Barbara Boxer

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. As soon as I finish my statement, I will be happy to yield. We have to ask this President: Why are we in Iraq? The answer depends on when he was asked. Once upon a time, we were told it was about weapons of mass destruction. Remember? We had to go find them. Our military found there were none. Then we were told it was Saddam's ties to al-Qaida. Well, there was no connection to al-Qaida. Then we were told we had to get Saddam's family and show their pictures to the world so the world knew America meant business. And we did that, and the fighting went on. Then we were told they need to have an election, and how proud we were when the Iraqi people went and as a free people elected their leaders. All that happened. The President said: Mission accomplished. But it goes on and on because it is a changing mission every day, no vision of how to get out of this situation, and we have colleagues on the other side talking about us being there 50 years, 100 years, who knows, maybe 1,000 years. This is not at no cost or little cost. It is costing us an absolute fortune, and it is tied to this deficit because it is tying our hands. The President says our commitment to Iraq is not open ended, and yet he will not tell the leaders over there: Get your act together because we have trained 500,000 of you and now it is your turn to stand up and fight for your freedom and fight for your democracy, frankly, the way we did and other countries do. There is a point in time when you have given so much blood and treasure that you have to say: We want to help you, we will be there, but we will not be in the forefront of this fight. We have never been leveled with. How many more brave men and women will die? Oh, we don't know. How many more will be wounded? We don't know. But what we do know is some of the wounded are coming home to my State and they are suffering, suffering, suffering. Yet in the President's stimulus package, there is no help for disabled veterans. No, oh, no, we couldn't do that. For a day of the cost of Iraq we can help them. That is why we want the debate and we want the debate to start. The President says the surge will lead us to victory. We hope so, but the President says he knows it. How long will the surge last? It was supposed to provide a quiet time for the leaders to resolve their problems. It hasn't happened. Our brave men and women in uniform have performed remarkably. They have done every single thing we have asked of them and more. But you know what, there has to be an end to this. As our military leaders tell us every day, there is no military solution to the situation in Iraq. I said before we trained 500,000 Iraqis. I want to correct that figure. It is 440,000. That is how many Iraqis we have trained. Our taxpayers have laid the money out to train. I think we ought to look at what the British did. The British were very clear. They said their presence in Iraq was fueling the violence, fueling al-Qaida, and it would be far better if they played a supportive role. And most of them will be gone. As a matter of fact, the coalition of the willing has been massively depleted. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end to a mission. But you cannot change the mission every few months. It is not fair to our troops. It is sending a mixed message to the Iraqis. Why do I bring this all up in the context of the stimulus? Because the outflow of money is hurting us. We cannot take care of America. I think we need to make a choice, and this stimulus package is the time for us to connect all the dots. This economic recession needs our attention. We need to put the resources to it so it doesn't become a deep and darker recession. We have to ask ourselves in the context of this debate: Is it time for America, for our families, for our soldiers coming home, for our children, or is it the time to continue an open- ended commitment to a war without an end, a price tag without an end, a war that is tying our hands as this recession becomes more real day after day? Clearly, it is no surprise that I say it is time for America and it is time for change. I do believe the people out there, whether they are Democrats, Republicans or Independents, are crying out for that change. I will also say, they may not all agree on one particular path, but one thing they want us to do is our job. They don't want stall tactics, they don't want delays, they don't want brilliant Senators coming to the floor and saying: Gee, there has been a change in this bill, and we need 30 hours to figure it out. Stay up until 10 or 11; you can read that part of the bill. It isn't complicated, and it isn't time to continue an open-ended commitment to a war without end. As we try to soften the blow of this recession on the American people, let us understand that if we don't change when it comes to this war and start bringing our troops home and start giving the Iraqi leaders a signal that they need to take charge of their own country, I will tell you, I can't be part of that kind of a value system because our people are suffering. Again, my State is in a recession. I have sitting councilmen coming to me--by the way, not always in my party, believe me--saying to me: Senator, you have to help us. We are in a spiral. Help us. When I called and said help is on the way, we are going to raise those loan limits for Fannie, Freddie, and FHA, we are going to give the homebuilders some kind of a tax break, we are going to give a tax break to the alternative energy industry so they can start hiring people, they smiled, there is hope. But if they heard tonight the back and forth between the Democratic leader and the Republican leader and they heard the Republican leader say: We are really sorry we are going to hold things up because I have to read this bill when, in fact, the changes that were made are so minuscule we could read it in 10 minutes, they don't know what is going on, and they throw up their hands. I am here tonight to tell them: Don't give up hope because we are motivated. We are motivated to get this package through. We are telling our seniors to let their Senators know, Democratic and Republican Senators, they need to be included, the disabled veterans, the homebuilders, the people who are struggling with their mortgages. We are on your side. If your voice is heard, even in this Senate, it will have an impact. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BOXER. Will the Senator yield for a question?

