Mike DeWine

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. If I could reclaim my time, the problem is the colleague of the Senator just told me there was not much of a change at all, and this is the problem with the language: One of the Senators saying there is a change and the other saying there is not much change. That is ambiguous, which is the problem, with all due respect to both of my colleagues, who are great friends. It is the language; it is not the Senators.

Mr. DeWINE. I appreciate the answer. So the Senator is saying this person can actually go in to DIA and say: I want those people. I want them. We are going to take them from DIA, and we are going to put them over here at CIA because I know best what the priorities need to be, and this is national security, and we are going to get it done.

Mr. DeWINE. It is your time.

Mr. DeWINE. I appreciate what the language is, but I want to know, for the history we are establishing today, if my colleague believes that would include the term ``order.'' In other words, a direction that this will be done.

Mr. DeWINE. I yield.

Mr. DeWINE. If I can respond, I understand my colleague's point. It strikes me that we have come a long way in this debate and the evolution of this bill. I think we have gone in the correct direction. I look at where we were 2 months ago or 3 months ago in this debate--it is all for the good. When every one of us speaking on the Senate floor, all four of us who are down here at this moment are basically saying we want the same thing and what we are now debating, I believe, is the language to get there. I think my colleagues, Senator Lieberman, Senator Collins, my colleague from Michigan, would agree we are saying basically we want the same thing. I think that is good. We are going to vote different ways on the Specter amendment, but I think this is progress because there is a consensus that has emerged that we want this head of intelligence in this country to be accountable, to have the control that person lacking them has, so the buck will stop with that person, so when they come in front of our committee we can't hear the excuses. It is going to be a great improvement. I congratulate my colleagues for the great work they have done. I think this debate we have had here for the last 45 minutes has been a very good one. I think we have clarified some things and we clearly clarified, at least in my mind, the intent of the authors of this bill. I think we created some interesting legislative history about what the power of this person should be. There should be no doubt in any person's mind in the future, NID or anyone who has to deal with him, what their powers should be in this area. I think that is all for the good. I thank my colleague and yield the floor.

Mr. DeWINE. I appreciate the response. I was just saying to my colleague that my understanding of the reading of recent history has been that the power has not been adequate, with all due respect, and that the history has indicated there have been times when it has not been satisfactory, the results have not been where they should have been, which would indicate to me that the status quo is not acceptable. That is why I am asking whether the new language--I am trying to understand whether the new language is a significant improvement over the status quo. We are on the floor under the understanding that the status quo is not acceptable. I congratulate my colleagues for trying to improve the status quo. I know they are working to do that. That is why I asked that question. Let me move on to another question.

Mr. DeWINE. I appreciate that.

Mr. DeWINE. I appreciate that. What I do not understand, though, is what I thought I heard earlier on about the Senator's distinction between tasking and control. That does sound like control to me. The Senator from Maine is saying they can task but they cannot control. Basically, that sounds like control to me if you can move someone.

Mr. DeWINE. I appreciate that. If my colleague could answer this: In a real-world situation, when we are dealing with satellites--and we will not go into the countries on the floor--if a decision had to be made in a matter of hours, if we need this information and we need to move from here to there, could that be ordered? I am using the word ``ordered.'' I am not talking about consultation or prayer together. I am talking about ordering it. Can that be ordered? Can this person order this to be done, saying it will be done, I don't care what anybody else says?

Mr. DeWINE. If we can just talk back and forth a minute, let me interject and then the Senator can respond. I appreciate the progress the Senator has made in regard to the budget, and I think that is very important, but we have seen from our work on the Intelligence Committee, in looking at the intelligence community, a lot of these decisions that are being dealt with in the real world, are very time sensitive so when a budget change is made, we are talking about the next year or 2 years. Those are very important. They are changing directions. That is important. So I congratulate the Senator for making that change. I am not concerned that the Senator has not done that in her bill. The Senator has done that. What I am concerned about is the execution. For example, I see in the Specter language: direct, oversee, execute the national intelligence program. Then he goes on to say: supervise, direct, and control the operations of the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, et cetera. So what I see in the Specter language that gives me a great deal of comfort is ``supervise, direct, control operations.'' To me, ``operations'' is the key language because now we are dealing with things that are very time sensitive. What I worry about is not the long-term planning. I am convinced that the Senator has taken care of that and I congratulate her for that. What I worry about is real world examples that I have now, such as we are listening to one country, or we have assets over here that we need to move very quickly over here and target a terrorist organization, and say we have limited assets, can we do that. It is a hypothetical, but could that decision be made?

Mr. DeWINE. I say to my colleague that there are Members besides myself who can privately tell the Senator that there is a history that would indicate this does not work, that the status quo is not acceptable. If what the Senator is telling me today is this is not really much change from the status quo, then I say to my colleague that we have a major problem. I reference the language in the old law. I think my colleague may be right, and let me read the old law, which is the status quo today, and this is the power that the head of the intelligence community has today: establish the requirements and priorities to govern the collection of national intelligence by elements of the intelligence community; next, approve collection requirements; determine collection priorities and resolve conflicts in collection priorities levied on national collection assets, except as otherwise agreed with the Secretary of Defense pursuant to the direction of the President. Just on its face, one would think that resolving these conflicts is already given to the DCI today, and that is why, frankly, I prefer the language of the Specter amendment which talks about the director overseeing the execution of the national intelligence program and to supervise, direct, and control the operations, which to me is the key language. I yield to my colleague.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Jack Livingston, a fellow on the Intelligence Committee staff, be granted floor privileges during the pendency of this bill.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to amend the Corzine-DeWine amendment that is currently at the desk.

