Mike DeWine

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, on behalf of the leader, I ask unanimous consent that during the adjournment the junior Senator from South Carolina be authorized to sign duly-enrolled bills or joint resolutions

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, on behalf of the leader, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5117 which was received from the House.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that on Thursday, July 20, at a time determined by the majority leader, after consultation with the Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 16, S. 403, the Child Custody Protection Act.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19. I further ask that following the prayer and the pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved, and the Senate proceed to a period of morning business for up to an hour, with the first 30 minutes under the control of the majority leader or his designee and the final 30 minutes under the control of the Democratic leader or his designee; I further ask that following morning business, the Senate resume consideration of S. 728, the Water Resources Development Act.

Mr. DeWINE. Tomorrow we will resume consideration of the Water Resource Development Act. We hope to complete consideration of that bill tomorrow afternoon. Under the agreement, we have nine amendments in order, two of which we have disposed of today. Tomorrow will be a busy day as we finish our work on the remaining amendments.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I am very pleased that the Senate has passed the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, S. 2430. My colleague from Michigan, Senator Levin, and I believe that this legislation will provide the resources and authority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the States, and the tribes to restore fish and wildlife in the Great Lakes. The program has support from the States, tribes, and nongovernmental groups because it is a good management tool. Over 140 fish species and over 500 species of migratory birds can be found in the basin. The Great Lakes population has been growing, and like many coastal areas, there is a large concentration of people and industry on the coasts. Further, the Great Lakes are threatened by the continuing introduction of invasive species which impact the native food chain and habitat. The fish and wildlife in the Great Lakes are under pressure, and the Great Lakes Fish & Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006 provides needed resources and authority. For instance, the bill would reauthorize the grant program, increasing the amount available for grants to $12 million and add wildlife projects to the types of projects that may receive grants. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service would award grants based on the recommendations from the existing grant proposal review committee, though wildlife experts would be added to this committee. The bill also authorizes up to $6 million each year for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to undertake projects that have a regional benefit to fish and wildlife. Under this new authority, the Service would undertake projects based on the recommendations of States and tribes. This bill reflects the collaboration of nongovernmental groups, as well as tribal, State, and Federal agencies with jurisdiction over the management of fish and wildlife resources of the Great Lakes. All of those groups have the goal of protecting and restoring the Great Lakes fish and wildlife, and this bill will continue in the right direction. I thank all of these groups for their work in shaping this bill. I also thank the staff at the Environment and Public Works Committee, particularly Nathan Richmond and Jo-Ellen Darcy. I understand that Nathan's work in preparing this bill for markup was interrupted by the early arrival of his first child, so I appreciate the staff work involved in moving this bill

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I commemorate a woman who dedicated her life to helping others: Denise Weisenborn. Living in Parma, OH, Denise was a lawyer and advocate of employment and independence for people with disabilities. Denise, who had muscular dystrophy, used a wheelchair all of her life, but never let that stop her from accomplishing her goals. Denise was 51 years old at the time of her death on May 2, 2006. She is survived by her mother Mary Lucille and her sister Diane. Denise spent her entire life overcoming obstacles and then exceeding all expectations. Even though she was unable to attend school, Denise had tutors help her at home during her younger years. As a student at Maple Heights High School, Denise was able to take part in classes while she was home. In 1972, Denise graduated as class valedictorian. She carried on this legacy of academic success by majoring in foreign languages at Cleveland State University, graduating summa cum laude in 1976. Denise then attended Cleveland Marshall College of Law, where she served as an interpreter and finished in the top 20 percent of her class in 1980. She passed the bar exam later that year. These accomplishments were just the beginning of the amazing things Denise Weisenborn would accomplish throughout her life. Denise worked in Columbus as an education lawyer for Ohio Legal Rights Services, where she helped families of children with disabilities get the educational services they needed. She presented a federal case, Roncker v. Walter, in the U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit. Eventually, the severity of her disability made a 40-hour work week very difficult, and she moved back to Cleveland to be closer to her supportive family. She continued to give her talents to help people with disabilities by serving on the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, the Governor's Council on People with Disabilities and the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. She also was an area representative for Assistive Technology of Ohio in the Cleveland area, where she developed medical equipment loan programs for medical goods and adaptive equipment, as well as compiling a directory of service providers. Firmly believing that people with disabilities should be able to live independently, Denise moved from her parents' home to a federally- subsidized apartment building in Parma for people with physical disabilities and urged officials to build additional homes of this kind. Denise also called for home-based employment opportunities for people with disabilities. She was a champion of a program called ``Choices,'' funded through the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, where volunteers provided encouragement and community support to people with disabilities who lived in nursing homes but wanted to live independently in the community. Many people were skeptical that this program would work, but Denise believed in the project. As a result of her leadership, hundreds of Ohioans with disabilities are now living independently in community settings. Denise's advocacy has helped so many people in both their personal and professional lives. Denise was a person of great faith, dedicating a substantial portion of her time to helping others in their own spiritual journeys. She demonstrated this commitment through her work with Rainbow Girls and the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at