Barbara Boxer

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. That is extremely kind of my colleague. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to take 5 minutes and to add that on to Senator Bond's time.

Mrs. BOXER. So the decision was astounding to equate people with corporations and unions, on its face. As Justice Stevens wrote in his dissent: Corporations have no consciences, no beliefs, no feelings, no thoughts, no desires . . . they are not themselves members of ``We the People'' by whom and for whom our Constitution was established. We all know corporations are important in our lives and they make enormous contributions to society, but they are not people, and their profit motive keeps them going. That is our system, and that is fine. But all we are saying in this debate over the DISCLOSE Act is, if a corporation or a union is going to take out an ad against a Senator or for a Senator, or against a challenger or for a challenger, that they simply stand up and say--that is, the CEO of the corporation: I am Mr. Smith, and I approved this message. When I make a commercial or any of my colleagues or any of our challengers, they need to do that. You will see that on every commercial: I am so and so, and I approved this message. So all we are saying is, level the playing field--at least that. We need to do a lot more to fix this Supreme Court decision, but at minimum let's have disclosure. The Fortune 100 companies had combined revenues of $13.1 trillion during the 2007-2008 election cycle. They had those revenues. If they devoted just 1 percent of that--1 percent of that--it would double the federally reported disbursements of all American political parties and PACs combined. I think we cannot allow our electoral process to be dominated by the special interests. So all we are saying in the DISCLOSE Act is, stand up and be counted. Let us know who you are. We have to know who you are. Do not hide behind some shadowy name of a group. Again, these names are all very nice: Americans for this and Americans for that. Let us know who you are. That is all we are saying. This is a government of, by, and for the people. The people have a right to know who is contributing to us, to our opponents, and it is very simple. There could be foreign influence here, again I would say. In our bill, we basically say no foreign influence. If you are a domestic corporation who is controlled by a foreign country or a foreign corporation--say if China, say in Venezuela, say anywhere; pick your country--you cannot take an ad. This is America. We ought to know who is contributing these huge, enormous sums. We ought to know who they are. Our voters ought to know who they are. The American people deserve nothing less. So I would hope when we take up this vote again, there will be no more filibusters over this issue. I have never seen so many filibusters. I have been here a while. Let's go to this legislation. Let's hear the other side defend why they think foreign countries or foreign corporations should be able to play in our elections. Let them defend it if they want to. That is fine. That is fair. I am sure they will come up with reasons. But yesterday we could not go to the military bill. It has a pay raise for our soldiers. That is put on hold because people did not want to vote on the DREAM Act. They did not want to debate don't ask, don't tell. I do not understand it. Now we have a situation where they are filibustering us being able to go to this very commonsense bill, the DISCLOSE Act, which many of my colleagues on the other side have supported in the past--simple disclosure, transparency. I could read you chapter and verse of my colleagues on the other side who were filibustering the DISCLOSE Act in the past saying: We want transparency. So I think this is a pretty open and shut case. The American people have a right to know who is influencing their elections. Just have these corporate executives, these union executives stand up and say: I am so and so, and I support this message, and I paid for it. With that, I am happy to yield the floor with great thanks to my colleague for allowing me the opportunity to complete my remarks. Thank you very much. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tree Fresno. The genesis of Tree Fresno can be traced to a group of residents who had gathered during Fresno's Centennial in 1985 to explore ways to improve the city. This group of civic-minded residents determined that the planting of trees would beautify the city and create more livable and walkable neighborhoods. The idea to beautify Fresno through the planting of trees was met with great support and enthusiasm from the community as evidenced by a telethon that netted $27,000--funds that provided seed money for Tree Fresno's maiden project that resulted in the planting of trees in downtown and the city's vibrant Tower District. Over the past 25 years, Tree Fresno has spearheaded and successfully completed a number of community-wide efforts that have led to the greening of the greater Fresno area. Throughout the years, Tree Fresno has grown the tree canopy on local school campuses and along some of the major thoroughfares in Fresno such as Blackstone and McKinley Avenues. On one remarkable day in 2000, thousands of Tree Fresno volunteers planted 4,400 trees in and along an abandoned rail corridor between Fresno and Clovis. In addition to the planting of trees, Tree Fresno has also been instrumental in educating the public about the importance of responsible environmental stewardship. Through programs such as Tribute Trees, Trees for Campuses and Kids and the Junior Board of Tree Fresno, the organization has made an indelible impact on raising the overall environmental awareness and efficacy of the residents, especially the young people, of Fresno and surrounding communities. The many accomplishments of Tree Fresno over the past 25 years are a testament to the vision of its founding members, the dedication of its staff and the support and commitment of thousands of volunteers and supporters who have given so generously to help make Fresno a better place to live. It is my pleasure to congratulate the board, staff and many friends of Tree Fresno for 25 years of environmental leadership in the greater Fresno area. I send my best wishes for many more years of continued success.