Joe Donnelly

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today, I applaud the Marian University Knights on earning USA Cycling's No. 1 collegiate cycling team ranking for the 2014-2015 season, as well as winning the 2015-2016 USA Cycling Collegiate Division I Track, Cyclo-cross, and BMX National Championships. Marian University established its cycling program in 1992. The program is committed to competing at the highest level and developing strong character in each team member through academic and athletic excellence. Since the inception of its competitive cycling program, the Marian University Knights have won 33 national championship titles in road, cyclo-cross, track, and BMX cycling. Head Coach Dean Peterson and his staff promote the University's goals by bringing team-focused concepts to a sport that traditionally emphasizes the individual. Peterson leads the team with a school-first philosophy, reminding student-athletes that they are students first and that being a responsible citizen and community member is as important as being a top-notch cyclist. It is this philosophy that serves as the cornerstone for the cycling team's three straight--2013, 2014, 2015-- USA Cycling Club of the Year awards, which evaluates not only on-bike performance, but team GPA, retention, postgraduation success, and community engagement. The Marian University Cycling Team is also giving back to the local and national cycling community, as well as the Indianapolis area, by hosting informal riding clinics, cycling for charity, and participating in campus volunteer opportunities. Congratulations to Head Coach Peterson, director of cycling operations Michael Kubancsek, athletic director Steve Downing, and all the student-cyclists and assistant coaches on winning the USA Cycling Collegiate Division I 2014-2015 Team Omnium and national championship titles in track, cyclo-cross, and BMX in the 2015-2016 collegiate season. And congratulations to university president Daniel J. Elsener, executive vice president and provost Thomas J. Enneking, the Marian University student body, and alumni. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate the Marian University Knights on the triumph of their competitive cycling program, and I wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, for more than a month, many of my colleagues and I have come to this floor to talk about our responsibility as Senators to do our job and consider the President's Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland. That is right. Here in one of the world's greatest deliberative bodies, where we have debated war and peace, civil rights, and the right of women to vote, we are now engaged in a debate about whether the Senate should carry out one of its most basic constitutional responsibilities. Even more troubling than the refusal of some Senators to consider the Supreme Court nominee is that this is one in a series of failures over the past year. It is not an isolated incident; it is a pattern. Back home in Indiana, our priorities are clear. We want good jobs and safe communities. Hoosiers are asking important questions of their elected officials, such as: What is the Senate doing to strengthen our economy? What are we doing to keep Americans safe? Today I want to talk about two additional simple things that the Senate can do to strengthen our economy and to keep our country safe. Both have strong bipartisan support already. We just have to do our job. The first relates to the Export-Import Bank. Last December, after months of negotiations, and a 5-month lapse, Congress agreed, with bipartisan support, to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, the official export credit agency of the United States of America, which helps American companies, including small businesses from my home State and from everyone else's, compete in the global economy. It does not get more common sense than approving an agency whose sole purpose--sole purpose--is to help create more American jobs at no cost to taxpayers. In fact, in 2014, the Bank supported $27.5 billion in U.S. exports and more than 164,000 American jobs and returned over $675 million to the U.S. Treasury. The Bank creates jobs, reduces the deficit, and spurs economic growth. It is a win-win-win. Yet, despite bipartisan approval last December, Senate inaction continues to hamstring the Bank, which keeps it from fully functioning. You see, in order to approve certain financing, the Bank needs a minimum of three Senate-approved board members. Today, we have only two. That is because board nominee Mark McWatters, a Republican, has been stuck in the Senate Banking Committee for more than 3 months. At a time when American companies are struggling to compete in an economy that is often rigged by other countries manipulating their currency, by intellectual property theft, and by insurmountable foreign regulatory barriers, there are a few Members of this body who are intent on obstructing this important economic tool by refusing to consider Mr. McWatters' nomination in order to advance an extreme ideological agenda. So here we are again, willfully allowing an important tool for economic growth to sit idle simply because some in the Senate refuse to do their job. While most Americans find it hard to believe we cannot agree on something as common sense as supporting the American economy, perhaps more troubling is the refusal to confirm an official to lead our Nation's efforts to combat terrorist financing around the world. Mr. Adam Szubin is the nominee to be Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes. His job is to identify and to disrupt the lines of financial support to international terrorist organizations, proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, narcotics traffickers, and other actors posing a threat to U.S. national security or foreign policy. It is a critical job. Just about anyone you ask will tell you that Adam Szubin is the guy we want doing this job. He has helped shape and enforce U.S. sanctions against our adversaries for nearly a decade, under both Republican and Democratic administrations. He is recognized as a leading expert on terrorism financing and is widely considered one of our Nation's best tools in taking the financial footing out from under terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda and countering adversaries like Iran, North Korean, and, increasingly, Russia. Today marks 1 year since Mr. Szubin was nominated--an entire year. For 1 full year, our country has worked to combat terrorist financing and enforce and expand sanctions against key adversaries without a confirmed official to lead the charge. At a time when our sanctions regimes are critical to countering Iran's ballistic missile program, North Korea's nuclear weapons development, and Russia's renewed aggression, and at a time when U.S. military personnel are serving in harm's way in locations around the world, combatting ISIS and Al Qaeda and their affiliates, the Senate is undermining the ability of one of our Nation's top counterterrorism officials to do his job. By failing to act on the nomination of Mr. Szubin, who people on both sides of the aisle agree is the perfect person for the job, we are undermining his credibility with the very countries we need on our side to effect these sanctions and to cut off funding flows to terrorists. The American people expect us to use every single resource--every single resource we have--to keep our Nation safe. Yet, when it comes to putting our strongest team on the field to fight back and to cut off terrorist financing, some in this body continue to put politics ahead of our national security. Why has Mr. Szubin not yet been confirmed as the Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes? Simply put, the Senate refuses to do its job, to have a vote. I understand it is an election year and there is much discussion in Washington about what is good political strategy for the different parties. While the timing may be inconvenient for some, I will remind my colleagues that every day outside of Washington, law enforcement officers, among many others, rely on a fully functioning Supreme Court for the legal guidance that serves as the basis of our founding promise of liberty and justice for all. I remind my colleagues that every day across our country, millions of hard-working men and women go to work to support their families, many of whom rely on jobs supported by the Export-Import Bank. Every day across the globe, our service men and women put their lives on the line to protect our country from terrorists and from foreign nations intent on doing us harm. Many of those terrorists and foreign nations are targets of the crippling sanctions the U.S. Treasury implements and enforces to help keep Americans safe. Adam Szubin is leading that team. These men and women who go to work to support their families, the law enforcement officers who protect our communities, and the service men and women who fight for our great country every single day do not stop doing their job because it is an election year. They do not pass on confirmations because it is inconvenient timing. I have said it before, and I will say it again. Most Americans believe Congress can do something to help move our country forward. At the very least, we should do no harm. We are falling short of this most basic standard. But we can change that right now by simply doing our job, by considering Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court, by doing our job to support the economy by considering the nomination of Mark McWatters to sit on the board of the Export-Import Bank, and by doing our job to support our troops and protect our country by considering the nomination of Adam Szubin to be Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes. This should be the very least that we do. We need to do it now. Let's follow the example of those who elected us, who roll up their sleeves every day and go to work. It is time for us to roll up our sleeves and go to work and do our job. I yield the floor.

