Pete Domenici

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. I don't want to go ahead of Senator Wyden. I will take 15 to 20 minutes. Senator Wyden ought to go, if it is his turn, and I will come after him.

Mr. DOMENICI. Let's take that.

Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, I gather that I am next under the time agreement, and that I have up to 15 minutes; is that correct?

Mr. DOMENICI. Indeed.

Mr. DOMENICI. Madam President, I thank the chairman very much, and let me say to the distinguished chairman that some of those budgets had some extraordinarily good things in them, some were just--well, you just had to do what you had to do. I can remember how long and hard we worked and worried about giving drugs to our senior citizens as part of Medicare. Anybody that is interested in whether a budget act has any force should go back and look at how that happened. We did it with a reconciliation instruction. We started with $400 million--I think we ended up with about $500 million or $600 million before we finished it--and that is where we reconciled and said you can only use it for this. It was an experiment as to whether it would work because there is nothing in the law that says you can do that. When you do the right thing--things that people are otherwise frightened to do--they will let a budget act do things they would not otherwise let happen. It wouldn't be part of the expectation when you read the fine lines in the Budget Act. The Senator has done some of that here. He has extended it, and I commend him for it. I don't like it, but that is what we are here for, to agree and disagree. I don't like the budget as the Senator has prepared it, but I give him great credit for getting it done. It is a most difficult job. Senator Conrad also had a House that had just changed, and that was very hard for him to figure out with whom he was working and what they wanted and how they wanted to negotiate. So I really think it was probably as onerous and difficult as any, but the Senator is here, and you are a hero when you can finish a budget. People don't stay here and applaud afterward, but it is something very extraordinary to get it done and be able to say we are through tonight. So I commend him for that. Having said that, Madam President, I want to start with a little editorial piece that was found in the Wall Street Journal a couple of days ago. It is called ``April Revenue Shower,'' and in it, it says: Here's the ``surge'' you aren't reading about: The continuing flood of tax revenue into the Federal Treasury. Tax receipts for April were $70 billion above the same month in 2006, and April 24 marked the single biggest day of tax collections in U.S. history, at $48,700 billion, according to the latest Treasury report. It goes on to compare other months and to further document the validity of the April shower of revenue coming to the Government. If I were on the other side and writing a budget, I would be very frightened to read about April showers and see how much April showers, if continued into the next 2 or 3 years, would do to correct and rectify the deficit of the United States and take care of the biggest problem we have, which is deficit spending each year. In just a few years, 2 years, if these April shower rates of revenue continue, we will be approaching a balanced budget in the United States. I, for one, would like to have seen us stay closer to the budget that brought us those April showers than to change dramatically away from those budget concepts that got us those April showers for so many months. We all know it wasn't just 1 month, it was many months. If you look back, we have had many months of strong economic performance in this economy, and that strong performance brought with it showers of revenues to the Treasury of the United States beyond anything we expected. We never put down as an estimate during the last two or three budgets anything close to the revenues that came spewing into the Treasury because things were going right. That leads me to the conclusion that we ought to be careful when things are going right. We ought to be careful about changing big concepts within that budget for fear that it may stop going right and April showers may turn into something far different. Instead of showers, it may turn into hailstorms. It may turn into blizzards, instead of nice, friendly showers that are yielding tax dollars and revenues to the American Treasury. From my standpoint, this budget goes the wrong way. This budget I have seen, the estimates I have been shown, say this budget before us would increase taxes by $736 billion. These tax increases include all marginal rates except the 10-percent bracket, capital gains rates, dividend rates, and the alternative minimum tax and education tax relief. As we understand from those who do the estimating, in my State--so it must be in all States--93,000 New Mexico investors, including senior citizens, would pay more because of an increase in capital gains rates and dividend rates in this budget. Right off, I believe we ought to be careful with that. Maybe it is the capital gains and the dividends, which were major changes in policies, that might have had more to do with sustaining the budget and bringing those April showers that didn't just occur in April but occurred in May, June, July, and August, those large revenue chunks that were coming to the Federal Government which were not expected. I submit it is extremely easy to balance a budget and show a surplus when you utilize one of the largest tax increases in our country's history. Obviously, when you have a budget such as we had, where you had tax cuts and they were multiyear, and then you stop them, you can say you didn't increase any taxes. But the impact on the taxpayer will be felt as a tax increase because if they were expecting what they had last year, and it goes up because you did not continue with the cut, then they obviously look around to see who raised their taxes. Obviously, if you stop the tax cuts, then you get increases and the public