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am proud to introduce the Strengthening Pipeline Safety and Enforcement Act of 2010 today along with my colleague, Senator Feinstein. On September 9, 2010, San Bruno, California suffered a terrible tragedy when a natural gas transmission pipeline unexpectedly exploded beneath a busy residential neighborhood. The catastrophic explosion and the resulting fire was a horrific event, creating a massive fireball that many described as the largest earthquake they had ever felt. The tragedy killed four people, injured 66, and destroyed nearly three dozen homes. Preliminary estimates put the cost of the damage and recovery at $65 million. This tragic incident should not have happened. Californians and all Americans must feel confident that their communities are safe and that the regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the safety of natural gas pipelines are doing everything possible to guarantee their safety. That is why we are introducing this legislation today. Our bill is based on the Department of Transportation's, DOT, proposal for improving pipeline safety and includes additional provisions to address concerns raised by the San Bruno blast. The Strengthening Pipeline Safety and Enforcement Act of 2010 will increase the number of Federal inspectors and require the Department of Transportation to certify an inspection method for gas lines that cannot use ``smart pig'' technology. ``Smart pig'' technology is used to test the structural integrity of a pipe and identify any defects. The bill would also require DOT to promulgate regulations for the installation of automatic and remote shutoff valves, update the definition of ``high consequence areas'' to include seismicity of the area, age of the pipe and whether a pipe is able to use the ``smart pig'' technology, and require DOT to set standards for detecting leaks on natural gas lines. This legislation strengthens pipeline safety standards to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and work for final passage as quickly as possible.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am proud to introduce the Strengthening Pipeline Safety and Enforcement Act of 2010 today along with my colleague, Senator Feinstein. On September 9, 2010, San Bruno, California suffered a terrible tragedy when a natural gas transmission pipeline unexpectedly exploded beneath a busy residential neighborhood. The catastrophic explosion and the resulting fire was a horrific event, creating a massive fireball that many described as the largest earthquake they had ever felt. The tragedy killed four people, injured 66, and destroyed nearly three dozen homes. Preliminary estimates put the cost of the damage and recovery at $65 million. This tragic incident should not have happened. Californians and all Americans must feel confident that their communities are safe and that the regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the safety of natural gas pipelines are doing everything possible to guarantee their safety. That is why we are introducing this legislation today. Our bill is based on the Department of Transportation's, DOT, proposal for improving pipeline safety and includes additional provisions to address concerns raised by the San Bruno blast. The Strengthening Pipeline Safety and Enforcement Act of 2010 will increase the number of Federal inspectors and require the Department of Transportation to certify an inspection method for gas lines that cannot use ``smart pig'' technology. ``Smart pig'' technology is used to test the structural integrity of a pipe and identify any defects. The bill would also require DOT to promulgate regulations for the installation of automatic and remote shutoff valves, update the definition of ``high consequence areas'' to include seismicity of the area, age of the pipe and whether a pipe is able to use the ``smart pig'' technology, and require DOT to set standards for detecting leaks on natural gas lines. This legislation strengthens pipeline safety standards to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and work for final passage as quickly as possible.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. I thank you and I yield the floor.

Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I rise to express my deep disappointment that we were unable to proceed to the Defense authorization bill. I have been here a while, maybe I am wrong--I am searching my memory--I don't remember any time that we voted against proceeding to the Defense bill. I am going to go back. Certainly, in the time I have been here, I don't remember that. It is a filibuster just to go to the Defense bill. It is perplexing to me because of some of what is in this bill--including funding for the defense health program to care for our military personnel and their families, including our wounded warriors. We know these wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken quite a toll on our military men and women, both in seen injuries and unseen injuries--injuries to the brain. We know some incredible work is going on. I visited some of the research universities that are finding better ways to treat our wounded warriors. They are finding better ways to treat terrible wounds that result from horrible burns to our brave men and women. Now is the time to put those new and better treatments into place and there is a filibuster and we cannot get to the bill. We know there is a military pay raise in this bill for our servicemembers. Those voting no to proceed to this are stopping that. This bill authorizes TRICARE coverage for eligible dependents up to age 26. In other words, just as we did in the Health Care Reform Act, in this bill we are saying if you are in the military and you have a child, you can keep them on your coverage until they are 26. It provides $3.4 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles or MRAPs, which have proven highly successful in protecting our troops from improvised explosive devices, and it requires companies to certify for all DOD contracts valued over $1 million that they are not engaged in any sanctionable activity under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. So we would make sure that the DOD, Department of Defense, is not involved in giving contracts to companies that are trading with Iran. This is so important, as we seek to sanction Iran for its reckless activity in moving toward a nuclear weapon. In the bill the Republicans blocked is also a repeal of the military's don't ask, don't tell policy. The bill includes a provision stating that there will be no repeal of this policy until there is a certification from the Department of Defense that it will not have adverse consequences on our troops. Some said: Oh, this is just ignoring the Department of Defense, ignoring the Secretary of Defense. Not at all. The way Chairman Levin put it together definitely has a check on it. So I do not understand a lot of my colleagues' claims that it is just a quick repeal with no checks and balances from the Secretary of Defense. I will say it again, it is clear in there, and I will read the exact words, that there must be, as we repeal don't ask, don't tell, a certification from the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that there will be no significant impact on ``military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.'' I think it is important to note what countries allow gays