Evan Bayh

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.

Mr. BAYH. I ask unanimous consent that the Environment and Public Works Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Con. Res. 78.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, if I could be permitted a few moments of personal privilege before I begin my formal remarks, there are so many people I need to express my heartfelt gratitude to today, starting with, of course, my wonderful wife Susan. I know we are not supposed to recognize people in the gallery, but I am going to break the rules for one of the first times here to thank my wife. We have been married for 25 wonderful years, and frankly, Mr. President, I wouldn't have been elected dog catcher without Susan's love and support. I often remember a story during my first campaign where I met an elderly woman who took my hand, looked up into my eyes, and said: Young man, I am going to vote for you. I was curious and asked her why. She said, with a twinkle in her eye: Well, I have met your wife. It seems to me you did all right with the most important decision you will ever make. I will trust you with all the other ones too. It is not uncommon in our State, as Senator Lugar could attest, that people say they really vote for Susan's husband. Darling, I can't thank you enough. She was a wonderful first lady, is a phenomenal mother, and is the partner for my life. Next, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents. Even though they were very busy, I never doubted for a moment that I was the most important thing in their lives. There is no question that my devotion to public service stems from their commitment--something, Mr. President, I think you can relate to as well. I have always admired my father's selfless commitment to helping our State and Nation. I am proud to follow in his footsteps here in the Senate and to share his name. My mother taught me that even from the depths of adversity can come hope. She was diagnosed with cancer at age 38, passed from us at age 46--an age I now recognize to be much, much too young. I miss her, but I suspect, as so often in my life, she is watching from on high today. Next, to my wonderful sons, Nick and Beau. They came into our lives when I was still Governor and were barely 3 when I was sworn in to the Senate. They are the joys of my life. I hope that one day they will draw inspiration, as I did, from their upbringing in public service and will choose to devote themselves in some way to making our country and State better places. I am so proud of you, my sons. Next, to my devoted staff and to the staff who serves us here in the Senate. My personal staff has had the thankless task for 12 years of making me look better than I deserve, and in that, they have performed heroic service. They have never let me down. To the extent I have accomplished anything on behalf of the public, it is thanks to their tireless efforts and devotion. Each could have worked fewer hours and made more money doing something else, but they chose public service. It has been an honor to work with you. I will miss each of you and can only hope we will remain in touch throughout the years. No one has been privileged to have better support than I have. To the men and women who work in the Senate and make it possible for us to do our jobs, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude. You have always been unfailingly courteous and professional. The public is fortunate to have the benefits of your devotion. And on behalf of a grateful nation and a thankful Senator, let me express my appreciation. Next, to my colleagues. More about each of us later, but let me simply say it has been my privilege, the privilege of my lifetime, to get to know each of you. There is not one of you who is not exceptional in some way or about whom I do not have a fond recollection. Each of you occupies a special place in my heart. I am especially fortunate to have served my career in the Senate with Senator Richard Lugar. I have often thought Congress would function better if all Members could have the kind of relationship we have been blessed to enjoy. He has been unfailingly thoughtful and supportive. Even though we occasionally have differed on specific issues, we have never differed on our commitment to the people of our State or to the strength of our friendship. Dick, thanks to you and Char for so much. You are the definition of a statesman. Finally, to the wonderful people of Indiana, for whom I have been privileged to work almost an entire adult life. Hoosiers are hard working, patriotic, devout, and full of common sense. We are Middle America and embrace middle-class values. The more of Indiana we can have in Washington, frankly, the better Washington will be. To my fellow Hoosiers, let me say that while my time in the Senate is drawing to a close, my love for you and devotion to our State will remain everlasting. As I begin my final formal remarks on this floor, my mind goes back to my first speech as a U.S. Senator. It was an unusual beginning. I was the 94th Senator to deliver remarks in the first impeachment trial of a President since 1868. The session was closed to the public; emotions ran high; partisan divisions were deep. It was a constitutional crisis, and the eyes of the Nation and the world looked to the Senate. My first day as Senator, I was sworn in as a juror in that trial. There were no rules. All 100 of us gathered in the Old Senate Chamber. The debate was hot, but we listened to each other. We all knew that the fate of the Nation and the judgment of history--things far more important than party loyalty or ideological purity--were in our hands. Consensus was elusive. Finally, we appointed Ted Kennedy--John Kerry's esteemed colleague--a liberal Democrat, and Phil Gramm, a conservative Republican, to hammer out a compromise. And they did. Their proposal was adopted unanimously. The trial of our chief magistrate, even in the midst of a political crucible, was conducted in accordance with the highest principles of due process and the rule of law. The constitutional balance of powers was preserved and the Presidency saved. The Senate rose above the passions of the moment and did its duty. Three years later, the Senate was once more summoned to respond in a moment of crisis. The country had been attacked and thousands killed in an act of suicidal terror. This building had been targeted for destruction and death, and that would have occurred but for the uncommon heroism of ordinary citizens. I was told not to return to my home for fear assassins might be lying in wait. So I picked up my sons from their school, and we spent the night with a neighbor. Two days later, those Senators who could make it back to Washington gathered in the Senate Dining Room. There were no Democrats or Republicans there, just Americans. Without exception, we resolved to defend the Nation and to bring to justice the perpetrators of that horrible crime. The feeling of unity and common purpose was palpable. Fast-forward another 7 years. In October 2008, I was summoned, along with others, late at night to a meeting just off this floor. The financial panic that had been