college. She served as a counsel and Bible study leader for the Billy Graham Crusade in Cleveland and organized and led Bible studies for church youth. Denise once said, ``Of all my experiences, the one which has had the most profound influence on my life, and for which I will be eternally joyous, is the time I gave my life and opened my heart to my Savior, Jesus Christ. Much of my time each day is spent in talking to my Friend and studying His Word.'' Denise was a gifted lawyer. She volunteered her talents to non-profit agencies that helped people with disabilities. She served on the board of commissioners of a large state agency that helped people with disabilities. And she lobbied the state and federal government for the betterment of people like herself. For all these efforts, this attorney with 26 years of experience earned about $5,000 per year. It is a sad irony that although Denise was learned in the law, it was the law--and not her disability--that kept her from earning a living. For Denise, however, having a low income was an act of survival. Denise's health care was covered by Medicaid. Denise had muscular dystrophy. It affected her speech; her voice was soft and quiet, making it difficult to hear her in a crowded room. She relied heavily on assistive technology for independence. She used a power wheelchair for mobility and operated her computer by pointing a laser at an on screen keyboard. She required 24-hour personal attendant care and too frequently her life was interrupted by extended and expensive stays in the hospital when her health declined. Given the severity of her disability, there were no other options for her. The law in Ohio prevented her from earning more money without losing her health care. She was given a Hobson's choice--she had to choose between making a living and living at all. This is why Denise Weisenborn spent the last years of her life fighting for a Medicaid Buy-In program in Ohio. These programs, allowable in States under federal law since 1999, give people with disabilities the right to earn more money, and pay premiums to the State to help cover their health care costs. Medicaid Buy-In removes the powerful, institutional disincentive for people with disabilities to work. If Ohio had a Buy-In program, Denise Weisenborn could have been even more independent by earning a living, helping Ohio cover her health care costs, and paying taxes. Simply put, she could have been a lawyer. It is the independence for which she fought and wanted so deeply, and it is shame that Ohio did not give her that chance before she passed away. It is something that I think those of us who reside in Ohio should think about and consider. It would be a fitting tribute to her life for us to take the appropriate action in Ohio to change the status quo. and to give people like Denise the opportunity to move forward and to work and not have to give up the health care, not have to give up the support that enables them to live, not have to make the choice Denise had to make. Denise Weisenborn led a full and personally enriching life. She fought for people with disabilities and their right to find and sustain employment and to live independently. She dedicated her life to service, and Ohioans with disabilities are much better for her efforts. They are much better for the fact that she lived. Mr. President, I continue to keep the family and friends of Denise Weisenborn in my thoughts and prayers.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, seeing a number of my colleagues on the floor, and I have talked to them, I ask unanimous consent that the following Senators be able to speak in morning business as follows, in this order: Senator Salazar for 5 minutes, Senators Wyden and Smith for a total of 10 minutes, and Senator DeWine for 45 minutes.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, this evening, I come to the floor to pay tribute to a brave Ohioan, Marine LCpl David Mendez Ruiz, who was killed on November 12, 2005--the day after Veterans Day--by a homemade bomb while conducting combat operations in Iraq. He was only 20 years old. Ronald Reagan once said: [S]ome people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. The Marines don't have that problem. The family and friends of David Mendez Ruiz will indeed never doubt the great difference this young man made in the world--both as a marine, as a friend, brother, and son. David was the youngest of eight children, born to Maximiliano and Miriam Mendez. The family moved to the United States from Guatemala when David was 6 years old. At David's funeral, the service began with the Guatemalan national anthem, followed by ``The Star-Spangled Banner.'' David had a profound respect for his roots and a great love and appreciation for the United States--the country for which he would eventually give his life. David's parents instilled in him at an early age a deep reverence and love for God and for his country. David was baptized at and was a member of Cleveland's House of Praise and Prayer, where he was like a son to Eli and Amy Ramos, the church's youth pastors. Before leaving for his second tour of duty in Iraq, David gave Eli a sound system for his car as a gift to repay him for all the times he had spent with him through the years. He wanted Eli to remember him each time he listened to Christian music on his stereo. As Eli has said: That's the way it is. Each time I get into my car, and I put that music on really loud, I remember David. David was a youth full of life, and that is why we all fell in love with him. Indeed, David was full of life and so dedicated to his faith. He regularly attended Sunday church services in Iraq, even though he was thousands of miles away from his home church. Family and friends remember David as a friendly, honorable, compassionate, and courageous man. They describe his huge smile that hid his eyes and brightened a room upon his entry. David was known for having a heart that couldn't say no to someone in need and a love of God and a love of country that motivated him to join the Marines in the first place. David loved being a marine. He had spent almost 8 months in Iraq, returned home, and broke his back during a snowboarding accident. After recuperating, David left to return to Iraq on the Fourth of July. At David's funeral, close friend Brandon Joffre, who went to high school with David at the Greater Cleveland Christian Academy in Middleburg Heights, told mourners that David had always dreamed of joining the service. This is what he said: He always wanted to be in the military, real hard core, definitely born to be a marine. That's the thing. He was killed, but he was killed doing something he loved. He wanted to be there. I expected to grow up and [have] our kids hang out [together], and I'd see him get married and all that. It's hard. Every time I see a picture of him with that smile, I want to cry. Gillian Newman, a friend of David's Since elementary school, told those gathered at the funeral that she loved watching movies with David. They would have great fun trying to remember the lines from the movies, even months later. Most of all, she says that she loved his kind spirit. ``We could challenge him to a game of pool 150 times, and he could beat us every time and never say, `I told you [so] .' '' David's friend Brandon also shared that sentiment: David lived a very honorable life and accomplished a lot in such