Mr. DONNELLY

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

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the severity of the crisis facing our domestic steel industry. Workers are losing their jobs, families are losing their homes, and communities are suffering. For several years our domestic industry has been under constant attack. Our steel industry is in the midst of a crisis more severe than the one experienced nearly two decades ago. Global demand for steel has not kept pace with global production. As a result, many of the global producers have come here to the United States to try to dump their steel. As a result of that, domestic producers continue to lose ground, surrendering a record-high 29 percent market share to foreign-made steel last year. The industry currently has about a 65-percent capacity utilization rate, and in Indiana we saw an 8-percent downturn in production last year. As a Senator from Indiana--a State that accounts for one-quarter of all domestic steel capacity--I visit with steelworkers and their families to listen to their concerns about the impact of illegally traded steel flooding our market. Hoosier families are worried. Steel plants are idling, and more than 1,000 Hoosier workers have been laid off as a direct result of the illegally dumped steel that flooded our market last year. These are workers who come up to me at church on Sundays or stop by my office. They look me in the eye and ask me to explain how other nations get to produce and sell steel under a different set of rules. These workers have never asked me or anyone else for a handout; they simply ask that all parties compete on a level playing field because these Hoosier steelworkers know how valued their steel products are here and abroad. Congress and the Obama administration must work together to not only prevent further job losses but to allow the steel industry to grow. When families face the uncertainty of a plant idling, they must prepare for the worst. All the while, small businesses that reside in communities relying on the steel industry's success suffer because families are no longer able to purchase goods and services, such as groceries and clothes and things for their home, because they are just trying to survive. The current situation only reinforces my long-held belief that strong trade policies strengthen communities and ensure good employment for our workers, and they maintain a level playing field to foster the kind of fair competition that leads to robust markets. However, as we know all too well, such policies only work when everyone plays by the same rules. I appreciate the work of my colleagues here in the Senate and across the Capitol in the House who have come together and worked in a bipartisan fashion to provide the administration with the significant tools they need to combat this historic influx of foreign-made steel. As my colleagues may recall, Congress recently passed the Leveling the Playing Field Act and also the ENFORCE Act to help our steel industry investigate and better fight unfair trade practices. While there is more to be done, the administration should use these important tools we have provided to vigorously defend our domestic industry from those who willingly do not play by the rules. Strict enforcement of the law is necessary to protect our domestic industry now and to deter bad actors from abusing the system in the future. Good, strong communities and good, strong cities like Portage and Gary and Crawfordsville and Rockport are relying on the Senate to do the right thing. We must double down on our efforts to combat the illegally traded steel coming into our market. We must do so together not only for the businesses and workers impacted by the onslaught of illegally traded steel but for the communities of children and families who have been linked for generations to the success of our Nation's steel industry. They are counting on us, and we cannot let them down. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today, on the eve of what would have been his 27th birthday, I rise to recognize and honor the extraordinary service and ultimate sacrifice of Howard County, IN, deputy Carl Koontz. Dedicated, loyal, and, above all, compassionate to those in need, Deputy Koontz served with the Howard County Sheriff's Department for nearly 3 years. A native of Kokomo, IN, and a graduate of Western High School and Indiana University Kokomo, Carl served his community with dedication as a corrections officer prior to attending the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and achieving his dream of becoming a sheriff's deputy. Those who served alongside Deputy Koontz describe him as selfless, dedicated, and determined. A respected friend, leader, and mentor, he touched the lives of all who had the privilege to know him, including the students and staff of the Northwestern School Corporation, where he served as a school resource officer. On March 20, 2016, while serving a search warrant, Deputy Koontz and Sergeant Jordan Buckley were shot in the line of duty. We mourn the loss of Deputy Koontz, who succumbed to his injuries, and we wish Sergeant Buckley a quick recovery. Every day, our law enforcement professionals and first responders get up, go to work, and put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. That is exactly what Deputy Koontz, Sergeant Buckley, and their fellow officers were doing in the early hours of that Sunday morning--their job. They put their lives on the line so that we have the chance to live in safety, and we are eternally grateful. Deputy Koontz is survived and deeply missed by his wife, Kassie; son, Noah; parents, Allen and Jackie; sister, Alice; grandparents, Ann and Allen Koontz and Alice and Carl Durham, as well as the entire Koontz and Floyd family and the Howard County Sheriff's Department. No words or sentiment can adequately express our sadness and grief. As a community, we can only offer our prayers, our support, and our continued commitment to honor his service. Deputy Koontz loved his work, and he gave his life to serve and protect the citizens of Howard County. Although he would not have considered himself a hero, Deputy Koontz demonstrated his character daily by conducting himself with compassion, honor, courage, and integrity. Let us always remember and emulate the shining example this brave man set for us and honor him for his selfless commitment to serving his fellow citizens. May God welcome Carl home and give comfort to his family and friends.