should know where they come from. It is obvious they will come from this budget, carrying it out. Once again, let me call to the attention of the Senate that according to this Wall Street Journal editorial, in April alone the U.S. Government collected $70 billion in tax receipts more than the same month last year for the current fiscal year taxes. Tax receipts are 11.3 percent, or $153 billion from last year. I am not sure if most people are aware of the fact that on April 24, 2007, the United States collected a record-setting $48 billion in taxes. I am sure the people do not know. There is no reason they should. But we ought to tell them on a day like this that they did. Tax receipts went up enormously, as I have indicated, and as this editorial indicates. That means if changes in policies in this budget are such that they change the winds that brought these showers the Wall Street Journal is talking about, then you will stop getting the showers of dollars that are there and you will get something that will be bad for the American people: The economy will go down instead of up and the kinds of things that yield good April showers filled with revenues will stop being the order of the day. I think we should worry and look long and hard at these numbers before we consider making changes to the budget policy. Because of these record tax revenues, the budget deficit could be slashed in more than half from this year to the same time next year. The deficit could be reduced to $150 billion this year, which equates to approximately 1 percent of gross domestic product. I believe our current budget policy is paying off. The next 18 to 24 months the deficit could be caused to disappear if we do not vary off the course. This is one point in time where the status quo may be the better alternative. However, under the budget we are considering if budget surpluses do not materialize, the so-called ``trigger'' will stop the extension of any tax relief and we will see firsthand the largest tax hike in American history. We are not doing enough to ensure economic stability to the bulk of the Nation. This budget will result in the expiration of the tax breaks that we gave to the middle class, causing an enormous tax burden to be placed on these families. One can clearly see that on a national level, the middle class stands to lose the most under this proposal. In my home state of New Mexico, the impact of repealing the current tax relief would be felt widely by the middle class. Added to these concerns is that fact that this budget does not thoroughly address the alternative minimum tax. Providing a patch for the AMT only leaves us in the position of correcting this problem in the future. Absent legislative action, the middle class will bear the brunt of the AMT, which will affect significantly more taxpayers. The reverberations of this inaction will be seen all over the country and will be especially evident in a state like New Mexico. Coupled with the nonexistent tax relief, this budget fails to address the 800 pound gorilla in the room, otherwise known as entitlement spending. After 2010, spending related to the aging of the baby-boom generation will begin to raise the growth rate of total outlays. The annual growth rate of Social Security spending is expected to increase from about 4.5 percent in 2008 to 6.5 percent by 2017. In addition, because the cost of health care is likely to continue rising rapidly, spending for Medicare and Medicaid is projected to grow even faster--in the range of 7 or 8 percent annually. Total outlays for Medicare and Medicaid are projected to more than double by 2017, increasing by 124 percent, while nominal GDP is projected to grow only 63 percent. The budget currently under consideration does not offer solutions, much less even address, entitlement spending or reform. I do not support this budget in its current form because it increases taxes and it does not offer any meaningful solution for entitlement spending. I yield the floor.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate the pecan growers of New Mexico for being No. 1 in the Nation in pecan production. This is the first time New Mexico has claimed this title. The recently released preliminary numbers from last year indicate that New Mexico growers produced 46 million pounds of pecans valued at $86.1 million. This is 6 million more pounds of pecans than second- ranked Georgia and 10 million more pounds than third-ranked Texas. This is quite an achievement given the size of the pecan industry in both Georgia and Texas. I am proud of New Mexico's pecan growers and their hard work. I am sure this will not be the last time they take this title, and I wish them luck this season.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I believe that the passage of this bill is long overdue, and I commend Senator Boxer and Senator Inhofe for their efforts to pass this bill. There are numerous projects in this bill that are important to each State. I would like to take a few moments and highlight what this bill means to New Mexico and our environment. To begin with, I would like to point out that the projects in this that are related to New Mexico were included, at my request, in the WRDA bill we passed in 2006. So the content in this bill should not be a surprise to any of us and I hope that we can get this bill passed quickly. One of the most critical projects contained in this year's WRDA bill involves New Mexico's Bosque. I have long envisioned the rehabilitation and restoration of the Bosque. In fact, I have introduced legislation in this Congress that would do just that. However, this bill will allow us to implement this vision that concerns this long neglected treasure of the Southwest. The Albuquerque metropolitan area is the largest concentration of people in New Mexico. It is also the home to the irreplaceable riparian forest which runs through the heart of the city and surrounding towns that is the Bosque. It is the largest continuous cottonwood forest in the Southwest, and one of the last of its kind in the