Barbara Boxer

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to share with the Senate the memory of one of my constituents, Lauren Grandcolas, of San Rafael, CA, who lost her life on September 11, 2001. Mrs. Grandcolas was a 38-year-old advertising sales consultant when the flight she was on, United Airlines Flight 93, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field, killing everyone on board. Mrs. Grandcolas was born in Bloomington, IN and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she met her husband, Jack Grandcolas. After graduation, she worked as a Marketing Director for a law firm and then for Price, Waterhouse, Coopers. At the time of her tragic death, Mrs. Grandcolas was working as an advertising sales consultant at Good Housekeeping Magazine and was researching and writing a non-fiction book to help women boost their self-esteem. Lauren had enthusiasm and passion for life, loved the outdoors and was devoted to physical fitness. She hiked, jogged, kayaked, and enjoyed in-line skating around her neighborhood. Her energy was boundless and she took classes in cooking, gardening, scuba-diving and wine appreciation. Lauren was also active with United Way, March of Dimes, Project Open Hand, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Breast Cancer Awareness and Glide Memorial. Her husband Jack recalls she had a heart the size of Texas. Knowing her flight had been hijacked, Lauren left her husband a message on their home answering machine and then loaned her cell phone to another passenger to call loved ones. The joy Lauren felt pursuing new interests and developing new skills was being interwoven in the book she was writing for women. Jack recalls, ``She made a point to do things that were good for her, and she thought she could extend what she'd learned to help other adult women gain confidence. Her sister and I will fulfill her dream by completing the book.'' None of us is untouched by the terror of September 11th, and many Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some were trapped in the World Trade Center towers. Some were at work in the Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles. I offer today this tribute to one of the 51 Californians who perished on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Lauren Grandcolas, and the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, on October 12, 2002, the Inland Agency will celebrate 33 years of outstanding service to Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono Counties. I would like to take a moment to acquaint my colleagues with this organization's exceptional record of service to the community. Since 1969, Inland Agency has provided a wealth of programs and services for the community's diverse populations. It serves more than 132,000 individuals through its health, youth violence prevention and community strengthening programs. In the area of health care, the agency has a caregivers' program, a health insurance counseling program geared toward seniors, and a program called the Desert Sierra Breast Cancer Partnership that has provided education and free breast cancer screenings to thousands of people. In efforts to reduce youth violence and make sure children are led in the right direction, Inland Agency provides education, violence prevention training for children and their parents, and administers after-school programs so that students have a safe, nurturing place to go after the school bell rings. I am proud to note that the Community Peace Program, through its education to thousands of children this year, has helped reduce crime in the community. In addition, the agency takes a step further with its Project YES program, which strengthens children's academic and leadership abilities so they can be well prepared for a bright future ahead. Not only does the Inland Agency reach out to individuals, but it also seeks to make a difference in the communities it serves. Through its Community Tool Box program in Adelanto, the agency gives community members the tools they need to strengthen and improve their neighborhoods and make them better places to live. It is clear that Inland Agency exemplifies the best in American community spirit in all it does. I extend my very best wishes to each staff member and volunteer for improving the quality of life for thousands of people, and I wish them all many more years of continued success.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, on September 6, the new Ysmael R. Villegas Middle School will be dedicated in Riverside, CA. This day will hold a particularly special meaning for the people of Riverside, as this new school is named for one of the community's most distinguished military heroes, Staff Sgt. Ysmael R. Villegas, an Hispanic-American killed in the line of duty during World War II. He died only one day before his 21st birthday and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery. Sergeant Villegas, a resident of Casa Blanca in the Riverside community, received the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor for his valiant bravery while defending our country in the Philippines. His citation, in part, reads: He moved boldly from man to man, in the face of bursting grenades and demolition charges, through heavy machinegun and rifle fire, to bolster the spirit of his comrades. As he neared his goal, he was hit and killed by enemy fire. Through his heroism and indomitable fighting spirit, Staff Sergeant Villegas, at the cost of his life, inspired his men to a determined attack in which they swept the enemy from the field. It is clear from these words that Sergeant Villegas was truly a great American war hero. The people of Riverside have every reason to memorialize him and I am pleased that the Alvord Unified School District will give him this lasting legacy. As the Alvord Unified School District and the City of Riverside celebrate the dedication of the Ysmael R. Villegas Middle School, I extend my best wishes to all those who made this important day possible. As students enter the classrooms of this institution, they can hold their heads high knowing that their school bears the name of such a wonderful model of courage, dignity and integrity.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I pay tribute to a great Californian, Samuel ``Skip'' Keesal, Jr. Skip will be honored by Leadership Long Beach with its prestigious Excellence in Leadership Award on October 3, 2002. ``Excellence in Leadership'' aptly describes Skip Keesal and his long and distinguished career. Since founding the law firm of Keesal, Young and Logan in 1970, he has tried more than 250 cases, has been named a ``Best Lawyer in America'' for both his civil and maritime work, and was invited to join the distinguished International Academy of Trial Lawyers. The awards and acknowledgments he has won are too numerous to fully review and place him among the most honored lawyers in America. Indeed, Skip's career is worthy of an award for ``Excellence in Leadership.'' Skip Keesal could easily win a second ``Excellence in Leadership'' award for his exemplary community work. He serves on the boards of directors for many community organizations that serve children, provide community healthcare and educate young people. His work has helped the City of Long Beach prosper and its residents to live better, healthier lives. Skip and his wife, Beth, have three adult children. I know all will join Skip in celebrating this award. I congratulate Skip Keesal and encourage him to keep up his very good work.