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, later this morning we continue to work on whether to consider a food labeling bill here in the Senate. As a dad, I know this bill is about much more than just words or symbols or a label. It is about the confidence we have in the food we eat and the food we feed our children. As a Hoosier, I also know this bill is about preserving confidence in a long and proud Indiana tradition of growing the food that feeds our communities and provides a safe and reliable food supply for the world. Whether you are a parent or a farmer, a Republican or a Democrat, our objectives in this debate should be the same: to provide consumers with access to accurate information about the food we eat and to do so in a way that does not mislead consumers into falsely thinking their food is unsafe. I believe strongly that consumers, our families, our kids, moms and dads, brothers and sisters deserve to feel confident in the food we feed our families. I want to know how much sugar is in my ice cream and how many calories are in that roast beef sandwich that I love so much. It is clear from this debate that many Americans want to know even more about where and how our food is produced. I believe we should have that information, and it should be easy to find. It is also common sense. This information should be delivered in a way that is fair, that is objective, and that is based in sound science. I have heard from many Hoosier farmers who are very concerned that some labels or symbols on packages would amount, in consumers' minds, to warning labels and could send a misleading message that the safe and healthy products our farmers grow--think of sweet corn in our fields--are somehow unhealthy or even dangerous. This morning, my good friend, Senator Tom Carper from Delaware, and I filed an amendment that builds off the framework of the proposal before us today. A framework I first suggested in the Agriculture Committee markup of this very bill. It creates a national voluntary bioengineered food labeling standard. It stipulates that if food companies fail to make sufficient information available, then a national food labeling standard for bioengineering becomes mandatory. Our amendment works for farmers, it works for manufacturers, and it works for our families. It establishes ambitious goals for the availability of information related to bioengineering by requiring that after 3 years, 80 percent of the food products covered by the legislation would provide direct access to information. If the food industry does not meet this threshold, then the labeling requirement becomes mandatory. Our amendment also requires clear and direct access to information on bioengineering. This could include explicit disclosures, such as organic or GMO-free, or voluntarily disclosing bioengineering on the box. Or companies choosing to participate in the voluntary program could use various electronic methods of disclosure, such as a Web site or a QR code in conjunction with a phone number that clearly indicates to consumers--to our families--where they can find more information and provides direct access to that information. This is important because our shared goal is to provide direct access to information about the contents of our food to everyone, whether you have access to the Internet or a smartphone or a regular phone. So let me repeat: Our amendment allows for electronic disclosure to be used only in conjunction with a phone number, and both methods would have to provide direct access to information on the product's contents. Finally, our amendment preserves State consumer protection laws and remedies. States write laws to protect our citizens from mislabeled products and to provide for remedies in case of false or misleading statements. Our amendment preserves those laws. Consumers, our families, farmers, and food producers are looking to the Senate for leadership. After months of discussion, we have been unable to agree yet on a proposal that gives consumers the information they want in a responsible way, but the issue remains. This will be another week of uncertainty for producers, for manufacturers, for our families who do not have the information they want, and for the producers and manufacturers I mentioned who don't know what is expected. I am going to continue to work on this issue with Senator Roberts and Senator Stabenow. I strongly encourage all my colleagues to consider the ideas that Senator Carper and I have put forward and to try to work with us to find a solution that works for America. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield back.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam President, I rise today to talk about the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. Following the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia--and our condolences to his family and our gratitude for all his hard work on behalf of his country--the time has now come for the President to nominate a new Justice and for the Senate to do its job and to review, consider, and either confirm or reject the President's nominee. That is our job. Hoosiers don't ask much, but they do expect common sense. Do your job; treat people fairly. That is what we expect from neighbors, friends, and family, and it is certainly what we expect from those elected to serve us in Washington. Back home in Indiana, we have a proud tradition of Senators who have embodied that approach by looking beyond partisanship and giving full and fair consideration to a President's nominee. They don't have to vote yes, they don't have to vote no, but we should at least listen and do our job. That is what the people of Indiana elected me to do. That is what people across the country elect my colleagues in the Senate to do, even when the timing is inconvenient for one side or the other. The confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice should not be taken lightly, and it deserves careful consideration and open debate. Senators, using their best judgment, are free to ultimately reject whomever the President nominates. But to refuse to hold a hearing? To refuse to consider any candidate? I know my colleague from Maine talk about Aristotle or Aquinas. They might be two good candidates for the Supreme Court. But to not consider any candidate before the President has even chosen a nominee is a dereliction of our most basic duty to faithfully serve our country. Some of my colleagues have been steadfast in promising they would not meet with a nominee, let alone hold a hearing or allow a vote--would not even meet. Common sense tells you that is not right. I hope they will reconsider their position. U.S. Senators, myself included, were elected to do a job, to do a job for our Nation--not only when it is convenient, but every day, every day we have been hired by the people back home to work here to stand for our country. That job includes considering and voting on nominees to the Supreme Court. Let's do the job we were elected to do. Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, I would like you to recognize the assistant minority leader from Illinois, Senator Durbin.

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, I thank the assistant minority leader for those inspiring words, and I recognize the Senator from Virginia.

