Jim Bunning

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I yield myself 10 minutes of allotted time. I so ask unanimous consent.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, a rollcall vote has been ordered. I don't think that is permitted.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I honor Carl and Hester White of Ludlowe, KY. On this day 60 years ago, they were married and they set out on the path of life together. The commitment of 60 years of marriage is a truly magnificent accomplishment. This married couple has dedicated themselves to each other through thick and thin for the greater part of a century. This kind of faithfulness in marriage is no less than perseverance in the most important virtue of all, love of your fellow man. Marriages are the bedrock of society and the foundation of responsible citizenship. I congratulate Carl and Hester on their sixtieth wedding anniversary. I hope they have many more wonderful years together. May God bless them.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I today honor LCpl Will Stevens of Russell, KY, for his service to his country in the United States Marine Corps. While LCpl Stevens is recovering from a combat injury to his foot in a hospital bed in San Diego, I point out the importance of his service to our country. Will's service to his country in Iraq ensures a safer future for America and a more stable world in general. Will's family, his loved ones and his countrymen are the people who benefit from the work he did in Iraq. We are all indebted to him for our way of life, our freedoms and for an example of what it means to be a good American. In the words of Will's grandfather, ``He is my hero . . . I am really proud of him and am relieved he is going to be alright.'' And so am I. I thank Will and all his fellow service members for their work. May God bless them.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Agricultural Business Security Investment Tax Credit Act of 2004. I am pleased to join with my colleague from Nebraska, Senator Nelson, In supporting this important legislation. Security at our agricultural facilities has regrettably become a national concern in the last decade. While we saw agricultural products used for destruction in Oklahoma City in 1995, our concerns have only been compounded by the tragedies of September 11 and the threat of terrorism. The Senate recognized this growing concern when we considered agricultural products in the Federal hazardous materials lists in the USA Patriot Act of 2001. The American agricultural industry has already recognized some of the dangers on its own and has made significant strides in improving security. Shops throughout the country have started to invest in security measures to keep their chemicals and fertilizers from being used illegally. In 2003, the Agricultural Retailers Association published a web-based, security-vulnerability assessment tool and has cooperated with the USDA to secure farmers and ranchers. But vulnerability assessments often require as much as $50,000 to $100,000 in capital investment. Meeting these pressing security needs is not feasible for many of the more than 9,000 retail facilities with fertilizer and chemicals stocks in the United States. That is why it is important we enact this tax credit. The credit would equal 50 percent of the cost of eligible security upgrades at agricultural retail businesses and is capped at $50,000 during any 5 year period. This money can be used for many different security programs, such as employee background checks, locking equipment and even the latest chemical additives that can render fertilizer unfit for illegal purposes. In my home State of Kentucky, fertilizer theft has become a serious problem and is contributing to a dangerous rise in the illegal drug trade. One common fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, is stolen in large quantities and is a fundamental part of the production of some forms of methamphetamine. This problem is especially bad in rural areas where police officers in Kentucky are try to curb the problem by distributing locks to farmers and training them to identify the signs of a methamphetamine label. But these efforts are not enough. This legislation is an important step to ensure that America's agricultural facilities are secure. Without our action, many of the facilities throughout our country would simply be unable to fund security improvements. We cannot risk fertilizers and chemicals falling into the wrong hands and facilitating illegal drug manufacturing or terrorist bomb makers. I hope my colleagues will join Senator Nelson and me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Agricultural Business Security Investment Tax Credit Act of 2004. I am pleased to join with my colleague from Nebraska, Senator Nelson, In supporting this important legislation. Security at our agricultural facilities has regrettably become a national concern in the last decade. While we saw agricultural products used for destruction in Oklahoma City in 1995, our concerns have only been compounded by the tragedies of September 11 and the threat of terrorism. The Senate recognized this growing concern when we considered agricultural products in the Federal hazardous materials lists in the USA Patriot Act of 2001. The American agricultural industry has already recognized some of the dangers on its own and has made significant strides in improving security. Shops throughout the country have started to invest in security measures to keep their chemicals and fertilizers from being used illegally. In 2003, the Agricultural Retailers Association published a web-based, security-vulnerability assessment tool and has cooperated with the USDA to secure farmers and ranchers. But vulnerability assessments often require as much as $50,000 to $100,000 in capital investment. Meeting these pressing security needs is not feasible for many of the more than 9,000 retail facilities with fertilizer and chemicals stocks in the United States. That is why it is important