gathering force for several months had attained critical mass. The Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Paulson, spoke first. He turned to the new head of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, and said: Ben, give the Senators a status report. Bernanke, in his low-key, professorial manner, said: The global economy is in a free fall. Within 48 to 72 hours, we will experience an economic collapse that could rival the Great Depression. It will take millions of jobs and thousands of businesses with it. Companies with which all of you are familiar will fail. Trillions of dollars in savings will be wiped out. There was silence. We looked at each other, Democrats and Republicans, and asked only one question: What can be done? The actions that emanated from that evening helped to avoid an economic catastrophe. The jobs of millions and millions of people were saved, businesses endured. But the measures required were unpopular. My calls were running 15,000 to 20,000 opposed and only about 100 to 200 in favor of acting. The House initially voted down the measures. The economy teetered on the edge of the precipice, but Senators did our duty. Some sacrificed their careers that evening. The economy was saved. I recount these moments of my tenure to remind us of what this body is capable of at its best. When the chips are down and the stakes are high, Senators, regardless of party, regardless of ideology, regardless of personal cost, doing their duty and selflessly serving the Nation we love are capable of great things. On my office wall hangs a famous print--the Senate in 1850. There is Henry Clay; there is Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, John C. Calhoun, William Seward, Stephen Douglas, James Mason, and Sam Houston. Giants walked the Senate in those days. My colleagues, they still do. In ``Profiles in Courage,'' John Kennedy tells the stories of eight U.S. Senators whose actions of selflessness and fortitude rescued the Republic in times of trial. Serving in this body today are men and women capable of equal patriotism if given a chance--new profiles in courage waiting to be written. It shouldn't take a constitutional crisis, a terrorist attack, or a financial calamity to summon from each of us and from this body collectively the greatness of which we are capable, nor can America afford to wait. We are surrounded today by gathering challenges that, if unaddressed, will threaten our Republic--our growing debt and deficits, our unsustainable energy dependence, increasing global economic competition, asymmetric national security challenges, an aging population, and much, much more. Each of these challenges is difficult, each complex. The solutions will not be universally popular, but all can be surmounted, and I am confident they will be with the right leadership from us and the right ideas. I am confident because I know our history and I know our people. I know all of the challenges we have overcome--the wars, the economic hardships, the social turmoil. I know the character of the American people--our resiliency, our innate goodness, and our courage--and I know we can succeed. But it will not be easy, and it will not happen by itself. It is up to us. America is an exceptional nation because each generation has been willing to make the difficult decisions and, yes, the occasional sacrifices required by their times. America is a great nation not because it is preordained but because our forebears, both here in the Senate and across the Nation, made it so. For 10 generations, the American people have been dedicated to the self-evident truth that all of us are created equal and have been endowed by our creator with inalienable rights. From the beginning, it is freedom that has been the touchstone of our democracy--freedom not from the benevolence of a king, not by the forbearance of the majority, not by the magnanimity of the State, but from the hand of Almighty God; the freedom to enjoy the fruits of our labors, the freedom to speak our minds and worship God as we see fit, the freedom to associate with those of our own choosing and to select those who would govern us. From the hillsides of ancient Athens to the fields of Runnymede, to the village greens of Lexington and Concord, to the Halls of this great Senate, it has always been the same: The innate human longing for independence now finds its truest expression in the American experiment. We are the guardians of that dream. Each generation of Americans has been called to renew our commitment to that ideal, often in blood, always with sacrifice. Now is our time. Now is the time for us to keep faith with those who have come before and to do right by those who will follow, to lift high the cause of freedom in all of its manifestations within its surest sanctuary--this U.S. Senate. All of this was put into perspective for me one day on a visit to Walter Reed Army hospital. I was visiting wounded soldiers. There was a young sergeant from Georgia. He had been married 3 weeks before deploying to Iraq. He was missing his left arm and both legs. His wife sat by his side. A look of dignified calm was upon his face. I asked if he was receiving the care he needed. Yes, he said, he was. I asked if there was anything I could do. No. No, there was not. Anything he needed? No. I had never felt so helpless or so insignificant. I left his room and made my way to the hospital front door and walked outside into the bright sunshine, sat upon the curb, and cried. All I could think of was what can I do--what can I do to be worthy of him? What can each of us do? Look at what he sacrificed for America. What are we prepared to give? Is it too much to think that while soldiers are sacrificing limbs on our behalf, that we can look across the aisle and see not enemies but friends, not adversaries but fellow citizens? With service men and women laying down their lives, can we not lay down our partisanship and rancor but for a while? Can we not remember we are but ``one nation under God,'' with a common heritage and common destiny? Let us no longer be divided into red States and blue States but be united once more into 50 red, white, and blue States. As the civil rights leader once reminded us: ``We may have arrived on these shores in different ships, but we are all in the same boat now.'' My friends, the time has come for the sons and daughters of Lincoln and the heirs of Jefferson and Jackson to no longer wage war upon each other but to instead renew the struggle against the ancient enemies of man: ignorance, poverty, and disease. That is why we are here. That is why. If I have been able to contribute even a little to reconciliation among us, then I have done my duty. My prayer is that in the finest traditions of this Senate--both in my time and my father's time and in days before--we may once again serve to resolve our differences, meet the challenges that await us, and in so doing forge an American future that is worthy of our great past. So that when our children's children write the history of our time, they may truly say of us: Here were Americans and Senators worthy of the name. I thank you. I yield the floor. (Applause, Senators rising.)