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to share with the Senate the memory of one of my constituents, Daniel Lee, who lost his life on September 11, 2001. Mr. Lee was 34 years old when the plane he was on, American Airlines Flight 11, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane crashed into the World Trade Center, killing everyone on board. Daniel Lee grew up in Palm Desert, CA. He was a carpenter and a drummer in a local southern California band. He met his wife, Kellie, in 1991 at a rock concert in which he was playing the drums. They were married October 7, 1995 and their first child, Amanda Beth, was born December 11, 1998. Mr. Lee was a dedicated and successful set carpenter in the music industry, known to work 20 hour days when necessary. He worked with many talented musicians including Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, N'Sync, Aerosmith and Yanni. He was touring with the Backstreet Boys when, on September 11, 2001, he left to fly home to be with his wife as she was a about to give birth to their second child. Allison Danielle Lee was born September 13, 2001. Kellie Lee recalls Dan's bright, relaxed and charming smile. ``He was caring, loving, funny and romantic. He loved being a dad and was so excited about having another child on the way,'' she says. One of his special joys was getting friends together for barbeques and pool parties,'' Kellie remembers. Dan Lee is survived by his wife, Kellie Lee, his daughters, Amanda and Allison, mother and stepfather Elaine and John Sussino, brothers Jack Fleishman and Stuart Lee and sister, Randi Kaye. None of us is untouched by the terror of September 11, and many Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some were trapped in the World Trade Center towers. Some were at work in the Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles. I offer today this tribute to one of 51 Californians who perished on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Daniel Lee, and the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the 100th anniversary of the creation of California's oldest State park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, located 25 miles northwest of Santa Cruz. Big Basin holds the distinction of being home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San Francisco. Big Basin Redwoods State Park was the first of California's 269 State parks to be set aside by the State legislature in September, 1902. Its creation was the result of a turn of the century community organizing campaign. San Jose photographer Andrew P. Hill gathered a group of writers, educators and women's club members for an exploratory expedition to the Santa Cruz Mountains, the area we know today as Big Basin. They formed the Sempervirens Club and began lobbying for preservation of the area as a public park. Their intention was to save these trees for posterity. Today we celebrate the foresight and dedication of Andrew P. Hill and his friends. Big Basin Redwoods State Park is seen as the birthplace of the movement to save California's coastal redwoods and the birthplace of the entire State park system. This system contains magnificent diversity and beauty ranging from the majestic forests of Northern California to the sun-baked deserts of Southern California and from the vibrant blue surf of the Pacific shoreline to the glorious peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. It includes cultural and historical sites of national importance, wildlife habitats and natural preserves that are critical to the ecological health of thousands of plants and animals and a vast array of recreational opportunities for all citizens. Big Basin Redwoods State Park incorporates 18,000 acres of old growth and recovering redwood forest, mixed with conifer, oaks, chaparral and riparian habitats. The park encompasses 80 miles of trails that include numerous waterfalls, lush canyons and chaparral-covered slopes. Other features of the park are family and group camping facilities, tent cabins, backpacking camps, hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails. On the 100th anniversary of the founding of Big Basin Redwoods State Park by the California legislature, I wish to recognize it as an enduring and unique place of historical and environmental importance. Today we celebrate the spirit and determination of a group of people that resulted in the preservation of a beautiful primeval forest that we enjoy today.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. I thank Senator Byrd. Now that he is here, I can tell him how much I appreciate his raising the red flags. The INS, backlogged with processing immigration--good people, kind people, family people. It seems to me, again, we should have done this in a little bit of a different way. If we really want to do something for homeland security, I would rather see us spend the $5 billion that we passed in this Senate that spoke to the need of homeland security and aviation security. We need more machines to check bags for bombs. We know the things we need to do at our ports. We lack the infrastructure. Instead of spending time moving pegs on a board and lifting agencies from one desk to another, I would rather go back and send the President that $5 billion and say to him that we don't understand why he refused to spend this money. If he is so concerned about homeland security, why did he say he wasn't going to spend this? He said it was bad for the economy because of the deficit. I was an economics major. One thing we know is that if the Government spends and invests in the needs of the people, such as homeland security, it is going to create thousands of jobs, and it would do something that is important. It doesn't help the economy to sit on that money. Frankly, it does not help the economy or homeland security if you create a big bureaucracy and they have no place to even put these people. And, by the way, if they are just going to be changed in name only, it is very confusing to me why we are doing this. From all of my years in public life, I think we could have done this in a very lean and mean way. We could have made this a Cabinet-level position, which most of us supported. If the President wanted it to happen, he could have said we are going to have people dispatched who report to Tom Ridge and to each of these agencies and start to bring back and forth to him what we need to do in those agencies. I thank you very much, Mr. President. I have a lot of serious questions about this. I thank my colleagues for their consideration. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BOXER. I ask for 2 additional minutes.

