John Boozman

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I honor a longtime champion of Arkansas, Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 92 after a long life as a dedicated public servant. As a member of the ``greatest generation,'' John Paul served as a combat pilot during World War II and was a decorated war hero. As a Congressman from the Third District of Arkansas for 26 years and the only Republican member of the delegation at the time, he worked across the aisle to provide infrastructure and various improvements to Arkansas, paving the way for the growth in the northwest corner of the State. Even following his retirement more than 20 years ago, John Paul continued to serve the people, who fondly referred to him as ``JPH.'' He always put Arkansas first. His vision for a two-party system in Arkansas led him to seek elected office. He paved the way for the Republican Party in the State, and his vision continues to be realized as the party continues its growth in the State. ``John Paul'' is a name that is just as familiar in Arkansas as it is to my colleagues in the Senate who served with him before serving in this Chamber as well as the many Members in the House who worked alongside him during his years of elected service and through decades more of providing assistance to his beloved Arkansas. You would have been hard-pressed to find a kinder, gentler man than John Paul Hammerschmidt. As a mentor and friend, John Paul's wisdom and counsel have shaped my Washington experience more than anyone else. When I ran for Congress in 2001, I sought John Paul out for advice. I quickly learned, as a newly elected Member of Congress for the Third District of Arkansas, how fond his former colleagues were of him. Senior Members of the House of Representatives had so much respect for him that they welcomed me into their inner circle because he had given his approval. It was John Paul who taught me that after the election is over, there are no more Republicans, no more Democrats, there are only the people of Arkansas. His dedication to his constituents during his career of public service was unmatched and is a marker we should all strive to meet. During his time in Congress, he served in the minority, but he would disagree without being disagreeable. I always valued John Paul's friendship and his continued advice. John Paul set the standard for helping Arkansans. That bar is something members of the Arkansas congressional delegation continue to strive toward today. His vision to improve life for Arkansans led him to serve on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee as well as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. By the time he retired, he served as the latter's ranking member. Using his position on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he helped secure funds for roads and infrastructure projects, including Interstate 540, which now bears his name, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, as well as protecting the Buffalo River and getting a designation as the first national river. John Paul left big shoes to fill. He believed he could make a difference in the lives of Arkansans because he believed in loving his fellow man. We are capitalizing on the benefits he helped provide--a testament to his time in Washington. From all Arkansans, I thank John Paul for his devotion to public service, his leadership, and his dedication to Arkansas. His example is something we should continue to strive for in Washington.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 153, submitted earlier today.

Mr. BOOZMAN

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

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I wish to honor Southern Arkansas University president Dr. David Rankin who will retire in June after nearly half a century of dedication to education. For 46 years he served alongside the faculty of SAU, the last 13 as president. Dr. Rankin made a career out of helping students and facilitating growth at the school. His vision to improve academic programs and expand campus resources has been a success; benefiting the community and creating a new standard for education. Since becoming president in 2002, Dr. Rankin helped grow graduate enrollment 200 percent. Throughout his presidency SAU has not only seen record enrollment, but record development as well. Construction of state-of-the-art academic buildings, upgraded athletic facilities, a 30,000-square-foot agriculture center and a $17.5 million Science Center are just a few of the projects championed by Dr. Rankin. Public service is a cornerstone of Dr. Rankin's life. Serving as president of SAU is certainly enough to stay busy, but his commitment to the community and the State keep him active in a variety of other roles including as the chair of the Golden Triangle Economic Development Council. During his tenure he also served as the economic advisor to two Arkansas Governors. He is an active member of Central Baptist Church in Magnolia where he teaches Sunday school. I congratulate Dr. David Rankin for his outstanding achievements in education and the community. I have appreciated his friendship and enjoyed supporting his efforts to continue making his vision for SAU a reality. I wish him continued success. SAU is a much improved school thanks to his leadership and years of dedication to this institution.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, this is an important subject. For many, it is a matter of life and death. So I am pleased that we are taking up this bill so early in the session. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act can save lives, it can restore dignity to the victims of these heinous crimes, and it can help end modern-day slavery. I believe, without a doubt, every Member of this body wants to see this bill become law. I hope we can overcome this delay and send the bill to the President so we can make it a reality. As the father of three girls and as a grandfather of granddaughters, I support the bill. I cosponsored it. I am eager to see it become law. By doing so, we will build on our previous efforts that have dramatically reduced instances of human trafficking around the globe. Since the passage of the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the United States has been a leader in the international community's fight to end modern-day slavery. This law ushered in a new strategy that addressed human trafficking on multiple fronts. Combining strong protection for victims, including shelter and asylum, with tough punishments for traffickers, including long jail sentences and asset confiscation, and, most importantly, sanctions for offending governments, the law has enabled us to crack some of the biggest international human smuggling rings. The most recent statistics show that during the 12-year period from 2000 to 2012, over 1,100 traffickers were charged in the United States, resulting in 755 successful convictions. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act can replicate these successes in combating international trafficking by helping us take on the traffickers here at home. This is an effort by my colleagues that we can all agree is worthwhile, which is clear by how easily this passed in committee and by the level of bipartisan cosponsorship it maintains. So I am not quite certain I understand what the Democratic leadership's strategy aims to accomplish. The language they now find objectionable has been in the bill all along. It is standard language that has been around for decades. On top of that, the majority leader offered a vote to strip the language. Yet the minority continues to block this bill from floor consideration. Not only can they offer an amendment to strip that language, but Members of the minority can offer any amendment they want, any amendment they believe will make the bill stronger. That is the amazing thing about regular order. I know some Senate Democrats are still getting used to the idea after years of being forced to the sidelines by their own leadership, but this is a good change which we should all embrace. I believe this particular bill was strong from the onset, but I have offered a couple of amendments to make it even stronger and better. Both of these amendments make improvements to our efforts to address trafficking on the global stage. The first one deals with countries that try to game the system to avoid sanctions. The State Department's tier system for ranking offending countries is an excellent tool for ferreting out the problem governments and prompting positive change. By utilizing the threat of sanctions, we can effect change for the better. Regrettably, some countries have abused the system and taken advantage of the ``special watch list'' designation that is supposed to be reserved for troubled nations making good-faith efforts to actually change. These nations have been able to get this designation without ever attempting to address human trafficking and, in turn, avoiding the sanctions that they deserve. China is a perfect example. With this amendment, we can put an end to the games. It will close the loopholes that allow governments to retain the ``special watch list'' designation without making immediate progress to reduce human trafficking or face quick removal. This will force governments to take real action, not just a nod and a wink to the problem to buy sanctions relief. The second amendment aims to put more teeth in the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. This amendment seeks to rename it and elevate it to the status of bureau to increase its effectiveness so that those responsible for this essential diplomatic tool are heard within the State Department. These two amendments will help our overall strategy to combat trafficking, but again, this bill, as it was introduced, would be a huge help in our efforts to save lives. The bill has the support of 200 advocacy groups, many of which are law enforcement organizations. These advocacy groups are voicing the same concerns we hear on the local level in our communities back home-- that this is a real problem with real victims--and our local officials want this bill passed for that exact reason. Just last week, I was visiting with some of my State's mayors who were in Washington for the Arkansas Municipal League fly-in, and the issue came up. The mayor of Hot Springs, AR, Ruth Carney, said that this is an issue which is really close to her heart and highlighted that Garland County has a task force to tackle human trafficking. She said: ``It's a great thing to see that Congress is working to help with this situation because I feel like it's very important for our country.'' I imagine that the Senators holding up this bill hear the same thing from their State and local officials. Perhaps they should listen to them about the importance of getting this done. So why drag this on longer? We could pass this bill within hours if the Democrats would drop this manufactured outrage over language that has been in the bill since its introduction. This language has literally been applied to similar legislation for decades. The senior Senators from Texas and Minnesota came together in a bipartisan manner to draft this important legislation. It was passed by the committee, in regular order, in a similar bipartisan manner. I urge my colleagues to stand with the victims, pass this bill, get them help, and get our communities the resources they need to save thousands more from becoming victims. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate a century of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, AGFC. Enjoying our wildlife and outdoors is a way of life for residents of the Natural State, and the efforts of AGFC help preserve this time-honored tradition through management of our State's fish and wildlife populations. In the early 1900s, maintaining healthy wildlife populations was desperately needed in the State. Elk, bison, and swan populations in Arkansas were extinct, and deer, duck, quail, and fish species were near extinction. Following the leadership of President Teddy Roosevelt, Gov. George Washington Hays signed Act 124 creating the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on March 11, 1915. One of the commission's first orders of business was improving hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations. Thanks to these efforts we have seen extinct animal populations flourish, while creating an excellent environment for fishing and hunting. This has allowed tourism to become a leading sector of Arkansas's economy. Our State now has a thriving elk population with a regulated hunting season. We have also seen growth in the deer population. More than 200,000 deer are harvested annually in Arkansas, up from just over 200 checked in the 1938 hunting season. Once known as the Bear State, black bear in Arkansas neared extinction with fewer than 50 believed to be in the State in the 1930s. Today there are more than 5,000 bears in the State, making it one of the most successful reintroductions of a large carnivore in history. The AGFC laid the foundation for Arkansas to become the ``Duck Hunting Capitol of the World'' in 1948 with the establishment of Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area. Today Bayou Meto WMA consists of 33,832 publicly owned acres, providing world class duck hunting that attracts hunters from all over the world. The AGFC's five fish hatcheries help stock some of finest lakes, streams, and rivers in Arkansas that attract anglers from around the world. More than 12.5 million fish are harvested from these hatcheries annually. While the mission is the same, the agency has experienced many changes in the last century. The first nine game wardens were paid $80 a month and had to provide their own horse. Today the agency operates an $88 million annual budget and employs thousands of Arkansans. In the past 100 years, the AGFC has created policies that maintain the natural beauty and abundance of wildlife in the Natural State so Arkansans and visitors from across America and around the world can enjoy the great outdoors. From restoring habitat, managing wildlife and protecting the public, the men and women of the AGFC help preserve the Natural State's beauty and natural resources. But this mission comes at a cost: throughout its history AGFC has lost five brave officers in the last line of duty. I thank them and all the men and women of the AGFC for their service and commitment to making sure future generations can experience the natural resources and outdoor activities that we enjoy today.