Daniel Akaka

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I yield 3 minutes to the Senator from Montana, Mr. Tester.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, can you tell me how much time I have remaining?

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, let me make further comments about the pending bill on the floor and speak particularly about the cost of war. To those who are concerned about the cost of this legislation, let me say I firmly believe we cannot renege on the obligation to care for those who honorably serve our country. When we as a nation vote to send American troops to war, we are promising to care for them when they return. The cost of veterans health care is a true cost of war and must be treated as such. The cost associated with the underlying bill does not need to be offset. The price has already been paid many times over by the service of the brave men and women who wore our Nation's uniform. Regardless of what my colleagues may think about the United Nations and its role in international affairs, this is not the time or place to be debating those issues. At this moment, we are talking about meeting veterans' needs. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America agrees. IAVA writes that: The amendment to S. 1963 brought to the floor is just the latest in a long series of delaying tactics that plays political games with veterans' health care and services. This bill would provide family caregivers--who typically have full- time jobs--with health care, counseling, support, and a living stipend. This modest stipend would be equal to what a home health agency would pay an employee to provide similar services. To assert that this legislation requires excessive spending is simply wrong. This spending is critical when taking into account the sacrifices these men and women have made for the Nation. The sponsor of the amendment we are considering has expressed the view that S. 1963 unfairly discriminates against veterans because its caregiver assistance provisions focus on OEF and OIF veterans. While it is correct that the caregiver provisions target the veterans of the current conflicts, I do not believe that constitutes discrimination. The reasons for this targeting, at the least, are three: one, the needs and circumstances of the newest veterans in terms of the injuries are different--different--from those of veterans from earlier eras; two, the family situation of the younger veterans is different from that of older veterans; and three, by targeting this initiative on a specific group of veterans, the likelihood of a successful undertaking is enhanced. I note that most major veterans groups support this bill and the caregiver provisions. I do not believe they would do so if they felt it was discriminatory. As my colleagues know, I am a veteran of World War II. If we can provide help to the newest veterans in ways that were not available to the veterans of my generation, I support that 100 percent. Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are returning home today to face new and different challenges. In World War II, a third of those injured on the battlefield did not make it home. Today, 90 percent of those injured make it home but often with catastrophic and life-threatening injuries. Some of these injuries leave invisible wounds. Unprecedented rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses are affecting these young men and women. These veterans will be cared for somewhere, and by what we do today, we may decide whether that care occurs in a nursing home or in their own home. The soldiers of my generation had no such choice. I say, let's help the Nation's newest veterans to really come home, and let's help their families. According to a report from the Center for Naval Analyses, 84 percent of caregivers for veterans were either working or in school prior to becoming a caregiver. An employed caregiver will lose, on average, more than $600,000 in wages, pension, and Social Security benefits over a ``career'' of caregiving. The younger the veteran's family, the more wages a caregiver will lose. We can no longer ask our newest generation to bear the cost of the Nation's obligation to care for its wounded warriors. The premise of the amendment seems to be, if it is good for some, it is good for all. But the needs of veterans are not the same, and expanding a benefit to any veteran who might benefit could endanger the entire program. The underlying bill already includes a provision directing VA to report to Congress within 2 years after the law's enactment on the feasibility of expanding the provision of caregiver assistance to family members of veterans of prior service. Such an approach is not discriminatory; it is the responsible way to approach the issue. I note that other health care improvements which would result from this bill help virtually every group of veterans, including women veterans, homeless veterans, and veterans who live in rural areas. I urge this body to reject the amendment and pass S. 1963 today for the sake of all our Nation's veterans. Questions have been raised about the scope of the caregiver provision. When the bill came out of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, it included a 2-year delay before the caregiver benefit could have been expanded. The bill as reported said the Secretary of VA could have expanded it to all veterans if it made sense. Under the bill now before us, the Congress will continue to have the opportunity to expand it beyond OEF and OIF veterans. Nothing has changed. Once VA has experience with the proposed new program, it can be expanded to all veterans. Mr. President, I yield the floor and reserve the remainder of my time.