Mrs. BOXER. I thank Senator Lieberman for all his hard work on this bill, and Senator Thompson as well. I thank Senator Byrd because in his 50 years in Congress, he has seen a lot and he has raised some very important issues at which this Senate ought to look. I rise to say thank you to him and to make note that when Senator Lieberman first brought the concept of Homeland Security and a Cabinet-level position for Tom Ridge, this administration was not for that in any way, shape, or form. It is my understanding not having been on the committee, to my sadness--maybe if I was, I would have had more to say in how this bill would come about--my understanding is that not one Republican voted for the first version of that bill in the committee itself. So we see a real transition from something that was an idea Senator Lieberman had, the Democrats supported, to one that has been embraced, with some very important differences that will come out on this floor. I want to talk to some of those, as well as some of my own concerns. I have been in elected life now for 26 years--not as long as Senator Byrd, but long enough to know that reshuffling a structure doesn't necessarily mean you are going to solve your problem. As a matter of fact, it could in many ways make people less accountable, hiding under more layers of bureaucracy. So I approach this debate with an attitude that basically says I am not so sure about this. I think what Senator Byrd is trying to do here by speaking with some of us who have some of these problems with the bill is to try to see if we can let the Senate work its will and shape this so it does not become an unwieldy bureaucracy that will be not more accountable but less accountable. We all know what brought us together as a country was what happened on September 11. We will never forget it, and we will commemorate it. But I agree with those who say we have to do this right. It would be a disservice to those who were so adversely impacted if we were to set some artificial deadline for restructuring of the Government, a restructuring which is so huge that a Brookings Institution scholar, Paul Light, said: I would rank it the No. 1 reorganization in American history in terms of difficulty. My view is this should be done right. We should keep congressional accountability in the process and not give up the very important powers we have under the Constitution, the checks and balances, not just for this administration but for any administration. It is interesting to hear President Bush's own words. He says it is the most extensive reorganization of the Federal Government since the 1940s. The amendment is 350 pages. I say to Senator Lieberman, I believe he has done an incredible job of improving the bill from the House version, and I certainly shudder to think if that House version were to become law because it has a lot of serious problems. So I say straight out to Senator Lieberman, thank you for your work in this regard. Senator Conrad made a point today to some of us, stating he had heard from the OMB Director way before September 11 that changing the civil service protections was one of the things this administration has always wanted to do and that all the things that are contained in the House bill, as they would pertain to the employees of this new organization, are not new things to this administration. They have wanted to break the back, if you will, of whistleblower protection in other cases. They have wanted to break the back of any type of collective bargaining. As we know, Federal employees cannot strike, nor should they. That is not an issue. But this administration would like to weaken the protections that do belong to Federal employees. I think Senator Lieberman made a very good point when he said, in a conversation with some of us in leadership, that the protections in his bill that are afforded to the Federal employees who would work in homeland defense are the very same protections that are afforded to the Department of Defense civilian employees. So it seems to me a rather cruel thing to say you are creating a Department that, next to the Department of Defense--and maybe even in some cases, in some circumstances, even more--for these people who would be put in the line of fire, that we would, as one of the first things, look at weakening the rights they are afforded and make them second-class citizens. This is very disturbing to me. Think back to September 11, to the heroes of September 11. They were not anyone in this Chamber. They were not anyone in the back room writing this bill. They were working people. They were people, yes, who were afforded the protections of collective bargaining; yes, afforded the protections of union membership. They never looked at their watch and said: Oh, gee, I have been on the 74th floor of the World Trade Center, and now I have worked 8 hours and I am coming down. I just think it is most unfortunate that the President would not take this opportunity to keep us together here, focused on protecting our magnificent country and the people who reside therein, and instead use it as an opportunity to get through some of the things he was unable to get through in other bills. It is very disturbing to me. I think Senator Lieberman has shown tremendous leadership in standing strong for those protections. Again, the heroes of September 11 were union members. The heroes of September 11 never let us down. How do you create a new Department such as this and undercut these employees when they need to be at their top performance level, where they need to have the best morale, where they need to believe they are not treated worse, certainly, than any other Federal employee? There are other things Senator Lieberman did in this bill that I applaud. A weakening of the Freedom Of Information Act that is in the House bill--that would have been a mess for us. Many of our communities want to know what chemicals are polluting their air, ground, and water. Again, some in the House use this as a way to weaken that act and say: We cannot give out that information; the terrorists may get it. A mother of little children needs to know if there is arsenic in a plant, if there is a harmful pollutant at a plant. Therefore, I am very pleased that, with Senator Leahy's help, where he was able to fix this, that is not a problem. For the remainder of my remarks, I focus on the Federal Emergency Management Administration and a couple of other agencies that were just lifted and taken lock, stock, and barrel into this