority party is ment and the State governments. In health care through small businesses even willing to consider. If they did, I my State alone, the health and human or larger employers, which is 83 per- submit this would be a big step forward services commission in Texas esti- cent of Americans, will see the status to bending the cost curve down, mak- mates that the expansion of Medicaid quo. They will see their premiums con- ing health care more affordable, and

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE S760 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 25, 2010 yield a bipartisan product the Amer- if Republicans and Democrats can work Mr. INHOFE. I suggest the absence of ican people could support. together, we can achieve it. On some- a quorum. I believe we need to give control over thing as big and important and as cost- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- health care dollars to patients, not to ly as this, we need to do it on a bipar- pore. The clerk will call the roll. Washington bureaucrats or to insur- tisan basis. It needs to be transparent. The bill clerk proceeded to call the ance company bureaucrats either. The It needs to be devoid of special interest roll. American Academy of Actuaries found deals and secret negotiations and done Mr. CASEY. Madam President, I ask that consumer-driven health care plans out in the open where people can see it unanimous consent that the order for have saved as much as 12 to 20 percent and trust it for what it is. the quorum call be rescinded. in health care premiums—12 to 20 per- We have to reject purported solutions cent. That is a lot. that will do nothing but increase The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Then, of course, there is a practice of spending, increase taxes, and increase HAGAN.) Without objection, it is so or- defensive medicine, ending lawsuit premiums. We need to start over and dered. abuse which would save $54 billion over implement commonsense steps that AMERICAN HIKERS HELD IN IRAN the next 10 years, according to the will lower costs. Mr. CASEY. Madam President, I rise CBO. I yield the floor. today to discuss the ongoing imprison- We also support allowing small busi- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- ment of three young Americans—Josh- nesses to pool together such as big pore. The Senator from New Mexico is ua Fattal from Pennsylvania and two companies do to pool their risks to recognized. other Americans who have been in pris- help bring down premium costs. Ac- Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. I thank on in Iran with him, Sarah Shourd and cording to the Congressional Budget the Chair. Shane Bauer. These are three Ameri- Office, this would lower premiums for (The remarks of Mr. UDALL of New cans who have now spent more than 7 small businesses by 2 to 3 percent— Mexico pertaining to the introduction months in solitary confinement in that is not a huge amount, but I am of S. 3039 are printed in today’s RECORD Iran’s Evin Prison for allegedly cross- sure they will tell you every little bit under ‘‘Statements on Introduced Bills ing a poorly marked border, the border helps—and in conjunction with these and Joint Resolutions.’’) between Iran and Iraq. Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam other reforms would have a real, mean- Since their detention along the Iran- President, I suggest the absence of a ingful impact in terms of bringing Iraq border on July 31, 2009, the Iranian quorum. down health care costs. Government has refused requests from I also support and our side of the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- their attorney for visits. The Govern- aisle supports allowing Americans to pore. The clerk will call the roll. ment of Iran has delayed due process purchase health insurance from any The assistant legislative clerk pro- and rejected requests from family State they want to, and that would cre- ceeded to call the roll. members to call or visit them. The Ira- ate national competition. It would Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam nian regime has also delayed requests allow people to buy policies they can President, I ask unanimous consent for Iranian visas for the families and afford that suited their family’s needs that the order for the quorum call be stonewalled the Swiss Embassy’s at- rather than those loaded with State rescinded. tempt to carry out diplomatic visits. government mandates with no choices, The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- which would result in higher costs. pore. Without objection, it is so or- The longer the detainment of these If Congress would allow Americans to dered. young Americans continues, the more purchase their health insurance in any ORDER FOR RECESS clear it becomes to the international State they choose and thereby increas- Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam community that the Iranian Govern- ing competition, the Congressional President, I ask unanimous consent ment, the Iranian regime, is engaged in Budget Office says the cost of their that the Senate stand in recess from political games rather than seeking to health care premiums would go down 12:30 to 2 p.m. today. grant them a fair and timely judicial by 5 percent. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- process. On this basis, I request that Clearly, competition, transparency, pore. Without objection, it is so or- Supreme Leader Khamenei, President keeping the power in the hands of the dered. Ahmadinejad, Judiciary Chief Larijani, consumer not in government are some Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam and other Iranian officials make the of the things that would lower the President, I suggest the absence of a humane and just decision to release costs, not cause them to go up. Are quorum. Josh, Sarah, and Shane immediately. these part of the bipartisan health The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Keeping these three innocent Ameri- summit at the White House? Unfortu- pore. The clerk will call the roll. cans in prison without due process vio- nately, apparently not. The assistant legislative clerk pro- lates the international human rights I would also support—and I think ceeded to call the roll. standards as well as Iran’s own laws. It there would be a lot of support on a bi- Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I ask has been more than 2 months since partisan basis—giving Medicaid pa- unanimous consent the order for the Foreign Minister Motaki claimed they tients, the ones who cannot find doc- quorum call be rescinded. would be tried in court. Yet no trial tors because of low reimbursement The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- date has been set. According to Iranian rates, premium assistance; that is, to pore. Without objection, it is so or- law, no detainee can be held tempo- supplement what they can pay so they dered. rarily for more than 4 months; thus, ju- can buy private sector coverage which Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, this diciary officials must either schedule a pays doctors at more of a level they afternoon it is my understanding we court hearing or set the three young would accept in terms of seeing those are going to have one more vote. It is Americans free. The only conclusion Medicaid patients. Providing Medicaid going to be on the Travel Promotion the international community can draw premium assistance rather than forc- Act. I have opposed this in the past. I from the Iranian Government’s words ing people onto a Medicaid Program have already voted against it three and actions is that they intend to keep that is dysfunctional and does not times. I am not going to hang here and these three young Americans in limbo work would be an improvement, and waste the whole day just to vote for domestic or foreign policy aims. It you could do it cheaper. According to against it a fourth time. has nothing to do with the actions or CBO, this would reduce Federal spend- I ask unanimous consent that I make intentions of these three American ing by $12 billion over 10 years. a very brief statement and it be printed tourists who were simply admiring the My conclusion from all this is, the in the RECORD immediately following natural beauty of the Kurdish moun- American people want us to start over. the vote that takes place this after- tains near the Iran-Iraq border. The We need lasting health care reform. I noon. world is a much worse off place when have offered some concrete suggestions The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- idealism, especially held by innocent on how we could lower the costs and pore. Without objection, it is so or- young people, is squashed by cynical make it more affordable. I believe that dered. politics.