Mrs. BOXER. Now I am confused, truly, honestly. I thought Senator McConnell said, after you informed him there were changes to the bill, that he was very concerned about that and he needed time to read the bill. That is what I heard both of you talk about. You came down and told him that. I heard that. Then I heard Senator Reid say: While you are reading this bill, let's get done with FISA. We can't seem to get that done. But it was my friend, Senator Kyl, and my friend, Senator McConnell, who said very clearly they needed time to read this bill. I pointed out that the bill--

Mrs. BOXER. My question is, if you want to go to it right now, why did you tell the majority leader that there were changes to it and you needed to read and take all 30 hours to read the bill? I don't understand.

Mrs. BOXER. Will the Senator yield for a question? It is so confusing to me.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I wish to honor the life of an amazing Californian, Earl Greenberg. Earl recently died from cancer in his adopted home of Palm Springs. He will be missed by so many there and by all those whose lives he touched around the Nation. Earl Greenberg's life was marked by an enduring sense of optimism that all things were possible. In the entertainment industry, he created hit television shows and won an Emmy Award. But his contributions went far beyond the entertainment and business worlds. Earl worked every day to make people's lives better, and he had the unique gift of convincing countless others to join him in that noble task. In the desert region, Earl led in the creation of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which has become a truly international event, drawing hundreds of thousands to see the very best in film. In 1994, when his partner, Rick Weiss, died of AIDS, Earl turned his profound grief into action to change lives. He created the Weiss Apartments in Santa Monica where people with HIV/AIDS can live. He also created the Rick Weiss Humanitarian Awards to raise funds to help organizations that seek a cure and help people living with HIV/AIDS. His good works did not stop there. Earl was also active with the Desert Cancer Society, Desert AIDS Project, Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, Angel View Crippled Children Foundation, Shelter from the Storm, AIDS Assistance Program, the Stroke Activity Center, and Eisenhower Medical Center, giving both his time and money to improve lives and restore health. My heart goes out to all of Earl's loved ones. Earl's business and life partner is David Peet. Together they shared a love for one another and a true zest for life. I know David will do whatever he can to continue Earl's work. Earl was a loving father. He is survived by his son, Ari Greenberg, daughter, Kathryn Claire, grandchildren, and brothers. I share my deepest condolences for their loss. Meeting Earl was such an honor for me, and watching him work was always a learning and inspiring experience. While so many in the desert and across California grieve today because of his loss, we know that countless people are living better lives because of his generosity and philanthropy. And there is no greater legacy than that.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent, for myself as chairman of the Select Committee on Ethics and for Senator Cornyn as vice chairman of the committee, that the following ``Annual Report for 2007--Select Committee on Ethics'' be printing in the Record. The committee issues this report today as required by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Port of Stockton, the second busiest inland port on the west coast. During the Gold Rush, the city of Stockton was an important seaport because it was the farthest point upriver ships could travel. In the early 20th century, Stockton became a vital hub for farm equipment that transformed the San Joaquin Valley from a primarily wheat-growing region to the Nation's most diverse and productive agricultural region. When it became apparent that the San Joaquin River was too shallow to accommodate the increasingly large ships that supplied the region's growing demand for farm equipment, the first dredging contracts for the Stockton Deep Water Channel were awarded in 1930. The port of Stockton officially opened in 1933. Today, the Port of Stockton processes more than 6 million tons of cargo annually. The port trades with more than 55 countries, from Canada to New Zealand, and from Thailand to Trinidad. It supports over 4,500 jobs in the region, accounting for more than $170 million in annual income. In recent years, the Port of Stockton has made a commitment to implement a program for environmentally friendly port operations. Through its Delta Environmental Enhancement Program, the port has planted the seeds for sustained, long-term changes that will help protect the air, water, soil, and wildlife that are part of the precious Delta waterways. The success of the Port of Stockton is made possible by the dedication of scores of hard-working people who work together to make sure that its operations go smoothly. Every person who has lent a helping hand over the years can take great pride in knowing that their support and hard work has resulted in the continued growth and success of the Port of Stockton. I congratulate the Port of Stockton on its 75th anniversary and wish its staff and supporters a bright future and continued success.