a short period of time. Words do not describe how proud I am of David. God had a plan for David's life, and David served him well. He was always happy, always had a smile on his face. He made friends everywhere he went. Fellow Marine Marcial Rodriguez, wrote the following words about David: When I heard the news last November that U.S. Marine David Mendez Ruiz, a Hispanic immigrant from Cleveland, died in Iraq, my thoughts were a little strong. I felt pride, but at the same time, anger--pride because David was fulfilling a dream like many young people, to serve by fighting in the U.S. Marines. Even though some people criticized him, he kept serving his country. He lost his life without surrendering to anything, fighting for his country, for a just cause, with honor. I feel anger because many Hispanic young people like us struggle to give Hispanics a good name so that Americans don't think we only cause problems--so that Americans can see that we too, the Hispanic people, contribute our grain of sand, like David's sister Sandra said. . . . That's how David wanted to live his life--with pride, in peace. Mr. President, and Members of the Senate, David demonstrated his commitment to service in so many ways, but his long record of awards speaks for itself. He received the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the War on Terrorism Service Medal, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. David also received the Purple Heart Medal. David Mendez Ruiz was a young man who exemplified courage under pressure and who always strived to make life a little better for those around him. The Greater Cleveland Christian Academy has set up a scholarship in his memory, so that his legacy can live on through the education of other students. There is no better way to carry on the memory of this brave young American who lost his life while fighting to ensure that we can continue to enjoy freedom and opportunity. Mr. President, David Mendez Ruiz is a true hero and proved his unwavering allegiance to the United States in the most selfless way--by giving his life in service to our country. My wife, Fran and I continue to keep David's large and wonderful family and his many friends in our thoughts and in our prayers. Mr. President, I see my colleague on the Senate floor. I have about 10 more minutes. Staff Sergeant Kendall Ivy II Mr. President, this evening I would like to speak in honor of Marine SSgt Kendall Ivy II, a 28-year-old Ohioan who lost his life on May 11, 2005. He was killed by a roadside bomb while serving our country in Iraq.

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Marine SSG Kendall Ivy, II, a 28-year-old Ohioan who lost his life on May 11, 2005. He was killed by a roadside bomb while serving our country in Iraq. A native of Galion, OH, Kendall was a well-known football and baseball athlete at Galion High School, where he graduated in 1995. He joined the military right after high school, applying these athletic skills of teamwork to the Marine Corps. After the military, Kendall was planning to continue his education and become a history teacher and coach. Most important to Kendall was his family, consisting of his wife, Lee Ann, sons, Caleb and Harrison, daughter, Reagan, and parents, Raymond and Venita ``Kay'' Ivy. Additionally, Kendall is survived by three brothers, a sister, and their spouses: Kenneth and Charlotte Ivy, Kathy and Doug Shifley, Kevin and Michelle Ivy, and Keith and Becky Ivy. Lee Ann was 5 months pregnant with their son Gabriel at the time of Kendall's death. Kendall and Lee Ann first saw each other in middle school. Lee Ann said that after she met him, she spent the greatest 14 years of her life. Kendall and Lee Ann got married young. Kendall once told her, ``What if we wait and then die in our late twenties? We would miss out on so much married life.'' Indeed, Kendall Ivy was a true family man. He learned of Caleb's birth when he was pulled out of formation on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Kendall loved his two boys, but the birth of his daughter changed his life, Lee Ann said. He was very much a family man and was looking forward to coming home and spending time with all of them. Venita says that her son was ``destined to be a Marine.'' From the age of 3, he wanted to wear the gold eagle, globe, and anchor insignia of the Corps. He made that happen, becoming a staff sergeant while planning a career in the Marines. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 10 years. Venita said her son told her he ``wanted to serve this country, that we need to be over there in Iraq so they can be free like we are.'' Kevin Ivy also remembers his younger brother's dream of becoming a marine, saying: He lived life to the fullest. He was kindhearted. He loved his country. He loved his president. He believed in what he was doing. Each and everyone of these fine young men and women is in a dangerous situation. But my brother understood that, and he was willing to lay down his life for the cause of freeing these people. Kendall Ivy was loved dearly not only by his family, but also by those who had the privilege to serve with him. Marine CPT Dave Handy wrote the following statement on an Internet tribute site to Kendall: I was then Staff Sergeant Ivy's platoon commander for a short time and remember him leaving the Marine Corps to seek new adventures. I was ecstatic to hear that such a fine leader of Marines had rejoined the Corps and then brought to tears to hear of his death. I remember him as a ruthless enforcer of standards, a superb example for young Marines, and a patient mentor for all around him. All officers should have been so lucky as to serve with enlisted leaders of Staff Sergeant Ivy's superior caliber. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and I look forward to seeing him again on the streets of heaven. Semper Fidelis. On the same tribute site, Aric Wells of Nashville, TN, said: To my friend. To his wife and children. I am deeply sorry. To all who did not have the privilege of knowing Staff Sergeant Ivy, let me tell you that we have lost a great man. A man with morals and convictions that did not waver. A man who would give the shirt off his back to help you out. Staff Sergeant Ivy would go to bat for you when others would turn their backs. He was a damn good man and always a Marine. I will always remember him. Indeed, Kendall Ivy was deeply loved by all those who knew him. At Camp Ripper, Iraq, a new gym was opened on August 1, 2005, named the ``Staff Sergeant Kendall H. Ivy II Memorial Gym.'' His presence is felt daily by those like SGT Johnny A. Noguera, the gym manager. Sergeant Noguera said: Everyone wants to make this place as nice as possible, especially for the Marines who knew Staff Sergeant Ivy. When I was growing up in South America, one of my father's friends had a son who was a Marine. He was so proud of him and he seemed to have this aura around him. That's how Staff Sergeant Ivy was and that's what I wanted to be. I know that many people miss him and they look at this gym as a direct reflection of their love for him. This is why I stress to the guys who work here to keep this place in order so we can properly pay homage to the man who it's named after. The Marines who attended Kendall's funeral remembered going to the gym with him, then not being able to persuade him to leave. At the end of the workout, Kendall would then ask if his arms looked any bigger. Lee Anna says that her husband ``was worse than a woman about his hair and weight.'' To end, I would like to quote Sergeant Downing, who wrote a few words about Kendall on the Internet tribute site. He writes: I served with Staff Sergeant Ivy in Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. Someone once said, `the best compliment you can give is to say he was a good Marine.' Well, Staff Sergeant Ivy was a damn good Marine! Kendall Ivy epitomized not only the meaning of a good Marine, but also of the ideal son, husband, and father. My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family and friends of SSG Kendall Ivy in our thoughts and prayers. I yield the floor. I yield the floor.