Elizabeth Dole

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, the underlying bill provides over $51 million for training to support implementation of 287(g) agreements. My amendment would make an additional $75 million available for this purpose by providing that a portion of the $294 million already appropriated under the bill for general State and local training grants be used specifically for 287(g) training. Mr. President, in recent months, I have heard from local law enforcement officials from every corner of my home State of North Carolina who, frankly, have had it. They are fed up. They are fed up because they are powerless to bring justice to illegal aliens who are committing crimes, such as drinking and driving and gang-related activity. They are fed up that Federal agents lack the manpower to help them process these criminals. They are fed up with the catch and release of dangerous individuals. Local law enforcement officers are fed up that when they try to solve these serious problems--that is, they seek authority under a program called 287(g) to process illegal aliens who committed crimes--they are put through the bureaucratic ringer and often turned away. Why would the Department of Homeland Security deny our local law enforcement agencies the tools that are readily available to them under current law that would help address major challenges in their communities? Most simply, the answer is funding. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, does not have the money to train and provide assistance to these local entities that are textbook examples of places that desperately need 287(g) status. In the aftermath of the immigration debate, it is abundantly clear Americans have no confidence that their Government is taking the critical steps to secure our borders or enforce the laws on the books. The public will continue to distrust and rightly reject any so-called comprehensive immigration reform until they wholeheartedly believe these steps have been taken to keep their communities and families safe. The 287(g) program is an invaluable tool to achieving these goals, and it should be fully utilized. My amendments will help ensure that it is fully utilized, and without actually increasing the cost of the bill. I repeat, my amendments do not add any cost to this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support these measures, and I truly hope these commonsense amendments are fully considered. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that my amendment be laid aside, and I yield the floor.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Madam President, I have an amendment at the desk, No. 2350, and I ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. DOLE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mrs. DOLE. Madam President, I am proposing a commonsense measure to uphold the integrity of Federal elections. My amendment to require voters to show photo identification at the polls would go a long way in minimizing potential for voter fraud. When a fraudulent vote is cast and counted, the vote of a legitimate voter is cancelled. This is wrong, and my amendment would help ensure that one of the hallmarks of our democracy, our free and fair elections, is protected. This provision was approved by the Senate in the 109th Congress when it was filed by Minority Leader McConnell, who I am proud to have as a cosponsor of this amendment. Opinion polls repeatedly confirm that Americans overwhelmingly support this initiative. I strongly encourage my colleagues to stand with the American people and support this measure. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mrs. DOLE. Madam President, I move to waive all applicable provisions of the Budget Act for the consideration of my amendment, and I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, first of all, I thank Senator Sessions, Senator DeMint, and Senator Vitter for their hard work on this matter, and other Senators as well. Certainly, there is one area in which we have much agreement; that is, securing our borders. Clearly, the American people do not have any confidence at all in the promises this will be done when there is track record of total failure. In 1986, there were 3 million illegal aliens, and today, of course, there are 12 million or more. The Government does not seem to know how many. I have an op-ed piece from the Charlotte Observer. Just quoting from 1986: This bill will help us provide the immediate relief on the border that we need. In my view, it is a good bill. We should all support it, be glad that this long controversy has finally been put to rest. Well, Chuck Grassley made it very clear in strong points that he was wrong in the 1986 vote, that this did not provide the security at the border we have been promised again today. In 2006, we had the Secure Fence Act, 700 miles of fencing to be built. Only 2 miles have been built. So my view, my strong view, is it is not just promises, it is proof people want. The American people want to see results, control of our borders. We need to establish standards or metrics and then show they have been achieved--for example, having a significant decrease in the number of illegal aliens who cross our border, having a significant decrease in those who overstay their visas, a high rate of deporting those where courts have said a person needs to be removed from this country and deal with contentious provisions at a later date. But these are the key issues people are concerned about. The first order of business must be that we ensure that the mess we are faced with now never, ever occurs again. We should be laser-focused on our resources, our energy, and ensuring our borders are secure. My staff and I have been meeting with sheriffs across our State. Section 287(g), which is law now, provides that these local officials can be deputized to enhance the ICE agents. This is very important.

Mrs. DOLE. I thank the Chair.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I join so many Americans in mourning the passing of my dear friend and esteemed colleague, Senator Craig Thomas. Craig served the people of Wyoming with great integrity, honesty, and common sense. He was a true American patriot and dedicated public servant who never failed to put the best interests of his beloved state and country above personal ambitions. Craig came from humble beginnings, working summers on his family's dude ranch near Yellowstone National Park. He earned a degree from the University of Wyoming, where he was a respected student and accomplished athlete, and from there he went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. It was these life experiences that taught Craig the values of hard work, perseverance, and personal responsibility. These principles guided him throughout his remarkable career, during which he worked for the Wyoming Farm Bureau, the American Farm Bureau, and the Wyoming Rural Electric Association before winning a special election to the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1994, Craig was elected to the U.S. Senate, and went on to make his mark in a number of areas. He served with distinction on the Energy, Finance, and Agriculture Committees--posts he used to promote issues important to his constituents in the rural west and their quality of life. As the chairman of the National Parks Subcommittee, Craig worked tirelessly to protect America's natural treasures, and as the co-chairman of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, he made significant strides in improving rural health care infrastructure. No question, Craig's numerous accomplishments truly speak volumes about his commitment to the people of Wyoming and our entire Nation. Craig's greatest commitment, however, was to his family. He was unwavering in his devotion to his dear wife Susan and his children Peter, Patrick, Greg, and Lexie. My husband Bob and I are blessed to have known and worked with Craig, and we keep Susan and the entire Thomas family in our thoughts and prayers. Craig's memory and legacy indeed live on, across Wyoming, throughout the halls of Congress, in the countless lives he touched, and in the public servants who follow in his footsteps. Our Nation is grateful for his many years of service and positive contributions. May God bless the entire Thomas family in this time of sorrow, and may God continue to bless his beloved Wyoming and this great land of the free--America.

Mrs. DOLE

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

Mrs. DOLE. Madam President, I ask that at the conclusion of the consented time and the stacked votes, I be recognized to call up my amendment No. 1345 and that after 2 minutes of consideration, the amendment be laid aside.