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I am joined by my colleagues Senators Dole, Tester, Murray, Wyden, Cantwell, Stabenow, and Obama to introduce the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of 2008-- legislation that supports the research of early detection and screening of ovarian cancer For many years, ovarian cancer has been called the ``silent killer'' because the list of symptoms women are warned to look out for are merely whispers about the dangers of this deadly disease. There is currently no effective screening test available for ovarian cancer and the disease is difficult to identify because symptoms are easily misdiagnosed. Without an effective screening test most women who have ovarian cancer are diagnosed too late to be saved. A woman's chance of surviving ovarian cancer is considerably greater if she is diagnosed early. When ovarian cander is diagnosed early, more than 93 percent of women survive longer than 5 years. Unfortunately, 4 out of 5 ovarian cancer cases in the U.S. are diagnosed in the later stages, when a woman's chance of surviving that long drops to about 30 percent. Though only one in 69 women will face ovarian cancer, this disease ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. In the last year alone, the National Cancer Institute, (NCI), estimated there were 15,280 deaths from ovarian cancer in the U.S. Developing the tools to detect ovarian cancer early is critical to improving the rate of survival for women struck by this disease--that is why this legislation is so necessary. Specifically, the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act would authorize NCI to make grants for public or nonprofit entities to establish research centers focused on ovarian cancer biomarkers. Biomarkers are biochemical features within the body that can be used to measure the progress of a disease and predict the effects of treatment. This legislation also authorizes funding for a national clinical trial that will enroll at-risk women in a study to determine the clinical utility of using these validated ovarian cancer biomarkers. I urge my colleagues to join me as well as the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, and the American College of Surgeons in supporting the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of 2008. This legislation is of vital importance to the health of thousands of women across our Nation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this critical investment in the fight against ovarian cancer.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I am joined by my colleagues Senators Dole, Tester, Murray, Wyden, Cantwell, Stabenow, and Obama to introduce the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of 2008-- legislation that supports the research of early detection and screening of ovarian cancer For many years, ovarian cancer has been called the ``silent killer'' because the list of symptoms women are warned to look out for are merely whispers about the dangers of this deadly disease. There is currently no effective screening test available for ovarian cancer and the disease is difficult to identify because symptoms are easily misdiagnosed. Without an effective screening test most women who have ovarian cancer are diagnosed too late to be saved. A woman's chance of surviving ovarian cancer is considerably greater if she is diagnosed early. When ovarian cander is diagnosed early, more than 93 percent of women survive longer than 5 years. Unfortunately, 4 out of 5 ovarian cancer cases in the U.S. are diagnosed in the later stages, when a woman's chance of surviving that long drops to about 30 percent. Though only one in 69 women will face ovarian cancer, this disease ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. In the last year alone, the National Cancer Institute, (NCI), estimated there were 15,280 deaths from ovarian cancer in the U.S. Developing the tools to detect ovarian cancer early is critical to improving the rate of survival for women struck by this disease--that is why this legislation is so necessary. Specifically, the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act would authorize NCI to make grants for public or nonprofit entities to establish research centers focused on ovarian cancer biomarkers. Biomarkers are biochemical features within the body that can be used to measure the progress of a disease and predict the effects of treatment. This legislation also authorizes funding for a national clinical trial that will enroll at-risk women in a study to determine the clinical utility of using these validated ovarian cancer biomarkers. I urge my colleagues to join me as well as the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, and the American College of Surgeons in supporting the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of 2008. This legislation is of vital importance to the health of thousands of women across our Nation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this critical investment in the fight against ovarian cancer.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of a dedicated public servant, Detective Kent Haws of the Tulare County Sheriff's Department. On the afternoon of December 17, 2007, while on motor patrol in rural Tulare County, Detective Haws was killed in the line of duty while investigating a suspicious vehicle. Detective Haws was born in Phoenix, AZ and raised in Visalia, CA. A graduate of Mt. Whitney High School and College of the Sequoias, Detective Haws served in the United States Army 10th Mountain Division before achieving his long-time goal of joining the Tulare County Sheriff's Department. For the past decade, Detective Haws dutifully served the citizens and communities of Tulare County with great commitment, integrity, and valor. Detective Haws' devotion to help others, coupled with his passion for law enforcement, enabled him to become a model member of the Tulare County Sheriff's Department. Detective Haws is survived by his wife Frances and children Dominik, Nicholas, and Evan. Those who knew Detective Haws will always remember him as a caring, kind, and devoted family man, colleague, and friend. Detective Kent Haws served Tulare County with honor and bravery, and fulfilled his oath as an officer of the law. His contributions to public safety and dedication to law enforcement are greatly appreciated and will serve as an example of his commitment to protecting and serving the public. We shall always be grateful for Detective Haws' heroic service and the sacrifices he made while serving the community and the people he loved.