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 25, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S761 Among ancient Persia’s greatest leg- fault of their own, that we do some- have the help we can provide, you also acies is a transparent and efficient jus- thing to help them in the next couple help our economy literally by jump tice system. Innocent people do not ap- of days to get through the next couple starting spending. pear on the court docket. We ask the of weeks, literally, with unemployment We know that in the past couple of Iranian Government—we ask them to insurance, COBRA health insurance, days we passed the jobs bill, the HIRE send the world the unambiguous mes- and so many other ways. Act, a good piece of legislation for sage that transparent, timely, and fair We should note that the eligibility small business, for economic vitality judicial processes remain a cornerstone for emergency unemployment com- but also for preserving and creating of Iranian civilization. Keeping Josh, pensation and for COBRA—known as lots of jobs. That jobs bill is not Sarah, and Shane indefinitely in soli- COBRA premium assistance, really enough. We have to pass these safety tary confinement and without access health insurance for the unemployed— net provisions on unemployment and to legal counsel or their families is un- that both of those will expire this Sun- COBRA health benefits. We also have just and is sure to color the visions of day, February 28. If an extension of the to put more job creation strategies on Iranian society for young people the unemployment programs authorized by the table and get bills passed to create world over. the Recovery Act is not passed, 1.2 mil- more jobs. The recovery bill is still Do not make Josh, Sarah, Shane, and lion workers will lose their unemploy- having an effect, still having a tremen- their desperately concerned parents ment benefits by the end of March. So dous impact in Pennsylvania, with still wait another day before being reunited. we have to act now to prevent that a whole year left of spending and bene- Supreme Leader Khamenei, release from happening. It is unfortunate that fits of that spending in Pennsylvania these young hikers now. it seems there is only an agreement to and other States. UNEMPLOYMENT keep extending it from December to I see Senator SPECTER is with us. He Madam President, in addition to February, then from February into and I have seen that up close in Penn- those remarks about those young March or the end of March. We should sylvania, a tremendous impact already, Americans, I want to talk for a few extend it a lot further than that. but there is still more to do on the re- minutes about unemployment and Maybe we will have an opportunity to covery bill he voted for under great what is happening, certainly across the do that. But, at a minimum, we have to pressure not to vote for it. Thank good- country but in particular in the Com- make sure unemployment insurance is ness he did. Without his vote, that bill monwealth of Pennsylvania. We have extended and COBRA health insurance would not have passed. Millions of 560,000 people out of work right now in is extended. There are other reasons to Americans’ lives would be adversely Pennsylvania. Our rate is lower than a do that as well. The most important impacted if we did not pass the Recov- lot of places, but we still have that reason is the people who will be posi- ery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. We many people out of work, a very high tively impacted by those actions. have a long way to go, more work to do number—maybe not historic but close An extension of the federally funded across the country and to have a posi- to a historically high number, 560,000 unemployment compensation and tive impact on Pennsylvania. Pennsylvanians. COBRA programs through December One concluding thought. When you There are lots of ways to try to un- 31, 2010—what we should do is extend it look at Pennsylvania, we might have a derstand what people are going that far. They are necessary for a num- lower rate than a lot of States but we through and try to get a sense of what ber of reasons. State labor departments do have 560,000 people out of work. Un- people are living through. I had a will not be under pressure to con- fortunately, more and more we are see- chance a couple of weeks ago to sit stantly update their systems and in- ing in different labor markets, such as with 8 of those 560,000 people in what is form constituents of changes in na- the Erie labor market, which is at 10 called a career link, a job center in tional law. We should give them the percent, the Lehigh Valley, Allentown, Pennsylvania where people are filling kind of certainty and predictability Bethlehem, and Easton at 9.8 percent, out scores of applications, applying for that they have a right to expect, cer- northeastern Pennsylvania, my home jobs. In the case of these eight individ- tainly the State government officials area, at 9.7 percent—even though our uals, they are all over the age of 50 and but more importantly, the families and rate has not yet hit statewide 9 per- many are over the age of 60 and 70— affected persons who are recently laid cent, we are seeing in different pockets some of the worst situations for those off—not constantly be reminded that that number going up. We have to con- who are in that age bracket, who their unemployment benefits may run tinue to put job creation strategies in worked for years, 20, 30 years at one job out sooner than expected. This is espe- the pipeline, continue to have the re- and did it very well, and now, through cially true at a time when there are six covery act have an even more positive no fault of their own, are out of work. applicants for every one job. impact. And thirdly, we need to make Listening to their stories gave me a It is important to take action on un- sure we pass the safety net provisions. better insight into what people are up employment insurance and COBRA I yield the floor and suggest the ab- against every day. A number of com- health insurance coverage for a third sence of a quorum. ments were significant and relevant reason as well. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The and poignant, but one in particular by At a time when millions of people clerk will call the roll. a woman by the name of Debi who said don’t have health care coverage, failure The bill clerk proceeded to call the something very simple but telling to provide an adequate safety net to roll. about what is in her heart and what ensure people have affordable health Mr. SPECTER. I ask unanimous con- she is living through—she said simply: insurance coverage will only add to the sent that the order for the quorum call We just want to get back to work. That rolls of the uninsured in the midst of be rescinded. is a very simple statement, but I think this debate on health care. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without that is on the minds of a lot of Ameri- Two other points before I conclude. objection, it is so ordered. cans who are out of work, and their According to the CBO, which we keep Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I family members. They just want to get quoting in the health care debate and have sought recognition to talk briefly back to work. in many others, for every $1 spent on about two subjects: a recent CODEL They also want to see that Wash- unemployment insurance benefits, up where I participated and, secondly, on ington is not just legislating—that is to $1.90 is contributed to the gross na- the passing of a beloved staff member. obviously important, and I will talk a tional product. This is further evi- I ask unanimous consent that the time little bit more about that in a mo- dence, in addition to what I and many for business be extended until 12:45. ment—but that we are trying to under- others have quoted—Mark Sandy from The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without stand what they are up against. They moodys.com—you spend a buck on un- objection, it is so ordered. do want to get back to work. It is that employment insurance or COBRA bene- FOREIGN TRAVEL simple. One of the ways we can do that fits and/or food stamps, all of those Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, is by making sure those who are out of safety net provisions to help workers from December 28 to January 7, I par- work, those something like 15 million who lost their job, you not only help ticipated on a congressional delegation Americans out of work through no someone who needs help and should which visited in Cypress, Syria, India,

