Daniel Akaka

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to hold a hearing on community services and supports for people with disabilities during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at 10 a.m. in room 106 of the Dirksen Senate office building.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at 10 a.m. in room 406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in order to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Lessons Learned from Chemical Safety Board (CSB) Investigations including Texas City, TX.''

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at 10 a.m. in order to conduct a hearing titled ``FEMA's Project Worksheets: addressing a prominent obstacle to the gulf coast rebuilding.''

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia be authorized to meet on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. in order to conduct a hearing entitled, ``From Warehouse to Warfighter: an update on supply chain management at DoD.''

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that my Defense fellow, Mr. Rob Elliott, be given full floor privileges for the remainder of the debate on the fiscal year 2008 Defense authorization bill.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I have often said that one of my roles as a Senator is to reflect Hawaii, and show people the meaning of aloha through my own actions. Aloha is not passive, it is not easy, but it can make a difference in people's lives. I am reminded of just how inspiring and effective aloha can be by one of my constituents, William Clay Park. I remember seeing Clay at a Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing on the island of Oahu last year. I was impressed by how he exemplified the spirit of aloha. More recently, Clay was featured in Hawaii Business Magazine for his personal story, and his professional work for Hawaii's veterans. I will ask to have the text of this article in Hawaii Business Magazine printed in the Record following my statement. Clay was born and raised in Hawaii, rooted in the Native Hawaiian values of his ``ohana,'' or family. As a young man he joined the Army, and served in the Vietnam war. The war took a toll on Clay, but after leaving the Army he joined the National Guard, and started what would become a 30-year career with VA as a dental lab technician. In 2003, Clay had retired from VA and the National Guard, and that could have been the end of his career of serving his country and his fellow veterans. Instead, he answered a call from a friend and learned that Helping Hands Hawaii, a nonprofit social services organization, was in need of help. Once at Helping Hands Hawaii, he realized that Hawaii veterans needed someone like himself to help them through the bureaucratic maze of VA benefits. They also needed someone with his kind of aloha. Although he has only been with Helping Hands Hawaii for a few years, Clay's colleagues can already tell scores of stories about the length he will go to in order to reach veterans and help them. Those stories include hiking through Hawaii's dense forests in search of disconnected veterans who have taken to the bush. While many people pass by homeless veterans on their city streets, Clay makes it his responsibility to reach out to them, and get them the help they need. The greatest price of war are its human costs, and many veterans pay that price long after they have returned from service. Our Nation needs more people like Clay Park, to show veterans that a grateful Nation is not willing to let them be forgotten, and will provide a helping hand when they need one. Mahalo Clay, for being an example of the resilience and power of aloha. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have the aforementioned article from Hawaii Business Magazine printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I congratulate and extend my warmest aloha to Dr. Ramon Sy, who was selected as Hawaii's national recipient of the Jefferson Award. The Jefferson Award is a prestigious award recognizing and honoring individuals for their contributions to community and public service. Dr. Sy, through his Aloha Medical Mission, has helped to provide medical treatment to thousands of individuals in the Pacific and Asia, who are unable to access modern medical care due to cost or availability. A native of the Philippines, Dr. Sy and seven other members of the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii established the Aloha Medical Mission in 1983. The Aloha Medical Mission provides voluntary medical, surgical, and other health-related services, which include the donation of supplies and equipment, to medically indigent areas of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In addition to providing access to health services, the Aloha Medical Mission also provides training to physicians overseas and through an exchange fellowship program in Honolulu, HI. Dr. Sy is responsible for furthering the development of the Aloha Medical Mission from a small group of doctors to an organization well known within the international community. Since the establishment of the Aloha Medical Mission, Dr. Sy and his colleagues have served in 11 countries, treated 200,000 patients, and performed over 9,000 operations. His commitment to ensuring that medical care is accessible in both Hawaii and abroad demonstrates his compassion and undying concern for others. He is an inspiration to all because of his willingness to embrace the problems of those less fortunate. I hope that many will aspire to follow Dr. Sy's example by making a commitment to making a difference. I thank Dr. Sy for his dedication and quality efforts and extend the same gratitude to all the members of the Aloha Medical Mission. I wish Dr. Sy and his family the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to support the amendment offered by Senator Tester and Senator Baucus to remove the provisions in the immigration bill relating to REAL ID. I am pleased to cosponsor this