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to commend members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and Members of the Senate for their support of the National Alzheimer's Project Act, S. 3036. In particular, the committee was helpful in strengthening the National Alzheimer's Plan and the annual reporting requirements to Congress that include the articulation of goals, benchmarks, priorities, recommendations, and tracking outcomes. This legislation is focused on changing the devastating trajectory of Alzheimer's disease for our families and our economy. Alzheimer's disease is a debilitating illness that affects more than 5 million Americans and their families every day. The growing number of Americans expected to be affected by this disease, which is estimated to reach up to 16 million people by 2050, will continue to place an enormous burden on families and loved ones, not to mention the serious fiscal consequences to consider if we do not act now to address this disease. If nothing is done, studies report that Alzheimer's disease will cost the United States $20 trillion over the next 40 years. With no current plan to address Alzheimer's, this important piece of legislation would lay the foundation to coordinate all Federal Alzheimer's programs and initiatives, including research, clinical care, institutional cared home- and community-based programs. The bill also ensures that a national Alzheimer's plan will be implemented by the agencies and Congress. This bill will leverage existing leadership to offer real solutions to the Alzheimer's crisis. The National Alzheimer's plan called for in this bill will, for the first time, articulate what outcomes the Federal Government is seeking to reduce the impact of this crisis. It would allow Congress to assess whether the Nation is meeting the challenges of the disease for families, communities, and the economy. It would give all stakeholders an answer the fundamental question, ``Was this a good or a bad year in the fight against Alzheimer's?'' The National Alzheimer's Plan will include appropriate performance measures and benchmarks to allow legislators to evaluate progress in the fight against Alzheimer's. The assessment and priority recommendations will likely address issues such as the underinvestment in Alzheimer's research. By addressing Alzheimer's disease and dementia directly, the National Alzheimer's Plan will also call attention to the many steps that can be taken to improve recognition, diagnosis and care for people with these conditions, reduce symptom severity, support family caregivers, and encourage ``healthy brain'' behaviors that may reduce risk for these conditions. With the leadership of the Federal Government and input from all stakeholders, including Alzheimer's patient advocates, health cafe prodders, State health departments, voluntary health associations, and researchers, this bill would allow an opportunity for all worthy entities addressing Alzheimer's, including organizations at the State and at the national level, to come together on advisory council to make recommendations and implement a national strategic plan to overcome this dreadful disease. The advisory council will also ensure buy-in, leadership, and coordination of all related Federal agencies conducting Alzheimer-related care, services, and research. One of the principal objectives of the advisory council is to represent a broad range of expert stakeholders within the Alzheimer's community to provide input and recommendations to the Federal Government on a national strategic direction for combating Alzheimer's disease. When crafting this legislation, the sponsors were careful to include patient advocates, caregivers, and providers who serve at the front lines of Alzheimer's care and who understand on a personal level the toll of this disease on patients and their families. Additionally, sponsors of S. 3036 included representatives of State health departments and Alzheimer's researchers who have expertise regarding the impact of this disease on public health as well as the state of the science in discovering prevention methods, treatments, and cures. Lastly, sponsors sought to include national voluntary health associations on the council, who provide invaluable research, care, support services, and advocacy tools for patients, caregivers, and local organizations throughout the country. It is our intent that two national organizations have representation on the council. The threat that Alzheimer's disease poses to the health and wellbeing of our Nation demands an aggressive and well-coordinated response. This bill creates the first-ever national plan to combat Alzheimer's and ensures that every dollar spent on the disease will be used to get the best possible care for patients. At a time when medical research funds are too scarce and we are struggling to provide quality health care for all Americans, for the first time we will be able to assess all Federal efforts related to Alzheimer's disease, ensure existing resources are maximized, enhance the delivery of quality care, and support the kind of research that will one day result in a cure for this devastating disease.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of SFC Barry Edward Jarvis of the U.S. Army and Tell City, IN. Sergeant Jarvis was assigned to the 1st Squadron of the 61st Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. He was 36 years old when he lost his life on November 29, 2010, serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province. Sergeant Jarvis and his family moved to Indiana when he was a boy. He graduated from Tell City High School in 1993 and finished Army basic training in 1998. A cavalry scout, Sergeant Jarvis was assigned to Fort Campbell in May of 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan 3 months later. He was known by many as a genuine and dedicated soldier who found his calling in serving his country, and his numerous awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal, bear out that reputation. I join Sergeant Jarvis' family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his wife Tina Louise Jarvis of Clarksville, TN; his children Kitaira Aleesha, and William, also of Clarksville, and Donavon, of Evansville, IN; his father William Edward Jarvis of Atlantic Beach, FL; and his mother, Alma Jean Jarvis of Tell City, IN. As we struggle to express our grief over this loss, we take pride in the example of this American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of SFC Barry Edward Jarvis in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of SSG Kevin Matthew Pape of the U.S. Army and Fort Wayne, IN. Staff Sergeant Pape was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, in the 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. He was 30 years old when he lost his life on November 16, 2010, while bravely serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, after three tours in Iraq. A native of Fort Wayne, Staff Sergeant Pape graduated from Concordia High School in 1998. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005 and graduated from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program in 2006, where he served as a machine gunner, team leader and squad leader. COL Michael Kurilla, Commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, recalled that Staff Sergeant Pape, ``had two priorities in his life--his family and the Rangers he led. By the manner in which he lived his life, Staff Sergeant Pape defined sacrifice, dedicated, and selfless service.'' Staff Sergeant Pape's numerous awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Expert Infantry Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal. Today, I join Staff Sergeant Pape's family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his wife Amelia Rose Pape and his daughter Anneka Sue, both of Savannah, GA, and his father Marc Dennis Pape of Fort Wayne, IN. We take pride in the example of this dedicated soldier and American hero, even as we struggle to express our grief over this loss. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of SSG Kevin Matthew Pape in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, today I honor the Voices of Unity Youth Choir of Fort Wayne, IN, for outstanding achievement this past year at the sixth World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China. The Voices of Unity Youth Choir was the first Indiana choir invited to participate in the World Choir Games, the world's largest choir competition. Known as the Choir Olympics, this year's contest featured more than 400 choirs comprised of 27,000 singers from 80 countries around the world. One of only six American youth choirs invited to China, Voices of Unity won gold medals in two musical categories: popular choral music and gospel and spiritual. In addition, these Hoosiers won the title of World Grand Champion in the gospel and spiritual category. Voices of Unity benefitted tremendously from the support of the Fort Wayne community who gave time and money to ensure these students had the opportunity to travel to China and share their talent with the world. In just 5 short months, Voices of Unity raised enough money to send 101 students and volunteers to China for the competition. I particularly want to recognize Marshall White, founder of Unity Performing Arts Foundation, the home of Voices of Unity, for his tireless leadership. I am honored to congratulate the World Champion Voices of Unity Youth Choir of Fort Wayne for this extraordinary achievement and for the teamwork, discipline, and hard work it takes to become champions.