and lesbians to serve. How about 22 of our allies who have fought with our service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan: Australia, Britain, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, New Zealand, Spain, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Luxemburg and Norway and Sweden. In addition, Israel and South Africa also don't discriminate against gays and lesbians. I don't know who we end up with, but some of the countries I can find that still discriminate against gays and lesbians in the service are Iran, Pakistan, Cuba, North Korea, and Turkey. For us to stand with Iran, for us to stand with Cuba, for us to stand with North Korea, Pakistan, and Turkey over Australia, Britain, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, Germany, et cetera--it just doesn't make sense. The point is, because we are part of this coalition of 22 other nations, our service men and women are already fighting alongside gays and lesbians. A majority of Americans think it is the right thing to do, to allow our qualified young men and women to serve regardless of their sexual orientation. According to a CNN poll conducted in May, 78 percent of Americans said they support allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military--78 percent of Americans. We would be standing with them and we would be standing with our allies. Don't ask, don't tell is hurting our military. It is costing our Nation--more than 14,000 service men and women have been discharged from the military under don't ask, don't tell. It has cost taxpayers between $290 million and maybe up to more than a $\1/2\ billion to replace servicemembers who were discharged under this policy. I know many Americans have seen in their living rooms, on the TV, men and women who are our neighbors' kids, and our neighbors, who have been kicked out of the military even though they were stellar service men and women. It is most unfortunate that our friends on the other side are mischaracterizing what is in the bill. We allowed them an amendment to strip that language, and they said, oh, well, if we pass this, then the military would be caught off guard. Not at all. The way it is written specifies that there must be a certification that a repeal would not be harmful to our military. I am also terribly disappointed we will not have a chance to vote on the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act allows those students who have been here most of their lives an opportunity to earn legalized status if they met certain criteria. Those are kids who were brought over as kids, maybe a month or 2, or a year or 2, or 5 or 6 years old. They must have lived in the United States for 5 years. They must earn a high school diploma. After high school, they must complete 2 years of college or serve in the Armed Forces for 2 years. They must demonstrate strong moral character, and only those who pass these tests would be eligible to get on the pathway to legality. Sixty-five thousand young people a year graduate from high school, but they cannot join the military, or they cannot go to college, because of their immigrant status. It was not their fault they were brought into the country by their parents. I want to tell you that our military has said--and I will quote retired Army LTC Margaret Stock. She said: ``Potential DREAM Act beneficiaries are likely to be a military recruiter's dream candidates for enlistment.'' Let me repeat that. The military itself has said, The DREAM Act will result in a military recruiter's dream, because some of these recruits are very good with foreign language skills, foreign cultural awareness, they are in short supply, and they would be excellent recruits. Businesses support the DREAM Act. Our economic future is something we talk about every day around here. I read a U.S.C. study that said, if we finally begin a process where people who are here, who are hard working and caring, can stay here and come out of the shadows, it will create 25,000 jobs and increase the gross domestic product of my State and of the Nation. That is why I have the San Jose Mercury News, home paper of the Silicon Valley, writing an editorial last week in favor of the DREAM Act, saying it will boost America's economic competitiveness. So here we have the time where we have something on the floor that is directly related to the military bill, because the military is saying it is a recruiter's dream, this DREAM Act, because they are going to have so many people lining up to join. We have Silicon Valley strongly supporting this, and I will tell you, the San Jose Mercury News said: ``The high school dropout rate in this country terrifies business leaders, who fear that in the coming decades we will not produce enough college graduates with math and science ability.'' That is why the Silicon Valley Leadership Group supports the DREAM Act. That is a group made up of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats. They wrote: DREAM Act students ``deserve a chance, and the U.S. economy needs their knowledge and ability.'' Companies such as Microsoft also support the DREAM Act. They wrote: ``The DREAM Act rewards those who place high value on education, and on service to country.'' Last week the president of the University of California, the chancellor of the California State university system, and the presidents of State universities in Arizona, Washington, Minnesota, Utah, and Washington wrote in support of the DREAM Act. They write in a letter: ``In the current international economic competition, the U.S. needs all the talent it can acquire and these students represent an extraordinary resource for the country. The DREAM Act . . . is an economic imperative.'' In closing, I want to talk about a couple of stories. I think this is very important. David graduated from high school with a 3.9 grade point average. He is studying international economics and Korean at UCLA. He has served as the leader of the UCLA marching band, and he spends his free time tutoring high school students. After graduation, he hopes to enter the Air Force and some day politics. In many ways, he is a model college student and a leader in his community. But he was born in Korea. He came here when he was 9. His family spent 8 years trying to navigate their way to legalized status, only to find out that their sponsor had erred in filling out the paperwork. So here sits David. He had nothing to do with all of this. Here is what he says: I will not be able to put my name down on a job application because of my status. This country is throwing away talent every second . . . but the DREAM Act can bring thousands of students out of the shadows and allow them the opportunity to work for the country they truly love right now. I would say these students such as David did not choose to come to this country. They were brought here by their parents. The reality is, they have grown