amendment, and I applaud Senators Tester and Baucus for their efforts. I have very strong concerns with REAL ID; namely, the burdensome mandate on State and local governments and the impact REAL ID will have on Americans' privacy and civil liberties. I have introduced legislation, S. 717, the Identification Security Enhancement Act, with Senators Sununu, Leahy, Tester, and Baucus, to repeal the unworkable REAL ID and replace it with a more realistic process to secure identification cards and driver's licenses. As such, I am deeply concerned about the provisions in the immigration bill that would mandate REAL ID given the fact that 15 States have passed legislation rejecting REAL ID. Under the immigration bill, every employee in America must present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license by 2013 to begin a new job. This, of course, is problematic as it is unfair to employees and States that have rejected REAL ID. It is also impossible for States to implement REAL ID by the year 2013. In testimony before the Senate Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee in March, the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures, in addition to the mayor of the city and county of Honolulu, called for a 10-year reenrollment period. The 5-year period contemplated by the REAL ID proposed regulations, as well as by the immigration bill before the Senate now, is part of what is contributing to the $23 billion unfunded mandate in the States. Moreover, given the numerous problems with REAL ID, expanding the official uses of this card to the employment context will only make the card more attractive for counterfeiting and misuse. With the vast amount of personally identifiable information to be stored on the REAL ID card, I fear such action will only ensure that the cards provide one-stop shopping for identity thieves. Congress must act to address the fundamental flaws with REAL ID and provide realistic and workable solutions to ensure that States have the resources to secure licenses and that such efforts protect our privacy and civil liberties. I look forward to working with my colleagues to do so in the near future. However, regardless of one's position on REAL ID, it is impracticable to tie our immigration reform efforts to a flawed program that States cannot implement. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to remove provisions in the immigration bill relating to REAL ID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that following my remarks, the following Senators be recognized for the times specified: Senator Sessions for up to 15 minutes, Senator Webb for up to 10 minutes, and Senator McCaskill for up to 10 minutes.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I am deeply saddened at the passing of my dear friend, Wyoming's senior Member, Senator Craig Thomas. We have lost a truly dear and courageous Member of this body, whose absence will be felt. I had the pleasure of serving with Senator Thomas for many years, both in the U.S. House of Representatives and here in the Senate since his election in 1994. I found him to be a true statesman, of great character, with a passion for serving others. He grew up on a ranch in Cody, WY, and never forgot his roots, as he continuously advocated for rural communities and our natural resources. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in agriculture, and served our country proudly for 4 years in the Marines. During his tenure in Congress, he forged a distinguished legislative record on issues as diverse as public land management, agriculture, fiscal responsibility and rural health care. It was a great pleasure and honor to serve with Senator Thomas on the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, both when he was chairman and I was the ranking member, and most recently, when our roles were reversed this Congress. Working with Senator Thomas was a joy and privilege due to his positive and optimistic attitude. We were able to accomplish many notable things during our tenure together, as we always worked in a bipartisan manner, putting the needs and challenges of the parks and public lands before all else. I also had the privilege of working with Senator Thomas on the Indian Affairs Committee. As the ranking member of the committee, he took seriously his responsibility to address the needs of our country's indigenous people. Knowing of the challenges faced by our Native communities throughout the country, he worked tirelessly to improve their quality of life. I extend my heartfelt condolences and deepest aloha to Senator Thomas's wife Susan and their four children. They should be proud that he lived a full and purposeful life, and had a positive impact on the lives of so many. He will be sorely missed. Our prayers and support are with them as they walk down this difficult path.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, as chairman of the Federal Workforce Subcommittee, I would like to recognize a milestone in the career of a dedicated and committed public servant. Mark Stephens, an attorney with the Postal Regulatory Commission's Office of General Counsel, is retiring after a 33-year career. He joined the former Postal Rate Commission in 1974, and participated in the analysis and review of numerous postal rate, classification, and complaint cases. Mark proudly notes that he started his Federal service career as a letter carrier for the old Post Office Department where he worked for three months during the summer of 1968. During his long tenure with the Commission, Mark also served in the Office of Consumer Advocate. Mark's colleagues point to his professionalism, analytical and writing ability, and character as the embodiment of the finest qualities of public service. His insights and thoughtful counsel made a substantial contribution to the Commission's successful fulfillment of its statutory responsibilities. Mark has been a valued colleague to those at the Commission and his retirement will leave a void that will be difficult to fill. Upon leaving the Postal Regulatory Commission, Mark intends to spend more time with his family, but will likely continue to monitor the progress of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 which significantly enhanced the authority of the PRC. Mark Stephens is a public servant who made a difference, and I wish him much future success.