Mrs. DOLE. Madam President, I am very concerned that amendments to this bill are being limited because there are many issues that deserve attention in this debate. For instance, in my home State of North Carolina, we have had a number of fatal automobile accidents caused by an intoxicated person who was in the United States illegally. Sadly, just yesterday morning on Interstate 40 near Raleigh, a man was killed on his way to work when his vehicle was struck by an SUV barreling across the median. The SUV driver, according to initial news reports, is an illegal alien, who now faces a number of criminal charges, including DWI. In several of these incidents, the illegal alien driver has a record of DWI, sometimes repeated offenses, but has been caught and released. Just this past March, in Johnston County, NC, a 9-year-old boy and his father lost their lives in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver who had been convicted twice of drunken driving and had an outstanding warrant stemming from a probation violation--and he was in the United States illegally. Another tragic case was the death of Scott Gardner, a Gaston County school teacher, who was killed in 2005 by a drunk driver--a driver who was an illegal alien with five previous DWI charges. I want to thank my colleague Richard Burr who introduced the Scott Gardner Act to deal with this serious issue, and on the House side, my good friend Sue Myrick has been a true leader on this front. I hear from many North Carolinians who ask me what is Washington doing to stop this from happening. When are we going to take action to make our communities safer. Such senseless tragedies are not unique to North Carolina. Automobile accidents caused by intoxicated illegal aliens are occurring around the Nation--too often killing innocent people who are just going about their daily lives, or leaving the victims with crippling, disabling injuries. It is a privilege, not a right, for an immigrant to receive legal status to live in the United States of America. My amendment would ensure that this privilege is not granted to an illegal alien with a DWI conviction. No question, our DWI laws should be vigorously enforced, regardless of the offender's immigration or citizenship status. My amendment addresses an all too prevalent problem and should be considered. There are a number of other amendments that deserve a place in this debate. The bill we are considering would have enormous ramifications for nearly every American, as well as those who want to work in this country or become American citizens. We must do our due diligence and not rush this bill through. The majority in this body must not stifle the voice of the minority Members. More amendments must be considered. I yield back my remaining time to Senator Sessions, the Republican manager.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, today is the sixth National Hunger Awareness Day--a day to reflect on the fact that in this Nation alone more than 35 million people are experiencing hunger or are at risk for hunger. It is also a day to recognize the tremendous efforts of individuals who graciously give their time and resources to help those in need. Hunger is far too prevalent, but I think Washington Post columnist David Broder hit the nail on the head when he wrote: ``America has some problems that defy solution. This one does not. It just needs caring people and a caring government, working together.'' I agree, the battle to end hunger in our country is a campaign that cannot be won in months or even a few years, but it is a victory within reach. And I am motivated to do what I can to make a positive difference in this fight against hunger--both in the United States and beyond our borders. In America--the land of prosperity and plenty--some people have the misconception that hunger plagues only far-away, undeveloped nations. The reality is that hunger is a silent enemy lurking within 1 in 10 U.S. households. In my home State of North Carolina alone, nearly 1 million of our 8.8 million residents are struggling with food security issues. In recent years, once-thriving North Carolina towns have been economically crippled by the shuttering of textile mills and furniture factories. People have lost their jobs--and sometimes their ability to put food on the table. I know this scenario is not unique to North Carolina, as many American manufacturing jobs have moved overseas. While many folks are finding new employment, these days a steady income doesn't necessarily provide for three square meals a day. To help struggling families and individuals, our nation is blessed to have many faith-based and other nonprofit service organizations that work to fight hunger. Over the last year, I have toured a number of these organizations in my home State--such as MANNA FoodBank in Asheville, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, and Meals on Wheels of Senior Services in Winston-Salem. I also have visited the DC Central Kitchen here in Washington--just a few blocks from the Capitol. At each of these organizations, I am inspired by the dedicated staff and volunteers who have such a passion for helping others. Another hunger relief organization that I hold in the highest regard is the Society of St. Andrew, which gleans produce from farms and then packages, processes and transports excess food to feed hungry people across the country. When I think of gleaning, I often think of Ruth in the Old Testament. Her story takes place during a famine in Bethlehem, and Ruth gleaned so that her family could eat. In Biblical times, farmers were encouraged to leave crops in their fields for the poor and for travelers. It is a practice we should be utilizing much more extensively today--considering that in this country, 27 percent of all the food produced annually is lost at the retail, consumer, and food service levels. This means we are wasting about 3,044 pounds of good food every second. The Society of St. Andrew recently passed a milestone--saving and distributing a total of 500 million pounds of food since 1983. This translates into more than 1.5 billion servings. Already this year, the organization has provided more than 5.5 million pounds of produce. Amazingly, it only costs about 2 cents a serving to glean and deliver this food to those in need. And all of this work is done by the hands of tens of thousands of volunteers and a very small staff. I have gleaned in North Carolina fields with my friends at the Society of St. Andrew, and they are truly a remarkable group. Like any humanitarian endeavor, the gleaning system works because of cooperative efforts. Private organizations and individuals are doing a great job--but with very limited resources. One of the single largest concerns for gleaners is transportation--how to actually get food to those in need. To help address this problem, I am proud to reintroduce today the Hunger Relief Trucking Tax Credit Act, which would change the Tax Code to give transportation companies tax incentives for volunteering trucks to transfer gleaned food. Specifically, my bill would create a 25-cent tax credit for each mile that food is transported for hunger relief efforts by a donated truck and driver. This bill would provide a little extra encouragement for trucking companies to donate space in their vehicles to help more food reach more hungry people. I am grateful to my colleagues, Senators Lincoln, Burr, Durbin, Vitter and Allard, for joining this effort, and I welcome the support of relief organizations like the Society of St. Andrew, the American Trucking Association, and America's Second Harvest. In addition, Senators Lautenberg, Lincoln, and I plan to soon reintroduce the Food Employment Empowerment and Development Program Act, or the FEED Act. The idea behind this legislation is simple: combine food rescue with job training, thus teaching unemployed and homeless adults the skills needed to work in the food service industry. With support from the FEED Act, community kitchens will receive much- needed resources to help collect rescued food and provide 2 million meals each year to the hungry. Successful FEED Act-type programs already exist. For example, in Charlotte, NC, the Community Culinary School recruits students from social service agencies, homeless shelters, halfway houses and work release programs. And just around the comer from here, 25 students recently began training in the DC Central Kitchen's 68th culinary job training