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I wish to make further comments on some of the concerns our speakers have had. The sponsor of the amendment has stated his primary goal is to increase veteran eligibility for caregiver assistance. It appears, however, that the amendment could well have the opposite effect and deny caregiver assistance to many OEF/OIF veterans by significantly narrowing the eligibility criteria for caregiver assistance. The amendment would add a provision that would require that in addition to sustaining a serious injury and requiring personal care, a veteran would have to be so helpless as to require institutional care if personal care services were not available. This proposed modification is problematic because not all veterans in need of caregiver assistance would be appropriate for, or in need of, institutional care. To illustrate, consider the example suggested by the Wounded Warrior Project, one of the principal advocates for the caregiver legislation: A veteran who is recovering from severe wounds, suffers from PTSD and depression, and needs help with feeding, dressing, and getting to the bathroom, under the provisions in S. 1963 this veteran would be eligible for caregiver assistance. However, since the veteran in this example would not necessarily benefit from or require institutional or residential care, the veteran would not be eligible for caregiver assistance under the changes proposed by the amendment. Given the veteran's co-occurring PTSD and depression, however, the VA's failure to provide that assistance could have a severe impact on the veteran's mental health and well-being. PTSD, one of the signature wounds of the current war, is a condition which many long-term institutional care settings and nursing homes are not prepared to handle or treat. As a result, the inclusion of this new eligibility condition would exclude many veterans in critical need of caregiver assistance. There is another problem raised by the amendment's proposed expansion of the caregiver assistance to all veterans. By expanding eligibility for caregiver assistance to all severely injured veterans, the amendment would convert a manageable initiative targeted on the veterans of the current conflicts into a huge undertaking that would surely encounter many problems. The reasoning behind initially administering services to a smaller pool allows for greater efficiency and the opportunity to improve before expanding such services to a larger universe of veterans. I note that the Disabled American Veterans argues against the pending amendment because of its potential impact. DAV writes, and I quote: While the amendment proposed by Senator Coburn seeks to extend caregiver services to veterans from all eras, its new restrictive eligibility language could actually reduce the number of severely wounded and disabled veterans returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan eligible for such services. For this and other reasons, DAV does not support the Coburn amendment to S. 1963. I ask unanimous consent that this letter be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, the proponent of this amendment has expressed the view that this veterans omnibus bill should be paid for and seeks to do so by directing a transfer from the State Department to VA of funds appropriated for ``Contributions to International Organizations'' and ``Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities,'' both of which are categories of huge U.S. payments to the United Nations. Regardless of any Senator's beliefs about the role of the United Nations or U.S. support for the U.N., this is neither the time nor place to be debating those issues. For that reason alone, I believe the amendment should be rejected. I understand from CBO, however, this amendment does not even accomplish what I believe the amendment's author intends. According to CBO, the cost of the bill would still be estimated at the same level. According to CBO, having the State Department transfer funds to the VA is no different than having VA fund it through its own appropriations accounts. It also appears that the amendment would change nothing with respect to U.S. payments to the U.N. Again, according to CBO, if the amendment's author wishes to have the State Department transfer funds to VA instead of contributing to the U.N., the amendment would have to be made to the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, and not to the pending measure which is an authorization bill. This legislation has been delayed too long. To continue to obstruct this vital veterans bill while attempting to link it completely to unrelated U.N. spending is simply unacceptable. This amendment should be rejected and S. 1963 should be passed by the Senate. I yield the floor and reserve the remainder of my time.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I wish to make a point of clarification. This bill, the pending measure, is made up of two bills which is now S. 1963. It was S. 252, which was reported in July, and S. 801, which was reported in mid-October. Both bills were held at the time they went onto the calendar. No amendment was prepared to either bill. The first amendment was proposed on Monday of this week, 2 weeks after the bills were combined as S. 1963. In closing, the debate about the United Nations is not one which belongs on a veterans bill. The underlying bill is a bipartisan approach to some of the most urgent issues facing all veterans--for women veterans, for homeless veterans, to help with quality issues, to help rural veterans. This bill, by the way, also includes construction authorization for six major VA construction projects already funded by the VA spending bill. I urge our colleagues to reject the amendment to S. 1963.