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I thank the chairman for bringing this forward. My amendment seeks to address and resolve an immigration issue that, while rooted in a set of historical circumstances that occurred more than seven decades ago, still, and sadly, remains unresolved today. It is an issue of great concern to all Americans who care about justice and fairness. It goes back to 1941, when President Roosevelt issued an Executive order, drafting more than 200,000 Filipino citizens into the United States military. During the course of the war, it was understood that the Filipino soldiers would be treated like their American comrades in arms and be eligible for the same benefits. But this has never occurred. In 1990, the World War II service of Filipino veterans was finally recognized by the U.S. Government and they were offered an opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship. Today we have 7,000 Filipino World War II veterans in the United States. The opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship was not extended to the veterans' sons and daughters, about 20,000 of whom have been waiting for their visas for years. While the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 raises the worldwide ceiling for family-based visas, the fact remains that many of the naturalized Filipino World War II veterans residing in the United States are in their eighties and nineties, and their children should be able to come to America to take care of their parents. My amendment makes this possible. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and to make this come through for our Filipino veterans and their families.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation that will create opportunities in the development and use of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies. I want to thank my colleagues Senator Murkowski and Senator Snowe for cosponsoring this measure. We must work to encourage the production of clean, nongreenhouse gas emitting renewable energy. Ocean energy has the potential to be one of the largest sources of low-cost renewable energy in the United States by utilizing the power generated by waves in our oceans and major rivers, as well as tidal, current, and thermal power to generate turbine-powered electricity. As we look at ways to increase our renewable energy portfolio as a Nation, and decrease our dependence on oil, we would be remiss if we did not fully research and utilize the power that could be harnessed through water resources. I am acutely aware of this need in Hawaii, as we are an island State with finite natural resources, and who understand the necessity of environmentally friendly solutions to our energy problems. The ocean sits at our doorstep, providing us with sustenance in many different forms. To ignore the potential it can offer as a major source of renewable clean energy, not only in Hawaii, but for our entire country, would be a waste. While the Energy Policy Act of 2005 qualified ocean energy for research assistance, grants and the federal purchase credit, various forms of ocean energy projects have yet to receive equitable funding. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, ocean energy has the potential to generate 252 million megawatt hours of electricity. This represents 6.5 percent of today's entire energy portfolio. European nations, such as Portugal and Scotland, have successfully implemented commercial wave farms that are consistently producing clean power for consumer use. While the technology is not developed to the fullest, there is great potential. However, ocean energy projects do not enjoy a production tax credit, an investment tax credit, or any other financial incentive currently being utilized by wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and other renewable energy resources. This bill levels the playing field allowing ocean energy projects to be eligible for the financial and tax incentives that other renewable technologies receive. This will allow ocean energy projects to compete equitably in the future with other forms of renewable energy. In order to work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels, we must do all that we can to encourage the development and production of many different renewable energy technologies, such as ocean, wind, geothermal, biomass, ethanol, and others. Achieving our goals will only be possible if we approach the problem from many angles, and together, we will make an impact. I encourage my colleagues to support this measure. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, we are approaching Memorial Day, a time to honor those servicemembers who gave their very lives--what Abraham Lincoln described as ``the last full measure of devotion.'' When Lincoln spoke those words, he was dedicating a modest ``soldiers cemetery'' in a Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg. Today Gettysburg and the address Lincoln gave there hold a special place in our national memory. In fewer than 300 words, President Lincoln delivered one of the most famous speeches in the history of this great Republic. In that speech, Lincoln said what was known: that it is good and right to dedicate a place to honor the brave servicemembers who rest beneath it. But more importantly, he put into words what was felt: that the best way to honor the dead is to remember their sacrifices, and dedicate our lives to the Nation for which they gave their lives. What we now call Memorial Day was begun in the aftermath of that war, with two dozen cities and towns across the United States laying