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of SSG Kenneth K. McAninch of the U.S. Army and Logansport, IN. Staff Sergeant McAninch was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. He was 28 years old when he lost his life on October 21, 2010, while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Paktika Province, Afghanistan. He was serving his third tour of duty. A native Hoosier, Kenny attended Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School in Walton, IN. His principal described Kenny as ``one of those kids who always worked hard to get things done.'' Staff Sergeant McAninch enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005. A decorated soldier, his awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Staff Sergeant McAninch was a devoted husband, father, and son. I join his family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his wife, Shawnna McAninch; his children, Jeremiah, Braxton, Brayden, Colby, and Shyanne; his father, Marvin McAninch of Logansport, IN; and his mother, Cheryl Nance of Peru, IN. We take pride in the example of this American hero, even as we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of SSG Kenneth K. McAninch in the official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of SGT Marvin Ray Calhoun, Jr. of the U.S. Army and Elkhart, IN. Sergeant Calhoun was assigned to the Army's Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. He lost his life on September 21, 2010, while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Qalat, Afghanistan, where he was serving his second tour of duty. Sergeant Calhoun was 23 years old. Marvin joined the Army soon after graduating from Elkhart Central High School in 2006. He played on his high school football team and was described by his coach as one of the team's hardest working players. Today, I join Marvin's family and friends in mourning his tragic death. He is survived by his wife Yamili Sanchez and their daughter Yohani; his mother Shirin Reum; and his father Marvin Calhoun, Sr. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' As we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we take pride in the example of this American hero. We will cherish the legacy of his service and his life. It is my sad duty to enter the name of Sergeant Marvin Ray Calhoun, Jr. in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. Private First Class Gebrah Noonan

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of Corporal John C. Bishop of the U.S. Marine Corps and Versailles, IN. Corporal Bishop was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He lost his life on September 8, 2010, while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was serving his third tour of duty and was 25 years old. John graduated from Southwestern Shelby High School in 2003 and immediately joined the Marines. John aspired to become a marine from a young age, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Tyson. Tyson joined the Marines in 1993, and each time he returned home, John would climb into his older brother's Marine uniform. Today, I join John's family and friends in mourning his tragic death. He is survived by his wife Cristle Bishop, who is expecting their first daughter in October; his son K'Sean Bishop; his mother Sarah Thomas; his brothers William Bishop, Mike Bishop, Anthony Thomas, Eric Thomas, Jamey Bishop, and Tyson Bishop; and his sisters Nancy Braley and Amy Parker. As we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we take pride in the example of this American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of CPL John C. Bishop in the official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. Staff Sergeant Phillip Chad Jenkins Mr. President, I also rise today to honor the life of SSG Phillip Chad Jenkins of the U.S. Army and Decatur, IN. Staff Sergeant Jenkins was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was only 26 years old when he lost his life on September 7, 2010, while bravely serving during his second tour of duty in support of Operation New Dawn in Balad, Iraq. Staff Sergeant Jenkins' first tour was in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. A Decatur native, Staff Sergeant Jenkins graduated from Bellmont High School in 2002 and joined the army soon after. While in high school, Staff Sergeant Jenkins enjoyed playing the saxophone in the school band and worked at Scott's Food & Pharmacy. Staff Sergeant Jenkins was a dedicated soldier who always went above and beyond the call of duty. One of his fellow soldiers, Fritz Bultemeyer, described Staff Sergeant Jenkins as ``a great American fallen hero.'' Today, I join Staff Sergeant Jenkins' family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his wife Melissa; his two daughters Piper and Lindly; his mother and father Rose and David Jenkins; and his sister Cassie Jenkins. We take pride in the example of this dedicated soldier and great American hero, even as we struggle to express our grief over this loss. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of SSG Phillip Chad Jenkins in the official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. Staff Sergeant Michael Bock

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of SPC Chad Derek Clements of the U.S. Army and Huntington, IN. Specialist Clements was assigned to F Company, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. He was only 26 years old when he lost his life on August 30th while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan. He was only 3 weeks into his first deployment. A Huntington, IN, native, Chad graduated from Huntington North High School in 2002. He enlisted in the Army in February 2009 and arrived in Afghanistan the second week of August. He followed in the proud military tradition of his father, Daniel, a Navy veteran who passed away in 2001. Those closest to him described Chad as having a big heart. He deeply valued his family and his friends. Chad was an avid fan of the local Fort Wayne Komets and the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey teams, and he enjoyed collecting memorabilia of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt. Today, I join Chad's family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his mother, Anne Beady Tarter; his stepfather, Ed Tarter; his sister, Danielle Clements; his grandmother, Betty Beady; his grandfather and step-grandmother, Marvin and Carol Beady; his grandfather, Everett Clements; his stepbrother, Corey Tarter; and his stepsister, Heather Tarter. We take pride in the example of this American hero, even as we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of SPC Chad Derek Clements in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. Sergeant christopher Neal Karch Mr. President, I also rise today to honor the life of SGT Christopher Neal Karch of the U.S. Army and Indianapolis, IN. Sergeant Karch was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He was only 23 years old when he lost his life on August 11 while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was 20 days from completing his second tour of duty. Sergeant Karch graduated from Lawrence Central High School in 2005 and was pursuing a degree from the University of Maryland with plans to graduate in 2012. He joined the Army 2 months after his high school graduation, where he served in the same division and lived in the same barracks as his father Pat--also a veteran. A decorated soldier, Sergeant Karch earned the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Army Good Conduct Medal. His platoon leader described him as the ``epitome of an airborne paratrooper.'' Today, I join Sergeant Karch's family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his father, Pat Karch; his mother Lynn Kersey; his grandparents, Nick and Dian Nicholson, Bill and Joyce Seal, Norman and Denise Karch, and Jerry Hallgarth; and his uncle, Vince Karch. As we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we take pride in the example of this American hero and cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' I pray that Christopher's family finds 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of Sergeant Christopher Neal Karch in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. Specialist Justin B. Shoecraft Mr. President, today I also wish to honor the life of SPC Justin B. Shoecraft of the U.S. Army and Elkhart, IN. Specialist Shoecraft was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment and was only 28 years old when he lost his life while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kakarak, Afghanistan. He had been in Afghanistan for 5 weeks. An Elkhart native, Justin graduated from Elkhart Memorial High School in 2000. He shared a