world. Unfortunately, mismanagement, neglect, and the effects of upstream development have severely degraded the Bosque. As a result, public access is problematical and crucial habitat for scores of species is threatened. Yet the Middle Rio Grande Bosque remains one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the Southwest. My goal is to restore the Bosque and create a space that is open and attractive to the public. I want to ensure that this extraordinary corridor of the Southwestern desert is preserved for generations to come--not only for generations of humans, but for the diverse plant and animal species that reside in the Bosque as well. The rehabilitation of this ecosystem leads to greater protection for threatened and endangered species; it means more migratory birds, healthier habitat for fish, and greater numbers of towering cottonwood trees. This project can increase the quality of life for a city while assuring the health and stability of an entire ecosystem. Where trash is now strewn, paths and trails will run. Where jetty jacks and discarded rubble lie, cottonwoods will grow. The dead trees and underbrush that threaten devastating fire will be replaced by healthy groves of trees. School children will be able to study and maybe catch sight of a bald eagle. The chance to help build a dynamic public space like this does not come around often, and I would like to see Congress embrace that chance on this occasion. Having grown up along the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, the Bosque is something I treasure, and I lament the degradation that has occurred. Because of this, I have been involved in Bosque restoration since 1991, and I commend the efforts of groups like the Bosque Coalition for the work they have done, and will continue to do, along the river. Another project that is of great importance to New Mexico is the Southwest Valley Flood Control Project. New Mexico is a desert state prone to flash flooding during our monsoon season. In order to protect our cities we must take proactive steps to ensure that communities are prepared in the event of flooding. The Southwest Valley is one such area that is subject to flooding from rainfall runoff. Due to unfavorable topography, flood waters pond in low lying developed areas and cannot drain by gravity flow to the Rio Grande River. This project resolves this problem and calls for the construction of detention basins and a pumping station in Albuquerque for flood control in the Southwest Valley. This legislation also has a significant impact on our environment. The Rio Grande Environmental Management Program authorizes the Corps to address environmental restoration and management on the Rio Grande and its tributaries through planning, design and construction of habitat rehabilitation and enhancement projects and a long term river data acquisition and management program. This simple provision establishes a continuing authority for addressing environmental restoration and management on the Rio Grande and its tributaries within the state of New Mexico. This project consists of two main components. The first component consists of planning, design and construction of small habitat rehabilitation and enhancement projects and the second component calls for a long-term river data acquisition and management program. The impacts that this project will have on New Mexico will be tremendous. Another program outlined in this year's WRDA bill provides authority to the Corps to study, adopt, and construct emergency streambank and shoreline protection works for protection of public highways and bridges, and other public works, and nonprofit public services such as churches, hospitals, and schools. This program provides authority for the Corps to carry out ecosystem restoration and protection projects if the project will improve environmental quality, is in the public interest, and is cost effective. This is a worthy initiative that will benefit the environment throughout the United States. I urge my fellow Senators to help further enhance and protect our environment through passage of this legislation. I believe that each State will benefit once they receive these long overdue project authorizations.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I believe that my service in the Senate has been highlighted by my interest in the budget process. As this year's budget negotiations continue, I would like to draw the attention of other Senators to a recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal concerning the single largest day of tax collection in U.S. history. The editorial is entitled ``April Revenue Shower.'' I think this editorial raises some very interesting points that are particularly relevant as Congress debates the fiscal year 2008 budget resolution. The Wall Street Journal points out that in April alone the U.S. Government collected $70 billion in tax receipts above the same month last year and for the current fiscal year tax receipts are up 11.3 percent or $153 billion from last year. I am not sure if most people are aware of the fact that on April 24, 2007, the United States collected a record setting $48.7 billion in tax receipts. I think these numbers are certainly worth our attention. What I find so interesting about these record-breaking tax revenues is the fact they were achieved without raising taxes and without a Federal budget in place. Rather, the American economy is the driving force behind these windfalls. I would pose the question that maybe; just maybe, we should maintain the status quo instead of entering into the budget resolution that is being proposed. I think Congress should think long and hard about these numbers before we consider making any change to current budget policy. Because of these record tax revenues the budget deficit could be slashed in more than half from this same time last year. The deficit could be reduced by $150 billion this year, which equates to approximately 1 percent of gross domestic product. I believe our current budget policy is paying off and in the next 18 to 24 months the deficit could completely disappear, if we here in Congress do not veer off course. I am not surprised that we are collecting nearly 30 percent more from nonwithheld income. Moreover, I also do not find it surprising that individual income tax receipts are up by almost 17.5 percent. I believe that the tax relief that we instituted in 2001 and 2003 is paying large dividends and our economy is benefiting. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will consider these facts and not attempt to fix something that is not broken. I am simply saying that maybe we should not be rushed into action. Additionally, I ask unanimous consent that this editorial from the Wall Street Journal be printed in the Record.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, on April 13, 2007, my dear friend and colleague Senator Ted Stevens became the longest serving Republican Senator in the history of this body. Today, I would like to pay tribute to my friend and his more than 38 years of service to our Nation and the people of Alaska. I have known and worked with Ted for over 34 years. We have served together on the Appropriations, Budget, and Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committees and many others. Ted and I have been in the Senate together for so long some of the committees on which we served no longer exist. We have collaborated on more pieces of legislation than I can remember and worked to resolve many issues. Most recently, I was thankful for his hard work in the effort to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and increase the strategic security of the country. I am happy to say Ted has made the trip to New Mexico and I to Alaska so we could appreciate the needs of each other's home States. I have also had the pleasure of taking several trips with Ted abroad, some more enjoyable than others. One that stands out in my mind is the fact- finding trip we took to North Korea several years ago to better understand the threat that nation poses to the world. I don't believe many people can say they have traveled there, even fewer can say they did it with Ted Stevens. I am very thankful I can. I think it is safe to say Ted has had a remarkable life and career, born in Indianapolis, he has lived in California, Oregon, and Montana-- finally settling in his beloved Alaska. During the Second World War, Ted left college to join the Army Air Corps and became a decorated pilot. After the war Ted attended Harvard Law School, became a U.S. Attorney, worked in the Department of the Interior, started his own law firm, and was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives. For most individuals these accomplishments, all before he came to the Senate, would have marked a full and successful life. However, for Ted it was just the beginning and I believe this Nation is lucky it was. After serving with Ted for so many years I know of no one who cares more about the people of Alaska and this Nation or serves either with more dedication and distinction. I would like to personally thank Ted for his friendship and hope to have the honor of serving alongside him for many years to come.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I wish to speak about the importance of Cannon Air Force Base, NM. Cannon Air Force Base's primary mission is an F-16 fighter wing able to perform day or night operations. However, the base is currently undergoing an exciting transition to be an Air Force special operations base. I am excited about this mission and the work that will be done in eastern New Mexico, but with every new mission, we must also remember prior missions. Today I want to commemorate the last mission of the 27th Fighter Wing's 523rd Fighter Squadron, which was flown on May 10, 2007, as the 523rd is being deactivated in preparation for Cannon's new mission. The 523rd Fighter Squadron has a unique history that dates back to well before their time in New Mexico. It was established on February 1, 1940, as a bombardment squadron with B-18s. The squadron arrived at Cannon in 1959. One of its missions from Cannon came after September 11, 2001, when the 523rd flew 24-hour-per-day operations in defense of our Nation. This fighter squadron will not be the last to leave Cannon Air Force Base, as other departures are expected in this summer and fall as well as next spring. However, the 523rd Fighter Squadron has long been a vital part of our Nation's defense as well as Cannon's 27th Fighter Wing, and I am proud of all of the men and women who have served in the 523rd. Today I want to honor them, as well as all of the men and women who have served at Cannon Air Force Base. I am proud New Mexico has been home to so many outstanding individuals, and I look forward to working with more such soldiers as Cannon Air Force Base transitions to an Air Force special operations base in October.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the hard work and sacrifices made daily by law enforcement officers all across our great land. Many officers have lost their lives in the line of duty so that our families and communities may remain safe. We must never forget those who have given their lives to protect us all. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy first declared the annual celebration of Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week in ``recognition of the service given by the men and women who, night and day, stand guard in our midst to protect us through enforcement of our laws.'' Sadly, since the turn of the last century, more than 126 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in New Mexico. This year, two New Mexico police officers will be honored and remembered by having their names added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. The first, Deputy James McGrane was tragically shot and killed on March 22, 2006 while making a traffic stop. Unknown at the time to Deputy McGrane, the driver of the vehicle Michael Paul Astorga was wanted for a 2005 murder. As he approached the vehicle, Deputy McGrane was cold bloodedly shot twice and died at the scene. A massive manhunt in New Mexico ensued. After the case was profiled on the television show Americas Most Wanted Astorga was apprehended in Juarez, Mexico and expedited to the United States. Deputy McGrane had served with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department for three years and had previously served with the New Mexico State Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Also being honored this week is Patrolman James Archuleta of Espanola who was killed June 4, 2006, in an automobile accident. Patrolman Archuleta was responding to a shooting when the accident occurred. Patrolman Archuleta had served with the New Mexico State Police for 2 years and was also a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. This week we remember the dedication of Deputy McGrane and Patrolman Archuleta and all of our fallen policemen and women who protect and serve our communities, and the tragic price they paid for that devotion. We must also remember the families of all fallen officers and the sacrifices they have incurred because of a deep-seated commitment to duty and public service. All of us from New Mexico owe a debt of gratitude to each and every officer who has lost their life in the line of duty. To those who continue to serve, we are grateful. You have my utmost admiration.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the arrival of the first F-117 Nighthawk fighters at Holloman Air Force Base, NM, 15 years ago today. On May 9, 1992, with the arrival of its first four F-117s at Holloman Air Force Base, the 49th fighter wing became the sole operator of the F-117. The F-117 was the world's first stealth aircraft and is still one of the world's most advanced fighters. Since that date the men and women of the 49th have flown the F-117 with distinction throughout the world. In 1999 the F-117s of the 49th deployed in support of Operation Allied Force, and flew more than 1,000 missions against heavily defended targets in Serbia. The 49th also played a key role in the opening hours of Operation Iraqi Freedom, attacking critical leadership targets. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those at Holloman for keeping the F-117 flying, and for their service to our Nation. I am proud New Mexico has been the home to this amazing aircraft and the outstanding individuals who fly them.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I would like to speak for a moment today about a recent Washington Post editorial and President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia. I noted with interest the Washington Post Sunday editorial concerning criticism President Uribe has received lately. I believe the Washington Post made some good points and asked the right questions. Like, why do some Americans heap criticism on a man who is one of our few allies in a region dominated by the likes of Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro and who has dedicated himself to ending the violence in his country and bringing justice to Columbia? I agree with the Washington Post, that perhaps we should be more discerning in who we criticize and treat those who would be friends to the United Sates with a little more deference. Additionally, I ask unanimous consent that an editorial concerning President Uribe from the Washington Post be printed in the Record.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today I recognize May 8, 2007 as National Teacher Day. Teachers play a vital role in our society. They are a driving force in the course this great Nation takes. The molding of young minds is a daunting task. Yet teachers willingly accept the challenge with open arms. Being a former math teacher, I know the great challenges teachers face every day. Teachers often have thankless jobs, getting little appreciation for the myriad of tasks they do on a daily basis. They tie shoes, wipe noses, dab tears, and provide comfort all without asking for anything in return. Teachers are disciplinarians, educators, and friends. Their job is truly invaluable and priceless. Teachers give each student a toolbox full of essential tools to use, training them for many of life's situations that might come their way. These tools give students the confidence to face each day prepared for living. Historian Henry Adams said, ``A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.'' I couldn't agree more. Educators all over the country teach and train America's next generation. Students are given direction and guidance for their futures from their teachers. Teachers can be very influential in the lives of their students, and thus influence generations of people to come. Let me take this opportunity to recognize Ms. Tamara Tiong for her recent nomination for the National Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Tiong is a special education teacher at Dulce Elementary School in Dulce, NM, and has taught for 8 years. She is a shining example of what all teachers strive to be: challenging, encouraging, and compassionate. I thank Ms. Tiong today for her great service and wish her many more years of teaching and training America's youth. Join me today in saying thank you to our teachers for all they do. They deserve our thanks and support. Thank you, teachers, for every life you have touched and every life you will touch in the future.