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE S762 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 25, 2010 Afghanistan, and Morocco, and have U.S. military. He never could quite de- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton submitted a lengthy report, which is fine what ‘‘adequate’’ was, but he said testified yesterday before the Foreign my practice. U.S. forces would have to stay for an- Operations Subcommittee, and I asked I ask unanimous consent that the other 10 years. her if she would consider a rec- full text of that report be printed in More recently, in the intervening ommendation to have the President the RECORD at the end of my remarks. weeks, the war there has shaped up. We call the Israeli leaders, Prime Minister The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without still have only committed a small frac- Netanyahu, and the Syrian President, objection, it is so ordered. tion of the 30,000 troops—something Bashar al-Asad, to the Oval Office to be (See exhibit 1.) like 5,000. Perhaps it will not be nec- an intermediary there. The office of Mr. SPECTER. For purposes of com- essary to commit the additional 25,000 the Presidency could have great force- ment at this time, I will focus on what troops. fulness and great weight. The Sec- we found on our trip to Afghanistan We had a very productive meeting retary was noncommittal, and the and India as it relates to the current with the Prime Minister of India, record will reflect the exact words war in progress in Afghanistan which Prime Minister Singh. A point which which she used. has, as a practical matter, been ex- we pressed was whether India and The trip was very worthwhile. I find tended into Pakistan and a comment Pakistan could enter into an arms re- that when we leave the Beltway and about our trip to Syria, our meetings duction pact similar to the pacts which leave Washington and see what is actu- with President Assad, as it bears upon the United States and the Soviet Union ally happening in the field, wearing a the potential for a peace treaty be- have had, which would reduce the num- flak jacket in a helicopter across Af- tween Israel and Syria. ber of troops from India and the num- ghanistan or talking to Foreign Min- Our visit to Afghanistan was very re- ber of troops from Pakistan on the bor- ister Walid Mualem, who was the Am- vealing to get a firsthand impression as der to liberate more Pakistan military bassador here for 10 years, and getting to what is going on on the ground. I ap- to help in the fight against al-Qaida a feel for what is going on in India, it proached the trip with serious reserva- and the Taliban. gives us a much better insight into how tions about the President’s proposal to Prime Minister Singh said he would we handle our foreign aid, how we han- add an additional 30,000 troops there. certainly be willing to consider that, dle our budget, and how we handle our My concern arose in the context of why but Pakistan would have to control the military operations. fight in Afghanistan when al-Qaida terrorists. We questioned him as to EXHIBIT 1 could organize as well in many other whether the Pakistani Government STATEMENT OF SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER places, Yemen or Somalia. There had could control the terrorists, and his FOREIGN TRAVEL been such a lack of success in efforts in reply was very blunt: Yes, the terror- I seek recognition to speak about a Con- Afghanistan by the Soviets, by the ists are the creation of Pakistan, which gressional Delegation I took part in from De- Brits, going all the way back to Alex- is the way he responded to that situa- cember 28, 2009 to January 7, 2010. The ander the Great. tion. CODEL, led by Senator Gregg, comprised of There is no doubt we have to do In the intervening weeks, again, Senators Bayh, Cornyn, Enzi, Klobuchar and whatever it takes to defeat al-Qaida, there has been unique cooperation be- their spouses. I was accompanied by my wife, because they are out to annihilate us. tween Pakistani intelligence and the Joan, and my Legislative Director, Chris- The question is, where? Where we face CIA, with many joint maneuvers, so topher Bradish. reports that there were only about 100 perhaps there could be a material im- CYPRUS al-Qaida actually in Afghanistan, we provement along that line. We departed Andrews Air Force Base on are really looking at a battle with the The written text, which will be sub- Monday morning, December 28th, en route to Taliban. mitted, goes into some greater detail, Nicosia, Cyprus, with a refueling stop in In our meetings with General Shannon, Ireland. We began the day with a which I shall abbreviate because of the meeting with our USAID mission to review McChrystal and other key officials, shortness of time. projects being supported by the United they emphasized the point that we In Syria, our meeting with President States. should not retreat and that it would be Bashar al-Asad was cordial and I think We then had a briefing with the United Na- a watershed event if the United States constructive. I had first visited Syria tions Development Program (UNDP), which did not provide whatever military force in 1984, and this was the 19th visit is focusing on reconciliation projects, to in- was necessary in Afghanistan. there. I have gone there repeatedly, as clude media expansion. The UNDP office is Our delegation replied that the I have to the region generally, and located in the U.N. administered neutral zone, which divides the island. The UNDP NATO support was lacking and we even more often to Israel, because I continues to work with representatives in ought to rethink exactly how we are have long thought Syria was the key to Cyprus on revision of textbooks and the di- going to deal with the Taliban. The ef- the Mideast peace process. versification of media to allow viewpoints forts to persuade the Taliban to come Syria desperately wants to regain the other than those of just the state-dominated back and support the Karzai govern- Golan Heights, and only Israel can de- media outlets to be heard. ment—because there are many there cide whether it is in Israel’s interest to The media is dominated by Turkish Cyp- who could be brought back if the in- cede the Golan Heights. But it is a dif- riot and Greek Cypriot political outlets. Cy- ducements were sufficient and they ferent world in 2010 than it was in 1967, prus does not have equivalents of NPR or PBS. UNDP hopes to build on those models were sufficiently confident—the Karzai when Israel took the Golan. The strat- to allow diversification in the media by pro- government did not lend a whole lot to egy is very different in an era of rock- viding independent programming which can inspire confidence. They had an elec- ets. It is not quite the same situation. then be picked up by existing outlets for tion which was clouded with fraud. There is a great deal Israel could broadcast. The UNDP media program aims They have sustained reports about gain if a peace treaty was entered into to provide all Cypriots with a non-partisan dealing in the narcotics trade with with Syria: stopping Syria from con- avenue of communication. high-ranking officials, repeated evi- tinuing the destabilization of Lebanon, Following our meeting with USAID and which Syria denies but I think happens UNDP officials, the delegation held a coun- dence of corruption at the highest lev- try team briefing led by Jonathan Cohen, els—hardly inducive to a stable govern- to be a fact. For Syria to stop sup- our Deputy Chief of Mission. Our embassy in ment. porting Hezbollah and Hamas would be Cyprus has 65 U.S. employees in addition to When the President projected a with- very important to Israel’s security. To roughly 100 Cypriot nationals. Cyprus has be- drawal by mid-2011, that was not what try to drive a wedge between Syria and come increasingly important to the U.S. due President Karzai had suggested. He was Iran would be helpful not only to Israel to its strategic location. With an increasing quoted in the press as saying, U.S. in the context of the Iranian President number of U.S. ships transiting the Medi- troops would have to be in Afghanistan wanting to wipe Israel off the face of terranean Sea, U.S. port visits in Cyprus in- for 15 years. When our delegation had the Earth but would be good not only creased 24 percent in 2008. With thousands of U.S. troops having shore leave while in port, an opportunity to meet with President for the region but for the entire world, the U.S. Embassy has worked with the Cyp- Karzai, we pressed him on that issue, if we can find a way to contain Iran in riot government to ensure that appropriate and he said: Well, 2 years would be re- their determination to acquire nuclear safety measures are in place to protect our quired for an adequate presence of the weapons. ships and sailors.