class. This is a model program, which began in 1990, and it is always a great privilege to visit the kitchen and meet with the individuals who have faced adversity but are now on track for a career in the food service industry. We also must do more to help America's 12 million hungry children get on the right track. As a result of hunger, these children have higher levels of chronic illness, depression, and behavior problems. This is a travesty that can and must be prevented, and school feeding programs provide a critical means to this end. The National School Lunch Program feeds 30 million children in more than 100,000 schools each day. While reduced price meals are available to students whose family income is below 130 percent of the poverty level, State and local school board members have informed me that many families struggle to even pay this fee. In too many cases, this is creating an insurmountable barrier to participation. That is why I am a strong supporter of eliminating the reduced price fee for these families and harmonizing the free income guideline with the WIC income guideline, which is 185 percent of poverty. In 2004, we succeeded in having a five-State pilot program authorized, and since then, a number of colleagues have joined me in urging funding for the program. I am very proud that the fiscal year 2008 Senate budget resolution finally includes the funds, and I will continue to push this during the appropriations process--because expanding the free lunch program has great potential to alleviate hunger for millions of children and help them succeed in school. School feeding programs also offer tremendous opportunity to reach some of the 400 million chronically hungry children across the globe. Earlier this year, Senator Dick Durbin and I introduced a bill to reauthorize the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. This program was named for my husband Senator Bob Dole and his good friend Senator George McGovern--both of whom remain tremendous advocates for this and other child nutrition initiatives. As with the U.S. school lunch program, the McGovern-Dole program helps attract children to schools. The nutritious meals provided help keep them alert and focused so they can learn and nourished so they can grow and mature. First authorized in 2002, the program provides for donations of U.S. agricultural products and financial and technical assistance for school food programs and maternal and child nutrition projects in low-income countries that are committed to universal education. In 2005 alone, the McGovern-Dole program distributed 120,000 metric tons of U.S. food commodities, including wheat, wheat flour, corn, rice, dry beans, and vegetable oils, to schools that run feeding programs in the world's poorest countries. In addition to Federal funding, outside donors have provided approximately $1 billion to complement the McGovern-Dole program, making this initiative a successful public-private partnership. McGovern-Dole has a proven track record of reducing hunger among school-age children and improving literacy and primary education enrollment in areas where conflict, hunger, poverty and HIV/AIDS are prevalent. School meals, teacher training, and related support have helped boost school enrollment and academic performance. These positive results are especially true among girls, including those who live where girls are commonly mistreated and marginalized. Throughout my career in public service, I have seen the faces of hunger so many times. During my time at the American Red Cross, I witnessed hunger and starvation in war-torn Rwanda and famine-stricken Somalia. In Baidoa, I came upon a little boy lying under a sack. I thought he was dead, but as his brother sat him up, I could see that he was severely malnourished. I asked for camel's milk to feed him, and as I raised the cup to his mouth, I put my arm around his back. The feeling of the little bones almost piercing through his flesh is something I will never forget. That is when the horror of starvation becomes real--when you can touch it. In Deuteronomy 15:7, the Bible tells us, ``If there is among you a poor man, one of your brethren, in any of your towns within your land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother.'' I implore friends on both sides of the aisle--and the people of this great country--to join in this mission, this grassroots network of compassion that transcends political ideology and provides hope and security not only for those in need today but for future generations. Let us stand and fight as one in this mission to end hunger.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, today is the sixth National Hunger Awareness Day--a day to reflect on the fact that in this Nation alone more than 35 million people are experiencing hunger or are at risk for hunger. It is also a day to recognize the tremendous efforts of individuals who graciously give their time and resources to help those in need. Hunger is far too prevalent, but I think Washington Post columnist David Broder hit the nail on the head when he wrote: ``America has some problems that defy solution. This one does not. It just needs caring people and a caring government, working together.'' I agree, the battle to end hunger in our country is a campaign that cannot be won in months or even a few years, but it is a victory within reach. And I am motivated to do what I can to make a positive difference in this fight against hunger--both in the United States and beyond our borders. In America--the land of prosperity and plenty--some people have the misconception that hunger plagues only far-away, undeveloped nations. The reality is that hunger is a silent enemy lurking within 1 in 10 U.S. households. In my home State of North Carolina alone, nearly 1 million of our 8.8 million residents are struggling with food security issues. In recent years, once-thriving North Carolina towns have been economically crippled by the shuttering of textile mills and furniture factories. People have lost their jobs--and sometimes their ability to put food on the table. I know this scenario is not unique to North Carolina, as many American manufacturing jobs have moved overseas. While many folks are finding new employment, these days a steady income doesn't necessarily provide for three square meals a day. To help struggling families and individuals, our nation is blessed to have many faith-based and other nonprofit service organizations that work to fight hunger. Over the last year, I have toured a number of these organizations in my home State--such as MANNA FoodBank in Asheville, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, and Meals on Wheels of Senior Services in Winston-Salem. I also have visited the DC Central Kitchen here in Washington--just a few blocks from the Capitol. At each of these organizations, I am inspired by the dedicated staff and volunteers who have such a passion for helping others. Another hunger relief organization that I hold in the highest regard is the Society of St. Andrew, which gleans produce from farms and then packages, processes and transports excess food to feed hungry people across the country. When I think of gleaning, I often think of Ruth in the Old Testament. Her story takes place during a famine in Bethlehem, and Ruth gleaned so that her family could eat. In Biblical times, farmers were encouraged to leave crops in their fields for the poor and for travelers. It is a practice we should be utilizing much more extensively today--considering that in this country, 27 percent of all the food produced annually is lost at the retail, consumer, and food service levels. This means we are wasting about 3,044 pounds of good food every second. The Society of St. Andrew recently passed a milestone--saving and distributing a total of 500 million pounds of food since 1983. This translates into more than 1.5 billion servings. Already this year, the organization has provided more than 5.5 million pounds of produce. Amazingly, it only costs about 2 cents a serving to glean and deliver this food to those in need. And all of this work is done by the hands of tens of thousands of volunteers and a very small staff. I have gleaned in North Carolina fields with my friends at the Society of St. Andrew, and they are truly a remarkable group. Like any humanitarian endeavor, the gleaning system works because of cooperative efforts. Private organizations and individuals are doing a great job--but with