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, tomorrow we will gather in the House Chamber to listen to an address from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu to Capitol Hill and eagerly await his speech. It is expected that he will paint a very vivid and very real picture of the danger a nuclear Iran poses not just to Israel but to the international community as a whole. This threat seems of little concern to the administration--so little, in fact, that the President almost immediately dismissed the idea of meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu while he is in Washington. This is disappointing, to say the least. Instead of taking the opportunity to join with us to reaffirm our support for the State of Israel, the administration has chosen to send the wrong message to our strongest ally in the region. Unfortunately, this has become a pattern. While the administration's official policy has been supportive of Israel, actions speak louder than words, and regrettably this administration's actions are often too quiet. This has not always been the case. During his first term, President Obama fought Palestinian efforts to delegitimize Israel at the U.N. He made clear that such tactics were counterproductive to the peace process and that the Palestinians would put their relationship with us in jeopardy if they sought action against Israel at the International Criminal Court. Many Israelis are rightfully concerned that we will not have their backs when the Palestinian Authority becomes a full member of the International Criminal Court and follows through on this threat. I raised this issue with Secretary Kerry during an Appropriations Committee hearing last week, reminding him that the law explicitly prohibits funding for the Palestinian Authority if they initiate or actively support an International Criminal Court investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes. The Secretary said that the Palestinian Authority's actions amounted to a ``terrible exercise in judgment'' but stopped short of saying they have violated the law in a way that triggers the cutoff of aid. Three-quarters of this body--Republicans and Democrats alike--don't see it that way. We sent the Israeli people a strong bipartisan message of support when we called on Secretary Kerry to suspend economic aid while the State Department reviews the Palestinian Authority's actions. According to Secretary Kerry's response at the hearing, the State Department will wait to see what the Palestinians do after the first of April before making a decision on economic aid. By then it might be too late. This is exactly why the people of Israel are uneasy with the ongoing nuclear negotiations. The same administration that once spoke out forcefully against these types of tactics now plays a game of wait-and- see with the Palestinians, somehow expecting them to be an honest partner this time around. Israel's lack of confidence in the administration's support is certainly understandable. Let's not forget that this same administration employs high-level officials who publicly disrespect our ally, including at least one willing to use derogatory language to call Prime Minister Netanyahu names during a media interview. Every time that happens, the administration carries on as though these breaches of diplomatic protocol are irrelevant to the U.S.-Israeli relations. The administration sees these actions as having no bearing on the deteriorating state of relations between the two heads of state. Yet, if Prime Minister Netanyahu dares to speak up, the administration labels Israel a problem child--case in point: the President's National Security Adviser calling this upcoming address from Prime Minister Netanyahu ``destructive of the fabric of the relationship.'' Accepting an invitation from the Speaker of the House to address Congress on the severity of the nuclear threat posed by the regime in Tehran is only destructive for U.S.-Israeli relations in the President's eyes because he wants to keep Congress in the dark about the ongoing negotiations. This administration seems intent on doing just that. Not content with the message the Prime Minister is likely to deliver, the administration has moved from actively trying to subvert his address to Congress. According to the Associated Press, the Obama administration is actively considering ways to undermine the Prime Minister's visit. Why is that? Could it be that the Prime Minister sees the flaws of any agreement the Paris talks will yield, and does the administration want to keep this from Congress? As the talks extend on and Tehran engages in more delay tactics, it is apparent that the Obama administration is pursuing a weaker deal with Iran that will allow the country to continue its illicit nuclear program. This agreement has become a must-win for President Obama, so he is willing to concede key requirements that Congress and members of his administration have previously outlined in order to get the Iranians to sign on the dotted line. Any agreement will be a victory in the Obama administration's eyes. Our longstanding policy that the Iranian regime must abandon its nuclear ambitions is itself being abandoned. As former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger noted in his recent testimony to the Armed Services Committee, the Paris talks have long moved from eliminating Iran's ability to enrich uranium to limiting and monitoring a smaller program that would be unable to produce the material for a warhead in less than a year's time. This is a far cry from the starting point Secretary Kerry once argued when he said: ``No deal is better than a bad deal'' with Iran. Now we seem to be moving the goalposts from the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program to containing it. That is not what the President told us these talks were going to