Jim Bunning

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. I ask the Senator from Massachusetts, does he have a specific objection to the permanent extension of the adoption tax credit at this time for some specific reason?

Mr. BUNNING. I understand the objection. I hope when the other objectors come forward, we will have an opportunity to discuss this permanent extension of the adoption tax credit and to try to work with whoever the objectors are on that side to make it possible that we have this extension made permanent so families can adopt and continue to get the permanent $10,000 tax credit under which they are now operating. My fear is that will expire and then we will have all kinds of bad consequences. I thank the Senator and I yield the floor.

Mr. BUNNING. May I carry on a colloquy with the Senator from Massachusetts?

Mr. BUNNING. I thank the Senator and yield the floor.

Mr. BUNNING. If the Senator will yield, my personal interest goes beyond just the permanent credit. I have a daughter who had four children and adopted a special needs child, and then had seven more children after that. So I am very familiar with the change in life and the loving care that comes with adopting a special needs child. I am just fearful the Senate will not act in a reasonable manner to make sure this credit becomes permanent. That is my reason for bringing it up at this time. I understand the objection of the Senator.

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I have a unanimous consent request to propose. This unanimous consent is to pass a badly needed permanent extension of the adoption tax credit. If we do not pass this extension that was part of President Bush's tax relief bill of last year, it will sunset. If the adoption tax credit is allowed to sunset, the following things will happen: The adoption tax credit will be cut overnight from a maximum of $10,000 to $5,000. Families adopting special needs children will no longer receive a flat $10,000 credit; instead, they will be limited to a maximum of $6,000. The tax credit no longer will be permitted if we have to extend it each year. Families claiming the tax credit may be pushed into AMT, alternative minimum taxes. The income caps will fall from $150,000 to $75,000 so that fewer families will be eligible for the credit. There are over 500,000 kids in foster care right now. Let's help them find loving homes. Let's make it easier for families to adopt, not throw up barriers.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I thank and honor the Cardinal Chapter of the American Red Cross of Henderson, Kentucky for the selfless and tireless work they performed in aiding the victims of the April 28th tornado which tore through Webster County, Kentucky. Early Sunday on the morning of April 28th, an F3 classified tornado, with winds up to 200 miles per hour, violently forced its way through Providence, KY hitting at least 114 homes, completely destroying 32. In the end, 26 people were taken to the hospital. In just a few moments, Mother Nature had struck a blow against this normally quiet and peaceful town. People were left without homes and without adequate clothing and food supplies. They were also left without a sense of hope. However, this empty and lonely feeling would be short-lived. Volunteers from the Cardinal Chapter of the American Red Cross of Henderson, KY arrived on the scene just a few hours after the tornado passed through Providence. Once on the scene, these volunteers wasted no time in setting up two shelters in Providence, providing victims with a roof, a hot meal, and a shoulder to cry on. They also sent food trucks to the nearby town of Irvington once they found out its residents were still without electricity hours after the storm had passed. Without the immediate assistance of the American Red Cross, many would have been left hungry without a home or clothing. I aks that my fellow colleagues join me in thanking these men and women for their unwavering dedication and commitment to their fellow citizens. They willingly gave up their time and left their families in order to be there physically and emotionally for people they have never met before. I believe we all can learn something from their exemplary behavior. Sometimes it takes the worst to bring out the best, and I think this was the case on April 28.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the Kentucky Rural Health Association. The Kentucky Rural Health Association recently held its annual conference in Frankfort, and I would like to take a few minutes today to voice my support for this organization. The Association is helping to shape and implement changes to improve the health of rural Kentuckians. Since 1999, the Kentucky Rural Health Association has worked to create an equitable and effective health care environment, in terms of access and distribution, for rural Kentuckians. Their efforts in educating the public, empowering the people, and positively influencing government policy and legislation have been extremely beneficial to individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth. While I regret that I was unable to attend their conference this year, I commend all the members of the association for safeguarding Kentucky's right to affordable and accessible health care. Adequate healthcare is critical to improving an individual's quality of life, and I urge them to continue their hard work on behalf of rural Kentuckians.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I address some of the concerns I have with H.R. 4775, the Fiscal Year 2002 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the cost of President Bush's emergency spending request is pegged at $28.4 billion. This Senate bill we are considering is almost $4 billion more than what President Bush requested in his emergency supplemental request to Congress. And even though the Senate bill we are considering is billions more than what the President requested, we still aren't even fully funding $10.4 billion in emergency spending requested by the President. We are shortchanging the President $10.4 billion in this bill from his emergency spending request to help fight the war on terrorism, yet we are piling on $4 billion in new funding in special projects which is not at all designated as emergency spending by the President. The bill's priority funding of non-emergency measures, while ignoring the President's full request for emergency funding to fight terrorism and ensure the safety of our citizens, just doesn't make sense to me. The real kicker is this, Mr. President, despite the $4 billion of overfunding in this bill, only one federal agency did not receive more money than requested by President Bush--the Department of Defense. The purpose of this bill is to provide the President with emergency funding to help fight the war on terrorism, and in this bill we are refusing to fully fund the Department of Defense's needs to help us fight this war. That point baffles me. As well, I am disappointed that we were unable to address some serious budgetary issues facing the Senate. We have no fiscal year 2003 budget resolution or discretionary spending caps as we venture towards committee and floor consideration of our 13 appropriations bills. For the first time since 1974 the Senate has failed to pass a budget resolution. This is embarrassing and a bit disgraceful. It is not simply a problem for the Senate alone. The lack of a budget resolution is the potential problem of every American. For without a budget resolution and discretionary allocation limits, we are essentially walking Americans down a path scattered with deficit and debt landmines. Let me just touch on how bad things have gotten lately with our Nation's checkbook. Last year, CBO anticipated and predicted a $313 billion surplus for fiscal year 2002. And now, we all know we are facing a gaping deficit. We will borrow and spend all of the $168 billion Social Security surplus and at the same time have to borrow about another $137 billion from the private markets. So the bottom line is that we are going to have to borrow over $300 billion. And this is new debt stacked on top of the whopping $6 trillion debt we already have. Now we can all cross our fingers and hope that we are going to experience a long economic recovery which will allow us to balance our federal checkbook and say goodbye to deficits and debt, but that just isn't smart and fiscally prudent. If there is no timely recovery with the growth rate we all would like to anticipate, then the deficits are going to get bigger and bigger and make it all the harder in the future to curb spending and get any reign on fiscal restraint. I know some of these choices aren't easy to make, but we have to make them. Earlier today we had the opportunity to pass a provision on this bill to institute some fiscal discipline by imposing some enforceable discretionary spending caps. Unfortunately, this provision failed. Hopefully, somehow soon before we trek down the appropriations process, we can set some limits on spending and live within our means. The White House has released a Statement of Administration Policy for the Senate on this bill. President Bush say he will veto this bill outright because of the lack of fully funding his emergency requests, and because there are many extraneous spending provisions in the bill that he did not request. In fact, here is a quote from President Bush regarding the supplemental bill. He say, ``It's important that we get a supplemental out and, frankly, a supplemental that doesn't bust the budget. And we'll be looking forward to working with senators, to explain to them that the supplemental ought to focus on emergency measures, measures that are needed to fight the war, to button-up the homeland. But the supplemental shouldn't be viewed as an opportunity to load it up with special projects.'' I am hopeful that when we eventually get to conference with the House of Representatives, that the conferees work to report a bill out which removes the non-emergency spending, fully funds the President's emergency spending request, and addresses the fact that we have set no limits on discretionary spending for fiscal year 2003. Mr. President, I thank you for time allotted to me to address my concerns with this bill.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Hathaway & Clark Funeral Home of Louisville, KY. For over 100 years now, Hathaway & Clark Funeral Home has served the local community in a warm and caring manner. Hathaway & Clark Funeral Home has been soulfully dedicated to serving the needs of the Louisville community since the early part of the 20th century. It is the oldest black-owned and operated funeral business in Louisville. The founder was a man by the name of James H. Hathaway. Mr. Hathaway officially opened the Hathaway mortuary on Burnett Avenue in the Fort Hill area in 1901. After Hathaway's death, his daughter and son-in-law, Columbia and Chester Clark, took over the business, adding Clark to the name. In 1964, Hathaway & Clark built a new facility in the west end area at 2718 Virginia Avenue. In doing so, they became the first black Louisville funeral home to erect its own building. Currently, Hathaway & Clark is operated by husband and wife duo, Lawrence and Violet Montgomery. Lawrence Montgomery, who currently serves as the company's president, has worked on and off at Hathaway for about fifty years. His wife Violet has been a full-time employee and secretary-treasurer since 1992. They both have worked extremely hard to build upon the foundation of service and professionalism that Hathaway & Clark was built on. During times of grief and sorrow, families can feel more secure knowing that Hathaway & Clark will be there to take care of all of their immediate needs. Many of their customers have been noted as saying how much they like and appreciate the warm feeling and atmosphere created by the staff and management of Hathaway & Clark. We have all heard the old saying, ``nothing is inevitable except death and taxes.'' While, I am quite certain that no individual or group will ever make us feel good about paying our taxes, I do know that families in Louisville can put their loved ones peacefully to rest with the help of Hathaway & Clark. I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in thanking Hathaway & Clark for serving Kentucky families since 1901.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise among my colleagues today to duly honor Farmers National Bank of Lebanon, KY. For well over a century, Farmers National Bank has provided the people of Lebanon with quality financial and social services. Founded in 1890 by T.S. Edelen and a group of local citizens, Farmers National Bank officially opened its doors to the public on April 1, 1890 with a capitalization of $50,000. In 1914, the bank joined the Federal Reserve System, and in 1917 it purchased the property it had rented on Main Street since its opening morning. During the depression of the 1930s, banks across the Nation and Kentucky were forced to close their doors to their respective communities due to a lack of financial assets. Farmers National Bank of Lebanon stayed financially strong during even the darkest days of the great depression and remained open throughout. Today, led by president Gene Spragens who took over control in 1950 after serving 28 years as bookkeeper for the bank, Farmers National Bank has 26 employees and assets of $88 million; pretty impressive for a bank which started off with a mere $50,000. Besides the financial services it has provided since 1890, Farmers National Bank of Lebanon has also worked extremely hard to promote the performing arts in the local community. Over the years, programs have included pianists, string quarters and even a chorus with an orchestra. Gene Spragens firmly believes that a bank has a responsibility to the people to make a community as prosperous financially and socially as possible. Whether it be a much needed home loan or a aesthetically moving piano recital, Farmers National Bank is working for the people of Lebanon. In this day and age, locally owned, community oriented businesses are few and far between. For over 100 years now, Farmers National Bank of Lebanon has remained just this. They have been through good times and bad times. They have gone blow-for-blow with the hands of time and survived even the most difficult of circumstances. I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking everyone involved with Farmers National Bank of Lebanon over the last 112 years for their dedicated service to the betterment of the Lebanon community.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. I object.

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the trade promotion authority bill. I am glad that we are finally debating this legislation. For years, the Senate has given lip service to the need for TPA. It's about time we got down to it. I believe in free and fair trade, and I believe that TPA is crucial to our nation's economic future, and it has the potential to benefit the United States greatly. Trade creates better jobs. It creates economic opportunity. And while some people see free trade as a zero- sum game where there are winners and losers, they're wrong. Healthy trade makes winners out of everyone and enables nations to make the best use of their resources. Strong, vibrant trade provides a rising tide that lifts all boats. We understand this in Kentucky. Last year, we sold over 48.8 billion worth of exports in more than 100 nations abroad. This includes over $1 billion in agricultural products. Mr. President, this provided a real and meaningful boost to our local economy. Best of all, countries that trade together do not fight and are less likely to work against each other. Instead, trade helps bring nations together in working toward a common goal of mutual economic benefit instead of armed conflict. In the wake of September 11th, this is more important than ever. The United States needs Trade Promotion Authority. It expired almost eight years ago, and our trade policy has been adrift since them. If America is going to continue as the world's economic superpower, and to remain fully engaged in the international marketplace, we need to give President Bush the ability to effectively negotiate trade agreements with other nations. Currently, the United States only has three preferential trade compacts; the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico; a free trade agreement with Israel; and, our trade agreement with Jordan. But in recent years our trading partners around the world have at last count entered into almost 150 preferential trade compacts. These are missed opportunities for us. Other nations are talking and negotiating. They are enacting treaties to help their economies and their peoples. But, we are being left behind. Passing a good, clean TPA bill would give us a chance at getting in on the action. It would lead to better paying jobs for our workers, and give them the opportunity to prove once again that they are the best and most productive in the entire world. Only by passing TPA and entering into new and better compacts will we be able to knock down discriminatory, unfair trade barriers and to increase the flow of goods and services we can sell abroad. If we want a seat at the negotiating table. If we want to offer more economic opportunity to American workers, we have to pass TPA. If we don't, we will literally be missing the boat. Until we pass TPA, other nations are going to be very hesitant about entering into compacts with us. No other country is going to want to negotiate with a President who then has to submit a treaty to a Congress which has the power to nitpick every single line of an agreement to death. Trade treaties are complex, interwoven agreements. Each individual bit is not perfect. But taken together as a whole, they typically promote our national interest. I am sure that if every Member of Congress has their way, they would rewrite line by line provisions in each of the major treaties we have passed in recent years. That sort of politicking might play well to individual constituencies back home, but it doesn't serve the larger economic interest of America. To my colleagues who don't like TPA and think that it is an unwise delegation of congressional authority, I have to disagree with them. Passing this bill still gives every single member of Congress the right to support or oppose a treaty they don't like. Under TPA, I have voted for treaties I like, and against treaties I don't like. It might not be the perfect way to legislate, but it is effective and fair. Every President since Gerald Ford has had TPA. I supported TPA--or ``fast track'' or whatever you want to call it--for President Reagan. I supported it for the last President Bush. I supported it for President Clinton. And I support if for our current President. I voted for it the last time I had the opportunity, in 1998 when it came to the floor and lost in the other body. And I support TPA now. Like I said before, TPA is not perfect, but it's effective. And the bill in front of us today is not perfect. I have supported amendments to help steel workers and textile workers that failed on the floor. I wish they hadn't. In Kentucky, we have a good steel industry, and I want to nourish it along. It's been hard hit in the last few years by the dumping in the United States of cheap foreign steel that has unfairly and illegally cut the legs out from under our domestic producers. In south-central Kentucky, many of my constituents who used to work in the textile mills have been left high and dry when companies moved abroad in the wake of NAFTA, by the way an agreement that I opposed under the old fast-track rules. I would like to do more in this bill for them. Workers in those industries need our help. They show that all trade agreements aren't perfect. We are at least including some meaningful trade adjustment assistance in the package to help those who are forced to transition to different jobs because of trade. Expanded trade usually leads to better jobs for workers. But they often need smart, effective assistance to make the change to new occupations. I support trade adjustment assistance to help them. The last time Congress considered TAA provisions was in 1998 when the other body looked at this issue. I was a member then, and I voted for $1 billion in trade adjustment assistance for dislocated workers. Fortunately, this type of assistance often helps workers move more quickly back into the workforce. I support the training and education provisions in this legislation. They will help. Will they be enough? I don't know. As for the rest of the TAA package, I believe there are some problems with the structuring of the new health and wage benefits that I would like to see cleaned up in conference. After years of budget surpluses, we are back to looking square in the face of a budget deficit in 2002 and beyond. Now the pending legislation proposes to add potentially billions in new entitlement spending to the deficit each year. A budget crunch is not the time to guarantee new entitlements no matter how well intentioned they are. By passing this legislation before us now, we would be cutting off our nose to spite our face, encouraging free trade and more economic activity on the one hand, and growing the federal budget deficit by leaps and bounds on the other hand. That doesn't make economic sense, and that sort of contradiction would eventually catch up to us and lead to even bigger problems. Also, if you read the fine print of the health and wage sections, I think you will find that it is so complicated that it might not even work. I am afraid that it might offer a false promise of assistance to workers who need help the most. For instance, the wage supplemental provision would require the federal government to pay up to $5,000 for up to two years to workers over 50 years old if they lose their jobs due to trade activity and they take a lower paying job. I am afraid that this proposal would actually discourage workers from taking similar paying or higher paying jobs. It just doesn't make sense to me to encourage people not to work. Instead of this approach, it would help more if we ploughed this money back into education and retraining. Everyone knows the old saying about providing a man a fish so he can eat today or teaching him how to fish so he can feed himself forever. I think that applies here. We also have to ask how well will these new entitlements be managed and who will do it. Who's going to be in charge of determining whether or not a worker lost their job because of trade? What agency is going to manage the nuts and bolts of this potentially gigantic program? How will the IRS respond to the administration if another health tax credit is being dumped on its plate? There are just too many unanswered questions. In the end, I am afraid we might not be able to keep many of the promises my colleagues want to make under the Trade Adjustment Assistance section. For many workers who are struggling now, that would be the cruelest thing we could do to them. The TAA provisions still pose many unanswered questions, and I hope that we will first focus on the areas that have worked before--job training and education--before going off into new entitlement programs that might not really work and actually serve to undermine the larger goals of the overall legislation. In conclusion, this isn't a perfect bill. I, like all of my colleagues, would write it differently. But is a good effort on an important subject that America must address if we are going to secure our economic future. As I noted earlier, it's been four years since either body voted on TPA, and the failure of the House to pass a bill in 1998 has led to years of delay. We cannot let that happen again. We have to vote to pass this bill. I am not willing to let the perfect be the enemy of the good, and I urge support for the legislation.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a true hero; Deputy Cooper Steele of Kenton County, Kentucky. The Northern Kentucky Police Chiefs Association recently recognized Deputy Steele as the 2002 Outstanding Police Officer of the Year for his performance in the line of duty. Today, Court TV in conjunction with the Women's Caucus and several congressional members recognized Deputy Steele and six other heroic individuals around the Nation as a part of Court TV's ``Everyday Heroes'' Initiative. This is certainly a special day for Deputy Steele and the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky. On November 2, 2001, while on what appeared to be a routine patrol, Deputy Steele observed black smoke coming from an apartment building. Without hesitation or fear, Deputy Steele immediately stopped his patrol car in front of the building and noticed a woman on the third floor desperately screaming for help. Deputy Steele attempted to enter the apartment building but was violently driven back by the thick and suffocating smoke. With complete disregard for his own well-being, Deputy Steele heroically climbed onto a second story balcony and directed the evacuation of the four member family from the third floor balcony by handing them down one-by-one to anther officer and out of harms way. There were many other families still trapped in the burning building, but they refused to attempt a floor-to-floor transfer as the first family had done. Once again demonstrating his selfless and heroic nature, Deputy Steele refused to leave the scene, continuing to place himself in harm's way. He remained with the other tenants advising, encouraging and keeping them calm until the fire department equipment arrived to safely extricate the people from the building. I am truly honored and humbled to be representing amazing individuals such as Deputy Cooper Steele in the United States Senate. In these trying and turbulent times, men like Deputy Steele should serve as an inspiration to us all. His heroic actions saved lives. His selfless nature shed a ray of light on a seemingly hopeless situation. I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in thanking Deputy Steele for having the instincts and the heart to do what he did. This man is a true hero and deserves our sincerest admiration.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate and honor Brigid DeVries of Lexington, Kentucky, for being named the sixth commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Brigid DeVries, an assistant commissioner with the KHSAA for the past 23 years, is the first female head of the KHSAA and one of only four women across the entire United States to serve as commissioner or executive director of a state athletics association. Ms. DeVries, a Lexington native, attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1971. After graduating from UK, Ms. DeVries became a physical education teacher at Nicholas County Elementary School. Her next position took her out of Kentucky to the state of Ohio, where she served as the women's swimming and diving and track and field coach at Ohio University. After three years at Ohio University, Ms. DeVries returned to her alma mater, where she took over as men's and women's diving coach from 1980-1990. In 1979, she was hired as assistant commissioner of the KHSAA, and in 1994 was named executive assistant commissioner. Among other duties, she has directed the organization's gender-equity program, conducted eligibility investigations and assisted in management of the state football and basketball championships. Ms. DeVries has the experience, education and intensity to fill this position without fear, hesitation, or reluctance. She has been a teacher, coach and administrator for many years now and certainly is qualified to lead the KHSAA for many years to come. I wish her the best of luck throughout her tenure as commissioner and look forward to charting her success.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the 23 members of Kentucky Refugees Ministries, Inc. (KRM) for all they have done to bring and welcome refugees to Kentucky. Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. is the refugee resettlement office in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for two national church-based programs: Church World Service and The Episcopal Migration Ministries. This group, which has offices in both Louisville and Lexington, is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to assist refugees legally admitted to the United States as victims of warfare, or other forms of persecution related to their religious or political beliefs. Since their inception in 1990, KRM has placed over 3,000 refugees representing 25 different nationalities and ethnic groups, in various communities throughout the Commonwealth. Once the refugees have been admitted, KRM provides them with housing, furnishings, food, and clothing. They also offer educational opportunities such as English and cultural orientation classes in order to help refugees adapt to their new life. In virtually every instance, these individuals have become productive and active citizens, willing to work their way up from the bottom in an effort to live the American dream. One fact we as Americans must never forget is that our forefathers were also political and religious refugees in search of a better life. The system they established was specifically set up so people could live their lives without fear of endless persecution. Late last year, President Bush signed the Presidential Determination authorizing the United States to admit 70,000 refugees in 2002. I applaud President Bush's efforts concerning refugees. Only 8,100 refugees, a quarter of the number admitted at the same time last year, have so far been admitted. This slowdown in admittance has obviously occurred because of security matters resulting from the September 11 tragedies. However, I hope that soon we can begin expediting refugee admittance again after we put the proper security and safety procedures in place. The principles of freedom and democracy our nation lives by must serve as our guide in this extremely important matter. If we let these individuals languish in deplorable conditions in refugee camps or hostile lands, we will be turning our backs on the principles we so cherish. We cannot let this happen. Once again, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking and honoring KRM. I am grateful to know that Kentucky's adopted refugees and their families are being looked after in such a careful and caring manner.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I proudly rise today among my colleagues to pay tribute to one of the greatest thoroughbreds that horse racing has ever known: Seattle Slew. Yesterday morning, 25 years to the day after his victory in the 1977 Kentucky Derby, Seattle Slew died peacefully in his sleep in his stall at the Hill 'n Dale Farm near Lexington, KY. He was the last living winner of the Triple Crown and truly a great champion. On July 19, 1975, Dr. James Hill, a New York veterinarian, and his wife helped Karen and Mickey Taylor pick out a yearling at the Fasig- Tipton's sale. The horse they bought that day for a mere $17,500, a near-black beauty, was the ideal confluence of strength, grace, and class. In the 1940s, the American thoroughbred industry began importing European stallions in a concentrated effort to produce the greatest species of thoroughbreds in the world. One such stallion, Nasrullah, had begotten Bold Ruler and this genealogical line led to an amazing eight Kentucky Derby Winners in the 1970s, including Seattle Slew. During the 1970s, the sport of horse racing was at its ultimate peak. There were great speed horses such as Mr. Prospector, Danzig and Ruffian. And how can anyone forget such classic winners as Secretariat, Affirmed, Alydar and Spectacular Bid? Although these horses were great champions in their own right, none were able to combine amazing raw speed with distance-running capability like Seattle Slew. As owner Mickey Taylor stated, ``He was the most complete thoroughbred the industry has seen.'' From the very beginning of his racing career, Seattle Slew was destined for greatness. He won his first three starts as a 2 year-old, including the prestigious Champagne Stakes, which he won by nearly 10 lengths, running a mile in an astounding 1 minute 34\2/5\ seconds and smashing the record set in 1942 by the great Count Fleet. After these three victories, he was named champion 2 year-old colt. In 1977, Seattle Slew became one of only 11 horses in history to win the coveted and elusive Triple Crown. On May 7 after breaking slowly from the gate and swerving to the outside, Slew won the Kentucky Derby in a heated and intense battle with For the Moment by just 1\3/4\ lengths. Two weeks later, he won the Preakness by an impressive 1\1/2\ lengths with the second fastest time, 1:54\2/5\, ever in that race. In June of '77, he captured the Triple Crown with a 4-length win at the Belmont Stakes and become the first horse to win the illustrious Triple Crown while still undefeated. As a 4-year-old, Seattle Slew continued to build on his reputation for greatness. In two epic battles of Triple Crown winners, Seattle Slew outsped Affirmed at the Marlboro Cup and easily defeated him in a race at Belmont Park. In 1979, Seattle Slew retired to stud at Spendthrift Farm having won 14 of his 17 career races. Although his racing career was now over, Seattle Slew's impact on the industry was just beginning. Overall, Seattle Slew sired 102 stakes winners including the great horses Swale and A.P. Indy. As of last year, there were 1.066 Slew foals around the world. In 1984 when Swale won the Kentucky Derby for Clairborne Farm, Slew became the first Kentucky Derby winner in more than 20 years to sire a Derby winner. In 1985 after 7 years at Spendthrift Farm, Seattle Slew was moved to Three Chimneys Farm in Woodford County. After surgeries in April of 2000 and March of 2002, Slew was moved to Hill 'n Dale Farm in April of 2002. At the age of 28, with his loving owners by his side, Seattle Slew passed away. I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in honoring Seattle Slew. He was a great champion. The racing industry has lost one of its ultimate treasures.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I would like to congratulate and honor two young Kentucky students who have achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service in their communities. Elizabeth Scoville of East Bernstadt and David Tao of Bardstown have been named State Honorees in The 2002 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, an annual honor conferred on only one high school student and one middle-level student in each State, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Elizabeth Scoville, a junior at North Laurel High School, is being recognized for her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community. She started a computer collection project that provided refurbished personal computers to 26 low-income students in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky. Elizabeth asked businesses that were upgrading their computer systems to donate their old hardware to needy children. She cleaned and repaired every donated machine, and then worked with teachers and counselors at her school to select students to receive them, based on need and effort in school. Elizabeth also trained each recipient in basic computer skills. David Tao, a seventh-grader at Bardstown Middle School, designed and created a candle and broom-making exhibit for a log cabin in the Old Bardstown Village and Civil War. When David found out that the village needed a new display for pieces of donated Shaker broom-making tools, he saw a unique opportunity to contribute to Bardstown's historical preservation. He researched the history of brooms and candles, then traveled across the Commonwealth to learn Shaker broom-making techniques. After the individual components were finished, David and his mother set up the display, which is now a permanent part of the Old Bardstown Village exhibits. It is vital that we encourage and fully support the kind of selfless contributions these young people have made. People of all ages need to think more about how we, as individual citizens, can work together at the local level to ensure the health and vitality of our towns and neighborhoods. Young volunteers like Elizabeth and David are inspiring examples to all of us, and are among our brightest hopes for a better tomorrow. The program that brought these young role models to our attention, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, was created by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary Principals in 1995 to impress upon all youth volunteers that their contributions are critically important and highly valued, and to inspire other young people to follow their example. Over the past 7 years, the program has become the nation's largest youth recognition effort based solely on community service, with nearly 125,000 youngsters participating since its inception. Elizabeth and David should be extremely proud to have been singled out from such a large group of dedicated volunteers. As part of their recognition, they visited Washington on May 5 for several days of special events, including a Congressional breakfast reception on Capitol Hill. While here in Washington, 10 will be named America's top youth volunteers of the year by a distinguished national selection committee. I heartily applaud Elizabeth and David for their initiative in seeking to make their communities better places to live, and for the positive impact they have had on the lives of others. I also would like to salute other young people in the Commonwealth of Kentucky who were Distinguished Finalists by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for their outstanding volunteer services. They are: Robert Campos of Lexington, Daniel Knausz of Neon, Lydia Kullman of Owensboro, and Kathryn Reynolds of Louisville. All of these young people have demonstrated a level of commitment and accomplishment that is truly extraordinary in today's world, and deserve our sincere admiration and respect. Their actions show that young Americans can, and, do play important roles in their communities, and that America's community spirit continues to hold tremendous promise for the future.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2646, the Farm Security Act of 2002. This is the first time in my congressional career that I have been unable to support a farm bill. I voted for the Freedom to Farm Act in 1996. And I supported the farm bill before that--the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. Many of my good friends support this bill, people I admire and trust. This is not an easy decision for me, but I sincerely believe it is the right decision. There are a number of problems with this conference report. First, it reflects a fundamental shift in federal agriculture policy, such a dramatic shift that I believe will only confuse our farmers and eventually lead to more problems for rural America. For years, federal agriculture policy has called for farmers to look more to the free market and away from government dependence. Going back to the Freedom to Farm Act, we have attempted to direct agriculture toward a market-oriented footing by reducing subsidies, cutting regulations and giving farmers more incentives and flexibility to plant crops that would allow them to make a decent living. I'll be honest in admitting that the Federal Government has not done enough to keep up its end of the bargain--so far. We haven't cut the regulatory burden quickly enough, and we need to do better when it comes to passing improvements to the trade laws that open new foreign markets to our farmers. But that is no reason now to begin moving backwards, to turn the tractor 180 degrees in the opposite direction. We are on the verge of passing fast track legislation in Congress, and the new administration is clearly more disposed toward easing the regulatory burden our farmers bear. Things are now moving in the right direction. However, the conference report before us completely undermines current agriculture policy by drastically increasing subsidies and turning back the clock toward the days when farmers were more dependent on the federal government than their own ingenuity. I believe this will prove to be confusing to our farmers, and the lack of coherent federal farm policy will in the long run only lead to more uncertainty and problems for our agricultural communities. Because we know that American farmers produce the best crops in the world, we have for years preached the need to move away from subsidies and regulations and toward the hope and opportunity of the free market. If we pass this conference report today, the signal we send to rural America will be mixed and counterproductive, and only lead it to wonder what sort of helter-skelter policy flip-flops Congress will make next. In hard times, farmers need help. We all know that. But instead of simply getting out the Federal Government's checkbook, the better solution is to empower farmers and rural communities, not to encourage them to become more dependent on a Federal Government that can't seem to decide from one day to the next what it's agriculture policy is going to be. I also worry that this bill will contribute to the decline of the family farm. Instead of focusing on the small farmer who needs our help the most, this legislation contains too many favors for the big producers at the expense of the little guys. For instance, when the Senate passed its initial version of this legislation, it capped at $275,000 the amount of government support that any producer could receive. Now the conference report not only increases that amount to $360,000, it contains so many loopholes that the actual ceiling is closer to $2.5 million. That's outrageous. By one estimate I have seen, 10 percent of the growers will be eligible to receive over \2/3\ of the support generated by this legislation. Considering that in Kentucky the average size of our farm is 150 acres and most produce less than $10,000 in income, this bill does not do my State that much good. The big guys and the corporate farms don't need our help; they're doing just fine. Now when we have the opportunity to help our family farms, this bill falls short. I am also very concerned about the spiraling costs of this bill. Plain and simple, it's a budget-buster. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill represents a 70 percent increase over current projections for agriculture spending over the next ten years--74 billion in all. Many of the subsidy rates in the bill are pegged at 10 percent annual increases. These price hikes are simply not sustainable or wise at a time when we are unfortunately facing in the 2002 fiscal year a budget deficit of $100 billion. If we are going to balance the budget and restore fiscal discipline to the federal budget, all of us have to bear part of the load. Obviously, we cannot make up the entire budget deficit on the backs of farmers and our rural communities. But at the same time it would be unfair not to ask for at least a modicum of fiscal responsibility in this bill. Additionally, there are problems with the fantastic complexity in this bill. As my colleague, Senator Lugar, pointed out yesterday, the loan and payment formulae in this legislation are mind-numbingly complex, so complicated that the legislators who wrote the final version of the bill often cannot agree on exactly how they work. If the bean counters in Washington are having a hard time figuring them out, I know there are going to be serious problems when we try to implement this legislation in the real world. I know that the Farm Service Agencies in Kentucky and throughout the land are filled with fine folks who do a good job. But the payment schemes in this farm bill are so intricate that I am not sure anyone will be able to make them work, let alone the staff at the FSA who are already overworked and understaffed. In recent years, we have seen the closing of many FSA offices around the country, especially in Kentucky. And we know that the USDA is looking to close more. To now turn around and ask these officials to do even more with less is unfair to them, unfair to our farmers and likely to lead to more consternation and worse farm policy. If our farmers do not already have agribusiness advisors, they are going to hire them just to sort through what payments they are and are not eligible to receive under this legislation. On a personal note, I am also bitterly disappointed that this legislation does not include specific help for the Kentucky thoroughbred industry. Over the past several years, our breeders have grappled with devastation caused by Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS). In Kentucky, we have many, many small thoroughbred operations, who are all hoping to catch lightning in a bottle and to win the Derby. But, sadly, many of these farms have suffered severe setbacks because of MRLS. The House proposal provided loans for small producers affected by MRLS. The final bill does not. That is a bitter pill that I cannot swallow. I am afraid that this bill plays a cruel joke on our farmers. On the one hand, it raises price supports quickly and holds out the possibility of putting a few more dollars in their pocket in short run. But, on the other hand, I believe all of these extra production incentives will lead to so much overproduction of crops that it will eventually drive commodity prices through the floor and cause an income disaster in the long run. The legislation tells our farmers that they can have their cake and eat it too, and I just can't in my heart go along with this deception. I do not cast this vote enthusiastically. I want a farm bill I can support. I want to agree with many of my friends in the agriculture community who support this conference report. But I cannot, in good conscience, support a bill that helps corporate farms at the expense of family farms. I am also very much afraid that this bill will turn out to be a nightmare for farmers. I hope I am wrong; I certainly do not wish any more trouble for my farmers in Kentucky. I am just afraid that this bill makes too many false promises that it cannot keep, and I cannot support legislation that I believe misleads Kentucky farmers. Over time, I think my friends in agriculture will realize this bill is a mistake and that they have been sold a bill of goods.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the Johnson Central High School Academic Eagles for winning the prestigious and coveted Derby Festival Academic Challenge. The 14th Annual LG&E Energy Foundation Derby Festival Academic Challenge is a quick recall tournament which began in 1989 with just 16 middle schools from Jefferson County. Over the years, the tournament has grown to include both middle and high school quick recall teams from around the Commonwealth. In this year's competition, 105 middle and high school teams throughout Kentucky competed in each of the two divisions for 3 days for the $1,000 prize and the right to be named the Derby Festival champion. Led by coaches Brenda Porter and Freda Spencer, the Johnson Central team dominated the competition from the onset and proved to everyone involved that they are the best-of-the-best. Josh Daniel, the captain of the Academic Eagles, deserves special recognition for placing an impressive second in the Catherine Burmleve Individual Achievement Award competition for performance on individual assessment exams. By capturing the Derby Festival Academic Challenge crown, the Eagles were presented with a crystal trophy, $1,000 prize, medals, commemorative Kentucky Derby Pins, and Derby Festival Academic Challenge Championship jackets. Furthermore, the team participated in the 128th annual Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade as Kentucky's premier academic team. I once again congratulate the members of the Johnson Central High School Academic team on their amazing accomplishment. They proved that teamwork, hard work, and dedication lead to success. I thank them for their commitment to education and urge them to continue to reach for the stars.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I have the distinct honor of rising today to recognize one of Kentucky's finest citizens, Dr. Forest F. Shely. At the recently held 53rd Annual Awards Dinner of the Campbellsville/ Taylor County Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Shely was named ``Citizen of the Year.'' Dr. Shely was duly recognized for his unwavering commitment to family, church, career, and community. He has been a devoted and loving husband for 55 years. He raised five wonderful children of his own and is currently the proud grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of four. Dr. Shely has also been a key figure in his church for many years, serving as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Gideon. Throughout his career in medicine, Dr. Shely has touched thousands of lives delivering babies, healing the sick, and comforting the dying. Finally, Dr. Shely serves on the university board of trustees, the Citizens Bank board, the library board, the Rotary Club and is the past president of the hospital medical staff. To say that Dr. Forest F. Shely has lived life to the fullest would be a gross understatement. I am extremely honored to serve such an amazing husband, father, doctor, and community leader. I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in praising Dr. Shely for his dedication to Kentucky.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate TECO Coal of Somerset, KY on winning the 2002 PRIDE Rogers-Bickford Environmental Leadership Award. This award, named for my good friend and fellow Member of Congress Harold Rogers and Kentucky Natural Resources Secretary James Bickford, is presented to individuals and companies throughout the Commonwealth who have proved their commitment to making Kentucky an environmentally cleaner and safer place to live. TECO Coal was specifically honored for their involvement in community service. TECO provided quality equipment, garbage bags, and plenty of manpower for multiple cleanup activities in Letcher, Perry, Pike, and Whitley Counties at a cost of over $100,000. The company also sponsored a televised volunteer of the month recognition program on behalf of PRIDE. Since 1908, TECO Coal has helped communities throughout Kentucky thrive in terms of economic growth, and now they have demonstrated their commitment to making the entire Commonwealth environmentally safe for current and future generations of Kentuckians.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Jim McCord of Fort Thomas, KY. Yesterday in San Diego, Mr. McCord officially began his 3,000-mile, 6-month journey in an effort to educate the American people about the ill effects of diabetes. On this cross-country jog, Mr. McCord will run 20 miles a day for the first 2 months, then 25 miles, then 30, resting every third day until he reaches Washington, DC on October 30. Since the time she was just 9 years old, Maggie McCord, Jim McCord's daughter, has suffered from Type I diabetes. For 11 years now, Maggie has given herself three to five shots a day. Having diabetes also puts Maggie at a much higher risk for heart attacks, strokes, vision loss and limb amputation. Furthermore, she has a 67 percent chance of dying before the age of 55. In sharing in these day-to-day battles with his daughter, Jim McCord has learned countless facts about diabetes and has come to realize just how little the American public knows about this deadly disease. Sixteen million Americans are currently suffering from diabetes. Every year, diabetes kills about 68,400 individuals. This figure is slightly higher than the victims of breast cancer and AIDS combined. These and many other numbers are the reason why Jim McCord sold his house in Fort Thomas, bought a camper, put his real-estate career on hold and recruited friends to accompany him on his quest. This journey will not be about raising money for diabetes but raising public awareness. Mr. McCord's mission is to help this Nation understand diabetes and the effects it has on millions of Americans. If he can first educate the public, he can then empower them with a sense of belonging and unite them in his mission. I applaud Mr. McCord for his devotion to family and his devotion to the health of this great Nation. Diabetes is a truly terrible disease that affects households from Kentucky to California. Sometimes, to obtain our goals, we must make sacrifices. Jim McCord has sacrificed his home and career, but in the end, he will have made a difference from coast-to-coast.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I rise today to honor the members of the American Heart Association, AHA, for all that they have accomplished in this nation's ongoing struggle against heart disease and stroke. Founded in 1924 by six cardiologists, the American Heart Association has worked for more than 70 years to accurately inform the American public of the dangers of heart disease and stroke. Through their effective fundraising efforts, the AHA has been able to perform extensive research on cardiovascular diseases and their effects on the American people. Research has shown that cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, kill nearly 960,000 Americans each and every year; nearly a death every 33 seconds. Cardiovascular diseases also cost more than any other disease, with an estimated $330 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity in 2002. Yesterday, Kentucky representatives of the Ohio Valley Affiliate of the AHA visited my office here in Washington. The information they provided proved to be quite shocking. In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, heart disease is the #1 killer. In fact, heart disease and stroke accounted for an astounding 43.5 percent of deaths in Kentucky in 1999; 12,098 Kentuckians died of heart disease and 2,710 died of stroke in 1999. Furthermore, Kentucky has the 6th highest death rate from heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in the nation. As can be seen through statistical data, cardiovascular diseases are killing Americans, specifically Kentuckians, in mass numbers every year. We must realize the severity of this problem and actively join the fight to ensure that future generations of Americans are well informed on how to prevent these diseases from occurring. I applaud the work of the American Heart Association, especially that performed by the Ohio Valley Affiliate in Kentucky, and thank them for striving to create a healthier America. I ask that my fellow Senators join me in praising all involved with the AHA, for their work truly makes a difference to current and future generations of Americans.

Mr. BUNNING

Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the 17 members of the Scott High School Science Olympiad team for winning this year's state Science Olympiad Tournament on April 20 at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Next, the team will have the unique opportunity to compete in the national competition at the University of Delaware on May 18. Throughout the state competition, the students had the chance to compete in a variety of events covering all areas of science including: biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, and mathematics. Some of these events required projects to be built in advance and taken to the competition while others include laboratory testing and other more conventional means of testing. I firmly believe that this competition was an extremely beneficial experience for all involved. The students have acquired useful and applicable information on a variety of interesting and engaging subjects while learning the importance of teamwork and competition. In order for Kentucky to keep up with the rapid pace of the scientific community, students, like those at Scott High School, must possess the desire to learn in depth about such topics as mathematics, biology, physics, and be able to apply this knowledge outside of the classroom. I once again congratulate the Scott High School Science Olympiad team for their state title and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming national competition. Their dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their hard work and determination.