Mr. AKAKA. I yield back my time. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I urge our colleagues to reject the pending amendment. For one thing, it appears that the amendment could end up denying caregiver assistance to many OEF/OIF veterans by significantly narrowing the eligibility criteria for caregiver assistance. While the amendment seeks to ``pay for'' the costs associated with this bill, I understand from CBO, however, that this amendment does not even accomplish what I believe the amendment's author intends. Every major veterans group supports the underlying bill because of what it means for all veterans--for women veterans, for homeless veterans, and for veterans of every era. I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, followed by a vote to pass S. 1963.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Dr. Andrea Buck, a physician detailed to the Veterans' Affairs Committee staff from the VA Inspector General's Office be granted the privilege of the floor for the duration of the debate on S. 1963.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to honor and extend my warmest aloha to my colleague, mentor and good friend--Senator Robert C. Byrd--for reaching this unprecedented milestone. My colleague from West Virginia has held the most prestigious and influential positions in this legislative body. Today he is the Senate President Pro Tempore, but we know him as the ``Dean of the Senate.'' We are so lucky to have him--as he continues to maintain the highest standards in Senate decorum and constitutional procedure. Senator Byrd has served this country for nearly a quarter of its existence--56 years, 10 months, 16 days. His dedicated service to his State and this country--and his unrivaled knowledge of parliamentary procedure--continues to be an inspiration to me, and many others in Congress and to people around the country. Senator Byrd's inspiring story is rooted in his modest upbringing and steadfast determination to serve his country. Growing up, his parents' taught him the value of hard work. He worked as a butcher and grocer, won election to the West Virginia Legislature, then to Congress. His work ethic allowed him to earn a law degree from American University--while serving in the House. But he is not all work. Senator Byrd and I share a love for music and the arts. He is an accomplished musician. His amazing fiddle playing was even showcased at the Grand Ole Opry. He is a man of great faith. We have attended Senate Prayer Breakfast together for many years. His favorite hymn is ``Old Rugged Cross.'' I have enjoyed singing it with him a number of times. He is a scholar in the history of democracy and our country. Senator Byrd often cites our founding fathers and Greek philosophers to remind us of where we have come from. He always carries a copy of the Constitution in his pocket. When I was a freshman Senator in 1990, he generously helped me learn the ways of this great institution. I still have the notes he gave me on how to preside--always insisting that we follow the proper, time-tested procedures--and that we give our full attention to the Senate floor. His years of masterful legislation have become such a consistent force in this lawmaking body that he has his own procedural budget rule named after him: The Byrd Rule. Senator Byrd is an embodiment of the democratic spirit. We have looked to him for his steady leadership for so many years, and as our country faces new 21st century challenges, we are fortunate that we still have his wisdom today. It is a pleasure to serve with him. I again want to extend my aloha and my congratulations to Senator Robert C. Byrd for this amazing milestone. Thank you for what you do for this institution Senator Byrd. I look forward to the future together with you. God bless you, Robert Byrd.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, this Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for 2010 rightfully prioritizes the health care of the Nation's wounded warriors by substantially increasing discretionary health care spending for fiscal year 2010. This bill includes a $45.1 billion appropriation for the Veterans Health Administration that will enable VA to treat an estimated 6.1 million patients in 2010, including $533 million to support the enrollment of 266,000 nondisabled, modest-income veterans. This funding furthers the Administration's goal of enrolling more than 500,000 of these previously ineligible veterans by 2013. In addition to enrolling more veterans of modest means, this bill provides for $440 million to improve the health of rural veterans. The 2010 Milcon-VA Appropriations Act includes a total of $34.7 billion for medical services, $4.8 billion for construction, and $580 million for medical and prosthetic research. Total discretionary spending will be increased over $3.9 billion above the fiscal year 2009 enacted level. I am delighted that for the first time VA will receive advance appropriations--an additional $48.2 billion in for fiscal year 2011-- for three VA medical care accounts. This coincides with the landmark legislation, Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, which was signed into law as Public Law 111-81 by the President on October 22, 2009. Funding VA health care in advance will go a long way toward rectifying the chronic underfunding of VA health care, which has left so many of the Nation's veterans with unmet health care needs. This bill fully funds VA's research programs. The $580 million appropriation for VHA research represents a $70 million increase from the fiscal year 2009 enacted level and an amount equal to the budget request. Through these funds, VA will be able to pursue targeted research goals like developing better prosthetic devices for the younger veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. VA can continue research into conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and gulf war Illness. In addition, VA can continue to recruit and retain quality health care providers, as over three-quarters of VA's researchers also provide direct patient care. I am pleased