we enact this tax credit. The credit would equal 50 percent of the cost of eligible security upgrades at agricultural retail businesses and is capped at $50,000 during any 5 year period. This money can be used for many different security programs, such as employee background checks, locking equipment and even the latest chemical additives that can render fertilizer unfit for illegal purposes. In my home State of Kentucky, fertilizer theft has become a serious problem and is contributing to a dangerous rise in the illegal drug trade. One common fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, is stolen in large quantities and is a fundamental part of the production of some forms of methamphetamine. This problem is especially bad in rural areas where police officers in Kentucky are try to curb the problem by distributing locks to farmers and training them to identify the signs of a methamphetamine label. But these efforts are not enough. This legislation is an important step to ensure that America's agricultural facilities are secure. Without our action, many of the facilities throughout our country would simply be unable to fund security improvements. We cannot risk fertilizers and chemicals falling into the wrong hands and facilitating illegal drug manufacturing or terrorist bomb makers. I hope my colleagues will join Senator Nelson and me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I pay tribute to and congratulate Ben Woodman of Berea, KY on being awarded a Boren Undergraduate Scholarship from the David L. Boren National Security Education Program, NSEP. Mr. Woodman was one of 181 applicants nationwide to receive one of these scholarships. NSEP is administered within the National Defense University in the Department of Defense. It funds outstanding U.S. students to study critical languages and world regions in exchange for a commitment to seek employment with the Federal Government in the arena of national security. Mr. Woodman has been studying Arabic and will spend the year in Egypt. He attends the University of Kentucky and is majoring in international economics and Arabic. The citizens of Madison County should be proud to have a man like Ben Woodman in their community. His example of dedication and hard work should be an inspiration to the entire Commonwealth. He has my most sincere admiration for this work and I look forward to his continued service to the United States.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Miss Kara Sheridan, the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl White of Ludlowe, KY. Miss Sheridan is a most extraordinary young lady. As I speak, Miss Sheridan is representing the United States of America at the 2004 Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Games are the biggest competition in the world for athletes with a disability. Miss Sheridan earned the honor of competing in the paralympics through hard work, perseverance and a spirit of hope. I believe that it is these three virtues which have also earned her a right to a place of honor here on the Senate floor and in the hearts of her countrymen. She has risen above the challenges posed by ostogenesis imperfecta, a rare genetic condition that she was born with, and showed the world that perseverance and hope will always be rewarded. Kara's achievements have come in many different forms throughout the years. They include graduating from Wright State University magna cum laude last year, participating in competitive swimming events, serving on committees through the National Youth with Disabilities Council, and being awarded a scholarship to work on her master's degree from the University of Miami. But the greatest honor that Kara has earned is the accomplishment of a hope so great that it seems nothing can deter her. Miss Sheridan has shown to America and to the world what it looks like to habitually do the right thing by hoping. Thanks to Miss Sheridan, we have already been reminded of that.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to support the American family and extend important tax relief provisions. This is one of the most important bills we will consider this year on the floor of the Senate. If we do not pass this bill, the Americans that need tax relief the most will instead face a huge tax increase next year. I have consistently supported continuing the child tax credit, eliminating the marriage penalty, expanding the 10-percent tax bracket for the benefit of low- and middle-income taxpayers, and continuing alternative minimum tax relief. I introduced a bill with Senator Miller 5 months ago, The Working Family Tax Relief Act of 2004, which made permanent most of these important provisions. I am pleased that my colleagues on the conference committee were able to find a vehicle to bring an extension of the important provisions found in the Bunning- Miller tax bill before the entire Congress today. Tax relief has played a central role in fostering economic growth throughout our economy. The President's tax cuts and our votes here in the Senate helped to revive an economy that was stalling in 2000 and shocked by the tragedies of September 11, 2001. The Senate adopted a tax strategy in 2001 to help America's working families and our economy. In 2003, we voted to accelerate the effective date of some of this family tax relief in order to give these families help as quickly as possible. And as a result, every American family who paid any income taxes during 2003 saw a reduction in their taxes, including well over one million Kentuckians. These Kentuckians will enjoy those lower taxes for this year as well. However, if we fail to act this year, America's working families will face a tax increase next year. We cannot allow that to happen. We cannot take back these tax cuts and threaten the financial security of American families just as they are recovering from the turbulence of the last few years. Let me explain what is at stake here: If we do nothing, the child tax credit will be cut by 30 percent in 2005. Rather than let the credit revert