17828 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 13 July 15, 2009 to the astronaut office, becoming an played tremendous management abil- President Obama, who called for a new astronaut, flying twice as shuttle pilot ity and intellect. Her knowledge of our system to control skyrocketing health and twice as commander—four times— space program will be key to NASA’s costs, expand coverage to the tens of returning to active duty in the Marine leadership team. millions left uninsured in our country, Corps, and rising to the level of major Again, I fully support the nomination and ensure high quality, affordable general, after having commanded sev- of Charles Bolden and Lori Garver as health care for every American family. eral Marine wings; and now the dream the next Administrator and Deputy Ad- The bill also focuses on the priorities is fulfilled that Charlie has now been ministrator of NASA. of Americans, from all corners of our confirmed as head of the National Aer- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- country, whose powerful and often onautics and Space Administration. ator from Rhode Island. heart-wrenching stories underscore the I think it is interesting that at 6:03 f urgent need for reform. this evening the space shuttle lifted off Behind all the statistics and all the into a successful mission. This space AFFORDABLE HEALTH CHOICES numbers and all the projections and all shuttle holds the second record for the ACT the demographics, as we all know in most delays—six. It is exceeded by the Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, this Chamber, are a legion of personal first space flight that General Bolden today, I proudly cast my vote to pass and family tragedies and sorrows and took, of which I had the privilege of out of the Senate Health, Education, frustrations that we have to address. being a member of that crew in Janu- Labor, and Pensions Committee land- The Affordable Health Choices Act ary of 1986. We were delayed seven mark legislation that will fundamen- invests heavily in the delivery system times—scrubbed four times on the pad tally change the direction of our dys- reforms that will drive down costs and before launching on the fifth try into functional health care system. bring our current outmoded, broken an almost flawless 6-day mission. The committee approval of the Af- system into the 21st century. These General Bolden takes over NASA at a fordable Health Choices Act is truly a changes are long past due and are es- critical time. NASA is in drift. It needs tremendous victory for millions of sential if we are to protect our ship of a leader. But also for General Bolden to Americans who struggle with a system state from the tidal wave of health be successful as the leader of NASA, he that has continually failed to provide care costs now bearing down on us. has to have the backing of the Presi- quality, affordable health care options This legislation also upholds Presi- dent of the United States, who is the for them, their families, their loved dent Obama’s promise: If you like the one who can give the ultimate leader- ones, and their businesses. health care you have, you can keep it. ship to our Nation’s space program. It has been a special privilege to tem- But for the many Americans who want So it was such a privilege for me, Mr. porarily serve on the HELP Com- different choices or who do not have President, to come and propound this mittee, in particular, with my distin- health insurance at all, we also offer a new public health insurance option unanimous consent request and to see guished senior Senator, JACK REED. I the Senate confirm, by your order, do not think there is a formal rule that can and must compete in an open market with private insurance. unanimously, the nominations of the against it, but it is a rarity in the Sen- As I have traveled throughout Rhode Administrator and the Deputy Admin- ate for two Members from the same istrator of NASA. Needless to say, Island, at community dinners and sen- State of the same party to serve on the ior centers, at coffees and on our main there are a lot of smiles that are going same committee. My brief tenure on to be across America as a result of this streets, I have heard stories of frustra- the HELP Committee gave me the tion and heartache at our broken action. chance to witness firsthand the resolve Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the health care system. Earlier this year, I and caring leadership that is JACK floor. launched a health care storyboard on Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I am REED’s hallmark and that was shown my Web site where Rhode Islanders can in support of President Obama’s nomi- throughout this historic debate. share their experiences and ideas for nation of Charles Bolden as the next I also applaud the unwavering com- health reform. In just a few short Administrator of the National Aero- mitment and leadership of President months, hundreds of Rhode Islanders nautics and Space Administration, Obama, and the tireless efforts of my have written to share their ideas and NASA, and Lori Garver as the Deputy Senate colleagues, in the pursuit of experiences. These are just a few of Administrator of NASA. meaningful, comprehensive reform. them. We are at a critical point in NASA’s I feel really very privileged to have Paul and Marcela from Newport told history, and our