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senator Kennedy and Senator Dodd to introduce the Mental Health in Schools Act of 2007. This bill amends the Safe Schools Healthy Students Act to reauthorize projects relating to children and violence and also expands the program to help provide access to school-based mental health programs. The mental health of our children is as important as their overall physical health. As a Nation, we have repeatedly seen tragic stories related to children whose mental health needs were not met. Recent studies indicate approximately 1 in 5 children have a diagnosable mental disorder and one in ten children have a serious emotional or behavioral disorder that is severe enough to cause substantial impairment in functioning at home, at school, or in the community. The Mental Health in Schools Act of 2007 provides funding to local education agencies, LEAs, in partnership with their communities to develop and implement mental health service programs in schools. The funding will also be used to provide for in-service training to all school personnel in the techniques and supports related to mental health. It is our belief that these programs have the potential to not only improve access to care for mental health disorders but also to help increase academic competency and improved family functioning. Investing in effective mental health treatment can mean the difference between a child's success and failure in school and in society. The most effective mental health care must be tailored to the child's and family's needs, and must be accessible and available when and where they need it. Children and their families' needs often cross multiple systems. Communities need sustainable tools to link or integrate those systems to meet those needs. We must recognize that children do not have to remain neglected when it comes to their mental health. The future of children's mental health care is very promising. Programs promoting mental health work, and when they do, the resilience of a child can grow while diminishing the challenging behaviors associated with mental health problems and emotional disturbances. It is important to recognize that as a Nation and as a society, we have come a long way in understanding mental illness and its impact on children and adolescents. Research has made extraordinary leaps forward, giving us a better understanding of the disorders and the evidence-based treatments, services and supports that build resilience and facilitate recovery for children and adolescents. We have seen over and over again that not offering effective mental health care has many ramifications, not the least of which is violence, substance abuse and poor academic performance. Much more is required of us as a Nation to secure the whole health and well-being of our future, our children and youth. Now is the time to begin a national debate on mental health care and its importance to our children. I think the bill we are introducing here is a great start and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senator Kennedy and Senator Dodd to introduce the Mental Health in Schools Act of 2007. This bill amends the Safe Schools Healthy Students Act to reauthorize projects relating to children and violence and also expands the program to help provide access to school-based mental health programs. The mental health of our children is as important as their overall physical health. As a Nation, we have repeatedly seen tragic stories related to children whose mental health needs were not met. Recent studies indicate approximately 1 in 5 children have a diagnosable mental disorder and one in ten children have a serious emotional or behavioral disorder that is severe enough to cause substantial impairment in functioning at home, at school, or in the community. The Mental Health in Schools Act of 2007 provides funding to local education agencies, LEAs, in partnership with their communities to develop and implement mental health service programs in schools. The funding will also be used to provide for in-service training to all school personnel in the techniques and supports related to mental health. It is our belief that these programs have the potential to not only improve access to care for mental health disorders but also to help increase academic competency and improved family functioning. Investing in effective mental health treatment can mean the difference between a child's success and failure in school and in society. The most effective mental health care must be tailored to the child's and family's needs, and must be accessible and available when and where they need it. Children and their families' needs often cross multiple systems. Communities need sustainable tools to link or integrate those systems to meet those needs. We must recognize that children do not have to remain neglected when it comes to their mental health. The future of children's mental health care is very promising. Programs promoting mental health work, and when they do, the resilience of a child can grow while diminishing the challenging behaviors associated with mental health problems and emotional disturbances. It is important to recognize that as a Nation and as a society, we have come a long way in understanding mental illness and its impact on children and adolescents. Research has made extraordinary leaps forward, giving us a better understanding of the disorders and the evidence-based treatments, services and supports that build resilience and facilitate recovery for children and adolescents. We have seen over and over again that not offering effective mental health care has many ramifications, not the least of which is violence, substance abuse and poor academic performance. Much more is required of us as a Nation to secure the whole health and well-being of our future, our children and youth. Now is the time to begin a national debate on mental health care and its importance to our children. I think the bill we are introducing here is a great start and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I would like to speak for a brief moment about recent Senate approval of the America COMPETES Act. This legislation is the product of several years of work by many individuals here in the Senate and it was immensely gratifying to see this bill pass the Senate. For the last 3 years Senators from numerous committees, Republicans and Democrats, have worked together on this legislation. They saw America falling behind the rest of the world in math and science and realized the need to do something. Well I believe this bill is going to do that something. It will double spending on physical science research, provide money to recruit 10,000 new math and science teachers and retrain hundreds of thousands of our existing ones. This bill is a huge step in the right direction for our country, a step that could not have been taken by just one Senator or one party. In these often partisan times, the America COMPETES Act is a fine example of what this body can accomplish when it works together in a bipartisan manner. I am very proud of the work my colleague from New Mexico Senator Bingaman, Senator Alexander and I put into this legislation. I am proud that the members of our committee, Energy and Natural Resources, continue to work in this bipartisan way. Additionally, I ask unanimous consent that two articles concerning the America COMPETES Act, one from the Santa Fe New Mexican, the West's oldest newspaper, and one by David Broder of the Washington Post be printed in the Record.