Wayne Allard

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, can we work out maybe an agreement for 10 minutes for Senator Cornyn, the Senator from Maryland uses her 10, and then I would like to have 15 minutes. I ask unanimous consent for that.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise today to call to the attention of the Members of the Senate an evolving disaster that is occurring in parts of eastern Colorado as well as parts of Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas and to concur with statements made earlier this week by my colleague, Senator Roberts from Kansas. On Monday, my friend from Kansas stated that he rose to call attention to what can only be described as a major disaster. I agree with Senator Roberts, there can be no doubt that we are dealing with a disaster in the West. Over the last few weeks Colorado and its neighbors have experienced record-setting blizzards. In some parts of Colorado the storms dropped almost 5 feet of snow which has drifted in some cases to a size of 15 feet. I stand about 6 feet 1 inch, so to get some perspective, 5 feet of snow would leave my neck and shoulders just out above the snow. It is tough to get around in and a nightmare if you have to tend to livestock, but that is what folks in Colorado, and in the neighboring States have done. In fact, so much snow has fallen in Baca County down in southeastern Colorado that weather stations that transmit data including snowfall were unable to send information because they were buried under a number of feet of snow. Let me reiterate that there was so much snow in Baca County that they were unable to measure it. This has created a horrendous situation for many in the West. Thousands of cattle and other livestock are currently stranded without food or water. Many have died due to the freezing temperatures. I have here a photo of an animal that is caked with several inches of snow. There are ice sickles falling down off of the nose of the animal and off of the underbelly of the animal. This is a hearty animal. Most animals that have suffered this kind of condition would not survive. The reason I point this out to the Members of the Senate is it just shows how ferocious this particular storm was and how serious of an impact it has had on the animals. This doesn't occur unless you have very severe blizzard conditions with lots of snow accompanying it. The aftermath of these devastating blizzards continues to paralyze many counties in Colorado and the West. Dozens of communities have experienced severe economic damage and loss as a result of these blizzards. These storms have created a dire situation. Thousands of local men and women have banded together and are working to provide relief to their neighbors and to the tens of thousands of livestock facing starvation. In the tradition of the West, local individuals have pulled together and spent much of their holiday season trying to dig each other out and reach stranded livestock. These storms struck during a time of year when ranchers in Colorado are preparing for the National Western Stock Show, one of the largest stock shows in the world. The stock show is an important opportunity for ranchers to show stock and to make contacts. Now in its 101st year, this year's stock show has seen a marked drop in attendance due to these storms. A story in the Rocky Mountain News was ``No-Show Stock Show.'' I have received reports that livestock pens are sitting empty at the stock show and that the number of exhibitors is down. This is because the animals that would fill the pens are fighting for their very survival and the ranchers who would typically exhibit simply can't make it because they are trying to save their stock. Folks aren't at the stock show because they are back home trying to help one another deal with the aftermath of these major storms. Locals are trying to do all they can. I am grateful for the assistance that the National Guard and FEMA have provided. Unfortunately, more help is needed. The vicious combination of blizzards was especially hard on eastern Colorado and the farmers and ranchers who call this part of Colorado home. The part of Colorado hardest hit by these blizzards is also one of the most important agricultural regions in our Nation and is an epicenter for cattle production. Ranchers in this part of the State are currently racing against time in an attempt to locate cattle that have been stranded without feed or water. Unfortunately, as each day goes by, the death toll increases. I have confirmed reports that the livestock loss has already reached into the thousands, and the tally is steadily growing. I have a photo that reflects how devastatingly some of the herds have been impacted. We have live cattle back here, and down here dead cattle. This photo reflects how all the cattle bunched together for warmth during the storm, and as a result, we have dead animals clustered together down here in this lower part of the photo that I bring to the Senate. It is a gruesome scene. This loss will have a very severe economic impact on this particular farmer and rancher. Unfortunately farmers and ranchers all over the State of Colorado and our neighbors to the east are facing similar situations. I grew up on a ranch, and I know all too well when your livestock is threatened, then so is your livelihood. Indications are that a tragic scene is developing in Colorado as cattle succumb to the elements due to a lack of food or a lack of water or from extreme exposure. Colorado's Governor has declared a state of emergency and has requested help from the Federal Government. I support this request and have transmitted my support for Federal aid to the White House. On Sunday, President Bush made an official emergency declaration for parts of Colorado. I am thankful for the President's attention to this crisis and the time he and his staff put in on this situation, working through the weekend to help Colorado producers. By signing