very limited resources. One of the single largest concerns for gleaners is transportation--how to actually get food to those in need. To help address this problem, I am proud to reintroduce today the Hunger Relief Trucking Tax Credit Act, which would change the Tax Code to give transportation companies tax incentives for volunteering trucks to transfer gleaned food. Specifically, my bill would create a 25-cent tax credit for each mile that food is transported for hunger relief efforts by a donated truck and driver. This bill would provide a little extra encouragement for trucking companies to donate space in their vehicles to help more food reach more hungry people. I am grateful to my colleagues, Senators Lincoln, Burr, Durbin, Vitter and Allard, for joining this effort, and I welcome the support of relief organizations like the Society of St. Andrew, the American Trucking Association, and America's Second Harvest. In addition, Senators Lautenberg, Lincoln, and I plan to soon reintroduce the Food Employment Empowerment and Development Program Act, or the FEED Act. The idea behind this legislation is simple: combine food rescue with job training, thus teaching unemployed and homeless adults the skills needed to work in the food service industry. With support from the FEED Act, community kitchens will receive much- needed resources to help collect rescued food and provide 2 million meals each year to the hungry. Successful FEED Act-type programs already exist. For example, in Charlotte, NC, the Community Culinary School recruits students from social service agencies, homeless shelters, halfway houses and work release programs. And just around the comer from here, 25 students recently began training in the DC Central Kitchen's 68th culinary job training class. This is a model program, which began in 1990, and it is always a great privilege to visit the kitchen and meet with the individuals who have faced adversity but are now on track for a career in the food service industry. We also must do more to help America's 12 million hungry children get on the right track. As a result of hunger, these children have higher levels of chronic illness, depression, and behavior problems. This is a travesty that can and must be prevented, and school feeding programs provide a critical means to this end. The National School Lunch Program feeds 30 million children in more than 100,000 schools each day. While reduced price meals are available to students whose family income is below 130 percent of the poverty level, State and local school board members have informed me that many families struggle to even pay this fee. In too many cases, this is creating an insurmountable barrier to participation. That is why I am a strong supporter of eliminating the reduced price fee for these families and harmonizing the free income guideline with the WIC income guideline, which is 185 percent of poverty. In 2004, we succeeded in having a five-State pilot program authorized, and since then, a number of colleagues have joined me in urging funding for the program. I am very proud that the fiscal year 2008 Senate budget resolution finally includes the funds, and I will continue to push this during the appropriations process--because expanding the free lunch program has great potential to alleviate hunger for millions of children and help them succeed in school. School feeding programs also offer tremendous opportunity to reach some of the 400 million chronically hungry children across the globe. Earlier this year, Senator Dick Durbin and I introduced a bill to reauthorize the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. This program was named for my husband Senator Bob Dole and his good friend Senator George McGovern--both of whom remain tremendous advocates for this and other child nutrition initiatives. As with the U.S. school lunch program, the McGovern-Dole program helps attract children to schools. The nutritious meals provided help keep them alert and focused so they can learn and nourished so they can grow and mature. First authorized in 2002, the program provides for donations of U.S. agricultural products and financial and technical assistance for school food programs and maternal and child nutrition projects in low-income countries that are committed to universal education. In 2005 alone, the McGovern-Dole program distributed 120,000 metric tons of U.S. food commodities, including wheat, wheat flour, corn, rice, dry beans, and vegetable oils, to schools that run feeding programs in the world's poorest countries. In addition to Federal funding, outside donors have provided approximately $1 billion to complement the McGovern-Dole program, making this initiative a successful public-private partnership. McGovern-Dole has a proven track record of reducing hunger among school-age children and improving literacy and primary education enrollment in areas where conflict, hunger, poverty and HIV/AIDS are prevalent. School meals, teacher training, and related support have helped boost school enrollment and academic performance. These positive results are especially true among girls, including those who live where girls are commonly mistreated and marginalized. Throughout my career in public service, I have seen the faces of hunger so many times. During my time at the American Red Cross, I witnessed hunger and starvation in war-torn Rwanda and famine-stricken Somalia. In Baidoa, I came upon a little boy lying under a sack. I thought he was dead, but as his brother sat him up, I could see that he was severely malnourished. I asked for camel's milk to feed him, and as I raised the cup to his mouth, I put my arm around his back. The feeling of the little bones almost piercing through his flesh is something I will never forget. That is when the horror of starvation becomes real--when you can touch it. In Deuteronomy 15:7, the Bible tells us, ``If there is among you a poor man, one of your brethren, in any of your towns within your land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother.'' I implore friends on both sides of the aisle--and the people of this great country--to join in this mission, this grassroots network of compassion that transcends political ideology and provides hope and security not only for those in need today but for future generations. Let us stand and fight as one in this mission to end hunger.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, I have an amendment at the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. DOLE. I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mrs. DOLE. The amendment I offer today is critical to our National Guard and reservists serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. It fixes a problem in the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Section 827 of that act allows National Guardsmen and reservists called into active duty for at least 6 months to make penalty-free early withdrawals from their IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) retirement accounts. This provision expires at the end of 2007. My amendment, which is fully offset, corrects this by extending this important provision through 2012. Our National Guardsmen and reservists always stand ready to put their lives on hold and answer the call of duty. They are putting themselves into harm's way to protect our freedoms and security. They can face lengthy deployments that cause major financial strains for their families. These outstanding men and women should continue to have penalty-free access to their retirement savings if they find themselves in a deployment-related financial crunch. I urge passage of the amendment.