claim to being the birthplace of what was then called Decoration Day. Generations later, America paused in the aftermath of World War I, a massive conflict that inspired the poem, ``In Flanders Field,'' about the lives the war took and the bond between the living and the dead. That poem roused the convictions of an American teacher named Moina Michael, who clung to the image of the red poppies in Flanders Field, which grew above the graves of World War I servicemembers. Miss Michael vowed to ``keep the faith'' with those who had died and to wear a red poppy as a sign of that pledge. She recorded her commitment in a poem she called ``We Shall Keep the Faith,'' which reads, in part: We Cherish, too, the poppy red, That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies Miss Michael spent the rest of her life raising money for veterans and survivors in need, by selling red poppies to honor the men and women who gave their lives in the service of our Nation. Through the sale of poppies made by disabled veterans, she raised approximately 200 million dollars for veterans and their survivors. Today our great Nation steps further into the fifth year of our current conflict in Iraq, and our sixth year in Afghanistan. As we ponder how best to honor those who have died in these conflicts and in all prior wars, we can look to our history to find words and actions to guide us. Just as Lincoln's Gettysburg Address turned sentiment into prose, Miss Michael turned it into poetry, and then into action. For ourselves, we can look at the sacrifices of those who have served and then look within ourselves to honor them with our lives. For myself, I pledge my continued best effort to make certain that those who serve receive the thanks and the benefits and services they earned by their service and for those who gave their all, that their survivors are likewise given all they need.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I believe deeply that the well-being of our society depends on the contributions of committed individuals. With that belief in mind, today I pay tribute to an individual who has given much to many, most especially to veterans in my home State of Hawaii, Dr. Kathleen McNamara. Dr. McNamara is a psychologist who has spent 18 years working full time for veterans, with most of that time spent in Hawaii. Her full career spans longer than that, and includes impressive service across a range of issues in psychology. Recently, the American Psychological Association presented Dr. McNamara with a Presidential Citation in recognition of the more than 30 years she has dedicated to the American people, including veterans. Dr. McNamara has served on many of the APA's volunteer boards, including their board of directors. I have interacted with Dr. McNamara both in her role as psychologist and in her work with the veterans' community. I have found her to be thorough and of strong conviction. I recall a witness who was testifying at a January 2006 hearing of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. This witness was speaking on behalf of veterans from the Hawaiian island of Molokai, where it can take over 3 months to get an appointment with a visiting VA psychologist. This witness told the committee about Dr. McNamara, who routinely travels to Molokai from a neighboring island. He called Dr. McNamara the ``Mother Theresa for the veterans,'' and noted that Molokai needed more psychologists, because the demand to see Dr. McNamara was just so great. I humbly offer Dr. McNamara my gratitude for what she has done for veterans, for Hawaii, and for our Nation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation that will create opportunities in the development and use of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies. I want to thank my colleagues Senator Murkowski and Senator Snowe for cosponsoring this measure. We must work to encourage the production of clean, nongreenhouse gas emitting renewable energy. Ocean energy has the potential to be one of the largest sources of low-cost renewable energy in the United States by utilizing the power generated by waves in our oceans and major rivers, as well as tidal, current, and thermal power to generate turbine-powered electricity. As we look at ways to increase our renewable energy portfolio as a Nation, and decrease our dependence on oil, we would be remiss if we did not fully research and utilize the power that could be harnessed through water resources. I am acutely aware of this need in Hawaii, as we are an island State with finite natural resources, and who understand the necessity of environmentally friendly solutions to our energy problems. The ocean sits at our doorstep, providing us with sustenance in many different forms. To ignore the potential it can offer as a major source of renewable clean energy, not only in Hawaii, but for our entire country, would be a waste. While the Energy Policy Act of 2005 qualified ocean energy for research assistance, grants and the federal purchase credit, various forms of ocean energy projects have yet to receive equitable funding. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, ocean energy has the potential to generate 252 million megawatt hours of electricity. This represents 6.5 percent of today's entire energy portfolio. European nations, such as Portugal and Scotland, have successfully implemented commercial wave farms that are consistently producing clean power for consumer use. While the technology is not developed to the fullest, there is great potential. However, ocean energy projects do not enjoy a production tax credit, an investment tax credit, or any other financial incentive currently being utilized by wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and other renewable energy resources. This bill levels the playing field allowing ocean energy projects to be eligible for the financial and tax incentives that other renewable technologies receive. This will allow ocean energy projects to compete equitably in the future with other forms of renewable energy. In order to work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels, we must do all that we can to encourage the development and production of many different renewable energy technologies, such as ocean, wind, geothermal, biomass, ethanol, and others. Achieving our goals will only be possible if we approach the problem from many angles, and together, we will make an impact. I encourage my colleagues to support this measure. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be set aside, and I send my amendment to the desk.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, my amendment seeks to address and resolve an immigration issue that, while rooted in a set of historical circumstances more than seven decades old, remains unresolved to this day. I am happy to say I am joined by Senator Reid, Senator Durbin, Senator Inouye, Senator Boxer, Senator Murray, and Senator Cantwell. It is an issue of great concern to all American veterans and citizens with an interest in justice and fairness. In 1941, on the basis of 1934 legislation enacted prior to Philippine independence, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an Executive order through which the President invoked his authority to: Call and order into the service of the Armed Forces of the United States all of the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. This order drafted more than 200,000 Filipino citizens into the U.S. military, and under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, Filipino soldiers fought alongside American soldiers in the defense of our country. The enactment of the First Supplemental Surplus Appropriations Rescission Act of 1946 included a rider that conditioned an appropriation of $200 million on a provision that deemed that service in the Commonwealth Army should not be considered service in the Armed Forces of the United States. The individuals impacted were those members of the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines called into the service of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East by President Roosevelt's 1941 Executive order. The enactment of the Second Supplemental Surplus Appropriations Rescissions Act included language that deemed that service in the New Philippines Scouts had not been service in the U.S. military. The individuals impacted were those Filipinos who had served with the U.S. Armed Forces from October 6, 1945 to June 30, 1947. Of the 200,000 Filipinos who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, either as members of the Commonwealth's Army or New Philippines Scouts, only 20,000 survive today--13,000 in the Philippines and 7,000 in the United States. In 1990, the World War II service of Filipino veterans was finally recognized by the U.S. Government through the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1990, which offered Filipino veterans the opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship. There are currently 7,000 naturalized Filipino World War II veterans residing in the United States. The opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship was not extended to the veterans' sons and daughters, approximately 20,000 of whom have been waiting for their visas for years. While the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 raises the worldwide ceiling for family-based visas to 567,000 per year until the backlog in the family preference visa categories is eliminated, the fact remains that many of the naturalized Filipino World War II veterans residing in the United States are in their eighties and nineties. My amendment stresses the need to expedite the issuance of visas to these veterans' children. Mr. President, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, last week the Senate passed a resolution designating May 14 to 18, 2007, as National Health Information Technology Week. In connection with this resolution, it is important to recognize the leadership and progress that the Department of Veterans Affairs has shown in the area of health information technology. By passing this resolution, the Senate has recognized the tremendous importance of information technology in improving health care for all Americans. RAND Corporation has estimated that by improving health information technology and practices more than $81 billion can be saved annually in the United States. Such savings are only one aspect of the promised impact of better health information technology. The other, more important aspect is that improved health information technology can help save lives by providing health care providers with more accurate and timely patient information. As an increasing number of veterans return from the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan with complicated injuries, they must receive the quality care earned through their service. Information technology helps VA provide that care. Over the past decade, VA has become a leader in the use of electronic health records. Through VA's veterans health information system and technology architecture, commonly referred to as VISTA, clinicians can access and update electronic health records throughout the Nation's largest health care system. Clinicians can also view medical images, such as x rays, pathology slides, and other critical records that can be placed immediately into a patient's record. In addition to their electronic records system, VA is reducing medication and prescription errors through a point-of-care system to verify that patients receive correct dosage at correct times, visually alerting staff when errors are made. For its development and employment of this system, VA was awarded the 2006 Innovations in Government Award, sponsored by Harvard University. While VA's health care system is by no means perfect, its use of health information technology has improved the quality of care received by veterans, while reducing the costs to our taxpayers. I hope the Department will continue on their path of progress, and I commend VA for its work thus far.