Roland Burris

Mr. BURRIS

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that my chief of staff, Brady King, and other members of my staff be granted floor privileges during my remarks.

Mr. BURRIS

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate, on November 18, 2010, at 2 p.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Women's Rights Are Human Rights: U.S. Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).''

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 3:30 p.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Oversight of Reconstruction Contracts in Afghanistan and the Role of the Special Inspector General.''

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010. The Committee will meet in room 418 of the Russell Senate Office Building beginning at 10 a.m.

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Assessing the Regulatory and Administrative Burdens on America's Small Businesses.''

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 10 a.m., in SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct an executive business meeting.

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to meet on November 18, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 3 p.m.

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``The State of the American Child: Securing Our Children's Future'' on November 18, 2010. The hearing will commence at 10:30 a.m. in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 1 p.m., in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``International Trade in the Digital Economy.''

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 18, 2010, at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. BURRIS

Mr. BURRIS. I thank the Senator from North Carolina.

Mr. BURRIS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BURRIS. Thank you, Madam President. I wish to extend a special word of gratitude to my old friend who is sitting right there, the Sergeant at Arms, Terry Gainer; the Secretary of the Senate, Nancy Erickson; the secretary for the majority--where did she go--Lula Davis; for their many kindnesses, and a thank-you to the Senate Chaplain, Dr. Barry Black, for his counsel and prayers during my time here. I also wish to acknowledge my fellow freshman Senators: Senators Begich, Bennett, Franken, Gillibrand; the Presiding Officer, the North Carolinian, Senator Hagan; as well as Senators Merkley, Shaheen, Mark Udall, Tom Udall, Mark Warner, and our just departed Senator Kaufman from Delaware. They are tremendous individuals possessing incredible talents and have been a very supportive group for me. Thank you, my freshman colleagues. In a broader sense I wish to also thank all of those who serve under this hallowed dome with quiet and often unheralded dignity and duty. The Senate floor staff, you all do a heck of a job--the maintenance crews, the elevator operators, the Capitol Police, the Senate train drivers, the dining room servers, and the scores of others whose hard and important work ensures the smooth and constant operations of the business that takes place within our Capitol. As I stand to address this Chamber for the last time, I cannot help but reflect on the unlikely path that led me to this point and upon the challenges we continue to face. When I first came to the Senate nearly 2 years ago, our Nation was only days away from inaugurating an African-American man from Chicago as the 44th President of the United States of America. It was a national milestone I never thought I would ever live to see, an incredible moment that speaks volumes about the progress our country has made even in my lifetime. As a child, I knew the injustice of segregation. When I was only about 15 years old, I helped integrate the swimming pool in my hometown of Centralia, IL. Although that incident drove me to pursue a life of public service--dedicating myself to the goals of becoming both a lawyer and a statewide elected official--there was never any guarantee that such a path would be open to me. There were no people of color in elected office in those days, especially not in Illinois and not in Centralia, and there was no path to follow. So I knew from the start that I would have to blaze a trail. Despite the lack of established role models, my parents provided nothing but support and encouragement. They nurtured my dreams and helped me develop the skills to achieve them. In the end, they and my older brother Earl, who is now deceased, and my sister Doris, God bless her, who is still living, were the only role models I needed. The values they instilled in me--of hard work, determination, and unwavering dedication to principle--have guided me throughout my life, and the same values have driven me to take an interest in the next generation. It is that focus on the future that drives all of our legislative energy, to constantly improve the quality of life for the generations to come. Not too many generations ago, my family roots told a different story. I stand in this Chamber as the great-grandson of a man who was born into slavery, in an era when this Senate debated whether he and others like him were worthy of freedom and equal treatment under the law. Yet today I stand among my colleagues on the Senate floor, a Member of the highest body of lawmakers in this land. In some ways, this is a remarkable testament to our Nation's ability