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, today I wish to honor CPT Eduardo Reyes, a retired pilot who flew for Philippine Airlines. On December 11, 1994, Captain Reyes was piloting Philippine Airlines flight 434, from Manila to Tokyo, when a bomb planted by now-convicted terrorist Ramzi Yousef was detonated on board the aircraft. The blast immediately killed 1 Japanese businessman and injured 10 others. It also caused the plane's controls to stop functioning normally, putting the lives of everybody aboard the plane at risk. In this most trying of situations, Captain Reyes and his crew rose to the challenge. Controlling the altitude of the plane via the throttle-- which I understand is an extremely difficult thing to do--Captain Reyes kept the plane in the air for nearly an hour before making an emergency landing in Okinawa. His courageous actions and outstanding skill as a pilot helped avert a great disaster and save the lives of 272 passengers and 20 crew members. Captain Reyes later had the courage to testify on behalf of the United States against al-Qaida master bomber Ramzi Yousef. In 1994, Yousef was working on a master plan, often called the Bojinka Plot, to bomb 12 U.S. passenger jets over the Pacific Ocean in a 2-day period, killing over 4000 civilians. The bombing of Captain Reyes' plane was a test run for that plan. And, as many here remember, Yousef was also responsible for the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. Captain Reyes' testimony at Ramzi Yousef's 1996 trial helped to put one of the world's most dangerous terrorists in prison for life. For his valor and clear thinking on December 11, 1994, and for his contribution to the fight against terrorism by testifying against Ramzi Yousef, I would like to commend Captain Reyes. The United States and countries throughout the world are indebted to him for these brave actions.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, I congratulate Mr. John M. Queen III, of Waynesville, NC, for recently becoming the president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. John is the president and owner of John Queen Farms, a third generation cattle farm located in the mountains of North Carolina. He is a family man, a successful businessman, and a proven leader in his community and the beef industry. Over the years, John has been involved in almost every area of the beef industry from production to sale, and he has served in numerous leadership roles in the beef industry at the county, State, and national levels. With his extensive knowledge and experience as a member of the beef industry, John Queen is the kind of leader the beef industry needs right now. In the coming months, a new farm bill will be written that will impact our livestock producers. As a producer, John Queen understands these issues firsthand, and he will have the opportunity to serve as an advocate for his fellow livestock producers. The beef industry today is at a pivotal crossroads. As Congress works to secure fair and open markets in Europe and Asia, the beef industry must continue to work diligently to foster consumer confidence in one of our Nation's largest export commodities. As we continue to work with the Canadian Government and governments in Asia to reopen their markets to U.S. beef, we will need diligent and creative leaders such as John Queen to help promote our beef to consumers around the world. I am very pleased that a fellow North Carolinian will be leading the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. This is a great day for our cattlemen, and for North Carolina as a whole.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I join with all North Carolinians and all Americans in mourning the passing of President Gerald Ford. I was privileged to call President Ford a dear friend for more than 30 years, and my husband Bob and I continue to keep Betty and the entire Ford family in our thoughts and prayers. President Ford presided over America during some of her most difficult and challenging times. Immediately upon entering the Oval Office, President Ford was confronted with a myriad of problems--a faltering economy, energy shortages, international disputes, and a nation disheartened and disillusioned by scandal. He confronted these challenges head-on, and he did so with honesty, integrity, common sense, and decency. He was a true American patriot who never failed to put the interests of his country above his own political interests. And, to me, that is the embodiment of a true leader. Long before entering the White House, President Ford had a distinguished and successful career. He diligently represented the people of Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives for 25 years, including 8 years serving as House minority leader. Throughout each chapter of his career, President Ford displayed extraordinary care and thoughtfulness as he worked tirelessly to bring together his colleagues--from both sides of the ideological spectrum--for the betterment of our Nation. And in turn, his colleagues respected him, relied on his wise judgment, and valued his leadership. As my husband Bob says, President Ford was the type of person you would want as your next-door neighbor. He was humble, down-to-earth, and accessible. What you saw with President Ford was what you got. In addition to having the honor of serving in President Ford's administration as a Federal Trade Commissioner, I had the privilege of spending a good bit of time with President Ford and his dear wife Betty when my husband campaigned as his running mate in 1976. During this time, I saw a side of the President that I wish every American could have seen. I will never forget the day when President Ford announced that Bob would be his running mate. We were in Bob's hometown of Russell, KS, and my mother-in-law wanted very much to serve a home-cooked fried chicken dinner to the President. But when President Ford and Bob arrived at her home, they discovered that Mrs. Dole had accidentally locked herself out of the house. So there was the President of the United States standing on the front stoop patiently waiting for Mrs. Dole to find the spare key. She was a nervous wreck, but the President didn't mind one bit--instead, he kindly offered to help her find the key, so together they searched until they found it behind a drainpipe. I have always thought this story about a small kindness truly speaks volumes about the sterling character of a man I have long respected and admired. Even as President Ford had the weight of the world on his shoulders, he always treated his fellow man with kindness, respect, and personal modesty. President Ford served the United States with courage and distinction, and he provided a shining example for all public servants to follow. I am so proud to have known this man of character, strength, and intellect. I will miss my friend, and I wish the best to Betty, his children, Michael, John, Steven, and Susan, and the entire Ford family.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, it is an honor indeed to pay tribute to a number of fine individuals who I am fortunate to call not just my colleagues, but also dear friends: Senators Bill Frist, George Allen, Conrad Burns, Lincoln Chafee, Mike DeWine, Rick Santorum and Jim Talent. Bill Frist One of the greatest losses to the Senate is the departure of our majority leader, Dr. Bill Frist. I first became acquainted with Bill when he called me during my time as president of the American Red Cross to say that he would travel to Africa with us to volunteer as a surgeon. Back then, I immediately recognized Bill's intelligence, integrity and compassion for others. I saw how dedicated he was about sound policy--especially health care policy--and how dedicated he was to helping those most in need, whether they be in America, in Africa, or anywhere in the world. And I saw how his colleagues quickly came to respect him, to rely on his judgment, and to value his counsel. In the fall of 2001, when terrorism hit home in the United States Capitol, we saw how Bill's colleagues immediately turned to him for his guidance and expertise, and Bill responded to the challenge. For example, he quickly transformed his Senate website into the best source of information for Senate staff on the issues surrounding possible anthrax exposure. And he was willing to speak with each and every Member of the Senate community to allay concerns with accurate medical information. Bill utilized his expertise to write legislation to help protect the entire Nation from the scourge of bioterrorism. For the past 2 years, I was honored to serve as a member of Bill's leadership team. As our leader, Bill displayed extraordinary integrity, care and thoughtfulness in dealing with every Senator, and he worked tirelessly to bring together his colleagues for the betterment of our Nation. Bill's record of achievement as our majority leader is exemplary. As a result of his steady leadership, we succeeded in securing historic tax relief that has helped put more money in the pockets of hard- working Americans while paving the way for today's stunning economic recovery. His leadership improved life for our seniors by lowering the cost of prescription drugs. He helped spearhead important reforms of our tort system and