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 25, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S763 Since Cyprus’ accession to the European clude them from moving forward on a solu- On the U.S. role in the peace process, Asad Union in January 2004, the number of Cyp- tion. I asked if there were disadvantages to pointed to efforts undertaken in the 1990s, riots attending U.S. universities has de- not achieving a solution and if the status- when Secretary of State James Baker en- creased dramatically. The U.S. mission has quo is acceptable. Talat responded that nei- gaged forcefully with the interested parties. created a program to use Cypriots who are ther side seeks violence, but that the current It is clear to me that Syria desires robust alumni of U.S. universities to go to high situation is disadvantageous to both sides. U.S. engagement in the peace process. Syr- schools and communities to speak about the Talat expressed optimism that a resolution ia’s tepid alliance with Iran appears not to benefits of an education in the United could be reached in 2010 but that the talks be bound by mutual affection, but rather by States. would likely break in mid-February to allow Syria’s desire to be on good terms with a re- On the law enforcement front, the Cypriot for elections, the outcome of which could gional force. Syria clearly wants the U.S. to government has utilized U.S. expertise in have a significant impact on the continu- withdraw from Iraq, but not before Iraqi do- some of their criminal investigations, in- ation of talks between the two sides. Talat mestic institutions have time to mature to cluding the investigation into the recent indicated that the Greek Cypriots have less prevent Iran from sweeping in to a political theft of the remains of former president of an incentive to find a solution given their vacuum. We discussed the issue of intelligence co- Tassos Papadopoulos. dominance of the island. He also confirmed operation. The good cooperation Syria and We received an overview of U.S. invest- the UNDP representatives’ previous asser- the U.S. had following September 11, 2001 has ment in Cyprus as well as U.S. businesses op- tions that the local media helps inflame since dissipated. The delegation pressed Asad erating on the island. U.S. exports to Cyprus opinions on both sides. for more cooperation. Asad confirmed that grew by 28 percent in 2008. I asked about the The delegation then departed the north en cooperation had been good, but said that se- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s ef- route to a meeting with President curity and intelligence cooperation cannot forts to establish a university and medical Christofias. The President opened the meet- flourish in the absence of strong political center in Cyprus. UPMC is exporting its ex- ing with a 37-minute overview of the situa- and diplomatic relations. pertise to bring world-class health care, ad- tion and the negotiations. He expressed con- The delegation pressed Asad on the Iranian vanced technologies, and management skills cern over the more than 40,000 Turkish nuclear threat and the potential for Syria to to markets worldwide. troops on the island, as well as the unknown be dragged into a regional conflict. Assad in- Our mission provided an update on the sta- number of Turkish settlers. He too focused dicated that the Iranian issue needs to be re- tus of negotiations between the north and on security and land/property compensation solved and that conflict must be prevented, south. Talks between the Greek Cypriot as main obstacles to achieving an agree- but that he does not believe Iran is seeking President, Demetris Christofias and the ment. Christofias avowed that he is ‘‘free of a nuclear military capability. Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat nationalism’’ and that ‘‘Turkish Cypriots are Senator Klobuchar and I raised the issue of have ramped up in recent weeks with the two not our enemies, but our brothers and sis- the three American citizens—Joshua Fattal, leaders reportedly meeting multiple times a ters.’’ He concluded that Cypriots must rule Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd—who have week. However significant obstacles remain the country—not Turkey. He stated that he been detained in Iran since July 31, 2009, to reaching an agreement to include how to ‘‘will be the unhappiest man on the island’’ when they mistakenly crossed into Iran on a resolve vexing property, security and con- if he and Talat cannot reach an agreement, hiking expedition. stituent state constitution issues. but stated: ‘‘I will do my utmost because as The United Kingdom had asked Syria to In November 2002, U.N. Secretary-General time passes, new problems arise.’’ He indi- intercede with Iran in the case of five British Kofi Annan presented a draft comprehensive cated he had a good partner and relationship citizens who were in Iranian custody under peace settlement, commonly referred to as with Talat and if he should lose in the up- somewhat similar circumstances. The five the Annan Plan. According to the Congres- coming elections, the prospects for construc- citizens were released. sional Research Service: tive dialogue and resolution were poor. Since the start of their detention, I had worked with other members of the Senate to ‘‘[The Annan Plan] called for a ‘‘new state of SYRIA facilitate their release. On August 18, I affairs,’’ in which the ‘‘common state’’ gov- On December 30th, the delegation departed joined Senators Casey, Feinstein, Boxer, ernment’s relations with its two politically Larnaca, Cyprus for Damascus, Syria. This Klobuchar, Franken and Murray in writing equal component states would be modeled on was my nineteenth visit to Syria. We were to the Iranian Ambassador to the U.N. Mo- the Swiss federal example. It would have a greeted by Jason Smith, our control officer, hammad Khazaee to request that Iran grant single international legal personality. Com- and Charles Hunter, our Charge d’Affaires, the Swiss consular access to the Americans ponent states would participate in foreign who provided an update of the situation on per Iran’s obligations under the Vienna Con- and EU relations as in Belgium. Parliament the ground during the ride to the embassy. vention. This letter was followed by a simi- would have two 48-seat houses. Each state Upon arrival, the delegation received two lar one to Ayatollah Khamenei on September would have equal representation in the Sen- classified briefings to include a country 23, 2009. ate. Seats in the Chamber of Deputies would team briefing. Following our briefings, the On September 22, I introduced a resolution be allocated in proportion to population, pro- delegation departed for the Presidential Pal- cosponsored by Senators Casey, Feinstein, vided that no state would have less than 25% ace for a meeting with President Bashar al- Boxer, Klobuchar, Franken, and Nelson (FL) of the seats. A Presidential Council would Asad and Foreign Minister Walid al- encouraging the Government of Iran to grant have 6 members; the offices of President and Muallem. consular access for the Swiss and to allow Vice President would rotate every 10 months President Asad opened the meeting by wel- Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah among its members. No more than two con- coming the delegation and provided his Shourd to reunite with their families in the secutive presidents could come from the views on the bilateral relationship as well as United States as soon as possible. The legis- same state. Greek and Turkish troops could regional tensions. I have long held the view lation passed the Senate on October 6, and not exceed a four-digit figure (9,999). U.N. that the U.S. could play a positive role in passed the House on October 29, sponsored by peacekeepers would remain as long as the fostering an agreement between Israel and Reps. Schwartz and Hinchey. On October 8, I sent a personal note to Am- common state, with the concurrence of the Syria. I indicated that