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise to support the Corzine-DeWine amendment. I will be very brief. This bill, as I said earlier today, already contains additional money to assist the humanitarian mission in Darfur, in the Sudan. I think everyone in this Chamber knows why this money is necessary. This amendment, that is currently pending that my colleague Senator Corzine and I have submitted, would provide an additional $75 million to be used to support the African Union's mission in Darfur. It would help support these troops. This would be our share of that support. Their mission is necessary. As my colleague said earlier, spending this money now would certainly save us spending money in the future. But it is the right thing to do. Anyone who has seen the pictures of what is going on in Darfur, anyone who has read about this genocide, understands the need to have the African Union troops in there as monitors and for other purposes. They need to be in there. This will contribute and make this money available. So I ask my colleagues to support this as the right thing to do. I thank the Chair.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, as my friend and colleague Senator Leahy has just said, in a few minutes we will be moving to the Foreign Operations bill. I thought I would take a few minutes in anticipation of that to talk a little bit about that bill. Let me begin by thanking Chairman McConnell and Ranking Member Leahy for their great work. In a very tight budgeting year, they did a remarkable, bipartisan job. I also personally thank their staff, Paul Grove, Tim Rieser, and Mark Lippert. Their tireless efforts are greatly appreciated. The staff has done a fabulous job, as have the two Senators. They have a great team. I want to highlight several items. I know my colleagues will be outlining the bill in detail, but I want to talk about several things that I am particularly grateful that they were able to include in this bill, and I think they deserve our thanks. First, this bill provides lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the Darfur region of Sudan. With the support of Chairman McConnell and Ranking Member Leahy, we were able to add $150 million in emergency humanitarian relief. I also want to recognize specific language that we were able to secure in the bill relating to child survival in HIV/AIDS. Specifically, I again thank the chairman and Senator Leahy for their inclusion of language addressing the continued need for mother-to-child transmission programs, as well as the importance of AIDS pediatric treatment. In addition, I am pleased the bill includes specific language about how to protect the transfer of land and property rights to AIDS orphans. These are individuals who cannot be forgotten, and making sure that we protect their rights is so very important. The bill also has an additional $15 million for the child survival primary causes line item. Also, the bill includes the provision of Senators Durbin and Brownback that increases funding to the Global Fund by $150 million, with half of that money dedicated to the treatment and prevention of malaria, a disease that kills over a million people a year, at least 700,000 of them African children. I commend both of my colleagues for that, and I commend, again, Senator Leahy and Senator McConnell for their help on that amendment. Finally, I thank the chairman and ranking member and their staffs for the tremendous attention they have paid to Haiti. Because of their support, the Senate bill provides over $82.5 million, excluding any assistance for food. That represents a 230-percent increase over the administration's original request. As my colleagues know, our assistance to Haiti is critical in helping our neighbor, a nation less than 800 miles from our shores, get back on its feet. The committee included much needed report language in the bill outlining key priorities that should form the basis of our U.S. assistance strategy in Haiti and provides a reporting requirement to ensure that this strategy is developed in a multiyear, long-term fashion. Haiti's needs are immense. We simply cannot afford to turn our backs. Mr. President, the commitment of the chairman and the ranking member to Haiti is clear. The committee's commitment to Haiti is clear and made more so by the support of the amendment we are offering today, a resolution calling for increased international assistance to Haiti. I know my colleague will talk about that shortly. Specifically, the resolution focuses on two principal deficiencies we are facing in Haiti--funding and security, which are challenges that have been even further exacerbated these past few days. Haiti has been hard hit, as we have all read, by Tropical Storm Jeanne. The death toll so far is estimated at over a thousand. But, frankly, we believe that figure is going to climb as more bodies are found. At least 1,200 to 1,300 Haitians are missing, presumably washed out to sea or buried in thick heavy mud. On a personal note, I spoke this morning to my friend, Father Tom Hagan, from the organization Hands Together. Father Tom lives in Haiti and has lived there for many years. I talked to him on a cell phone this morning. He was back in Port-au-Prince. Yesterday, he traveled north to the city of Gonaives, and he also passed through the village of Brunette. He described for me on the phone the devastation he saw. What he told me was just unbelievable, shocking, absolutely tragic. As father Tom moved up north and approached Gonaives, that village, about a mile outside of the city, was covered in water--2, 3, 4 feet of water. He said it was a huge lake, that in some places the water was up to the windows of his truck. He had a terrible time, frankly, getting up there. I have a couple of photographs from Gonaives I want to show my colleagues. This picture was an AP photo taken in Gonaives. The second aerial photo was taken, again, in the city of Gonaives. As Father Tom said, in the city most of the houses have been destroyed. The mud huts and concrete shacks crumbled, leaving standing only the houses made of stone. Anyone who has traveled in Haiti knows that most of the houses are made of mud--mud huts. Very few are made of stone. Very few are really made of anything substantial. Father Tom told me the stench was overwhelming. Dead bodies were littering the roads and floating in the putrid standing water that remains. Dead animals abound and disease, of course, will soon be rampant. Father Tom told me people were wandering about aimlessly in a state of confusion and desperation. He said that you can literally see the fear on people's faces. Mothers could be seen holding dead babies in their arms and walking around. Other mothers were carrying their young children above their heads, trying helplessly to keep them out of the flood water. Father Tom said that even the animals seemed confused and didn't know where to go. Thousands of people have been displaced, with no food, no good water, and no shelter. Father Tom told me that the U.N. troops were visible on the ground, but even their compound is underwater. He saw aid workers from the Pan American Development Foundation. He saw some of their trucks and saw that they were trying to get aid to the people. Some of the trucks did get through to Gonaives, but others were turned over and stuck in the mud. The village of Brunette, which lies very near Gonaives, has also become a lake. In January, 2003, Senator Durbin, Senator Nelson, Senator Nelson's wife Grace, and my wife Fran, and I all traveled to Brunette. We visited the village and met with village leaders and schoolchildren. This is a picture of Brunette, the village we visited on that day. This was one of Father Tom's water development projects. As I said, we met with the village leaders and schoolchildren. It was a very happy day. Senator Durbin and Senator Nelson will recall that the bumpy ride we took, going up from Port-au-Prince, was 50 miles or so. It took about 4 hours to get up there because it was such a rough road. We did get there and saw this village. These are some of the pictures that we took on that day. The village that you see here is now gone, according to Father Tom. It is a lake, totally covered. You cannot see anything. All you can see there is water. It looks like a total lake. Father Tom assumes that the people just went to higher ground. That is the life these people are going to have to try to go back to and try to put together. I ask my colleagues to try to imagine this village we see in this picture completely submerged in water, completely covered in fetid, disease-ridden floodwater. Father Tom said you can no longer see the houses above the water. All you can see is part of a cistern from the water project we visited that day. Clearly, the people of Haiti need our help, now more than ever. This bill today is taking a number of steps that will aid the Haitian people. I congratulate Senator McConnell and Senator Leahy, the chairman and ranking member, for their great work. With this recent disaster, the needs of the people of Haiti--food, water, and medicine--will even be greater. I thank all my colleagues who have been so supportive of the efforts to help bring Haiti back to its feet. I ask them today for their continued support. I ask everyone for their prayers as well. This is a very difficult situation that the people of Haiti face today. The situation Father Tom described is clearly one that necessitates the United States and the international community to become even more involved, to get food in there, to get good water in there, and then be involved in helping to rebuild, in helping these people put their lives back together.