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, I rise for all Hoosiers who have been touched by addiction or suffered the loss of a loved one as a result of opioid abuse, heroin use or other drug epidemics. I am here for every Hoosier community that has been gripped by addiction. I am here from Austin, IN, a small town of 4,200, much like many small towns in the Presiding Officer's home State of North Carolina, where more than 185 people tested positive for HIV, largely caused by injection drug users who shared needles. I am here for Connersville, which was devastated by a heroin epidemic that saw 41 overdoses and 8 deaths in a 3-month span. I am here for my hometown of Granger, which was shaken last year when two teenage brothers, Nick and Jack Savage, died in just one night from a prescription drug-related overdose. I am here for Fort Wayne, Lafayette, and Terre Haute, and Indianapolis, and every community across our State. No part of Indiana or our country is immune from the pain of addiction and these drug epidemics. By now many of us have heard the staggering statistics. One person in America dies every 25 minutes from an opioid overdose, and overdose deaths in the United States now outnumber fatal auto accidents. Ultimately, this is about people. People like Mike Zoss of Tippecanoe County. Mike was the youngest of three boys. Mike was creative, enjoyed reading, and had a ton of friends. In high school he began experimenting with prescription drugs. During his senior year, Mike's mom Donna got a call no parent wants to receive. Mike had overdosed at a friend's house from a combination of LYRICA and methadone. He landed in intensive care and was in a coma for nearly 3 weeks. Miraculously, Mike survived, but after struggling for nearly 3 more years with his addiction, Mike died from another overdose. This scourge is about families and the heartbreak they endure and all the people whose lives are shattered by addiction or even cut short. That is why I have been working on this issue for over 2 years, listening to Hoosiers, introducing bipartisan legislation, partnering with Federal, State, and local officials, and bringing stakeholders together. These families are why I support the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. This bill provides States and local communities with the tools to prevent and treat drug addiction and to support individuals in recovery. CARA strengthens prevention efforts, increases access to treatment and recovery services, develops best prescribing practices, and expands access to naloxone, also known as Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. In addition, CARA expands disposal sites for unwanted and unused prescription drugs to keep them out of the hands of children and teens, and CARA strengthens prescription drug monitoring programs. This bill provides States and local communities with the tools to prevent and treat drug addiction and to support individuals in recovery. CARA strengthens prevention efforts, increases access to treatment, develops best prescribing practices, and expands access to naloxone, as I said. Naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. These are incredible steps that can make a huge change in what happens in the future of our country. While this bipartisan bill includes many important provisions that help families in my home State of Indiana and across our entire country, it will take all of us working together to prevent and treat addiction. Prescribers and pharmacists, law enforcement and first responders, parents and families, and officials at the Federal, State, and local levels all have a role to play. I want to talk today about how CARA can best help in these efforts. First, I want to talk about prescribers. Our prescribers play a vital role in addressing addiction because they are our partners in the fight to reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse. They have the knowledge and authority to help our patients, friends, neighbors, and family members understand both the benefits of prescription opioids and the potentially devastating dangers associated with opioid abuse. Last year, we hosted a roundtable discussion in Indianapolis on prescribing practices with my colleague, Congresswoman Susan Brooks. By bringing together State officials, doctors, and pharmacists, all of whom play key roles in curbing overprescribing, we can better engage health professionals in the fight against the opioid epidemic. We want to make sure doctors have the training, the tools, and the resources to prevent overprescribing and also to help them make the best possible decisions about how to treat their patients. Right now there is not one set of currently nationally accepted best practices that can help prescribers make the best informed decisions about prescribing opioid drugs. Existing guidelines vary in the recommendations that are made. CARA would help. It includes a provision adopted from my bipartisan legislation that I reintroduced last year with my friend and colleague, Senator Kelly Ayotte from New Hampshire, which brings experts together to review, modify, and update, where necessary, best practices for pain management and prescribing pain medication. Second, I want to talk about our first responders and our law enforcement who are on the front line of this crisis. Frequently they are called to scenes where an individual has overdosed, and they are working to find ways to address these drug epidemics. In Northwest Indiana, the Porter County sheriff's department is reaching out to educate families about the heroin crisis there with a video that includes first-person accounts about how the epidemic has impacted the local community. In the northeast part of our State, over by the Ohio border, the Fort Wayne Fire Department began using Narcan just last August to try to help save people who had overdosed. In the first 4 days, they had to use it three different times--and many times since then. In Central Indiana last year, Indianapolis EMS had administered naloxone an astounding 1,227 times. We need to make the overdose reversal drug naloxone more readily available to first responders and law enforcement. CARA includes a provision similar to one from my bill with Senator Ayotte that provides grants to train law enforcement and other first responders in the administration of naloxone to save lives. I have also offered an amendment that encourages first responder units receiving funding through this program to use outreach coordinators to ensure that every individual who receives naloxone also receives in-person followup. Indianapolis EMS recently began a similar outreach program designed to connect overdose victims who receive naloxone with the help they need. CARA assists law enforcement by expanding resources to identify and treat individuals facing addiction in criminal justice centers. I hear frequently from my friends--the police officers, sheriffs, judges, and court personnel throughout the Hoosier State--that more resources are sorely needed. Third, I want to talk about families. There are countless personal stories across our State and almost every State about moms and dads, brothers and sisters, wives and husbands, and grandparents who have been impacted by addiction. I want to share a couple of these stories. Our young friend Aaron--Justin Phillips remembers her son Aaron, a talented athlete who had dreams of playing football in college and the NFL. He was a starting quarterback on Lawrence North's varsity team. He was smart and charming, with a generous heart. It started for Aaron with a prescription pain medicine and then led to heroin. At the age of 20 years old, in October 2013, Aaron died of a heroin overdose. His mom said, ``We can't pretend it is not our kid because it very well may be our kid who is next.'' There are people like Michelle Standeford of Lebanon, IN, who lost her son and her nephew to addiction. Her nephew Greg died 3 years ago from a heroin overdose at the age of 21. Her son Troy, 33, died following a long battle with addiction. His struggle began when he was prescribed opioids for the pain he was struggling with after a jet ski accident. This past Christmas, Michelle visited Troy, who was in South Florida seeking treatment. She said he was in great spirits and eager to reunite with his family. A few weeks after Troy came back home to Indiana, he passed away. Think of this. He left behind parents, a wife, and two sons, 2 and 4 years old. These stories are way too common. As Donna Zoss of Lafayette said, ``There are way too many kids dying, and as a community we need to do something.'' She wants to make sure other families learn from her