to the old $700 level, this legislation will extend the credit at $1,000 for the next 5 years. There are over 350,000 taxpayers in Kentucky who count on the $1,000 child tax credit to help them provide for their families and I mean to do all I can to make sure they continue to receive it. The lowest-income Americans have benefited dramatically from the new 10 percent tax bracket. The conference report before us today will extend this bracket through 2010. Today, thanks to this new bracket, working Americans are keeping more of their hard-earned paychecks. If we fail to pass this Conference Report, taxpayers with as little as $7,000 in taxable income could face a tax increase next year. I will not go home to the 1.2 million taxpayers in my state who benefit from the lowered 10 percent bracket without doing all I can do to help them avoid this tax increase. The accelerated marriage penalty relief will also lapse unless the Senate acts. I have worked for a long, long time to get rid of these stupid provisions of the tax law which discourage marriage. I was thrilled when we were finally able to fix this problem and it is vital to the future of almost one-half million Kentucky families that we do not allow this important legislation to backslide. There are many other important provisions in this bill. The bill contains fixes to make sure that military families with loved ones working abroad to protect us here at home are eligible to receive the child tax credit. It also continues a provision to assist America's teachers when they pay for classroom supplies out of their own pockets. This is vital legislation. Without it, we are telling the working families of America that we are no longer behind them and that we no longer want to stimulate economic expansion. The economy and job creation are both on an upswing, but we cannot become complacent. The people who benefit from these vital tax provisions are the backbone of our country and our economy. We cannot withdraw the support we promised working families in 2001 and again in 2003. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to and congratulate Disha Pancholi of Louisville, KY, on being awarded a Boren Undergraduate Scholarship from the David L. Boren National Security Education Program, NSEP. Ms. Pancholi was one of 181 applicants nationwide to receive one of these scholarships. NSEP administered within the National Defense University in the Department of Defense. It funds outstanding U.S. students to study critical languages and world regions in exchange for a commitment to seek employment with the Federal Government in the arena of national security. Ms. Pancholi has been studying Arabic and will spend her fall term in Egypt. She attends the University of Louisville and is majoring in biology and political science. The citizens of Jefferson County should be proud to have a women such as Disha Pancholi in their community. Her example of dedication and hard work should be an inspiration to the entire Commonwealth. She has my most sincere admiration for this work and I look forward to her continued service to the United States.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I speak today in support of the nomination of Representative Porter J. Goss to the Director of Central Intelligence. He is a good man and a good friend. President Bush could not have selected a more capable and qualified man for the job. He brings to the Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence community what they have needed for years--intelligence experience, political experience, an open mind, and forward thinking. I first met Representative Goss shortly after he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1988. We served together for 10 years before I was elected to this body. Representative Goss and his wife, Mariel, are personal friends of my wife and myself to this day. I know his personal character and I am confident he will bring integrity, honesty, and forthrightness to his new job. The Director of Central Intelligence holds one of the most important and unforgiving jobs in our Government. All his actions and decisions are analyzed and criticized by politicians, the press, and the public. And the pressures on the intelligence community are immense. They must be right 100 percent of the time, while the terrorists only have to be right once. That is a heavy burden for one man to bear, but I believe Representative Goss is up to the challenge. I cannot think of anyone with more experience for this job. Representative Goss has extensive experience in intelligence, on both the practical and policy sides. He knows firsthand the importance of human intelligence, serving as an intelligence officer in the Army and as a case officer in the agency he will now lead. At that time the United States was promoting freedom and fighting the evil of communism. Though the evil we now face takes a different form, the value of information and power of knowledge remain the same. We are in the midst of a review and reform of our intelligence organizations, and, going forward, one of the most important jobs for the Director of Central Intelligence will be working with Congress. Again, Representative Goss's experiences will be an asset to the intelligence community and the Congress. For the last 8 years he has been chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In that position he has worked fairly with both parties and both bodies of Congress without compromising his beliefs. I am confident he will continue to work honestly and fairly with Representatives and Senators of both parties in his new job. Representative Goss's practical and political experience will also pay dividends as the entire intelligence community is reformed in the coming weeks and months. He has proven his openmindedness in constantly seeking to improve our intelligence capabilities and structures during his tenure in Congress. He has held dozens of hearings on problems in the intelligence community and how to fix them. He was a member of the Aspin-Brown Commission, which took a deep look at our intelligence community and provided some of the recommendations that we are currently reviewing. He also cochaired the bicameral investigation on intelligence issues surrounding the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His open mind and willingness to think critically about the status quo will serve us all well. I have seen firsthand his dedication, integrity, and character, and I support Representative Goss's nomination without reservation. I wish him well in that extremely important job and I look forward to seeing him in briefings and hearings in the coming months.