new, enormous creation called the Department of Homeland Security. In California, we suffer from every kind of natural disaster you can imagine, from earthquakes to fire, to flood, to drought, to pestilence. We see it all. Unfortunately, we see it often. People sometimes say to me: Senator, why do people want to stay in California? Every other month, you are having another crisis. I guess you have to just be there to understand. You are living in an area that is God's gift to the world. With that beauty come all these problems. The bottom line of it is, we, unfortunately, have a terrible share of these disasters. Putting the Federal Emergency Management Administration, lock, stock and barrel, into this new Department I just think is going to be a real problem for us. Why not just take those folks in the Department who would work on homeland security but leave the others in place? It took many years to straighten out the problems of FEMA. I have gone through the worst of it. Under President Clinton and under James Lee Witt, we saw a tremendous uplifting of FEMA's morale. They know what they are doing now. All of us, Democrats and Republicans, have benefited from that. Our people have benefited from that. Now we are moving this, lock, stock and barrel, and I am very worried about accountability. Others have spoken of the Coast Guard. I feel the same way about that. Search and rescue--last year, the Coast Guard saved 530 lives in California. I know how important they are to homeland security, but the same thing should apply here. You do not have to lift the whole thing up, lock, stock, and barrel. We also have the INS situation, where the immigration and naturalization services are very far behind.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I introduced a bill that will convey the B.F. Sisk Federal Building in Fresno, California to the County of Fresno, when the new federal courthouse is completed and occupied. Fresno County is a rapidly growing county in the heart of California's Great Central Valley. The County of Fresno's Superior Court has a serious need for new court space that will grow in the years ahead. The Sisk Building contains courtrooms and related space that will help the people of Fresno County meet those needs. The Sisk's building existing security measures are a perfect fit for Fresno County's justice system. This legislation is a common sense measure that will allow appropriate utilization of the Sisk Building, while contributing to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Fresno. I am proud that it is yet another opportunity for the federal government to improve the lives of Fresno County's people.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to share with the Senate a very special and important story about a few hometown heroes who changed the face of an entire neighborhood. La Sierra Park is in the heart of the La Sierra neighborhood in Riverside, CA. Two years ago, gangs came to frequent the park, transforming this small treasure into a place of crime and fear. Playful interaction among children was replaced with drug dealing. Residents were robbed and could not use the park unless they paid gang members an entrance fee. However, when a woman was raped in the park in late 2000, local residents decided to fight back. Marisol Ruiz and Araceli Moore, co-founders of Friends of Myra Linn, led a growing number of neighbors in the effort to take back the park. They passed out flyers, held Neighborhood Watch meetings and attended City Hall meetings. They did everything they could to gather support. This project turned into ``Operation Safe Park.'' City workers got volunteers to help transform the park back into the treasure it once was. Volunteers augmented police patrols at the park, increased lighting and trimmed the foliage so criminals had nowhere to hide. Soon, residents were enjoying a soccer game and school dance performance held at the park. It is clear that the park was back in the hands of the community. The story of ``Operation Safe Park'' shows what a neighborhood can do when it comes together for community improvement. I applaud Marisol Ruiz, Araceli Moore and all those who worked so hard to make a difference in this neighborhood. In taking back this park, these people made their neighborhood a safer and better place for now and for future generations. Their exemplary dedication and commitment serve as an inspiration to us all.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to reflect on the distinguished career of Riverside County Sheriff Larry Smith, who will retire later this year. Sheriff Smith is also the immediate past president of the California State Sheriff's Association. The people of Riverside County, his colleagues and admirers will celebrate his career on August 9. During Sheriff Smith's extraordinary 36-year record of service to law enforcement, he has held numerous positions and has achieved many important accomplishments. He served as Riverside County's Search and Rescue Coordinator and commanded the Department's SWAT team before working as chief deputy sheriff. Thanks to Sheriff Smith's leadership and vision during his tenure as chief deputy sheriff, the Riverside County Corrections system is one of the largest in the United States. Sheriff Smith was elected to serve as Riverside County Sheriff in 1994 and was reelected to serve a second term in 1998. During Sheriff Smith's tenure, Riverside County saw a dramatic decrease in crime. Sheriff Smith was instrumental in the creation of the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center. He collaborated with federal, state and local legislators to establish the facility, which provides valuable training for law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics. As I have seen for myself, it is truly a model for public safety training centers throughout the nation. In addition to his tremendous commitment to his career, Sheriff Smith is an exemplary community leader. He has been active in the American Heart Association, the United Way of the Inland Empire and the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for terminally ill children. I am proud to add my words of commendation to the praise and recognition Sheriff Smith has received throughout his respected career. I extend to him my sincere congratulations for his countless contributions to the force and to the broader community. Riverside County is a safer and better place because of his fine leadership. Although Sheriff Smith will be greatly missed, his work continues to benefit Riverside County. I wish him a wonderful retirement.