experience before it is too late. CARA would help families by raising awareness about opioid abuse and heroin abuse and expanding access to treatment. It includes a provision from our bipartisan bill with Senator Ayotte that establishes a national drug awareness program. By helping families learn about the serious effects of opioid abuse and its connection to heroin, it can make a difference. CARA also would strengthen additional prevention efforts and increase access to treatment and recovery services with the goal of helping more people overcome addiction, including specific initiatives for women, youth, and vets. We are not doing enough, and the burden of addressing the opioid and heroin use epidemic has fallen heavily on our criminal justice system, which is clearly not equipped to treat all those struggling with addiction. That is why CARA is so important and why we need to pass this critical legislation quickly. We have an opportunity to work together--all of us--to pass a good bipartisan bill that helps confront opioid abuse, heroin abuse, and other drug epidemics. On the Federal level, it is our job to support and strengthen partnerships on the State and local levels to make sure every town in every State is accounted for and can heal. CARA will do just that. It would be a significant step forward, although I think we can all agree that it is just a first step. Mr. President, I yield back.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the Veterans Choice Program and the challenges some of Indiana's veterans are experiencing with its implementation. Our veterans have served our country and have sacrificed for our country every day. Some come home bearing physical or mental wounds. Some bear both. Serving also means being away from their families, who also sacrifice for us. Veterans have missed their sons' or daughters' first words, first steps, birthdays, little league games, holidays, and many other life milestones that we all treasure. When our veterans first come home, they are met with the many challenges of settling back into everyday life, which can include stress from finances to reconnecting with their wife or husband and sons and daughters. Some, as mentioned, must deal with the physical and mental wounds of war. All of our vets should be able to have peace of mind that they will be able to have a good-paying job and access to quality health care. Our veterans should not be burdened with wondering if or when they will be able to schedule a medical appointment. While we can never fully repay our veterans or their families for their service and sacrifice, our country has a sacred responsibility to honor our veterans and to take care of them. Serving our veterans and making sure they receive the best care possible, whether for physical ailments or for mental health challenges, is something I take very seriously. We are committed to ensuring each and every one of them has access to quality care and the full range of benefits they have earned by their service. Following gross mismanagement and misconduct at several VA medical centers nationally, in 2014 Congress passed the bipartisan Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act that was signed into law. The law established the Veterans Choice Program to help address the inadequate access to care that our vets were facing. The program is designed to enable veterans who can't see a VA doctor within 30 days or who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility to access a local non-VA provider using a Veterans Choice Card. Unfortunately, there are repeated examples of the Veterans Choice Program coming up short. It is our responsibility as legislators to review, follow up, and ask questions about this program we helped to put in place to make sure it is working correctly and efficiently. I stand here today to state that some Indiana veterans are experiencing problems with the Veterans Choice Program, and we must work to address these issues and to solve them. There are two third-party vendors contracted to help the VA implement the Veterans Choice Program around the country and in Indiana--Health Net Federal Services, which covers most of our State, and TriWest, which extends into parts of southern Indiana. Instead of making Veterans Choice Program appointments directly with local hospitals, veterans must use Health Net Federal Services or TriWest. In recent weeks, our office has heard from Indiana veterans who are experiencing long wait times of up to 90 minutes on the phone and disconnected calls when they contact Health Net Federal Services. I share the stories of some of these veterans and the struggles they have dealt with. Vietnam vet Daniel Vice from Marion, IN, had eye surgery through the Veterans Choice Program and had been told by Health Net that his postoperation appointments would also be covered. When he was at the eye doctor for his follow-up appointment, he learned that Health Net Federal Services had not sent over his paperwork. This meant that instead of being covered by the Veterans Choice Program, Dan would have to pay out of his own pocket. Dan contacted our office while at the doctor seeking help. Our case manager called Health Net only to be put on hold for 21 minutes before speaking to a supervisor. The company could not provide immediate answers but called back our staff a few hours later and said that Dan's paperwork had not been approved. We continue to work with Dan to get answers to solve this problem. Veteran Robert Trowbridge, from South Bend, had surgery on his ankle almost 6 months ago and has yet to be scheduled for his post-op physical therapy. He called Health Net many times and was put on hold for 30 to 40 minutes each time he called. When he was able to reach a rep, he was told repeatedly that his paperwork was sent to be approved, only to find out 4 months later that there was a problem. He was later informed that his Social Security number was not attached to his file. Frustrated, Robert contacted our office for assistance. Our staff experienced firsthand the frustrations and inadequate customer service that some of our vets like Robert face. One of our case managers called Health Net and it took 23 minutes into the conversation with a representative before the customer service rep even asked for the veteran's name. After calls with a representative, then a supervisor, and then a manager from Health Net Federal Services, we were finally able to work with the manager to resolve the issue for Robert. What our veterans are going through to schedule appointments and access their benefits through the Veterans Choice Program is completely unacceptable. Our office continues to work to assist vets who experience difficulties. I have called on Health Net Federal Services to get answers. We need to get to the bottom of this problem, and we need to ensure that all Hoosier veterans and all American veterans and their families receive the timely and quality care they deserve. I will work nonstop to end this problem, and our office will continue to work nonstop to make sure we get to the bottom of the problems that our Hoosier veterans are having with the Veterans Choice Program. They gave too much to this country to be treated this way. We will solve these problems for Hoosier veterans and for every American veteran. I yield back the remainder of my time. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today the Senate will vote on legislation to significantly expand sanctions against North Korea in response to the country's dangerous provocations in recent months. This legislation has my strong support. In light of North Korea's recent actions, it is time we act decisively and call on the international community, particularly the U.N. Security Council in China, to do the same. On January 6, North Korea conducted a nuclear test involving the underground detonation of a nuclear weapon. One month later, on February 7, they effectively conducted a long-range missile test under the guise of a satellite launch. Just yesterday in the Senate Armed Services Committee, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testified that North Korea has expanded a uranium enrichment facility and restarted a plutonium reactor capable of providing fissile material for nuclear weapons. Together these actions point to a dangerous trend of advancing and expanding North Korea's nuclear weapons program. While the antics of Kim Jong Un and his cronies may seem outlandish, the threat posed by North Korea should be taken seriously. Though open-source assessments cast doubt on Kim Jong Un's claim that he detonated a hydrogen bomb in January, the fact remains North Korea tested a nuclear