this declaration on Sunday night, the President showed that he is a man familiar with ranching and understands how devastating this situation is for rural Colorado. The efforts of the President freed up valued aid from FEMA for snow removal for which I am grateful. As you can see from this particular picture, we have a roof that collapsed from the weight of the snow. It is just part of the picture, but I think it again reflects how the utilities and the infrastructure in areas of Colorado have been impacted. These impacts include the closure major highways and one of the country's busiest airports. I am grateful for the aid from FEMA. Local officials have been offering aid from the start and others from their office have swarmed to Colorado to offer assistance. They have a temporary headquarters set up in a Holiday Inn off the highway. Even in these less-than-ideal conditions, they are committed to helping folks in Colorado. This photo depicts the need, it shows a roof that collapsed from the weight of the snow. Last night I was informed by FEMA officials that upon receipt of appropriate paperwork from Colorado, up to six additional counties could be eligible for assistance. Those counties that could be added to the President's original emergency declaration are Baca, Bent, Crowley, El Paso, Prowers, and Pueblo Counties. In the coming days and weeks, I will continue to work the FEMA officials to see if other Colorado counties will be eligible. We appreciate the assistance FEMA has provided and their continued efforts. One of the most pressing matters that needs to be addressed is livestock aid. We desperately need aid for livestock rescue and recovery. The need for livestock aid becomes more pressing with each passing minute. I am hopeful that short-term relief will be forthcoming very soon. To address this need in the long term I have introduced a bill with colleagues from other affected States. The Livestock Assistance Act of 2007 will provide aid to farmers and ranchers for livestock recovery and assistance to help cover the costs of the livestock losses created by these storms. I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Senate can appreciate the vital nature of this bill and act quickly on it. As I stand here today, another storm is on its way to Colorado, bringing Arctic cold and a prediction of up to another foot of snow. We are in a tough spot out West, and I ask that all necessary Federal resources be made available to Colorado and other Western States suffering the devastation brought on by these historic storms. I yield the floor.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Second Look at Wasteful Spending amendment offered by Senator Gregg to the pending Legislative Transparency Act of 2007. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this amendment, as I was to be a cosponsor of the Stop-Over-Spending Act of 2006, which contained a similar provision. Spending is out of control and it is time that Congress put its money where its mouth is when it comes to reigning in spending. In addition to being a good first step, this amendment is symbolic because it is the first opportunity of this new Congress to do so. I hope the new majority party will use this opportunity to live up to its promise of fiscal responsibility and support this amendment. The amendment is simple. In a nutshell, it allows the President to identify individual items of wasteful spending that, for one reason or another, slipped through Congress and send them back for closer scrutiny. Once under the microscope for Congress and all of America to see, both houses of Congress will have the opportunity to give the individual proposal an up-or-down vote. If both Houses deem the spending appropriate, the President must release the funds. On the other hand, if it does not survive the scrutiny of both Houses, the spending is rescinded. Importantly, any savings resulting from rescinded items of spending goes to reduce the Federal deficit. With record revenues streaming into the Treasury as a result of the Republican pro-growth tax cuts, we have made significant strides toward cutting the deficit. This amendment provides an opportunity to chip away at the deficit from the spending side of the equation. Some of you may recall the Line Item Veto Authority that a Republican Congress gave to President Clinton in 1996 and wonder how this differs. This legislation, although similar in purpose, is not nearly as far- reaching as the authority given to President Clinton. Under that authority, presidential cancellations went into effect automatically, without Congressional action. Unlike that law, the Second Look at Wasteful Spending legislation requires that Congress take affirmative steps to affirm or deny any rescission package proposed by the President. In other words, Congress has the final say on the President's rescission request. Today's legislation contains several other important limitations on the President's authority. First, the President is limited to the submission of four rescission packages per year. Second, the President's rescission requests are limited to discretionary or mandatory spending or tax bills introduced on or after the legislation's enactment. Third, the authority sunsets in 4 years to allow Congress to reevaluate it after two Presidents have each used it for 2 years. I am pleased that Senator Gregg chose to address this issue during the pending lobbying reform legislation. Both pieces legislation share the goal of bringing greater transparency to the Federal spending process. While I do not pretend that it will solve all of the long-term fiscal problems--such as long-term entitlement spending--I do believe that it is an important and symbolic first step. Even if the authority is never used by the President, its mere existence will have a chilling effect on wasteful discretionary spending. Individual Members of Congress will give second thought to promoting wasteful items spending