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I have come to the floor this afternoon to pay tribute to a man who gave his life in service to our Nation fighting to protect his family, his fellow soldiers, and the Iraqi people. He was a brave young man who was mature certainly beyond his years. Army SSG Paul Mardis served in the Army's 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group based out of Fort Campbell, KY. He was seriously injured in May when he was in northern Iraq and a bomb exploded next to his Humvee. Paul was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to recuperate. Although he fought valiantly to regain his strength, he came down with pneumonia and, tragically, his body was too weak to fight back. He passed away on July 15, 2004. He was only 25 years old. Since his death, I have learned a lot about Paul Mardis. Perhaps most inspiring is that in his all too brief 25 years on this Earth, Paul lived life to the fullest. He accomplished many things of which people twice his age could only dream. Paul was not someone who had things handed to him, either. His life was not always easy. He faced adversity early in his life, and even as a child he learned to cope better than most adults ever could. Paul's parents died when he was growing up. He was 10 when he lost his father and 14 when he lost his mother. If dealt that hand, many people might have become withdrawn and bitter, perhaps, but certainly not Paul. He continued to work hard at school, excel as a football player, and developed a level of maturity uncommon at any age. Following the death of his parents, Paul went to live with his sister Sherri and her husband Tollison. Paul left the life he knew in Coshocton, OH, and moved to Florida. He finished high school there, graduating from Palmetto High in 1997. Though initially he did not want to make the move to Florida--I guess that is understandable with someone his age--Paul made the best of the situation and kept in touch with his friends in Coshocton, especially a young woman named Kacey, whom he would eventually marry in October of 2002. After graduation, Paul attended Manatee Community College for a time. He knew he needed to earn more money to complete his college degree, so he decided to join the Army. Paul enlisted in September 1998 as an indirect fire infantryman, but he aspired to join the Special Operations Forces. He reached this goal when he became a Green Beret in 2001. SFC Don Kabrich, who served with Paul, once said that ``Special Forces put our group through an assessment selection process. It's 3 weeks of circumstances and situations that take the cover off an individual, and you see who's inside. They found the best of the best in Paul.'' One of the most impressive things about Paul was that if anyone had a right to boast about his skills and accomplishments, it was certainly Paul Mardis. But he never did. He did not brag. He did not boast. He quietly went about his job--and doing it well, I might add. Unbeknownst to his family, Paul had earned several awards in the short time he had been in the Army. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for Valor in Combat, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, a Purple Heart, and had successfully completed all the schools of the elite forces, including graduating with honors from basic airborne school. Despite the accolades, Paul remained modest. When a nurse called him a hero as he lay recovering in the hospital, Paul insisted that he was nothing special, that he was just doing his job. But, Mr. President, we know better. Paul touched the lives of all those with whom he came in contact, including Iraqis whom he barely knew. When Baghdad fell, Paul was part of a Special Forces liaison to the emerging political parties. At age 24--24--he was actively working to restructure a foreign government, an amazing accomplishment for anyone, but particularly someone his age. Although he had many professional successes, Paul cultivated personal relationships in the Army that were very dear to him. Paul's Army buddies fondly remember him. They liked to joke that he was an ``organizational fanatic.'' After finding old receipts tucked away in a filing cabinet, Paul took it upon himself to reinvent his unit's filing system. SSG Mark Conant, Paul's comrade, commented: I believe Paul has entered the pearly Gates of Heaven and relieved St. Peter of his duties to get people through the gates more efficiently. Conant and others also described Paul as an asset to the team and as a great friend. I had the privilege of meeting Paul's family and some of his friends. His sister Sherri remembered that Paul never did anything halfway. He always went above and beyond what was expected. This is undeniable. Paul answered our Nation's call to serve and did whatever was needed. It is impossible to honor Paul the way he deserves. The nature of his sacrifice will not allow it. I know that my words must fall short and my words must be inadequate. With that in mind, though, I would like to conclude with the words of Paul's wife Kacey. She said this about her beloved husband: Paul was a brave individual who put his life on the line so that we could be free. He loved his country, fellow soldiers, and believed in what he was doing. We can go to sleep at night knowing that the world is a safer place because of people like Paul who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. He was a true American hero. Though Paul Mardis never wanted to call himself a hero, he could not be more deserving of the title. I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I want to also add that while there is a great deal of misery and suffering going on in Haiti right now because of the flooding, my home State of Ohio is also hurting. Several large regions of our State--the southern part, the eastern part--have also been very hard hit. At least seven people we know of have died as a result of flooding since August. The hurricane has hit Ohio and has caused quite a toll. I will be traveling in some of that region in Ohio tomorrow to take a look myself. My representative Karen Sloan has been on the scene. She represents me out of my Marietta office, but she has been traveling throughout that region for a number of days and has been reporting back to me daily. The people on the ground have been doing a great job, a courageous job. I congratulate them. It is going to take a lot of time to get things back up and running in a number of communities that have been hardest hit. I commend Governor Taft. I commend the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. I commend the men and women of the Ohio National Guard. I also commend the local officials who have worked so tirelessly, but also the countless volunteers and organizations who have worked to try to help the people who have been put out of their homes, people who have lost property, and people who have lost their loved ones. I congratulate them and thank them for the great work they have done. A lot of work still remains to be done in Ohio, as I know there does in many other States as well.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I believe Porter Goss is the right man certainly in this crucial time in the history of our intelligence community. Porter Goss spent over a decade at the CIA. He had the opportunity to see it from the inside, to work there in a distinguished career. For the last few years, he has had the opportunity to serve in the Congress, to serve on the Intelligence Committee in the House, and then for the last few years as the chairman. I think it is significant that he has been the chairman for the last few years at the same time many of us have served on the Senate Intelligence Committee, when the force of history has compelled all of us to examine as we have never done before the role of the intelligence community in the world we live in today, a world confronted by the failures of the intelligence community, where we have taken a magnifying glass for the last several years as Members of the House and Members of the Senate to see exactly what is wrong with the intelligence community. There has only been a handful of people who have had that experience. Some of them are in this room today. Porter Goss has distinguished himself in that exercise as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, as the leader in the House when we went through the joint Senate-House investigation. I had the chance to watch him through that endeavor. I had the chance to watch him learn, as all of us did, about the tragedy of September 11 and how the intelligence community did not function the way we want it to function. In Porter Goss we will have someone who knows the community from the inside, but also has stood back, been on the other side, been on the outside, and has looked at it to see what is wrong, and has looked at it in a critical time in our history. I think that is so very important as we begin the task as a country and he begins the task as the new Director of the CIA to bring about needed reform. This is a tough job, but I believe Porter Goss is a tough man. I believe he is the right man. Some people might say this is an impossible job. I do not know if it is an impossible job, but it is a very difficult job. Let us think about it for a moment. This is the man who walks in to see the President every morning, walks in to the Oval Office and greets him, gives him the intelligence report. I think we all understand there has to be a chemistry between the President and the Director; that if there isn't, that relationship--and we have seen that in the past with Presidents and Directors, sometimes there isn't that relationship--if there isn't that relationship, they do not talk and the country suffers. There has to be a relationship of trust, of confidence. Yet that same man who comes in to see the President every morning