passion for working on old bicycles and cars with his father, Blue, who described his son as hardworking and dependable. Today, I join Justin's family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his wife, Jessica; his mother and father, Donna and Carroll ``Blue'' Shoecraft; his sister, Sherry Schoonover; and his half-brother, Michael Garver, Jr. We take pride in the example of this American hero, even as we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of Army SPC Justin B. Shoecraft in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. Specialist Christopher Shane Wright Mr. President, today I also honor the life of U.S. Army SPC Christopher Shane Wright. Specialist Wright was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He was only 23 years old when he lost his life on August 19 while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Pech, Afghanistan. Chris grew up near Jeffersonville, IN, where he attended Sacred Heart School. He later moved to Tollesboro, KY, and graduated in 2005 from Lewis County High School. Chris enlisted in the Army shortly after his 18th birthday and went on to serve in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Specialist Wright was highly regarded among his fellow servicemen. His regiment commander, COL Michael E. Kurilla, described Specialist Wright as ``the epitome of a Ranger'' and called him ``a hero to our Nation, the Army and his family.'' Specialist Wright received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart. Today, I join Specialist Wright's family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his mother, Linda Wright-Dennis; his father and stepmother, James Cochran and Michele Cochran; his grandmothers, Carol Cochran and JoAnn Stockton; his brothers, Zachary Pope, Zane Pope, and Andrew Dennis; and his sisters, Marianne Dennis and Katie Dorman. We take pride in the example of this American hero, even as we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of SPC Christopher Shane Wright in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace. PFC Bryn T. Raver

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I rise today to honor the life of PFC Michael Shane Pridham, Jr. of the U.S. Army. Private Pridham was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment. He was only 19 years old when he lost his life serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Qalat, Afghanistan. He was 6 weeks from completing his tour of duty. Private Pridham--``Mikey'' as he was to known to his family and friends--was from Louisville, KY. He attended Southern High School before later earning his GED diploma through the U.S. Army. Today, I join Private Pridham's family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his wife Deidre, whom he married 2 days before deploying overseas and who is expecting the couple's first child, Aliyah, in October; his father and stepmother, Michael Shane and Andrea Pridham Sr. of New Albany, IN; his mother, Keri Allen of Louisville, KY; and his brothers, Jeffrey Pridham, Joey Pridham, Kaleb Nix and Kaden Eskridge. We take pride in the example of this American hero, even as we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of PFC Michael Shane Pridham, Jr. in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. I pray that Mikey's family finds 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. I thank the Chairman. With respect to the Volcker Rule, the conference report states that banking entities are not prohibited from purchasing and disposing of securities and other instruments in connection with underwriting or market making activities, provided that activity does not exceed the reasonably expected near term demands of clients, customers, or counterparties. I want to clarify this language would allow banks to maintain an appropriate dealer inventory and residual risk positions, which are essential parts of the market making function. Without that flexibility, market makers would not be able to provide liquidity to markets.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of Sgt John Kenneth Rankel of the U.S. Marine Corps. Sergeant Rankel was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. Sergeant Rankel was only 23 years old when he lost his life on June 7 while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was deployed on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, having reenlisted after completing two tours in Iraq. Sergeant Rankel was from Speedway, IN. He enlisted in the Marine Corps immediately after graduating from Speedway High School in 2005. Though he was a star athlete on his high school football team, he chose to serve rather than play football in college. A fellow marine described John as ``the greatest guy I knew, and the best friend anybody could ask for.'' Today, I join John's family and friends in mourning his death. He is survived by his mother Trisha Stockhoff; his stepfather Don Stockhoff; his father Kevin Rankel; his stepmother Kim Rankel; and his brothers Nathan Stockhoff and Tyler Rankel. He will forever be remembered as a loving son, brother, and friend. While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we take pride in the example of this American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen marine, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of Sgt John Kenneth Rankel in the official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace. I pray that John's family finds 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 to speak in favor of the nomination of Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. I joined together with Senator Lugar to recommend Judge Walton Pratt because I know firsthand that she is a highly capable lawyer who understands the limited role of the Federal judiciary. Before I speak to Judge Walton Pratt's qualifications, I would like to comment briefly on the state of the judicial confirmation process generally. In my view, this process has too often been consumed by ideological conflict and partisan acrimony. This is not, I believe, how the Framers intended us to exercise our responsibility to advise and consent. During the last Congress, I was proud to work with Senator Lugar to recommend Judge John Tinder as a bipartisan, consensus nominee for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Tinder was nominated by President Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 93-0. It was my hope that Judge Tinder's confirmation would serve as an example of the benefits of nominating qualified, non-ideological jurists to the Federal bench. In selecting Tanya Walton Pratt, President Obama has demonstrated that he also appreciates the benefits of this approach. I was proud to once again join with Senator Lugar to recommend her to the President, and I hope that going forward other Senators will adopt what I call the ``Hoosier approach'' of working across party lines to select consensus nominees. I would also like to personally thank Senator Lugar for his extraordinary leadership and for the consultative and cooperative approach he has taken to judicial nominations. During my time in Congress, it has been my great privilege to forge a close working relationship with Senator Lugar across many issues. This has been especially true on the issue of nominations--when a judicial nominee from Indiana comes before the Senate, our colleagues can be confident that the name is being put forward with bipartisan support, regardless of which political party is in the White House or controls a majority in the U.S. Senate. I should also note that Judge Walton Pratt is a historic nominee. If confirmed, she will be our State's first African-American Federal judge. While this day is long overdue, I hope that her confirmation will inspire Hoosier children of all backgrounds to pursue their dreams and show them that, in America, anything is possible if you study hard and play by the rules. On the merits, Tanya Walton Pratt is an accomplished jurist who is well-qualified for a lifetime appointment to the Federal judiciary. She has extensive trial experience, having served as, a judge on the Marion Superior Court since 1997. For much of this time, she served in the criminal division, handling major felonies and presiding over dozens of jury trials per year. More recently, she has played a critical role in the probate division, presiding over adoption cases and placing children in loving homes. During this time, Judge Walton Pratt has been recognized as a leader among Indiana jurists. She has served as chair of the Marion County Bar Association and on the executive committee of the Marion Superior Court System. Among other accolades, she has been honored as ``Outstanding Judge of the Year'' by the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Judge Walton Pratt has shown that she is deserving of the public trust. She has demonstrated the highest ethical standards and a firm commitment to applying our country's laws fairly and faithfully. She understands that the appropriate role for a judge is to interpret our laws, not to write them. Tanya Walton Pratt is also a recognized leader in our community. She has also been honored with numerous awards including the Career Achievement Award from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the Key to the City of Muncie. I can say with confidence that Tanya Walton Pratt is the embodiment of good judicial temperament, intellect, and evenhandedness. If confirmed, she will be a superb and historic addition to the Federal bench. I am pleased to give her my highest recommendation. I urge my colleagues to join me--and Senator Lugar--in supporting this extremely well-qualified and deserving nominee.