that they know will receive a second look. Similarly, it will provide an additional check on new items of mandatory spending, each of which has the potential to exacerbate the crisis that is the unsustainable growth in long-term entitlement spending. I say crisis because we received testimony in the Budget Committee that, if left unchecked, in under 30 years spending on just three entitlement programs--Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security-- will exceed, as a share of GDP, the amount of spending that the entire U.S. Government consumes today. In other words, those three programs are unsustainable. To further put the issue in perspective, outstanding 75-year Government promises, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, exceed the total amount of taxes collected in U.S. history by $26 trillion. Again, this amendment is only the first step in reducing spending-- something that the American taxpayers demand and deserve. I am hopeful that the new majority party will take the opportunity to support its promises of fiscal responsibility and join me in supporting this amendment. It will bring more accountability and transparency to the legislative process so that Americans will know what is happening and can hold Members of Congress more accountable. I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. I thank the Senator from Colorado. I appreciate all her fine work on that committee, and I really appreciate it for all the people of Colorado.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, as my good friend and colleague from Colorado just mentioned, we are introducing S. 194 naming the post office in Vail, CO, after former President Gerald R. Ford. As this vote just showed, we are all aware that when Gerald Ford passed away last month, our country lost a great man. Much has been said recently about President Ford: How he selflessly came to the aid of this country in one of its most trying times, how he governed through his beliefs about what was the best decision for the Nation regardless of the personal consequences, and his lifelong pursuit of bipartisanship and debate. The defining characteristic of President Ford was his ability to remain humble and a man of the people. As testimonies poured in across the Nation, we were reminded about how he played selflessly as center at the University of Michigan, worked as a busboy while attending law school, and often hosted barbecues for his neighbors at his home in Alexandria, VA, while serving as House minority leader. President Ford's charm and likability were shown all over the country, but away from his home State and the microscope of Washington, DC, Gerald Ford and his family also touched Colorado. As a Congressman from Michigan, the Ford family visited Colorado to ski in 1968 and since then have remained a constant presence in that community. He skied there, he built a house in nearby Beaver Creek, and he hosted a golf tournament for 20 years. Following President Ford's passing, more than 2,500 people gathered at the base of Vail Mountain to witness a touching tribute to the President that included 500 ski instructors and a torchlight parade on Vail's Golden Peak. In Vail, like many other communities, President Ford was regarded as a tremendous asset and a man who treated everyone as an equal. Several residents remarked that one would never know he was a former President. As a lasting tribute to this tremendous man, I cannot think of a more appropriate honor than to have Vail's post office bear the name of Gerald R. Ford, Jr. A post office is the point in every community that brings all people together, and there is no better way to symbolize the virtues President Ford demonstrated through his public and private life. I encourage the Senate to pass legislation entitled ``Senate Bill 194'' in recognition of President Ford and his contributions to Vail, CO.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, as my good friend and colleague from Colorado just mentioned, we are introducing S. 194 naming the post office in Vail, CO, after former President Gerald R. Ford. As this vote just showed, we are all aware that when Gerald Ford passed away last month, our country lost a great man. Much has been said recently about President Ford: How he selflessly came to the aid of this country in one of its most trying times, how he governed through his beliefs about what was the best decision for the Nation regardless of the personal consequences, and his lifelong pursuit of bipartisanship and debate. The defining characteristic of President Ford was his ability to remain humble and a man of the people. As testimonies poured in across the Nation, we were reminded about how he played selflessly as center at the University of Michigan, worked as a busboy while attending law school, and often hosted barbecues for his neighbors at his home in Alexandria, VA, while serving as House minority leader. President Ford's charm and likability were shown all over the country, but away from his home State and the microscope of Washington, DC, Gerald Ford and his family also touched Colorado. As a Congressman from Michigan, the Ford family visited Colorado to ski in 1968 and since then have remained a constant presence in that community. He skied there, he built a house in nearby Beaver Creek, and he hosted a golf tournament for 20 years. Following President Ford's passing, more than 2,500 people gathered at the base of Vail Mountain to witness a touching tribute to the President that included 500 ski instructors and a torchlight parade on Vail's Golden Peak. In Vail, like many other communities, President Ford was regarded as a tremendous asset and a man who treated everyone as an equal. Several residents remarked that one would never know he was a former President. As a lasting tribute to this tremendous man, I cannot think of a more appropriate honor than to have Vail's post office bear the name of Gerald R. Ford, Jr. A post office is the point in every community that brings all people together, and there is no better way to symbolize the virtues President Ford demonstrated through his public and private life. I encourage the Senate to pass legislation entitled ``Senate Bill 194'' in recognition of President Ford and his contributions to Vail, CO.