that this bill contains an amendment I offered that will extend VA's authority to operate the Manila VA Regional Office. Earlier this year, over 60 years after the end of the World War II, surviving Filipino World War II veterans finally received a measure of compensation for their service in the form of a one-time lump sum payment. These past months have demonstrated that dispersing these payments has been an enormous challenge, with multiple steps to authenticate the service of these World War II veterans. Unfortunately, VA's authority to operate the Manila VA Regional Office will expire on December 31, 2009. There remains much work to be done in order to continue processing claims and ensuring these veterans are awarded benefits they have waited six long decades to receive. For this and other purposes, the operational authority of the Manila Regional Office must be extended. The Manila Regional Office currently administers compensation, pension, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and education benefits to over 18,000 beneficiaries. In addition, VA also administers Social Security in the Philippines. Keeping this facility fully functioning is necessary for these deserving individuals to receive critical veterans' benefits as well to carry out an integral part of the U.S. mission to the Republic of the Philippines. I extend my deepest thanks to the staff of the Manila Regional Office who have continued to demonstrate unwavering dedication to their duty to assist Filipino World War II veterans and indeed all veterans who apply for benefits from VA. Finally, I mention Senator Burr's amendment, included in the underlying bill, that would directly support efforts to address homelessness among our Nation's veterans. His provisions, of which I am a cosponsor, are offset by funds currently allocated for administrative costs for an existing homeless program that is essentially defunct--the Multifamily Transitional Housing Loan Guarantee Program. I will be working with Senator Burr in the future to ensure that the unspent money for this program--$43 million--can be used for more active homeless programs, such as the Grant and Per Diem Program. In closing, I thank Senators Johnson and Hutchison, the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Senators Inouye and Cochran, the chair and ranking member of the Appropriations Committee; and their staffs for their hard work in putting this bill together and for working to incorporate important veterans-related provisions in the package. Additionally, I thank the Members who filed VA-related amendments who worked with the Veterans' Affairs Committee to come to agreement on issues that could be addressed in this bill.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside.

Mr. AKAKA. I call up amendment No. 2740 and ask for its consideration.

Mr. AKAKA. I yield the floor.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, today I acknowledge three sons of Hawaii. They are remarkable individuals and leaders in the U.S. Military HIV Research Program. COL Nelson Michael, COL Jerome Kim, and COL Merlin Robb have worked vigorously to develop a safe and effective AIDS vaccine that has become a true glimmer of hope paving the way for significant advances in our fight against this disease. These three men, along with the entire U.S. Military HIV Research Program worked side by side with the Thai Ministry of Public Health to conduct the largest study worldwide, a 6-year vaccine field trial held in Thailand--historically one of the countries hardest hit by AIDS. And Hawaii became a vital midpoint and meeting place for Thai and U.S. military researchers as experts from both Thailand and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Maryland worked tirelessly to move this initiative forward. The study consisted of 16,000 volunteers and tested two vaccines, one that prepares the immune system by training cells to recognize and destroy the virus and one that intensifies that response. The study found that the two-vaccine approach proved to be 31-percent effective in preventing HIV infection. COL Nelson Michael, M.D., Ph.D, is a Punahou High School graduate and his father, Jerrold Michael was dean of the University of Hawaii School of Public Health. Colonel Michael is currently the director of the division of retrovirology at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Prior to serving as director, he was the chief of the department of molecular diagnostics and pathogenesis. COL Jerome Kim, M.D., is an Iolani High School graduate and a clinical associate professor of medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii. He is deputy director and chief of the department of molecular virology and pathogenesis, division of retrovirology at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. COL Merlin Robb, M.D., is a Radford High School graduate and a program director for the HJF HIV U.S. Military HIV Research Program. Dr. Robb is a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army Medical Corps and serves as assistant professor of pediatrics, department of pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, USU, in Bethesda, MD. The published study results were presented at the AIDS Vaccine Conference 2009 held in Paris, France, and show great promise as we all look to one day soon make this disease part of our past. Congratulations to all of you for your hard work and continued service.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 190, S. 1963, at a time to be determined by the majority leader following consultation with the Republican leader, and that when the bill is considered, it be under the following limitations: that general debate on the bill be limited to 60 minutes equally divided and controlled between the chair and the ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee or their designees; that the only amendments in order be six first-degree germane amendments, three each for the majority manager or his designee, and Senator Coburn; that debate on each amendment be limited to 40 minutes, equally divided and controlled in the usual form; that upon disposition of all amendments and the use or yielding back of all time, the bill as amended, if amended, be read a third time and the Senate then proceed to vote on passage of the bill with no further intervening action or debate.