weapon that caused a magnitude 5.1 earthquake. Though the satellite North Korea fired into space spent yesterday tumbling in orbit and it may be unusable, the fact remains that according to South Korean officials, if the rocket launched by North Korea on Sunday were successfully reconfigured as a missile, it could fly more than 7,400 miles. That is far enough to reach the shores of the United States. Although North Korea has never tested a long-range ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, there can be no question that Kim Jong Un is intent on building up a nuclear arsenal capable of striking the United States. In my role as ranking member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I was in South Korea last July. I listened to the input of General Scaparrotti, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea. I heard from our servicemembers at Yongsan and Osan, and I sat with South Korea's Defense Minister to discuss our shared interests and the importance of this critical alliance. I then traveled directly to Beijing to meet with Rear Admiral Li Ji of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense. We had a frank and meaningful conversation about these topics. Despite our many differences, it is not in the interest of either the United States or China to have a nuclear-armed North Korea destabilizing Asia and destabilizing the globe with irresponsible rhetoric and dangerous actions. It is my sincere hope that the U.N. Security Council and our international partners will follow our lead to expand international sanctions against North Korea, applying the lessons we learned in blocking Iran's nuclear program. In the meantime, we must continue to enhance our missile defense systems both at home and abroad. I look forward to working with Senator Sessions to continue our bipartisan work on the Armed Services Committee, to provide necessary resources to the Missile Defense Agency, and to fulfill our commitment to key allies. We must continue to advance MDA's efforts to deploy additional sensors and to improve the reliability and effectiveness of ground-based interceptors. This has the potential to be a pivotal moment for the international effort to counter North Korea's nuclear program, but the United States must lead the way. Strategic patience has worn thin, and it is time to act, by expanding tough sanctions, by strengthening our missile defense programs, and by calling on the international community--and especially China--to act responsibly and decisively in the face of the threat Kim Jong Un poses to global security. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 50th anniversary of REAL Services, an organization that works to support independence and higher quality of life for the elderly, disabled, and low-income Hoosiers in northern Indiana. In 1966, Lester J. Fox founded REAL Services to create a service network for seniors in St. Joseph County. With the help of a Federal grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging, REAL Services developed programs to address the housing, health, employment, and legal needs of those aging in St. Joseph County. REAL Services expanded its reach in 1981 to include assistance programs for poverty-stricken Hoosiers. In 2013, REAL Services merged with the Alzheimer's and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana. Today REAL Services assists more than 30,000 elderly, disabled, and destitute Hoosiers annually in 12 northern Indiana counties through more than 20 programs. This would not be possible without those who volunteer their time to further REAL Services's reach and mission. On average, REAL Services has 2,000 volunteers each year. The effectiveness of REAL Services's commitment to preserving the self-sufficiency and life quality of elderly, disabled, and low-income Hoosiers has been highly praised over the years. In May 1974, then- Governor of Indiana, Otis R. Bowen, designated REAL Services as the Area Agency on Aging for five counties in northern Indiana. A little over a decade later, then-Governor Robert D. Orr designated the organization the Community Action Agency in northern Indiana. In 2005, REAL Services was designated by the Federal Government as an Aging and Disability Resource Center. REAL Services was one of two Indiana organizations to pilot this designation, which was funded jointly by the Federal Administration on Aging and the Center for Medicine and Medicaid Services. REAL Services continues its work as an Aging and Disability Resource Center. Additionally, REAL Services created the first Nutrition Site in the United States, a program that provides the elderly with meals, educational courses, and a sense of community. This model served as an example for nutrition programs instituted across the country as part of the Older Americans Act. It is clear that over the past five decades REAL Services has helped make our State and our country a better place for thousands of Hoosiers and Americans. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I thank REAL Services for the hard work they do every day for the people of our great State who need our help the most, and I congratulate them on an important milestone. From its inception, REAL Services has demonstrated a dedication to those they serve and continues to promote human dignity. I commend REAL Services for exemplifying the beliefs we hold as Hoosiers: recognition of the value of all people and a willingness to lend a hand to those in need. I am proud that REAL Services calls Indiana home, and I wish them continued success in the years to come.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the efforts of RADM Joan Hunter during her tenure as the Assistant Joint Surgeon at the National Guard Bureau, Joint Surgeon General's Office, Psychological Health, NGB, JSG-PH. In this capacity, RADM Hunter has served as principal staff and adviser to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. As a member of the Joint Surgeon's Office, RADM Hunter partnered with the J1, Manpower and Personnel Directorate, and the J32, the Counterdrug Division, to direct services to address the psychological health needs of Guard members and their families. Her most significant contribution was building the National Guard's psychological health program, which meant placing a director of psychological health in every State, wing, and territory based on the Department of Defense's Mental Health Task Force Report recommendations. As a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, RADM Hunter is a shining example of how the whole government can come together to address mental health issues in our military. I have had the honor and pleasure of working closely with RADM Hunter during her time at NGB, and I am grateful for her leadership, energy, and innovation. Mental health is a critical readiness issue for all our servicemembers, and the Department of Defense has made important progress in improving the mental health and resilience of our force. Unfortunately, in the past, the unique needs and challenges faced by our Guard members and Reservists were often neglected by programs designed to serve the Active component. Under RADM Hunter's direction, that is changing. She has made a real, tangible impact on the lives of Guard members, and in doing so, she has done a tremendous service to our Nation and our communities. RADM Hunter is a champion in the fight to combat military suicide, improve mental health and resiliency among our servicemembers, and field the strongest fighting force the world has ever known. She has been an especially valued partner in this undertaking, and while she will be sorely missed at NGB, I know she will continue to do great things for our country. I wish RADM Hunter the best of luck in her new assignment and thank her for her dedicated service to our men and women in the National Guard.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, as always, it is an honor to follow my good friend, the President pro tempore, Senator Hatch from Utah, who has done such an extraordinary job representing his State and our country for so many years.