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased and honored to pay tribute to Louis--Lou--Brosnahan Burgelin for his 65-plus years of dedicated service to the greater Vallejo community. Born on January 20, 1916 in Vallejo, CA, to Otto and Frances Burgelin, Lou graduated from Vallejo High School in 1932 and went on to graduate from the Mare Island Naval Shipyard Apprentice School as a marine machinist. Always eager to exceed expectations, Lou held numerous management positions throughout his career with the United States Navy, including production control manager at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, chief progressman at Mare Island, and head progressman at Hunter's Point. In addition, Lou worked his way up from charter member to national president of the Naval Civilian Manager's Association and also served as president of the Council of Naval Employee Groups, which represents all of the employees of West Coast naval shipyards. After retiring from Federal service in 1972, Lou became the executive secretary of the Armed Services Committee of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, a position he held for 19 years. This was just one of many leadership positions he held in his beloved hometown, with other civic engagements including first chairman of the Vallejo Senior Citizens Center, Exalted Ruler of the Vallejo Elks Lodge, and president of the Vallejo-Napa United Way. Lou was also actively involved with the city of Vallejo's naval landmark, Mare Island. His lobbying efforts for military construction projects on Mare Island and his efforts to maintain dredging operations necessary for shipyard operations culminated in his receipt of the Public Service Medal by the Navy's Chief of Operations. Proving that age will not slow him down, Lou is still active in the greater Vallejo community, currently serving as president of the Vallejo Council of the Navy League of the United States, treasurer for the Salvation Army, and national legislative chair for the Vallejo NARFE Chapter 16. In addition to his ongoing civic involvement, Lou remains happily married to the former Betty Greenwell. Approaching 69 years of marriage, Lou and Betty have three children, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. When I first met Lou in the eighties, I knew he was a powerful voice for his community and he became one of my top advisors when I represented Vallejo in Congress. After more than 65 years of continuing service to the city of Vallejo and U.S. Navy, I remain in admiration of Lou's strong sense of civic duty. Along with hundreds of his friends and admirers throughout the city of Vallejo, I wish him many more years of continued community involvement and leadership.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to recognize the 30th anniversary of one of the Capital region's most vital nonprofit agencies, Women Escaping a Violent Environment Inc., WEAVE, in Sacramento, CA. In its three decades of service, WEAVE has provided invaluable public service to victims of domestic abuse, as well as their families, and has helped to save countless lives as a result of the education, counseling, and intervention they have provided to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. WEAVE was established in 1978 in Sacramento as a grassroots organization to serve survivors of domestic violence and their families by providing crisis lines and counseling services. Within the first 10 years of its establishment, WEAVE broadened its role in the community to include legal advocacy, opened a safehouse that provides emergency services to female victims of domestic violence and their children, and became a dual agency that expanded its mission to include sexual assault services. Victims are accompanied to appointments and are given emotional support, information, counseling, food and clothing. In the next decade WEAVE recognized that employers and schools could also be part of a solution in preventing domestic abuse and sexual assault. They provided prevention education to elementary and high schools, and began their Break the Silence Campaign that increases awareness of domestic violence by educating employers and their employees to recognize signs of abuse and how to best respond. During the 1990s, WEAVE also opened a Children's Center and WEAVE Works retail clothing store that provide revenues to support their mission in the community. Today WEAVE has 80 staff members and over 200 active volunteers in two locations, who serve over 20,000 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault annually with intervention and counseling services, along with educating an additional 10,000 members of the community on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. WEAVE has achieved this success through partnerships with local law enforcement, government and business leaders. As the community and staff gather to celebrate WEAVE's 30th anniversary, I congratulate and thank the staff, volunteers and community partners of this important organization and wish them many more years of success.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to observe the 100th anniversary of Muir Woods National Monument, located in Marin County, CA. It was U.S. Representative William Kent whose visionary actions would lead to the creation of Muir Woods National Monument. During the mid- nineteenth century, the Gold Rush brought treasure seekers to northern California in large numbers. To accommodate this rapid population growth in San Francisco and other coastal cities, timber, meat, and crops were needed in much larger quantities. As a result, much of the easily accessible timber in Marin County was logged between 1840 and 1870. Representative Kent witnessed this massive resource depletion and decided to take action to preserve coastal redwood forest areas. In 1905, he purchased 612 acres of the Redwood Canyon from the Tamalpais Land & Water Co. On December 26, 1907, in order to best protect the land, Representative Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thatcher Kent, donated 298 acres of