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed as in morning business.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I have come to the floor today to discuss an important veterans' bill. Before I do so, I wish to express my great sadness about the horrible tragedy yesterday at Fort Hood. My thoughts and prayers are with those wounded, the families of those killed, and to all the soldiers and civilians defending our great nation at Fort Hood. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I take my responsibility to the Nation's veterans very seriously. We are an active committee and are working hard to make improvements in VA care and benefits. I am delighted to note that the President signed the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 into law last month. This measure will provide timely and predictable funding for the veterans health care system. I am grateful to all who worked on this, including the committee's ranking member, and the Veterans Service Organizations, that made this one of their priorities. Despite this success, we, as a committee, have not been able to achieve action on S. 1963, the proposed Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act of 2009. This vitally important veterans' health bill is being held up by a single Senator. Each day that this measure is delayed, means that vital benefits for veterans are delayed. This is a bipartisan bill, the provisions of which were reported by the committee as S. 801 and S. 252, with the full support of our ranking member, Senator Burr. This bill is supported by many veterans' organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Various other advocates support this bill, as well, including the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs, the Brain Injury Association of America, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and many others. By blocking S. 1963, this single senator is denying veterans many benefits and services. One of the key benefits is caregiver assistance for our most seriously wounded veterans. The committee continues to hear about family members who quit their jobs, go through their savings, and lose their health insurance, as they stay home to care for their wounded family members. For those family members who manage to keep their jobs, their employers, including many small businesses already struggling in these economic times, lose money from absenteeism and declining productivity. The toll on the caregivers, who try to do it all, can be measured in higher rates of depression, and poor health as they struggle to care for these wounded warriors, an obligation that ultimately belongs to the government. This legislation fulfills VA's obligation to care for the nation's wounded veterans, by providing their caregivers with counseling, support, and a living stipend. The measure also provides health care to the family caregivers of injured veterans. These caregivers deserve our support and assistance. As a representative of the Wounded Warrior project said in testimony before the committee, ``The time has surely come to create a robust, nationwide wounded warrior family caregiver program to address the urgent needs of these family members.'' S. 1963 creates such a program. By blocking S. 1963, this Senator is also blocking benefits specifically for women veterans. This bill, and Senator Murray has been a leader on this, would do a number of things, such as increase funding for mental health care for women who suffered military sexual trauma, and for medical services for newborn children. With the help of Senator Tester, this bill also would improve access to care in rural areas. States which have an especially high number of veterans living in rural areas, such as Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Virginia, Idaho, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, would benefit greatly from these programs. The bill also attacks another problem, that of homeless veterans. On any given night we know that more than 130,000 veterans are homeless. We know that homelessness is often a consequence of multiple factors, including unstable family supports, job loss, and health problems. S. 1963 would also create programs to help ease the burden of veteran homelessness, including programs aimed at outreach so that veterans know that they are eligble for benefits. This lone Senator also is blocking provisions that would improve quality controls for VA health care, from the facility level to the national level. Two years ago, the VA hospital in Marion, IL, hadnine veterans die following surgery. The VA's inspector general found that the Marion VA's quality controls were not adequate to ensure that veterans received good quality care. This month, the IG published another report on the Marion hospital, finding that it still did not have adequate quality controls. It is time for this body to act, so that no more veterans receive less than the best care VA can provide. Senator Durbin drafted provisions in this bill that will help improve overall quality management so as to help fix the problems at Marion and other facilities. S. 1963 would provide uniform allowances for VA police officers. Many organizations have expressed support for these provisions, including the Fraternal Order of Police. VA police officers ensure the security of veterans and their families while they are visiting VA hospitals and clinics. To refuse to provide for these officers because it is too expensive is not only penny-wise and pound-foolish, it cheapens the sacrifices of these uniformed officers and the Nation's veterans who are protected by them. While I understand that the Senator who is refusing to agree to allow this bill to go forward questions the cost of the underlying bill, I would say that we cannot now turn our back on the obligation to care for those who fought in those efforts. When we, as a body, vote to send American troops to war, we are promising to care for them when they return. I firmly believe the cost of veterans' benefits and services is a true cost of war and must be treated as such. We are preparing to observe Veterans Day. Let us remember that we owe our veterans our gratitude and appreciation year round, and not merely on the day set aside for the commemoration of their service and sacrifice. It would be truly disgraceful if veterans were made to feel forgotten except for this 1 day per year. Indeed, our gratitude should be as steadfast as the great monuments that Americans have built in commemoration of the very service and sacrifices our veterans made. There should be no ambivalence in our attitude toward those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. And this legislation should be immediately cleared by the Senate.