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, in addition, I can't speak today without also raising my deep concerns and increasing disappointment that the Senate continues to senselessly delay the confirmation of Adam Szubin as Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes. Mr. Szubin has an impeccable record across both Republican and Democratic administrations for combating terrorist financing and overseeing our sanctions against foreign adversaries. He is one of the best tools in our toolbox against the likes of Iran, ISIS, and Al Qaeda. Yet, despite glowing praise from both sides of the aisle, week after week, month after month, Mr. Szubin's confirmation remains in limbo. This Sunday will mark the 7-month anniversary of Mr. Szubin's nomination. In those 7 months, we have watched ISIS spread across Iraq, Syria, and beyond. We have seen Iranian funds and weapons continue to flow to terrorists across the Middle East. We have witnessed the tragic attacks in Paris, San Bernardino, and elsewhere. In an acting capacity, without having received the full support of the U.S. Senate, Mr. Szubin's status and stature is undermined when he travels abroad to persuade allies to cooperate with us in the fight against terrorism and especially in efforts to go at one of the terrorists' Achilles heels: their funding sources. Seven months is too long. Both of Mr. Szubin's recent predecessors were approved over a much shorter period of time. One was approved in just 3 weeks. So with the same urgency that I would ask the international community to act collectively--and failing that, the administration to unilaterally sanction Iran for its flagrant violation of Resolution 1929--I also urge the Senate to take immediate action to confirm Mr. Szubin for a post vital to our national security and one for which he is eminently qualified. I yield back. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, in just the past 10 weeks, Iran has conducted two ballistic missile tests. These tests are a direct violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929. Despite this flagrant violation, the U.N. has not taken collective action to enforce U.N. Resolution 1929 with increased sanctions against Iran. Applying sanctions against Iran in response to ballistic missile testing would not violate the Iran nuclear agreement negotiated earlier this year. New sanctions for this type of behavior are not only allowed under the terms of that agreement, in fact, it is critical to the agreement's success that the United States be willing to respond to Iran's bad behavior. In the face of inaction by the international community, it is critical that the United States take the lead in sending a message to Iran that their inflammatory actions have consequences, whether under the nuclear deal, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929, or other U.S. sanctions regimes. As ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I work year-round with my colleague Senator Jeff Sessions to oversee the U.S. nuclear arsenal, our nonproliferation programs, and also our missile defense posture. I have long been an advocate for robust, effective missile defense programs against both global and regional threats. While I firmly believe those systems are an absolute necessity in the face of evolving threats from places such as North Korea and Iran, I also believe they are our last line of defense, not our first. Today, thankfully, some of those on the frontlines of the fight against Iran's ballistic missile program are also in the State Department and the Treasury Department. I speak today to call on the administration--if the international community will not act together--to take unilateral action readily available to them under current law to respond decisively to Iran's ballistic missile tests. The administration has made clear that the United States reserves the right under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to take action through our sanctions tools in response to Iran's support for terrorism, its human rights abuses, its illegal arms trafficking, and its ballistic missile program. It is time to back up those words with decisive and specific action.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of Indiana servicemembers and their families and of all Americans who served during the Vietnam war, as this year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of that war. Here is picture from the Indiana Historical Society of some of the amazing Americans who served during that time. Tens of thousands of Hoosiers bravely answered the call when they volunteered or were drafted to serve in Vietnam in almost every single capacity you could think of. Bravely, and sadly, 1,243 Hoosier soldiers gave their lives in service to our country in Vietnam. In Vietnam, our vets endured 100- plus degree heat, monsoon rains, snake-infested rice paddy fields, staggering conditions, and incredibly dangerous situations. Our servicemembers would rather have been at home in Terre Haute, Richmond, Indy, Evansville or Fort Wayne, but they served because they loved our country and they answered when our Nation called them, and their answer was: Count on me. At the end of the war, many of our Vietnam vets didn't receive the welcome home or the recognition they deserved. Not all received huge hugs when they hit the tarmac back in America, but our Vietnam vets are heroes just like those who stormed the beaches in Normandy, trudged through frozen rivers in Korea, and went through the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan. Our Vietnam vets deserve to be held-- and are held--in the same high regard as those who fought in World War I, World War II, Korea, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Our Vietnam vets are part of the seamless fabric that has saved our country and made it such a blessed place. Today, our Vietnam vets get amazing receptions everywhere they go. In my home State of Indiana, a town in northern Indiana, LaPorte, IN, in LaPorte County, has their big parade every year on July 4. The streets are filled--5, 6, 7, 8 people deep for 2\1/2\ miles long--and every year the parade is led off by the Vietnam veterans of LaPorte County, and it happens all over our State. When the parade starts off, everyone gets out of their chairs and stands up--even those who have challenges and have difficulties--to applaud our men and women who were in Vietnam, and for 2\1/2\ miles they get an amazing standing applause the entire way. These vets are our parents, our brothers and sisters, our aunts and uncles, our grandparents, friends, neighbors, and the folks who are sitting next to us in church on Sunday. Our Vietnam veterans support and lead our communities as public servants, teachers, lawyers, nurses, business owners, factory workers, and bankers. Just about anything you can imagine--that is what our Vietnam vets are doing to make our country a greater place. They are a generation of veterans who have taught us about love of country and service, and they deserve to be honored for their selflessness and sacrifice. Today, Indiana is home to nearly 150,000 Vietnam war veterans. We have a responsibility to provide them with the benefits and support they have earned and to show them the same commitment they demonstrated while they fought to protect us and our freedoms more than 4 decades ago. We must ensure our veterans have access to timely and quality care at local VAs across our State and country, and that this care is delivered in a way that meets their needs. Expanding access to health care for our Hoosier vets has been and will continue to be a constant top priority of mine. We recently broke ground in St. Joseph County, IN, on the new St. Joseph County Health Care Center. It will mean that many of our local vets in northern Indiana will be just a short ride away from the health services they have worked so hard to earn and receive. We must continue to expand options for care, for example, through the Veterans Choice Program, which is bipartisan legislation that is now law. Provisions from our bipartisan servicemember and veteran mental health care package were signed into law recently as part of the national defense bill. We are working every day to try to make sure our veterans have the chance to receive good physical health care and good mental health care and that we stand next to them and with them every step of the way. Our bipartisan Community Provider Readiness Recognition Act was included, and it helps connect Hoosier servicemembers and vets with local providers who can deal with the unique challenges that folks who were in our military face. The demand for care among our vets has never been greater and our obligation to them has never been greater. In recognition of their service and sacrifice, we must deliver on our promise to care for all veterans long after their last day in uniform. I have another picture here from the Indiana Historical Society. This is another group of our young soldiers. When they went off, as I said earlier, they didn't complain and didn't make excuses, and when our Nation called, as I said before, they said: Count on me. We must keep the promises we made to our vets. We must keep those promises for their entire lives. Our Vietnam vets and their families made incredible sacrifices. We can do a better job of giving them the recognition and support they deserve. We must do so through words and action. In our everyday daily lives let us remember those who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation and our freedom. Let us preserve their legacy and follow their example of service to others. When you see someone wearing a ball cap that says Vietnam vet, World War II vet, Korean vet, Iraq or Afghanistan vet, say thanks. My guess is they will say: Thank you; I was just doing my job. But they were doing so much more than just their job. They were protecting our Nation and making sure that our children and our children's children had a chance to grow up in this most blessed of all places. God bless every American and Hoosier veteran who served in Vietnam. God bless their families. God bless Indiana, and God bless America. I yield back.