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I wish to speak in favor of the nomination of Magistrate Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. I joined together with Senator Lugar to recommend Judge Magnus-Stinson because I know firsthand that she is a highly capable lawyer who understands the limited role of the Federal judiciary. Before I speak to Judge Magnus-Stinson's qualifications, I would like to comment briefly on the state of the judicial confirmation process generally. In my view, this process has too often been consumed by ideological conflict and partisan acrimony. This is not, I believe, how the framers intended us to exercise our responsibility to advise and consent. During the last Congress, I was proud to work with Senator Lugar to recommend Judge John Tinder as a bipartisan, consensus nominee for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Tinder was nominated by President Bush and unanimously confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 93 to 0. It was my hope that Judge Tinder's confirmation would serve as an example of the benefits of nominating qualified, nonideological jurists to the Federal bench. In selecting Jane Magnus-Stinson, President Obama has demonstrated that he also appreciates the benefits of this approach. I was proud to once again join with Senator Lugar to recommend her to the President, and I hope that going forward other Senators will adopt what I call the ``Hoosier approach'' of working across party lines to select consensus nominees. I would also like to personally thank Senator Lugar for his extraordinary leadership and for the consultative and cooperative approach he has taken to judicial nominations. During my time in Congress, it has been my great privilege to forge a close working relationship with Senator Lugar across many issues. This has been especially true on the issue of nominations--when a judicial nominee from Indiana comes before the Senate, our colleagues can be confident that the name is being put forward with bipartisan support, regardless of which political party is in the White House or controls a majority in the United States Senate. On the merits, Jane Magnus-Stinson is an accomplished jurist who is well- qualified for a lifetime appointment to the federal judiciary. She has extensive trial experience, having served as a Judge on the Marion Superior Court from 1995 to 2007. Judge Magnus-Stinson also has valuable experience presiding in federal court, having served as a federal Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana since 2007. During this time, she has been recognized as a leader among Indiana jurists, serving on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Judicial Conference and the Board of Managers of the Indiana Judges Association. Judge Magnus-Stinson's devotion to the fair and efficient administration of justice has been recognized by her fellow Hoosiers. She has been honored as ``Judge of the Year'' by the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault and as an ``Outstanding Judge'' by the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Judge Magnus-Stinson has also shown that she is deserving of the public trust. She has demonstrated the highest ethical standards and a firm commitment to applying our country's laws fairly and faithfully. In recommending Judge Magnus-Stinson, I have the benefit of being able to speak from personal experience, as she served as my Counsel while I was Governor of Indiana. If you ask Hoosiers about my eight years as Governor, you will find widespread agreement that we charted a moderate, practical, bipartisan course. As my counsel, Jane Magnus-Stinson helped me craft bipartisan solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing our state. In addition to her insightful legal analysis, I could always count on Jane for her sound judgment and her common-sense Hoosier values. Like most Hoosiers, she is not an ideologue. During her service in state government, Judge Magnus-Stinson also developed a deep appreciation for the separation of powers and the appropriate role of the different branches of government. If confirmed, she will also bring to the federal bench a special understanding of the important role of the States in our federal system and will be ever mindful of the proper role of the federal judiciary. She understands that the appropriate role for a judge is to interpret our laws, not to write them. As someone who personally knows and trusts Judge Magnus-Stinson, I say to my colleagues that she is the embodiment of good judicial temperament, intellect, and even-handedness. If confirmed, she will be a superb addition to the federal bench. I am pleased to give her my highest recommendation. I urge my colleagues to join me--and Senator Lugar--in supporting this extremely well-qualified and deserving nominee.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and Senator Lugar, I would like to bring to the Senate's attention the service of Niel Ellerbrook, who is retiring as chief executive officer of Evansville-based Vectren Corporation after more than 30 years of service with the company and its predecessor. Mr. Ellerbrook's accomplishments as a business leader in Indiana are well documented and too numerous to mention. Suffice it to say, Niel has been a strong and positive force for change in the State for many years. He successfully engineered the merger between two utility companies and built the resulting company Vectren Corporation into one of Indiana's largest publically traded corporations with more than 3,700 employees and operations encompassing half of the United States. Under Niel's leadership, Vectren has embarked on an impressive campaign to provide consumers cleaner energy and cost-saving energy conservation programs all of which have become models for others in the industry to follow. Niel's business acumen tells only a part of the story, however. The son of a minister and elementary schoolteacher, Niel was born into a household that put a premium on sacrifice and doing for others. Niel's generous commitment of time and resources to civic endeavors in Evansville has benefited untold numbers of Hoosiers. Niel is an active supporter of the United Way and devotes significant energies toward education serving as chairman of the board of trustees at the University of Evansville, on the board of Signature Learning Center in Evansville, and as cochair, with his wife Karen, of the fundraising campaign that led to the opening of the Koch Children's Museum of Evansville in 2006. Born in Rensselaer, growing up in Franklin and graduating from Ball State University, Niel is a born-and-bred Hoosier success story. Fortunately for us Hoosiers, he decided to remain in the State and place his significant mark on the history of Indiana business and civic leadership. Speaking for my colleague Senator Lugar, I can say how fortunate we are to call Niel a friend. It is with great appreciation that Senator Lugar and I congratulate Niel Ellerbrook on his remarkable career, and wish him and his wife Karen the very best in their future endeavors together.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Marine LT Brandon Barrett from Marion, IN. Brandon was only 27 years old when he lost his life on May 5 while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Lieutenant Barrett was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune. Today, I join family and friends in mourning his death who will forever remember him as a loving son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his mother, Cindy Barrett, his father, Brett Barrett, his sisters, Ashley and Taylor Barrett and his brother, Brock Barrett. Brandon was a native of Marion. Prior to entering the Marine Corps in 2006, Brandon graduated from Marion High School and attended the U.S. Naval Academy. His family and friends describe him as a bright student, a gifted football and baseball star, and a proud Hoosier who courageously refused to take freedom for granted. Brandon was deployed on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. During his service, Brandon earned an array of awards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal. While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we take pride in the example of this American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen Marine, I recall President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of Brandon Barrett in the Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace. I pray that Brandon's family finds 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 to join my colleagues in support of S. 3295, the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections, DISCLOSE, Act. I would like to thank Senators Schumer, Feingold, Wyden, Franken, and Bennet for their hard work in crafting this legislation and their efforts to help protect the integrity of our political process. I rise today to clarify the intent of our legislation. Opponents of our efforts have asserted that our bill is intended to chill political speech and discourage participation in the electoral process. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our bill is about disclosure and transparency. It is premised on the idea that democracy functions best when citizens are fully informed. We trust the wisdom of the American people and believe that they deserve to know all of the facts. Throughout my career, I have supported efforts to increase participation in our political process and worked to eliminate barriers that unduly burden the fundamental right vote. That is why I cosponsored legislation to make it easier for military and overseas voters to vote in our elections, opposed Indiana's misguided voter identification requirements, and cosponsored legislation to help prevent the use of deceptive practices and voter intimidation. I hope that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join us in quickly passing this important legislation. I now yield for my colleague, Senator Franken, who is deeply committed to protecting the first amendment.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, today I honor Butler University's 2010 Men's Basketball team for its historic season which culminated in last week's NCAA championship game in Indianapolis. Although the Bulldogs narrowly lost to the Duke University Blue Devils, 2010 was a season for the record books. This was Butler's first-trip to the NCAA ``Final Four'' and the best performance by a school of Butler's size in 40 years. Butler entered the championship game with a 25-game winning streak, the longest in the Nation. The championship was especially meaningful as the team played in Indianapolis, nearby the university's home court, the storied Hinkle Fieldhouse. I particularly want to recognize the work of Butler's coach, Brad Stevens. Under the leadership of this native Hoosier, the Bulldogs have become a national power. In his first three seasons, Coach Stevens has won 89 games--a Butler record. Much of that success can be attributed to the Bulldogs' guiding philosophy, the ``Butler Way'' which emphasizes the importance of working as a team, both on and off the court. Dr. Bobby Fong, the university's president, and the faculty and administration of Butler all deserve credit for maintaining the right balance between athletics and academics. Butler has one of the highest graduation rates of all the schools in this year's NCAA Tournament, and 2 of this year's 15 Academic All-Americans were players for the Bulldogs. Butler's commitment to both academic and athletic excellence embodies the best of college athletics. I am proud to recognize their winning combination of talent and determination. The Butler University Bulldogs have proved once again that an underdog team from the Hoosier State can capture America's heart.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, included within this budget reconciliation bill are provisions that make significant changes to the federal student loan programs. Like others, I strongly support the provisions that increase funding for Pell grants. These grants form the foundation of Federal student aid, and do much to increase college access. Other provisions in the bill and the Higher Education Act also are important to students. As students increasingly look to Federal student loans to cover the costs of their college education, they are in need of federally supported services that help students to make well- informed financial decisions. In this bill, section 2103 extends and roughly doubles the authorization, to $150 million annually, for the college access challenge grants, CACG. The CACG authorizes States who receive funding under the CACG to provide subgrants to guaranty agencies to assist students and families with such services as early awareness and outreach, financial literacy, debt management, and loan counseling to impact the ability of students to successfully manage their student loan obligations and start off their postcollege and professional lives on the right foot. Congress should encourage the States to continue to work with their designated guarantors to use the opportunity of continued authorization and increased funding of the CACG to utilize the expertise of guaranty agencies in providing such services. I agree with the comments of the chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor during House consideration of this bill--Congress intends that states receiving grants under the college access challenge grant program should partner with entities, including guaranty agencies and their nonprofit subsidiaries, to provide financial literacy, delinquency and default aversion activities, and other loan counseling activities for borrowers. I also share the House chairman's view that the Secretary of Education has existing tools to ensure students have access to borrower and school services for financial literacy and default prevention. Under the Direct Loan Program, the Secretary is authorized to contract with guaranty agencies for services that ensure the successful operation of the program. As we move to require all institutions of higher education to participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program, students should continue to have access to the borrower and school services provided so well over the past 40 years by guaranty agencies. In my State of Indiana, our guaranty agency has a distinguished history of providing comprehensive services to help borrowers repay their loans and avoid default. Along with the House chairman, I, too, expect the Department of Education to ensure the availability of these services by exercising the Secretary's authority to contract with guaranty agencies for the provision of these services for students and schools.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the life of Marine LCpl Joshua Birchfield from Westville, IN. Joshua was 24 years old when he lost his life on February 19 while serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. Today, I join family and friends in mourning his death. Joshua will forever be remembered as a loving son and a friend to many. He is survived by his parents, Bruce Birchfield and Michelle ``Shelley'' Hacker; his grandmother, Frances Birchfield of La Porte; two sisters, Rachael and Emily Birchfield, both of Westville; his stepfather, Ron Hacker, stepgrandparents, Howard and Martha Hacker, and step-great- grandmother, Mary Dickinson, all of Westville; and countless family and friends who were privileged to know him. Joshua was a Westville native. Prior to entering the service in 2008, Joshua graduated from Westville High School in 2004. A talented athlete, Joshua excelled at baseball in high school. Friends remember Joshua's contagious passion for life. Joshua served as a rifleman and was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the NATO Medal. While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in the example Joshua set as a marine, a son, and a brother. Today and always he will be remembered by family, friends, and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his life. As I search for words to honor this fallen marine, I recall President Lincoln's words to 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of Joshua Birchfield 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 Joshua's family finds 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 Joshua.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the life of PFC Brian R. Bowman from Waveland, IN. Brian was 24 years old when he lost his life on January 3 when insurgents attacked his unit in Ashoque, Afghanistan. Brian was serving as a medic in the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Today, I join Brian's family and friends in mourning his death. Brian will forever be remembered as a loving son and friend to many. Brian is survived by his devoted wife Casie, his father Robert Bowman and mother Paula J. Gerdes, two sisters and countless friends and relatives. Brian was a Crawfordsville native who grew up in Waveland. Prior to entering the service in August of 2006, Brian graduated from Southmont High School in 2004. A gifted musician, he played the baritone for the Royal Mounties who were perennial contenders in the Indiana State Fair's band competition. His father said that he gave up sports to be in the band because he loved music. While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in the example Brian set as a soldier, a husband, a son 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. As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall President Lincoln's words to 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.'' It is my sad duty to enter the name of Brian R. Bowman 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 Brian's family finds 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 Brian.