space agency needs a served with Chairman DODD and Rank- me about the health complications leadership team devoted to the core ing Member ENZI. Chairman DODD had that Paul and his son have endured mission of the agency. this responsibility fall upon him when from type 1 diabetes. The related med- Mr. Bolden has a compelling story. illness overtook probably his best ical conditions Paul has suffered from He transcended barriers and estab- friend in the Senate, Chairman KEN- the diabetes have left him unable to lished himself at the forefront of our NEDY. And he gave me, at least, as a work. Nation’s scientific policy. A career ma- junior Senator, an education in Senate To compensate for the family’s loss rine and true leader, Mr. Bolden is chairmanship. of income, Marcela works tirelessly, deeply committed to fostering a bal- Ranking Member ENZI presented an taking on a full-time and part-time job anced space program focused on safe, unforgettable model of graciousness to pay the bills. Like so many hard- reliable human space exploration, and and civility. And all of the members of working Americans, they fall just robust scientific research and innova- the committee worked hard and sin- short of income eligibility cutoffs for tion. A seasoned astronaut, Mr. Bolden cerely. State assistance programs, forcing has experienced first hand the signifi- I particularly thank our esteemed them to bear the brunt of expensive cance of space exploration, traveling chairman, Senator KENNEDY, for his medical cos, premiums, and prescrip- into orbit four times between 1986 and longstanding leadership and dedica- tion costs. On a stretched budget, bal- 1994, including a mission to deploy the tion. He truly is the champion of ancing their medical expenses is a con- Hubble space telescope. health care reform. For decades, Chair- stant challenge, and Paul and Marcela From commanding missions in space man KENNEDY has worked passionately keep hoping they will catch a break to serving our Nation in the U.S. Ma- on this important cause. And while he soon. rine Corps, Mr. Bolden has displayed could not attend the markup, we felt I heard from Ben, a medical student the experience, leadership skills, and his presence daily in the hearing room. in Providence, who, even at such an know-how to successfully guide NASA And it is to his very great credit that early stage in his medical career, has into the future. we had this success today. witnessed the devastating effect of In addition, Lori Garver is a leader in I am pleased that the final legisla- being uninsured on the health and well- the aerospace industry and has dis- tion reflects the principles outlined by being of his patients.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 14:38 Nov 14, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S15JY9.002 S15JY9 TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD July 15, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 13 17829 Ben shared the story of one of his pa- and our efforts to implement change TAKAKO L. BARRELL ANDREW C. BAXTER tients who delayed treatment because will still face challenges. Certain LINDA L. BLACKMAN he was unable to afford the medical stakeholders, invested in the status MICHAEL T. BOZZO DAVID M. CASSELLA bills. Only a few days later, this pa- quo, will fight back against change; DEBRA A. CHAPPEL tient was rushed to the emergency they will drag their feet; they will mis- PATRICIA A. COBURN JAMIE F. CORNALI room with a life-threatening infection. inform; and they will mobilize—all PATRICIA A. CRANE The treatment to save this man’s life with the singular purpose of defeating FREDERICK L. DAVIDSON LAURA D. DESNOO resulted in much higher costs for the our progress toward comprehensive CHERYL R. EVANS patient and the hospital—costs that health care reform. VERNELL R. FLOODDEYOUNG LISA R. FORD Ben knows may have easily been pre- I know the fight to secure final pas- MELISA A. GANTT vented if the patient was treated when sage of our reform will be contentious, EUGENIO GARCIA, JR. JUANITA GAUSS the condition was in its early stages. but I welcome a vigorous debate on the MICHAEL A. GLADU Ben writes: Senate floor because I also know our JANET D. GOODART MICHELLE D. HAIRSTON It’s these day-to-day decisions to postpone current system has reached a state of REBECCA L. HILFIKER treatment that really hurt the uninsured. disrepair that is putting us at risk—as TERRI J. HOLLOWAYPETTY SHANNON M. JONES Mike from Riverside shared his expe- patients, as families, as competitive DARLENE M. JULKOWSKI rience of surviving cancer that was businesses, and as a nation. And failing LISA LEAZENBY TODD R. LITTLE misdiagnosed and left untreated for to change the status quo is both DENNIS G. LOGAN several years. When he sought a second unsustainable and irresponsible. JUDITH M. LOGAN MICHAEL J. LOUGHREN opinion, the final diagnosis was de- I thank the Presiding Officer, and I MICHAEL E. LUDWIG layed for weeks as his paper medical yield the floor. DARIN S. MARCHOK HENGMO Y. MCCALL records were shuttled from hospital to f ELIZABETH M. MILLER hospital. REBECCA N. MIONE LINDA K. MOORE On top of this frustration, Mike re- ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 9:30 A.M. DANA A. MUNARI ceived the devastating news that his TOMORROW ROBIN R. NEUMEIER PATRICIA A. ONEALMELLEN leg had to be removed to prevent the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- SUSAN