to correct the wrongs of generations past, to move always toward that ``more perfect Union.'' However, in other ways, it is a solemn reminder of how far we still have yet to go. In a country as progressive and diverse as any on this planet, I am today the only Black American Member of this Senate. Aside from myself, I can count the number of Blacks who have served in this body on the fingers of a single hand: Blanche K. Bruce, Hiram Revels; Edward Brooke, the last from Illinois, Carol Moseley-Braun, and our President, Barack Obama. Throughout 220 years of Senate history and 111 Congresses, only six Black Americans have been able to serve. This is troubling in its own right. But when the 112th Congress is sworn in this coming January, there will not be a single Black American taking the oath of office in this Chamber. This is simply unacceptable. We can and we will and we must do better. In this regard, and in others, our political process has proven less successful and less representative than it ought to be. Although I have never allowed my race to define me, in a sense it has meant that my constituency as a Senator has stretched far beyond the boundaries of Illinois. Letters, e-mails, and telephone calls have poured in to my office from Black Americans from all across the country, and at times, as I have tried to bring their voices to this Chamber, I have acutely felt the absence of any other Black person to represent them. Our government hardly resembles the diverse country it was elected to represent. Partisan bickering has driven moderates out of both parties and made principled compromise more difficult for those who remain. Too often our politics seem to have become a zero-sum game. It is easy for people to believe that the best argument or the plainest truth would not necessarily win the day anymore. In such a destructive political environment, people are often left wondering who will speak up for them. And the media certainly isn't blameless. News outlets which could play a critical role in educating the American public with facts too often bow to ratings or quick sales and, in the process, end up choosing to pursue the entertainment value of conflict over thoughtful analysis. This is the harsh reality we face. America just can not afford this any longer. We should check these notions at the cloakroom door. This is a critical moment. So I believe it's the responsibility of everyone in this chamber to take ownership of this process once again, to demonstrate leadership, and pledge a return to more responsible rhetoric, and more responsive government. What we face is a test--not only of our willingness to meet the challenges we face, but of the democratic institutions designed to cope with these challenges. Here in the U.S. Senate, this question is paramount. Have our destructive politics left this great body locked in a stalemate--unable to move forward, because of the petty obstructionism that has taken root? Or can this Chamber be made to address these problems once again? Can it be redeemed, by the good people who serve here? I have confidence that it can. It will require the concerted effort of all one hundred Senators to overcome the partisanship that has paralyzed this chamber, and the obstructionist tactics that have become the rule rather than the exception. Colleagues, this is the moment to summon the strength of our convictions, and fight for what we believe in. This is the hour for principled leadership, originating right here in the U.S. Senate. But even as we look to the future and debate the agenda for the upcoming year, I must note with regret that my time here is nearly at an end. Serving as a Member of this body, alongside so many fine colleagues who have become good friends, has been the honor of a lifetime. Together we have achieved passage of the most ambitious legislative agenda since the Great Depression. And a great deal of the credit for our success is owed to Leader Harry Reid. And I am proud of every vote I cast in the name of the people of Illinois, and proud of the more than the 60 bills I sponsored and over 300 I have cosponsored. In the 22 months I have been a Member of the Senate, I have advocated for comprehensive health care reform designed to meet the goals of a public option, and fought to address health care disparities that separate minority communities from the population as a whole; pushed for redirection of subsidized funds that made $68 billion available for new Pell grants and extended new opportunities for minority students to attend historically Black colleges and universities, and predominantly Black Institutions; stood up for minority-owned businesses, and made sure they will have equal opportunity to share in America's renewed prosperity as our economy continues to recover; worked hard to extend unemployment insurance, improve access to COBRA benefits, and create jobs for the people of Illinois and across the country; voted for the sweeping stimulus package that brought this country back from the brink of economic disaster and started us on the road to recovery; introduced legislation that would improve transparency and accountability as stimulus dollars are spent, so the American people can keep their elected officials honest; cosponsored legislation to repeal the military's discriminatory don't ask, don't tell policy, so all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines can serve openly and had a press conference on that. I say to my colleagues, don't filibuster that issue. We need all of our individuals to have an opportunity to serve in the military service, regardless of their sexual orientation. Don't be surprised if I come back for that vote. I am from Chicago, and I will vote twice. I supported major credit card reforms, to prevent credit card companies from abusing their customers; fought for equal pay and benefits for women, to cut down on workplace discrimination; fought for additional impact aid funding, to shore up federal support for school districts that serve military communities and other Federal activities; honored the accomplishments of pioneers like Vice Admiral Samuel Gravely, the first African American to serve as a flag officer in the Navy, and the Montford Marines, the first African-American Marine division; supported the Matthew Shepard Act, which will help make sure those who target people based on sexual orientation, race, or other factors are brought to justice; raised my voice on behalf of Main Street, and all those who have been left behind in our continuing economic recovery, so that everyone can share in the benefits; introduced legislation calling for the Department of the Interior to study a historic site called New Philadelphia, IL--the first settlement founded by a freed African- American slave--for its preservation as part of the National Park system. I hope, as a legacy to Burris, that someday that legislation will pass. I raised awareness of youth violence, which threatens our children and tears our inner cities apart--and must be stopped; fought for veterans' benefits, including the implementation of the new GI bill, so we can honor the service of those who defend our freedom. And now, as we ready to close the books on the one hundred and eleventh Congress and the long and significant chapter of legislative accomplishment, it is time for a new class of Senators to join this fight. I am deeply grateful to my friends on both sides of the aisle for the passion they bring to their work every day. I have witnessed it from the Presiding Officer's chair--and have had the privilege not only to watch the debate but to take part. But now it is time for me to find new ways to serve. This is the arena where great ideas are put to the test, on a national stage. This is where our identity is forged anew, every day, and where our principles are challenged. It is the heart of our democratic process. And although there will be few easy solutions for the problems we face, I will never forget the courage and patriotism that I have seen from countless citizens of Illinois and America over the course of my time here. This is a trying time for our Nation. But as long as the American people have the wisdom to elect leaders like the ones I have come to know in this Chamber--and as long as this Senate remains true to the people we serve--I will never lose faith in our ability to overcome these challenges together. These are my parting remarks from this body. I treat this as an opportunity of a lifetime, and I treat this with great respect and dignity for all of those I have worked with and have come to know in this body. With that, I thank the Chair, I thank all my colleagues, and I yield the floor for the final time. God bless you all. Thank you. Exhibit 1 Office of Senator Roland W. Burris Staff List Washington DC Office Dori Alexandre, Legislative Aide; Roosevelt Barfield, Military Legislative Assistant; Eleanor Bastian, Legislative Assistant; Charles Brown, Legislative Assistant; Nicholas Catino, Legislative Aide; Nate Davern, Legislative Aide; Cynthia Dorsey, Intern Supervisor; Amanda Fox, Legislative Assistant; Joel Griffith, Staff Assistant/Driver; Cristen Hall, Counsel/Legislative Assistant; Giana Hutton, Staff Assistant; Renee Johnson, Legislative Aide; Andy Keeney, Correspondence Manager; Brady King, Chief of Staff; Ursula Lauriston, Deputy Press Secretary; Ken Montoya, Legislative Director; Kyle Moore, Military Fellow; Terry Mullan, Legislative Aide; Robin Nichols, Director of Scheduling; Jim O'Connor, Communications Director; Ford Porter, Legislative Aide; Aleysha Proctor, Administrative Director; Shomaila Sharif, Deputy Administrative Assistant; Stephan Tibbs, Special Assistant. Chicago Office Rachelle Badem, Grant Coordinator/Special Assistant; Matt Berry, Outreach Rep.; Jacqueline Dawkins, Constituent Service Agent/Outreach Rep.; Scott Kagawa, Outreach Rep.; Rodney LaBauex, Staff Assistant; Jazmine Hasty, Small Business Outreach Rep.; Frank S. McClatchey, Small Business Coordinator; My'Ron McGee, Constituent Service Agent/Outreach Rep.; Kristina Michell, Constituent Service Agent; Jason Miller, Constituent Service Agent; Richard Porter, Director of Outreach; Chris Russo, Special Assistant; Kenneth Sawyer, State Director; Tami Stone, State Scheduler; Audrey Till, State Press Secretary; Zorie Valchev, Constituent Service Agent; Erin T. Williams, Assistant to State Director; Marianne Wolf-Astrauskas, Office Manager/Intern Coordinator. Springfield Office Ceceilia Haasis, Constituent Service Agent; Jamar Johnson, Constituent Service Agent; Sally Millichamp, Constituent Service Agent; Bradley Smith, Constituent Service Agent; Jimmie Voss, Downstate Director. Carbondale Office Dina Timmons, Field Rep./Constituent Service Agent.

Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, as you know, one of the first duties delegated to freshman Senators is the high honor of presiding over the Senate. I remember the very first time I sat where you are sitting now, Madam President. Throughout my time as a Member of this august body, I have had the opportunity to spend more than 200 hours in the Presiding Officer's chair and have earned two Golden Gavels. I also had the honor of delivering our first President's--President George Washington's-- Farewell Address on his birthday of this year to this august body. From the chair, I have had the opportunity to listen to the words of my colleagues and reflect upon the great debate that unfolds each and every day--as it has always done throughout our Nation's history--in this, the greatest deliberative body in the world. We come to this Chamber from every State in the Union--Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike. Each of us carries the solemn responsibility of giving voice to the concerns of those we represent. Although we do not always agree, as the debate on this floor will often show, I am always struck by the passion that drives each and every Senator to stand in this singular place in the world and to speak their mind. It is this passion that will always define this Chamber for me. For all the weight of history--for all the great and eloquent sentiments that have been expressed by our forefathers--on a fundamental level this remains a very human place. We stand today, as the Members of this body have done frequently throughout our great Republic's history, at a critical moment. Partisanship and obstructionism threaten to somewhat paralyze this great institution. But it is a testament to the inherent wisdom and durability of the Senate--of the rules and the tradition that govern this institution--that even in the face of great discord we have had the high privilege of serving in the most productive Congress in generations. Despite our many differences, I believe the men and women who make up this Senate remain its greatest strength. It has been the honor of my lifetime to once again represent the people of Illinois and to do so in the Senate. First, as a cabinet member for our Governor, as the Illinois State comptroller, and as Illinois attorney general, the people of my State placed in me a sacred trust and one that throughout my 30 years in public service I made into my life's work: to serve the people of my State to the very best of my ability. In my younger years, shortly after graduating from law school at Howard University, not far from where we stand today, I was turned off by a city with far too much government. I headed to Chicago, convinced that I would not return to this city unless I could be an effective and meaningful part of the solution to the many challenges we face and dreaming of a time I might come back to Washington as a Senator or as Vice President of the United States. That dream took longer to achieve than I could have imagined that day, but in a towering testament to the vibrancy of the American dream, that day came. After decades of experience in the executive branch of Illinois government, I was sworn in as a Senator for Illinois, and this became my first introduction to serving as a legislator. It was the steepest of learning curves, but with the warm assistance of my Senate colleagues, the steady support of my loving family, and the dedication of my tireless staff, I could not be more proud of what we have been able to accomplish together. To my family, my friends, and my staff I owe the deepest thanks. My wife Berlean has always been by my side, and I will always be grateful beyond words for her constant support. My son, Roland II and his wife Marty, and my daughter Rolanda are the pride and joy of my life. Of course, they were just here yesterday, my two grandchildren, Roland Theodore and Ian Alexander, to whom I dedicate my service and for whom I have the greatest hopes and even greater expectations. To my friends and supporters from Chicago to Centralia, I will never forget your smiles and your kind words during even the most difficult of times. To my staff, in DC and those in Springfield, Moline and Carbondale, you have been some of the most dedicated, talented, and professional individuals with whom I ever had the privilege to serve. From the front office staff assistants and interns answering the endless ringing telephones, to my circle of senior advisers who gave me wise and thoughtful counsel throughout, my team has been indispensable to me, and they have all served the people of Illinois with distinction. I am deeply grateful for their service. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the complete list of my staff be printed in the Record following my remarks.

Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to be recognized for as much time as I need to consume.

Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to be able to speak as in morning business.

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

Mr. BURRIS

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, every day we walk the hallowed Halls of the U.S. Capitol, a building filled with statues, busts, and paintings honoring great Americans--Lincoln, Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., names we will never forget because they are the individuals who built and altered the foundation of this country. But we must also never forget to recognize those Americans who may not appear in our history books but whose contributions have helped write our American story, great Americans like Dr. Margaret Burroughs who became a legend in her own time. Dr. Margaret Burroughs is a true American treasure--an artist, advocate, poet, and progressive. She celebrated her 93rd birthday this month and today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring her. Born in Louisiana before women could vote, Dr. Burroughs moved to the south side of Chicago when she was five, eventually studying at both Englewood High School and Chicago State University. Politically active from an early age, Dr. Burroughs and classmate Gwendolyn Brooks joined the NAACP Youth Council, and her ambitions only grew from there. She taught art at DuSable High School for 23 years, and taught humanities at Kennedy King College for over a decade. For most, a 30-year career teaching thousands of students would be enough. But for Dr. Burroughs, her life in education was just one part of her story. This extraordinary woman always opened her doors to friends and colleagues. Her coach-house flat became a social center, which many called ``little Bohemia.'' She worked tirelessly to establish the South Side Community Art Center, opening in 1940. And she nursed her growing interest in the arts by studying at the Art Institute of Chicago where she earned her master's of fine arts in 1948. An established painter and printmaker in her own right, Dr. Burroughs began exhibitions in 1949, showing her work all over the United States and abroad. She was generous enough to gift several of her works to my daughter, and several more adorn the walls of my Home and Senate offices in Chicago. When she founded the DuSable Museum of African-American History in 1961, Dr. Burroughs established herself as one of the outstanding institution builders of her generation. Once again, Dr. Burroughs created a place for people to come together. The museum that began on the ground floor of her Chicago home is now located in Washington Park and has become an internationally recognized resource for African-American art. Dr. Burroughs served as a director of the museum she founded until her appointment as a commissioner of the Chicago Park District in 1985. She has always been committed to the progressive cause, and she has been a prolific writer over the long course of her rich lifetime. Dr. Burroughs contributed to ``Freedomways,'' a publication founded by W.E.B. Du Bois and Paul Robeson, both heroes of hers. She served as art director for the Negro Hall of Fame. She has illustrated a number of children's books. She is an accomplished poet, with poems that triumph African and African-American culture. And she served as an early and often lonely pioneer of black awareness, her writings provided a beacon of hope for a younger generation. Her paintings, poems and prints alone make Dr. Margaret Burroughs an important part of American history. But her desire to pass knowledge, hope, and inspiration to future generations means Dr. Burroughs will also be a significant part of the fabric of our nation. Tens of thousands of African Americans have been touched by her art, taught in her classrooms, motivated by her words, and inspired by the institutions she helped create. In her 1968 poem, ``What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black?,'' she writes about how we can encourage future generations of African Americans. And as she celebrates 93 years on this Earth, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking her for her service. We know that her life's work will long be remembered by future generations: an extraordinary life of an educator, an artist, a poet, and an inspiration. Likewise, I would like to present a eulogy for a second great American. Many towering figures of American history have walked these halls, leaving their legacy written across our shared history. And one American whose life and work have made a deep and indelible mark on this Nation is Bishop Arthur Brazier, who passed just last month after a lifetime of leadership. Those who knew the Bishop personally called him ``one of our nations great moral lights,'' ``a stalwart of the city of Chicago,'' ``father, leader, and friend.'' Bishop Brazier was born and raised on the South Side. After just 1 year at Phillips High School, he dropped out to find work and was promptly drafted into the army where he served as a staff sergeant in India and Myanmar, then known as Burma. Discharged in 1945, he returned to Chicago where he met his future wife. At the age of 26, Brazier was baptized. He took a job as a mail carrier but felt a deep urge to preach. So he began studying at night at the Moody Bible Institute, a place at which my wife served as a professor, and in 1952 became pastor of the Universal Church of Christ. Eight years later, he merged his congregation with that of the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn where he was the pastor for more than 48 years--building a congregation of over 20,000 members. For decades, Bishop Brazier fought gangs and crime and pushed for more affordable homes and better schools. As founding president of The Woodlawn Organization--a group aimed at shepherding his South Side community through racial unrest and neighborhood upheaval--he opposed plans by the nearby University of Chicago to expand, which would have displaced residents and use land he anticipated developing into low-income housing. Bishop Brazier taught the people of Chicago and perhaps the people of the United States to always look forward instead of looking back, saying: ``I do not think it behooves us well to keep talking about the past. The American theme is not the America of history.'' All Americans can benefit from such a profound legacy. The life of Bishop Brazier is a story of expanding equality and opportunity, of people and institutions grappling with social change and striving to live up to the promises of equality they innately know belong to them. Because of Bishop Brazier we are reminded to care for the poor, to focus on spiritual strength rather than material wealth, and that we too can make a difference in our communities. Bishop Brazier's passing has no doubt left a void in the American landscape. But because of his life, his sacrifice, and his great service, we have the foundations for a better tomorrow. My prayers are with his wife Isabelle Brazier; his son Bryon Brazier; his three daughters, Lola Hillman, Janice Dortch and Rosalyn Shepherd; and the countless family members and friends who loved and followed this great man. Mr. President, it is a great honor and privilege that I stand on the floor of the Senate and speak on behalf of these two great Americans, these great Chicagoans and Illinoisans who have done so much for our city, our State, and our Nation. It is my hope and prayer, as my parting words to this U.S. Senate, that these individuals will be memorialized in the archives of this great body. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BURRIS

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, are we in morning business presently?