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, as the Senate prepares to adjourn for the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, I would like to address a recent rise in anti-Semitic events abroad. In the 50 years since the atrocities committed against the Jewish people in Europe during World War II, we have seen other occasional incidents of anti-Semitism. While anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism are regrettably still commonplace in the Middle East, recent events in France and Indonesia have shown us these feelings of intolerance are on the rise internationally. Israel has a unique position in the modern world. Its cities and landmarks are sacred to Christian, Jewish, and Muslims cultures. And today, as throughout much of recorded history, it is a land struggling to find peace. Yet despite the conflicts of history and culture, Israel has had the courage to stand strong with the United States of America as an ally in the war on terror and a pillar of strength in an unstable region. Anti-Semitism, racism, and bigotry all serve to undermine the efforts of peace loving people throughout the world. These misguided prejudices are chains that hold us back from compromise and harmony. The people of America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia should not accept the anti-Semitism that has become all too prevalent in the world. As we work toward peace it is important that people from all nations approach international relations with an open mind. I am pleased that my colleagues in the Senate have brought attention to the growing problem of anti-Semitism in the world today. As several of our colleagues celebrate the Jewish New Year this coming week, let us all take the time to think about ways we can promote understanding and acceptance.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today with great pride to ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to one of Kentucky's fine elementary schools, Summit Elementary of Ashland, KY. On June 22, 2004, the Schools of Distinction Awards program gave Summit Elementary an Award of Distinction for their dedication to excellence in education. The Schools of Distinction Awards program was created by Intel Corporation, Scholastic Inc., and the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Foundation, to recognize the finest K through 12 schools in the United States. Winners of the program's awards are selected based on their implementation of creative programs that foster improvement in education. Summit Elementary School received the award for its practice of involving the parents of schoolchildren in the educational process. As the father of nine children, I am aware of the great importance of parental involvement in education. It can't be overestimated. It is a motivator to the children, a guidance to the teachers and a helping hand to all involved. I believe that any school which recognizes the need for parental involvement is on the right track and certainly deserves a School of Distinction Award. In closing, I thank, not only Summit Elementary, but the parents, teachers, and students of this fine institution. The effort they have all put into ensuring that the future of America is bright is a blessing on us all.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate a Kentucky couple, Buddy Butler and Nikki Hensley. They were recently picked to receive a ``Destination Wedding'' by viewers of NBC's Today Show. They competed for the free wedding package against three other couples, and were selected to receive a celebrity wedding, which will be broadcast on television. The couple met in June of 2003, however, soon after Buddy was shipped off for a six-month tour to Iraq. Buddy joined the U.S. Army after the tragic events of 9/11 determined to help his country. He was just back from Korea when he met Nikki at a cousin's wedding. The couple remained faithful to each other during Buddy's deployment and decided to marry upon his return from Iraq. Couples such as Buddy and Nikki are the basis for good family values in our country. I wish them luck with their celebrity wedding in November and hope for them a strong marriage in the future. Kentucky is proud of them and will be watching their big day.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I pay tribute today to the life of Mr. Walter ``Sam'' Hamblin of Demossville, KY. Sam served his country in the Army for 22 years. He enlisted as a private, but worked his way through Officer Candidate School before retiring with the rank of major. He served with distinction during the Vietnam war and provided important service both at his station in Texas and at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Sam chose to retire near his family's home in Kentucky, adopting the farm life and raising his children. Family and service were very important to Sam. Six generations earlier, Pierce Dant Hamblin crossed the Delaware River with General Washington during the Revolutionary War. His great grandfather, Henry Clay Hamblin, served in the Kentucky 7th Regiment during the Civil War. And Sam's father, Walter Hamblin, served in the Navy during World War II. Through the years, the Hamblins have been known as defenders of the Commonwealth. During Sam's retirement--and in between attending local sporting events and taking care of his growing family--he continued to travel to Washington and lend his expertise to the American military. He was also the manager and owner of the Peaselburg Inn of Covington. And he still found time to write country music songs with his son, Samuel. Unforunately, Sam developed thyroid and throat cancer 5 years ago. After fighting hard against cancer, Sam died Friday, July 23, 2004 at his home. I am proud of Sam Hamblin's distinguished service. He honored the legacy and traditions of the Hamblin family and served our country well. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I pay tribute and congratulate the Louisville Stunners 16-and-under fast pitch softball team. Their recent play has given Kentucky reason to be proud. Led by coach Kevin Johnson, the Stunners qualified for their division's USSSA World Series in Columbus, IN, held from July 26 to August 1, 2004, being the only team to represent Kentucky. While there, they finished in fourth place out of 54 teams. Not only did they play well against the best teams in the country, but they also received the sportsmanship award. I cannot think of a much better group of young people to represent Kentucky. As a former Major League Baseball player, I appreciate their athletic excellence. As a United States Senator from Kentucky, I appreciate the dignity and decorum with which they played. I am proud to read the names of these teammates into the Congressional Record today. They are Whitney Atcher, Alicia Ewen, Jodi Pence, Jennifer Young, Jennifer Kisselbaugh, Tiffany Dean, Courtney Roller, Holly Goemmer, Jessica McGohon, Krystle Johnson, Kasey Graham, and Jennifer Johnson. The citizens of Kentucky should be proud of these young ladies. Their example of dedication and hard work should be an inspiration to the entire Commonwealth. I wish them continued success both on and off the softball field.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I pay tribute and congratulate Jesse Duke Welte of Maysville, KY on being awarded the Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company Scholarship from the Kentucky Farm Bureau Education Foundation. This academic scholarship will provide Jesse with $2,000 toward his education. Jesse has proven to be a very able and competent student by winning this prestigious award. He will represent the graduates of Maysville St. Patrick High School very well when he enrolls at the University of Louisville in the autumn. There he plans to study political science. The citizens of Maysville should be proud to have a young man like Jesse Duke Welte in their community. His example of dedication and hard work should be an inspiration to the entire Commonwealth. He has my most sincere admiration for this work and I look forward to his continued service to Kentucky.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I pay tribute and congratulate Jeremy Todd Bowling of Manchester, KY on being awarded the Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Agents Association Scholarship from the Kentucky Farm Bureau Education Foundation. This academic scholarship will provide Jeremy with $2,000 toward his education. Jeremy has proven to be a very able and competent student by winning this prestigious award. He will represent the graduates of Clay County High School very well when he enrolls at the University of Kentucky in the autumn. There he plans to study biology. The citizens of Clay County should be proud to have a young man like Jeremy Todd Bowling in their community. His example of dedication and hard work should be an inspiration to the entire Commonwealth. He has my most sincere admiration for this work and I look forward to his continued service to Kentucky.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I pay tribute and congratulate Katie Penn and Hillary Rainey both of Winchester, KY, on being selected to participate in the America's Promise Ambassadors Network. They will be representing their community and Kentucky as young leaders and problem-solvers. America's Promise was founded in 1997 to make children and youth a national priority. Their mission is to mobilize people from every sector of American life to build the character and competence of youth by fulfilling the following promises: providing caring adults, safe places with structured activities after school, a healthy start, marketable skills through education, and opportunities to serve. As ambassadors for the America's Promise program, Katie and Hillary will organize a project for National Youth Service Day in April 2005 in their community. In addition, they will dedicate 2 to 3 hours every month volunteering in their community, and will have the opportunity to earn the President's Volunteer Service Award for their activities. They will also be participating in monthly training sessions to build their leadership skills. Young people are part of the solution to problems we face in this country, and we need to utilize their assets. I join my fellow Kentuckians to congratulate Katie Penn and Hillary Rainey being named ambassadors for this program and thank them for their dedication to community service.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I would like to rise today to talk for a few minutes about a bill I am cosponsoring, the National Health Information Technology Adoption Act, S. 2710. This bill, introduced yesterday by Senator Gregg, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, takes an important step forward in bringing our Nation's medical system into the 21st century. In today's society, it seems that almost everything is computerized and on-line. You can pay your bills on-line, order your groceries on- line, and even file your taxes on-line. However, for the most part, medical records are still on paper and in files. This means these records are uneasily shared between doctors treating the same patient or are not readily available during an emergency. Earlier this year, the Bush administration made computerizing the Nation's medical record and building a nationwide health network a priority. Yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson released a 10-year plan