20396 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 15 July 25, 2007 program is an important step in HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES device. Sergeant Packer was assigned achieving some type of identification Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry that will help America feel more secure rise to pay tribute to 55 young Ameri- Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, in our daily requirements to identify cans who have been killed in Iraq since 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, ourselves and to otherwise conduct our April 28, 2007. This brings to 777 the NY. He was from Clovis, CA. life here at home. number of soldiers who were either PFC Victor M. Fontanilla, 23, died Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I seek from California or based in California May 17 in Iskandariya, Iraq, of wounds recognition to offer my support for the who have been killed while serving our suffered when an improvised explosive amendment to be offered by Senator country in Iraq. This represents 21 per- device detonated near his vehicle. Pri- CASEY with regard to homeland secu- cent of all U.S. deaths in Iraq. vate First Class Fontanilla was as- rity grant timelines. This amendment PFC Jay-D H. Ornsby-Adkins, 21, died signed to the 725th Brigade Support would lengthen the amount of time on April 28 in Salman Pak, Iraq, of in- Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, available to obligate funds provided in juries sustained when an improvised 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richard- fiscal year 2008 under the State Home- explosive device detonated near his son, AK. He was from Stockton, CA. land Security Grant Program and the military vehicle and then encountered SSG Christopher Moore, 28, died May Rail and Transit Security Grant Pro- small arms fire. Private First Class 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered gram from a maximum of 36 months to Ornsby-Adkins was assigned to D Com- when an improvised explosive device a maximum of 48 months. pany, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regi- detonated near his vehicle. Staff Ser- I am advised that several transit ment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort geant Moore was assigned to the 1st agencies have encountered problems obligating homeland security grant Benning, GA. He was from Ione, CA. Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd 1LT Travis L. Manion, 26, died on funding within the current timetable, Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Di- April 29 while conducting combat oper- particularly for large and complex vision, Fort Hood, TX. He was from ations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. projects such as installing underground Alpaugh, CA. First Lieutenant Manion was assigned emergency communications networks PFC Joseph J. Anzack, Jr., 20, died in to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st in subway tunnels. Al Taqa, Iraq. Private First Class The Southeastern Pennsylvania Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- Anzack was initially reported as Duty Transit Authority, SEPTA, in par- tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Status Whereabouts Unknown on May ticular, has encountered problems SPC Astor A. Sunsin-Pineda, 20, died 12, 2007, when his patrol received small which have thus far prevented it from on May 2 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an im- arms fire and explosives. Private First being able to utilize federal homeland provised explosive device detonated Class Anzack was assigned to D Com- security grant dollars to install an near his military vehicle. Specialist pany, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regi- emergency communications network in Sunsin-Pineda was assigned to A Com- ment, 10th Mountain Division, Fort its 20-mile subway tunnel system pany, 4th Brigade Special Troops Bat- Drum, NY. He was from Torrance, CA. which runs underneath portions of the talion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort PFC Daniel P. Cagle, 22, died in city of Philadelphia. The absence of a Riley, KS. He was from Long Beach, Balad, Iraq, died May 23 of wounds suf- communications system capable of CA. fered when an improvised explosive de- functioning underground severely lim- SGT Felix G. Gonzalez-Iraheta, 25, vice detonated near his unit in Ramadi, its the ability of SEPTA and first re- died May 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds Iraq. Private First Class Cagle was as- sponders to deal with a potential emer- suffered when his unit came in contact signed to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor gency in Philadelphia’s subway tunnels with enemy forces using small arms Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and does not provide an adequate level fire. Sergeant Gonzalez-Iraheta was as- 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, of protection for the traveling public. signed to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infan- GA. He was from Carson, CA. try Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Specifically, SEPTA claims that a 3- CPL Victor H. Toledo Pulido, 22, died Team, 1st Infantry Division, year period is not sufficient time to co- May 23 in Al Nahrawan, Iraq, of wounds Schweinfurt, Germany. He was from ordinate regional interoperability suffered when an improvised explosive issues with the city of Philadelphia and Sun Valley, CA. Cpl Charles O. Palmer II, 36, died device detonated near his vehicle. Cor- the surrounding first responder agen- poral Toledo Pulido was assigned to 3d cies. It is my understanding that pre- May 5 while conducting combat oper- ations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Cor- Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd liminary engineering requirements and Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Di- the time associated with procuring the poral Palmer was assigned to 8th Com- munication Battalion, II Marine Expe- vision, Mechanized, Fort Benning, GA. necessary technology further com- He was from Hanford, CA. pound the problem. Finally, SEPTA ditionary Force Headquarters Group, II MEF, Camp Lejeune, NC. He was from SPC Gregory N. Millard, 22, died on claims that it does not receive enough May 26 in Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq, homeland security grant funding in a 3- Manteca, CA. PFC William A. Farrar Jr., 20, died of injuries sustained when an impro- year period to complete such a complex vised explosive device detonated near project. May 11 in Al Iskandariyah, Iraq, of his military vehicle. Specialist Millard This amendment will provide SEPTA wounds suffered when an improvised was assigned to A Company, 2nd Bat- and other transit agencies in similar explosive device detonated near his ve- talion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regi- predicaments with additional time to hicle. Private First Class Farrar was ment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort plan, coordinate, secure technology for assigned to the 127th Military Police Bragg, NC. He was from San Diego, CA. and fund important and complex Company, 709th Military Police Bat- projects such as underground commu- talion, 18th Military Police Brigade, SGT Clayton G. Dunn II, 22, died on nications systems. I urge my col- Darmstadt, Germany. He was from May 26 in Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq, leagues to support this amendment. Redlands, CA. of injuries sustained when an impro- SPC Rhys W. Klasno, 20, died May 13 vised explosive device detonated near f in Haditha, Iraq, of wounds suffered his military vehicle. Sergeant Dunn MORNING BUSINESS when an improvised explosive device was assigned to A Company, 2nd Bat- Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask detonated near his vehicle. Specialist talion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regi- unanimous consent that there now be a Klasno was assigned to the 1114th ment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort period for the transaction of morning Transportation Company, Bakersfield, Bragg, NC. He was from Moreno Valley, business, with Senators permitted to CA. He was from Riverside, CA. CA. speak therein for up to 10 minutes SGT Steven M. Packer, 23, died May SPC Mark R. C. Caguioa, 21, died on each. 17 in Rushdi Mullah, Iraq, of wounds May 24 at the National Naval Medical The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without suffered when his dismounted patrol Center, Bethesda, MD, died of injuries objection, it is so ordered. encountered an improvised explosive sustained on May 4, 2007, in Baghdad,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 11:08 Jul 06, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 0685 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\S25JY7.001 S25JY7 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD July 25, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 15 20397 Iraq, when an improvised explosive de- SGT Andrews J. Higgins, 28, died tics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expedi- vice detonated near his military vehi- June 5 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suf- tionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary cle. Specialist Caguioa was assigned to fered when his unit came in contact Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. B Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry with enemy forces using small arms PFC Raymond N. Spencer Jr., 23, Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort fire. Sergeant Higgins was assigned to died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, of Hood, TX. He was from Stockton, CA. the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regi- wounds suffered when his unit was at- SGT Nicholas R. Walsh, 27, died May ment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Divi- tacked by insurgents using an impro- 26 from wounds suffered while con- sion, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, vised explosive device and small arms ducting combat operations in Al Anbar Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Hayward, fire. Private First Class Spencer was Province, Iraq. Sergeant Walsh was as- CA. assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th signed to the 1st Reconnaissance Bat- PFC Justin A. Verdeja, 20, died June Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat talion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, when his unit was attacked by insur- TX. He was from Carmichael, CA. CA. gents using small arms fire. Private PVT Shane M. Stinson, 23, died on LCpl Emmanuel Villarreal, 21, died First Class Verdeja was assigned to the June 23, in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries May 27 from a nonhostile vehicle acci- 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, sustained when his mounted patrol en- dent at Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait. 