Daniel Akaka

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise with my dear friend, the Senior Senator from Hawaii, Dan Inouye, and several of our colleagues from both sides of the aisle, to introduce a bill to pay tribute to one of this body's most loyal servants. The Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Memorial Archives bill honors Henry K. Giugni, our former Sergeant-at- Arms of the U.S. Senate, through the establishment of a Native Hawaiian cultural and historical digital archives. These archives will enable the sharing and perpetuation of the unique culture, collective memory, and history of the people Henry K. Giugni so dearly loved. As many of my colleagues are aware, Henry K. Giugni was a man full of life and loyalty who served our country with distinction. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 16 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II he served in combat at the battle of Guadalcanal. Following World War II, he continued to serve the State of Hawaii and our nation by working as a police officer and firefighter. After nearly a decade of service with Senator Inouye in the Hawaii territorial legislature, he came to Washington, DC, as the senior senator's Senior Executive Assistant and then Chief of Staff for more than 20 years. Mr. Giugni was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms of the United States Senate in 1987. Henry K. Giugni also sought to tear down barriers in society. In 1965 it was Mr. Giugni who represented Senator Inouye's office, thus the people of Hawaii, in the famous 1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As Senator Inouye's Chief of Staff, Mr. Giugni served as a vital link between the Senator's office and minority groups. In 1987 he was the first person of color and the first Native Hawaiian to be appointed Sergeant-at-Arms of the United States Senate. In this influential position, he sought out capable minorities and women for promotion to ensure that our workforce reflects America. He appointed the first minority, an African American, to lead the Service Department, and was the first to assign women to the Capitol Police plainclothes unit. Being particularly concerned about people with disabilities, Henry K. Giugni enacted a major expansion of the Special Services Office, which now conducts tours of the U.S. Capitol for the blind, deaf, and wheelchair-bound, and publishes Senate maps and documents in Braille. In his capacity as Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. Giugni was the chief law enforcement officer of the U.S. Senate and an able manager of a majority of the Senate's support services. He oversaw a budget of nearly $120 million and approximately 2,000 employees. As Sergeant-at- Arms, Mr. Giugni had the opportunity to preside over the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush as well as escort numerous dignitaries, including Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, and Vaclav Havel when they visited the U.S. Capitol. Establishing the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Memorial Archives would be a poignant and appropriate way to honor our loyal friend, colleague, and fellow American. Please allow me to explain. In Henry's passing there is a fitting analogy that can be made for the need of establishing these archives. Henry lived a life full of rich experiences and along the way he accumulated a wealth of wisdom. His memory and spirit live on but it is essential to perpetuate his wisdom and experiences so that what he learned and accomplished will not be lost to future generations. This is the primary impetus behind creating these archives. For various reasons there is a dearth of physical archives, museums, or libraries that are devoted to preserving and perpetuating the history, culture, achievements and collective narratives of indigenous peoples, including Native Hawaiians. As one generation passes, a wealth of traditional knowledge may be lost forever. Establishing these archives to perpetuate the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples such as Henry will ensure that future generations of people have access to that knowledge and, in some sense, are able to learn from the original sources themselves. The development of the Internet in managing knowledge in electronic format has enabled the most pervasive storing and sharing of information the world has ever seen. An electronic, digital archives would facilitate the sharing, preservation and perpetuation of the unique Native Hawaiian culture, language, tradition and history. These archives will be a source of enduring knowledge, accessible to all, and will contribute to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Native Hawaiians and the State of Hawaii. It will help to ensure that the children of today and tomorrow will not be deprived of the rich culture, history and collective knowledge of Native Hawaiians. These archives will help to guarantee that the experiences, wisdom and knowledge of kupuna, or grandfathers and grandmothers such as Henry K. Giugni, will not be lost to future generations. The first section of the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Memorial Archives bill authorizes a grant awarded to the University of Hawaii's Academy for Creative Media for the establishment, maintenance and update of the archives which are to be located at the University of Hawaii. These funds shall be used to enable a statewide archival effort which will include the acquisition of a secure, web-accessible repository that will house significant Native Hawaiian historical and cultural information. This information may include oral histories, collective narratives, photographs, video files, journals, creative works and even documentation of practices and customs such as hula and music. The funds will enable this important effort by assisting in the purchasing of equipment, hiring of personnel, creating space for the collection and transfer of media, housing the archives, and creating this in-depth database. The second section of this bill authorizes the use of these grant funds for several different educational activities, many of which are intended to magnify the effect and resourcefulness of these archives and benefit the student populations who will likely access the archives the most. This includes the development of educational materials from the content of the archives that can be used in educating indigenous students such as Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives, and Native American Indians. These materials are meant to enhance the education of all students, even students from non- native backgrounds. This also includes developing outreach initiatives to introduce the archives to elementary and secondary schools as well as enabling schools to access the archives through obtaining computer equipment. Grant funds can also be used to enable access to a college education to students who otherwise cannot independently afford such an education through scholarship awards. Additionally, funds can be used to address the problem of cultural incongruence in teaching, an issue that impedes effective learning in our Nation's classrooms. Such a lack of congruence exists in a wide range of situations, from rural and underserved communities in remote areas to well-populated urban centers, from my state of Hawaii to areas on the Eastern seaboard. The dynamic I am describing exists along lines of race and ethnicity, socioeconomic strata, age, and many other vectors, which can muddy the effective transmission of knowledge. Many of us, especially those from rural, indigenous, or ethnic minority backgrounds including Henry Giugni, have experienced this problem as we have worked our way through the education system. This bill also seeks to improve student achievement by addressing cultural incongruence between teachers and the student population by providing professional development training to teachers to enable them to teach in a culturally congruent way. Finally, as financial illiteracy is a growing problem especially among college age youth who are exposed to a variety of financial products, funds can be used to increase the economic and financial literacy of college students through the propagation of proven best practices that have resulted in positive behavioral change in regards to improved debt and credit management and economic decision making. Such activities can help to ensure that students stay in school, graduate in a better financial position, and remain disciplined in effectively managing their finances throughout their working and retirement years. Henry K. Giugni served amongst us with distinction and honor. I am very grateful to have known him. I encourage all of my colleagues to perpetuate his memory by supporting the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Memorial Archives bill. These archives are the most fitting way we can honor and remember our friend and dear public servant, Henry Kuualoha Giugni. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr President, I rise today to introduce legislation that will prohibit commercial air tour operations over Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park and Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historic Site. When Congress first established the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 1916, the intent was to preserve the integrity and peace of the park's nearly 400 square miles of volcanoes, rivers, forests, wildlife and sacred sites. In the last few decades, however, the growth of the air tourism industry has considerably interrupted the tranquility of Hawaii's National Parks. Air tourism has had an adverse impact on the ability of Native Hawaiians to practice peaceful protocols of sacred sites. The sound from aircraft activity can significantly impinge on the solemnity of sacred sites and ceremonies. Sacred sites, including the airspace of the designated locales, are an important resource for the Hawaiian people and we must do what is necessary to ensure that the value of these sites is not diminished. By prohibiting air tourism over these areas, the Hawaiian Sacred Sites Noise Reduction Act affords Natives Hawaiians, residents and visitors to our beautiful state the peace and tranquility to enjoy these sacred sites. I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise in celebration of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's successful return to Earth of Space Shuttle Discovery and to welcome the crew of flight STS-121 home. Over the last few decades, NASA has experienced tragic lessons in the dangers of space exploration. That is why it was heartwarming to see Commander Steven Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, and Mission Specialists Michael Fossum, Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson, and Piers Sellers, safely return home after spending 13 days in orbit. After two weather-related delays, the Discovery launched on July 4, 2006, Independence Day. During the STS-121 mission, the crew made critical tests of shuttle safety improvements. In addition, the crew transported European Space Agency astronaut, Thomas Reiter, to the International Space Station where they delivered additional supplies and equipment. During their time on the International Space Station, the STS-121 crew worked in conjunction with the Expedition 13 crew on joint operations. The crew also performed maintenance on the International Space Station's mobile transporter and tested orbiter heat shield repair techniques during their three space walks. The flight marked the 115th space shuttle flight and was the second flight since the 2003 Columbia tragedy. This successful mission is a testament to NASA and our valiant astronauts that continue to strive for excellence. Through current exploration, the lives of those lost in both the Columbia and Challenger accidents, including Astronaut Ellison Onizuka, who was born and raised in my home State of Hawaii, live on. I am proud of the advances we have made in space exploration and am grateful for all those who have made the dream of space exploration possible. Again, I extend my warm welcome to the Discovery crew and congratulate them on completing their mission.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate the Baldwin High School cheerleading team, from Wailuku, Maui, HI, who on March 25, 2006, won a national title at the National Cheerleaders Association U.S. Championship. The Baldwin cheerleaders placed first in the small varsity coed division against teams from the Western United States Radford High School, also from my State of Hawaii, was the second place team to Baldwin High School. The Baldwin cheerleaders were then named grand champions for placing highest in the most divisions, beating out 144 other participating teams. I am proud not only of the impressive achievements but also of the humility and sportsmanship that the team displayed. The team represented the State of Hawaii very well. I recognize the sacrifices many family members and friends made to support the team. These young men and women would not have been able to enjoy the athletic competitions if it were not for the moral and financial support of their families and community. I applaud these efforts and wish all the players and their families the best in their future endeavors. Finally, I recognize the hard work and dedication of the participants and coaches. I ask to have printed in the Record the team's roster as reported by The Maui News. The material follows. Niki Fernandez, Jayme-Lynn Kashiwamura, Cory Manibog, Shawna Matsunaga, Keoni Mawae, Gillian Platt, Tiare Pimental, Sherise Shimabuku, Zeyuna Tabernero, Jenna Takushi, Kamala Klask and Lavancia ``Anela'' Winn Head Coach JoAnn Yap and Assistant Coach Matt Balangitao

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006, VRA. The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is central that every American have the right to vote. I am a proud original cosponsor of this bill, and I hope that the reauthorization of the VRA will continue to protect our country's democratic promise. The VRA is one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation to ever become law. The act reaffirms the 15th amendment of the Constitution, which promised that the ``right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.'' In 1965, Congress recognized that this promise remained unfulfilled, and that barriers such as literacy tests and poll taxes prevented many American citizens from exercising their right to vote. The VRA has addressed these problems by prohibiting discrimination and providing language assistance to those who needed it. As an Asian American, this bill is of personal importance to me. I know of many Asian Americans who have experienced difficulty in the polls over the years, particularly due to language barriers. According to the 2000 Census, 77 percent of Asian Americans speak a language other than English in their homes. Asian Americans who came as refugees are the most likely to face language barriers. For example, 67 percent of Vietnamese Americans over 18 are limited English proficient. They follow the news closely, but often by accessing newspapers and other media in their native languages. Section 5 of the VRA will help provide Asian Americans with equal access to the polls, ensuring that they are able to participate in the political process and empowering them to make a difference in their communities. Over the years, our country has come a long way. But unfortunately, barriers to equal political participation remain. Some minority voters still face obstacles to making their political voice heard. There is evidence of attempts to mute the strength of minority voters via unfair redistricting. Further, the lack of bilingual ballots prevents some voters from even casting their vote. This type of ongoing discrimination proves why we still need the VRA. Over the years, Congress has reauthorized the VRA four times. The bill before us today would reauthorize three key enforcement provisions of the VRA which would otherwise expire in 2007: Section 5, which requires jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to obtain Federal clearance before introducing new voting practices or procedures; Section 203, which requires communities with large populations of non-English speakers to provide language assistance; and Section 8, which authorizes the Attorney General to appoint Federal election observers to ensure that minority citizens will have full access to the ballot box. There is no question that all of these provisions are important and necessary, and I commend the members of the Judiciary Committee for their strong bipartisan work on this issue. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this critical piece of legislation, and I look forward to the President signing it into law.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I want to express my appreciation to my good friend and colleague, Senator Jeffords, for his hard work and leadership in developing comprehensive legislation that will assist in decreasing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. I am proud to join him, along with my other colleagues Senators Bingaman, Boxer, Kennedy, Leahy, Lautenberg, and Reed in introducing the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2006, GWPRA. This bill sets the United States on a path to reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 through a 2 percent annual reduction from 2010 through 2020, as well as achieving by 2050 emissions that are 80 percent below 1990 levels. The global warming debate began in Hawaii over 30 years ago when the Mauna Loa Climate Observatory first documented evidence of increased carbon dioxide levels in the Earth's atmosphere. The international scientific community now concurs that human activities are altering the climate system. The U.S., which is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, must be accountable as a leader in reducing emissions and combating the threats resulting from global warming. My home State of Hawaii is disproportionately susceptible to increases in sea level rise and ocean temperature, which jeopardize public safety, economic development, cultural resources, and the health of our unique island ecosystems and wildlife. It is clear that coastal States will also face similar challenges caused by sea level rise resulting in flooding of low-lying property, loss of coastal wetlands, beach erosion, saltwater contamination of drinking water, and damage to coastal roads and bridges. Climate models forecasting intense storms and severe weather further threaten Hawaii's capacity to respond to natural disasters and acquire immediate relief from neighboring states. Remote and rural areas are likely to be