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, another piece of legislation that I am introducing today addresses an issue important to citizens of southern Colorado. The problem is this: cable and satellite subscribers in two southern Colorado counties are forced by current law to receive New Mexico television stations. Lately, I hear almost every day from my constituents that they would prefer to receive Colorado television over New Mexico television. The problem stems from the fact that these two Colorado counties are located in the Albuquerque designated market area, as determined by Nielsen Media Research. As a matter of fairness, citizens of Colorado should be eligible to receive Colorado TV. Consumers should choose which television stations they receive, especially since they are the ones paying for it. The bill I am introducing does just that. It makes a commonsense change to the law that allows citizens of La Plata and Montezuma Counties to receive television stations from Denver, not Albuquerque. I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill that is nearly identical to laws enacted in previous Congresses that addressed similar problems in other States.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, another piece of legislation I am introducing today will authorize the expansion of the boundary of Mesa Verde National Park. The boundary adjustment will allow for the incorporation of 324 acres of land owned by the Henneman family, which is being purchased by the Conservation Fund for conveyance to the park, as well as a 38-acre parcel that will be donated to the park by the Mesa Verde Foundation. Mesa Verde National Park protects some of the best preserved and most notable archeological sites in the world. There are over 4,000 known archeological sites in the park, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites were constructed by ancestral Puebloans, who occupied this area for over 700 years, from 600 A.D. to 1300 A.D.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, the Baca National Wildlife Refuge Purpose bill will give the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service management tools that will allow the agency to run the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in a way that achieves the most beneficial use of this wonderful natural resource. The Baca National Wildlife Refuge consists of 92,500 acres of wetlands, sage brush, and riparian lands adjacent to the Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado. I, along with my former colleague from Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, U.S. Representative Scott McInnis, sponsored the legislation that converted the Sand Dunes from a monument to a park. This legislation also authorized the Federal acquisition of the Baca Ranch lands and I remain actively interested in the area's management.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I am introducing legislation which will extend congressional authorization for the Cache la Poudre Heritage Area in northern Colorado and will give local citizens greater management authority over the area. Under the original legislation, authored by former Colorado. Senator Hank Brown, the Secretary of Interior was to appoint a commission to work with the National Park Service and manage the area, but because of a technicality, the Secretary was unable to appoint the commission. In response, local citizens stepped up and formed the Poudre Heritage Alliance to support the Heritage Area until an official commission could be named. This legislation would rectify this, and empower local residents to continue the work they have been doing on behalf of the heritage area.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I am introducing a bill that will authorize the EPA to conduct a study of the growth in energy consumption by computer data centers operated by the Federal Government and by private corporations. The study will also examine industry movement toward energy efficient microchips and computer servers, potential cost savings associated with the movement to more efficient machines and what, if any, impacts to performance come with increased efficiency. The results of the study will allow us to more fully understand the impact that the growing number of computers in use throughout the country has on energy consumption. This information will better position Congress to make recommendations to Federal agencies on their energy use and computer selection. It will also provide private industry with information that will allow them to choose computer models that will decrease their energy consumption, making their companies more efficient and profitable.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, currently American seniors enjoy Medicare health plans called cost contracts. Under legislation I am introducing today, seniors will be able to continue utilizing these valued health plans. Medicare cost contract plans are vital to America. Cost contracts provide Medicare beneficiaries in many rural areas and small cities throughout our country with an affordable, high-quality option to the traditional Medicare fee-for-service plan. For many of these beneficiaries, Medicare Advantage plans do not provide access to physicians in the community. Medicare cost contracts are managed care plans that are reimbursed on a cost basis for providing health services. Under current law, cost contracts are one option for Medicare beneficiaries. Cost contract premiums cover Medicare deductibles and additional benefits not covered by basic Medicare. Further, for the costs of a normal Medicare