where there has to be that relationship, that trust, that rapport, is also a man who has to tell the President what the President does not want to hear; a man who has to have the guts to do it; a man who has to look the President in the eye and have the guts to tell the President of the United States, the most powerful man in the world, Mr. President, that is not the way it is; or maybe a more difficult thing to say, Mr. President, we messed up, we were wrong 6 months ago or 3 months ago, what we told you was not right; or maybe this is the toughest thing of all to say to the President, Mr. President, we don't know. And when we look at some of the problems, some hypothetical, some factual, some of the things that occurred, those have been some of the problems. That man has to also be able to look at the President of the United States and say, Well, here is what we think it is, but also there are people in the intelligence community who have a minority view. That man has to have the guts to tell the President that as well. That is a difficult job. This man also is the person who protects us every day in this world because he is the one who has to be in charge of putting together all of the intelligence. And today it is the intelligence that protects us just as much as our national defense. The facts he comes up with, our intelligence community comes up with, are our first line of defense today. Yet we are telling this man today, if you get this job, at the same time you are carrying on this war on terrorism and you are providing these facts, we expect you to go as fast as you can to carry out reform. Further, we tell this man that he has to deal with whatever today's crisis is. What we are focused on, of course, is terrorism today. But he has to deal with the long-term crises--nuclear proliferation, what is going on in China, you pick the challenge. He has to be 5 years out, or 10 or 15 years out, and he had better not get it wrong. This is a new era for the CIA, a new era for the intelligence community which came to maturity in the Cold War, the Soviet Union versus the United States. We sort of understood in those decades when we developed that intelligence community. Official cover worked pretty well. The new head of the intelligence community has to continue that change, continue to change away from that. We have to move out from the official cover to a nonofficial cover. That is just one of the changes that has to take place. It is a tough job. I think when you vote on someone's confirmation, a lot of this is kind of a gut check. You don't know what the exact issues are going to be in the future. This is an intensely personal job, as I have pointed out. The person who runs the agency, I suspect we are going to end up giving a lot more power. If Porter Goss is confirmed, he may end up with an entirely different job later on. He is going to run a big intelligence community, but it is also an intensely personal job in that relationship with the Congress and that relationship with all of the consumers. And the ultimate consumer, of course, being the Commander in Chief, the President of the United States. I think it gets down to a lot of the person. What do you think of this guy, or woman if that be the case? Can they handle it? I think it is helpful to talk to some of the persons who know this person best. I was struck by the testimony of the two Senators from Florida, Senator Bob Graham, of course, the senior Senator, but also significantly the chairman of the Select Intelligence Committee of the Senate, and a pretty harsh critic of the intelligence community and of the administration. This is what he had to say: Let me say at the beginning that I am not unbiased. I believe that Porter Goss is an exceptional human being and will be an exceptional head of our Central Intelligence. Senator Graham also said: Mr. Chairman, I have known Porter Goss for well over two decades, and I can tell you from personal experience that he is uniquely qualified to be here today as the President's nominee to serve as the Director of Central Intelligence. He is a man of great character, unusual intelligence, a tremendous work ethic, and an outstanding personal and professional standard of integrity. Senator Graham added that as Governor of Florida, when he first met the nominee: Party affiliation did not matter then. What was necessary, good men and women who could carry out a difficult task. My colleagues, I believe party affiliation does not matter today. The challenge that Porter Goss, on a much magnified scale, will face as Director of Central Intelligence is very analogous to the challenge he faced 20 years ago in restoring integrity to his local community and completing a very complex project. As to Porter Goss's fitness to serve as an independent, unbiased DCI, this is what Senator Graham of Florida said. . . . when it comes to the intelligence community, Congressman Goss has, in my judgment, a balanced perspective, a perspective gained both as an insider and then as an outsider. For a decade, early in his career, Congressman Goss served our Nation in both the Army and the CIA. He knows firsthand the value and the risk of clandestine operations. Since he has been in Congress, especially as a member and chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, he came to know the agencies from an oversight capacity. Senator Graham continued: Some have said he is too close to the intelligence agencies, that he would be too protective of the status quo. Well, most of you served with Porter and myself on the joint inquiry into the events of 9/11. I believe you would join me in saying from that experience Porter is a man who will be independent in his judgments and unflinching in his criticism where he believes they are necessary. Senator Graham concluded with these words: I am confident he will not be a part of the problem but rather a leader in taking us toward principled, thoughtful solutions when it comes to reforming the intelligence community. I strongly recommend the confirmation of Porter Goss. Senator Bill Nelson also participated in the September 14 Goss confirmation hearing. These are some of the things Senator Nelson had to say: I think we need intelligence reform. I think we need it now. And I think Porter Goss is the man to lead the effort. Senator Nelson also called Porter Goss: . . . a uniquely gifted individual whose public life has been illustrative of being nonpartisan, fair, and independent. The Senator further pointed out that: Those characteristics in this town that is so highly charged with partisanship are sorely needed in a Director of Central Intelligence. Those statements are from his two colleagues on the other side of the aisle from Florida. I think sometimes it is good to know and talk to people who know someone best. Mr. President and Members of the Senate, let me conclude by saying I have known Porter Goss for a long time. I have dealt with him on issues not just in the area of intelligence. Sometimes you get to know people in the Senate and the House working in Congress on a variety of issues. Porter Goss and I had shared a tragic situation when we had constituents, hemophiliacs who acquired AIDS because they had to take massive amounts of blood because of their condition. The blood was tainted. It is a long story. I will not go into it now. But the blood was tainted because we thought there was an error made by the Federal Government, that the Federal Government did not become involved early enough, that the Federal Government made mistakes. I had constituents. I listened to their tragic story. Porter Goss listened to some constituents of his. So we both moved in our respective bodies to try to bring about some help for these folks. I saw how compassionate he was and how strongly he felt about the issue and what he did about it and how he took that passion and feeling he felt for those folks in wanting to do something about it. I worked with him. I traveled with him to Haiti, the poorest country in this hemisphere. I have seen his compassion for the people of Haiti. I have worked with him on the Intelligence Committee. I will be honest with you, I have had the occasion, many times, to pick up the phone and call across the Capitol and ask Porter: What is really going on in the intelligence community? What is really going on at the CIA? I will tell you, each time he had an insight that was unrivaled, or rivaled by very few people I have talked to, of what was really going on inside the intelligence community. That is an insight that came about from his years of experience inside the community and his years of experience of watching the community in the oversight capacity while being on the committee and of being the chairman. He has a passion and an understanding of the intelligence community and of what needs to be done to change it. He understands the importance of human intelligence. Long before it was fashionable in this town to be saying, oh, we have to have more human intelligence, Porter Goss was pushing, pushing, and pushing the intelligence community for more human intelligence. It may not have been flashy, it may not have been with a lot of big speeches, but he was there. He understood it. He understood what the needs were. This man gets it. If you want someone to lead the reform of this community, if you want someone who understands what the problems are, who can do it from the inside, if you want someone who will have the guts to report to the President of the United States and tell it like it is, Porter Goss is your man. So, Mr. President, I am proud to come to the floor today to recommend to my colleagues, based on my personal experience with this man, what I have seen over the years, that we vote for his confirmation. He has a tough job and, yes, it may be almost an impossible job, but I think he is the right man at the right time at this point in our history. I thank the Chair and yield the floor.