confronted with similar issues of self-sufficiency and limited access to assistance. I am very concerned about the impact of fossil fuel emissions on the health of our planet and believe that we must actively seek solutions to curb the buildup of greenhouse gases. This bill sets energy efficiency targets to assist both the industry and energy consumers in meeting these standards. This legislation lays out ambitious goals to minimize U.S. emissions and assist in the stabilization of global atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. We must invest in technology research to control greenhouse gas emissions. Encouraging renewable energy technologies will play a crucial role in successfully meeting the objectives of this legislation. Under the guidance provided by this bill, I firmly believe the State of Hawaii, along with the rest of the United States, will be poised to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But Federal support is vital to accomplishing our goals to combat global warming. I appreciate the technical assistance provided by the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute and the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. I remain committed to working with them, other stakeholders in Hawaii, and my colleagues, under the leadership of Senator Jeffords, to enact this legislation that will improve the health of our planet and the quality of life for all Americans. Senator Jeffords is a dedicated advocate for environmental protection. With the GWPRA, he leaves a legacy to guide and inspire future generations to actively address the issue of global warming. I encourage my colleagues to join Senator Jeffords in supporting this worthy initiative.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the National Veterans Business Development Corporation, commonly known as the Vets Corp. This bill, the Veterans Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2006, was developed in a cooperative fashion by members of the Small Business and Veterans Affairs' Committees, in conjunction with Senator Talent who was involved in the original establishment of the Vets Corp during his tenure in the other body. The Vets Corp has a crucial mission--to foster entrepreneurship and business opportunities for veterans, with a special focus on service- disabled veterans. During this time of conflict abroad, this mission is extremely relevant. A seamless transition from military to civilian status requires that we give our veterans the tools necessary to succeed in their post-military lives. The Vets Corp seeks to do just this for veteran-owned small businesses. Created by Congress in 1999, the Vets Corp had a slow start. While I believe that the new Vets Corp leadership is turning things around, there are some lingering concerns about the Vets Corp's funding and mission. I am hopeful that this legislation we are introducing today will help remedy these concerns. Under the terms of the legislation, the Vets Corp would be provided matching funds instead of a straight allocation. In addition, this bill would clarify the purpose of the organization as well as improve the structure of their advisory board. Mr. President, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. I applaud the hard work of Senators Kerry, Snowe, Talent, and their staffs in crafting this bipartisan bill. I hope my colleagues will support this bill and I urge its speedy passage.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President. I want to express my support of S. 728, the Water Resources Development Act, WRDA, of 2006. S. 728 authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study water resource problems, undertake construction projects, and make major modifications to existing projects. It has been 5 years since the last WRDA was enacted into law and I thank my colleague, the Senior Senator from Missouri, for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. This is a bipartisan piece of legislation that must be passed to address our Nation's critical navigation, flood control, and environmental restoration needs. I am a cosponsor of S. 728 because I recognize the need to authorize essential flood control, shore protection, dam safety, storm damage reduction, and environmental restoration projects. These projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers protect communities across the country from destruction caused by severe weather and flooding, and also promote protection and restoration of our Nation's ecosystems. In addition, the legislation establishes standards that balance the safety and interest of the public with the economic and environmental feasibility of projects. I am pleased that provisions from S. 2735, the Dam Safety Act of 2006, which I introduced with Senator Bond, are included in the managers' amendment to S. 728. This will advance dam safety in the United States and prevent loss of life and property damage from dam failures at both the Federal and State programmatic levels. Specifically, the reauthorization of the National Dam Safety Program Act will provide much needed assistance to State dam safety programs that regulate 95 percent of the 80,000 dams in the United States. Of the approximately $13 million authorized annually through 2011, $8 million will be divided among the States to improve safety programs and $2 million will be dedicated for research to identify more effective techniques to assess, construct, and monitor dams. In addition, $700,000 will be available for training assistance for State engineers, $1 million for the employment of new staff and personnel for Federal Emergency Management Agency, and $1 million for the National Inventory of Dams. An additional provision that mirrors S. 2444, the National Dam Safety Program Act, which I introduced with Senator Inouye, is included in S. 728. This authorizes appropriations of $25 million for small dam removals and dam rehabilitation projects. Although the amount included in S. 728 is not as large as in S. 2444, this is still an important first step in ensuring the safety of the public. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that both public and private dams receive the maintenance they need. The cost of failing to maintain our Nation's dam infrastructure is extremely high. There have been at least 29 dam failures in the United States during the past 2 years causing more than $200 million in property damage. In my home State in March, the Ka Loko Dam, a 116-year earthen dam, on the island of Kauai breached during heavy rains killing seven people. This tragic event serves as an important reminder of the responsibility held by the State and local governments, but also of the leadership role of the Federal Government in supplementing State resources and developing national guidelines for dam safety. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 728. Again, I express my appreciation to my colleagues Senators Bond, Inhofe, Jeffords, Feingold, Boxer, Specter and McCain for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. This bill is essential in improving economic growth, safety, and the quality of life of all Americans.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, of the three bills being discussed, only one, H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Act, contains language which would lead to substantive expansion of stem cell research. The legislation would authorize Federal funding for research on stem cells derived from donated embryos. These embryos will likely be destroyed if they are not donated for research. The bill also would institute strong ethical guidelines for this research. We must pass this legislation so that researchers are able to move forward on ethical, Federally funded research projects that develop better treatments for those suffering from diseases. Human embryonic stem cells have such great potential because they have the unique ability to develop into almost any type of cell or tissue in the body. Stem cell research holds great promise to develop possible cures or improved treatments for a wide range of diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, autism, heart disease, spinal cord injuries, and many other afflictions. We cannot afford to limit research that could help improve the lives of so many who currently suffer from diseases which we have limited ability to prevent, treat, or cure. If we fail to enact H.R. 810, our researchers are likely to fall further behind the work being done in other countries. Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have provided substantial governmental support for stem cell research. The President's restrictions on stem cell research prevent Federal funds from being used for research on newer, more promising stem cell lines. In addition, embryonic stem cell lines now eligible for Federal funding are not genetically diverse enough to realize the full therapeutic potential of this research. The President's stem cell policy prevents researchers from moving ahead on an area of research that is very promising. We need to pass this legislation to help move research forward that could alleviate the pain and suffering of individuals. The other two bills being debated do not provide much help. I agree with the American Diabetes Association that neither S. 2754 nor S. 3504 ``would have any real impact on the search for a cure and better treatments with diabetes.'' These two bills are no substitute for H.R. 810. I am hopeful that we will be able to pass H.R. 810 and ensure that it is enacted. I am a proud cosponsor of S. 471, the Senate companion legislation to H.R. 810, which was introduced by my colleagues, Senator Specter and Senator Harkin. We have a responsibility to do all that we can to support this promising research that has the potential to improve the lives of individuals suffering from diseases. On June 21, 2005, I met a young constituent, Dayna Akiu, at a hearing on juvenile diabetes in our Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Dayna shared with me her success at overcoming the problems associated with diabetes, which meant a lot to her as an active soccer player. Dayna wanted me to also know that children have a very difficult time managing their diabetes. For example, checking blood sugar and taking insulin shots is hard to do for anyone suffering from diabetes, especially for children. Stem cell research has the potential to make life better for Dayna and countless others. Every time I meet with constituents advocating for increased stem cell research, I am reminded of the great possibility of improving their lives through this innovative medical research. We must allow this research to move ahead to improve the lives of Americans of every age across this country.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I join my colleagues from Maine and Connecticut in opposing the Menendez amendment, which seeks to change the formula for the State Homeland Security Grant Program. The chairman and ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee have fought tirelessly to ensure that every State is prepared for a major disaster. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of their bill, S. 21, the Homeland Security Grant Enhancement Act, which strikes a fair compromise on this issue. This legislation passed the Senate by an overwhelming majority last year as an amendment to the FY 2006 Homeland Security appropriations bill. Thanks to Senator Collins and Senator Lieberman, the Senate has taken a strong position on the need for a consistent, guaranteed line of homeland security funding for each and every state. I strongly advocate the .75 percent minimum, which is guaranteed under current law. Hawaii and every state needs to develop a preparedness baseline, so residents are cared for in the event of a disaster. I fear that reducing the State minimum to .25 percent will severely impact the homeland security preparedness and response capabilities for much of the United States. The sponsors of this amendment argue that the distribution of the majority of homeland security funding should be left to the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security. However, we all remember what happened in May when DHS rolled out its new risk-based funding model. New York and Washington, DC took a huge funding cut. After enduring a 30 percent cut, my home State of Hawaii received little more than what the current state minimum guarantees. I oppose putting the people of Hawaii at risk by reducing the legally required minimum any further Hawaii is an island state, 2,500 miles from the U.S. mainland, which requires us to be self-sufficient in the event of a disaster. As I said before, the Senate has already opposed the .25 percent minimum being debated today. I urge my colleagues to uphold that vote. I urge opposition to the Menendez amendment.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 2 minutes on an amendment.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I congratulate a special group of Hawaii teachers, those who have successfully earned the designation National Board Certified Teacher. During 2005, a new cadre of 30 consummate professionals demonstrated that their teaching practice is consistent with the rigorous requirements for the profession as set by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Their achievement brings the number of teachers working in Hawaii who have attained National Board Certification to 111. These dedicated teachers are distributed throughout Hawaii's education system. Some teach at the elementary level, some in middle schools, while others teach in high school classrooms. Some teach on Oahu, some are on the Big Island, and others on Kauai and Maui. Some teach language arts, math, or social studies, while others teach a variety of other disciplines. Some teach special needs students, a number are generalists, others are specialists, and a few are librarians. Nevertheless, all of them have one thing in common, their dedication to enabling the schoolchildren of Hawaii to achieve all that they can. I am proud to enter their names into the Record of this august body. During the 2005 school year the following teachers received National Board Certification: Leslie Agena, Kailua High School; Amy Boehning, Waialua High and Intermediate School; Genevieve ``Noe'' Bunnell, Pearl Ridge Elementary School; Lisa Chang, Niu Valley Middle School; Susan Erikson, Washington Middle School; Marta Finley, Kealakehe Elementary School; Cathy Lynne K.L. Fong, Liholiho Elementary School; Candace Foster, Aina Haina Elementary School; Kimberly Fradale, Mid-Pacific Institute; Raejean Gamiao, Mililani Uka Elementary School; Douglas Garriss, Kamiloiki Elementary School; Lisa Hockenberger, Kalihi-Kai Elementary School; Janet Itano, Aina Haina Elementary School; Inga Kelly, Moanalua High School; Cristy Kessler, Education Lab School; Jill Laboy, Kailua High School; Sallie Lee, Lanakila Elementary School; David Mecham, Waimea High School; Melinda O'Herron, Konawaena Middle School; Carolyn Okunaga, Mililani High School; Dianne Pang, Aliiolani Elementary School; Margaret Prevenas, Kalama Intermediate School; Helie Rock, Keaau High School; Julie Shirai, Pearl Ridge Elementary School; Amber Strong, Kailua High School; Marla Thompson, Waianae High School; Patricia Uehara, Kealakehe Elementary School; Mark Watanabe, Keaau High School; Jennifer Williams, Roosevelt High School; and Ms Zami-Perez, Waialua Elementary School. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to them all. They have worked very hard to earn the designation, National Board Certified Teacher. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the organization that confers this designation, is a teacher-led association, which grants national certification to a teacher only after a very rigorous and comprehensive process. It requires the preparation of a portfolio featuring actual videotaped classroom lessons, including a written analysis of the lesson, lesson plans and student work samples. The teacher must also submit written discussion, analysis, and reflective commentaries concerning curriculum and practices used in the classroom. A third component of the portfolio includes records of activities benefiting the larger school community, including families and activities that help to improve the teaching profession. Also required for this certification is successful completion of a rigorous set of examinations assessing the content knowledge of the teacher. This is a very arduous process requiring a commitment of up to 400 hours. However, in Hawaii help is available. The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, along with the Hawaii State Teachers Association, provides support groups for teachers undertaking this process. These sessions are held on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, and they provide a support network for candidates as they go through the certification process. Most often support is offered through a qualified facilitator, a teacher who has already earned the designation of National Board Certified Teacher. These support networks are also places to meet with and support other teachers undergoing the same process. This assistance goes a long way in making this very difficult process possible. National Board Certification does not replace the teacher licensure requirements as maintained by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, but instead identifies the recipient as an exemplary practitioner, someone at the top of his or her profession. It signifies the teacher as someone who is a recognized leader in the art and science of teaching. Research has shown time and again that students in classrooms with National Board Certified Teachers do better on assessments than do students in classrooms not staffed with nationally certified teachers. It is the only nationally based teacher evaluation and certification program to successfully undergo a scientifically based set of evaluations and to have shown improved results for students. I am very proud to honor these newly recognized teachers. At a time when the country is working to improve education, when the No Child Left Behind Act is demanding a highly qualified teacher in every classroom, where schools, districts and states are required to make adequate yearly progress, where students are increasingly required to demonstrate achievement as measured by high stakes testing in order to graduate from high school, where districts and states are working to find, hire and retain professionals in this very difficult field, and where research has shown the knowledge and ability of the classroom teacher is the most important factor affecting the learning of the students, I am proud to say to these newly certified teachers ``Well Done'' and ``Mahalo Nui Loa.''