bankruptcy code. Under Bill's leadership, we passed a comprehensive energy bill that reduces our reliance on foreign oil. And to help keep our Nation's fiscal house in order, Bill led the fight to pass a landmark deficit reduction plan that put some brakes on mandatory Federal spending. Perhaps most importantly, Bill's leadership was indispensable in helping place men and women on our Federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, who will strictly interpret the law rather than try to legislate from the bench. During Bill's 12 years in the Senate, our Nation faced many challenges and many changes. But Bill retained his strong sense of direction, his dedication to reaching out to those most in need, and his devotion to his family--Karyn, Harrison, Jonathan, and Bryan. As he has done in medicine and in public service, I know that in future endeavors Bill will continue to serve and help his fellow man. George Allen It has also been a privilege to serve alongside my good friend and colleague, Senator George Allen. In the Senate, George built on an already remarkable record of service to the people of Virginia, where he served as a Member of the House of Delegates, a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and as one of the most respected and successful Governors in the history of the Commonwealth. As a Senator, George continued his common sense, ``Jeffersonian'' style of conservative leadership. He proved time and again that he is a tremendous ally of Virginia's defense communities and military families. In 2005, George was a strong proponent of helping families of fallen soldiers by raising the death gratuity for next-of-kin from $12,000 to $100,000. And as a member of the Commerce Committee, George Allen was the Senate leader in working to maintain America's competitive advantage in technology and innovation. George founded the Senate Competitiveness Caucus to promote an agenda that ensures that the United States continues to create high paying jobs and produce the very best engineers and scientists in the world. One of George's best attributes as a Senator was that he did more than just talk the talk--George delivered real results. He advocated for increased funding for math and science education, in particular at historically black colleges and other minority institutions. He has been a leader in the Senate on improving health savings accounts by increasing the amount individuals can contribute each year to their HSAs, thus allowing them to save more money for current and future health care needs. George also secured more than $3.5 million in Federal funding for cutting-edge nanotechnology research and development. And he led the fight to ban Internet access taxes and make the internet tax moratorium permanent, as he understands that saddling consumers with high taxes will stifle innovation and expand the digital divide. Throughout his career, George Allen has served the people of Virginia with courage and distinction, and he has provided a wonderful example for public servants who follow in his footsteps. I wish all the best to George, his dear wife Susan, and their three children. Conrad Burns For the past 18 years, Montanans were extremely fortunate to be represented by Conrad Burns. There is no question that Conrad delivered time and again for the people of his State. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Conrad secured more than $2 billion in Federal funds for Montana. And as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, he was a tireless advocate of programs that benefit all Montanans, such as protecting drinking water and defending his State's wilderness and wildlife. Conrad also fought hard for Malmstrom Air Force Base and Montana's military presence during the base realignment and closure process in 2005. As chairman of the communications subcommittee of the Commerce Committee, Conrad fought for deregulation and new Internet and mobile phone technologies. And he worked to ensure that rural Montana communities have access to the technologies that will keep them competitive in today's global marketplace. Throughout his time in the Senate, Conrad was a strong proponent of government accountability, fiscal responsibility and lower taxes. He worked diligently to decrease America's dependence on foreign oil. And he was an early backer of the Medicare prescription drug benefit that is now helping millions of seniors afford their medicines. Conrad's legacy will live on, across Montana, and in the halls of the Senate, long after he has shut the door to his office. He leaves behind an extraordinary record of service to the people of his State. My warmest wishes to my friend Conrad Burns, his wife Phyllis, and their family. Lincoln Chafee Senator Lincoln Chaffee also will be greatly missed in this Chamber. lin served the people of Rhode Island with the utmost honor, integrity and compassion. I have great respect for lin Chafee for his commitment to the principles of personal freedom, individual responsibility and fiscal discipline. Well-known for his reputation as a fierce deficit hawk, he has been a vocal advocate for responsible government spending, and a strong supporter of abolishing the marriage tax penalty and increasing the child tax credit. Linc also took a very active interest in promoting the health care of women and children. Lincoln Chafee also has been tirelessly dedicated to improving his home state. As a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, he secured more than $1 billion in Federal funding for Rhode Island's infrastructure, including the Warwick Station project and the development of the East Providence shoreline. And as chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water, he worked diligently to protect air and water quality in his State. Linc was a principled, independent Member, adamant about doing what he believed was right for the families he represented. Throughout his Senate career, he demonstrated a willingness to listen to all sides of an issue and work with members of both political parties. He is a man who speaks his mind, votes his conscience, and treats others with the dignity and respect they deserve. Linc is a refreshing politician, a diligent public servant, and a devoted family man to his wife Stephanie and their three children. It goes without saying that my colleagues in the Senate--and the people of Rhode Island--will greatly miss Senator Lincoln Chafee. Mike De Wine Among the Senate's most effective legislators, Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio will use his many talents and expertise to tackle new endeavors. Mike's career is truly an American success story. As a boy, he learned the values of hard work and perseverance in the fields and the mill of his family's small agricultural business in Yellow Springs, OH. It is those principles that have guided him throughout a stellar career in public service, in which he has served as prosecutor, an Ohio State Senator, a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and as Lieutenant Governor. As a Senator, Mike made his mark in a number of policy areas. He was a strong proponent of education and children's health care. In particular, he advocated for children's hospitals because he understands that these hospitals are important centers for pediatric research. During more than a decade of service on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mike worked doggedly to investigate intelligence failures and revamp our intelligence community. As the chairman of the Retirement Security and Aging Subcommittee of the HELP Committee, he focused his efforts on modernizing our Nation's pension system. And as the first Ohio Senator in six decades to serve on the Appropriations Committee, Mike was committed to ensuring that our Nation's first responders have the resources they need. On the Judiciary Committee, Mike took the lead on a number of antiterror and anticrime initiatives, such as the Patriot Act, as well as proposals to curb drunk driving, to help keep all Americans safe. Perhaps what I admire most about Mike is that this terrific father of eight, and grandfather of nine, always puts his family first. As a public servant, Mike has used his positions to contribute to the greater good, and he has brilliantly served the people of Ohio throughout his career. May God bless Mike DeWine, his wife Fran, and their family for many, many years to come. Rick Santorum It goes without saying that it pulls at my