accomplish. That is not what six U.N. resolutions intended to prevent. That is certainly not something this Congress should allow to happen without our say. Nothing short of full elimination of Iran's nuclear program could honestly be considered a victory. If these talks fail to produce an agreement that requires that of Iran, Congress must have the authority to reject it. With that, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I wish to honor the oldest Veterans of Foreign War post in Arkansas. VFW Post No. 1322 in Van Buren, AR is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Founded February 13, 1925, the post was named in honor of Robert W. Jack--the first casualty of World War I from Crawford County. Robert Jack was 23-years-old when he was killed by shrapnel on September 22, 1918, in the fourth day of the famous allied drive of St. Mihiel. As a member on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I understand the importance of acknowledging the bravery and valor of the young men and women who fought in defense of our country. Men like Robert Jack, and members of VFW Post 1322, set their personal lives aside to fight for our country. This post recognizes their service, sacrifice and courage. Members are dedicated to improving the community and the lives of its members; offering scholarships to students, teaching flag etiquette to classes, providing local transportation for veterans and hosting community events. As the Robert Jack VFW Post 1322 proudly celebrates its 90th anniversary, the building is also celebrating the 65th anniversary of its groundbreaking. In recent years, the building was in desperate need of maintenance. Members banded together and worked with local organizations and businesses to provide funds for extensive repairs. This is a true testament to the importance of Post 1322 in the community. I congratulate VFW Post 1322 on its 90th anniversary. I wish members the best of luck and many more years of camaraderie, service and investment in the community.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, on February 21, 2015, the city of Clinton, AR will gather for a memorial service for Corporal C.G. Bolden who was killed in action in Korea in 1951. The service will coincide with the return of his remains for proper burial, over 60 years after he left Clinton to fight in the Korean war. As a member of the Army Reserve, Corporal Bolden was called upon to serve shortly after the Korean war started. He had been in theater for only a few months when his family back in Clinton received a telegram with terrible news; Corporal Bolden was missing in action. For the next 64 years, his wife, Geraldean Johnson, would await his return. In the days and months following that telegram, Geraldean would check the paper for news and sneak off to a quiet place to pray for her husband's return. Corporal Bolden--a light weapons infantryman in Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division--was taken prisoner by the enemy on January 5, 1951 and died as a prisoner of war on April 30, 1951. Last month, upon learning his remains had been positively identified, Geraldean recounted to KARK news in Little Rock how her husband would often appear in her dreams over the six decades. ``Those dreams would say he is coming home this time, this is really it,'' she told the reporter. Corporal Bolden was just 22 years old when he was captured while fighting the enemy in South Korea. He was marched to a prison camp just south of Pyongyang in what his wife told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette she heard was ``the coldest weather there ever was.'' About 15 years ago, the military asked for and obtained DNA from Corporal Bolden's remaining siblings to aid in efforts to identify his remains. Last December, the Army contacted Geraldean to notify her of a DNA match. Corporal Bolden became the fifth Arkansan who had disappeared during the Korean war to be identified. Corporal Bolden was posthumously awarded the Prisoner of War Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. I am grateful that after all these years Corporal Bolden will finally be reunited with his wife, son, and other family members. I appreciate the work of those at the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command who helped identify Corporal Bolden. Most of all, we are grateful for Corporal Bolden's service.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, on the same week that the President released his national strategy, a pilot in the Royal Jordanian Air Force was burned alive by radical Islamists. While the administration was putting the finishing touches on this document, the propaganda wing of ISIS was busy too. The jihadist group was pumping out a video of this latest act of horrific brutality. ISIS represents one of the biggest threats to peace of an already unstable region. These terrorists are committed to establishing a new caliphate ruled by shari'a law where all would be forced to convert or die. They are committed to destroying all who stand in their way. If anyone embodies radical Islam, it is ISIS. Given the severity of the threat posed by ISIS, not to mention continuing efforts of Al Qaeda to strike again, you would think a plan to take on radical Islam would be a focal part of the President's national security plan. It is not. In fact, there is no mention of radical Islam in the document at all. What is mentioned instead is global warming. Yes, global warming is discussed in the President's national security strategy, but not radical Islamic extremism. Apparently that is not a threat to the United States. The President and his advisers have stood by this senseless narrative. In a lengthy interview with Vox, the President essentially blamed the media for overhyping the threat of terrorism. He went on to say that terrorism sells because it is ``all about the ratings,'' and climate change is ``a hard story for the media to tell on a day-to-day basis.'' Yesterday the White House spokesman was pressed on this very issue and refused to accept the premise that terrorist groups such as ISIS pose a ``greater clear and present danger'' than global warming. So you can see the disconnect that exists within the administration. But it doesn't end with just this document. The President's budget proposal for the Department of Homeland Security would allocate tens of millions of dollars to protect against climate change. It does so by failing to dedicate funds for communities to identify and disrupt homegrown terror, despite the fact that ISIS is recruiting foreign fighters at a clip never seen before. While the majority of them are from the Middle East, the Wall Street Journal reports that upwards of 20,000 foreign fighters have joined ISIS in the past 2 years. The group's savvy use of social media and its highly orchestrated