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to propose an amendment for myself and my good friend from New York to restore the Federal Emergency Management Agency--FEMA--to its proper place as an independent agency. Before I speak on our amendment, I would like to thank the chairman and ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for their hard work on this issue. We disagree on this one point, but I appreciate all they have done over the past year to ensure that the failures of Hurricane Katrina are never repeated. As my colleagues on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee know, the placement of FEMA in the Department of Homeland Security--DHS--is a subject that has troubled me since the concept of the Department was first debated in 2002. As a senior member of this committee, I can tell you that the structure of Federal agencies matters. Combining too many disparate functions some of which have nothing to do with homeland security into one agency can be unworkable, which is a primary reason why I voted against the creation of DHS. Some say reinstating FEMA's independence now is brash and premature. Respectfully, I could not disagree more. To me, it was premature to place FEMA within DHS, a huge, terrorism-focused agency, where FEMA's traditional mission of responding to disasters would be neglected. The FEMA of yesterday has been downgraded, dismantled, and demoralized which I believe contributed to the muddled response to Hurricane Katrina. DHS failed as a department during Hurricane Katrina and failed to give FEMA the opportunity to succeed. During the Committee's Katrina hearings, we heard numerous examples of information and initiative getting lost in DHS during the Hurricane Katrina response. Witnesses described sending information updates and requests out to the Department, never knowing where those messages went or if requested action had been taken. DHS was a black hole where information and accountability were lost. Since FEMA was folded into the Department, FEMA has been deprived of funding and resources. FEMA has been forced to transfer significant resources to other parts of the Department. In 2003 and 2004, $169 million of FEMA's funding was transferred to DHS, in part because of lost programs, but also because of a so-called management tax to help pay for shared services within the Department. Congress and the American public never knew about these funding shortfalls because FEMA was buried within DHS. Former FEMA Director Michael Brown testified that instead of taking FEMA's budget proposal to the President, he was required to clear the budget through another Undersecretary at DHS, then the Secretary, and then the President. With a loss of funding and programs, came a loss of staff. FEMA's staff has been reduced by 500 positions since 2003. And within the existing positions at FEMA, there has been a 15 to 20 percent vacancy rate over the past few years. FEMA needs to be an independent, Cabinet-level agency to avoid having its budget and staff siphoned off for other activities within the Department. Restoring the FEMA Director to the President's Cabinet will better serve America. Restoring FEMA's place at the table will ensure transparency and accountability while allowing the Director to present funding needs directly to the President. In 1996, recognizing the importance of emergency response, President Clinton elevated the FEMA Director position to the Cabinet level. Former FEMA Director James Lee Witt said being a member of the President's Cabinet allowed him to task other Federal agencies more effectively during disasters and provided an established and direct line of communication to the President. There are those who argue that FEMA needs to remain in DHS so that the Department's other personnel and assets can be accessed more readily. This is a hollow argument because under the Stafford Act, FEMA has the authority to utilize resources across the Federal Government during a disaster. The Stafford Act allows FEMA to task Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Defense, and many other Federal agencies during disasters. Should all those entities be incorporated into DHS as well? There is no reason the same mission assignment procedure cannot be applied to DHS assets as well. Separating FEMA from DHS not only will improve FEMA's ability to manage preparedness and response, but it also will allow DHS to focus on its mission to prevent a terrorist attack. DHS cannot be all things to all people. The dedicated public servants of FEMA agree. The American Federation of Government Employees--AFGE--which represents 1,200 FEMA employees, strongly endorses an independent FEMA. AFGE's June 13, 2006, letter to Congress states: (T)he merger of FEMA into DHS may have sounded good in theory, but in reality it has proven to be impractical and counterproductive. When Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S., the DHS structure simply imposed an extra layer of bureaucracy on top of FEMA, and wound up impeding, not assisting, the response. Former FEMA Director Witt also believes FEMA does not belong in DHS. In a recent editorial, he stated: Though most agree FEMA must be mended, we don't have the luxury of gambling with another experimental restructuring of the department. And why gamble when a simple reversion to its pre-2001 incarnation would fix the problem? . . . As it stands under today's DHS structure, annual hazards such as hurricanes, floods, and tornados are allowed a 25 percent focus, even though they have a 100 percent probability of occurring at some point. An independent FEMA would again give all disasters 100 percent of its attention. I agree with Mr. Witt. Fortunately, since DHS was created, there has not been another terrorist attack in the U.S. although there have been over 100 Presidentially-declared natural disasters. I support ensuring the U.S. is prepared for a terrorist attack, but we should not forget that natural disasters are guaranteed to occur every single year. Mr. President, we have tried the superagency approach, and now it is time to get back to basics. I ask my colleagues to think about what is practical when they cast their vote on our amendment. Our constituents should feel confident that FEMA and its resources will be there in their time of need. I urge support for our amendment. I yield back my remaining time.