if Hezbollah and bassador Khazaee requesting his assistance component states, decides. Cyprus would be Hamas could be disarmed and renounce vio- in releasing the hikers. demilitarized. During a three-year transi- lence the region would be better off. I ex- tion, the leaders of the two sides would be On December 17, 2009 I sent a letter to Sec- pressed the view held by many in the U.S. retary Clinton requesting she ask the Syr- co-presidents. The 1960 Treaties of Establish- that the Syria-Iran nexus is troubling and ment, Guarantee, and Alliance would remain ians to engage Tehran to secure the release Iran’s desire to obtain nuclear weapons poses of the three Americans. The State Depart- in force. There would be a single Cypriot a danger to the region and the world. I com- citizenship and citizenship of a component ment contacted the Syrian foreign ministry plimented President Asad for his willingness to seek its assistance in a manner similar to state; residence in a component state could to engage the Israelis via the Turks. I asked be limited by citizenship, but such limits the assistance the Syrians provided to the President Asad for his view on the prospects recent efforts to secure the release of the would have restrictions. Provisions would be for an Israeli-Syrian peace, better relations made for return or compensation of prop- five British yachtsmen detained by Iran in with the West and his country’s relationship late November after they strayed into Ira- erty. Turkish Cypriot territory would be re- with Iran. He indicated that the ‘‘devil is in nian waters. The five Brits were released duced to 28.5% of the island. the details.’’ He explicitly decoupled the within a week. The Delegation departed the country team issues, stating that his country’s calculus for President Asad said they would look into briefing for a meeting with Turkish Cypriot each is independent of the others. He indi- the matter including the charges to see if leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Talat provided an cated the U.S. should support the Turkish Syria could be of help in securing their re- overview of the negotiations with President role in the peace process—which has been lease. President Asad told me he would re- Christofias and focused on three main areas put on hold following the conflict in Gaza in view the matter and that the Syrians ‘‘will of dispute: governance and power sharing; 2008 and Israel’s parliamentary elections in try our best.’’ economic and European affairs; and property 2009. Later that evening Senator Klobuchar and reconciliation. While he expressed hope Asad stated, ‘‘only peace can protect I had a working dinner with Foreign Min- about having fruitful and productive discus- Israel’’—something no amount of armaments ister Walid al-Muallem. I have known For- sions, he indicated that the two sides have can do. He further stated that Hamas and eign Minister Muallem for two decades dat- disagreements over terminology which pre- Hezbollah exist as result of the lack of peace. ing back to his time as Ambassador to the

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE S764 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 25, 2010 United States. We discussed in depth the many. Their economy grew 6.8 percent in event has made him believe the ‘‘sky is the issues raised earlier with the President. We 2009 and is expected to grow 7.5 percent in limit’’ in terms of broadening and deepening again pressed the Foreign Minister on the 2010. India has increasingly sought and pur- the U.S.-India bilateral relationship, from issue of the U.S. hikers detained in Iran. chased U.S. weaponry. The deepening of the energy to defense to education. Foreign Minister Muallem indicated he bilateral arms sales are a critical component Prime Minister Singh confirmed that his would be willing to go to Tehran to engage of our relationship. economy continues to grow, and was insu- his counterpart regarding the plight of the On the terrorism front, I pressed the team lated from the global fiscal difficulties large- hikers if he sees ‘‘some light at the end of on the prospect of reconciliation between ly because of India’s savings rate and that the tunnel.’’ India and Pakistan in the hopes that a re- domestic consumption filled much of the INDIA duction in tensions would allow Pakistan to void left by lagging exports. He told the focus its forces on elements such as Al- group that India’s prosperity will have posi- We departed Damascus the following morn- Qaeda. tive effects on the rest of the developing ing for Delhi, India and where we were met India is no stranger to terrorism, most re- world. He expressed his strong desire to deep- by Deputy Chief of Mission Steven White. cently seen in the horrific attacks in en the defense cooperation between our The issues we discussed were wide-ranging Mumbai on November 26, 2008, which killed countries. and included: nuclear cooperation between at least 173 people, including 6 Americans. The group asked the Prime Minister for his the United States and India; the November Our mission and its law enforcement compo- views on Afghanistan. He informed the group 2008 terrorist attacks in India and India’s ef- nents have provided assistance to the Indi- that India has invested $1.2 billion in recon- forts to combat terrorism; India’s tenuous ans in the investigation of the attacks. struction and development in Afghanistan. relations with Pakistan and China; its eco- Following the country team briefing, the While he admitted the existence of corrup- nomic and diplomatic presence in Afghani- delegation took a classified regional security tion within the Karzai government, he indi- stan; and the position it has taken in global briefing before departing for the Prime Min- cated that President Karzai is the best op- climate change negotiations, in which it has ister’s office. tion for stability, and that all will benefit opposed binding emissions reductions as lim- I have long been concerned about Indian- from strong international support for Karzai. its on its future economic growth. As the Pakistani relations. I brought up the issue of He stated that deadlines and withdrawal will world’s second most populous country, it is an Indian-Pakistani rapprochement during a only play into the hands of the terrorists, as clear that India will play an increasing role visit to India in 1995. In August 1995, Senator they will signal looming weakness of the in global politics this century. Hank Brown and I were told by Prime Min- government in Kabul. The delegation participated in a country ister Rao in a visit to New Delhi that India I pressed the Prime Minister on the pros- team briefing at our mission. We had the op- was interested in negotiating with Pakistan pects for relieving tensions between his portunity to discuss a wide variety of issues to make their subcontinent free of nuclear country and Pakistan and the possibility of in our bilateral relationship with the DCM, weapons. Prime Minister Rao asked Senator having an accord on troops and nuclear political section, defense attache´, USAID Brown and me to raise this issue with Paki- weapons. If Pakistan will take action and consular affairs officers. stan’s Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto which against the terrorist elements in its country, Much of our discussions during our visit fo- we did. I then wrote to President Clinton India would be willing to discuss many cused on India’s growth and the growing urging him to broker such negotiations. things, Singh stated. Prime Minister Singh pains associated with such growth, to in- Those discussions are summarized in a letter told the group of the strong internal pres- clude education. While 92 percent of the which I sent to President Clinton: sure he felt after the Mumbai attacks to country’s children go to primary school, half take some action against Pakistan, but that AUGUST 28, 1995. drop out by 6th grade. Many of India’s 1.2 bil- he refrained. He further told the group that DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I think it important lion citizens live in rural regions and getting Pakistanis and Indians are the same—high- to call to your personal attention the sub- teachers to those posts is difficult. The coun- lighting that he was born in what today is stance of meetings which Senator Hank try has engaged in an affirmative action for Pakistan and that former Pakistani Presi- Brown and I have had in the last two days children of lower castes to attend university, dent Pervez Musharaff was born in what is