Mr. BURRIS

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, on October 10, 2010, Taiwan--ROC--our good friend and our partner in peace and economic development will celebrate ``Double Ten Day,'' its national day. I call upon my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to stand with Taiwan and to celebrate this important holiday. The people on Taiwan have a vibrant democracy which sustains one of the region's most important and dynamic economies. Taiwan's economy has become an attractive base for international investment, and it has achieved economic growth of over 6 percent at a time when many world economies are faltering. Taiwan's economic strength has enabled it to become a major international investor, promoting economic development throughout the region. Clearly, Taiwan has much to offer on the world stage, and much to be proud of as they celebrate their Double Ten Day. My good friend Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou deserves both recognition and congratulations for his leadership in negotiating and signing the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, ECFA, this summer which is helping to expand trade between Taiwan and mainland China, reducing regional tensions and encouraging regional prosperity Taiwan has been a strong partner to the United States in our collective work with the World Health Organization, WHO , and I feel strongly that Taiwan should play a similarly valuable role in the work of global aviation safety and security initiated by International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO. I hope my colleagues will join me in urging that important international body to welcome the participation of Taiwan. I ask my colleagues to join with me today in standing to salute Taiwan, as a partner and friend on the world stage, on its Double Ten Day and to reaffirm our friendship, support, and continued progress together and for many years ahead.

Mr. BURRIS

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business.

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I take the floor today to pay tribute to a group of Americans that blazed a trail, people who helped to shape the history we share, and whose contributions deserve recognition at the highest levels. There has been no war fought by or within the United States in which African Americans did not participate. The war for our independence featured all-Black units in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. During the War of 1812, about one-quarter of the Navy involved in the Battle of Lake Erie was Black. Nearly 190,000 African Americans fought for their own freedom in the Civil War. In World War I, over 350,000 Black men served on the Western Front. But prior to 1941, Black servicemen were denied the honor and glory that comes with uniformed service, and their contributions went largely unnoticed. The units were segregated. Black infantry divisions hardly saw the battlefield. They served our Nation with honor, but our Nation did not honor their service. But on June 25, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt changed all that. Executive Order 8802 prohibited racial discrimination in the Nation's military. It was the first Federal action to promote equal opportunity in the United States. Immediately, people of color answered the call and joined all branches of the service. Soon, the very first Black U.S. marines began training at Camp Montford Point in North Carolina. These men would become the first Black drill instructors, the first Black combat troops, and the first Black officers the Marine Corps had ever seen. More than 19,000 Black marines served in the Second World War. Some, like SGM Edgar Huff and SGM Louis Roundtree, served in Korea and Vietnam as well. They earned decorations such as the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. All of the Montford Point marines sacrificed for their country, and for that they deserve our deepest gratitude. But they also did far more than sacrifice on the battlefield. They broke down barriers. Their names may not be as familiar as Washington, Jefferson or Lincoln. But their contribution to the American story deserves more than our respect. Through their actions, they changed the face of the U.S. military. They deserve our praise and recognition. Last fall, I introduced S. 1695, a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point marines. I urge my colleagues to move forward and honor these fine men and women. Every American has benefited from their sacrifice, their bravery, and their leadership. And every American should learn from their fine example. Unfortunately, time is not on our side. Every day, approximately 900 brave American souls who served in World War II pass away. We should honor our greatest generation while we have the chance to look them in the eye and thank them. Since the day a few brave men began their training at Camp Montford Point more than half a century ago, the U.S. Marine Corps has been transformed into a stronger, more diverse fighting force. The legacy of the Montford Point marines represents what is best about this Nation's history. Theirs is a proud chapter in the continuing American story. As I address this Chamber today, I am surrounded by the towering monuments to our Founding Fathers, and the memorials to those who have fought and died so that we might live free. It is time to make the Montford Point marines a part of that immortal history--to award them the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal. I ask that my colleagues join with me in celebrating these American heroes. We need to do it before it is too late, and we will not have any of them to look into the eye and tell them: Thanks for your service. Thanks for standing up against some of the toughest situations on the battlefield but even tougher situations as Blacks on the homefront. I yield the floor.

Mr. BURRIS

Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on September 28, 2010, at 10 a.m.