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

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 20 minutes.

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

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I call up amendment 4563 on behalf of Senator Clinton, myself, and others.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize the achievements of several individuals from Hawaii who have excelled in an area of great interest to me, economic education. I wish to recognize the students from Iolani High School in Honolulu, HI, who won the 2006 National Economics Challenge in New York City. They are the first team ever to win the national competition 2 years in a row. Seniors Bryce Aisake Atkinson, Megan Chock, Dean Ushijima, and Sumil Thapa, coached by their teacher, COL Richard Rankin, beat more than 1,000 teams from 35 States to win the Economics Challenge championship in the Adam Smith Division. Hawaii's State-level competition was sponsored by the Hawaii Council on Economic Education, which has done a wonderful job in fostering economic education in Hawaii. The national competition was sponsored by the National Council on Economic Education and the Goldman Sachs Foundation. I am very pleased to know that Hawaii is producing such high-quality young people knowledgeable about economics. As the economy is intricately tied to the welfare of our Nation, economic and financial literacy is vital to ensuring our country's future. I have been very active in promoting economic and financial literacy in the United States. For example, I have introduced several pieces of legislation including the Mutual Fund Transparency Act, the College Literacy in Finance and Economics Act and the enacted Excellence in Economic Education Act. As the economy grows increasingly complex, everyone needs to be able to make informed financial decisions which will greatly impact their financial well-being. We must strive to educate all sectors of society about financial literacy, especially our young people, so that they grasp essential concepts such as the importance of saving, budgeting, maintaining good credit histories, and applying economic principles to daily decisions. Our Nation's future is in our children hands. I am proud to extend my sincere congratulations and appreciation to the Iolani Economics Team for their hard work and dedication.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure and pride to announce that students from Waianae High School, on the Island of Oahu, recently won the National Television Academy's National Student Television Award in the sports category. Waianae High School's Searider Productions was one of only seven school-based production operations from across the United States to be honored. The National Student Television Awards are sponsored by the National Television Academy, which is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences in television. The academy is best known for recognizing excellence in television programming through its coveted Emmy Awards. In its purpose statement, the academy states that it is committed to promoting excellence in broadcasting through education and inspiring the next generation of broadcast journalists. I recognize the following four Waianae students who produced the excellent news piece: Katie Hoppe, Priscilla Mathewson, James Kapu- Kaaihue, and Justine Campos. Submissions for this competition were held to professional standards for high-quality journalism as well as creativity, execution, and strong writing. The special presentation of sports news that these students produced, entitled ``A Paddle Through Time,'' far exceeded professional standards. I also take a moment to recognize Searider Productions, the multimedia education program of Waianae High School, which nurtured these excellent students. This innovative program offers the opportunity for talented students to gain workplace experience while developing their artistic and academic skills. Over the course of a few years, Searider Productions has produced incredible work and has garnered an enormous number of accolades. From highly acclaimed public service announcements to an update of an online voting Web site, the work Searider Productions has performed is outstanding. As a former teacher and principal, I take pride in seeing students from Hawaii receive national recognition. I know that it is because of school and parental support, dedication, and commitment that these students excelled in this area. These four students have made their families, school, and community proud. I look forward to seeing the future productions by the excellent students of Waianae High School and its Searider Productions.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Federal Supervisor Training Act, FSTA, which addresses the inconsistencies and lack of adequate training for Federal managers and supervisors, especially for new supervisors. The effectiveness and efficiency of government programs and services depend on well-trained managers. It is critical that federal managers receive the support and resources needed to do their jobs. As new personnel reforms are sought by the administration for Federal workers, which in my view are similar to those I opposed for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, I see a general erosion of employee morale. Low employee morale impacts agency performance and undermines the public's trust in government. Therefore, we must consider the needs of supervisors and employees alike. Enhancing supervisory training improves communication, which leads to greater understanding of performance expectations and fewer performance problems. A trained supervisor is the foundation for the success of any personnel system. The bill I offer today follows recommendations made by the Partnership for Public Service and the newly formed Government Managers Coalition, GMC, which represents over 200,000 Federal managers and executives who are members of the Senior Executives Association, the Federal Managers Association, the Professional Managers Association, the Federal Aviation Administration Managers Association, and the National Council of Social Security Management Associations. FSTA will require new supervisory training for all new supervisors within a year of being appointed and mandatory retraining every 3 years. Current managers would have 3 years in which to receive initial training. The legislation also requires training on how to mentor employees, a key focus of S. 3476, the Homeland Security Professional Development Act, which I introduced earlier this month. A third provision requires training every three years on the laws governing and the procedures for enforcing whistleblower rights and protections against race, gender, age, and disability discrimination. Under FSTA, agencies would be required to set standards--based in part on guidelines developed by the Office of Personnel Management, OPM--that supervisors should meet in order to manage employees effectively, assess a manager's ability to meet these standards, and provide training to improve areas identified in personnel assessments. Supervisors want meaningful training. In my view, such training should not be a discretionary option for agencies. Government managers and employees work on a broad and complex range of issues that are both national and global in scope. From the skilled workers at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard performing nuclear submarine battery change outs to Internal Revenue Service employees collecting back taxes, these Federal workers demonstrate commitment and dedication daily. They understand that trained managers empower them, which in turn improves programs and saves taxpayers money. Mandatory supervisory training is needed to ensure that agencies provide this support to their managers. OPM once proposed 40 to 80 hours of training for new supervisors, but, over the years, this function has migrated to agencies, which, as the GMC notes, has resulted in inconsistencies in training among Federal agencies, leaving a problem in search of a solution. As the ranking member of the Senate Federal Workforce Subcommittee, a primary goal of mine is to make the Federal Government an employer of choice and to ensure the American people are served by a skilled workforce. I see FSTA as a means to reach that goal because mandatory supervisory training develops good managers who foster positive work environments that produce an efficient, effective, and responsive government. The Nation's Federal workforce and the American taxpayer deserve no less. Mr. President, as I stated earlier, supervisors and employees alike benefit from well-trained managers. I want to thank the Government Managers Coalition; the American Federation of Government Employees; the National Treasury Employees Union; the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers; the AFL-CIO, Metal Trades Department; as well as the Partnership for Public Service for their support of FSTA and I urge my colleagues to support the federal workforce by cosponsoring my bill. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Federal Supervisor Training Act, FSTA, which addresses the inconsistencies and lack of adequate training for Federal managers and supervisors, especially for new supervisors. The effectiveness and efficiency of government programs and services depend on well-trained managers. It is critical that federal managers receive the support and resources needed to do their jobs. As new personnel reforms are sought by the administration for Federal workers, which in my view are similar to those I opposed for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, I see a general erosion of employee morale. Low employee morale impacts agency performance and undermines the public's trust in government. Therefore, we must consider the needs of supervisors and employees alike. Enhancing supervisory training improves communication, which leads to greater understanding of performance expectations and fewer performance problems. A trained supervisor is the foundation for the success of any personnel system. The bill I offer today follows recommendations made by the Partnership for Public Service and the newly formed Government Managers Coalition, GMC, which represents over 200,000 Federal managers and executives who are members of the Senior Executives Association, the Federal Managers Association, the Professional Managers Association, the Federal Aviation Administration Managers Association, and the National Council of Social Security Management Associations. FSTA will require new supervisory training for all new supervisors within a year of being appointed and mandatory retraining every 3 years. Current managers would have 3 years in which to receive initial training. The legislation also requires training on how to mentor employees, a key focus of S. 3476, the Homeland Security Professional Development Act, which I introduced earlier this month. A third provision requires training every three years on the laws governing and the procedures for enforcing whistleblower rights and protections against race, gender, age, and disability discrimination. Under FSTA, agencies would be required to set standards--based in part on guidelines developed by the Office of Personnel Management, OPM--that supervisors should meet in order to manage employees effectively, assess a manager's ability to meet these standards, and provide training to improve areas identified in personnel assessments. Supervisors want meaningful training. In my view, such training should not be a discretionary option for agencies. Government managers and employees work on a broad and complex range of issues that are both national and global in scope. From the skilled workers at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard performing nuclear submarine battery change outs to Internal Revenue Service employees collecting back taxes, these Federal workers demonstrate commitment and dedication daily. They understand that trained managers empower them, which in turn improves programs and saves taxpayers money. Mandatory supervisory training is needed to ensure that agencies provide this support to their managers. OPM once proposed 40 to 80 hours of training for new supervisors, but, over the years, this function has migrated to agencies, which, as the GMC notes, has resulted in inconsistencies in training among Federal agencies, leaving a problem in search of a solution. As the ranking member of the Senate Federal Workforce Subcommittee, a primary goal of mine is to make the Federal Government an employer of choice and to ensure the American people are served by a skilled workforce. I see FSTA as a means to reach that goal because mandatory supervisory training develops good managers who foster positive work environments that produce an efficient, effective, and responsive government. The Nation's Federal workforce and the American taxpayer deserve no less. Mr. President, as I stated earlier, supervisors and employees alike benefit from well-trained managers. I want to thank the Government Managers Coalition; the American Federation of Government Employees; the National Treasury Employees Union; the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers; the AFL-CIO, Metal Trades Department; as well as the Partnership for Public Service for their support of FSTA and I urge my colleagues to support the federal workforce by cosponsoring my bill. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today in opposition to S.J. Res. 12, the flag desecration constitutional amendment. I believe our flag is a living symbol that represents this great country and its rich history. As a World War II veteran, I feel a deep connection to our flag, and it offends me when I see the flag burned or treated poorly. Our flag deserves our reverence and respect. As a U.S. Senator, I have sworn to protect the Constitution and the freedoms for which it stands. I believe it would be wrong to amend the Constitution to infringe upon our first amendment freedoms. Although I find it personally detestable that someone would desecrate the flag, it is my duty to protect the right to free speech and expression. To me, this amendment would protect our Nation's preeminent symbol at the cost of sacrificing the very freedoms that it is supposed to represent. This amendment is all the more troublesome because it is wholly unnecessary. Americans are not lacking in patriotism nor is there an epidemic of flag burning. To the contrary, in these five years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Americans have vigorously rallied around our flag and the liberties it represents. For these reasons, Mr. President, I will be opposing S.J. Res. 12, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, at the outset, I have and I will continue to support our military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. They deserve no less than our complete backing. I recently returned from visiting Iraq, where I had the honor of meeting with our troops and visiting with Iraqi officials. I left with a deep admiration for the spirit of our fighting men and women who continue to give their all under very difficult circumstances. I was also impressed by the willingness of many Iraqis to put themselves in harm's way as they dedicate their lives to the future of their Nation. However, I continue to harbor grave concerns over the current situation in Iraq and the President's strategy for fighting the Iraq conflict. So far, more than 2,500 Americans have died and 18,000 have been wounded. We owe it to both our honored dead and wounded to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain and that we successfully accomplish our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, as I have said from the beginning of this conflict, we need a clear understanding of what the mission is, what is needed to accomplish the mission, and the true accounting of the cost of the mission. It is time for the President to tell Congress, the American public, and most importantly, the families of our fallen heroes and the men and women in the Armed Forces what is his exit plan. Instead, we only get vague assertions such as in the President's address to the Nation a year ago at Fort Bragg in which he said: ``. . . our strategy can be summed up this way: As the Iraqi's stand up, we will stand down.'' What this country needs now is a detailed exit strategy that puts the Iraqi Government and its people on the path to controlling their own destiny. It is not clear why we went to war, what we are trying to achieve, and how we will measure success. There are many of us who believe that we went into Iraq for the wrong reason: because the President and his advisers miscalculated or misrepresented the threat. And now that we are there, the President continues to come up with new reasons for staying. Before the war, President Bush said we needed to remove Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. It turned out there were none. Faced with the absence of weapons of mass destruction, the administration has argued that our presence in Iraq is necessary to protect the United States from acts of global terrorism and to ensure that Iraq successfully transforms into a stable democracy. As Brian Jenkins of the RAND Corporation, one of the country's most