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Louisiana, Ms. Landrieu, the ranking member on the DC Appropriations Subcommittee, for her hard work and efforts in helping to draft the appropriations bill before us today. This bill provides $560 million in Federal funds for the District of Columbia and includes the city's own local budget of $6.2 billion. The funds in this bill focus on a number of key priorities for the District of Columbia: First, improving the lives and opportunities for children in the District; second, reducing and preventing crime in the District; and third, increasing security in our Nation's capital. The bill continues an initiative we began last year to help improve the city's long-troubled foster care system by providing funds for intensive intervention when children first enter care; providing resources for early and continued mental health services for all children in foster care; providing incentives to retain qualified social workers and foster parents; and funding a new computer tracking system for children in foster care. The bill also focuses on children by enhancing educational opportunities for inner-city students. We are continuing to provide a total of $40 million for three interrelated educational components: $13 million to promote excellence in traditional public schools; $13 million to expand choice through high quality charter schools; and $13 million for opportunity scholarships for low-income students in failing schools. The second priority that this bill funds crime fighting in the District. The federal government entirely funds the D.C. Courts and the Court Services and Supervision Agency. The committee is providing a total of $337 million for these agencies, which is $55 million more than the fiscal year enacted level. Most of these additional resources are for renovations and repairs to the City's 4th oldest building, the Historic Old Courthouse, which will make it habitable once again and provide much-needed courtroom capacity. The bill also provides additional resources to enhance supervision of high-risk sex offenders, offenders with mental health problems, and domestic violence offenders. With this bill, we are beginning an important federal investment in a new forensics lab for the District of Columbia. Currently, the city must rely on the generosity of the FBI's crime lab. Because of its own heavy workload, the Bureau limits the amount of evidence that it can process for the city. With so many unsolved rape, murder, and other violent crime cases in the District, a new crime lab is a crucial need. The sobering fact is that, as the seat of our Nation's capital, the District of Columbia is a target of bioterrorism attacks. And, those attacks must be investigated. Indeed, the anthrax attacks of 2001 and the ricin scare of 2004 have shown that a forensics lab is vital to public safety in the District and deserving of federal support. The final priority in this bill is improving security in the District. As the seat of the federal government and as a symbol of our democracy, the District of Columbia faces increased risks of terrorist attacks. Therefore, the bill includes security funding, including resources to complete a Unified Communications Center, which will be the center for coordinated multi-agency responses in the event of regional and national emergencies. The bill also continues to provide funds to reimburse the city for increased police, fire, and emergency personnel costs associated with events that occur in the District because of the presence of the Federal Government. I take this opportunity to recognize the city's leadership in improving the financial condition of the District. Recently, the District received a vote of confidence from Wall Street when its bonds were upgraded two steps from ``BBB+'' to ``A''. Despite this good news about the city's short-term financial performance, I am well aware that the city faces a long-term economic structural imbalance. This imbalance represents a gap between the District's ability to raise revenue at reasonable tax rates and its ability to provide services of reasonable quality to its residents. I recognize that the structural imbalance is driven by expenditure requirements and revenue restrictions which are mostly beyond the control of the District's leadership. Clearly, the city's revenue capacity would be larger without Federal constraints on its taxing authority, such as its inability to tax Federal property or the income of non-residents. I agree that the city faces a troubling problem in the long-term. I want to help close the financial gap and help ensure the long-term economic health of our Nation's capital. This is a Federal enclave, established by the Constitution, and it must live by the constraints imposed on it by the Federal Government. I believe that the Federal Government must recognize the costs it places on the city and the burden it places on the city's infrastructure, all the while limiting the ability of the city to raise revenue. Indeed, many of the problems facing the District result from it being the seat of the Federal Government. This bill takes two small steps to begin to address the structural imbalance. First, we are providing $4 million to assist the city with its annual operating payment to the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority, commonly referred to as the ``Metro''. The District's share of the Metro operating subsidy is $208 million. Whereas the State governments of Maryland and Virginia both help subsidize the Metro, the District does not have a State to help share the burden of this cost. In addition, many Federal workers use the Metro system to travel between Federal buildings throughout the workday. Second, the bill provides $10 million for a combined sewer overflow system. The current system was constructed in 1890 and overflows 60 to 70 times each year, dumping raw sewage into the Anacostia River. Clearly, the Federal Government places a heavy burden on this system and should help share the cost of upgrading it. I believe these small Federal contributions for infrastructure are important, but clearly the Federal Government must do more to help eliminate this structural imbalance that it has helped create. I again thank Senator Landrieu. She and I share the same concerns for the children and residents who live in the District of Columbia, as well as the millions of visitors who come here every year to see America's seat of government. She and I have worked as close partners in writing this bill. Together, we have put together a bill that focuses on improving the well-being of the District's children and protecting the safety of all who live and work here. I thank the Senator from Louisiana, and I turn to her now for her remarks.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army SSG Richard Ramey, from Perry Township, in Stark County, OH. He died on February 8, 2004, when his convoy was attacked in Mahmudiyah, Iraq--a village 20 miles south of Baghdad. Richard lived life well. He made good choices. He never took the easy path. He never shied away from a challenge. That is what drew him to the military. He pursued a career as a soldier knowing the possible dangers. Richard took on one of the most risky jobs in the Army. He took on the responsibility of explosive ordnance disposal. This meant, simply, that if someone found a bomb on the side of the road, or in a building, or anywhere, Richard's task was to disarm it. Many of us would wonder why he volunteered for such a dangerous position. But Richard would have a simple answer. He did it to protect and ensure the safety of his comrades and the Iraqi people. He did it because he was never afraid to do what needed to be done. Richard was born on November 6, 1976, to loving parents, Jerry and Julie Ramey. Jerry can still remember looking at Richard when he was in the hospital baby room. He could not help but laugh at Richard's curly brown hair with its frosted tips. As a boy, Richard was known for hanging around the Perry Township fire station where Jerry was a volunteer fire investigator. Richard loved the excitement of the fire station and being there spending time with his dad. At Perry High School in Massillon, OH, Richard made a lasting impression on all who met him. English teacher and assistant football coach Bob Kilpatrick remembered Richard as: A good guy--a solid citizen. He came to class with his work done, came to practice ready to practice, and came to the game ready to play. Richard was a great football player with an even greater work ethic. As an offensive guard and tackle, he was known for his hard hitting and determination to play despite an injury to his shoulder. Richard's coaches remember that even at practices in the summer heat, he would always be smiling. Speaking of smiling, Richard was known for his sense of humor. One time, he described eggs as ``liquid chickens'' to his teacher--a proclaimed vegetarian. The teacher swore off eggs shortly thereafter. Richard loved the outdoors. He loved to camp, hike, explore caves, and climb. He especially loved to fish. Richard's friends fondly recall how he always caught bigger fish than they did no matter what kind of bait they used or what kind of fishing pole they had. Richard had the same passion for the military that he did for the outdoors. Even as a youngster, Richard's parents knew he would join the military. On Halloween, he would dress up as Rambo or G.I. Joe. Friends remember that at sleepovers, Richard would make them watch his favorite movie, ``Red Dawn''--a film about foreign armies taking over the United States. In third grade, Richard's