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to share with the Senate the memory of Mary Alice Wahlstrom, who lost her life on September 11, 2001. Mrs. Wahlstrom was 78 years old when the flight she was on, American Airlines Flight 11, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane crashed into the World Trade Center, killing everyone on board. Mrs. Wahlstrom and her daughter, Carolyn Beug, were traveling together on that tragic day. They were returning to their homes after having settled Mrs. Beug's twin daughters at the Rhode Island School of Design. This American family lost two dearly beloved women on September 11. ``The one thing those terrorists cannot destroy is love. They cannot destroy the love we have in this family, and the love people have for each other,'' says Margaret Wahlstrom, daughter-in-law of Mrs. Wahlstrom. Mary Alice Wahlstrom was traveling throughout Europe as a young socialite until she met, and fell in love with, Norman Wahlstrom, Senior. He was a World War II hero and like most Air Force families, they moved many times. They raised five children together, finally settling in Utah, where Mary Alice became a loan officer. Mrs. Wahlstrom shared a zest for life with those around her. She is remembered as a vibrant, exuberant woman. One neighbor called her, ``dynamic, with a wonderful outlook on life.'' She loved to laugh. Mrs. Wahlstrom exercised daily, played the piano and volunteered as an usher at Temple Square. She enjoyed reading, traveling, debating current events and going to the movies. ``She was a ball of fire. She was 78 when she died, but she could have lived another 25 years. I have no doubt about it,'' says her son Scott Wahlstrom. During the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Olympic Games, her son, Norman Wahlstrom, Jr., carried the Olympic torch in Ogden, Utah, in honor of his mother. ``As with every boy that ever lived, my mother was a shining example of hope and promise. She had a wonderful, perpetual smile and contagious laugh,'' says Wahlstrom. None of us is untouched by the terror of September 11, and many Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some were trapped in the World Trade Center towers. Some were at work in the Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles. I offer today this tribute to an American who perished on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Mary Alice Wahlstrom, and the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to bring to the Senate's attention the exemplary achievements and outstanding service of State Senator Jim Costa of Fresno, California. Senator Jim Costa will retire this year after twenty-four years of service in the California State Legislature. I am pleased to honor Senator Costa for his outstanding leadership and service and add my voice to the special recognition and the outpouring of admiration from throughout California. In his many years of public service, Senator Costa has been dedicated to serving the Central Valley. Senator Costa is also well known for his sense of honor, purpose and teamwork that made him so effective in the California State Legislature. I am honored to congratulate him on his many accomplishments over more than two decades of service. I wish Senator Costa the best in his future endeavors. I know he will continue to make outstanding contributions to the people of California. I ask that excerpts from the Fresno Bee Editorial from July 24, 2002 be printed in the Record:

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the City of Visalia and Tulare County, California. The City and the County are celebrating their official anniversaries together on September 7, 2002 at historical Mooney Grove Park. The City of Visalia and the County of Tulare were both organized in 1852. The State of California was two years old. Visalia started as a small, creekside settlement and has grown into the dynamic community it is today. Commonly referred to as ``Jewel of the Valley'' and ``Gateway to the Sierra,'' Visalia is now home to more than 92,000 residents. It is renowned for its great Valley Oaks that grace its neighborhoods, reminders of the natural heritage of which its residents are so proud. Tulare County, anchored on the east by spectacular Sierra Nevada peaks, Giant Sequoia groves and fertile plains, which make it the number one agricultural county in the world, is also one of the largest counties in the great San Joaquin Valley. It is home to Sequoia and Kings National Park and the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Its residents range from its Native Americans to dozens of nationalities from all corners of the globe, making its communities diverse and proud of their shared heritage. Both the City of Visalia and County of Tulare have thrived since their early beginnings. I have had the distinct pleasure of visiting both the city and the county over the years. Both are truly valuable assets to the State of California. I am honored to serve the people of Visalia and Tulare County and wish them all a wonderful sesquicentennial anniversary celebration. I encourage my colleagues to join me in wishing the City of Visalia and Tulare County many more years of prosperity. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to share with the Senate the memory of one of my constituents, Carolyn Beug, who lost her life on September 11, 2001. Mrs. Beug was 48 years old when the plane she was on, American Airlines Flight 11, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane crashed into the World Trade Center, killing everyone on board. Carolyn Beug and her mother, Mary Alice Wahlstrom, were traveling together on that tragic day. They were returning to their homes after having settled Mrs. Beug's twin daughters at the Rhode Island School of Design. This American family lost two dearly beloved women on September 11th. Their story is one of a commitment to love conquering hate, even in the face of unimaginable sorrow and loss. ``The one thing those terrorists cannot destroy is love. They cannot destroy the love we have in this family, and the love people have for each other,'' says Margaret Wahlstrom, Carolyn Beug's sister-in-law. Mrs. Beug, the daughter of an Air Force colonel, was a citizen of the world. She grew up in many places, including Pennsylvania, South Korea and Utah. Carolyn Beug was a successful accountant, CFO, and real estate developer. She was a music industry