fee-for- service copayment, seniors with cost contracts can use any Medicare provider regardless of whether they participate in the health plans network. This is critical in rural areas where physicians are scarce. Cost contracts are vital to seniors who have them. From New York to Oregon, and even to Hawaii, America's seniors are enrolled in cost contract plans. Cost contracts are especially important in rural Colorado. Of the Coloradans with cost contract plans, 89 percent live in rural Colorado, where few physicians will see patients under straight Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Many beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare cost contract plans live on limited incomes. Under the traditional Medicare program, beneficiaries incur considerable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, Medicare supplemental insurers frequently age-adjust premiums and either refuse coverage or impose coverage restrictions for pre- existing conditions. Medicare cost contract plans provide an affordable alternative. Unfortunately, under current law cost contracts soon will terminate. I believe Congress should work to extend Medicare cost contracts further. My bill, the Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act of 2007, would accomplish this by extending by five years the cost contract sunset date of December 31, 2007, to December 31, 2012. Cost contracts have been a bipartisan issue, with bipartisan support in the past. Senator Wyden of Oregon worked to get an extension for cost contracts in the 109th Congress, and I look forward to working with him again during the 110th.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I am introducing a bill dealing with the Granada Relocation Camp, also known as Camp Amache. It played an important, but sad, part in United States history. Camp Amache, one of 10 internment camps in the Nation, was established in August 1942 by the U.S. Government during World War II as a place to house the Japanese from the west coast and was closed on August 15, 1945. This is a significant part of American history and it should be preserved. My bill today will designate the Granada Relocation Camp as a national historic site in Colorado.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, the first bill I present today is to address one of the biggest current scourges of our citizens-- methamphetamine abuse. Just this week, a report published by Colorado's Meth Task Force cited Denver as a major distribution center for meth in the U.S. Our Nation has been hard hit by the illegal trafficking of meth across U.S. borders. This is a national issue that is growing at a rate that constantly presents a challenge to our talented law enforcement officials. Through our work on the Combat Meth Act, we have provided them with many tools to fight the domestic production of meth. We are now called upon to respond to the issue of foreign produced meth as it presents a growing threat to the U.S. In just 10 years, meth has become America's worst drug problem--worse than marijuana, cocaine or heroin. My home state of Colorado, like the rest of the Nation, faces challenges associated with the growing epidemic. Although the number of meth labs in the state is on the decline, meth distribution remains rampant because of Denver's location at the intersection of two major interstate highways, both of which serve as pipelines for the distribution of meth after it enters our country. This evidence is echoed by the many local drug task forces, law enforcement officials, and District Attorneys who are tasked with tackling meth within our communities and who I have worked with on this issue. According to estimates from the DEA, an alarming 80 percent of the meth used in the United States comes from larger labs, increasingly abroad, while only 20 percent of the meth consumed in this country comes from small laboratories. Therefore, I propose that we improve efforts to curb the flow of meth both within and across our borders. We must take steps to expand enforcement to reduce the amount of meth being trafficked into the United States by establishing stricter penalties for meth offenders, improving coordination with foreign law enforcement officials, and examining the serious meth problems faced by Indian reservations. The Methamphetamine Trafficking Enforcement Act of 2007 that I am introducing today is a first step to fighting the trafficking of this drug. My bill addresses the distribution issue by dramatically lowering the quantity and dollar amount thresholds for federal criminal prosecution of leaders of methamphetamine distribution rings. The trafficking of meth across our borders makes Federal action necessary, but this is not our war to fight alone. This bill also presses upon the United States Trade Representative, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to include new ways to curb the illicit use and shipment of pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and similar chemicals in multilateral and bilateral negotiations. Federal law enforcement officials will collaborate with their foreign counterparts to fight meth internationally. Working together, we can find a long term solution. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the use, production and distribution of meth on Indian lands has increased in the past decade. With limited numbers of tribal law enforcement officials, meth can easily flow into and be trafficked out of many Indian reservations. This bill urges the Attorney General to research and report to Congress the challenges faced by all Indian reservations and make recommendations to help them address meth trafficking and abuse. We must recognize the immediacy of the issue of methamphetamine trafficking. It is important that we protect the U.S. and its borders to ensure national security and the safety of our communities. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this issue and invite them to cosponsor the Methamphetamine Trafficking Enforcement Act of 2007.