teacher asked the students to write a sentence about what they wanted to do when they grew up. Richard responded, ``I will go to war and fight if I have to''--a motto he carried with him throughout his all too short life. After high school, Richard joined the Army and entered the service on his mother's birthday. He carried on the military tradition of his family. His dad served 4 years in the Navy, and grandfather Bernard Richard, Sr. fought in World War II, notably at the Battle of the Bulge. While Richard's mother knew that her son would follow his beliefs and do what he felt he needed to do, all she asked was that he call her every week--and he did. She said that ``Richard loved to do his job. No matter where it would take him. He really felt deeply that he wanted to protect people who couldn't protect themselves.'' She understood that it took a special person to do what Richard did. Richard's comrades loved him. They trusted him with their lives. And they had fun together. SSG Max Voelz, a member of Richard's unit, remembers the stories Richard would tell and the pranks he loved to play on people. In one instance, Richard filled an officer's room with balloons from the floor to the ceiling. Richard served at the White House, in Kosovo, and in Egypt before his unit was transferred to Iraq. While in Iraq, he witnessed several tragic events. In December, Richard watched helplessly as one of his comrades and closest friends was killed while trying to defuse a bomb. Clearly shaken and understandably ``numb,'' Richard called home for support from his parents. Shortly thereafter, Richard found himself in close proximity to another exploding bomb. Shrapnel hit his face and ruptured his eardrum. Through it all, Richard's unit became very close. They were family, both at home and in Iraq. Despite these difficult times, Richard did not lose sight of his ultimate goal--to help those who could not help themselves. And that is why he was determined to continue his career in the military. While overseas, he enlisted for 6 more years and was looking forward to his next assignment in Alaska. His mom and dad were planning on driving him there. Richard Ramey always will be remembered for his bravery and dedication to helping make the world a safer place. In the words of his father, Richard lived 80 years in 27--and in those 27, he made a difference. In Massillon, OH, this past February, hundreds of soldiers, firefighters, police, Boy Scouts, sailors, and family and friends paid their final respects to this American hero. Outside the church and along the funeral possession, many more braved the cold to show their support to the Ramey family by waving flags and holding signs. At Perry High School, a memorial plaque and photograph hangs in the hall as tribute to the school's brave alumnus. Richard will forever live on in the hearts and minds of all those who had the privilege of knowing him, including his parents Jerry and Julie, sister Sarah, and brother-in-law, Nicholas. The Reverend Thomas Dyer, who spoke at Richard's funeral service, said it best: [Richard] goes on in our memory with the powerful lesson to each one of us--to make of ourselves the best we can--to make a difference in our home and community. Indeed, Richard made the best of himself and, in doing so, made a very real, very lasting difference in this world. Staff Sergeant Lester ``Buddy'' Kinney, Ii Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a young Ohioan who lost his life in the service of our country--a young Ohioan who dedicated himself to preserving the safety of his family, his friends, the Iraqi people, and his fellow Americans. Army SSG Lester Kinney II was known to his family and friends by a nickname that exemplified his outlook on life, as well as the way he treated all who had the privilege of knowing him--and that nickname was ``Buddy.'' Buddy was born on February 28, 1976, and grew up in Muskingum County, OH. His mother, Barbara, fondly remembers his love for animals, classic cars, Johnny Cash, and blue-grass music. As a young boy, Buddy loved to play pranks on people, especially on Halloween, greatly increasing the popularity of his family's Zanesville home on the holiday. Buddy attended John Glenn High School, where he played baseball and basketball. Described as ``everybody's kid,'' Buddy was the kind of guy you wanted on your team. He was always a team player. And he was always in a good mood and could get along with anyone--and everyone. People liked Buddy Lester. As his former high school principal, Gary Lucas, said: Everybody would be glad to have him as their son. He's the kind of kid you'd be glad to take home to meet your parents. After graduating from high school in 1994, Buddy enlisted in the Army. His mother recalled that Buddy had always liked the ``Be All You Can Be'' commercials and was determined to join the Army from the time he was just 8 years old. Buddy Kinney served in Afghanistan for most of 2003, where he earned a number of awards and decorations for his service and leadership. These include the Bronze Star, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Parachutist Badge, Jumpmaster, and Air Assault Badge. As a section leader in Afghanistan, Buddy was proud that after more than 150 movements in that dangerous country, none of the soldiers under his direction were ever injured. Clearly, Buddy was one of this country's finest soldiers. However, he was more than just a great soldier--he was a family man and a model big brother. Kurtis Bennett loved his big brother. He looked up to him. He respected him. He wanted to be like him. When Kurtis' father passed away, Buddy became the male figure in his life. Kurtis quickly learned that he could count on his brother Buddy for anything. Kurtis fondly remembers how supportive Buddy was of his decisions. When Kurtis graduated from high school, he told his big brother that he was thinking of taking a year off before going to college. Buddy thought that was a good idea. However, the military recruiters came calling and Kurtis decided to sign up. Buddy was proud of his younger brother and helped him decide on joining the Army because of the opportunities it would provide. Buddy was only a phone call away when Kurtis went through basic training. When the two were serving overseas, Kurtis would make sure to call his brother whenever he could. Buddy Kinney had big plans for his life. He married the love of his life, Marisa, on November 24, 2001. Though their married life together was short, it was rich and meaningful. He loved Marisa dearly. Buddy's military career also brought him great fulfillment and meaning. He made 58 jumps as paratrooper, only 2 jumps away from earning a gold star above his parachute wings. He was known for making the best of his opportunities. While stationed in Alaska, Buddy learned to ski, and while in Hawaii he learned to surf. Buddy was proud of his service and believed in what he was doing. After his service in Iraq, Buddy was hoping to become a warrant officer and a helicopter pilot. But, tragically, Lester ``Buddy'' Kinney's dreams were cut short. This country lost one of its finest on January 27, 2004, when a roadside bomb exploded while Buddy was conducting a dismounted patrol near Iskandariyah, Iraq. He had been assigned as the section leader to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, based out of Fort Bragg, NC. I had the privilege of meeting Buddy's family and some of his friends at a service held in his honor. Each remembers Buddy's smiling face and positive attitude. I was particularly moved by a letter that his comrades from their service in Afghanistan wrote. It read in part: We could not ask for a better friend or leader. From the dusty mountains of Afghanistan to the hot, flat desert of Iraq, we will always have a seat open for you. We will always have a place for Buddy in our hearts. He will be cherished forever in the memories of his beloved wife Marisa, mother Barbara, stepfather Jack, brother Kurtis, sister Jodi, grandmother Nita, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, comrades, and friends. Lester ``Buddy'' Kinney is an American hero, and may we always remember the sacrifice he made for us and for our country. Mr. President, I thank the Chair and yield the floor.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to introduce the Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act of 2004. I would like to thank my colleague, Senator Kennedy, for cosponsoring this important piece of legislation. I have come to the floor now many times to talk about asthma, a condition that affects more than 20 million people, including 6.3 million children. As a parent of eight and a grandparent of eight, I am particularly concerned with the disproportionately high number of children who suffer from pediatric asthma--the worst chronic health problem among our Nation's youth. I suffer from asthma, as have some of my children, so I know how frightening and dangerous this disease can be. The statistics on pediatric asthma, especially, highlight the need to do more to combat this disease. An average of one out of every 13 school-age children has asthma and the disease is the leading cause of missed school days due to chronic illness. In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 14 million school days were missed annually because of asthma. More than missed school days, however, are the tragic consequences of the condition. The number of deaths related to pediatric asthma nearly tripled between 1979 and 1996. In 2000, asthma attacks were the cause of 728,000 visits to the emergency room, 214,000 hospitalizations, and 223 deaths. We know that the severity of asthma attacks can be decreased primarily through the control of the disease. Physicians instruct patients to carry their inhalers with them at all times, as they know asthma can strike a child anytime, anywhere--in the classroom, on the playground, or in the lunchroom. Therefore, it is imperative that students have immediate access to their inhalers. However, many schools do not allow students to carry their prescribed lifesaving asthma medication. To date, only 30 States, including my home State of Ohio, have laws or developed policies protecting children's right to carry an inhaler at school. The bill I am introducing today would encourage more States to allow their children to carry their needed asthma medication while they are at school, on the school bus, on the playground, at school sporting events, or on school field trips. It would do so by giving States preference when applying for asthma-related grants. This bill would help protect our Nation's children from the dangers of a sudden asthma attack--an attack that could result in hospitalization or even death. It also would help prevent the consequences of more severe allergic reactions. Many children suffer from asthma attacks and allergy reactions so severe that they need to carry an epinephrine injector with them at all times in the event of sudden, life-threatening attacks. Severe attacks can cause anaphylactic shock which can kill within minutes. This bill would encourage States to adopt laws and policies allowing children to carry their anaphylaxis medication, including epinephrine injectors, while they are at school. Currently, 18 States have developed legislation protecting the rights of children to carry and self-administer epinephrine-injectors. We applaud these States and hope that this bill will encourage more States to follow suit. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to honor and remember a young man from Wilmington, OH, a man who was taken from us far too soon, a young man who lost his life in service to our country in Iraq, a young man who stands as a shining example of bravery, courage, and who had a profound sense of faith. Army SGT Steven Conover, a member of the 82nd Airborne Field Artillery, Charlie Battery, was killed on November 2, 2003, along with 16 other brave Americans. When the helicopter they were riding in was shot down near Fallujah, he was on his way home to Ohio, on his way home for a 2-week leave where he was going to surprise his childhood sweetheart, his wife Brooke, for their second wedding anniversary. Steven was only 21 years of age. While the tragedy of his loss is undeniable, Steven's family and friends take comfort in remembering him as he was, as he always will be, frozen in time as an exuberant young man who tried very hard and succeeded in doing much good in the world. Steven grew up in Wilmington, OH, and attended Wilmington High School, graduating in the year 2000. His friends remember him as laid back, shy, kind, and caring. He also attended the Laurel Observation Vocational School where he was a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC. One of his ROTC instructors, Howard Vosburgh, described Steven this way: [Steven was a] very mature, genuinely nice guy [who] automatically, when he spoke, other people listened. His fellow students looked up to him. I admired him. He was just a cut above his peers. He was that kind of person. Throughout his short life, Steven would gain the admiration of so many people. His hometown of Wilmington honored him with a story in the local paper about his service and the service of three of his relatives who were also serving in Iraq. Not only did several of Steven's relatives dedicate their lives and service to our country, but so did his wife Brooke. While Steven trained at Fort Sill, OK, Brooke enlisted in the Army because she knew how Steven loved his career and figured that they would both end up, as she said, ``lifers.'' Brooke remembered fondly how Steven would help ease her fears before she started basic training. The two would spend as much time together as they could, fishing and walking the trails at the base. However, Brooke suffered a leg muscle injury during basic training that resulted in her honorable discharge. Steven was forced to leave his soulmate when his unit was sent to Iraq in April 2003. He always made an effort to write to his wife, as well as his mother and stepfather in Wilmington. Additionally, Steven remained in contact with students from his alma mater. Wilmington High School created a trophy case that displayed the photos of 22 former students serving overseas in the military and students wrote letters to the soldiers, including Steven. This contact brought Steven great comfort as he dealt with the death of his best friend in combat, as well as the suffering he saw in Iraq. Steven was a devout Christian. He used his faith as a guide during many difficult times while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. As Steven's step-father, Michael, recalled: They were ambushed quite often, and Steven just said he knew the hand of God was on him. He saw the hand of God in Iraq. According to Pastor Elizabeth Looney, who knew Steven since his birth, his time in Iraq changed his beliefs and bolstered his faith. She said of Steven: The pain and suffering he saw increased his resolve to do good and made him proud to serve his country. Steven told her of his desire to return home and sit in the church with her. His faith was strong, and he had a profound sense that he was doing what was right--that it was, in fact, necessary. Upon his death, at a memorial service at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, Steven and five of his fallen comrades were eulogized. The most poignant moment of the service was the final roll call. For those not familiar with the tradition, the Sergeant rises and calls the names of the soldiers present in the audience. Each responds with ``here.'' A deafening silence is the only response to the call for the fallen soldier--the silence that reminds us all of the ultimate sacrifice they each have made. I had the privilege of meeting Steven's family and friends at his funeral service in Wilmington. During the eulogy, Pastor Looney described him as ``a hero . . . mischievous . . . everything he did was funny.'' Most profoundly, though, she described Steven as a watchman--a watchman who protects all of us--who watches over us. She concluded with these words: We're going to miss his smile and his face and all the love he gave. I know where Steven is. We all know where Steven is. His faith guided him through life and into his eternal resting place. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Brooke; his mother Lorraine; step-father Michael; brother Aaron; sisters Kaliegh and Corrie, as well as grandparents, nephews, nieces, aunts, and uncles. I know they miss Steven deeply. Steven Conover was an exceptional young man, who will never be forgotten. Army Specialist James Powell II Mr. President, last October, at one of Saddam Hussein's palaces in Tikrit, Iraq, two fallen United States soldiers were honored by several hundred of their comrades. The mood was somber as troops, in full battle gear, stood in formation for the final roll call. When the call came, Army SP James Powell II and SP Donald Wheeler did not respond. With tears streaming down their faces, the troops paid their final respects to these two brave men. As Battalion Commander, LTC Steve Russell told the soldiers: We will finish their mission. As long as Regulars draw breath, we shall not forget them. We will not forget them either. I come to the Senate Floor today to pay tribute to one of these men-- fellow Ohioan, SP James Powell. James lost his life on October 12, 2003, when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle struck an anti-tank mine in Baji, Iraq. James was serving as a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division based out of Fort Hood, TX. James grew up in Columbus. He graduated from Linden McKinley High School in 1996. Lifelong friend Adam Warrix remembers James as ``outgoing and always looking to help someone out.'' After graduation, James enlisted in the Navy and served from 1997 to 2000, as a seaman apprentice on the USS Arctic. Though he was proud of being in the Navy, James's enlistment provided him with much more than service to his country--it introduced him to his best friend and love of his life, Ruby Mann. James became friends with Ruby's brother while the two men were serving in the Navy together. They went to Kentucky for a hunting trip in September 1998, and while there, James met Ruby for the first time. Ruby says it was love at first sight. She was so taken by James that she asked him out on a date the first night he was there. James joked that he would have asked her, but he was afraid she would say no because of the four inches she had on him. The two went out and fell head over heels for each other. Six months later, James proposed. They married in October 2000. Ruby fondly remembers how much they loved doing the little things at their home in Radcliff, KY--sleeping in on the weekends, lying together on the couch, and drinking coffee in the morning. James and Ruby considered the birth of their daughter, Lauren, as the greatest moment in their lives. James loved his daughter as much as any parent could. Ruby remembers how her husband used to sneak Lauren ice cream and their peek-a-boo matches on the couch. James cried when Lauren told him ``I love you'' for the first time. Determined to make a better life for his wife and daughter, James enlisted in the Army in January 2001. He loved nothing more than being with his family, but his enlistment took him away from them for extended periods of time. James dealt with the separation by throwing himself into his work. He was sent with his unit to Iraq as part of the 4th Infantry Division; its base of operations