executive, music video producer and director. Mrs. Beug helped establish a center for underprivileged children in Los Angeles and won the 1992 MTV Video of the Year award for directing a video by the rock group Van Halen. She was the wife of John Beug and mother of Lauren, Lindsay and Nicky. In 1998, Mrs. Beug left the music industry to write a book and to devote more time to her family. When her daughters joined the Santa Monica High School Track Team, Mrs. Beug became actively involved as the team mother. She was affectionately known as ``Momma Bunny'' and she attended every meet, cheering on the team and purchasing new shoes, uniforms and sweats when needed. At the end of every season, she hosted the team banquet at the Beug family home. ``She always called the kids on the team ``my little bunnies,'' recalls her husband, John. ``Such an electric and peripatetic personality leaves an impression wherever she goes, whether that's a corporate boardroom, a movie studio, a children's shelter, a high school stadium, or a home on a quiet tree lined street. The impressions she left, a bright smile, a heartfelt belly laugh, a nugget of wisdom, an odd take on a song, a whispered secret, a motherly embrace are permanent,'' adds John Beug. None of us is untouched by the terror of September 11th, and many Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some were trapped in the World Trade Center Towers. Some were at work in the Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles. I offer today this tribute to one of 51 Californians who perished on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Carolyn Beug, and the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to share with the Senate the memory of one of my constituents, Christopher Cairo Newton, who lost his life on September 11, 2001. Mr. Newton was 38 years old when the plane he was on, American Airlines Flight 77, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane crashed into the Pentagon, killing everyone on board. Mr. Newton's life was filled with many wonderful and impressive accomplishments. He was a successful businessman and world traveler who loved the performing arts and music, the game of golf, and any home improvement project he could find. He became an Eagle Scout at 14, graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with high marks and earned his CPA. After completing his MBA at UCLA's Anderson School, he was named President and CEO of Work/Life Benefits. Close family friend Steven Falk said there was nothing in the world that Christopher cared more about than his children. Christopher, his wife Amy and two children Michael and Sarah had recently moved from Southern California to the Virginia suburbs outside of Washington, DC. He was in the process of relocating company headquarters to Virginia, a move that would put the company closer to key customers and allow Christopher to spend more time with his family. Christopher loved to attend school functions, coach his son's little league team, or just have a quiet dinner at home with his wife and children. Mr. Newton was also close to his parents and siblings. His father Michael said ``He was very bright. An avid golfer, a great skier, a champion Scrabble player. He never gave us a moment's trouble in his life.'' His brother Stephen says that ``Chris taught me to be patient and hopeful and to always play by the rules.'' It is clear that Mr. Newton was serious, intense and committed to his responsibilities. Yet he was always able to laugh at himself. A quote from a friend says it best. ``He was confident with no airs, loving with no expectations, giving with no greed, funny with no offense.'' Christopher is survived by his wife Amy, their two children Michael and Sarah, his parents Michael and Barbara Newton, sister Ann- Elisabeth, brother Stephen, an aunt, cousins, nieces, a nephew and a close circle of friends. None of us is untouched by the terror of September 11, and many Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some were trapped in the World Trade Center towers. Some were at work in the Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles. I offer today this tribute to one of the 51 Californians who perished on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Christopher Cairo Newton and the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to share with the Senate the memory of one of my constituents, Mari-Rae Sopper, who lost her life on September 11, 2001. Ms. Sopper was a 35-year-old lawyer and gymnastics coach when the flight she was on, American Airlines Flight 77, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane crashed into the Pentagon, killing everyone on board. Ms. Sopper was a native of Inverness, Illinois and attended William Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois. At the age of 15 she set the goal of becoming a champion gymnast. She succeeded, becoming all- American in four events, the school's Athlete of the Year and the State's Outstanding Senior Gymnast of the Year. Larry Petrillo, her high school gymnastics coach, remembers her as brash and committed. ``One thing she taught me is, you never settle for less than you are capable of. We should never accept limits. We should always fight the good fight. She was a staunch supporter of gymnastics and what's right,'' he recalls. Upon graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in exercise science, Ms. Sopper earned a master's degree in athletics administration from the University of North Texas and a law degree from the University of Denver. Ms. Sopper was an accomplished dancer and choreographer and continued to coach at gymnastics clubs. Ms. Sopper practiced law as a Lieutenant in the Navy's JAG Corps, focusing on defense and appellate defense. She had left the Navy JAG Corps and was an associate with the law firm Schmeltzer, Aptaker & Sheperd, P.C. when she found her dream job: to coach the women's gymnastics team at the University of California at Santa Barbara. It was a one year appointment and Ms. Sopper was looking forward to the challenge. Her mother, Marion Kminek, says Mari-Rae was excited about the opportunity. ``I said go for it. Life is too short. It was something she had always wanted to do and she was so happy and excited,'' recalls Kminek. At the time of her death, Ms. Sopper was moving to Santa Barbara to begin her appointment. Her close friend, Mike Jacki, recalls ``This was to be a new adventure for Mari-Rae, and an opportunity to get back into the sport she loved. We