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee--Chairman Enzi, Ranking Member Kennedy, and Senator Mikulski--as we join in the introduction of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006. Senator Mikulski and I worked to draft and pass the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000, and I am proud to have worked with her again to improve and update these important programs. I also thank Senators Enzi and Kennedy for making this reauthorization a priority for the HELP Committee. Over the months we have negotiated this bipartisan bill, I have greatly appreciated their thoughtful and steady work to get the Older Americans Act to this point. They understand well, as I do, that the quick passage of this reauthorization is the No. 1 recommendation that came out of the White House Conference on Aging. As I have mentioned in the hearings I have chaired of the Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging, the passage of the Older Americans Act reauthorization is the top priority for the subcommittee. Today's bill introduction is an important step forward in that process. As you know, older Americans are a vital and rapidly growing segment of our population. Over 36 million people living in the United States are over the age of 65, accounting for about 12 percent of the population. The Census Bureau projects that 45 years from now, people 65 and older will number nearly 90 million in the United States and comprise 21 percent of the population. The Older Americans Act is an important service provider for these Americans. I strongly believe this reauthorization updates and strengthens the act in many ways. Changes to this bill include plans and means to prepare for changes to the aging demographics. This bill creates a Federal interagency council responsible for ensuring appropriate planning for baby boomer-related needs and population shifts across agencies. Additionally, it will provide for grants and technical assistance for local aging service providers to plan for the baby boomer population. Our bill will also increase the authorization levels of the National Family Caregiver Support Program by 25 percent over current appropriated levels over the next 5 years. This program is also expanded to allow for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's-- between the ages of 50 and 60--to become eligible for support services. Furthermore, it will clarify that this program will serve elderly caregivers who are caring for their adult children with developmental disabilities. Lastly, it clarifies that grandparents caring for adopted grandchildren are covered under this program, and it lowers the age threshold for grandparents to 55 years old. These are important changes to this program and will affect the quality of life for so many individuals who are struggling with the pressures of caring for loved ones. This bill also encourages the voluntary contributions related to title III services from those individuals with a self-declared income at or above 200 percent of the poverty level and based on actual cost of service. This will help programs such as Meals-on-Wheels to expand their services and enable them to more effectively take contributions from those older Americans willing to pay for services. As the number of seniors increases, we need to modify our programs to ensure their economic sustainability. Our amendments will also allow the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants related to the improvement of assistive technology for older Americans. The goal of this provision is to enable older Americans to have the necessary technology to monitor their health and help them remain in their homes as they age. We know most Americans want to remain independent and in their homes as they age, and these grants will help them do just that. This bill also creates a new grant program which provides grants to create innovative models that allow individuals to remain in community- based settings. The need for this grant program was discussed at length in a hearing I held on models for aging in place--specifically naturally occurring retirement communities. As I stated before, Americans want to stay in their communities as they age, and this bill will help them do just that. Further, this bill creates a new grant program, based on recommendations in the President's fiscal year '07 budget, to provide grants to States to enable consumer-driven choices with respect to long-term care. Grants can be used to encourage the planning for long- term care for older Americans. It will also facilitate access to long- term care choices and opportunities and advice on choices for care. Our bill also updates the title V Senior Community Service Employment Program, SCSEP, to allow for a mandatory 4-year competitive grant cycle. It provides a sense of the Senate supporting the community service aspect of the program. Additionally, it limits the time on the program for participants to 3 years, with a 20-percent exemption for certain hard-to-serve populations. This provision balances the need for limiting the time a person spends in this employment program with the recognition that certain populations have special needs. Of great importance to me, this bill also amends the act to focus attention on the mental health needs of older Americans. These changes will establish grants for mental health screening of older Americans and increased awareness of its effects on the elderly population. Too often the mental health needs of older Americans are overlooked; however, they can be as serious and life-threatening as any other illness. The mental health needs of our seniors must be taken more seriously and dealt with more aggressively. I believe this provision significantly moves us forward in this struggle. Finally, this bill includes the language of the Elder Justice bill reported unanimously from the HELP Committee in the 108th Congress to create an office of elder abuse prevention in the administration on Aging; create grants to the States and tribes to prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and collect data from States and other entities on elder abuse. These are important provisions to improve the safety and protect the well-being of our parents, grandparents, and other elderly loved ones. Again, I thank Senator Enzi, Senator Kennedy, and Senator Mikulski for their dedication to the needs of older Americans. I look forward to our continuing work together on this bill as we work to bring it to the Senate floor and the President's desk.