was in Tikrit. James knew the danger--especially of working in Saddam Hussein's hometown. But to James, it didn't matter; he had a job to do. He wanted to make the world a safer place for his wife and his daughter, and for all of us. SP Tim Moore, who served with James in Iraq, remembered James telling him how much he missed his wife and daughter and how he also missed hunting and fishing. He remembers that James never complained. He did what he had to do. Another comrade, Captain Matt Weber, recalled that James didn't just put on the uniform and go to work--he knew what it truly meant to be a soldier. James was killed just 8 days after he received notice that he would be going home. He had called Ruby to tell her the news and how excited he was. James was looking forward to seeing his family and joining the Kentucky State Police. Despite the news that he would be going home, Army superiors recalled that James still volunteered for a dangerous combat--the very mission that would ultimately take his life. Ruby said that even if James could have known what would happen, he still would have gone on that mission. That is the type of person he was. That is the kind of soldier he was. For his service and bravery, James was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge. James Powell defined bravery, honor, and love of country. Indeed, he was a fine soldier. But more than that, he was a strong, loving, supportive father, husband, and son. I had the privilege of meeting James Powell's family at the memorial service held in his honor. I spoke to Debra Powell, James's mother, who told me how proud she was of her son--how much she loved him. Our Nation lost a great soldier in SP James Powell. He is an American hero whose memory will forever be cherished in the hearts and minds of all those who were privileged to know him. Corporal Andrew D. Simmons Mr. President, an ordnance facility at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq is now called Brownfield Station. The significance of this cannot be overstated nor should the meaning behind it be forgotten. Members of the Marine Wing Support Group 374 renamed the building after one of their fallen comrades--fellow Ohioan Marine Corporal Andrew Simmons, who also went by the name of Andrew Brownfield. Andrew lost his life on March 18, 2004, while serving our Nation in Iraq. He was 24 years old. Andrew was an ordnance man with the task of hanging bombs on planes and helicopters. Major Steve White, Marine casualty affairs officer in Akron, OH made a poignant statement regarding the new name for the ordnance facility. This is what he said: [This] is a reminder to the Marines in Iraq and those preparing to go there that freedom is not free. Marines never forget the sacrifices that were made by those who have gone before us. I rise today to pay tribute to Andrew, whose life and sacrifice should remind all of us that freedom isn't free. Andrew Simmons was born on October 13, 1979. Known for his quick wit and sense of humor, family members and friends fondly recall his proficiency at imitating famous movie characters. Among his favorites were Billy Bob Thornton's character in the movie Slingblade, Dustin Hoffman's character in Rainman, and Tom Hanks character in Forrest Gump. Andrew was always the one making everyone around him laugh. Andrew also had a driving desire to succeed. He grew up in Akron, OH and attended North High School, where he was one of the first students to join a training program that allowed students to divide their time between school and studying a vocation. After graduating from high school in 1999, Andrew held a number of jobs but decided that what he really wanted was to join the military. He wanted to be Marine and was so proud to be one that after boot camp he persuaded three of his friends to join as well. Andrew's mother Melody remembers how Andrew's attitude changed after he graduated from boot camp. She said that ``he walked proud. He had the Marine look, even in civilian clothes.'' Following the tragedy of the September 11 attacks, Andrew knew that he wanted to fight against terrorism. He volunteered to go to Iraq. His fiance, Michell Hackworth, remembered him saying that he wanted a piece of the action--that he wanted to prevent any more terrorist attacks in the United States, and this was his way of doing the most he could. On the day he left for Iraq, Andrew called his mother from California, where he was stationed. He left a message on her machine. In it, he perfectly imitated Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump saying, ``I love you Jenny.'' Andrew also told his mother and fiance; that going to Iraq was something he had to do. He felt it was his duty. Without question, Andrew was an exemplary Marine. His comrades knew they could trust him--they knew they could depend on him. Navy Lieutenant James A. Bradshaw, chaplain for the Marine Wing Support Squadron, had this to say: [Andrew] took a personal interest in every Marine who worked with him and spent extra hours mentoring them and helping them earn their rank, as well as just helping them be more motivated. Andrew and Michell had big plans for the future. Andrew used to say he wanted nine sons. He wanted to relocate to Northeast Ohio. He wanted to become an electrician, or a law enforcement officer. Tragically, those dreams will not be realized. Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, Ohioans have given their support to families and friends of fallen soldiers. They have continually come together to make sure that families know they are not alone in their grief. More than 2,000 people lined the funeral route in Akron to show their support for Andrew's family. In a moving display, people dressed in red, white, and blue. Some carried flags. Others held signs reading, ``Thank you for our freedom.'' Many could not stop the tears and still others waited for over an hour to pay their respects. With their hands over their hearts, mourners silently followed the procession to Andrew's final resting place. Veterans could be seen wearing their uniforms and medals. Tom Bulanda, a Vietnam veteran, stood at the gate of the cemetery with his chest covered in the medals he had earned. He came to honor a fellow Marine--a Marine he considers to be one of his own. We owe a debt of gratitude to Andrew--a debt we can never fully repay. Today, we honor his memory and remember his life. I thank the Chair and yield the floor.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed for up to 30 minutes.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to introduce the Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act of 2004. I would like to thank my colleague, Senator Kennedy, for cosponsoring this important piece of legislation. I have come to the floor now many times to talk about asthma, a condition that affects more than 20 million people, including 6.3 million children. As a parent of eight and a grandparent of eight, I am particularly concerned with the disproportionately high number of children who suffer from pediatric asthma--the worst chronic health problem among our Nation's youth. I suffer from asthma, as have some of my children, so I know how frightening and dangerous this disease can be. The statistics on pediatric asthma, especially, highlight the need to do more to combat this disease. An average of one out of every 13 school-age children has asthma and the disease is the leading cause of missed school days due to chronic illness. In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 14 million school days were missed annually because of asthma. More than missed school days, however, are the tragic consequences of the condition. The number of deaths related to pediatric asthma nearly tripled between 1979 and 1996. In 2000, asthma attacks were the cause of 728,000 visits to the emergency room, 214,000 hospitalizations, and 223 deaths. We know that the severity of asthma attacks can be decreased primarily through the control of the disease. Physicians instruct patients to carry their inhalers with them at all times, as they know asthma can strike a child anytime, anywhere--in the classroom, on the playground, or in the lunchroom. Therefore, it is imperative that students have immediate access to their inhalers. However, many schools do not allow students to carry their prescribed lifesaving asthma medication. To date, only 30 States, including my home State of Ohio, have laws or developed policies protecting children's right to carry an inhaler at school. The bill I am introducing today would encourage more States to allow their children to carry their needed asthma medication while they are at school, on the school bus, on the playground, at school sporting events, or on school field trips. It would do so by giving States preference when applying for asthma-related grants. This bill would help protect our Nation's children from the dangers of a sudden asthma attack--an attack that could result in hospitalization or even death. It also would help prevent the consequences of more severe allergic reactions. Many children suffer from asthma attacks and allergy reactions so severe that they need to carry an epinephrine injector with them at all times in the event of sudden, life-threatening attacks. Severe attacks can cause anaphylactic shock which can kill within minutes. This bill would encourage States to adopt laws and policies allowing children to carry their anaphylaxis medication, including epinephrine injectors, while they are at school. Currently, 18 States have developed legislation protecting the rights of children to carry and self-administer epinephrine-injectors. We applaud these States and hope that this bill will encourage more States to follow suit. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.