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I support the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010. This bill's priorities will protect America from terrorism and violent crime; create jobs for Americans by investing in the Nation's scientific infrastructure and in new technologies; and ensure a timely and accurate 2010 decennial census. In Hawaii, as in the rest of the Nation, sexual and domestic violence unfortunately persists, bringing with it the need for programs and services that address such violence and meet the needs of victims. For nearly four decades, the Sexual Assault Response Services of the Hawaii County and Kauai County YWCAs, have offered a 24/7 sexual assault hotline, 24/7 on-call crisis intervention, and support for victims of sexual assault and violence through the medical examination and legal services process, individual/group therapeutic counseling, and case management. I am therefore thankful that this bill includes $400,000 to enable the Hawaii and Kauai County YWCAs to continue their critically needed services. Like other political jurisdictions across the Nation, Hawaii has pursued collaborative, community based delinquency prevention programs targeted to at-risk youth. To address this need the bill includes $300,000 for Ka Wili Pu (Native Hawaiian for ``the blend'') a project that would provide 400 at-risk youth on Maui with adult guidance and adult role models and one-on-one instruction to bolster their self- esteem, self-confidence, school attendance, and academic performance and dissuade them from becoming truants and dropouts. By encouraging at-risk youth to remain in school, fulfill their promise, and avoid a problematic future with few meaningful options, Ka Wili Pu promotes a healthier and more stable society. Recognizing that children and elderly adults can become lost and disoriented in the urban and suburban areas of Hawaii, $500,000 is provided for A Child Is Missing--ACIM--Hawaii. ACIM currently operates in 49 States but not in Hawaii, where its advanced telephone-based computer system only recently became available. That system can place 1,000 phone calls every 60 seconds to residences and businesses in the area where a missing child or adult was last seen. This initiative will provide that critical rapid response to assist law enforcement agencies in Hawaii to locate missing children and adults. I am also pleased that $500,000 was included in this legislation for the State Courts Improvement Initiative of the National Center or to Courts, NCSC. The NCSC was founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices, CCJ, the Conference of State Court Administrators, COSCA, and former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. Today, the NCSC serves as a think tank, forum, and voice for 30,000 judges, and 20,000 courthouses, in the State court system in the 50 States, DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa, where annually 98 percent of court filings are submitted. This request funds the implementation of the NCSC's State Courts Improvement Initiative, which will increase support services to judges, administrators and other personnel in the state court system. Improving the operations of the state courts will help shape Americans' understanding of and confidence in the Nation's judicial system. Because there may be Hawaii prisoners with credible claims to actual innocence who have exhausted their appellate rights and their rights to counsel, the bill includes $300,000 for the Hawaii Innocence Project. Founded in 2005 by Hawaii attorneys in partnership with the William S. Richardson School of Law, this project, in which law students work alongside practicing criminal defense attorneys, provides pro bono assistance to Hawaii prisoners who no longer have access to legal resources but who may be innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted, and whose innocence may now be proven through technology unavailable at the time of their trials. The possible exoneration of any wrongfully convicted individual will help to serve the cause of justice. The Violence Against Women Act, VAWA, acknowledges that immigrant women, particularly indigent women, are a specific and often overlooked at-risk group. In Hawaii, the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center, HIJC, is the only agency providing pro bono civil legal services to indigent immigrants, particularly immigrant women who are victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. For many years, the HIJC has coordinated and delivered comprehensive assistance to indigent immigrant women through a cost-effective delivery of legal, medical, psychological, and social services that would otherwise have required the intervention of a range of other public agencies and at far greater cost. I am pleased that this bill includes $200,000 for the HIJC to enable the agency to continue to perform its good work, which not only assists immigrant victims of sexual violence but places them on a path to self- sufficiency that will, in time and over the long term, mitigate the effects of crime and promote family and social stability. All in all, the fiscal year 2010 Department of Justice-related