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infan- countered an improvised explosive de- Lance Corporal Villarreal was assigned try Division, Fort Carson, CO. He was vice and small arms fire. Private to Battalion Landing Team 1st Bat- from La Puente, CA. Stinson was assigned to the 2nd Bat- talion, 11th Marine Regiment, 13th Ma- PFC Cameron K. Payne, 22, died June talion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd In- rine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Ex- 11 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered fantry Division, Fort Benning, GA. He peditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, from an improvised explosive device was from Fullerton, CA. CA. that detonated near his vehicle during PFC Cory F. Hiltz, 20, died June 28 of SSG Thomas M. McFall, 36, died May combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. wounds sustained when his unit was at- 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered Private First Class Payne was assigned tacked in Baghdad by insurgents using when an improvised explosive device to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry improvised explosive devices. Private detonated near his position during a Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Com- First Class Hiltz was assigned to the dismounted patrol. Staff Sergeant bat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, McFall was assigned to the 1st Bat- Riley, KS. He was from Corona, CA. 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry talion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th LCpl Johnny R. Strong, 21, died June Division, Fort Carson, CO. He was from Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker 12 while conducting combat operations La Verne, CA. Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Lance Cor- SGT Giann C. Joya Mendoza, 27, died WA. He was from Glendora, CA. poral Strong was assigned to 2nd Bat- June 28 of wounds sustained when his SPC Alexandre A. Alexeev, 23, died unit was attacked in Baghdad by insur- on May 28, in Abu Sayda, Iraq when an talion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Ma- gents using improvised explosive de- improvised explosive device detonated rine Division, Twentynine Palms, CA. SPC Damon G. LeGrand, 27, died vices. Sergeant Joya Mendoza was as- near his military vehicle. Specialist June 12 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds signed to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infan- Alexeev was assigned to A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st suffered when insurgents attacked his try Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX. He unit with anti-tank mines, rocket-pro- Team, 2d Infantry Division, Fort Car- was from Wilmington, CA. pelled grenades and small arms fire in son, CO. He was from North Hollywood, SPC Doonewey White, 26, died on Baghdad, Iraq. Specialist LeGrand was CA. May 29 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sus- assigned to the 571st Military Police SGT Michael J. Martinez, 24, died tained on May 28, 2007, in Baghdad, Company, 504th Military Police Bat- June 28 of wounds sustained when his Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised talion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, unit was attacked in Baghdad by insur- explosive device detonated near his ve- Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Lakeside, gents using improvised explosive de- hicle. Specialist White was assigned to CA. vices. Sergeant Martinez was assigned B Troop, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry SPC Josiah W. Hollopeter, 27, died to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort June 14 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suf- Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Hood, TX. He was from Milpitas, CA. fered when his unit was attacked by in- Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. He SPC Romel Catalan, 21, of California, surgents using small arms fire in Al was from Chula Vista, CA. died on June 2 in Ameriyah, Iraq, when Muqdadiyah, Iraq. Specialist SGT Shin W. Kim, 23, died June 28 of an improvised explosive device deto- Hollopeter was assigned to the 6th wounds sustained when his unit was at- nated near his vehicle. Specialist Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd tacked in Baghdad by insurgents using Catalan was assigned to A Company, Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Di- improvised explosive devices. Sergeant 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, vision, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Kim was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA. San Diego, CA. 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade He was from Los Angeles, CA. SGT Derek T. Roberts, 24, died on Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division, SGT Shawn E. Dressler, 22, died on June 14, in Kirkuk, Iraq, when an im- Fort Carson, CO. He was from Ful- June 2, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an im- provised explosive device detonated lerton, CA. provised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Sergeant Roberts was SPC Victor A. Garcia, 22, died July 1 near his vehicle. Sergeant Dressler was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry regiment, 25th Infantry from enemy small arms fire. Specialist 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI. He Garcia was assigned to the 1st Bat- Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. He was from Gold River, CA. talion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th was from Santa Maria, CA. SSG Stephen J. Wilson, 28, died June Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker SSG Greg P. Gagarin, 38, died June 3 20 while conducting combat operations Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, in Thania, Iraq, of wounds suffered in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Staff Ser- WA. He was from Rialto, CA. when an improvised explosive device geant Wilson was assigned to Combat SSG Michael L. Ruoff Jr., 31, died detonated near his vehicle. Staff Ser- Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Ex- July 1 in Ta’meem, Iraq, of wounds sus- geant Gagarin was assigned to the 1st peditionary Unit, I Marine Expedi- tained from enemy small arms fire. Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regi- tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Staff Sergeant Ruoff was assigned to ment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Divi- SGT Shawn P. Martin, 30, died June the 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regi- sion, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 20 while conducting combat operations ment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Los An- in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Sergeant Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Ger- geles, CA. Martin was assigned to Combat Logis- many. He was from Yosemite, CA.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 11:08 Jul 06, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 0685 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\S25JY7.001 S25JY7 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD 20398 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 15 July 25, 2007 LCpl Juan M. Garcia Schill, 20, died Lance Corporal Starkovich was as- PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS JEFFREY CHANEY July 2 while conducting combat oper- signed to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Mr. HAGEL. Mr. Presdient, I rise to ations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Ma- express my sympathy over the loss of Lance Corporal Garcia Schill was as- rine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pen- U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Jef- signed to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine dleton, CA. frey Chaney of Omaha, NE. Petty Offi- Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Ma- SGT Ronald L. Coffelt, 36, died July cer First Class Chaney was killed on rine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered July 17 by an improvised explosive de- Palms, CA. from an improvised explosive device. vice in Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq. He Petty Officer First Class Steven Phil- Sergeant Coffelt was assigned to the was 35 years old. lip Daugherty, 28, died July 6 as a re- 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th Petty Officer First Class Chaney sult of enemy action while conducting Military Police Brigade, Airborne, graduated from Bellevue West High combat operations in the vicinity of XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC. School in 1990. He enlisted in the Navy Baghdad, Iraq. Petty Officer Daugherty He was from Fair Oaks, CA. in 1993 and spent 4 years of his 14-year was assigned to an East Coast-based SFC Luis E. Gutierrez-Rosales, 38, Navy career as a recruiter. Petty Offi- SEAL team. He was from Barstow, CA. died on July 18, in Adhamiyah, Iraq, of cer First Class Chaney’s passion for MAJ James M. Ahearn, 43, died July injuries sustained when his vehicle en- serving his country made him a strong 5 when his vehicle struck an impro- countered an improvised explosive de- recruiter. He was even able to recruit vised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq. vice and small arms fire. Sergeant his brother Randy Chaney to the Navy. Major Ahearn was assigned to 96th First Class Gutierrez-Rosales was as- Petty Officer First Class Chaney was Civil Affairs Battalion, 95th Civil Af- signed to A Company, 1st Battalion, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Dis- fairs Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC. He was 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry posal Mobile Unit 11, based at Naval from Concord, CA. Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. He Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. His SPC Roberto J. Causor Jr., 21, died was from Bakersfield, CA. experience with ordnance disposal led July 7 in Samarra, Iraq, of wounds suf- Cpl Christopher G. Scherer, 21, died to other experiences. He worked with fered when insurgents attacked his July 21 from wounds suffered while Secret Service for President George unit with an improvised explosive de- conducting combat operations in Al H.W. Bush’s 80th birthday celebration vice and small arms fire. Specialist Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal Scherer in 2004, where he met the former Presi- Causor was assigned to the 2nd Bat- was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer dent and former Soviet leader Mikhail talion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regi- Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Ma- Gorbachev. He also assisted Secret ment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd rine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pen- Service with security during the 2004 Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. He dleton, CA. Presidential election and met both SGT Shawn G. Adams, 21, died July was from San Jose, CA. President George W. Bush and Senator PFC Bruce C. Salazar, Jr., 24, died on 22, in Owaset, Iraq, of wounds suffered JOHN KERRY. Petty Officer First Class July 6, in Muhammad Sath, Iraq, of in- from an improvised explosive device. Chaney had been in Iraq for two juries sustained when his dismounted Sergeant Adams was assigned to the months. We are proud of Petty Officer patrol encountered an improvised ex- 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry First Class Chaney’s service to our plosive device. Private First Class Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, country, as well as the thousands of Salazar was assigned to B Company, Airborne, 25th Infantry Division, Fort 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, Richardson, AK. He was from Dixon, other brave Americans serving in Iraq. In addition to his brother Randy, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, CA. Petty Officer First Class Chaney is sur- GA. He was from Tracy, CA. I would also like to pay tribute to LCpl Steven A. Stacy, 23, died July 5 the four soldiers from California who vived by his daughter Brianna Chaney from wounds suffered while conducting have died while serving our country in of Omaha, his father Larry Chaney of combat operations in Al Anbar Prov- Operation Enduring Freedom since Bloomington, MN, his mother Connie ince, Iraq. Lance Corporal Stacy was April 28. Chaney of Omaha, and brother Jim assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine SSG Joshua R. Whitaker, 23, died Ecker of Oakland, IA. Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Ma- May 15 in Qalat, Afghanistan, of I ask my colleagues to join me and rine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pen- wounds suffered from enemy small all Americans in honoring Petty Offi- dleton, CA. arms fire. Staff Sergeant Whitaker was cer First Class Jeffrey Chaney. Cpl Jeremy D. Allbaugh, 21, died July assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Spe- SERGEANT JACOB SCHMUECKER 5 from wounds suffered while con- cial Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC. He Mr. President, I also rise to express ducting combat operations in Al Anbar was from Long Beach, CA. my sympathy over the loss of U.S. Province, Iraq. Corporal Allbaugh was SGT Charles E. Wyckoff, Jr., 28, died Army National Guard SGT Jacob assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine on June 6 in Helmand Province, Af- Schmuecker of Norfolk, NE. Sergeant Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Ma- ghanistan, of injuries sustained when Schmuecker was killed on July 21 by rine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pen- his dismounted patrol received small an improvised explosive device in dleton, CA. arms fire. Sergeant Wyckoff was as- Balad, Iraq. He was 27 years old. LCpl Angel R. Ramirez, 28, died Feb- signed to C Company, 1st Battalion, Sergeant Schmuecker graduated ruary 21 at Marine Air Ground Combat 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, from West Holt High School in 1999, Center, Twentynine Palms, CA, after 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, where he was a linebacker and defen- being medically evacuated following a NC. He was from Chula Vista, CA. sive end on the football team. He at- non-hostile incident in Al Qaim, Iraq, SGT Thomas P. McGee, 23, died July tended Northeast Community College on December 21, 2006. He was assigned 6 of wounds sustained when his vehicle before he joined the Nebraska Army to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, struck an improvised explosive device National Guard in 2001 as a member of 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- in Wazi Khwa, Afghanistan. Sergeant the 134th Infantry Detachment in Lin- tionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. McGee was assigned to the 546th Mili- coln, NE. His passing was made public on July 10. tary Police Company, 385th Military He was mobilized for service in Iraq SPC Eric M. Holke, 31, died on July Police Battalion, Fort Stewart, GA. He in August 2006 with the Nebraska Na- 15, in Tallil, Iraq, when his vehicle was from Hawthorne, CA. tional Guard’s 755th Reconnaissance overturned. Specialist Holke was as- SFC Sean K. Mitchell, 35, died July 7 and Decontamination Company based signed to A Company, 1st Battalion, in Kidal, Mali, of injuries sustained in O’Neill, NE. 160th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry from a non-combat related incident. Sergeant Schmuecker was a model Division, Army National Guard, Ful- Sergeant Mitchell was assigned to the leader. He had a strong concern for the lerton, CA. He was from Crestline, CA. 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces men that he led and hoped that if any- LCpl Shawn V. Starkovich, 20, died Group, Stuttgart, Germany. He was thing were to happen, that it would July 16 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. from Monterey, CA. happen to him. He inspired his brother

VerDate Mar 15 2010 11:08 Jul 06, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 0685 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\S25JY7.001 S25JY7 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD July 25, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 15 20399 Chris Shepperd to enlist and he would try. I will never forget her passion persist for 10 years. The increase going go on to serve in Iraq as well. We are fighting for civil rights and against into effect today is an important im- proud of Sergeant Schmuecker’s serv- poverty. Nor will I ever forget her de- provement, but it is not the end of the ice to our country, as well as the thou- termination to leave a beautiful Amer- battle. An increase in the minimum sands of other brave Americans serving ica for future generations. wage is only part of the solution. in Iraq. Lady Bird Johnson, again, held my We cannot ignore that the income Sergeant Schmuecker is survived by sincerest respect and appreciation. To gap has been widening—and now it has his wife Lisa and their three children, her family and the people of Texas, I taken on a new twist. We no longer his parents Rodney and Patricia offer my deepest sympathies. Mrs. have inequality just between those liv- Schmuecker, three brothers, and three Johnson was a valuable public servant, ing comfortably and those struggling sisters. an inspiration and a friend. More than to make ends meet. Income is now I ask my colleagues to join me and anything else, she was an irreplaceable more concentrated at the top than it all Americans in honoring SGT Jacob First Lady. has been in the past 70 years. In fact, as Schmuecker. f the wealthiest 1 percent have seen f MINIMUM WAGE their income grow by 20 percent or more within the past few years, every- REMEMBERING LADY BIRD Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I JOHNSON one else has seen their income grow by rise today to speak on the minimum less than 4 percent. Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, wage increase, which takes effect And that inequality is ever too real when Lady Bird Johnson passed away today. for women and minorities, who are on the afternoon of July 11, 2007, the Today, millions of hard-working more likely to be minimum wage earn- United States mourned the loss of a Americans will finally receive the first dignified and compassionate First increase of a $2.10 raise in the Federal ers. Lady. Even though she is gone, she has minimum wage. Today, we are putting So while increasing the minimum left us with the legacy of her beautifi- an end to a decade-long stagnant wage wage is just one step toward closing cation of America. Through her dili- that has kept those who are working the income gap, it is an important gent efforts, Mrs. Johnson was not only their hardest at the bottom of the lad- step. an advocate for the natural beauty of der. Today, they are getting the chance Ultimately, a wage increase is about America but also of the beauty and that everyone in this country de- fairness, about ensuring all Americans, strength of its people. Sharon and I ex- serves—the opportunity to build a bet- not just those at the top, can share in tend our deepest sympathy to her ter life. the American dream. daughters Lynda and Luci, their fami- Now, $2.10 may not sound like much Before today, 13 million minimum lies, her friends, and all of those whose to most Americans. But that small in- wage workers did not have the chance lives have been touched by her life’s crease will make a difference in the to share in that dream. work. pockets and in the lives of millions of Before today, 4 million Latinos and As President Lyndon B. Johnson en- Americans. Those $2.10 add up to more African Americans earned less than tered the White House in one of our Na- than $4,400 more every year enough to $7.25 an hour with no expectation that tion’s most harrowing moments, Mrs. help a low-income family depending on their wages would rise. Johnson stood by her husband with a minimum wage income to afford 2 Before today, nearly 7 million poise and courage that helped comfort years of child care, a year and a half in women, who make up well over half of a wounded nation. Her service to our utility bills, or a year of tuition at a minimum wage workers, would not country would go even further as she public college. have seen their wages increase. became a leading voice for preserving I am also proud that my State of New And before today, a minimum wage and defending America’s natural re- Jersey has not waited for Congress to earner with a family of three would be sources. Here in the Nation’s Capital, do what is right. Instead, New Jersey making $6,000 below the poverty level. people can’t help but be reminded of has taken it upon itself to increase the Before today, that family would not Mrs. Johnson’s vigorous work to adorn State minimum wage far in advance of have a way out of poverty and into Washington, DC, with flowers, giving Congress, which now is at $7.15 per prosperity. us an aesthetic that all Americans hour. New Jersey’s minimum wage has We have changed the course, not just could take pride in and enjoy. given more than a quarter million for minimum wage workers but for our I have always shared Mrs. Johnson’s workers the opportunity to build a bet- country. We have finally taken steps deeply held love for the beauty of the ter life for themselves and their fami- toward providing greater equality and United States, from the mountains of lies. given our hardest workers and their West Virginia to the plains of Texas. It And today, all Americans earning families the chance to earn a wage of was because of her commitment to the minimum wage will have that same op- dignity and respect. environment and the splendor of our portunity to build a better life. In en- A wage increase is only a downpay- country that the Beautification Act of acting the first minimum wage in- ment on our promise to all Ameri- 1965 was passed. She strove to line our crease in over a decade, Congress took cans—it is a preview of what is to highways with wildflowers and still a critical first step towards correcting come. Democrats pledge to continue to found time to enjoy walking through a grave injustice. For far too long, we change the course to ensure all Ameri- the national parks that she fought to have let some of our hardest working cans and their families have a fair shot protect. employees—those who prepare our at achieving the American dream. In addition to her work with the en- food, clean our offices, treat us at the Thank you. I yield the floor vironment, I truly admire her efforts doctor, and guard our buildings at f to address poverty in the United night—see their wages erode by 10 States. Under President Johnson, the years of inflation. ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS VISTA program was enacted, sending Ten years is far too long for those out volunteers to improve the condi- who work round the clock, hoping to tions of impoverished communities. I save a little extra for groceries, for RECOGNIZING IRVIN L. TRUJILLO can proudly say that as a VISTA volun- those working so they can buy school ∑ Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I wish teer in Emmons, WV, I saw firsthand supplies or clothes for their children, to recognize Mr. Irvin L. Trujillo for the immense benefits of this program or for those saving so one day they can receiving the National Endowment for for participants and for the commu- live in a place they are proud to call the Arts National Heritage Fellowship nities they serve. home. Award. He is one of only 11 artists na- I will never forget her devotion to Today, we should also commit that tionally recognized with this award for her husband, her family, and her coun- never again will we let this injustice his work. The chairman of the NEA,

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