Redwood Canyon to the Federal Government. On January 9, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared Muir Woods a National Monument. This year, we celebrate its centennial anniversary. Coast redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens, are the dominant feature of Muir Woods' forest. These ancient wonders are also the world's tallest living tree species and the official tree of the State of California. This species of redwood is believed to have existed when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Visitors to Muir Woods are left fascinated as they get to experience living history by exploring the Bohemian and Cathedral groves of Muir Woods, where many trees are more than 1,200 years old. Muir Woods is also home to douglas fir, tanbark oak, bigleaf maple, and bay laurel trees, leading conservationist and namesake John Muir to remark that Muir Woods ``is the best tree-lovers' monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world.'' Only 15 miles north of San Francisco, Muir Woods National Monument offers a stunning glimpse of the redwood forests that once covered northern California's coastal valleys. For 100 years, Muir Woods National Monument has served as a recreational escape for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and those seeking a glimpse of northern California's rich history. It is a powerful reminder of the beauty of nature and the importance of conservation efforts. I commend the National Park Service staff and volunteers for maintaining the natural beauty and historical significance of Muir Woods National Monument. I look forward to future generations having the opportunity to study and enjoy this unique piece of our State and national history for another 100 years.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the 100th anniversary of Pinnacles National Monument, located in San Benito County, CA. On January 16, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed 2,080 acres of the Pinnacles National Forest Reserve as Pinnacles National Monument. This year, we celebrate its centennial anniversary. Part of an extinct volcano, the spectacular geology of Pinnacles National Monument has fascinated visitors for decades. A variety of flora and fauna flourishes in this unusual landscape, including an exquisite chaparral ecosystem and nearly 400 species of bees, the highest known bee-diversity of any place on Earth. Situated near the San Andreas Rift Zone with the Central Coast to the west and Gabilan Mountain Range to the east, Pinnacles National Monument now occupies over 26,000 acres 14,000 acres of which are congressionally designated wilderness. With surrounding lands tended by farmers whose ancestors homesteaded the region and cowboys who watch over the cattle that graze on the expansive plains, Pinnacles National Monument offers a sublime glimpse into California's past. Pinnacles is home to 20 endemic species holding special Federal or state status and is also the ancestral home range of the California condor. Pinnacles is the only National Park site that releases and maintains this extremely endangered bird species, and is critical to the overall condor recovery effort. Pinnacles is also located within the Pacific Flyway migratory route and contains the highest concentration of nesting prairie falcons of any national park in the country. Only 100 miles from the urban centers of San Francisco and San Jose, Pinnacles National Monument remains a haven of solitude for nature enthusiasts and offers a stunning reflection of California's rural history and heritage. For 100 years, Pinnacles National Monument has served as a recreational escape for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking a glimpse of California's rich history. It is a powerful reminder of the beauty of nature and the importance of conservation efforts. I commend the National Park Service staff and volunteers for maintaining the natural beauty and historical significance of Pinnacles National Monument. I look forward to future generations having the opportunity to study and enjoy this unique piece of our State and national history for another 100 years.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Maxine Pierce Frost, a longtime community leader in Riverside, CA, and nationally renown leader in education. In November 2007 Maxine Frost announced her retirement from the Riverside Unified School District after 40 years of dedicated service. Due to failing health, she died shortly thereafter. Since 1967, Maxine Frost has provided leadership to her community, the State of California, and our Nation. As a board member of the Riverside Unified School District, Frost has seen great change in education policy throughout her tenure. Being a member of the first large school district in the Nation to voluntarily desegregate, she has helped pave the way for similar changes across America. Throughout periods of intense growth in the State and the region, Maxine Frost has worked diligently to ensure that students and educators are provided with adequate resources. The Riverside Unified School District has grown from roughly 23,000 students to 43,000 students during Frost's tenure. Throughout this period of intense growth, she has maintained her resolve that every student have the resources they need to succeed. Numerous academic committees across the State of California and our Nation have benefitted from the leadership and experience of Maxine Frost. She has held a number of leadership posts: president of the Pacific Region of National School Boards Association, the California School Boards Association Legislative Network, the California Association of Suburban School Districts, the Schools Accrediting Commissions, the Council for Basic Education, and the California Association of Student Council's Board of Directors. In 1981, after serving as president of the California School Boards Association, California Governor George Deukmejian appointed her to the Education Commission of the States, in which she served alongside future President William Jefferson Clinton, who chaired the commission at that time. On October 16, 2006, the Riverside Unified School District adopted a resolution to designate one of its elementary schools as Maxine Frost Elementary School, in honor of her longtime service and dedication to the community. On her retirement from four decades of service and dedication to the students, families, and educators of California and our Nation, I am pleased to ask my colleagues to join me in posthumously thanking her for her fine work. Her tremendous leadership and lifetime of achievement will be long remembered.