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I express my strong support for the conference report on the fiscal year 2008 budget resolution. I also take this opportunity to congratulate Chairman Conrad and the other conferees for their hard work on this resolution. This resolution reflects our commitment to fully fund veterans' health care and benefits. This budget resolution would provide $43.1 billion in fiscal year 2008 for the VA discretionary account--$3.6 billion more than the President requested. I am very pleased that the conference report follows the recommendations of the Democratic and Independent members of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to provide $2.9 billion over the President's request for veterans' medical care alone. This includes an additional $303 million for treatment of traumatic brain injuries, and $693 million for VA mental health programs--two areas of vital importance to servicemembers returning from Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. I also thank the Budget Committees for rejecting the President's proposals to impose an annual enrollment fee for VA health care and to increase the prescription drug copayment. These proposals would have unduly burdened thousands of veterans who cannot afford higher costs for the health care they have earned and deserve. I again commend Chairman Conrad and the other conferees for their work on the budget resolution, and for sending the right message to our Nation's veterans. We have made a commitment to their care, and this resolution honors that commitment. I urge my colleagues to support swift passage of the resolution before us today.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation intended to ensure that valuable biological specimens and data from a seminal Air Force Health Study will be properly maintained and safeguarded for future research opportunities. In 1979, the U.S. Air Force began a study that lasted over 20 years to evaluate the health outcomes of occupational exposure to agent orange among the men who were members of Operation Ranch Hand during the Vietnam War. That study is now completed. During six cycles of examinations--1982, 1985, 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002--in which 2,758 members of the Air Force participated, data and specimens were gathered. No other epidemiological data set of Vietnam veterans contains as detailed information over as long a time period. Analysis of this data has contributed to a greater understanding of the long-term health effects of exposure to agent orange. Approximately $143 million was spent on this study. An amendment I authored last year, which was included in the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, resulted in transferring Ranch Hand Study materials from the Air Force to the Medical Follow-Up Agency of the Institute of Medicine for preservation and future use. In order to make the most effective use of this material, the Medical Follow-Up Agency requires small amounts of funding for several years to ensure that the specimens and data are properly maintained in a useful format and made available for further research. My bill is consistent with the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine's report on the disposition of the study. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation intended to ensure that valuable biological specimens and data from a seminal Air Force Health Study will be properly maintained and safeguarded for future research opportunities. In 1979, the U.S. Air Force began a study that lasted over 20 years to evaluate the health outcomes of occupational exposure to agent orange among the men who were members of Operation Ranch Hand during the Vietnam War. That study is now completed. During six cycles of examinations--1982, 1985, 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002--in which 2,758 members of the Air Force participated, data and specimens were gathered. No other epidemiological data set of Vietnam veterans contains as detailed information over as long a time period. Analysis of this data has contributed to a greater understanding of the long-term health effects of exposure to agent orange. Approximately $143 million was spent on this study. An amendment I authored last year, which was included in the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, resulted in transferring Ranch Hand Study materials from the Air Force to the Medical Follow-Up Agency of the Institute of Medicine for preservation and future use. In order to make the most effective use of this material, the Medical Follow-Up Agency requires small amounts of funding for several years to ensure that the specimens and data are properly maintained in a useful format and made available for further research. My bill is consistent with the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine's report on the disposition of the study. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation that would enhance and improve services for homeless veterans administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill addresses a number of areas related to care and benefits for homeless veterans. It would modify the funding mechanism for community-based services to homeless veterans, expand capacity of services for women veterans, and improve outreach to servicemembers who are at risk of becoming homeless. First, this legislation would lift a number of restrictions on VA's grant and per diem program. This program compensates community shelters for the services they provide to homeless veterans. VA currently pays $27 per day to community shelters for each veteran served. However, $27 is barely sufficient to cover existing costs, and rising energy prices are stretching resources even more. To meet the needs of their clients, many shelters seek additional sources of funding, but their per diem payments from VA are in turn offset by