Mr. BAYH

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I will be brief. I compliment Senator Collins on an excellent presentation. She summarized it very succinctly and in a way that was compelling. I hope our colleagues will take note that among the three of us, we have the east coast represented, the west coast represented, and the Midwest represented. So we span the country and this body. I hope that will cause our colleagues to take some note. The Senator from Maine focused on the letter from the NFIB. This helps small businesses at a time when they are struggling to create jobs. I hope our colleagues will take note of this letter. The Senator from Maine also pointed out, why should we control the health care choices of individuals who are receiving no subsidies. That ought to be up to them. We accomplish all of those things. It is a pleasure doing business with Senator Collins. This is a practical approach to solving these problems. I hope our colleagues will take notice. The last thing I will say is, I repeatedly have people come up to me and say: Boy, Ron Wyden has some great ideas. We need more of these ideas in this bill. And this is accomplishing that. Senator Wyden has been a true leader for many years in this area. I am glad choice and competition is being introduced, and it is because of his good work.

Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I wish to begin by complimenting my friend and colleague from Arkansas. We entered this body together, and she has consistently advocated on behalf of small businesses, not only across Arkansas but across the country. We both want to reform the health care system. We know this has a major impact on small businesses. They create most of the new jobs in our society. So if we care about job creation, we need to care about how health insurance costs affect businesses. They are going up too fast, and Senator Lincoln has consistently advocated for doing what we can to get those cost increases down and, in fact, lower the burden on our small businesses. So this is not only a health issue, it is a jobs issue. She has been a real leader for many years. So it is a privilege to work with the Senator on these important issues. Our class is doing well. I also wish to say how much I am privileged to work with my friend from Oregon, Senator Wyden, who has been one of the most innovative thinkers in the area of health reform. Once again, he is leading the way on an issue I am going to speak to for just a second. I am happy to see my colleague from Maine is with us. It saddens me to say that, regrettably, this is one of the few examples of bipartisan cooperation where we have come together across the aisle, Democrats and Republicans, working together to figure out how in a practical way we can help solve the problem our country faces. Here we have an issue of what to do about the 7 percent of Americans who are the individual insurance market but are receiving no subsidies from the government. According to the CBO, they are at risk of having their premiums go up. That is not right, particularly at a time when even people who are making more than $88,000 very often are struggling. So the question is, What can we do about it? Senator Collins, Senator Wyden, and myself focused on these individuals because we wanted to do what we could, in the words that my colleague from Oregon emphasizes so often, to provide choice and encourage competition to improve both price and quality. That is what our amendments are all about. I wish to read a very brief statement and then turn it over to my colleagues. When I go home to Indiana, the health care concern I hear the most about from ordinary Hoosiers, particularly middle-class Hoosiers, is what are we going to do to make their coverage more affordable. Many people in my State already have insurance, but they are struggling to keep up with the skyrocketing increases and the cost of that care. We began our health care debate and these deliberations in this body this past spring. In mid-October, months into our debate, some of us were struck by the fact that we had not answered the most basic question: How much is this going to cost, and what do we do to bring those costs down? So I, along with some others, submitted in writing that question to the Congressional Budget Office. What will this do for people in the small group markets such as small business owners, what will this do for individuals in the large group markets who work for larger employers, and what will it do for individuals who are out there struggling on their own to provide health insurance for themselves and for their loved ones? When they released their report, I was pleased to see that the current legislation before us would either contain or lower costs for 93 percent of the American people. For 83 percent of those in small group and large group plans, it is about holding even or modestly lower. For the 17 percent in the individual marketplace, about 10 of that 17 percent get subsidies sufficient to actually bring their prices down, which leaves us with the 7 percent of those individuals in the individual market who get no subsidies and may see serious cost increases if nothing is done. The Wyden-Collins-Bayh amendments accomplish just that. Our first amendment promotes more health choices for both employers and workers who would otherwise have few, if any, choices. It would help individuals who would be forced to buy their own insurance at higher rates than they currently pay. It would give them the option to purchase low-cost plans that offer essential, basic coverage. It would ensure that Congress does not mandate that anyone buy a more expensive plan than they currently have. Our second amendment is a market-based reform that would pressure insurance companies economically to lower premiums and penalize them if they try to raise rates before the new exchanges are fully up and running. It would immediately adjust the insurer fee in the bill to give insurance companies a strong financial incentive to keep premiums down. It would do this by making it economically smart for companies to hold the line on overhead and executive salaries and to root out administrative inefficiencies. Our third amendment would offer vouchers to give consumers who have health insurance but aren't satisfied with it access to more choices to meet their health care needs. It would offer vouchers that individuals could use to shop in the new insurance exchanges we are creating. Those who prefer their current plan to what is offered in the exchange could return the voucher and keep their existing coverage. If we pass these amendments, we can credibly tell the American people that our long efforts will have addressed rising health insurance premium costs for everyone, and that is at the heart of this effort we have undertaken. In closing, I will say that Americans are not looking for a Democratic solution or a Republican solution to our health care challenge. They are looking for us to come together to pass a reform bill that works in practical terms in their daily lives. More choices, premium cost increases under control, eliminating preexisting conditions--those are the things that will help middle-class families in my State and others across the country. I am proud that the Wyden-Collins-Bayh affordability package will represent one of the few bipartisan efforts in this body. As I was saying, I regret the fact that it is one of the few, but I am proud we have come together to work to address this important challenge. I hope my colleagues will agree that we have a responsibility to restrain premium costs for all American families by encouraging consumer choice and robust competition in the private marketplace. I hope we will pass these amendments because they accomplish exactly that. Madam President, thank you for your patience. I yield the floor.