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee--Chairman Enzi, Ranking Member Kennedy, and Senator Mikulski--as we join in the introduction of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006. Senator Mikulski and I worked to draft and pass the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000, and I am proud to have worked with her again to improve and update these important programs. I also thank Senators Enzi and Kennedy for making this reauthorization a priority for the HELP Committee. Over the months we have negotiated this bipartisan bill, I have greatly appreciated their thoughtful and steady work to get the Older Americans Act to this point. They understand well, as I do, that the quick passage of this reauthorization is the No. 1 recommendation that came out of the White House Conference on Aging. As I have mentioned in the hearings I have chaired of the Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging, the passage of the Older Americans Act reauthorization is the top priority for the subcommittee. Today's bill introduction is an important step forward in that process. As you know, older Americans are a vital and rapidly growing segment of our population. Over 36 million people living in the United States are over the age of 65, accounting for about 12 percent of the population. The Census Bureau projects that 45 years from now, people 65 and older will number nearly 90 million in the United States and comprise 21 percent of the population. The Older Americans Act is an important service provider for these Americans. I strongly believe this reauthorization updates and strengthens the act in many ways. Changes to this bill include plans and means to prepare for changes to the aging demographics. This bill creates a Federal interagency council responsible for ensuring appropriate planning for baby boomer-related needs and population shifts across agencies. Additionally, it will provide for grants and technical assistance for local aging service providers to plan for the baby boomer population. Our bill will also increase the authorization levels of the National Family Caregiver Support Program by 25 percent over current appropriated levels over the next 5 years. This program is also expanded to allow for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's-- between the ages of 50 and 60--to become eligible for support services. Furthermore, it will clarify that this program will serve elderly caregivers who are caring for their adult children with developmental disabilities. Lastly, it clarifies that grandparents caring for adopted grandchildren are covered under this program, and it lowers the age threshold for grandparents to 55 years old. These are important changes to this program and will affect the quality of life for so many individuals who are struggling with the pressures of caring for loved ones. This bill also encourages the voluntary contributions related to title III services from those individuals with a self-declared income at or above 200 percent of the poverty level and based on actual cost of service. This will help programs such as Meals-on-Wheels to expand their services and enable them to more effectively take contributions from those older Americans willing to pay for services. As the number of seniors increases, we need to modify our programs to ensure their economic sustainability. Our amendments will also allow the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants related to the improvement of assistive technology for older Americans. The goal of this provision is to enable older Americans to have the necessary technology to monitor their health and help them remain in their homes as they age. We know most Americans want to remain independent and in their homes as they age, and these grants will help them do just that. This bill also creates a new grant program which provides grants to create innovative models that allow individuals to remain in community- based settings. The need for this grant program was discussed at length in a hearing I held on models for aging in place--specifically naturally occurring retirement communities. As I stated before, Americans want to stay in their communities as they age, and this bill will help them do just that. Further, this bill creates a new grant program, based on recommendations in the President's fiscal year '07 budget, to provide grants to States to enable consumer-driven choices with respect to long-term care. Grants can be used to encourage the planning for long- term care for older Americans. It will also facilitate access to long- term care choices and opportunities and advice on choices for care. Our bill also updates the title V Senior Community Service Employment Program, SCSEP, to allow for a mandatory 4-year competitive grant cycle. It provides a sense of the Senate supporting the community service aspect of the program. Additionally, it limits the time on the program for participants to 3 years, with a 20-percent exemption for certain hard-to-serve populations. This provision balances the need for limiting the time a person spends in this employment program with the recognition that certain populations have special needs. Of great importance to me, this bill also amends the act to focus attention on the mental health needs of older Americans. These changes will establish grants for mental health screening of older Americans and increased awareness of its effects on the elderly population. Too often the mental health needs of older Americans are overlooked; however, they can be as serious and life-threatening as any other illness. The mental health needs of our seniors must be taken more seriously and dealt with more aggressively. I believe this provision significantly moves us forward in this struggle. Finally, this bill includes the language of the Elder Justice bill reported unanimously from the HELP Committee in the 108th Congress to create an office of elder abuse prevention in the administration on Aging; create grants to the States and tribes to prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and collect data from States and other entities on elder abuse. These are important provisions to improve the safety and protect the well-being of our parents, grandparents, and other elderly loved ones. Again, I thank Senator Enzi, Senator Kennedy, and Senator Mikulski for their dedication to the needs of older Americans. I look forward to our continuing work together on this bill as we work to bring it to the Senate floor and the President's desk.