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me as I honor the life of Sacramento sheriff's deputy Vu Dinh Nguyen, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 19, 2007. Deputy Nguyen dedicated his career to law enforcement and public safety. He was a member of the Sacramento Sheriff's Department for 7 years, serving as a member of the gang unit for 3 years. Prior to his career with the Sheriff's Department, he was a probation officer for Sacramento County. Vu Nguyen was born in Vietnam in 1970 and immigrated to the United States in 1975. His family settled in Modesto, CA, where he attended Burbank Elementary School, Mark Twain Junior High School, and Modesto High School. While attending Modesto High School he participated in several activities including football, yearbook, and student government. Vu continued his education at California State University, Sacramento, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in criminal justice. He continued to excel at the Sheriff's Academy where he graduated with high honors. Deputy Nguyen was married in April and is survived by his wife Phanh, parents, five sisters, and two brothers. His family, friends, and colleagues remember him as a humble man, a respected officer, and an ambassador for the Sheriff's Department in the Asian-American community where he often reached out to troubled youth. Deputy Vu Nguyen's brave service and commitment to public safety will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I wish to recognize an important event that has occurred in my State of California. To honor World AIDS Day, the city of Rialto partnered with Brothers and Sisters in Action, BASIA, and First Chance/Youth-Community Health Outreach Workers to host the inaugural AIDS Walk Rialto on December 8, 2007. I am pleased to say that it was a success. Since reported in 1981, HIV/AIDS has become the most significant communicable disease in San Bernardino County for African Americans. The rate of HIV among this group has increased dramatically since the first cases were reported. In 2005, 18 percent of the new HIV cases in San Bernardino County were in African Americans, yet African Americans represent only 8.5 percent of the population of the county. AIDS Walk Rialto aimed to broaden awareness of this disparity. I commend the city of Rialto and the organizers of this event for the work that they are doing to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS infections on the local level. Better education and awareness programs can make a tremendous difference in stopping the spread of this disease, and I encourage an even larger parade next year.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, the Captive Primate Safety Act, S. 1498, is an important, bipartisan bill promoting the humane treatment of animals and protecting public health and safety from the considerable risks associated with primate pet ownership and trade. On May 24, 2007, I introduced S. 1498, with Senators Vitter, Lautenberg, Lieberman, and Menendez. Senator Ensign is also a cosponsor. Nonhuman primates are susceptible to many biological agents that infect human beings, including tuberculosis, Ebola/Marburg, and poxviruses. Because of the serious health risk, importing nonhuman primates into the United States for the pet trade has been banned by Federal regulation since 1975. In addition, many States already prohibit these animals as pets. Still, there is an active trade in these animals. Estimates are that 15,000 are in private hands; however, as the trade is largely unregulated, the number may be much higher. Because many of these animals move in interstate commerce, Federal legislation is needed. This legislation amends the Lacey Act to prohibit transporting monkeys, great apes, lemurs, and other non- human primates across State lines for the pet trade. The bill has no impact on trade or transportation of animals for zoos, medical and other licensed research facilities, or certain other licensed and regulated entities. The Captive Primate Safety Act is supported by the Humane Society of the United States, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, Defenders of Wildlife and the Wildlife Conservation Society and many other environmental organizations and animal welfare groups.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 18, 2007, at 10 a.m. in open session to consider the following nominations: Mary Beth Long to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; James Shinn to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs; Craig W. Duehring to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; and John H. Gibson to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, at 11 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, for the purpose of conducting a hearing. The Committee will be hearing from the following nominees: Francis Mulvey, Reappointment to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board (PN 1084); Denver Stutler, Jr., to be a Member of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Board of Directors (Amtrak) (PN 1047); Nancy A. Naples, to be a Member of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Board of Directors (Amtrak) (PN 1046); Thomas C. Carper, to be a Member of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Board of Directors (Amtrak) (PN 1045); and Carl T. Johnson, to be Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation (PN 1011).