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes as in morning business.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I was present yesterday at the funeral mass at St. Matthew's for Jack Joseph Valenti. I did not know he had a middle name, Joseph, but I am learning more and more about him now after his passing. I was a friend of his. I thought I knew much about him. But the more I read, the more I find out what a spectacular man and a marvelous life he lived. I thought I would share with the Senate, since somebody said at the mass, as they were permitted to speak--they were one of the few who were selected--I would bet that everybody in this church would like to come up here and be given 10 minutes to say something about their friend Jack Valenti. That person who said that was absolutely right. That is exactly how I felt sitting there: Wouldn't it be nice if I could walk up there and tell all of these people and whoever else was listening, share what I knew about him. Of course, that was not to be. But today I am going to do that in the Senate for a few minutes, and tell the Senate about how this man, who was known to try to help everybody in very different circumstances, how he came to know me and how I came to know him. I was elected in 1972, and of course right now it sort of goes by easy; my last name is Italian. You know it was pretty well understood when I was elected that I was Italian--Domenici from out in the West, when all of the Italians who are in politics are from out here in the East, from New York, New Jersey. People wondered: Where did that guy come from? Well, the truth is, Jack Valenti also wondered. He called me on the telephone and said: Are you Pete Domenici, the new Senator? I said: Yes, sir. He told me who he was. He said: You know, I don't know you, you don't know me, but you probably could easily find out who I am. All I want to tell you is: I would like to help you. Now, we are thousands of miles away. I have never seen him. I was elected. He is telling me on the phone: I would sure like to help you if I can. Of course, I said: Give me your phone number and let me get ahold of you. By the time I asked a few people, they said: You are lucky. He is one of the people in Washington who knows more about what is going on here, than the man who called you. I quickly arranged a meeting at the Willard Hotel. It was prior to its remodeling so it wasn't as nice as it is today. But I didn't know better. I made arrangements there. Then I invited him to come and visit. Here comes Mr. Valenti to come and meet me there at the Willard Hotel. I mean, it was a joyous occasion. You would have thought I was a long-lost relative. It was all because he was glad to see a young Italian boy get elected to the Senate. He came from an immigrant Italian family himself. So we talked. He said: Well, let me try to help you. I would like to tell you what his first offer was. Let's go meet some people and see what we can do about talking about the committee assignments you might get. I told him: Here is the one I want. I want the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, because that has a lot to do with my State. So we talked and we worked. Sure enough, we were making a little headway and we read that the House had had a meeting of leadership and they had decided there would no longer be a Joint Committee on Atomic Energy so they abolished it. So all of my work and all of his work was for naught, because we decided we were not going do business in a joint manner on atomic energy. But what a joy it was, the first meeting--not successful in terms of our mission but greatly successful in terms of establishing our friendship. I will mention two things in my life and then yield to the Senator. Years later, one of my sons was working here in Washington. Some people know him. His name is David. He had established and built a charter school here, a school in town that ended up being called Maya Angelou School, a school named after the great poet laureate. And, of course, as you would guess from the name of the school, it was sort of a special school. It was a charter school my son started with the help of another man, and it was for the purpose of taking the troubled young teenagers, who were either going to jail, because they had already done enough bad things, criminal things, they were going to jail, or the judge would assign them to this school. This son of mine built this charter school. It got to be a pretty good size. At a point in time he was opening a new building, and he called me and talked to me and said: You know, maybe I could get some help from somebody for some computers for these students. This is my second meeting with my friend. I called him up and said: I would like you to meet my son David. I told him why. He said: Of course. They met, talked on the telephone. Within a very short period of time, the charter school I am describing to you, which was a very difficult thing for my son and his friend to run--had a great success. He opened two of them; two of them exist in Washington now. But, lo and behold, shortly after this meeting and our discussion with Mr. Valenti, the computers that were needed for the school to totally fill out all of the computer needs arrived as a special donation from somebody. Well, of course, we know the somebody. We found out later our friend Mr. Valenti worked to get in touch with those who could help donate to these students' needs. He is gone now, but we do not know how many thousands of things like this he did during his life, along with the other things that are more notorious that he did in his job, which was a very open and public job for many years of his life, and a hard one when he worked for the motion picture industry. So we do not know how many people he helped. But I thought maybe I would borrow this few minutes of the Senate's time to put down my thoughts for his wife, who I obviously did not know as well as I knew him. But I did get to know her. I saw her at the funeral. Of course, she is having a difficult time. I do not know their children. I did have a chance to talk to his wife and say I hope that everything went well. I think it will. With this, I say maybe no one else in the Senate will do this, but as part of my day, I salute Mr. Jack Valenti for all he did, and I am very grateful I had the chance to say a few words about him. I yield the floor.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to the public service of Bob Hudson, city manger of Farmington, NM. Bob first came to New Mexico in 1982 to take on the job as director of parks, recreation & cultural affairs in Farmington. Since that time he has served the citizens of Farmington faithfully, eventually becoming city manager in 1999. Bob's commitment to the community of Farmington did not end with his official duties. He has also served on the boards of several local organizations including the Boys & Girls Club, the Farmington Inter- tribal Indian Organization, and the Chamber of Commerce. The citizens of Farmington are well aware of Bob's contributions to their community and have honored him with numerous awards, including the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award in 1991 and the Elks Citizen of the Year award in 1995. Bob was also inducted into the History Makers Hall of Fame by the Farmington Chamber of Commerce in 2001 and the recipient of the 2005 Public Employee of the Year award. Bob is retiring in April to devote more time to his family, but I am sure his dedication to the community of Farmington will not end. I wish him the best in retirement and thank him for his long years of service.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, it is irresponsible for Congress to operate this way. With the provisions in this bill, Congress is deserting our commitments to our military leaders and telling them that none of it matters, the war is over and your mission is done. Congress, with this bill, is reneging on the war and sending our men and women in uniform a demoralizing message. I am committed to giving our military, led by General Petraeus, time and resources to try to calm Baghdad. I understand the deep national unrest over the course of the war. I do not support an open-ended commitment in Iraq. The Iraqi government must do more. But effectively abandoning our military effort at this time poses a treacherous threat to the United States and the region. We should do right by our troops, give them the resources they need and work with the Iraqis toward solutions that will bring our Armed Forces home at an appropriate time.

Mr. DOMENICI

Mr. DOMENICI. I wonder if the distinguished Senator will yield?

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I will ask that it be taken off the bill, not off his time.

Mr. DOMENICI. Very briefly, I wish to say to the Senator that he has made an eloquent presentation and he has certainly shown people that he understands what the National Science Foundation is supposed to do and what it does. But there is no question that it does two things at least and, in most cases, more. It does research, but it also does education. That is enumerated in the year we are in and enumerated in the outyears. That, along with other activities, including research that the Senator is worried about, is enumerated and protected by an actual appropriation; that is, the thing that worries him is the one that should worry all of us, and that is the adequacy and assurance of research and that it will not be gobbled up or picked at as time changes. It seems to me we did it right here because we earmarked, in a sense, all the different areas and put the two worrying him the most--both of these are there. Both research and education are there. It seems to me that is what we want to do. I don't know how you could do it any other way and we be able to tell the Senators who helped us put this together that they are protected for science research and for education. That is really what we are trying to do because they worked hard on it. They thought this was an area of importance. We agreed with them. It turns out, as Senator Bingaman said just two moments ago, it is true, this bill is beginning to sound right because it is saying we were really hurting on basic science, and this is an area, the National Science Foundation, an instrumentation of our Government, which has been doing very well and we want to give them a lot of extra money if we want to do this, a bill like this, for our country. I thank the Senator for the time.

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I just want to second that motion as to what Senator Bingaman just said and ask Senators on my side of the aisle to take a look, as soon as you can, with your staffs at this bill and tell us whether you have amendments. If we are going to finish at a time certain, we do not want everybody to come down at 4 o'clock and complain. We have a lot of time, but it will be useless if Senators do not bring their amendments down. We know there are some floating around, but we certainly do not have an adequate understanding of how many Senators have. It would be helpful if Senators would send us a message that they have amendments and what they amount to. We will work with Senators so we can get them done quickly. Mr. President, I thank Senator Bingaman.