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a distinguished leader in the field of higher education, Dr. Carol Cartwright, president of Kent State University in Ohio. Dr. Cartwright is stepping down after 15 years of valuable service in her role as president. Dr. Cartwright is a visionary, who oversaw significant growth at Kent State during her tenure as president. She provided guidance as Kent State dramatically increased enrollment, research development, and community outreach. Dr. Cartwright has left a lasting impression on higher education in Ohio, and I thank her for her commitment, drive, and optimistic spirit. She has served as an inspiration to both her students and her peers. Not only has Dr. Cartwright provided outstanding leadership during a time of change at Kent State, but she also has worked to expand the institution's relationship with the surrounding community. For example, she helped establish a meaningful partnership between Kent State and the Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis in Green to help discover why multiple sclerosis, MS, which typically strikes during the early adult years, is four times more prevalent in northeast Ohio than anywhere else in the world. Dr. Cartwright's dedication to Kent State's research facilities and equipment improvements allowed for this collaboration and will help people in the region receive treatment, regardless of income. Physicians and researchers will be able to work toward a better understanding of MS, the development of new treatments, and the ultimate goal of finding a cure. Dr. Cartwright's commitment to the community led her to focus on improving the quality of education for children well before the commencement of their college years. Kent State has become a national center for research on the use of technologies for teaching and learning. The College and Graduate School of Education is home to the Research Center for Educational Technology, which opened in 1999. The center provides a network for university researchers and K-16 educators who are working to understand the impact of technology on teaching and learning. These are but a few examples of the years of work that Dr. Cartwright has contributed to Kent State University and the entire State of Ohio. In a recent interview in Crain's Cleveland Business: On the Web, Dr. Cartwright said, ``I'm driven by the opportunity to make a difference. In the end, I will be honored if--in their own way, building on their own example, or their own experience--people will say `she made a difference for Kent State.' '' Indeed, Dr. Cartwright has made a significant difference to Kent State University and thousands of students. I thank her for her vision and dedication to students, faculty, community members, and all those individuals who have been or will someday be positively affected by her work.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I honor the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. In 1956, the people of Hungary stood in the face of adversity and expressed their passion for democracy and independence. They had a vision of what a free and democratic Hungary would look like--a vision that finally came to fruition after nearly 35 years. Only 10 years prior the revolution, Hungarians participated in free elections. Through those elections, the people felt the hope and promise of democracy. The perseverance of these strong people can be seen in their remarkable journey toward freedom. On October 23, 1956, tens of thousands of Hungarians stood in the streets, demanding independence from the Soviets. The revolt began as a peaceful gathering of student protesters that spread to the general population, and the first day ended with clashes between the police and the demonstrators. Those on the streets were advocating for basic principles of liberty--free elections, freedom of the press, withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary, and the return of their Prime Minister Imre Nagy, who had been forced out of office because of his democratic policies. In an attempt to calm the uprising, on October 26, 1956, the Central Committee of the Communist Party reinstated Nagy as Prime Minister. He promised the people of Hungary political freedom and vowed to revive the democratic process. He began by vowing to withdraw Hungary from the Warsaw Pact and declaring neutrality on November 1, 1956. As Nagy was working to satisfy those revolting, the Soviets were working on a plan to counter the revolution. Even though some members of the Hungarian Army defected and worked against the Soviets, ultimately it was not enough to fight off the ever-powerful Soviet regime. Only 12 days after the revolution began, the Soviet Air Force started a counterrevolution, bombing parts of Budapest on November 4, 1956. The hope of the Hungarian people for freedom quickly slipped away. In the days and weeks following the revolution, many of those involved fled to other countries. Prime Minister Nagy tragically, however, was tried in secret and executed in June 1958, paying the ultimate price for his involvement in the revolution. Today, we reflect with Hungarians around the world, including many proud Hungarian Americans, 50 years after this significant time period and celebrate the promise it held for the future of Eastern Europe.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I recognize an outstanding achievement resulting from a century of hard work and perseverance. This August, the Spangler Candy Company, a family-owned business based in Bryan, OH, will be celebrating its 100th birthday. This is quite a milestone--a testament to Spangler's commitment to its customers and community. On August 20, 1906, Arthur Spangler purchased the Gold Leaf Baking Company in Defiance, OH, for $450 and moved the operations to Bryan. The Spangler Manufacturing Company was born, originally producing baking soda, baking powder, corn starch, laundry starch, spices, and flavorings. Arthur's brother, Ernest, joined the company 2 years later and suggested adding candy to the production line. This proved to be an excellent idea. In 1920, the name changed from the Spangler Manufacturing Company to the Spangler Candy Company. Since that time, the Spangler Candy Company has remained a family-owned and operated business and maintains the values that made it so successful--hard work and innovation. In 2001, an outside warehouse fire at Oberhaus Enterprises in Archibold, OH, destroyed 110,000 cases of Spangler products at a value of $6.5 million. This disaster could very easily have destroyed the Spangler spirit, but instead, it only made the organization stronger. Today, the Spangler Candy Company employs about 400 people in the United States and is a global leader in confectionary production and sales. The company has helped many Ohioans build their dreams, while at the same time, the Spangler Corporation has achieved the American dream. So today I salute the Spangler Corporation for a century of demanding work, inspiration, and commitment to the northwest Ohio area. I wish them all the best for the next 100 years.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I request unanimous consent that my proclamation honoring the Bicentennial of the Steubenville Herald-Star newspaper be printed in the Record.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, one of my great passions as a Senator has been advocating for children and advancing initiatives that improve their health and welfare. I wish to share with my colleagues the results of a new study, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, which reports on two simple steps that can be taken to counter a serious health crisis among America's youth. The crisis is obesity among all ages and most seriously among children. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported last month that one-third of all children in the United States are either overweight or dangerously close to becoming so and, as a result, are at increased risk of becoming obese adults and developing diabetes and other health problems. A new ``America on the Move Family Study,'' presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, April 30, 2006, provides the first clinical evidence that overweight children can effectively prevent additional weight gain by making small changes to their daily lifestyle. The study was conducted by the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, the primary research arm for America On the Move Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and communities across the country improve health and quality of life. This study was designed to evaluate whether overweight children could reduce their risk of gaining additional weight through a combination of increasing physical activity and eliminating 100 calories a day from their diet. In the study, investigators randomized 216 families with at least 1 overweight child to either a lifestyle intervention group or a control group. Families in the intervention group were asked to eliminate 100 calories a day from their diet by emphasizing a reduction of dietary sugar and an increase in physical activity by 2,000 steps daily. Families in the control groups were asked to monitor their diet and exercise levels. After 6 months, significantly more overweight children in the intervention group maintained or reduced their percent body mass index, BMI, compared to the self-monitoring group, 67 percent versus 53 percent. The results of this study are striking. By taking two simple, common sense steps--engaging in more physical activity and reducing caloric intake by small amounts--families can help their children control weight gain and reduce obesity. Such steps can have an enormous impact on their health. I applaud this study for bringing this important message to the public's attention.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I would like to address the administration's decision to restore full diplomatic relations with Libya and remove it from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. I agree with the President that Libya has made progress in renouncing and fighting terrorism, but we must not overlook that the families of the victims of the Pan Am bombing continue to wait for the remaining compensation from Libya that was agreed to in 2003. We also must not overlook the victims and their families affected by the La Belle bombing in Germany in 1996, when two American servicemembers were killed and many others were severely injured. I urge the administration to work toward a solution that ensures that the victims' families are fully compensated. At the same time, the Government of Libya should know that as we review this diplomatic proposal over the next several weeks, we will be looking for Libya to continue their forward progress in rejoining the international community. We urge them to make good on their promises to the families who have suffered so much.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Today I join with my colleagues Senator Rockefeller and Senator Domenici to introduce the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006. I am proud to have had the opportunity to again work with my friend, Senator Rockefeller, on the important issues affecting the most vulnerable and at risk children--children in foster care. This is an important bill and I hope we will be able to pass swiftly. In 1997, I worked on the Adoption and Safe Families Act, an important bill that worked to provide timelier placement of children in foster care. Since that time, it has been successful. Dramatically more children are being adopted. Children are spending less time languishing in foster care and have greater opportunities to find a permanent home or family. However, there are barriers that remain for children in foster care--particularly for children who are placed across state lines for various reasons--including trying to place them with family members or if a family in another state is looking to adopt that child. These children are shown to continue to remain in foster care for much longer periods of time. Through no fault of their own--they wait for placement and wait for a permanency in their lives that children long for and deserve. I also want to thank the work that the States have done to alleviate the problems we currently find in interstate placement. This has been a problem for many years, but recently States have been active in creating and promulgating guidelines for dealing with complications that can arise related to interstate placement. I hope that we can see these guidelines soon implemented. The primary power to move these children to homes rests with the States, and we want to encourage their quick action. This bill will require and support States in the expeditious study of homes for children in foster care who may be placed or adopted across State lines. This bill would allow a 60-day period for such study to occur--while 2 months is a long time in the life of a child, we feel that it is an appropriate balance between the needs of the State and child welfare agencies to conduct thorough assessments and the needs of the child to be in a more permanent home. This bill also expresses the sense of the Congress that States should accept the home study evaluations done by another State. This would go a long way to reduce time waiting for placement and redundancy of effort in the child welfare system. Importantly, this bill is not just another mandate on States. This bill would provide resources to enhance and speed up their systems for interstate placement--but States do have to earn it. If passed, it would provide $1,500 per child who was placed within a 30-day period. States can use this money to improve their systems for placement, hire more staff to conduct placement, or otherwise use it for improvement of services for foster children in their State. This bill will also improve the rights of children and their foster, pre-adoptive parents, or family caregivers to be heard in court proceedings concerning their case within the child welfare system. It is important that a child's needs are appropriately represented and this bill will work to ensure that the parties most involved in the child's life are present when important matters are being considered. Courts will also be required to work more closely with their counterparts in other States when the situation warrants. The judges who work with the child welfare system hold so much power in so many children's lives. We must continue to encourage their cooperation with outside stakeholders, including child welfare systems and court systems in other States, to quickly move these children to permanent homes. There is no excuse for a child to languish in a system for months and sometimes years of their lives due to court inaction or delay. Again, I want to thank my colleagues for their work and support of these efforts. I am confident that we can work together to quickly pass this legislation and put it to work for our Nation's children.