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, for the purpose of conducting a hearing. In light of the recent spill in San Francisco Bay, this hearing will examine the oil spill threats, risks, and vulnerabilities posed by large nontank vessels. Topics will include the prevalence and environmental impact of nontank vessel spills, the adequacy and enforcement of vessel response plans, the status of Coast Guard rulemakings, the adequacy of nontank liability limits, and the allocation of Coast Guard and other Federal resources toward oil spill prevention, preparedness, and oil spill research and development in a post-9/11 world.

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 18, 2008, at 10:30 a.m., In room SD366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. At this hearing, the Committee will hear testimony regarding the nomination of Jon Wellinghoff, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the term expiring June 30, 2013. (Reappointment).

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I hope we all heed Trent Lott's words that he spoke so beautifully right now. He spoke from the heart, and he spoke from experience. As I listened to him, I thought: We do sometimes forget about what is important in life. I think he brought that back to us. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, it seems to me if you want to liberate the Iraqi people, then you give them back the country and you let them know that is what this is all about. We have been there 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years. We have spent a half a trillion dollars; 3,893 of our own killed, 28,711 wounded. Is this forever? I went through the period of time in the Vietnam war where the people of this country stood up and said: Enough is enough is enough. It seems to me what Senator Levin is doing--and I am so proud he has bipartisan support, Senators Hagel, Voinovich, Snowe, Smith--is good. This shows we are beginning to cross over party lines, which is so important, and say: It is time the mission changes. My dear friend from Virginia talks about the Brits. This is exactly what the Brits have already done. They are getting out. They have turned the keys of the city over to the Iraqis. They are ahead of us. In many ways, this resolution tracks what they have done. I read it. It is very simple. It is a sense of the Congress that the missions of the U.S. Armed Forces should be transitioned to a more limited set-- counterterrorism, training, equipping, supporting Iraqi forces, and force protection. Yes, we are sending a message to the Maliki Government, get your act together because we are not going to be here forever. The American people are generous and good people. But there is a limit to how much they can give in terms of blood and treasure. It is true that many people supporting this resolution are going to vote for the McConnell amendment. I will not be one of them. I wish to speak against it for my remaining time. I have a list of what we have already spent. A half a trillion dollars, that is what we have already spent, and we are about to go well over that mark, toward a trillion dollars. There comes a time when we have to ask ourselves: What are we doing in Iraq? If you listen to the President, it is to bring freedom. He said it was the weapons of mass destruction. Then he changed that. He said it was to get Saddam. We got Saddam. Then he changed it. He said we have to have free and fair elections. They had two. He said we have to reconstruct. We are spending money to reconstruct. It is now time to say enough is enough. I think the Levin resolution is not putting into place binding deadlines. It is merely saying to the Iraqi Government we want them to step up to the plate. If my colleagues want to be seen as occupiers, vote against this amendment because that is what is happening. We are seen as occupiers, when we want to be seen as liberators. If you want to be seen as liberators, you do what the Brits did. This is exactly what Senator Levin is doing. I am pleased to support this. I will be voting no on McConnell. I thank the Chair and yield the floor.