heartstrings to bid farewell to Senator Rick Santorum. On issue after issue--tax relief, education, affordable health care, national security Rick has stood tall for Pennsylvanians and all Americans. Rick is a man of conviction, deep faith, and integrity--qualities instilled in him growing up in Pennsylvania as the son of an Italian immigrant. He doesn't beat around the bush, and you never have to wonder where he stands. His word is his bond, and he expresses his views with great passion and expertise. Since his early days in the Senate, Rick was an inspirational leader. One of the qualities I admired most about him as a legislator was that he never was one to dodge the tough issues; in fact, he readily took the lead on those issues and set out to find solutions to very serious challenges. For example, he spearheaded the passage of welfare reform in 1996, which to date has helped more than 1 million Americans go from receiving welfare checks to paychecks. Rick fought hard for No Child Left Behind, and as a result, today math and reading scores in Pennsylvania schools are on the rise. He also fought hard to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to high quality, affordable health care. He is a strong supporter of Federal cancer research, including increased funding for breast cancer research. And he led the charge to reform our medical malpractice laws to curb lawsuit abuse and ensure that patients continue to receive the critical care they need. Rick also recognizes that hard-earned dollars belong to families and small businesses, not Uncle Sam. In addition, Rick was one of Congress's most dedicated and knowledgeable Members when it came to developing antipoverty initiatives. He was the driving force behind legislation that would provide a tremendous boost to charitable-giving through a series of targeted tax incentives aimed at helping the homeless, the drug addicted, and the less fortunate in our society. And he committed himself to working to eradicate the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. In short, Rick Santorum is the embodiment of what it means to be a compassionate conservative. Rick was so attentive to the needs of those he represented and always put Pennsylvania first. For example, he helped secure $100 million to build America's first ever coal to ultra-clean fuel plant in Pennsylvania, which not only creates jobs but also provides more affordable energy and benefits the environment. I often joked with Rick that he should hold another title, the ``Mayor of Pennsylvania.'' It's no surprise that he made it a point each year to visit all of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. On so many issues, Rick has been a principled advocate for his constituents. While Rick works incredibly hard, there is no question that he is first and foremost a dedicated family man to his wife Karen and their six children. It has been a privilege indeed to work closely with Rick--sometimes literally, as our offices were on the same hall. He is an all-around class act, and with his numerous accomplishments and exemplary record of service to his constituents, he will certainly be a tough act to follow. Jim Talent Senator Jim Talent has been an outstanding representative of the people of Missouri. A dedicated public servant, he served for 8 years in the State House of Representatives, as well as 8 years in the U.S. House. Jim was the lead author in the House of the landmark 1996 welfare reform bill that has moved more than a million Americans off welfare and into work and self-sufficiency. Jim is man of impeccable character and a natural leader, and in the Senate he held a number of leadership posts in his freshman term--as the chairman of the Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, as the chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Marketing, Inspection, and Product Promotion, and as a deputy whip. He also demonstrated a remarkable ability to make things happen legislatively, with many of his bills passed by Congress and signed into law. Jim's amazing legislative record reflects not just his abilities but also the respect he earned from his colleagues. Jim delivered on his promises to Missourians to help create jobs, grow the economy and strengthen our national defense. He also worked to improve health care, and he advocated on behalf of those who suffer from sickle cell disease and breast cancer. It has been my pleasure to serve with Jim on the Senate Armed Services Committee. I have seen him in action and know that there is no one more committed to ensuring that our country's defenses remain strong. I was proud to work closely with him to enact legislation to prevent predatory lenders from targeting our brave men and women in uniform and their families. There is no question that he is a steadfast supporter of our service members, their families, and their livelihood. This Chamber needs more members like Jim, who understand that the only way to really make a difference is to put partisan concerns aside and work across the aisle. Throughout his public service career, Jim Talent has certainly made a positive difference, and he will surely be missed in the U.S. Senate. As these men--Bill Frist, George Allen, Conrad Burns, Lincoln Chafee, Mike DeWine, Rick Santorum and Jim Talent--conclude their service in the U.S. Senate, let me say that I am so proud to have worked with individuals of such character, strength, and intellect. Our Nation is grateful for their many contributions. And as they each will undoubtedly continue to contribute to our country's greatness, their leadership and vision will be missed here in the U.S. Senate.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. I agree that it is outrageous that the Haiti bill in this package was never considered by any committee in the Senate, never properly debated in a committee or on the Senate floor. No Member has been given an opportunity to offer amendments to improve this legislation, and the U.S. industry that has most to lose from this bill was never given an opportunity to formally make its case before this body. I have long supported increased assistance for Haiti, and support measures to expand trade between Haiti and the United States, but this poorly designed bill would cause serious harm to the U.S. textile industry, potentially putting many North Carolina textile workers out of jobs. I believe this Haiti trade package needs to be thoroughly evaluated. Senator Graham, Senator Sessions, and I would also like to propose a change to the length of time in which the administration must certify that Haiti has met the conditions to receiving benefits under the act. I request that the senior Senator from Montana agree to work with us to pass legislation to amend the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to provide the President up to 1 year to certify that Haiti has made sufficient progress in meeting the conditions in the act. This change will in no way preclude the President from certifying that Haiti has met the requirements of this legislation prior to 1 year from now.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the joint resolution be printed in the Record.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the joint resolution be printed in the Record.