ORCUTTCLOFT cancer from spreading further. After DAVID J. PARIS ate stands adjourned until Thursday, NANCY E. PARSON his amputation surgery, Mike is thank- July 16, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. ANTHONY D. PEVERINI ful to be cancer free, but now his finan- JAMES R. POST Thereupon, the Senate, at 8 p.m., ad- ANDREW A. POWELL cial struggles have begun. With med- journed until Thursday, July 16, 2009, JAMES R. REED ical bills and health care premiums RICHARD T. REID at 9:30 a.m. SANDRA M. ROLPH that exceed his monthly mortgage pay- f MILAGROS ROSA ments, Mike is wondering how he will MICHAEL L. SCHLICHER SHARON U. SCOTT make ends meet. NOMINATIONS DOROTHY L. SHACKLEFORD I had coffee with Shirley, a Middle- LORI A. SKINNER Executive nominations received by PAMELA M. SOLETLINDSAY town resident who described her relief the Senate: YOUNGHEE SONG at turning 65. For the past 20 years, she BRITTANY R. SPEERS FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY NANCY M. STEELE and her husband did not have insur- BENJAMIN STINSON ance. As self-employed business owners RICHARD SERINO, OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO BE DEPUTY CYNTHIA L. SVEINE ADMINISTRATOR AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, FED- MARIA M. VANTERPOOL in their fifties, finding affordable in- ERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, DEPART- ERIC H. WATSON MENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, VICE HARVEY E. JOHN- STACY U. WEINA surance options was impossible, so SON, JR., RESIGNED. they went without. They took their JEFFREY L. WELLS IN THE AIR FORCE KIMBERLY E. WILLIAMS chances. SARAH A. WILLIAMSBROWN THE FOLLOWING NAMED INDIVIDUAL FOR APPOINT- JASON S. WINDSOR Now 65 and eligible for Medicare, MENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE REGULAR AIR JOSEPH N. WINTER they finally have peace of mind. Shir- FORCE UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 531(A): REBECCA A. YUREK ley admits she and her husband were To be major THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY lucky to make it through those 20 DAVID A. MACGREGOR MEDICAL SPECIALIST CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., years without serious health problems. IN THE ARMY SECTIONS 624 AND 3064: During our meeting, she urged us to THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICER FOR APPOINTMENT To be lieutenant colonel TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY pass health care reform for the mil- MARY C. ADAMSCHALLENGER UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: lions of hard-working Americans— TERESA L. BRININGER To be colonel SUSAN DAVIS hard-working, middle-class Ameri- DAVID H. DUPLESSIS cans—who are not as fortunate as she NATHANIEL JOHNSON, JR. SANDRA E. KEELIN SHAWN T. LOCKETT THE FOLLOWING NAMED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OF and her husband. JEFFREY P. NELSON THE UNITED STATES OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT TO For these Rhode Islanders—and for MATTHEW G. ST LAURENT THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY DEYDRE S. TEYHEN millions more Americans all over the UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12211: RICHARD A. VILLARREAL country—there has to be a better way. To be colonel DAVID A. WRIGHT We have to do better than 47 million JASON E. JOHNSON THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT uninsured and millions more teetering DOUGLAS C. ROSE, JR. TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY CARY A. SHILLCUTT VETERINARY CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS on the brink. We have to do better than 624 AND 3064: 100,000 people dying each year from THE FOLLOWING NAMED ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT TO To be lieutenant colonel avoidable medical errors. We have to THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE RESERVE OF THE ARMY UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 12203 AND 12211: CHARLES C. DODD do better than health care outcomes HOWARD D. GOBBLE for Americans who are at the bottom of To be colonel STEVEN T. GREINER SHELLEY P. HONNOLD all our industrialized competitors. RICHARD P. ADAMS JERROD W. KILLIAN America can do better than this. With RANDALL B. BRADFORD BRIAN U. KIM KENNETH G. CAMPBELL BRIDGET S. LEWIS this legislation, we believe the process STEVEN W. MILLER NANCY MERRILL GEORGE M. SCHWARTZ MARK L. RICHEY has begun for America to do better MICHAEL J. STEWART than this. PATRICIA Y. RILEY THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT HEATHER A. SERWON The work accomplished today by the TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY MARK A. SMITH HELP Committee is, of course, a first NURSE CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 624 AND JULIE M. STEPHENSDEVALLE 3064: SHANNON A. STUTLER step in a long journey toward restruc- DANIEL C. WAKEFIELD To be lieutenant colonel turing our health care system. The THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT path to meaningful reform will not be KIRSTEN M. ANKE TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY VELVET D. BAKER MEDICAL SERVICE CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SEC- easy. We have many rivers to cross, ELLEN S. BARKSDALE TIONS 624 AND 3064:

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