up here. This is the only country they know. I am very disappointed that we are not voting on this important bill today. I hope we can take up the DREAM Act later this year. I believe it will truly strengthen our economy, our military, and our Nation. The very last point I want to make as we wind up this Congress is, I am so pleased that we passed the Small Business Jobs Act last week. I traveled across California. I have met with so many small businesses, and I did a conference call with about 10 of those businesses, including the Los Angeles Baking Company, the Blue Bottle Coffee Company in Oakland, biofuels manufacturer Solazyme, Capstone Turbine in Chatsworth, U.S. Hybrid in Torrance, the Back on the Beach Cafe in Santa Monica, and the Santa Barbara Adventure Company. These are small businesses in my State that are very strong. They could not get access to credit to expand and hire. As a result of the work we did, they will be able to get that credit. I want to thank the two Republicans who crossed over to vote with us. It shows us that we can make progress when we work together, because this has to come ahead of politics. I went to a company called Renova. Renova is helping to make California the hub of the clean energy economy. Vincent Battaglia, the owner there, told me he has been getting no help accessing the credit he needs. He called our legislation ``the missing piece,'' the piece he has been waiting for. Small businesses create 64 percent of our new jobs. That is what happened over the last 15 years. I believe this bill will help get them back on track. As they get back on track, our recovery will begin to have a little more energy behind it. Because it is very slow; it is agonizingly slow. I wanted to state on the Record how much I appreciate the two Republicans--

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, 114 years old, your constituent? I guess Senator Baucus treats his constituents well.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I wish to recognize the great work and remarkable accomplishments of Arlington High School's Envirothon team for winning the North American Canon Envirothon Competition, which tests high school students' knowledge about natural resource management. Competing in the Envirothon was a challenging task for the students of Arlington High School, located in Riverside, CA. Students spent many hours studying, practicing, and competing, often away from their families and friends. However, I know that families across Riverside are now celebrating the accomplishments of their home team. Members of Arlington High's winning Envirothon team include Kristen Treat, Cory Davis, Alexis Wood, Elijah Kenan, Elizabeth Murry, Ashley Pham, and faculty advisers Sheri Harris, and Dianne Stephens. They solved environmental problems in aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and the 2010 special topic ``Protection of Groundwater through Urban, Agricultural and Environmental Planning.'' I invite all my colleagues to join me in congratulating California's Arlington High School Envirothon team for becoming the North American Canon Envirothon Competition winners.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I wish to offer a few words in memory of Janet Fairbanks, a California regional planner who passed away last month in her beloved hometown of San Diego. Janet Fairbanks was a visionary planner who brought people and communities together to plan for sensible, sustainable growth while protecting the natural environment. From 1980 until her retirement in 2006, Ms. Fairbanks helped guide the development of growth management and habitat conservation plans, first at the city of San Diego and later at the San Diego Association of Governments, SANDAG. Along with her technical skills and expertise, Janet was known for her outstanding ability to educate public officials and a wide array of stakeholders about the virtues of smart growth, conservation, and biodiversity--and then to bring these often divergent individuals and groups together to create plans that enabled communities to grow and thrive while preserving San Diego County's unique natural areas and resources. As a longtime member of the California Planning Roundtable, Ms. Fairbanks brought city and regional planners together with conservationists to protect some of California's most precious and endangered natural areas. And as an active member of the California Biodiversity Council, she brought a planner's comprehensive perspective to the Council's mission of protecting California's fragile biodiversity. Janet Fairbanks helped to make San Diego County a nationally recognized leader in regional planning and conservation. She will be sorely missed, but her work and legacy will live on in the beautiful communities she helped to create and the natural landscapes she helped to preserve.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Pinnacles National Park Act. This legislation would elevate the Pinnacles National Monument to a National Park. The legislation would also rename the current Pinnacles Wilderness as the Hain Wilderness after Schuyler Hain, an early conservationist whose efforts led to the establishment of the Monument in 1908. The Pinnacles National Monument ascends out of the beautiful Gabilan Mountains, east of central California's Salinas Valley. Established by President Theodore Roosevelt, the monument protects the spectacular remains of the Neenach Volcano. Colossal monoliths, sheer-walled canyons and talus caves exhibit millions of years of volcanic evolution and tectonic plate movement. Originally 2500 acres, the monument has grown to encompass 26,000 acres of diverse California wildlands. These parklands represent one of only 5 regions, or less than 2 percent of the world's surface area, supporting a Mediterranean habitat. Less than five percent of the world's Mediterranean habitat remains protected, so it is essential that we preserve this special resource. Mediterranean habitats provide a rare combination of cool wet winters, hot dry summer days, and evening fog--supporting many plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. One of the animals that calls the Pinnacles home is the critically endangered California condor. Recently, a condor hatched in the wild just outside the monument's boundary--the first to do so in this country in at least 70 years. The Pinnacles area, famously rendered by John Steinbach in ``Of Mice and Men'' and ``East of Eden,'' is also an important part of California's cultural heritage. The area has held significance for several Native American tribes, early Spanish settlers, and Western homesteaders. Today, the Pinnacles are a global destination for naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, who are attracted by the park's scenic trails, natural resources, and some of the most unique rock-climbing in the world. The Pinnacles National Monument is an important driver of the local tourist economy and jobs, and elevating this site to a National Park will draw even more attention to this incredible destination. I have worked with Congressman Sam Farr to craft legislation that will further protect this recreational treasure. It has strong support from the surrounding communities and the California Wild Heritage Campaign, a coalition of over 500 businesses and organizations. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing this diverse natural and cultural resource by creating Pinnacles National Park.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 38 servicemembers from California or based in California who have died while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom since March 24, 2010. This brings to 185 the number of servicemembers either from California or based in California that have been killed while serving our country in Afghanistan. This represents 15 percent of all U.S. deaths in Afghanistan. LCpl Rick J. Centanni, 19, of Yorba Linda, CA, died March 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Centanni was assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, CA. SgtMaj Robert J. Cottle, 45, of Whittier, CA, died March 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Major Cottle was assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, CA. Sgt Kenneth B. May, Jr., 26, of Kilgore, TX, died May 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Sergeant May was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Cpl Jeffery W. Johnson, 21, of Tomball, TX, died May 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Johnson was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. PO Zarian Wood, 29, of Houston, TX, died May 16 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device blast while on dismounted patrol. Petty Officer Wood was assigned as a hospital corpsman to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. SSgt Adam L. Perkins, 27, of Antelope, CA, died May 17 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Perkins was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Cpl Jacob C. Leicht, 24, of College Station, TX, died May 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Leicht was assigned to the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. PFC Jake W. Suter, 18, of Los Angeles, CA, died May 29 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Private First Class Suter was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, HI. Cpl Donald M. Marler, 22, of St. Louis, MO, died June 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Marler was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. LCpl Derek Hernandez, 20, of Edinburg, TX, died June 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Hernandez was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Sgt Brandon C. Bury, 26, of Kingwood, TX, died June 6 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Bury was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Sgt John K. Rankel, 23, of Speedway, IN, died June 7 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Rankel was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. LCpl Michael G. Plank, 25, of Cameron Mills, NY, died June 9 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Plank was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. LCpl Gavin R. Brummund, 22, of Arnold, CA, died June 10 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Brummund was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. Cpl Jeffrey R. Standfest, 23, of St. Clair, MI, died June 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Standfest was assigned to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA. LCpl Michael C. Bailey, 29, of Park Hills, MO, died June 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Bailey was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA. SGT Nathan W. Cox, 27, of Fremont, CA, died June 16 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained June 14 when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire at Near Forward Operating Base, Khogyani, Afghanistan. Sergeant Cox was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. SN William Ortega, 23, of Miami, FL, died June 18 in HelmandProvince, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device blast while conducting combat operations against enemy forces. Seaman Ortega was assigned as a hospital corpsman to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Cpl Kevin A. Cueto, 23, of San Jose, CA, died June 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Cueto was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA. Cpl Claudio Patino IV, 22, of Yorba Linda, CA, died June 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Patino was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA. Cpl Daane A. Deboer, 24, of Ludington, MI, died June 25 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Deboer was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Sgt Joseph D. Caskey, 24, of Pittsburgh, PA, died June 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Caskey was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Cpl Larry D. Harris Jr., 24, of Thornton, CO, died July 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Harris was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. SPC Roger Lee, 26, of Monterey, CA, died July 6 at Qalat, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Specialist Lee was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany. SSG Marc A. Arizmendez, 30, of Anaheim, CA, died July 6 at Qalat, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Staff Sergeant Arizmendez was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany. LCpl Tyler A. Roads, 20, of Burney, CA, died July 10 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Roads was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. SSgt Christopher J. Antonik, 29, of Crystal Lake, IL, died July 11 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Antonik was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, CA. SPC Chase Stanley, 21, of Napa, CA, died July 14 at Zabul Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Specialist Stanley was assigned to the 618th Engineer Support Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, NC. GySgt Christopher L. Eastman, 28, of Moose Pass, AK, died July 18 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Gunnery Sergeant Eastman was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Cpl Paul J. Miller, 22, of Traverse City, MI, died July 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Miller was assigned to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA. SSG Brian F. Piercy, 27, of Clovis, CA, died July 19 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. Staff Sergeant Piercy was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. Cpl