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I turn now to the issue of housing. Congress created the Mark-to-Market Program in 1997 to reduce Section 8 costs while preserving the affordability and availability of low-income rental housing. The purpose of the program is to reduce the property rents to market level while simultaneously restructuring property debt to prevent FHA defaults. Studies seem to show that the program has been an overwhelming success. Nearly 250,000 units of affordable housing have been preserved due to the Mark-to-Market Program. This is affordable housing that would have been permanently lost as affordable otherwise. According to HUD, the program has also saved taxpayers more than $2 billion. The original legislation authorized the Mark-to-Market Program for 4 years, which was subsequently extended for 5 additional years. Therefore, the Mark-to-Market program authority was scheduled to expire on September 30, 2006. Fortunately, the program authority was temporarily extended under the continuing resolutions. When the program was extended in 2001, it appeared that 5 additional years would be sufficient time for nearly all eligible properties to complete the Mark-to-Market process. However, more recent projections show that nearly 78,000 properties will face rent reductions over the next 5 years. It is important to note that even though the program will expire, these Section 8 properties with above market rates will still be required to have their rents reduced to market levels. Without the proper tools to also restructure the debt, many owners will lack sufficient funds for property maintenance or mortgage payments. Because many Section 8 properties are also FHA insured, this will result in a significant number of claims against FHA, in addition to many tenant displacements. Clearly, no one finds this a desirable scenario. Failure to extend the Mark-to-Market Program would be bad for tenants and bad for taxpayers. Thus, I am pleased to join with Senator Reed of Rhode Island in reintroducing the Mark-to-Market Extension Act of 2007. Our bill would extend the program for 5 additional years to allow the remaining properties to go through the Mark-to-Market process. Frankly, I can see no downside to extending the program; It maintains affordable housing for less money. I am pleased to work with industry groups and with my colleagues to see that this very worthwhile program is extended for an additional 5 years.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, another bill dealing with the large military presence in Colorado relates to the expansion of the Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. Due to an emphasis on rapid mobility, modularity, and maneuverability in recent years, the Army's ability to project force across the battlefield has increased exponentially. As such, the Army transformation is also driving higher their requirement for training space. With its close location to Fort Carson, Pinon Canyon was perfectly suited for the Army's training needs 20 years ago. However, with the arrival of 10,000 new soldiers to Fort Carson, the Army has determined that the size of the site needs to be increased in order to meet Fort Carson's new operational training requirements. I have been told repeatedly by Army officials that the genesis of Fort Carson's expansion proposal occurred when several landowners approached Fort Carson and expressed their strong desire to sell. I also understand that sufficient numbers of willing sellers exist to support a significant expansion of the site. However, many in the community surrounding Pinon Canyon have major questions that need to be answered. In order to get some of these major questions answered, a reporting requirement was placed in the 2006 Defense Authorization bill, approved by both the Senate and the House. However, the Department of Army is restricted on communicating about any specific land acquisition proposal until a waiver for that site has been granted by the Secretary of Defense, which has yet to be granted. Thus, the Army's hands were tied and they were unable to meet the full reporting requirements in the 2006 Defense authorization. I understand the difficult position the Army is on this issue, but I believe it is absolutely necessary that they provide the information to the community and to Congress prior to any acquisition of property. The leadership at Fort Carson has done a great job of reaching out and providing what information it could to the local communities. However, the Pentagon has not been as forthcoming. I believe the Congress and, more importantly, the local communities in Southeastern Colorado need more information before we can decide whether this proposed expansion is necessary and appropriate. With these objectives in mind, today I am introducing a bill that clearly defines the process under which the Army can expand the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. This legislation prohibits the use of eminent domain, requires the Army to pay fair market value. Most importantly, the bill does not allow the Army to proceed with land acquisition until it delivers the answers previously sought on the environmental and economic impacts of expansion and also must offer options for compensating the loss of property tax revenue. It is vital that the Army take the time to answer these important questions to help alleviate the affected communities concerns. A number of counties and small towns in Southeastern Colorado could be adversely affected by this expansion, and this study will help us better understand the extent of these impacts and provide options for mitigating them.