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Today I join with my colleagues Senator Rockefeller and Senator Domenici to introduce the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006. I am proud to have had the opportunity to again work with my friend, Senator Rockefeller, on the important issues affecting the most vulnerable and at risk children--children in foster care. This is an important bill and I hope we will be able to pass swiftly. In 1997, I worked on the Adoption and Safe Families Act, an important bill that worked to provide timelier placement of children in foster care. Since that time, it has been successful. Dramatically more children are being adopted. Children are spending less time languishing in foster care and have greater opportunities to find a permanent home or family. However, there are barriers that remain for children in foster care--particularly for children who are placed across state lines for various reasons--including trying to place them with family members or if a family in another state is looking to adopt that child. These children are shown to continue to remain in foster care for much longer periods of time. Through no fault of their own--they wait for placement and wait for a permanency in their lives that children long for and deserve. I also want to thank the work that the States have done to alleviate the problems we currently find in interstate placement. This has been a problem for many years, but recently States have been active in creating and promulgating guidelines for dealing with complications that can arise related to interstate placement. I hope that we can see these guidelines soon implemented. The primary power to move these children to homes rests with the States, and we want to encourage their quick action. This bill will require and support States in the expeditious study of homes for children in foster care who may be placed or adopted across State lines. This bill would allow a 60-day period for such study to occur--while 2 months is a long time in the life of a child, we feel that it is an appropriate balance between the needs of the State and child welfare agencies to conduct thorough assessments and the needs of the child to be in a more permanent home. This bill also expresses the sense of the Congress that States should accept the home study evaluations done by another State. This would go a long way to reduce time waiting for placement and redundancy of effort in the child welfare system. Importantly, this bill is not just another mandate on States. This bill would provide resources to enhance and speed up their systems for interstate placement--but States do have to earn it. If passed, it would provide $1,500 per child who was placed within a 30-day period. States can use this money to improve their systems for placement, hire more staff to conduct placement, or otherwise use it for improvement of services for foster children in their State. This bill will also improve the rights of children and their foster, pre-adoptive parents, or family caregivers to be heard in court proceedings concerning their case within the child welfare system. It is important that a child's needs are appropriately represented and this bill will work to ensure that the parties most involved in the child's life are present when important matters are being considered. Courts will also be required to work more closely with their counterparts in other States when the situation warrants. The judges who work with the child welfare system hold so much power in so many children's lives. We must continue to encourage their cooperation with outside stakeholders, including child welfare systems and court systems in other States, to quickly move these children to permanent homes. There is no excuse for a child to languish in a system for months and sometimes years of their lives due to court inaction or delay. Again, I want to thank my colleagues for their work and support of these efforts. I am confident that we can work together to quickly pass this legislation and put it to work for our Nation's children.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Madam President, I join Senator Kohl as sponsor of the Oil Industry Merger Antitrust Enforcement Act. This bill will make it significantly more difficult for oil companies to merge, and should help put an end to the record energy prices that continue to burden America's consumers and businesses. As we all know, these high fuel costs are affecting every family, and they show no sign of coming back down. We must continue our efforts to do something about it. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, I have been working for years to combat the problem of higher energy prices. Along with Senator Kohl, I have championed legislation to make it clear that that the Department of Justice has the legal authority to prosecute OPEC for its price fixing of crude oil prices. As we all know, the biggest part of our gas prices is the price of crude oil, and the only way we can restore competition in the market for crude oil is to fight against OPEC's blatantly illegal and anticompetitive conspiracy to fix prices of this crucial commodity. I have also asked the Federal Trade Commission to monitor gasoline prices to make sure that consumers are not subject to price gouging or illegal price manipulation, and in response to that request the FTC has instituted an ongoing project to monitor gasoline prices in 360 markets across the Nation, including 12 in my home State of Ohio. Further, the Judiciary Committee has held two hearings addressing the causes of higher fuel prices in recent months, and last month I joined with Chairman Specter and Senators Kohl, Leahy, Feinstein, and Durbin, to sponsor legislation which prevents oil companies from unfairly manipulating the supply of oil in order to artificially raise prices, and also calls for investigations into how effective enforcement of oil mergers has been, whether past mergers need to be revisited, and whether the enforcement agencies need new standards for reviewing oil industry mergers. That legislation also creates a Joint Federal and State Task force to investigate information sharing in the oil industry that may lead to artificially high prices for gasoline, electricity, and heating oil. Perhaps most important, it provides a ``NOPEC'' provision like the one that Senator Kohl and I have sponsored in the past, which enables Justice to prosecute the illegal OPEC cartel. While all these efforts are steps in the right direction, we continue to see increasing fuel costs, and one likely reason is the ongoing consolidation in the oil industry. And, as our energy needs increase and as oil gets harder and more expensive to find and produce, it seems likely that this consolidation will continue. Therefore, we need to continue our efforts to maintain competition in this industry, and by making it more difficult for oil companies to merge, this legislation provides a different and useful approach for keeping these companies independent and maintaining the competition that still exists. Specifically, this bill changes the burden of proof in cases alleging illegal mergers, so that oil companies that want to merge must prove that their merger will not harm consumers. In addition, this bill requires the antitrust agencies to specifically consider the unique conditions of the petroleum market when evaluating these mergers, in order to assure that when reviewing proposed mergers the agencies are focusing on the potential dangers of oil industry mergers. These changes, taken together, will make sure that only pro-competitive mergers are allowed, and will help protect consumers and businesses from higher energy prices. We still have many challenges to face in our ongoing efforts to combat high energy prices, but this bill will make a difference and I strongly encourage my colleagues to join in support of its passage.

Mr. DeWINE

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I would like to associate myself with the comments of my friends from Michigan. Ohio is home to more than 3.8 billion ash trees and the Emerald Ash Borer is causing destruction to trees in northwest Ohio and the Columbus area. I would appreciate your help in the future to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer to southern Ohio.