Julio Vargas, 23, of Sylmar, CA, died July 20 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Corporal Vargas was assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Maj James M. Weis, 37, of Toms River, NJ, died July 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Major Weis was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Pendleton, CA. LtCol Mario D. Carazo, 41, of Springfield, OH, died July 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lieutenant Colonel Carazo was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Pendleton, CA. SGT Daniel Lim, 23, of Cypress, CA, died July 24, at Qalat, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Sergeant Lim was assigned to 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. SSG Conrad A. Mora, 24, of San Diego, CA, died July 24, at Qalat, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Staff Sergeant Mora was assigned to 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. PO2 Justin McNeley, 30, of Wheatridge, CO, died from wounds sustained from an incident in Logar province, Afghanistan, on July 23. Coalition Forces recovered his remains July 25 after an extensive search. Petty Officer 2nd Class McNeley was assigned to Assault Craft Unit One (ACU- 1), San Diego, CA. LCpl Shane R. Martin, 23, of Spring, TX, died July 29 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Martin was assigned to 1stLight Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize the career accomplishments and service of the late Bishop Dr. Jerry Louder--clergyman, educator, community leader, and author. Dr. Louder was born in Riverside in 1947 and remained dedicated to his community throughout his life. Dr. Louder passed away on July 2, 2010. As a student at Pacific High School in San Bernardino, Jerry Louder excelled in academics and athletics. He advanced his education at the University of California, Riverside and earned a dual major bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a doctorate. Dr. Louder later completed a second doctorate at Friends International Christian University and began his ministry in 1970. Dr. Louder was an acknowledged leader among his ministerial peers. He served as pastor of New Jerusalem Foursquare Church for 22 years and became founding pastor of New Jerusalem Christian Center. He was heavily active in a diversity of clergy groups in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including the Riverside Clergy Association; the Riverside Area Pastors' Association; the Inland Area Ministers' Alliance; and the Riverside Interfaith Fellowship. He also served as president of the United States Pastors' Association, a communication network of nearly 100,000 pastors representing more than 40 denominations and independent churches. Riverside mayor, Ron Loveridge, described Dr. Louder as a ``community healer.'' In addition to helping forge stronger relations between the Riverside Police Department and the communities it serves, Dr. Louder also cofounded and served as executive director of the Opportunities Industrialization Center, which led to his founding the Riverside Opportunity Center to address the needs of the poor, homeless, and marginalized in his community. These and other similar efforts earned the recognition of many groups and organizations throughout his life, including being named a 2010 Alumnus of the Year by the Riverside Community College District. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Dr. Louder's family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives were influenced by Dr. Louder's commitment, compassionate leadership, and personal and professional integrity. He will be truly missed.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Pinnacles National Park Act. This legislation would elevate the Pinnacles National Monument to a National Park. The legislation would also rename the current Pinnacles Wilderness as the Hain Wilderness after Schuyler Hain, an early conservationist whose efforts led to the establishment of the Monument in 1908. The Pinnacles National Monument ascends out of the beautiful Gabilan Mountains, east of central California's Salinas Valley. Established by President Theodore Roosevelt, the monument protects the spectacular remains of the Neenach Volcano. Colossal monoliths, sheer-walled canyons and talus caves exhibit millions of years of volcanic evolution and tectonic plate movement. Originally 2500 acres, the monument has grown to encompass 26,000 acres of diverse California wildlands. These parklands represent one of only 5 regions, or less than 2 percent of the world's surface area, supporting a Mediterranean habitat. Less than five percent of the world's Mediterranean habitat remains protected, so it is essential that we preserve this special resource. Mediterranean habitats provide a rare combination of cool wet winters, hot dry summer days, and evening fog--supporting many plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. One of the animals that calls the Pinnacles home is the critically endangered California condor. Recently, a condor hatched in the wild just outside the monument's boundary--the first to do so in this country in at least 70 years. The Pinnacles area, famously rendered by John Steinbach in ``Of Mice and Men'' and ``East of Eden,'' is also an important part of California's cultural heritage. The area has held significance for several Native American tribes, early Spanish settlers, and Western homesteaders. Today, the Pinnacles are a global destination for naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, who are attracted by the park's scenic trails, natural resources, and some of the most unique rock-climbing in the world. The Pinnacles National Monument is an important driver of the local tourist economy and jobs, and elevating this site to a National Park will draw even more attention to this incredible destination. I have worked with Congressman Sam Farr to craft legislation that will further protect this recreational treasure. It has strong support from the surrounding communities and the California Wild Heritage Campaign, a coalition of over 500 businesses and organizations. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing this diverse natural and cultural resource by creating Pinnacles National Park.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, what the American people want from us is for us to work together. They don't want partisan political attacks. Here is what is so strange about this particular partisan attack we have just heard. The Senator from Maine said she wants a chance for her side to have ``just a few amendments.'' I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the offer made by the majority leader to allow that. Any of the amendments they wanted, the other side wanted, matched by amendments we wanted. I ask unanimous consent to have that printed in the Record.