for doing just that. S. 2710 is similar to the administration's plan and takes some immediate steps to start fulfilling this goal, including establishing an official office at the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate health information technology at the national level. The bill also provides assistance to local communities linking their health care systems, along with providing grants for purchasing health information technology. Creating a safe, secure and reliable system for medical records won't be easy, but if done properly, it could help health care providers reduce medical errors and provide better care to their patients. We could also see a substantial savings in administrative costs which will help lower health care costs for everyone. S. 2710 is a good first step, and I am proud to be a co-sponsor. I am hopeful that the members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions can work together to pass this bill soon, and that we can get it to the President's desk by the end of the year.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I take the opportunity to honor the Muhlenberg Career Development Center. Beginning with the groundbreaking in 1973, this institution has been working diligently to better the lives of all its students. This has been acknowledged by a four-star rating from the National Job Corps Association and by the National Job Corps Award for Excellence it received from the same association earlier this year. The Career Center also received a ``Top 50'' national ranking for Job Corps centers. The Muhlenberg Career Development Center has a profound impact on the surrounding community. The center employs 135 men and women, making it the fourth largest employer in Muhlenberg County. The center also generates a substantial amount of revenue for the community through the contract it has with the Department of Labor. The standard of excellence set by the career development center is greatly appreciated by the 404 students who are currently working towards a GED and vocation there. The dedication exhibited by the Muhlenberg Career Development Center towards its students, county, State, and country deserves to be recognized and honored. The citizens of Kentucky are proud to have the Muhlenberg Career Development Center as a part of their community. Their example of hard work and determination should be followed by all in the Commonwealth. The Muhlenberg Career Development Center has successfully found a way to bring out the best in its men and women. I personally thank the leaders and supporters of this great organization for continually producing strong and bright men and women committed to making Kentucky a better place to live.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the FSC/ETI bill that will end tariffs on our manufactures. But also, it will finally bring much needed relief to the tobacco growers of my State. The bill before the Senate today addresses many important tax issues that face American companies, both at home and abroad. The many international provisions that are contained in the bill are important changes to a badly outdated part of the Tax Code. The centerpiece of this bill, of course, is a provision to expand tax incentives to America's manufacturing sector. During debate on this bill, I was pleased that we adopted the bipartisan amendment that I offered with Senator Stabenow. Under our amendment, America's manufacturing companies--small and large--will see their tax rate decline by almost 1.5 percent this year. That is compared to the rate cut this year of only one-third of 1 percent that was previously contained in the bill. It is imperative that we get this relief to our U.S. manufacturers as quickly as possible. We were also able to include in this bill my amendment to extend the net operating loss period to 5 years rather than the 3-year period included in the original bill. This important provision, which will allow companies facing financial challenges to see increased cash flow to assist them in investing and hiring, is one that Senator Conrad and I have worked on together in committee. The WTO ruling on the FSC-ETI regime authorized the European Union to start imposing sanctions of over $4 billion on U.S. exports. During the first month of tariffs we have seen products from apparel to paper hit with penalties approaching 10 percent. Many other products important to my State, such as horses, are on the initial retaliation list and will also face this tariff. They have a list of over 1,600 U.S. products from nearly every part of the U.S. economy that will be penalized because we have not repealed the FSC/ETI regime. But most importantly, this amendment will help my tobacco growers. Since Daniel Boone first came through the Cumberland Gap, farming has been both the economic and cultural backbone of the Commonwealth. The family farm is the basis of Kentucky culture and it has been based around tobacco. For years we in Kentucky have tried to diversify from the tobacco crop. We have had some success, vegetables, beef cattle, cat fish, corn, chicken and other crops have been quite successful, worm farms and other have not been as successful. But nothing brings as much as a return as tobacco. Most of the tobacco farmers in my State are not full-time tobacco farmers. They either have an off-farm job, or primarily raise other crops or raise livestock. But the money they get from tobacco, pays their mortgage, or puts their kids through school or allows them to keep farming. Outside of the western part of Kentucky, we do not have tens of thousands of acres of flat land. We need a crop that grows on rolling hills and that thrives in our climate. Tobacco does that. But a number of things have conspired against tobacco in the last few years. The previous administration declared war on tobacco and by extension, tobacco farmers. The Asian economic crises have hurt exports. The Master Settlement Agreement and State tax increase have dramatically raised the price of cigarettes. And although American tobacco is