the amount of this additional funding. By eliminating this offset, the bill would enable providers to expand their services to veterans, and to receive funding from other sources to accomplish these expansions. This legislation would also address the gap in domiciliary care for homeless women veterans. Women veterans are a growing proportion of the active duty force and overall veteran population. Homelessness among female veterans is a serious problem, and many facilities do not yet have the capacity to meet this demand. Domiciliary care is an essential component of treatment and rehabilitation, especially for mental health and substance abuse conditions which afflict many homeless veterans. This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that domiciliary programs have the capacity to accommodate women veterans, and that their specific safety and security concerns are addressed. As women become a larger proportion of the homeless veteran population, VA must have the capacity to meet their needs. Finally, this legislation would increase efforts to identify and assist servicemembers who are at risk of becoming homeless. It would make permanent an already established and successful program to aid incarcerated veterans in their transition back to civilian life. The program identifies at risk individuals and refers them to counseling and services, including health care, job training and placement, and housing. Building on the success of that program, the bill would also create a similar program to identify and support at risk individuals in their transition from military to civilian life. It has been proven through smaller scale efforts that this process can reduce the incidence of homelessness and other problems among new veterans who are being separated from military service. Over 1 million servicemembers have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as they transition from military service to civilian life some will be at risk of homelessness. Any effort VA can make to assist these servicemembers will improve lives and reduce the demand for VA homeless services in the years to come. We have all heard the sad and shocking statistic that one out of every three homeless persons on the street at any given time is a veteran. This bill is another step in attempting to address and solve this shameful problem. I believe that this bill adjusts existing programs to take full advantage of existing resources and effective initiatives. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation that would enhance and improve services for homeless veterans administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill addresses a number of areas related to care and benefits for homeless veterans. It would modify the funding mechanism for community-based services to homeless veterans, expand capacity of services for women veterans, and improve outreach to servicemembers who are at risk of becoming homeless. First, this legislation would lift a number of restrictions on VA's grant and per diem program. This program compensates community shelters for the services they provide to homeless veterans. VA currently pays $27 per day to community shelters for each veteran served. However, $27 is barely sufficient to cover existing costs, and rising energy prices are stretching resources even more. To meet the needs of their clients, many shelters seek additional sources of funding, but their per diem payments from VA are in turn offset by the amount of this additional funding. By eliminating this offset, the bill would enable providers to expand their services to veterans, and to receive funding from other sources to accomplish these expansions. This legislation would also address the gap in domiciliary care for homeless women veterans. Women veterans are a growing proportion of the active duty force and overall veteran population. Homelessness among female veterans is a serious problem, and many facilities do not yet have the capacity to meet this demand. Domiciliary care is an essential component of treatment and rehabilitation, especially for mental health and substance abuse conditions which afflict many homeless veterans. This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that domiciliary programs have the capacity to accommodate women veterans, and that their specific safety and security concerns are addressed. As women become a larger proportion of the homeless veteran population, VA must have the capacity to meet their needs. Finally, this legislation would increase efforts to identify and assist servicemembers who are at risk of becoming homeless. It would make permanent an already established and successful program to aid incarcerated veterans in their transition back to civilian life. The program identifies at risk individuals and refers them to counseling and services, including health care, job training and placement, and housing. Building on the success of that program, the bill would also create a similar program to identify and support at risk individuals in their transition from military to civilian life. It has been proven through smaller scale efforts that this process can reduce the incidence of homelessness and other problems among new veterans who are being separated from military service. Over 1 million servicemembers have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as they transition from military service to civilian life some will be at risk of homelessness. Any effort VA can make to assist these servicemembers will improve lives and reduce the demand for VA homeless services in the years to come. We have all heard the sad and shocking statistic that one out of every three homeless persons on the street at any given time is a veteran. This bill is another step in attempting to address and solve this shameful problem. I believe that this bill adjusts existing programs to take full advantage of existing resources and effective initiatives. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.