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, across North Carolina and our Nation, many local communities face the challenge of what to do with blighted lands where factories and businesses once thrived. Though abandoned, these sites still hold great promise for prosperity. In fact, around the country, deserted, contaminated industrial facilities, called brownfields, are being reclaimed, cleaned up and redeveloped. Communities are partnering with the private sector and State and Federal agencies to turn brownfields into productive sites that promote economic growth and job creation. With nearly 1 million brownfields remaining in the United States, we need to strengthen these important public-private partnerships. That is why I am very pleased to introduce the Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act with my colleagues, Senators Martinez, Levin, Reed, Voinovich, and Jeffords. This legislation will enable more local communities to use grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Brownfields Economic Development Initiative, BEDI, program to literally unearth opportunity. For several years, HUD has provided more than $200 million to local governments in BEDI grants of up to $3 million to support demolition, site clearance, site preparation, infrastructure upgrades, and redevelopment activities that are needed to transform brownfields into productive sites once again. This HUD support for brownfields projects is critical because redevelopment requires more than the environmental assessment and cleanup funding that is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. BEDI grants generate tremendous private investment in brownfields redevelopment. In fact, every dollar in BEDI grant funding generates 10 dollars in private sector support for brownfields projects. Still, these funds could be provided in a much more effective way. Currently BEDI grants are available only if they are coupled with HUD section 108 loan guarantees, typically in a high loan-to-grant ratio. These section 108 loans must be backed and collateralized by the local government's future allocations of HUD community development block grant, CDBG, funds. This requirement is unworkable for many communities. For smaller localities that do not have an entitlement to CDBG funds, BEDI funds are very difficult to obtain. And larger CDBG entitlement communities also have great difficulty in obtaining BEDI funding, either because they have reached their allowable CDBG borrowing limit or because the demand for scarce CDBG funding is so great. The legislation we introduce today would amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 by untying the BEDI program from the requirement to obtain Section 108 loans, thus making BEDI funding more accessible for communities large and small. The legislation also would authorize $50 million in annual HUD grant funding for brownfields projects. Communities around the country, including many in my home State of North Carolina, would benefit tremendously from this adjustment in BEDI grant requirements. For example, Wilson, N.C. wants to clean up and redevelop 30 acres of vacant tobacco warehouses in the downtown district. But because Wilson is not a CDBG entitlement community, these BEDI funds currently are unattainable under the section 108 requirement. And in Winston-Salem, city leaders seek to make a corridor of underutilized brownfield land into part of the Piedmont Triad Research Park, a global center for life science and medical technology. Winston-Salem, though a CDBG entitlement city, cannot access any additional BEDI funding because the city is nearing its CDBG debt guarantee limit. The legislation we propose today would remove these barriers for places like Wilson and Winston-Salem and enable our communities to turn great visions for economic development into reality. The House of Representatives has already approved a similar measure to spur brownfields cleanup, and this legislation is broadly supported by many localities and private sector organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Development Organizations, the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals, the National Association of Homebuilders, the Associated General Contractors of America, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the National Brownfield Association, the Real Estate Roundtable, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, and North Carolina-based Cherokee Investment Partners. With such strong support--in Congress and in communities across the Nation--for this improvement to the BEDI program, I urge the Senate to act swiftly on this legislation. Brownfields revitalization projects are models of successful public-private partnering, and we at the Federal level must do our part to encourage and enable these endeavors to continue.

Mrs. DOLE

Mrs. DOLE. Mr. President, across North Carolina and our Nation, many local communities face the challenge of what to do with blighted lands where factories and businesses once thrived. Though abandoned, these sites still hold great promise for prosperity. In fact, around the country, deserted, contaminated industrial facilities, called brownfields, are being reclaimed, cleaned up and redeveloped. Communities are partnering with the private sector and State and Federal agencies to turn brownfields into productive sites that promote economic growth and job creation. With nearly 1 million brownfields remaining in the United States, we need to strengthen these important public-private partnerships. That is why I am very pleased to introduce the Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act with my colleagues, Senators Martinez, Levin, Reed, Voinovich, and Jeffords. This legislation will enable more local communities to use grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Brownfields Economic Development Initiative, BEDI, program to literally unearth opportunity. For several years, HUD has provided more than $200 million to local governments in BEDI grants of up to $3 million to support demolition, site clearance, site preparation, infrastructure upgrades, and redevelopment activities that are needed to transform brownfields into productive sites once again. This HUD support for brownfields projects is critical because redevelopment requires more than the environmental assessment and cleanup funding that is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. BEDI grants generate tremendous private investment in brownfields redevelopment. In fact, every dollar in BEDI grant funding generates 10 dollars in private sector support for brownfields projects. Still, these funds could be provided in a much more effective way. Currently BEDI grants are available only if they are coupled with HUD section 108 loan guarantees, typically in a high loan-to-grant ratio. These section 108 loans must be backed and collateralized by the local government's future allocations of HUD community development block grant, CDBG, funds. This requirement is unworkable for many communities. For smaller localities that do not have an entitlement to CDBG funds, BEDI funds are very difficult to obtain. And larger CDBG entitlement communities also have great difficulty in obtaining BEDI funding, either because they have reached their allowable CDBG borrowing limit or because the demand for scarce CDBG funding is so great. The legislation we introduce today would amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 by untying the BEDI program from the requirement to obtain Section 108 loans, thus making BEDI funding more accessible for communities large and small. The legislation also would authorize $50 million in annual HUD grant funding for brownfields projects. Communities around the country, including many in my home State of North Carolina, would benefit tremendously from this adjustment in BEDI grant requirements. For example, Wilson, N.C. wants to clean up and redevelop 30 acres of vacant tobacco warehouses in the downtown district. But because Wilson is not a CDBG entitlement community, these BEDI funds currently are unattainable under the section 108 requirement. And in Winston-Salem, city leaders seek to make a corridor of underutilized brownfield land into part of the Piedmont Triad Research Park, a global center for life science and medical technology. Winston-Salem, though a CDBG entitlement city, cannot access any additional BEDI funding because the city is nearing its CDBG debt guarantee limit. The legislation we propose today would remove these barriers for places like Wilson and Winston-Salem and enable our communities to turn great visions for economic development into reality. The House of Representatives has already approved a similar measure to spur brownfields cleanup, and this legislation is broadly supported by many localities and private sector organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Development Organizations, the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals, the National Association of Homebuilders, the Associated General Contractors of America, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the National Brownfield Association, the Real Estate Roundtable, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, and North Carolina-based Cherokee Investment Partners. With such strong support--in Congress and in communities across the Nation--for this improvement to the BEDI program, I urge the Senate to act swiftly on this legislation. Brownfields revitalization projects are models of successful public-private partnering, and we at the Federal level must do our part to encourage and enable these endeavors to continue.