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I am introducing the Arkansas Valley Conduit bill, which will ensure the construction of a pipeline that will provide the small, financially strapped towns and water agencies along the lower Arkansas River with safe, clean, affordable water. This project was originally authorized by Congress in 1962, over 40 years ago, as a part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Due to several long years of drought and increasing Federal water quality standards, current water delivery methods are not enough. By creating an 80- percent Federal, 20-percent local cost share formula to help offset the construction costs of the conduit, this legislation will protect the future of southeastern Colorado's drinking water supplies and prevent further economic hardship.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, in another area, the events of the past several years remind us of the vital role of first responders in responding to natural disasters and terrorists attacks. It is important that our first responders receive the training needed to make critical, life-saving decisions under emergency circumstances. I believe that an essential element of preparing our first responders is to provide them with hands-on experience in real-world training environments. The importance of real world training was called to my attention by a visit to the Transportation Technology Training Center, TTC, in Pueblo, CO. There, I witnessed first hand the tools at our Nation's disposal to equip our first responders with the training they need, specifically in the context of rail and mass transit. But our national training consortium does not currently include a facility that is uniquely focused on emergency preparedness within the railroad and mass transit environment. The inclusion of TTC would fill a critical gap in its current training agenda. TTC is a federally owned, 52-square-mile multimodal testing and training facility in Pueblo, CO, operated by the Association of American Railroads, AAR. Each year, an average of 1,700 first responders travel to Pueblo, CO, to participate in TTC's training program. The facility has trained more than 20,000 students in its 20- year history. The ERTC is regarded as the ``graduate school'' of hazmat training because of its focus on hands on, true to life, training exercises on actual rail vehicles, including tank cars and passenger rail cars. The ERTC is uniquely positioned to teach emergency response for railway- related emergencies. It is for these reasons that today I introduce a bill authorizing the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, as expanded to include the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO, and providing for its coordination and use by the Department of Homeland Security in training the Nation's first responders.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, the National Trails System Willing Seller Act will pave the way for the completion of our Nation's most outstanding national trails. The legislation will amend the National Trails System Act of 1968 to make clear that the Federal Government may purchase land to complete several national trails from willing sellers. The legislation specifically names nine trails that are spread across the nation. The Continental Divide trail, stretching from Mexico through Colorado to the Canadian border, is among the trails that await completion. I was successful in gaining Senate passage of this legislation in the 108th Congress and am hopeful that both the House and Senate will act on the bill this year.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I am reintroducing legislation to establish a National Veteran's Cemetery in the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado in order to meet the needs of veterans in southern Colorado. This legislation is similar to what I have introduced and supported in the past, and seeks to fill a void for many veterans and their families. Colorado's fifth Congressional District contains the third highest concentration of military retirees in the nation. Recent estimates show that there are as many as 175,000 veterans in the area, when including all of southern Colorado. This legislation will allow thousands of eligible southern Colorado military personnel, both active duty and retired as well as the many veterans living in the area, to have a chance to find their final resting place in the region so many of them have come to love and appreciate. This legislation has been influenced by the growing military retiree and veterans populations in the Pikes Peak region as well as community leaders and local Veterans Service Organizations who have repeatedly brought this issue to my attention over the last several years. It is important to note the passion and perseverance of those that have supported a National Veterans Cemetery and have worked tirelessly on the issue. This legislation is truly citizen-generated and is a testament to the dedication of veterans in the community.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, finally, I would like to note that nearly 20 years ago, on June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan stood at the Berlin Wall, at the Brandenburg Gate, and issued his--issued liberty's--famous challenge to Soviet tyranny: Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall! I am submitting a resolution today calling for an artistic rendering of that moment in time to be painted into the Capitol, along with the other significant scenes of our Nation's past. As we walk through the building today, we can see scenes from the Nation's founding, from the Civil War, our westward expansion, even the Moon landing and Challenger astronauts. I would like to also see Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate. I think it would be entirely appropriate to have this image added. It would be an important reminder of the struggle this Nation undertook. It would stand for the millions of Americans who did their part for nearly half a century in that struggle, both military and civilian. And it would testify to the greatness of our Nation, and the greatness of our 40th President.