appropriations will help Hawaii to discourage delinquency and crime, bring criminals to justice, address and meet the needs of victims, and promote a fairer and more just society. Funding included in this bill also bolsters advancements in science and technology, as well as enhances U.S. competitiveness. I am proud to have worked with Senator Inouye to secure resources that support ecosystem based management, preserve the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal, strengthen our understanding of climate change, improve warning systems for public safety, and further science education at the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center. These programs will inform our decisions on how we manage our resources, as well as understand and interact with our natural environment. Maintaining healthy ecosystems that extend into our oceans is important. Coral reef ecosystems provide benefits by protecting coastal communities, sustaining fisheries, and preserving biodiversity. Hawaii's coral reefs generate more than $360 million a year on reef related tourism and fisheries activities. To ensure this natural resource is preserved, $2.250 million is provided in this bill to conduct studies that will enable scientists to develop predictive management tools for the conservation and management of healthy coral reef ecosystems in Hawaii and develop best practices to restore reefs where human related activities result in reef ecosystem decline. This initiative will help ensure that these reefs are protected and managed well, while also empowering coastal communities across the country to minimize human impact on our reefs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will receive $4 million in this bill to continue the implementation of the Hawaiian monk seal recovery plan. The Hawaiian monk seal, endemic to Hawaii, is the most endangered seal in the country and one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. In the last 50 years the Hawaiian monk seal population has fallen by 60 percent, with a current population of less than 1,200 individual seals. Funding will address female and juvenile monk seal survival and enhancement, as well as efforts to minimize monk seal mortality. Further, these funds will strengthen coordinated regional office efforts for field response teams and enhance implementation of the 2007 recovery plan. We know that there are significant effects of climate change, especially in Hawaii and the Pacific region. As island communities, sea level rise, coral bleaching, and severe weather associated with climate change have unique impacts on the public safety, economic development, and health of our ecosystems and wildlife. Fortunately, $1.5 million is provided in the bill for the International Pacific Research Center at the University of Hawaii to conduct systematic and reliable climatographic research for the Pacific. Improving our understanding of climate variability empowers us to use data and models to mitigate adverse impacts. Given Hawaii's geographic isolation, having warning systems in place to address public safety needs is critical. In order to focus on response and preparedness needs, I worked to ensure that $2 million was provided to foster the development of infrasound as a warning tool for natural hazards. As a joint initiative by the University of Hawaii and University of Mississippi, infrasound technology has the potential to minimize the catastrophic human and economic loss resulting from a natural disaster. The objective is to develop technologies for infrasound warning systems for emergency organizations and traffic control agencies. Potential applications of infrasound monitoring may include volcanic eruptions, gulf coast hurricane tracking, tsunami infrasound warning, acoustic monitoring of ocean swells, infrasonic tornado detection, and other natural disasters such as avalanches and wild fires. Development of this technology and lessons learned can help enhance existing warning systems nationwide. Developing interest in science by our Nation's youth at an early age ensures that they are better prepared to pursue and excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. In an effort to cultivate a life-long interest in science and learning, $2.5 million is provided to expand astronomy and culture exhibits, as well as to develop community and educational programming at the Imiloa Astronomy Center. This endeavor is a joint initiative supported by partners including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This program will serve as a model that integrates university/research institution resources with community learning needs using the center as a catalyst to engage and educate students and the general community. Further, this initiative increases public understanding and enjoyment of science research, while supporting the national priority of attracting more students into science and technology related fields. In conclusion, I would like to thank the senior Senator from Hawaii and the senior Senator from Mississippi, the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Appropriations Committee, as well as the senior Senator from Maryland and the senior Senator from Alabama, the Chairwoman and ranking member, respectively, for the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, for their support in funding these important priorities for Hawaii and for their efforts in developing and managing this bill through the legislative process.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, Senator Voinovich and I have offered a floor amendment to S. 806, the Federal Executive Board Authorization Act of 2009, to clearly authorize and provide guidance for the existing work of Federal Executive Boards, FEBs, in emergency preparedness and continuity of operations, COOP.