propaganda campaign has appealed to Westerners as well, bringing thousands of jihadists with passports that allow them to travel with ease to ISIS-controlled territory. Where they will ultimately take the deadly skills they learned in Iraq and Syria remains to be seen. These foreign fighters could return home or even come to the United States, giving ISIS the ability to strike on American soil. The recent attacks in Paris serve as a vivid reminder that the reach of radical Islam extends far beyond the jihadi fighters on the ground in Iraq and in Syria. Meanwhile, the Democrats in this Chamber, at the behest of the President, are holding up the House-passed DHS appropriations bill. Senate Democrats voted three times to filibuster the House-passed Department of Homeland Security funding bill last week. Their objection is that it withholds funding from the President's unconstitutional Executive actions on immigration. They are holding up the entire bill and threatening to shut down DHS to protect the President's priority-- not because the funding is too low or because the programs need reforms. Their complaint is that the President is not getting what he wants. I encourage them to relent on their filibuster so we can debate the bill, make changes if the Chamber sees fit, and send it to the President. If the President truly wants immigration reform, then do it the right way and work with Congress to get it done. Don't go about it on your own unconstitutionally and then threaten to shut down a department charged with protecting Americans. It is out of touch, but it is not the first time this administration's priorities have been at odds with those of the American people. The President once characterized ISIS as the JV team. This is no JV team. As the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee noted, ISIS is the ``largest convergence of Islamist terrorists in history'' that has created a ``pseudo-state dead set on attacking America.'' Preventing ISIS from achieving its goals takes a clear, forceful security strategy both abroad and at home. What the President has put forward is neither. With that, I yield the floor.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, this Saturday, February 7, 2015, members of the Hempstead County community will gather for a memorial service for MSG James William Holt of Hope, AR, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1968. The service will take place on the 47th anniversary of Master Sergeant Holt's heroic actions and will coincide with the return of his remains for proper burial. In the early morning hours of February 7, 1968, the North Vietnamese Army launched a massive, coordinated tank and infantry assault on the Special Forces Camp at Lang Vei that created numerous casualties among the troops defending the base. As a Special Forces medic, Master Sergeant Holt raced around the compound, while under heavy fire, to administer aid to the wounded and move them to safety. His valiant actions during the assault did not end there. While not a weapons specialist, Master Sergeant Holt nonetheless was a professional Special Operations soldier who knew how to fire every weapon in that camp accurately and effectively. He was also a decisive leader who took charge of a silent 106 mm recoilless rifle and brought it to life, destroying three enemy tanks before running out of ammunition. Master Sergeant Holt then supplied himself with light anti-tank weapons and charged into the face of the enemy, single-handedly attacking the tank formation, and allowing time for his brothers-in- arms to fight their way to safety. When two enemy tanks broke through the perimeter, Master Sergeant Holt delivered deadly fire on them, scoring a direct hit on one of the armored vehicles. The Battle of Lang Vei was a short, but costly battle that could have even worse for American forces if it were not for Master Sergeant Holt's heroics. For his acts of bravery, Master Sergeant Holt was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and the Purple Heart. I was at the ceremony in 2013 when Master Sergeant Holt was posthumously inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame and I wish I could be onhand when the community honors him this weekend. These tributes will help ensure Master Sergeant Holt's remarkable story of bravery and selfless sacrifice forever lives on.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, on March 21, 2010, Deborah Johnson of Sherwood, AR, answered a call no parent should ever receive. Her son, 23-year-old Army Private Jeremy Andrew Johnson, was dead from a drug overdose. Private Johnson was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after his deployment to Afghanistan. Deborah said she thought he was getting the proper care he needed during the transition out of the military, but when she received a goodbye text from him, she knew he needed more help. The family made his commanders aware of his suicidal thoughts and Private Johnson was put on suicide watch. Three days later Deborah answered that horrible call. Deborah shared her family's story with me in hopes that other families can be spared the anguish of losing a loved one to mental illness. Deborah understands Congress has an opportunity to deliver help to veterans living with mental illness and prevent suicides by passing the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. This legislation would improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for veterans by increasing access to mental health programs, providing incentives to recruit and retain psychiatrists to treat veterans and enhancing resources for members of the military transitioning to civilian life. The VA estimates 22 veterans commit suicide every day. This trend is tragic and it is unacceptable. We need to provide the VA with the personnel, services, and proper tools to help veterans facing mental illness struggles. These invisible injuries are why we struggle to identify at-risk individuals. As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, my colleagues and I are working to fully understand the scope of mental illness in our veteran community. In the meantime, we are paving the way for improvements. Two weeks ago the Veterans' Affairs Committee met for its first order of business in the 114th Congress--approving the Clay Hunt SAV Act. I am proud to say the committee approved this bill with a bipartisan vote of 15 to 0. Our veterans deserve this care. The VA needs to evaluate its mental health programs using metrics common to mental health practitioners to determine the success of its programs. This legislation will do that. It will help the VA more efficiently use the taxpayer funding it receives to support the programs most effective for our veterans. The House approved this bill in January and I am confident the Senate will follow its lead. Deborah Johnson says she wishes Congress would have taken up legislation to improve mental health services years ago. As the President of the Arkansas chapter of Gold Star Mothers, Deborah hears similarities from other families who have suffered a loss because of suicide. She admits that a one-size-fits-all approach will not adequately address mental health struggles, but she is hopeful the Clay Hunt SAV Act will help prevent other families from suffering the pain hers lives with. We owe it to Deborah and others like her who have lost loved ones to this battle, as well as servicemembers and veterans coping with mental health issues, to make this one of the first bills the 114th Congress sends to President Obama to sign. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, the Senate passed a resolution that I was proud to cosponsor recognizing this week as National School Choice Week. As a former school board member, I understand that State and local governments are best equipped to make education decisions for their communities--not Washington. Students and parents deserve to choose the education that meets their needs. I am committed to empowering parents with the ability to choose the best education options for their children. I asked Arkansans to share with me why school choice is important to them. Crystal Holland of Beebe wrote to me about her son, Hunter, who has high-functioning autism. She wrote that he was misdiagnosed with ADHD when he was 4 years old and diagnosed with autism when he was 11 years old. ``He missed out on some very important critical skills because of all the discipline problems he was having due to anxiety,'' Holland wrote. ``School choice allows me to homeschool him as a result and I am very thankful for the opportunity.'' Bob and Mary Anne Fielder of Hot Springs included competition in their email to me. ``Competition is always good. You would see a much improved public school system,'' they wrote. I agree with the Fielders. Competition among schools improves the standards for everybody. This Congress we will take important steps to improve education nationwide by fixing No Child Left Behind. This is a key vehicle to providing flexibility to States and to families so they can make the choices about education opportunities for their children. This week I skyped with students at public charter schools across Arkansas. The students said having educational options was important to them because it allows them to be better prepared for their interests beyond high school graduation. I am proud to support National School Choice Week and the outstanding educational choices that Arkansas offers. When it comes to education, it is important that we get the job done right. Allowing the freedom to choose between educational options for children is one way we can help parents make the best decision for their children's futures.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. No, No. I thank the Senator. Everything is fine. We appreciate the Senator, as always.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I wish to take a few moments to honor a true champion of veterans, retired Lt. Col. Steve Gray, who is set to retire from public service at the end of this month after nearly 16 years of helping his fellow veterans in Arkansas. Since I came to Washington 13 years ago, Steve has served on my staff advocating for the needs of servicemembers and veterans across the Nation. He has been a trusted aide whose reputation in Arkansas's veterans community is second to none. His passion and advocacy has resulted in better service offerings at veterans facilities across Arkansas. It is reflected in the lives that he has helped make better by solving an individual's problems at the VA. If Steve was able to track down military medals a veteran earned but never received, those medals weren't just dropped in the mail. Steve would crisscross the State, personally delivering them, dressed in his Air Force blues, and present them with the stories of the veteran's time in service. A veteran himself, Steve served honorably in the Air Force as a tactical air controller, with assignments as director of operations and commander in Virginia, Vietnam, California, Utah, Florida, Colorado, Kansas, and Iceland. He also served as national director for the National Guard recruiting, retention, and advertising at the Pentagon. His final assignment before retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel was in Germany where he served as an adviser to the commander and chief of the Air Force in Europe. Along with the work he does in an official capacity, Steve is active in a number of veterans service organizations, including the American Legion and the Wounded Warrior Program. He has served as vice president of the Arkansas Council of Military Officers Association of America. I am excited for Steve as he embarks on the next chapter of his life, but we are losing a fantastic advocate for Arkansas veterans. However, I know that my staff will continue to provide the best possible service to Arkansas's veterans as we have the blueprint on how to do it right, thanks to Steve. He has literally set the gold standard on how to deliver for veterans. I know also that in retirement Steve does not mean to fade from sight. Steve is not the slowing-down type of personality. Certainly he will take some time to travel with his wife Sharon in their retired life. But along with the relaxation, Steve has grand plans to travel the country singing at veterans retirement homes, and he intends to stay active with the Arkansas Veterans Coalition. This is his calling, his passion, and I am quite certain Steve will continue to work with the veterans community for years to come. Thank you, Steve, for your service in uniform, your dedication to your fellow veterans, and most of all thank you for your friendship. I yield the floor.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I wish to honor the life and legacy of Rogers Police Chief James Allen, who passed away on Thursday after a long battle with cancer. After more than three decades of public service, Chief Allen was well respected in the law enforcement community across Arkansas. He was a dedicated leader who devoted his life to law enforcement. Chief Allen graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in criminal justice. Following graduation he joined the Jacksonville Police Department and within a few short years was named the captain of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. Chief Allen was the youngest police chief to serve on the Bentonville Police Force, a position which he held for 22 years. During his time at the helm of the Bentonville Police Department, Chief Allen graduated from the FBI National Academy. In 2011, he became the Rogers police chief. I am greatly appreciative for Chief Allen's continued service over the years to Arkansas and Rogers, the community I call home. Chief Allen was a man of the law, and he was always looking for opportunities to improve the resources for his staff and the community by applying for grants. I was happy to help support his endeavors. I pray for his family and friends during this trying time, and I hope they find comfort knowing that Chief Allen touched so many lives in the State. He will be missed but leaves a lasting legacy.