still superior, the companies have invested so much overseas that the gap has narrowed between American tobacco and cheap foreign tobacco. As I am sure most of my colleagues know, there are no direct payments to tobacco farmers, but we do have a price support and production control program. Growers own quota which they can buy, sell, or lease. The government administers this program to make sure it runs effectively and that growers only sell what they are allowed to under the quota system. If you grow too much, you can't sell it. But the quotas have lost 60 percent of their value since 1998. Not many businesses would be around if they lost 60 percent of their income in 5 years, and we have lost a lot of growers. We have many who are barely holding on. They need help, we can give that to them and get the government out of the tobacco business at the same time. We don't have big tobacco in my State. The last big tobacco company pulled out a few years ago. What we have is little tobacco. We have over 30,000 tobacco growers. We also have over 100,000 tobacco quota owners. Many of those are elderly who can no longer work their land, so they lease their quota and that income becomes a major part of their retirement security. That quota is tied to the land. It has a direct effect on the property taxes Kentuckians pay. Those taxes build and fund schools, provide clean water, pay for emergency services, pave roads and help fund every community in Kentucky. If we don't help my growers get relief, we face the very real prospect of having ghost towns in Kentucky. The amendment we have before us today will buy out the tobacco program. We will give our growers relief and end the federal price support program. We will also let many growers, whose average age is 62, retire and get out of the business. Dr. Will Snell, of the University of Kentucky, estimate 70-75 percent of tobacco growers will get out of the business with a buyout. We will allow growers to pay off their debts and enjoy their retirement. The amendment also has FDA Authorization of tobacco. This is a dramatic increase in the regulatory authority of the FDA. I am not comfortable with it. I do not want the FDA inspecting my growers' crop. FDA regulation is a bad idea. My growers are in dire straits. They desperately need help. FDA regulation is a very steep price to pay for a buyout, but if it is the only way to get my growers relief, this Senator will vote for it. Make no mistake about it, the program will end. The only question is whether we end it on our terms or big tobacco terms. Please, please support the tobacco growers in this country and give them an equitable solution for the little tobacco growers all across this country. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I pay tribute and congratulate Melissa Gayle Bridges of Mayfield, KY on being awarded the Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company scholarship from the Kentucky Farm Bureau Education Foundation. This academic scholarship will provide Melissa with $2000 toward her education. Melissa has proven to be a very able and competent student by winning this prestigious award. She will represent the graduates of Graves County High School very well when she enrolls at Murray State University in the fall. She plans to study Education. The citizens of Mayfield should be proud to have a young woman like Melissa Galye Bridges in their community. Her example of dedication and hard work should be an inspiration to the entire Commonwealth. She has my most sincere appreciation for this work and I look forward to her continued service to Kentucky.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I thank the chairman for yielding. I rise to discuss probably the most important issue this body or I have ever debated on the floor of the Senate since I have been a member, 6 years. Our Nation faces a potential disaster. I hope my colleagues in the Senate realize we have a responsibility to affirm the ideal of marriage and protect one of the most basic building blocks of our society: the family. The first thing we have to understand is that Government did not create marriage or the union between man and woman. It is something much more fundamental than legislation or laws. Marriage is older than the Constitution of the United States. It is older than America. Marriage exists in every known human society, bringing men and women together to create and to provide for the next generation of society, and it is not the right of any government anywhere to undermine or destroy it. It is a shame that some of my colleagues in the Senate do not recognize the pressing need before us to safeguard a cultural institution that has served human beings so well for thousands of generations. We must act before it is too late. In America today, we are facing a depressing situation, where unelected officials are attempting, because of their own arrogance, to redefine marriage. I do not know the reason why these judges believe they are so wise and how they cannot see the dangerous consequences of their actions. But they now threaten our way of life. It is up to us to act to ensure that the American people have the opportunity to decide what is right for the society in which they live. Marriage matters to our society. Mothers and fathers both matter to children. Only a man and a woman have the ability to create children. It is the law of nature. No matter how much some might not like it or want to change it or push for technology to replace it, this law is irrefutable. It is upon this law that so much of our society and our cultural institutions are based--families, communities, work, schools. When the families suffer, when they are undermined, we all suffer. We know that weak families lead to more poverty, welfare dependence, child abuse, substance abuse, illness, educational failure, and even criminal behavior. Failing to protect marriage will send the message to the next generation that we do not care about them and that we have thrown away a cultural institution that has served human beings throughout recorded history. Traditional marriage has been central to the understanding of family in Western culture from the very beginning, and the central reason for marriage has been for the rearing of children. Children have the best chance to succeed when they are reared in stable, traditional families. A loving family provides the foundation children need to succeed, and strong families with a man and a woman bonded together for life always have been and always will be the key to such families. Eight years ago, Congress tried to protect marriage by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. As a member at that time of the U.S. House of Representatives, I was proud to support that legislation. But since then, activist judges and some local officials have aggressively tried to circumvent the law and the will of the people in redefining marriage. These extremists have devised a clever strategy to override public opinion and force a redefinition of marriage on the Nation through the court system. Because they knew they could not make their case through elected legislatures, they decided to work through unaccountable officials in hand-picked areas of this country. The liberals' effort started in Vermont when the State supreme court ordered the State legislature to legalize same-sex marriages or create same-sex civil unions. Then they moved to Massachusetts, where the supreme court forced the State to give full marriage licenses to same- sex couples. This happened even though the citizens of Massachusetts opposed the effort and no law had been passed to authorize it. Nevertheless, in Massachusetts, same-sex marriages became a reality. The activists will not stop trying to impose their extreme views on all of the rest of us, and they have now plotted a State-by-State strategy to increase the number of judicial decisions redefining marriage without--I say without--the voice of the people being heard. Under our Constitution, States are required to give full faith and credit to the laws of other States. While the Federal Defense of Marriage Act was once thought to be enough protection for States that did not want to allow same-sex marriages, it now is very clear that the liberals who have no respect for the law are pushing a strategy to completely undermine the Defense of Marriage Act. Now the only recourse left to those of us who want to follow the law and to defend our cultural institutions is to amend the U.S. Constitution. I wish this were not the case. But States are profoundly threatened by these activist court decisions, and we have been backed into a corner. In the meantime, couples from all over the country have traveled to those States with same-sex marriages to receive their licenses and plan to return to their home States. At least 42 States have statutes that define marriage as a union of a man and a woman, but because of the acts of a few extremists, all of these laws are threatened. In fact, at least 10 States currently face court challenges to their marriage laws, and 9 States, including my own, Kentucky, expect to have a constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall in efforts to protect traditional marriage. So we are facing a situation where our Constitution and our laws are going to be amended one way or the other--by the people's representatives or by unelected judges. Those of us who defend traditional marriage were not looking for this struggle, but it has been forced upon us, and I feel we must do what we can to prevail. We believe there is little else left more important to our Nation and to our future. When a small handful of unelected activists take it upon themselves to rewrite laws and to try to overturn cultural institutions we have always relied upon, then we must use every tool at our disposal to defend what we believe is right. I do not take amending the Constitution of the United States lightly. None of us in this body does. However, the only way to prevent this social misjudgment from being made by the courts is to allow the people to speak on the issue through a constitutional amendment process. It is the most democratic, grassroots, political mechanism available left to let the people speak. The people are the ones who live under the law. They should be able to decide if they want to make such a fundamental and drastic change. I hear from constituents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky every day asking me, begging me, to support the Federal marriage amendment so they can be heard. In fact, I hear more about this than probably any other issue since I was elected to office. It is that important to that many people. And because it is such a critical issue--traditional marriage--any attempt to change something so fundamental should be ultimately left to all of the people and not a select few to decide. We must act, and we must act now. I urge my colleagues to let the voice of the people be heard and act to save marriage. Please support this constitutional amendment to define what marriage is. It is the most important action we can take in this Senate. I urge support, and I yield the floor.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I pay tribute and congratulate Lauren Amber Cook of Princeton, KY on being awarded the William R. Sprague Scholarship from the Kentucky Farm Bureau Education Foundation. This academic scholarship will provide Lauren with $4,000 toward her education. Lauren has proven to be a very able and competent student by winning this prestigious award. She will represent the graduates of Caldwell County High School very well when she enrolls at Vanderbilt University in the autumn. There she plans to study chemical engineering with a focus on agriculture. The citizens of Caldwell County should be proud to have a young woman like Lauren Amber Cook in their community. Her example of dedication and hard work should be an inspiration to the entire Commonwealth. She has my most sincere appreciation for this work, and I look forward to her continued service to Kentucky.