Mr. ALLARD

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

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today we start the 110th Congress of the United States. We embark on a 2-year journey to submit, consider, debate, improve, and eventually pass legislation on behalf of the greater good of our constituents and the American people. Accordingly, I have here today a package of legislative proposals which I believe will benefit Colorado and the country. This package is the first chapter of what I hope becomes a legislative agenda for Colorado and the Nation. These 15 bills address matters from healthcare to housing, land usage to veterans, and Homeland Security to drug trafficking prevention. These bills are: The Methamphetamine Trafficking Enforcement Act of 2007; the Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act of 2007; the Mark-to-Market Extension Act of 2007; the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Expansion Act of 2007; the National Trails System Willing Seller Act of 2007; the Pikes Peak Regional Veteran's Cemetery Act of 2007; the Pinon Canyon Expansion Citizen's Input Act of 2007; the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act; the Increase Computer Efficiency Study Act of 2007; the Mesa Verde National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2007; the Baca National Wildlife Refuge Purpose Act; the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area Technical Amendments Act of 2007; the Satellite and Cable Access Act of 2007; the Granada Relocation Center National Historic Site Act of 2007; and a Ronald Reagan U.S. Capitol Artistic Tribute Resolution. Mr. President, this agenda of 15 bills represents many hours of work with Colorado citizens, officials, interested parties, and stakeholders. It is a set of fairly controversy-free proposals that will solve problems and offer solutions. I intend to return to this floor with a second round of legislative proposals, proposals that I am now working on with colleagues, State officials, and Colorado stakeholders. Other measures I plan to address this session include Good Samaritan mine cleanups, bark beetle eradication legislation, Rocky Mt. National Park Wilderness, National ID theft/Social Security number protection, renewable energy tax credits, reverse mortgages, the need for public health veterinarians, oil shale royalties, and manufactured housing reform. I look forward to working with my colleagues on getting these bills through the legislative process and being able to tell Coloradans that we in Washington are engaged on their behalf. (The remarks of Mr. ALLARD pertaining to the submission of S. Con. Res. 1 are located in today's Record under ``Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions.'') (The remarks of Mr. ALLARD pertaining to the introduction of S. 124, S. 125, S. 126, S. 127, S. 128, S. 129, S. 130, S. 131, S. 132, S. 134, S. 135, S. 136, S. 168, and S. 169 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'') Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I come today to discuss the situation in Colorado and surrounding States that has captured national attention. Over the last few weeks Colorado and its neighbors have experienced two record-setting blizzards. In some parts of Colorado these storms dropped almost 5 feet of snow and have created a nightmare situation for many in rural America. Thousands of head of cattle and other livestock are currently stranded without food or water. Only recently have some of these animals begun to see relief with supply drops via helicopter. The aftermath of these devastating blizzards continues to paralyze many counties in Colorado and the West. Thousands of local men and women have banded together and are working to provide relief to their neighbors and to the tens of thousands of livestock facing starvation. Dozens of communities have experienced severe economic damage and loss as a result of these blizzards. These storms have created a dire situation. In the tradition of the West local individuals have pulled together and have spent much of their holiday season trying to dig each other out and reach stranded livestock. Locals are doing all that they can, and I am grateful for the assistance that the National Guard has provided. Unfortunately more needs to be done. I am introducing legislation today that will help provide Federal resources to the backbone of America; our producers. The legislation that I introduce today will reauthorize the Livestock Compensation Program and direct the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate funds to it from the Commodity Credit Corporation to help eligible producers that have suffered a loss from these blizzards. I am hopeful that the Senate will act swiftly on this important legislation that will get vital help to America's farmers and ranchers.

Mr. ALLARD

Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, another piece of legislation that I am introducing today addresses an issue important to citizens of southern Colorado. The problem is this: cable and satellite subscribers in two southern Colorado counties are forced by current law to receive New Mexico television stations. Lately, I hear almost every day from my constituents that they would prefer to receive Colorado television over New Mexico television. The problem stems from the fact that these two Colorado counties are located in the Albuquerque designated market area, as determined by Nielsen Media Research. As a matter of fairness, citizens of Colorado should be eligible to receive Colorado TV. Consumers should choose which television stations they receive, especially since they are the ones paying for it. The bill I am introducing does just that. It makes a commonsense change to the law that allows citizens of La Plata and Montezuma Counties to receive television stations from Denver, not Albuquerque. I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill that is nearly identical to laws enacted in previous Congresses that addressed similar problems in other States.