with Indian Prime Minister Rao and Paki- but these reserved spots are extraordinarily present day India. He told the group that stan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. competitive. Yet, the government of India is Pakistan does not need to fear India and Prime Minister Rao stated that he would committed to inclusive growth and bringing that he is committed to engaging in a posi- be very interested in negotiations which the lower class up to participate in India’s tive manner with Pakistan. He suggested would lead to the elimination of any nuclear prosperity. that serious reform in Pakistan’s education weapons on his subcontinent within ten or A central theme in our discussions with system is needed and that madrassas are a fifteen years including renouncing first use our mission personnel as well as Indian offi- significant problem. of such weapons. His interest in such nego- cials was the civil nuclear accord signed by I asked Prime Minister Singh whether tiations with Pakistan would cover bilateral the U.S. and India. On October 1, 2008, Con- India would consider a treaty with Pakistan talks or a regional conference which would gress approved an agreement facilitating nu- to reduce military forces stationed by each include the United States, China and Russia clear cooperation between the United States nation on the border. I told him of my 1995 in addition to India and Pakistan. and India. As chronicled by the Council on conversations with Prime Minister Rao and When we asked Prime Minister Bhutto Foreign Relations, the deal, first introduced Prime Minister Bhutto and my letter to when she had last talked to Prime Minister in a joint statement issued by President President Clinton. I noted that it would be a Rao, she said that she had no conversations Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan great help in the war against al-Qaeda if with him during her tenure as Prime Min- Singh on July 18, 2005, ‘‘lifts a three-decade Pakistan could re-deploy significant soldiers ister. Prime Minister Bhutto did say that U.S. moratorium on nuclear trade with from the border to fight al-Qaeda. India. It provides U.S. assistance to India’s she had initiated a contact through an inter- I analogized an Indian-Pakistan treaty to civilian nuclear energy program, and ex- mediary but that was terminated when a the U.S.-Soviet arms reduction treaties. If pands U.S.-India cooperation in energy and new controversy arose between Pakistan and India and Pakistan could agree on disclosure satellite technology’’ (CFR—11/20/09). During India. and reduced forces, that would liberate Paki- our meetings, this agreement was described From our conversations with Prime Min- stani troops. Prime Minister Singh said as a ‘‘watershed’’ event in our bilateral rela- ister Rao and Prime Minister Bhutto, it is India would be willing to consider such a tionship—an event that opened new doors, my sense that both would be very receptive treaty, but pointed out that Pakistan would new cooperation and new possibilities for to discussions initiated and brokered by the have to control Pakistan terrorists such as two countries that have spent the majority United States as to nuclear weapons and also the ones who attacked the hotel in Mumbai. of their histories circling each other but not delivery missile systems. He said he had been under considerable pres- directly engaging in a meaningful manner. I am dictating this letter to you by tele- sure to respond forcefully, but had not done According to our officials, India is taking phone from Damascus so that you will have so. Many feared that the Mumbai hotel at- steps to be a responsible world power on non- it at the earliest moment. I am also tack and a forceful India response could have proliferation matters. India has supported telefaxing a copy of this letter to Secretary set off a nuclear exchange. international efforts, along with the United of State Warren Christopher. I asked Prime Minister Singh pointedly if States, to address Iran’s troubling military Sincerely, the Pakistan government could control the nuclear ambitions—most recently by sup- ARLEN SPECTER. terrorists and he responded ‘‘yes.’’ He added porting an IAEA censure of Iran’s nuclear After returning to the United States, I dis- the terrorists were the ‘‘creation’’ of the program during a November 27, 2009 meeting cussed such a presidential initiative with Pakistan government. of the IAEA’s Board of Governors. This has President Clinton, but my suggestion was Regarding Iran, Prime Minister Singh told led to a cooling between the two countries, not pursued. the group India was not in favor of another yet India and Iran still have deep economic The delegation had a warm welcome from nuclear power in the region and doesn’t want connections, as Iran is India’s second largest Prime Minister Singh. The Prime Minister Iran to have that capability. Prime Minister energy supplier. began the meeting by thanking the delega- Singh highlighted his country’s support at On the economic front, India’s economy tion for Congress’ strong bipartisan support the United Nations to address Iran’s nuclear was more sheltered than others and weath- in implementing the U.S.-India bilateral nu- ambitions. He indicated that Iran is a signa- ered the global economic crisis better than clear accord. He further declared that this tory to the NPT, and as such is entitled to

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 25, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S765 enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, but would be as to estimates of how many troops rocco has pushed for a more moderate ap- that they must comply with international could be withdrawn each year. proach and that it is engaged in combating accords to reassure the international com- We received a brief on the status of the Af- radicalism. I pressed the Foreign Minister on munity of their peaceful intentions. ghan Army and were informed that it is well recent incidents of terrorism and what can Following our meeting with the Prime respected by much of the population and is be done to combat the ideology that inspires Minister, I returned to the embassy for a seen by many as an entity that holds the suicide bombers and their skewed religious/ meeting with Robert Hladun, the Deputy promise of binding the nation. The police political views. He told me that many in the Country Attache for the DEA and Gib Wil- force is in poorer shape: corruption and in- Muslim world are frustrated—especially the son, the Assistant Legal Attache for the FBI. volvement in the drug trade, combined with youth. They lack educational and economic I received an overview of the regional drug a chronic lack of leadership, hamper its im- opportunities and poverty has led many to trade and how it impacts the U.S., and our provement. Only 25 percent of the police extremist camps. Yet, we also discussed how cooperation and assistance to India with force has formal training. many terrorists, including those that per- their investigations and counterterrorism ef- The delegation then proceeded to a coun- petrated 9/11 and most recently the Detroit forts. try team briefing. Our mission in Afghani- airline bombing attempt were educated and The Deputy Chief of Mission hosted a stan has four ambassadors—a rare occur- came from middle class or wealthy families. working lunch with our counterparts from rence, but one that is necessary given the The officials told us that we must work to the Indian National Congress including: complexity of the issues and the size of the resolve the conflict between the Israelis and Pallam Raju, Minister of State for Defense, mission. the Palestinians and that a lasting peace will help subdue tensions and allow govern- Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Petro- We discussed the significant monetary in- ments and moderate Muslims to stand up leum and Natural Gas, Abhishek Manu vestment being made in Afghanistan, with and lead. In addition, they suggested a global Singhvi, Manish Tewari, Prakash Javadekar, $250 million alone spent on the civilian side interfaith dialogue must occur. They stated Raashid Alvi, Madhu Goud Yashki and each month, and once the additional 30,000 their desire to play a leadership role given Deepender Singh Hooda. Our discussions cen- troops arrive the cost will rise to between $9 Morocco’s history in hosting the three great tered on the same topics we had discussed and $10 billion per month for the entire U.S. religions. with Prime Minister Singh and the country effort. When asked to discuss the national The Foreign Minister highlighted Moroc- team, but also provided us an opportunity to security significance to U.S., Major General co’s efforts to engage the youth with oppor- discuss how, as parliamentarians, we deal MacDonald stated that Afghanistan is the tunities and positive messages and that their with local and national issues of importance extremists’ base, threat exists and they have brand of Islam is open, inclusive and tolerant to our constituents. Following lunch, we de- resources in Afghanistan. I pressed the team and is a good model for the broader Muslim parted Delhi for Morocco, with a refueling to rationalize the disparity between Presi- world. stop in Qatar. dent Obama saying we begin withdrawing in We departed Rabat early on January 7th to AFGHANISTAN 2011 and President Karzai saying that it will return to Andrews Air Force Base by midday take 15 years for his security forces to be On January 3, 2010, the delegation flew EST. ready to stand on their own. I pressed them from New Delhi to Kabul, Afghanistan and TRIBUTE TO MR. KENNY EVANS on how quickly we can train security forces returned to New Delhi late on the same day. Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, so the U.S. could turn over responsibility Upon arrival at the U.S. Embassy, we were and again shared the concern by many over Kenny Evans recently passed after greeted by General Stanley McChrystal and U.S. debt, deficit and obligations at home. being with me for some 30 years. I had Ambassadors Anthony Wayne and Francis Lieutenant General Caldwell outlined the known Mr. Evans in Philadelphia for a Ricciardone. efforts to develop the police and ministries long time, but when I ran for the Sen- General McChrystal outlined a strategy of defense and interior. He highlighted the aimed at influencing the Karzai government ate in 1980, I asked him to be my cam- issue of lacking an effective afghan civil to institute reforms to win the support of the paign deputy in the African-American service. He told us that an Afghan soldier Afghan people so that many of the insur- community. When I was elected, I makes $165 a month whereas a judge makes gents would support the Karzai government brought him in as my key operative in only $80. Clearly, civilian pay reform is need- and reject the efforts of the Taliban to win the African-American community be- ed. control. He acknowledged some of the insur- I pressed the officials on getting the inter- cause of the urgency of having active gents who supported the Taliban leadership national community to carry its weight. minority representation. would stay with the Taliban, so that the They replied that the U.S. requested 2,500 He came to be known and loved and Taliban and their supporters would have to troops on December 1, 2009 and NATO admired as a leading public official in be defeated militarily. pledged 460, and U.S. officials are now going I asked General McChrystal why fight in the city. He served longer than most around Kabul asking each country’s ambas- Afghanistan when others—the Soviets, the anybody else who had been in public of- sador for additional troops. I again pressed British, Alexander the Great had failed—and fice. He took on a great role in housing them on when we can finally leave. They al-Qaeda could organize strikes against the and in job training and in education, stated that governance, economy and secu- U.S. and others from Yemen, Somalia and on civil rights issues and on immigra- rity need to all be working in tandem and elsewhere and the U.S. was engaging only a that 300,000 Afghan security forces will be tion. small number of al-Qaeda (estimated by ready by July 2011. When we had a proposal advanced by some as few as 100) and really only fighting Congressman CHAKA FATTAH called MOROCCO the Taliban. General McChrystal responded GEAR UP almost a decade ago, with a that U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan The delegation arrived in Rabat, Morocco $300 million price tag, I consulted with would have disastrous consequences in the at 1 AM on January 5th where we were met region and beyond and that al-Qaeda would by Ambassador Samuel Kaplan. Our Codel Kenny Evans, listened to his advice continue to have their best sanctuary in the was very impressed with him. There is con- and recommendations and helped pro- caves and mountains on the border regions siderable debate about ‘‘political ap- vide $300 million a year, which has now between Afghanistan and Pakistan. pointees,’’ but Ambassador Kaplan brought come to be in the $2.5 billion range, not I asked him about the reality of significant unique skills to this position from a distin- only servicing Philadelphia but the en- withdrawal by mid-2011, pointing out that guished career in the law, considerable busi- tire country. the commitment to start the withdrawal ness experience, and extensive activity in po- When we had a controversy last sum- could be met by a small withdrawal which litical and community affairs. mer about African-American children would not be significant. He did not respond We met with Foreign Minister Fassi-Fihri being excluded from a swim club which on a date for final withdrawal, but said the and Director General Mohamed Mansouri. mid-2011 start of withdrawal was a realistic The Foreign Minster told the delegation he said they were not welcome there, exit strategy. was pleased with the status of relations be- Kenny Evans took the lead in consulta- When I pointed out that President Karzai tween our two countries and the deepening tion and advice on how to handle it had publicly stated U.S. troops would be in the relationship on issues such as trade with the Civil Rights Division, and ac- needed for 15 years, General McChrystal did and defense and intelligence cooperation. tion has been taken to correct a wrong not modify his previously stated estimates. The Foreign Minister explained Morocco’s there. When our Codel later met with President unique position in the world, with one foot He was an unusual public servant and Karzai asked when he thought Afghanistan in the Mid-East and one in Africa. He de- an extraordinary man. would be able to maintain the peace and scribed the difficulty his country has had in Madam President, I ask unanimous function on its own without any U.S. troops. establishing a democratic system, permit- consent that a statement which was He said that if the resources were ‘‘ade- ting political parties while maintaining a de- prepared by Michael Oscar, my execu- quate,’’ that U.S. troops could start with- mocracy. drawal in two years with full withdrawal Much of our discussion focused on ter- tive director for southeastern Pennsyl- after 10 years. There was insufficient time to rorism and prospects for peace in the region. vania, which Mike Oscar gave at Ken- clarify with President Karzai what resources Director General Mansouri stated that ter- ny’s funeral, be printed in the CON- would be ‘‘adequate’’ or what the timetable rorists have manipulated Islam and that Mo- GRESSIONAL RECORD.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE S766 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 25, 2010 There being no objection, the mate- However, my first and lasting impression with Andy Wallace at our side running inter- rial was ordered to be printed in the of Kenny occurred about a year later. Many ference. When we got to the photo line, we RECORD, as follows: of you may not be aware of this, but Kenny, were immediately escorted to the front of along with Al Jackson, established the first the line. I turned to Shanin Specter and Today, we do not grieve for Kenny Evans, urban aquaculture center in the nation. asked him to introduce Kenny and for now he is free to follow the path God has Many of you like me are probably scratch- Charolette to the President, and he replied, laid out for him. Kenny took God’s hand ing your heads right now wondering what is ‘‘No,’’ but he immediately responded with when he heard Him call. aquaculture. Well, it’s any crop that is cul- ‘‘Mike, I want you to do it.’’ Good Morning and on behalf of Charolette tured in water—whether it be shrimp, fish, So, I proceeded to the President, ‘‘Mr. and the entire Evans Family, I offer the fol- or seaweed. President, I would like to introduce you to lowing remarks highlighting our friend, Kenny learned about aquaculture from his Kenny and Charolette Evans. Kenny has been Kenny Evans. numerous luncheon conversations with Al My name is Michael Oscar and I serve as with the Senator for the past 30 years.’’ Jackson and over the course of a year, they Sen. Specter’s Executive Director in South- President Obama retorted, ‘‘my man, Kenny drafted this unique partnership between the eastern Pennsylvania. For nearly a decade, I Evans’’ and extended a warm hug and hand- University of Pennsylvania and Cheyney had the distinct pleasure of working with shake. Without question, I will NEVER for- University. They wanted to provide African Kenny in many different legislative and po- get that moment. American students the opportunity to learn litical capacities. It is with this background Ladies and Gentlemen, for those of us who this unusual science. are a part of or friend of Sen. Specter’s and distinction that I speak to you today. Proudly I report to you today, the center May it be said of Kenny, the words of Al- Alumni and Family, please do not regard has been successfully funded for the past fred, Lord Tennyson: today in sorrow, rather rejoice in Kenny’s seven years by the U.S. Department of Agri- memory and adapt his cause to your daily ‘‘I am a part of all that I have met culture and has graduated nearly 188 African work. To much is taken, much abides American students in the field of urban Find comfort and solace in knowing that That which we are, we are . . . aquaculture. This was just one accomplish- Kenny joins Carey Lackman and Tom Bow- One equal temper of heroic hearts ment of many that Kenny succeeded in on man, former staffers that were dedicated to Strong in will behalf of Sen. Specter. the cause in helping the common man and To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.’’ Beyond Kenny’s political acumen, he woman of Pennsylvania and the nation. Kenny personified these words because his mentored all of us on how to keep things Imagine if you will the conversation they cause was ours,—you and me—the cause of simple, light. When I was drafted by the Sen- must be having right now. the common man and the common woman. ator to run his Philadelphia Office, I heard For the rest of us assembled here today His commitment was to those who Andrew one of my predecessors define it as and to Kenny’s family; specifically, Jackson called ‘‘the humble members of so- ‘‘Kennyism.’’ Those Kennyisms have sus- Charolette, I offer this summation of a con- ciety: the farmers, mechanics, laborers, and tained me and our team in Philadelphia for summate advocate for the little guy, Kenny the forgotten.’’ many years and they will never be forgotten. Evans, by recounting the final sentence of On this foundation for the past three dec- One specific anecdote that defines what we Sen. Ted Kennedy’s ‘‘The Dream Shall Never ades with Sen. Specter and beyond, Kenny collectively call a ‘‘Kennyism’’ was when I Die Speech,’’ at the 1980 Democratic Na- defined our values, refined our policies, and was on a leave of absence from the Senator’s tional Convention: refreshed our faith. He did this by operating office to run Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick’s cam- ‘‘For all of those whose cares have been behind the scenes with much grace, class, paign. Despite my absence from the office, our concern, the work goes on, the cause en- and dignity. my three-year-old son, Liam, at the time dures, the hope still lives, and the dream There was never a problem no matter how was enrolled in the daycare center located in shall never die.’’ big or small, he did not try to solve, a re- the Green Federal Building. As in everything we do, may God be quest he did not try to respond to, or a per- So for three days a week, I drove down to blessed! Thank you. son he did not try to help. This was his mar- the city to drop him off. Before heading up quee value. to the campaign office in Doylestown, I Mr. SPECTER. Madam President, I Kenny’s work ethic and style mentored fu- would stop by the second floor cafeteria to thank the Chair and yield the floor. ture generations of congressional staffers, grab a cup of coffee and I was always greeted I suggest the absence of a quorum. political candidates, and current legislators by Kenny’s chuckle. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the in the art and science of politics. As Al Jack- He would tell me ‘‘Sit down, Mike, tell me Senator withhold the suggestion of the son, his friend and luncheon companion for about the campaign and more importantly, absence of a quorum? nearly 27 years, stated on numerous occa- how is your family?’’ He would listen, he sions, ‘‘he is the maestro of politics’’—in- would laugh, and he taught me to keep it Mr. SPECTER. I do. stinctively knowing how to deal with people light. He would end every conversation with f and their everyday concerns. ‘‘It will be ok.’’ In my opinion, he earned this astute char- Speaking of campaigns, when I had the RECESS acterization because he worked from the pleasure of accompanying the Senator dur- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ground up, which provided him the proper ing his visit with Kenny just a few weeks ago ate stands in recess until 2 p.m. rubric on how to communicate with people. in the hospital, Kenny despite his medical Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:42 p.m., As his Executive Director for the past five maladies went right to work assessing for recessed until 2 p.m. and reassembled years, I witnessed firsthand his innate abil- the Senator how the African American Com- ity to soften even the harshest of personal- munity along with many others will come when called to order by the Presiding ities. There was not a day that went by that out for him in his re-election. Yes, many a Officer (Mr. BURRIS). Susan Segal would say, ‘‘Kenny would be the ‘‘kennyism’’ was shared that day. f perfect choice to handle this constituent.’’ A few short weeks later, I went back to ‘‘And handle this constituent he did’’ be- visit with Kenny, along with Al Jackson, and UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE cause his commitment went well beyond the Elvis Solivan, another stalwart of the Spec- ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICAL federal scope. Whatever it took, a phone call, ter Team. While there I had this memorable CORRECTIONS ACT OF 2009—Con- a letter, a closed door meeting. He was a conversation with Kenny’s grandson, La- tinued tireless advocate always on a mission. mont. He told me how his grandfather would When I first joined Senator Specter’s staff bring the Senator’s Lincoln Town Car home The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- in Washington, D.C. before coming to Phila- and when he did he would offer his grand- ator from Ohio is recognized. delphia, my COS at the time, Carey children a ride in it, and if they accepted the HEALTH CARE REFORM Lackman told me ‘‘you had an impressive offer then they would wash it later. Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. President, list of references, but none greater than When I heard the story, I just laughed. right now there is a meeting at the Kenny Evans.’’ Candidly, I didn’t know what ‘‘Senator, rest assured, no one yet from the White House that is being covered ex- Carey was talking about. I had no idea who Oscar family has ridden in the Lincoln let Kenny Evans was and he was not listed as alone washed it except for their father.’’ tensively by the media live. There has one of my references. Upon your arrival at today’s services, you been much anticipation about the I later learned that Kenny worked closely may have noticed that radiant photo of meeting between the President and a with one of my former employer’s, Michael Kenny, Charolette, and President Obama. On number of Members of Congress, equal- Kunz, the Clerk of Court for the District that day, Tuesday, September 15, 2009, can- ly divided between the two bodies, the Court. When Mr. Kunz heard that I applied didly, Kenny was noticeably not well, but we House and Senate, and the two polit- for the position he called Kenny to advocate wanted to ensure he received his photo with ical parties. It is a chance for both on my behalf. Apparently, Kenny imme- the first African American President of the diately called Carey and stated, ‘‘this guy United States. sides to listen to each other. The media worked for the clerk, do you know how many That said, I grasped Kenny’s hand, along has decided that by and large this is calls a day I get from constituents to get out with Charolette’s and together we raced going to be unproductive. I watched a of jury duty? You need to hire this guy.’’ down the long convention center hallway good bit of it today. At least people are

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE