Evan Bayh

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I rise today to honor the life of LTC James Gentry, commander of the 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry of the Indiana National Guard. Jim was only 52 years old when he tragically lost his long and heroic battle with cancer on November 25, 2009, the day before Thanksgiving. A native of Mitchell, IN, he served two tours of duty in Iraq. It was in Iraq in 2003 where Lieutenant Colonel Gentry and the more than 600 soldiers he bravely led were exposed to the lethal chemical sodium dichromate while guarding the Qarmat Ali water treatment facility in Basrah. In 2006, Lieutenant Colonel Gentry was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 2 months to live. He not only valiantly fought this debilitating illness--and survived much longer than doctors expected-- but he also fought to bring crucial details about the tragedy at Qarmat Ali to the Nation's attention. With his quiet courage, he advocated for justice for the soldiers under his command until his final days. Due in large part to his efforts, the Department of Defense is now investigating why so many service men and women were exposed to this deadly chemical. As Americans, we take pride in the example Lieutenant Colonel Gentry set as a soldier, a leader, and a patriot. I had the privilege of speaking with him on the phone a little more than a month ago. Even in what turned out to be his final days, he remained steadfast in his dedication to his troops and in his efforts to ensure they received proper care. Jim is survived by his devoted wife LouAnn Grube Gentry, five children Sarah Clark, Jason Newman, Emily Gentry, Jennafer Newman, and Ellen Gentry, his parents George and Brenda Sue Gentry, brother Sanford Gentry, and sister Carolyn Hodges. Lieutenant Colonel Gentry was a brave man who put his soldiers before himself, both on and off the field of battle. Today and always, he will be remembered by family and friends, fellow soldiers and all Hoosiers as a true American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. It is my sad duty to enter the name of LTC James Gentry in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I thank you very much for allowing me to express my support for Anne Slaughter Andrew. The strong relationship between the United States and Costa Rica is one of mutual respect, shared democratic principles, and a commitment to protecting Costa Rica's abundant natural resources. Costa Rica is a worldwide leader in green energy and sustainability--it currently generates more than 90 percent of its electricity from sustainable sources and has committed to being carbon neutral by 2021. In recommending my fellow Hoosier, Ms. Andrew, I have the benefit of being able to speak from personal experience. When I was Governor of Indiana, I appointed her to the Indiana Natural Resources Council, an organization which engages in the conservation of Indiana's natural resources and park lands. That is one of many positions in Ms. Andrew's professional life that demonstrates her strong commitment to environmental conservation and clean energy initiatives. Although Costa Rica covers only 0.01 percent of the Earth's landmass, it is home to approximately 5 percent of the Earth's biodiversity. The United States is committed to protecting this biodiversity through conservation efforts that contribute to the stabilization of Costa Rica's economy. Ms. Andrew's leadership and involvement with The Nature Conservatory, TNC, in multiple capacities, including as a member of the President's Advisory Council, has spanned a decade and is a strong testament to her unwavering commitment to the preservation of Costa Rica's--and our planet's--natural resources. Her most recent endeavor as principal of New Energy Nexus has placed her at the cutting edge of the clean energy economy. These combined experiences render her uniquely qualified to represent the United States as it looks to strengthen partnerships with Costa Rica in the field of green energy initiatives. Her service also includes founding and directing Anson Group LLC, a biotech consulting company that she co-led towards sustained growth and national recognition. The post of Ambassador to Costa Rica carries with it the significant responsibility of managing the diplomatic personnel in country and overseeing the safety of the estimated 1 million Americans who visit Costa Rica each year and the thousands of Americans who live there full time. In her career, Ms. Andrew has demonstrated herself to be a skilled manager who is highly capable of undertaking this responsibility. I have confidence that Ms. Andrew, if confirmed, will uphold our country's strong relations with Costa Rica.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of SSG Justin M. Decrow. He was a member of the 16th Signal Company, 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion. Justin was only 32 years old when he was killed in the tragic November 5 shooting spree at Fort Hood, TX, that took the lives of 13 Americans and left 31 others wounded. Those who enlist in our Armed Forces make an extraordinary sacrifice, agreeing to routinely face life-threatening dangers abroad as they carry out missions on our behalf. The risks they endure to protect our freedom are never expected to follow them from the theater of war to the safety of American soil, making Justin's death all the more painful and troubling. Today, I join Justin's family and friends in mourning his untimely death. Justin will be remembered as a loving husband, father, son and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Marikay; his daugther Kylah; and his parents Rhonda Thompson and Daniel Decrow. Justin had returned over the summer from a year's deployment in South Korea before being stationed at Fort Hood. A native of Plymouth, IN, Justin enlisted in the Army immediately after graduating from high school. At the time of his passing, he was a resident of Evans, GA, where he lived with his high school sweetheart and 13-year-old daughter in a house he built just a few years ago. Justin was planning to become an Army contractor at nearby Fort Gordon, working within his specialty of satellite communications training. At Ford Hood, he had been training soldiers to help new veterans with paperwork. Justin is remembered by family and friends as a very loving man, who enjoyed working with his hands. While we struggle to express our sorrow over the loss of Justin, we can take pride in the example he set as a soldier, a husband, a father, and a son. Today and always, he will be remembered by family, friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life. It is my sad duty to enter the name of Justin M. Decrow in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. I pray that the Decrow family, and the families of all the victims of this incomprehensible act, can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of SGT Dale Russel Griffin from Terre Haute, IN. Dale was 29 years old when he lost his life on October 27, from injuries sustained during a roadside bomb attack in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis WA. Dale was serving as part of operation Enduring Freedom. Today, I join Dale's family and friends in mourning his death. Dale will forever be remembered as a loving son, and friend to many. Dale is survived by his parents, Dona and Gene, and a host of other friends and relatives. Prior to entering the service, Dale graduated from Terre Haute South Vigo High School in 1999 where he was an accomplished wrestler gaining All-State recognition. He would later lead the Virginia Military Institute to a fourth place finish in the All-Academy Wrestling Championships in 2000, in which he was named the Tournament's Outstanding Wrestler. While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in the example Dale set as both a soldier and son. Today and always, he will be remembered by family, friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to do justice to this valiant fallen soldier, I recall President Abraham Lincoln's words as he addressed the families of soldiers who died at Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, as we can take some measure of solace in knowing that Dale's heroism and memory will outlive the record of the words here spoken. It is my sad duty to enter the name of Dale R. Griffin in the official record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. I pray that Dale's family can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.'' May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be with all of you, as I know He is with Dale.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I rise today to honor the life of Army SPC Jacob William Sexton. A member of Company A, 2nd Battalion 151st Infantry of the Indiana National Guard, Jacob was only 21 years old when his life came to a tragic end on October 12, 2009, while on leave from active deployment in Afghanistan. Today, I join Jacob's family and friends in mourning his untimely death. Jacob will be remembered as a loving brother, son and friend to many. He is survived by his parents, Jeffery and Barbara; his three brothers, Joshua, Jeremiah and Jared; his paternal grandparents; maternal grandmother; and a community of friends and family members. Like two of his brothers, Jacob followed in the footsteps of his father, an Army veteran. His brother described Jacob as his father's best friend. A native of Farmland, IN, Jacob enlisted in the National Guard after graduating from Monroe Central High School in 2006. He served his first tour in Iraq with the Winchester guard unit as a humvee driver. Upon returning home, he continued to serve his country by training other military humvee drivers and keeping charge of weapons and ammunition at Camp Atterbury. More recently, he was deployed near Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was described by his superiors as a model soldier with good morale and an excellent sense of humor. While we struggle to express our sorrow over the loss of Jacob, we can take pride in the example he set as a soldier, a son, a grandson, and a brother. Today and always, he will be remembered by family, friends, and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life. It is my sad duty to enter the name of Jacob William Sexton in the record of the Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. I pray that the Sexton family can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of SPC Paul E. Andersen from South Bend, IN. Paul was 49 years old when he lost his life on October 1, 2009, due to injuries sustained from indirect fire in Baghdad, Iraq. He was a member of the 855th Quartermaster Company, U.S. Army Reserve, South Bend. Today, I join Paul's family and friends in mourning his death. He will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, and friend to many. Paul is survived by his wife Linda, children, grandchildren, and extended family. Paul joined the Army in 1984. In November of 2008, he began his second tour in Iraq. Paul was a Michiana native who grew up in Elkhart and graduated from Buchanan High School in 1979. For the past 8 years he was living and working in South Bend. He loved his wife Linda deeply and returned home on leave this past August to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. Family members say he lived to be in the service and loved military life. Though he was scheduled to return from Iraq in early November, Paul had expressed a strong desire to stay in Iraq for another year. Just prior to his death, he had reenlisted for the next 6 years. His family takes comfort in the idea that he died doing what he loved most. While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in the example Paul set as a soldier, father, and grandfather. Today and always, he will be remembered by family, friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life. It is my sad duty to enter the name of Paul E. Andersen in the official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace. I pray that Paul's family can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah, who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.'' May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be with all of you, as I know He is with Paul.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, unless my friend and colleague from Arizona has something new and shocking to say, I am going to yield back the remainder of my time. First, I thank both of my colleagues for the tenor of the debate. We have some honest differences of opinion. I find myself much more comfortable working with my colleague, Senator Lieberman, in a variety of capacities. Senator McCain and I are one of a hearty band of a few who come to the floor in agreement to oppose wasteful measures. I look forward to resuming that partnership in the future even though we have a respectful difference of opinion today. I only wish all our debates could be as focused and collegial as this has been. Having said that, I thank my colleagues. Unless Chairman Levin has anything additional to say, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. BAYH. Absolutely.

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I don't want to exhaust it all. I quoted at length in my previous comments from the General Accounting Office, and there are a variety of studies. It is asserted that GAO did not offer much reasoning for their comments. I point out once again that they state very clearly the savings from this competition; the second engine has the potential to be equal to or exceeding its cost. Prior experience, they indicate, points to this and that they are confident competitive pressures could yield these kinds of savings. The GAO is well on record. I understand there is a dispute from other entities and other studies, but that is the GAO's opinion. This all comes down to competition, whether my colleagues embrace it, in which case they support our amendment, or if they do not--and I suppose there may be legitimate arguments in favor of noncompetitive bidding--they will support the other amendment. I yield the floor.

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, perhaps I should quit while I am ahead following those very generous remarks by my friend and colleague from Arizona. I am compelled, however, to save a few minutes of my time for Senator Levin, who is the chairman of the Armed Services Committee and is supportive of our amendment, for him to offer a few additional observations. I do want to close with a few closing remarks. First, I thank Senator Kennedy, who could not be with us today but who is a strong supporter of our amendment, and Senators Kerry, Voinovich, Brown, and Senator Levin I have mentioned, who spoke in support of this amendment. I thank them. I do want to address a couple of points that have been raised, first with regard to the issue of the Marine Corps helicopters. Again, for those who care about the helicopters, for those who care about supporting the Marine Corps, we have taken care of that issue. The Marine helicopters will be fully funded. So that is off the table. For the assertions made in the reduction of the number of Joint Strike Fighters to be procured, we fully funded the administration's request, and there will be no reduction because of my amendment. We have taken care of that issue. That is no longer relevant. The President's staff recommending a veto was premised on the presumption that there would be a reduction in the number of planes purchased. Since that has been taken care of, the veto threat is no longer relevant. It has been taken care of. There have been comments made about the C-130 procurement. I, too, support the C-130 procurement. We have fully funded--fully funded--the administration's request. It was passed in the supplemental. The money is there, in recognition of that. That is why the House of Representatives fully eliminated the account we are using to fund the second engine. For those who care about the C-130, as do I--and I thought Senator McCain's comments were very appropriate about the need for that important plane--that has been fully funded. In fact, what has been proposed in our authorization is a duplicate funding, a double funding. So for those of us who care about duplication, this, in fact, would save the taxpayers money, which I understand is one of the premises underlying the Lieberman amendment. Accepting their premise, this is a fully appropriate funding source. Finally, I would like to address this issue of competition once again. It has been asserted and alleged over and over that there was a competition, that the competition was run by Pratt & Whitney, that there was competition, competition, competition. I hold in my hands copies of the contracts given to Pratt & Whitney. I hold them right here. Cover page, January 23, 1997, Pratt & Whitney, $804 million, et cetera, in bold type: This contract was not competitively procured. Let me repeat that: This contract was not competitively procured. The second contract is for the engine dated October 26, 2001, Pratt & Whitney, in this case $4.8 billion. Once again, in bold type--bold type--so people can read it and understand: This contract was not competitively procured. It could not be any plainer than that for those of us who can read these documents. There was not a competition with regard to this engine. It is a sole-source contract. Therein lies the issue. It is not about helicopters. It is not about the number of planes that are procured. It is not about the C-130. All of those things have been taken care of. It is about your belief that competition is in the best interest of the taxpayers--and quality. If you believe that, you support this amendment. If you believe single- source, noncompetitively bid contracts, such as these, are in the best interests of quality and protecting the taxpayers, then you will support Senator Lieberman's amendment. That is what this is all about. Since I don't have much time--how much time do I have, Madam President?

Mr. BAYH. How much time remains on our side, Madam President?

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I wish to begin by thanking my colleague from Connecticut and my friend, Joe Lieberman. We have worked together on so many issues and so well that I find this to be an odd set of circumstances today where we have a difference of opinion on this issue. But even here, we have worked collegially to call up our respective amendments in a timely manner. I regret the order of offering the amendments was changed because I know the Senator had speakers on his approach to this issue, as I had. I wish their voices could be heard. I am grateful Senator Levin will be speaking shortly in support of my approach. I think the fact he is chairman of the Armed Services Committee lends some credence to our approach. I thank the Senator for his cooperation and courtesy. I so much enjoy, as with Senator McCain as well, our working together on so many different issues. I thank Senator McCain for his courtesy in trying to respect the time of the various Members who planned their schedules and planned to speak here. I thank Senator Lieberman for all that. We do, however, have a difference of opinion on this important issue. This amendment will restore funding for Marine Corps helicopters and the Joint Strike Fighter management service reserves. Let me repeat for my colleagues who are concerned about funding for the Marine Corps helicopters or the number of Joint Strike Fighters which will be purchased, my amendment deals with those concerns. So many of the very appropriate comments Senator Lieberman was making about the Marine Corps, about the helicopters, about the testimony of the services in favor of those helicopters, those are no longer relevant. Under my amendment, the helicopters are provided for, so many of his comments about the need for Joint Strike Fighters and the number of tails, the number of planes, those comments are no longer relevant. We have full funding for the number of Joint Strike Fighters. I know this debate has proceeded rapidly, it has changed rapidly, but all of that commentary about helicopters and the number of Joint Strike Fighters has been taken care of by my amendment and is no longer relevant to the consideration of the underlying issue, which is the importance of competition and how best to go about saving money and procuring engines for this vitally important program. I should also say that a number of statements were read about the President and his points of view. I think it is important for my colleagues who care about the comments from the President's staff about a recommendation of a veto to point out that in those comments, they were speaking directly to the number of planes, which has now been taken care of. That has now been addressed. They were not referring to the underlying opinion of the GAO and the whole fiscal aspect of this, which is a legitimate debate, but those comments and concerns were not raised as legitimate grounds for a veto threat by the President of the United States. So that has been taken care of as well. What is on the table is preserving competition in the Joint Strike Fighter Engine Program. My friend and colleague's amendment No. 1627 strikes funding for this commonsense program. I wish to set the record straight by preserving this competition. The Joint strike Fighter is a massive acquisition program. By 2030, this fighter will make up the vast majority of our tactical air fleet. Investing now to ensure competition over the life of the JSF is good government and sound management practice. Understanding this, my colleagues in the Armed Services Committee prudently included $439 million to continue development of the competitive engine. As most of our colleagues know, I am very concerned with our Nation's growing deficit. I have consistently opposed bills that spend too much, including the omnibus spending bill and the recent budget. I have supported amendments to strike wasteful spending. I understand the importance of restraint, and I would not be here today if I did not truly believe this competitive engine strategy will save the taxpayers money. I am not alone in this view. In 1996, Congress initiated the F-136 competitive engine program because we knew then, as we still know now, competition results in lower cost, improved performance, increased reliability, and greater contractor responsiveness. Since then, Congress has maintained unwavering support for this program for 13 consecutive years. I want to be clear that there was never a competition for the GSF engine development. I heard the word ``competition'' used repeatedly by my friend and colleague. I hold in my hand copies of the contracts, the contracts for the engine that has just been alleged to have been let competitively. The first contract was on January 23, 1997, to Pratt & Whitney, in the sum of $804 million. It sets in bold print ``this contract was not competitively procured.'' Let me repeat that in plain English. This contract for the engine program about which it was just stated repeatedly that there was a competition, was, in fact, not competitively let. It is in plain English. A Federal Government document refutes that contention. The second contract, dated October 26, 2001, once again to Pratt & Whitney, in the sum of $4,830,000--this contract was not competitively procured. There was no competition for the engine program. It is a matter of public record in plain black and white. If you care about competition, you will support my approach to dealing with this issue. This is an engine program whose total cost will top $100 billion. There is simply no justification for awarding a sole-source noncompetitive contract in this area. The General Accounting Office has consistently supported funding a second engine as a fiscally responsible approach that would yield long-term cost savings for taxpayers. On May 20 of this year, the GAO reaffirmed this view when discussing the cost to complete the second engine and stated: A competitive strategy has the potential for savings equal to or exceeding the amount across the life cycle of the engine. Prior experience indicates it is reasonable to assume that competition on the GSF engine program could yield savings of at least as much. As a result, we remain confident the competitive pressures could yield enough savings to offset the costs for competition over the GFS program's life. GAO went on to elaborate on the nonfinancial benefits of procuring a second amendment: Our prior work, along with studies by the Department of Defense and others, indicate there are a number of nonfinancial benefits that may result from competition, including better performance, increased reliability, and improved contractor responsiveness. The long history in the Department of Defense is that when you award sole-sourced, noncompetitive contracts to a single provider, costs go up, responsiveness goes down, the taxpayers suffer. That is what my amendment will avoid. Further, in light of the increased investment Secretary Gates and the administration have chosen to make in the GSF program, limiting the Department of Defense to a single source has implications for our readiness and strategic posture. If we have problems with the primary engine, we will have no alternative. There will be no second supplier with any ability to produce a comparable engine. Production delays or engine failures could prove catastrophic for an already thin tactical air fleet. Anybody who thinks that a large contract to a single vendor without competition--again I reiterate, as the contracts specifically indicate, they were not competitively bid--anyone who thinks that is a good way for the government to do business should support the Lieberman amendment. Some may very well argue that my amendment constitutes business as usual or is, in fact, wasteful, but many of these individuals have, in fact, supported this approach as good public policy in the past. They were right then. I am right today. We need to keep the primary contractors honest and the only way to do that is through competition. There was no competition in the award of these contracts. We now maintain that competition through the adoption of this amendment. There were several other Senators who were intending to speak on behalf of this amendment. Because of the change in schedule, they may not be able to be with us. We will have to wait and see about that, but again I thank Senator McCain for his courtesy in attempting to ensure that they could speak. I know there were some in opposition to my approach who wanted to speak as well. Senator Kennedy cosponsors my amendment and is fully supportive. Because of health care concerns he could not be here today. I do wish to share with our colleagues and for the record a statement he issued on June 24, as a part of the Armed Services Committee markup on this issue, in support of my approach. Senator Kennedy, a longstanding member of the Armed Services Committee: For the fourth year in a row, the Department of Defense continues to ignore the will of the Congress on the production of an alternate Joint Strike Fighter engine in order to reduce risk to our forces, protect against any cost overruns, preserve the U.S. industrial base and support our international partners. That is what our amendment is designed to accomplish and that is why Senator Kennedy supports it. He goes on to say: I remember well the ``Great Engine Wars'' of the 1980s, and the development of an acquisition strategy, considered controversial at the time, that ultimately delivered stronger and more cost-effective fighter aircraft to the nation. That issue began a decade earlier, when the decision to sole- source the F-15's F100 engine resulted in rushed development to meet program timelines, inadequate responses to program shortfalls, and mounting frustration over our inability to address these discrepancies without additional resources. Ultimately, the Air Force, the Navy and Congress agreed that the short-term and long-term benefits of industrial competition would meet these challenges and deliver results. That experience is as relevant today as it was then, because we face a similar challenge. The Joint Strike Fighter is one of the largest military aircraft programs in history, with $100 billion allocated for engines alone. In light of recent defense acquisition challenges and the growing ``fighter gap'' in our air forces, these decisions could not be more important, or their results more far-reaching. Critics emphasize the short-term cost savings of the sole- source procurement strategy and cite reports showing different timelines to re-coup program costs. But dramatic long-term opportunity costs are missing from this debate, and are conspicuous in their absence. That is what the GAO was referring to in the study I cited before. Competition for the Joint Strike Fighter engine has compelling advantages and avoids past pitfalls. Dual-sourcing will build vital operational redundancy into the fleet, avoiding a single point of failure for the engine malfunctions and spare parts shortages experienced in the past with other fleet-wide groundings. Competition delivers an inherent incentive for manufacturers to absorb and contain cost growth, even as it encourages responsiveness by contractors, continuous product improvement, and innovation. All of these factors are less evident in sole-source contracts. The alternate engine program appropriately diversifies capability and capacity across the U.S. industrial base and ensures that sustained production, maintenance, and availability of critical components are not concentrated in a single provider. In addition, the F136 alternate engine program considers the sustained participation of key international partners and stakeholders, especially the United Kingdom, and Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Turkey as well. Their commitment is important to the future of the Joint Strike Fighter program and our basic security relationships. For these reasons, I strongly support the addition of $438 million in the FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act to sustain the F136 alternate Joint Strike Fighter engine program. Those are the words of Senator Kennedy. In conclusion and by way of summary, the Marine Corps helicopter issue has been taken care of. That is no longer an issue. We fully provide for that. Allegations about the number of procurements for the Joint Strike Fighters has been taken care of. That is no longer an issue. Statements by the President's staff with regard to a possible Presidential veto related to the potential reduction in the number of fighters, that issue has been taken care of. As I mentioned, the contracts for the engines themselves, in black and white, given to Pratt & Whitney on the dates in these legal documents, say very clearly, and I quote once again: ``This contract was not competitively procured.'' That is a matter of public record. This debate is about competition, the benefits of competition. I support them. That is why I urge my colleagues to support our amendment. I yield the floor.

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to call up my amendment No. 1767.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Army SPC Chancellor Arsenio Keesling, from Indianapolis, IN. Chancellor was 25 years old when he lost his life on June 19, 2009, in Baghdad, Iraq. He was a member of the 961st Engineer Company of the U.S. Army Reserve, based in Sharonville, OH. Today, I join Chancellor's family and friends in mourning his death. Chancellor, who was known to his friends and family as Chancy, will forever be remembered as a loving brother, son and friend to many. He is survived by his parents Gregg and Jannett Keesling; his brother O'Neil; his sister Tiana; his grandparents Gary and Gwen Keesling and Terrence and Barbara Fowle; and a host of other friends and family members. Chancellor, a graduate of Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, enlisted in the Army following his graduation in 2003. He served his first tour of duty in Iraq as a combat engineer assigned to a company based at Fort Sill in Lawton, OK. He was redeployed to Iraq in May 2009 with the 961st Engineer Company for a second tour of duty. Chancellor had been home just a few weeks ago to celebrate his 25th birthday with family and friends. A native of Jamaica, where he lived until he was 12 years old, he had a particular passion for soccer and reggae music. He planned on going into the construction business once his military career was complete. While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in the example Chancellor set as a soldier and patriot. Today and always, he will be remembered by family and friends as a true American hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to do justice to this valiant fallen soldier, I recall President Abraham Lincoln's words as he addressed the families of soldiers who died at Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, as we can take some measure of solace in knowing that Chancellor's heroism and memory will outlive the record of the words here spoken. It is my sad duty to enter the name of Army SPC Chancellor Arsenio Keesling in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. I pray that Chancellor's family can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.'' May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be with all of you, as I know He is with Chancellor.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Major Matthew Philip Houseal, from Amarillo, TX. Matthew was 54 years old when he lost his life on May 11, 2009, from injuries sustained from a noncombat related incident in Baghdad, Iraq. He was a member of the 55th Medical Company, U.S. Army Reserve, Indianapolis, IN. Today, I join Matthew's family and friends in mourning his death. Matthew will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, son, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Dr. Luzma Houseal; seven children, Teresa, Catherine, David, Isabel, Patrick, Monica and Kelly; his parents, William and Helen Houseal; eight siblings, Dr. Timothy Houseal and wife Leslie, U.S. Army Retired LTC Stephen Houseal and wife Julie, Joseph Houseal, Friar David Houseal, John Houseal and wife Gail, U.S. Air Force COL Anne T. Houseal and husband Paul Houser, Elizabeth Nightingale, and Maria Johnston and husband Jeff; 26 nieces and nephews; and a host of other friends and relatives. Matthew, a native of Washington, DC, grew up in St. Joseph, MI, and received a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and medical degree from the University of Michigan. He spent his surgical internship at Henry Ford Hospital and went through the Officers Training School in the U.S. Navy. He served his psychiatry residency at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, and spent over a decade at the Texas Panhandle Mental Health Mental Retardation, where he was a beloved member of the staff. He joined the Army Reserve as a major in 2007. Matthew had many passions in life: known as a brilliant physician and an insatiable learner, Matthew held a private pilot license and was a certified flight instructor with more than 10,000 hours of flight time in different types of aircraft. His extraordinary accomplishments were only rivaled by his passion for his family, especially his seven children. While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in the example Matthew set as a soldier and as a father. Today and always, he will be remembered by family and friends as a true American hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to do justice to this valiant fallen soldier, I recall President Abraham Lincoln's words as he addressed the families of soldiers who died at Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, as we can take some measure of solace in knowing that Matthew's heroism and memory will outlive the record of the words here spoken. It is my sad duty to enter the name of MAJ Matthew Philip Houseal in the official Record of the Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. I pray that Gary's family can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.'' May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be with all of you, as I know He is with Matthew.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, on May 17, 2009, the President of the United States, the Honorable Barack Obama, delivered the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame, in South Bend, IN, the State I have the honor of representing in the U.S. Senate where I for a time served with then-Senator Obama. Although I was not able myself to be present at this ceremony, my friend and former colleague, Dr. John Brademas, who for 22 years served as the U.S. Representative from the district centered in South Bend, was at Notre Dame for this occasion and has told me what a brilliant address President Obama offered. Here I note that since 1981, John Brademas has been president or president emeritus of New York University where, as he did while a Member of Congress, he continues to give outstanding leadership to the field of education in our country. President Obama was awarded the honorary degree of doctor of laws on this occasion by the Reverend John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, and was greeted as well by the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of Notre Dame. Because I believe my colleagues in Congress--and others--will be interested in reading President Obama's remarks at Notre Dame, I ask unanimous consent to have the address printed in the Record.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, today I wish to honor my fellow Hoosier, Kathleen L. ``Katie'' Wolf. Today we recognize the many accomplishments of Katie, a distinguished public servant and a model citizen who over the years has contributed much to her community in Monticello and to the Hoosier State. A native of Princeton Township, IN, Katie Wolf has long been a pillar of her community. In 1967, she served as the secretary on the founding board of the White County United Fund, now known as the United Way of White County. In 1968, Katie ran and was elected to the position of clerk of the White County Circuit Court, a role she filled for over a decade before being nominated to the Judiciary Committee for the Democratic National Committee. In 1984, Katie became the first woman to run for and win a position in her district in the Indiana House of Representatives, and during her first term she was elected Outstanding Freshman Legislator. In 1986, Katie was appointed senator for District Seven in the Indiana State Senate. Throughout her career, Katie has been the recipient of numerous awards and designations, a testament to her stature as a model Hoosier and as a leader in public life in Indiana. She has received the Director's Award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Director's Award from the Purdue University Cooperative Extension, and Legislator of the Year from the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. Former Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon presented Katie with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, which is the highest honor that the Governor of Indiana can bestow. It is an award reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to the Hoosier State. Last month, she received an honorary doctor of laws from Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer. Next week, Katie will receive an award from the local chapter of Women Giving Together, an organization committed to strengthening the communities of White County. I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize her for the remarkable service she has rendered on behalf of the people of Indiana and congratulate her on receiving another well- deserved distinction.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of SA Ashton L. M. Goodman, from Indianapolis, IN. Ashton was 21 years old when she lost her life on May 26, 2009, from injuries sustained from a bomb attack near Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. She was a member of the 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, NC. Today, I join Ashton's family and friends in mourning her death. Ashton will forever be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, and friend to many. She is survived by her mother, Vicki Goodman; father and stepmother, Mark and Chasity Goodman; brother, Levi Goodman; grandmother, Lois Kammers; aunt, Yvonne Chapman; stepsisters, Amber and Michelle Jefferies; half-sisters, Brianna and Courtney Goodman; and a host of other friends and relatives. Ashton joined the Air Force in 2006, following her graduation from Indianapolis's Warren Central High School. She served as a driver for the Air Force in Afghanistan, working with the Panshir Provincial Reconstruction Team, a unit that rebuilds roads and schools in Afghanistan. Ashton, who loved animals, was training to be a biologist. In high school, she worked at a local pet store and was active in the Zoo Teen Club, a student group that volunteers at the Indianapolis Zoo. She was also a member of the Japan Club. While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in the example Ashton set as a soldier. Today and always, she will be remembered by family and friends as a true American hero, and we cherish the legacy of her service and her life. As I search for words to do justice to this valiant fallen soldier, I recall President Abraham Lincoln's words as he addressed the families of soldiers who died at Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, as we can take some measure of solace in knowing that Ashton's heroism and memory will outlive the record of the words here spoken. It is my sad duty to enter the name of Ashton L. M. Goodman in the official Record of the U.S. Senate for her service to this country and for her profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace. I pray that Ashton's family can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.'' May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be with all of you, as I know He is with Ashton.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mr. Thomas O. Sugar, who has served as one of my most valued and trusted aides in the U.S. Senate and in the Indiana Governor's office. I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize Tom for the remarkable service he has rendered on behalf of the people of Indiana. Tom is a native of Kokomo, IN, an auto town in the heart of our proud manufacturing State. Tom never forgot where he came from, and he has been a faithful and passionate emissary of the hard-working, middle- class Hoosiers who inspired him to enter public service in the first place. Tom's career in government and politics began when he served as a campaign field organizer for Jim Jontz, who represented Indiana's fifth Congressional District. Throughout his 7 years of service for Congressman Jontz, Tom held a variety of positions, culminating in his ascension to chief of staff in 1991. I was fortunate to have Tom join my staff as director of communication and planning during my second term as Indiana Governor. Among his many achievements, Tom orchestrated a successful conference on promoting responsible fatherhood that brought together leaders of the most successful fatherhood programs in the country. He also helped plan the Governor's adoption initiative, heralding needed reforms in Indiana's adoption system. Tom served as my campaign manager for my first Senate race in 1998 and then took over as my chief of staff, a position he has held for over a decade. Tom has carried out this demanding role with unceasing skill, diplomacy, and determination. His portfolio has been considerable. Tom has been a top adviser on a range of significant policy issues, helping to improve our Nation's educational system, supporting working families, strengthening national security, and expanding volunteer opportunities for Americans to serve their country. In addition to playing a crucial role on policy issues, Tom has served as a leader and a mentor to members of my staff in both my Indiana and Washington offices. Tom had a knack for discovering new talent, and he helped hone the professional development of countless public servants. Most importantly, Tom is a devoted father to his sons, Jackson and Carter, and a loving husband to his wife Nancy. Tom cares about the people he works with and treats his colleagues like extended family. Tom was always ready with a kind word during times of plenty and an understanding ear during periods of personal difficulty and loss. This week, Tom leaves my office to pursue a new opportunity helping lower income students finish their college and postsecondary education. The newly formed National Consortium for College Completion is extraordinarily lucky to have Tom as a part of their organization. While I will deeply miss having Tom on my Senate staff, I look forward to hearing about the work he will do on behalf of students in need across our country. Tom is a trusted aide, a dear friend, and a true-blue Hoosier whose contributions to the State of Indiana are immeasurable. Mr. President, I am pleased to recognize Tom's extraordinary contributions to this body, and I wish him the best of luck in his future pursuits.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I wish to call the attention of my colleagues to a most thoughtful address delivered in my State of Indiana recently by a fellow Hoosier, one who served as a Member of Congress from Indiana for 22 years, 1959 until 1981. I refer to Dr. John Brademas, who represented the district centered in South Bend. A Democrat, John Brademas served throughout those years on the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives where he took part in writing most of the measures then enacted to support schools, colleges, and universities; the arts and the humanities; libraries and museums; Head Start; and education of children with disabilities as well as others. In his last 4 years, John Brademas was majority whip of the House of Representatives, third-ranking member of the Leadership. Seeking election in 1980 to a 12th term, John Brademas lost that race. He was shortly thereafter invited to become president of New York University, the Nation's largest private, or independent, university. He served as president until 1992 when he became president emeritus, his present position. I believe it is recognized by those in the higher education world in the United States that John Brademas led the transformation of NYU, as it is known, to one of the most successful institutions of higher learning in our country. A graduate of Harvard University where, as a Veterans National Scholar, he earned his B.A., magna cum laude, in 1949, he went on to Oxford University, England, where as a Rhodes Scholar, he earned a Ph.D. with a dissertation on the anarchist movement in Spain. John Brademas is married to Dr. Mary Ellen Brademas, a physician in private practice, a dermatologist, affiliated with the NYU Medical Center. On May 2, 2009, John Brademas delivered the keynote address, ``Rotary: Pathfinder to Peace,'' for a statewide conference in Indianapolis of members of Rotary Clubs from throughout Indiana. I believe my colleagues will read with interest John Brademas' address on this occasion, and I ask unanimous consent to have the text of his remarks printed in the Record.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the next hour be for debate only.

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.