have lost a very special person. She was prepared to make her dream come true, and in an instant it was gone.'' Mari-Rae Sopper is remembered for her loyalty, strong values, excellent work ethic and spirit for life. She is survived by her mother, Marion Kminek and stepfather, Frank Kminek, her father Bill Sopper, sister Tammy and many loving friends. None of us is untouched by the terror of September 11th, and many Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some were trapped in the World Trade Center towers. Some were at work in the Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles. I offer today this tribute to one of the 51 Californians who perished on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Mari-Rae Sopper, and the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to share with the Senate the memory of one of my constituents, Robert Penninger, who lost his life on September 11, 2001. Mr. Penninger was 63 years old when the plane he was on, American Airlines Flight 77, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane crashed into the Pentagon, killing everyone on board. Robert ``Bob'' Penninger grew up in Chicago, IL. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University and received a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University. After graduating from college, he married his wife Janet and they raised their daughter, Karen, in Massachusetts. At the time of his tragic death, Bob was working as an electrical engineer for the defense contractor BAE Systems in Rancho Bernardo, CA, and was returning home from a business trip on September 11. Mr. Penninger lived life to the fullest and is greatly missed by all who knew him. His wife, Janet, recalls, ``Bob was always willing to help everyone he met. He was a great storyteller and he always had a smile on his face and a cheery hello for all.'' Mr. Penninger enjoyed motorcycle trips with his wife and friends. He also loved taking his 1999 Electric Green Cobra Mustang convertible to car shows, where he won many trophies. Kit Young lived next door to Penninger for eight years and remarked, ``Bob brought a lot of joy to this neighborhood. He developed a special relationship with my 11-year-old grandson, Sean. He took my grandson to a car show in Los Angeles and they were planning another outing. A lot of people wouldn't care anything about an 11-year-old kid, but Bob did.'' None of us is untouched by the terror of September 11, and many Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some were trapped in the World Trade Center towers. Some were at work in the Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles. I offer today this tribute to one of the 51 Californians who perished on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Robert Penninger, and the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to share with the Senate the memory of one of my young constituents, Deora Bodley, who lost her life on September 11, 2001. Ms. Bodley was a 20- year-old college student when the flight she was on, United Airlines Flight 93, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field, killing everyone on board. Ms. Bodley grew up in San Diego, CA. As a high school student, she visited local high schools to discuss HIV/AIDS with her peers. She volunteered with the Special Olympics and a local animal shelter. Chris Schuck, her English teacher at La Jolla Country Day School, recalls ``Deora was always thinking big and going after big game.'' At the time of her death, Ms. Bodley was studying psychology at Santa Clara University. She coordinated volunteers in a literacy program for elementary school students. Kathy Almazol, principal at St. Clare Catholic Elementary, recalls Ms. Bodley had ``a phenomenal ability to work with people, including the children she read to, her peer volunteers, the school administrators and teachers. We have 68 kids who had a personal association with Deora.'' In the words of her mother, Deborah Borza, ``Deora has always been about peace.'' At the tender age of 11 years, Deora wrote in her journal, ``People ask who, what, where, when, why, how. I ask peace.'' A warm and generous person, Deora was a gifted student and a wonderful friend. Wherever she went, her light shined brightly. Deora's father, Derrill Bodley, of Stockton, CA, feels her life was about ``getting along'' and sharing a message of peace. Her 11-year-old sister Murial recalls Deora taught her many things and says, ``Most of all she taught me to be kind to other people and animals. I cherish the memories of my sister and plan to work hard in school and in everything I do so she can be proud of me like I was of her.'' None of us is untouched by the terror of September 11, and many Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some were trapped in the World Trade Center Towers. Some were at work in the Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles. I offer today this tribute to one of the 51 Californians who perished on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Deora Bodley, and the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to share with the Senate the memory of one of my constituents, Hilda Marcin, who lost her life on September 11, 2001. Mrs. Marcin was 79 years old when the flight she was on, United Airlines Flight 93, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field, killing everyone on board. Mrs. Marcin was born in Schwedelbach, Germany. When she was 7 years old, her family emigrated to the United States to escape oppression. Like many immigrants, her family left all possessions behind and came only with the clothes on their backs. Her family settled in Irvington, New Jersey, where she attended local schools. She worked seven days a week in the payroll department of the New Jersey shipyards during World War II. A friend arranged a blind date with Edward Marcin and they were married on February 13, 1943. They had two daughters, Elizabeth and Carole. The Marcin family enjoyed participating in school functions, class trips, the PTA, and various church activities. Mr. and Mrs. Marcin were also socially and politically active in Irvington. Mrs. Marcin later worked as a special education teacher's aide. Hilda Marcin embraced life with enthusiasm and made the most of every minute. She adored her family and her granddaughter, Melissa Kemmerer Lata. She was an inspiration to those she touched, including the special needs children in the school where she worked. Her friends admired her positive attitude and her desire and ability to continue working during the later years of her life. Mrs. Marcin treasured freedom and democracy, and her American citizenship. At the time of her death, Mrs. Marcin was flying to San Francisco to live with her younger daughter, Carole O'Hare. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Kemmerer and son-in-law Raymond Kemmerer; daughter Carole O'Hare and son-in-law Thomas O'Hare; and granddaughter Melissa Lata and Melissa's husband, Edward Lata. Mr. President, none of us is untouched by the terror of September 11, and many Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some were trapped in the World Trade Center towers. Some were at work in the Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles. I offer today this tribute to one of the 51 Californians who perished on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Hilda Marcin, and the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters will not be forgotten.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, there is free trade, no trade, and fair trade. I am for fair trade. And I am also for respecting the role of Congress in designing public policy. The Trade Promotion Authority package we are voting on today will not result in fair trade and it cedes too much power to the President. I do not believe in giving a President carte blanche to write trade legislation. I do not want to grant him the right to negotiate away protection for American workers and the environment. Imagine if the President could have proposed a corporate accountability bill and the Congress would have had only an up or down vote. Would we have passed legislation as strong as the legislation the President signed? We are about to debate pension reform legislation. Should we ask the President to make a proposal and then vote up or down on that proposal? Clearly not. It is our responsibility to work with the Executive branch of government to design policies that respect our constituents. The Trade Promotion Authority legislation fails American workers and fails to address the need for smart environmental protections. In short, TPA could result in trade agreements that are free from environmental and are in no way fair. And it would preclude us from amending future trade agreements to make them fair. Let me be more specific. This bill will allow a company to sue a developing nation if that country improves its environmental standards and that improvement results in some monetary loss for the foreign investor. That would discourage developing nations from improving their environmental standards out of fear of being sued. That is not fair trade, it is only trade that benefits the powerful. This bill will push down the wages and protections of our workers by forcing them to compete with workers who go unprotected abroad. It fails to provide U.S. trade negotiators with clear instructions that the U.S. not engage in new trade agreements with countries who are unwilling to provide their workers with the following core labor standards--freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively, the elimination of forced labor, the abolition of child labor, and the elimination of discrimination in employment. Without a commitment to these standards, and this TPA has made no commitment to these standards, we will not have fair trade. Most disturbing, the conference committee dropped the Senate-passed Dayton-Craig language on protecting U.S. trade laws. As a result, there will be no reliable mechanism to keep our domestic trade laws from being weakened or eliminated in upcoming trade negotiations. This provision passed the Senate by a wide margin and the conference committee's rejection of it is disappointing. The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) package for workers who lose work because of changing trade patterns is also inadequate. In particular, service workers were left out the TAA. And I was blocked from amending the bill to make truckers who will lost their job as a result of trade eligible for TAA. We should have done better. This TPA bill cedes too much authority to the President and the trade agreements that will result from it will not be fair to workers and the environment.

Mrs. BOXER. I thank my colleagues. trade adjustment assistance for fishermen

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I have long been involved in dolphin conservation efforts. In the past, tuna boats were one of the leading causes of dolphin mortality. As a result of legislation that I and others worked on, tuna fishing practices have been modified and dolphin deaths have dropped dramatically. In part, that success has come from clear regulations regarding dolphin-safe fishing practices and requirements that must be met before tuna can receive the ``dolphin-safe'' label. The United States tracks foreign tuna and determines whether it is dolphin- safe by requiring foreign parties to supply a Certificate of Origin for imported tuna. Specifically, I am referring to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Form 370, which is required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. I am concerned that the reference to a Certificate of Origin in Section 3103(b)(5) of H.R. 3009 may inadvertently create some confusion regarding existing tuna certificate requirements. It is my understanding that the Chairman of the Finance Committee did not intend for this section to affect existing requirements that imported tuna be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin (i.e. NOAA Form 370) as required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I introduced a bill that will convey the B.F. Sisk Federal Building in Fresno, California to the County of Fresno, when the new federal courthouse is completed and occupied. Fresno County is a rapidly growing county in the heart of California's Great Central Valley. The County of Fresno's Superior Court has a serious need for new court space that will grow in the years ahead. The Sisk Building contains courtrooms and related space that will help the people of Fresno County meet those needs. The Sisk's building existing security measures are a perfect fit for Fresno County's justice system. This legislation is a common sense measure that will allow appropriate utilization of the Sisk Building, while contributing to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Fresno. I am proud that it is yet another opportunity for the federal government to improve the lives of Fresno County's people.