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, tonight we will gather in the House Chamber to listen to the President's State of the Union Address. This will be the first time in Barack Obama's Presidency that he delivers a State of the Union Address to a Republican-led House and Senate. Some see this as a prescription for gridlock. Others, including myself, see this as an opportunity for the executive branch and the legislative branch to work together to actually get some things done. There is recent precedent that shows this arrangement can work. In fact, it is a period of our history where an Arkansan played a huge role. During the final 6 years of Bill Clinton's Presidency, he faced the same situation as our current President. He worked with Republicans to reform the welfare system. He worked with Republicans to balance the budget--an accomplishment that hasn't been repeated since. He worked with Congress--not tried to go around them. Now, I don't expect us to always agree. There are stark ideological differences between President Obama and our Republican majority for which there is really no agreement to be had without one side or the other abandoning their principles, and certainly I do not intend to do that. I don't see the President doing that either. What I do hope is that the President will find common ground with not only Congress but the American people. When that happens, work gets done here. Even in the last Congress, with a Democratic majority in the Senate blocking almost everything in an effort to protect President Obama, we still had flashes of bipartisan agreement. We agreed on the new farm bill, which ensures the continued safety, affordability, and reliability of our food supply while achieving real savings in Federal spending. We reformed the VA to address the horrific wait times our veterans face while trying to receive the health care they earned. And we passed a spending agreement that brings discretionary spending to its lowest level in almost a decade and has a number of provisions that adhere to conservative principles. Both parties did not get everything they wanted in any of these instances, but the final product was the result of individuals coming from different starting points and arriving at the same finish line. That is what the American people want, but that takes an honest commitment from all parties involved. One way the President can show he is really ready to work with Congress is to abandon his misguided plan to circumvent Congress and grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. I anticipate that President Obama will try tonight, once again, to defend his actions by blaming Congress for not passing immigration reform. The truth is everyone in this Chamber is eager to tackle immigration reform. The President is acting unilaterally because he knows Congress does not support his amnesty proposal. He knows the final product of our work will not include that provision. So he intends to go around Congress to get his way. Now the President seems intent to dig his heels in deeper by threatening to veto our efforts to defund his actions. This is just one of the veto threats President Obama has already issued just weeks into the new Congress. This start doesn't bode well for bipartisanship. I hope tonight's speech is light on the veto threats and heavy on the areas where we can find common agreement. I think those are plentiful, and I sincerely believe it is possible. A fair and simple tax system, creating jobs, and making Washington more efficient, effective and accountable--these are the issues that Americans want us to address and areas where compromise is possible. That is where our focus should be and what the country wants--not just what the President wants. If everyone comes to the table ready to work, I think we can surprise everyone with what we can achieve. But it will take Presidential leadership. An Arkansan showed it can be done. President Obama should look to the example of President Clinton for how to move forward and to work with a Republican Congress. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to talk about the Keystone Pipeline. I also wish to thank the Senator from North Dakota for his tireless efforts and his leadership on behalf of getting the Keystone Pipeline project moving. For the past 6 years I have urged the administration to approve the project. I voted for legislation to speed up the pipeline construction. This pipeline makes sense for job creation and the future of our Nation's energy supply. In a recent email survey sent to more than 30,000 Arkansans, I asked what issues the new majority in the Senate should focus on in the 114th Congress. Participants told me that one of their top priorities is an ``all of the above'' energy policy that addresses current and future energy needs. The Senate has an opportunity to pass legislation that is a commonsense plan to improve our Nation's energy supply by approving the Keystone XL Pipeline. Tapping into these Canadian oil sands will offer us a reliable source of energy from one of our strongest allies and trading partners. This is good news as we work to reduce our dependence on oil from regions of the world that are hostile toward our country, and it is good news for Arkansas. Here is why. Approval of this infrastructure project will mean jobs. This is one reason it has the support of both parties. Organized labor has been very vocal in support of the pipeline. Unions understand that this infrastructure project will create well-paying jobs for skilled laborers, and it will do so at no expense to the taxpayers. And it is not just unions; certainly businesses are supportive of the pipeline too, as well as an overwhelming majority of Americans. Last month, as the Senator from North Dakota alluded to, I toured the Welspun Tubular Company, the Little Rock-based company hired to produce hundreds of miles of pipeline for the project. Company officers estimate that 150 jobs will be created just to load the pipe onto the railcars for shipment when the project finally gets the green light. The economic impact has wide reach to Arkansans. Blytheville's Nucor Corporation was slated to make some of the steel for the pipeline, and there is a trickle-down impact throughout the State. A central Arkansas Caterpillar employee wrote to me