Mrs. BOXER. The first amendment written by Landrieu-Snowe; the second, Snowe-Landrieu; the third one, Snowe-Merkley; the fourth one, Snowe-Landrieu; the next one, Landrieu-Nelson; the next one, Snowe- Pryor--and on and on. The next section: Merkley-Alexander. We all know Senator Hatch worked with Senator Bingaman on many of these. Senator Grassley is involved in this, Senator Brownback is involved. I have to say, of all the bills we have taken up, this is the most bipartisan. I think that to make a process argument now is a shame. Let me read some of the groups that support this bill, even though the Senator from Maine doesn't like it. Let me tell you where you are. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Pass this bill; National Federation of Independent Businesses: Pass this bill; the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Pass this bill; the Black Chamber of Commerce: Pass this bill; the National Association for the Self-Employed; the Small Business Majority--and on and on. I ask unanimous consent to have the entire list printed in the Record.

Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I also work across the political aisle. I worked with Senator Snowe on the Passenger Bill of Rights. I worked with the former Senator Smith on guns in the cockpit. I worked with Senator Ensign on afterschool, I worked with Senator Inhofe on highway bills, on WRDA bills. We all work across the aisle and I too compliment the Senator from Maine for standing with us on some very tough votes. But I have to say--she is asking for a bipartisan bill? Let me read the sections of this bill and I ask unanimous consent to have this printed in the Record. S

Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, the Senator from Maine is right when she says we have to move to help this economy, and this bill is one of the answers. That is why it has such broad support. Republicans and Democrats across the country support this, Independent voters support this, small businesses support this. The only group that is filibustering this bill happens to be the Republicans in the Senate. I am telling you, if they say no again, they are hurting this economy. I yield the floor.

Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, will the Senator yield for one question?

Mrs. BOXER. I am just asking a question through the Chair. This is the time of the Senator from Louisiana. I have watched the Senator from Louisiana make a case for this bipartisan bill day after day, and I have heard her lay out why we should come together, Republicans and Democrats, to do something right for small businesses that create 62 percent of all jobs. It is astounding to me that we could not get even one Republican to join with us today. But I do have hope. As we speak, we see the majority leader and the minority leader discussing amendments. I want to ask my friend two questions. The Senator from Maine gave a very impassioned speech saying that the Democrats were the ones who were stopping this legislation. She said all we needed to do was offer ``a few'' amendments to the Republicans. My first question: Is it not true, I say to my friend who is managing this bill, that, in fact, the majority leader, Harry Reid, did offer the other side a few amendments--clearly did before this cloture vote? And the second question is whether my friend would be willing to share with our colleagues and the people who are engaged in this debate how this bill is perhaps the most bipartisan bill ever to come out of any committee. I know my friend gave me that information--title after title after title containing the names of Republicans and Democratic Senators. So if she would answer those two questions, No. 1, when the Senator from Maine says that our leader did not offer a few amendments to the other side; isn't she incorrect? And, No. 2, isn't this one of the most bipartisan efforts to come out of any committee?

Mrs. BOXER. Would the Senator yield?