noted terrorism experts, has written, ``Taking the fight to terrorists abroad--as America did by invading Afghanistan and by continuing efforts against terrorists worldwide--makes sense. But Iraq is a separate and special case, because many of the combatants killed or captured by American and allied forces in Iraq are insurgents created by opposition to the U.S. invasion itself.'' It is my understanding that terrorist cells have become even more decentralized since the war in Iraq, spreading to many corners of the globe. Islamic extremists in Iraq are reportedly training Taliban and al-Qaida fighters. Furthermore, Brigadier General Robert Caslen says that 30 new terrorist groups have been created since 9/11, and ``we are not killing them faster than they are being created.'' Even Defense Secretary Rumsfeld admits that the United States is not winning the battle of ideas over the terrorists. A week ago, President Bush justified our presence in Iraq by stating that our mission now ``is to develop a country that can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself, and a country that is an ally in the war on terror. While I support building a strong democracy in Iraq, I am still very concerned that the number of troops stationed there stands in the way of the Iraqi people developing their own nation. If we remain in Iraq without a clear exit strategy, I believe that the situation there will worsen. Iraq is a country that is becoming more polarized along ethnic and sectarian lines. The December elections for a new National Assembly were dominated by the religious-based political parties. Furthermore, the Iraqi public's perception of the economy is becoming increasingly pessimistic. The social situation in Iraq is just as disheartening. As a recent Pentagon report notes, we have spent almost $1 billion in electricity projects and are planning an additional $1.1 billion, but the gap between demand and supply is growing. The price for not having a clear exit strategy is being borne by the American taxpayer and future generations of Americans who will truly pay the cost of this war. So far, the United States has spent about $40 billion for Iraqi reconstruction and much of that has been wasted. For example, instead of building 142 health centers in Iraq, only 20 clinics have been completed at a cost of $200 million. In addition, former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz confidently promised the Congress a week after the war had started that ``. . . we're dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon.'' His economic projections were exceptionally faulty. Americans are paying inflated prices for Iraqi reconstruction projects that are only partially complete, instead of Iraqi oil revenues paying for Iraqi reconstruction. The President's policy gives the Iraqis veto power over when American troops withdraw. Whether our troops remain there, should not be subject to an Iraqi veto. Making the departure of U.S. troops dependent on the Iraqis places the health and welfare of our brave men and women at the mercy of Iraqi decisions. When I spoke with Iraq's National Security Adviser, Dr. Mowaffak Rubaie, he shared his view that the removal of foreign troops will legitimize Iraq's Government in the eyes of its people. In my view, a phased withdrawal of American troops will encourage the Iraqi Government and military to take responsibility for their future. In addition I support maintaining sufficient security forces to continue training the Iraqi military, sufficient security forces to protect the continued American civilian presence, and sufficient security forces to attack al-Qaida terrorist networks. The result will be a strengthened, not weakened, Iraqi Government and military. I agree with the President when he said that ``success in Iraq depends upon the Iraqis. If the Iraqis don't have the will to succeed, they're not going to succeed. We can have all the will we want, I can have all the confidence in the ability for us to bring people to justice, but if they choose not to . . . make the hard decisions and to implement a plan, they're not going to make it.'' We must empower the Iraqis to defend and govern themselves. For that reason, phased withdrawal is the only road to success. Mr. President, some say that asking this administration to provide a plan detailing the eventual withdrawal of our troops from Iraq demonstrates a lack of courage. To me, it takes courage to do what is right for our Nation and for Iraq. What is right for our Nation is to establish an exit strategy to bring our troops home to their families. What is right for Iraq is to empower them to control their own destiny.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, it is indeed a privilege and honor for me to join my colleagues in commemorating and honoring my friend and colleague, Senator Robert C. Byrd, on the occasion of his becoming the longest serving Senator in the history of our country, passing the old mark of 17,326 days on June 12, 2006. The fact that West Virginians have returned him to the Senate in eight prior elections speaks volumes of the love and affection and respect they feel for him as their Senator who serves them most effectively. When I first came to the Senate in 1990 from the other side of the Capitol, Senator Byrd was one of the first Senators I met with to get advice and counsel, which he generously shared with me. Of course, he gave me a copy of a pocket edition of the Constitution, the document upon which our country is based and one that is ever-present in his pocket. Over the years, he has been most generous with his friendships, and indeed I feel a sense of kinship and aloha with him. In Hawaii, this feeling of kinship is often referred to as being part of the ohana, or family, and used with love and endearment. With stewards like Senator Robert C. Byrd, we can rest assured that our country is in good hands. I look forward to his continuing friendship and serving with him for many years to come.

Mr. AKAKA

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I note my deep disappointment that the conference agreement for the emergency supplemental appropriations bill now pending before the Senate does not include the supplemental funding for VA health care that was included in the Senate-passed measure. Despite the fact that the Senate spoke strongly on the need to ensure that VA has enough resources during the balance of this fiscal year to be able to treat our Nation's veterans in an effective and timely manner, my amendment to add $430 million to the VA health care account was not included in the final compromise. Back in April and May, when we debated the supplemental appropriations measure here in the Senate, I was delighted that my amendment, cosponsored by 21 of our colleagues, to secure a relatively modest amount of emergency funding for VA health care was included in the legislation. The reasons we gave then in support of this funding were clear, and they remain so today. First, Vet Centers and other mental health programs need to be given more support if VA is to continue to be able to reach out to veterans in need of readjustment counseling or other psychological treatment, especially those returning from service in a war zone. Secondly, across the VA system, facilities need some additional funding to ensure that VA is able to continue to provide quality of care and availability of services for all veterans. At the time of the Senate debate, after a slight modification to the amendment so as to require the President to request the emergency funding in order for VA to receive it, the Senate voted 84-13 to adopt the amendment and include it as part of the supplemental package. My colleagues indicated their overwhelming support of the measure through that vote. In light of that show of support, the failure to include this VA funding in the pending measure is all the more regrettable, all the more unacceptable. Having just traveled to Iraq to see for myself what the situation is like on the ground there, I am even more steadfast in my belief that VA must have the resources it needs to care for returning servicemembers. Programs to transition our men and women in uniform who require mental health, prosthetic rehabilitation, or other specialty health care services back into civilian life are a clear, continuing part of the overall cost of war. These services are more important than ever, and we must do our part to support them. Although we did not succeed in keeping this additional funding in this measure, we will not give up the fight and will do our utmost to ensure that VA has the funding it needs. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.