about the importance of this project to his job because of its impact on his livelihood. ``The Keystone pipeline project would be a huge boost to us,'' he wrote. Once built, the infrastructure will provide a safe and reliable supply of energy. Currently, this oil is transported from Canada to refiners by rail and truck. A new, modern pipeline poses less risk to the environment than these current modes of transportation. The project will help maintain lower fuel prices, which is good for all Americans. At every hurdle, using science and common sense, this project gets the green light. Last week Nebraska's Supreme Court upheld the State's law approving a route for the pipeline through the State. Time and again this project passes the test, but the President has threatened to veto the bill. This isn't surprising considering the administration spent more than 6 years analyzing this and punting a decision down the road until further studies have been conducted. The pipeline is being studied literally to death. It is ready to go. Yet the President is still looking for ways to stop it. The American people deserve this affordable energy. They deserve well-paying jobs. Both can be accomplished by building the Keystone Pipeline. Again, I thank the Senator from North Dakota for his tireless efforts in the past 6 years trying to get this project off the ground. The good news is I think we have made real progress. I yield the floor.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to congratulate the Reed family for earning the distinction of 2014's Arkansas Farm Family of the year. This honor reflects the dedication of Nathan and Kristin Reed to farming and the importance they play in Arkansas's number one industry. Nathan is a fourth-generation farmer. I know that he will pass along his passion for farming to the couple's young children; 2-year-old twins Stanley ``Eldon'' and Jane-Anne and 1-year-old Katherine. The Reeds farm cotton, corn and soybeans on their Lee County farm where they emphasize conservation and sustainability. Using variable rate technology for applying fertilizer and irrigation wells and center pivot systems run off electric power, they save energy. Nathan is also constantly learning about different crops and crop rotating practices by experimenting on the farm. The Reeds are not only committed to farming and producing safe supplies of food and fiber to the world, but they are also committed to their community. Nathan serves on numerous boards and committees. As a long-time friend of the Reed family I understand the importance of farming, agriculture and community involvement that Nathan's father Stanley and his mother Charlene encouraged. Nathan is following in their footsteps. They were named the Lee County Farm Family of the Year in 1984. The Arkansas Farm Bureau's program honors farm families across the State for their outstanding work both on their farms and in their communities. This recognition is a reflection of the contribution to agriculture at the community and State level and its implications for improved farm practices and management. The Reeds are well-deserving of this honor. I congratulate Nathan, Kristin, Stanley, Jane-Anne and Katherine on their outstanding achievements in agriculture and ask my fellow colleagues to join me in honoring them for this accomplishment. I wish them continued success in their future endeavors and look forward to the contributions they will continue to will offer Arkansas farming and agriculture.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I wish to honor Frank Bigger, who will retire as the Pocahontas Mayor after 4 years of public service to the citizens of Arkansas in this elected position. Frank was inspired to run for city mayor at 67, the first political office he has held. Frank ran on the platform of economic prosperity and job creation. In that light, he fought hard alongside the Chamber of Commerce and the Intermodal Authority to bring a Poultry, Egg Company, PECO, processing facility to the county. This created more than 1,000 local jobs and led to improved infrastructure to accommodate the business. Frank helped the community overcome the worst flooding residents remember. Highways, bridges and businesses were closed because of several feet of water from a levee breach of the Black River. Under Frank's leadership, Pocahontas recovered. Before serving as mayor, Frank graduated from Arkansas State University and served on the Black River Technical College board of trustees. In 1996, he retired as president from what is now Pinnacle Frame and Accent, and has also worked as a part-time bank owner and has owned local cattle farms. My staff and I have enjoyed working with Mayor Bigger on the projects important to Pocahontas. I am truly grateful for his years of honorable service and dedication to the community.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I am honored to stand here and recognize my colleague and friend, Arkansas's senior Senator Mark Pryor, for his service to our State, his contributions to our country, and his work across the aisle. I have worked with Senator Pryor during his entire service in the Senate, both as a Member of the House and as a colleague in the Senate. While we don't always agree on policy, we always agree that we need to do what is best for Arkansas and what is best for our Nation. Mark is always ready to step forward, find a solution, and resolve an issue. He is always ready to extend a hand to the other side of the aisle to get support, and he always has Arkansas on his mind. Over the last 4 years, we have introduced several pieces of legislation together, and you will find our names as cosponsors of several other pieces of legislation that all have one goal--helping the people of Arkansas and helping the people of our country. There is a longstanding tradition of collaboration in the Arkansas delegation. When I was elected to the House in 2001, long-time Arkansas Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt gave me some advice I have tried to live by since coming to Washington. He said: John, always remember that once the election is over, it is time to put away the political differences and focus on helping the people of Arkansas. That is how the delegation worked during John Paul's 26 years of congressional service, which included service with Mark's dad, Senator David Pryor, and that is how Mark and I operated as well. I appreciate the welcome Mark gave to me and the help his office offered to my staff when I moved over here to the Senate in 2011. I value his friendship, thank him for his service, and appreciate all he has done for the people of Arkansas. I wish him well in the next chapter of his life. I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BOOZMAN. I will.

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