Mrs. BOXER. Of course. I just have one more question for my friend. We hear every Senator--Democratic, Republican, Independent--say the biggest issue before us, the biggest one is jobs--jobs, jobs, jobs. When my friend goes home, I know she has to deal with the oil disaster and still rebuilding after Katrina. In California, we have our series of deep problems in tough, tough times. But she knows that whatever we do here we have to push forward with policies that create jobs, and we have to keep our eye on the deficit. So my friend has brought forth a bill, along with Senator Baucus and many Republicans--because she just went through the many bipartisan provisions--that will leverage $30 billion into $300 billion from the private sector. If we turn that into jobs, we are talking thousands and thousands of jobs created by the innovators, the small businesspeople who have gotten no help. That is why my friend has the sign ``Main Street.'' We have to help Main Street. So I want to ask in the form of question, and then I will leave the floor at that point: Isn't this a bill that is desperately needed by our small businesses? Aren't our small businesses the creators of jobs? Is this bill not paid for? And won't this bill deliver the kind of policy that will allow for job growth through growth of small businesses that are solid, with community banks that are solid? Isn't this bill just what we need to do before we leave to go home and be with our constituents in August?

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fresno City College, California's first community college and the second oldest in the Nation. Fresno City College was the brainchild of Charles L. McLane, the superintendent of Fresno Schools in the early 1900s. Mr. McLane was concerned that many students from the San Joaquin Valley could not afford to attend the nearest universities located outside the San Joaquin Valley. He envisioned a junior college in Fresno that would allow young students to receive an affordable and quality education through their first 2 years of college while still being able to reside at home. Mr. McLane worked diligently to recruit instructors and design the curriculum. He secured commitments from the University of California and Stanford University that students who completed their coursework in Fresno would be accepted to those schools to further their education. In September 1910, Fresno Junior College officially opened with 20 students and 3 full-time faculty members. Students studied mathematics, English, Latin, history, and economics. In addition, the new campus provided vocational training in areas such as agriculture, commerce and the industries that many 4-year universities did not offer. In 1958, Fresno Junior College adopted its current name, Fresno City College. A year later, it permanently moved to its home for over the past 51 years on 1101 E. University Avenue in central Fresno. Today, Fresno City College has grown from a small campus of 20 students and 3 faculty members to a dynamic community college whose average enrollment is approximately 25,000 students. It is a highly regarded community college that features award-winning programs in several disciplines, including nursing and vocational training. For the past century, Fresno City College has been a dependable and accessible institute of higher learning that has empowered generations of San Joaquin Valley residents, many of whom overcame challenging backgrounds, to realize their full potential in many different aspects of life. It is my pleasure to congratulate the administration, students, faculty, staff and proud alumni of Fresno City College on 100 years of educational leadership and excellence in the San Joaquin Valley. I send my best wishes for many more years of continued success.

Mrs. BOXER

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the PACE Assessment Protection Act of 2010. I am pleased to be joined in this effort by my colleagues, Senators Merkley, Gillibrand, and Begich. Property Assessed Clean Energy or PACE programs allow homeowners and building owners to finance an energy efficiency upgrade to their property through a tax assessment on that property. In this way, property owners are able to spread the cost of the upgrades over several years, lower their energy costs, contribute to a cleaner environment, and create jobs. In California, nearly half of the State's 58 counties, as well as individual cities, have developed PACE programs or plan to start one, and 23 states as well as the District of Columbia have enacted PACE legislation. The program has the strong support of the White House and the Department of Energy, and many States and cities dedicated Recovery Act funding for their PACE programs. Despite the promise of this program, the Federal Housing Finance Agency recently ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to take actions that limit the use of PACE programs in conjunction with their home mortgages, effectively killing the program. FHFA objected that PACE assessments carry a priority lien, ahead of the lenders, on participating properties. The right of States and localities to secure property tax assessments with a senior position is well established, and in the past, Fannie and Freddie have always respected this right--such as with assessments to finance sidewalks, bridges, or parks and other projects that provide a public benefit--without raising any concerns over the impact of such priority liens. In addition, the Department of Energy issued guidance for municipalities intending to use Recovery Act funding for PACE programs that calls for strong underwriting standards. These guidelines require that the savings a property owner would see as a result of any upgrade must be greater than the cost of the assessment, leaving homeowners in a more financially secure position. To allow PACE programs to continue, as well as protect homeowners and taxpayers, we must take immediate action to address the overreach by the FHFA. My legislation would require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to: adopt sound underwriting standards for financing clean-energy upgrades, consistent with Department of Energy guidelines; treat a PACE assessment as any other property tax assessment and respect States' authority to secure such assessments with a first lien; allow homeowners to finance, refinance, or sell their home without having to repay any PACE assessment first; prohibit discrimination against communities implementing or participating in a PACE program. The legislation also limits the assessment amount subject to foreclosure to only the unpaid delinquent amount, along with applicable penalties, interest and costs, and not the entire amount. The current uncertainty surrounding PACE programs is jeopardizing $110 million in Federal investments for California communities, and millions more in other States, which is simply unacceptable. We must take action to protect these initiatives because they create jobs, save homeowners money on their energy bills and help our environment. I urge my colleagues to join me and to support this legislation.