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, as Senator Voinovich has mentioned, FEBs already participate in a range of emergency preparedness efforts. These include working with OPM and individual agencies to develop COOP plans and taking other actions to prepare the Federal workforce for and protect them from public health dangers, inclement weather, and other emergencies. In 2004, the Government Accountability Office, GAO, released a report on COOP planning in the federal sector, which recognized that FEBs are uniquely positioned to coordinate emergency preparedness efforts among the Federal workforce, given their responsibility for improving coordination among federal activities outside of Washington, D.C. Following GAO's recommendation, OPM and the Federal Emergency Management Agency began more closely coordinating their efforts to improve guidance to federal agencies on emergency preparation and COOP. Our amendment recognizes and provides guidance for such coordination. Specifically, our amendment requires FEBs to facilitate communication and collaboration on emergency preparedness and COOP activities for the Federal workforce in areas where FEBs exist. Our amendment also requires each FEB to develop relationships with State and local governments and nongovernmental organizations to help fulfill the roles and responsibilities of that FEB, and requires that the communication, collaboration, and training to prepare the Federal workforce for emergencies and COOP be defined through memoranda of understanding, MOU, between the Director of OPM and the headquarters of appropriate agencies when necessary. We do not intend for MOUs to be created for every activity that FEBs participate in, nor with every agency participating in FEBs. As the substitute amendment states, MOUs should be created where appropriate. OPM may need MOUs with those agencies with which FEBs coordinate most actively because they play a substantial role in preparing the Federal workforce for emergencies and COOP.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I thank my good friend and colleague from Ohio for entering into this colloquy. Recognizing FEBs' role in emergency preparedness operations is important to supporting their efforts to prepare our Federal workforce. Again, I want to say mahalo to Senator Voinovich for his leadership on this important legislation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I am introducing landmark legislation that will provide critical assistance to veterans and their family caregivers. The Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009, contains provisions from S. 252, the Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009, and S. 801, the Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act of 2009. The Committee reported both S. 252 and S. 801, and but they are being held by a single Senator. Today, I reintroduce these vital improvements to veterans' health care as S. 1963. The bipartisan provisions contained in S. 1963 provide needed assistance and support to family members and others who are serving as caregivers for the most seriously injured veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This assistance includes health care, counseling, support and a living stipend. They also expand services for women veterans, those with traumatic brain injury, and veterans that live in rural areas. Because the Nation's veterans and their caregivers cannot wait any longer for this help, I am introducing S. 1963, and asking that it be immediately placed on the Calendar. S. 1963 has one simple theme: that every veteran deserves access to high quality health care, whether that care is provided by VA, or by a family caregiver. The Congress has previously recognized the contributions of caregivers. S. 1963 also contains many other important veterans' health improvements, including expanding services for women veterans; telemedicine technologies; transportation grants; and scholarship and loan repayment programs; and eliminating copayments for catastrophically disabled veterans. States which have an especially high number of veterans living in rural areas, such as Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Virginia, Idaho, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, would benefit greatly from the provisions in the bill which are designed to improve health care for rural veterans.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I am introducing landmark legislation that will provide critical assistance to veterans and their family caregivers. The Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009, contains provisions from S. 252, the Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009, and S. 801, the Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act of 2009. The Committee reported both S. 252 and S. 801, and but they are being held by a single Senator. Today, I reintroduce these vital improvements to veterans' health care as S. 1963. The bipartisan provisions contained in S. 1963 provide needed assistance and support to family members and others who are serving as caregivers for the most seriously injured veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This assistance includes health care, counseling, support and a living stipend. They also expand services for women veterans, those with traumatic brain injury, and veterans that live in rural areas. Because the Nation's veterans and their caregivers cannot wait any longer for this help, I am introducing S. 1963, and asking that it be immediately placed on the Calendar. S. 1963 has one simple theme: that every veteran deserves access to high quality health care, whether that care is provided by VA, or by a family caregiver. The Congress has previously recognized the contributions of caregivers. S. 1963 also contains many other important veterans' health improvements, including expanding services for women veterans; telemedicine technologies; transportation grants; and scholarship and loan repayment programs; and eliminating copayments for catastrophically disabled veterans. States which have an especially high number of veterans living in rural areas, such as Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Virginia, Idaho, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, would benefit greatly from the provisions in the bill which are designed to improve health care for rural veterans.