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and honor the extraordinary service of Thomas ``Al'' Logsdon. A dedicated educator and a longtime community leader, Al represents Hoosier values at their finest. Beginning his career in 1964 after graduating from Western Kentucky University with a degree in biology and Spanish, he taught science and coached several sports. From 1970 to 2003, Al has served as the principal of several schools across Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. During this time, Al continued his education earning a Master of Science and Education Specialist degrees from Murray State University in 1970 and 1980, respectively. As principal, Al led his schools to great success and they received well-deserved awards for their hard work and achievement. In both 2000 and 2003, Heritage Jr./Sr. High School was selected as one of the top six schools in Indiana, as well as being honored with the International Reading Association's National Award in 2000 for having an outstanding high school reading program. Al was honored as the Indiana High School Principal of the Year in 1989 and was selected by his peers to serve both on the executive committee of the Indiana Principal's Association and to represent them for 8 years as State coordinator to the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In 2005, Al was elected Spencer County Commissioner. In that capacity, Al maintains various responsibilities, but one that he considers to be among the most rewarding and challenging has been serving as president of the drainage board. The board's initiative of creating a nine-member advisory board, which makes recommendations across the county, won statewide recognition by the Indiana Association of County Commissioners. Al later served on the State board of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners and eventually as president, as well as serving on the Association of Indiana Commissioners Executive Board. Never one to leave teaching completely, Al became involved in national, State, and local teacher retirement organizations currently serving as the president of the Spencer County Retired Teachers Association. Since his retirement, Al has been serving as a private consultant for an organization in southwestern Indiana that is engaged in assisting 32 schools implement school improvement plans. He is also spending time with several school districts in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, helping them in efforts to begin schoolwide reading programs for all students. In addition to his longstanding community service, Al is a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Al's wife, Jeanne, is a retired schoolteacher, and together, they have four children and six grandchildren. In his free time, Al has enjoyed coaching three sports and officiating basketball and baseball contests. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Chapter at St. Francis of Assisi Church, a member of Optimist Club, and serves on the Spencer County Bank Board of Directors. He enjoys visiting with family and friends, as well as traveling, reading, fishing, and, of course, playing golf. Today I honor Al's legacy of service and wish to express my sincere gratitude for his leadership and dedication to his community and our great State of Indiana.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to applaud Prairie Vista Elementary School of Granger, IN, for being recognized as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized over 7,500 public and nonpublic schools that have demonstrated a vision of educational excellence for all students, regardless of their social or economic background. Since its inception, this program has offered the opportunity for schools in every State to gain recognition for educational accomplishments in closing the achievement gaps among student groups. Prairie Vista Elementary School continues to be one of the best performing schools in the State of Indiana. It has been named an Indiana Four Star School for the last 7 consecutive years. In 2014, Prairie Vista Elementary School's ISTEP+ pass rate for English/Language Arts scores increased to 98.7 percent. Mathematics scores increased over 3 points to reach 98.7 percent combined for third through fifth grades. Prairie Vista Elementary School's effectiveness can be found in its holistic approach and dedication to student achievement. Prairie Vista Elementary staff, students, and students' families work together to teach and instill values that develop strong character and a sense of PRIDE--the capacity to be Prepared, Respectful, Independent, Dependable, and Excellent learners. With some of the highest English and mathematics scores in Indiana, Prairie Vista Elementary School is a stellar example of the benefits that result from dedication, motivation, collaboration, and family partnership in education. I would like to recognize Prairie Vista Elementary School principal, Keely Twibell, the entire staff, the student body, and their families. The effort, dedication, and value you put into education led not only to this prestigious recognition, but will benefit you and our communities well into the future. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate Prairie Vista Elementary School, and I wish the students and staff continued success in the future.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to applaud Saint Pius X Catholic School of Granger, IN, for being recognized as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized over 7,500 public and nonpublic schools that have demonstrated a vision of educational excellence for all students, regardless of their social or economic background. Since its inception, this program has offered the opportunity for schools in every State to gain recognition for exceptional educational accomplishments. St. Pius X Catholic School was named an Exemplary High Performing School. Saint Pius X Catholic School continues to be one of the best performing schools in the State of Indiana. It has been named an Indiana Four Star School multiple times. In 2014, Saint Pius X Catholic School ISTEP+ assessment averaged a 96 percent passing rate for English/Language Arts and a 98 percent passing rate in math. Saint Pius X Catholic School's effectiveness can be found in its holistic approach and dedication to student achievement. Saint Pius X Catholic School staff, students, and students' families work together to teach and foster values that develop strong character including academic excellence, spiritual development, and service. With some of the highest English and mathematics scores in Indiana, Saint Pius X Catholic School is a stellar example of the benefits that result from dedication, motivation, collaboration, and family partnership in education. I would like to recognize Saint Pius X Catholic School principal, Elaine Holmes, the entire staff, the student body, and their families. The effort, dedication, and value you put into education led not only to this prestigious recognition, but will benefit you and our communities well into the future. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate Saint Pius X Catholic School, and I wish the students and staff continued success in the future.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today, I wish to applaud South Adams High School of Berne, IN, for being recognized as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized over 7,500 public and nonpublic schools that have demonstrated a vision of educational excellence for all students, regardless of their social or economic background. Since its inception, this program has offered the opportunity for schools in every State to gain recognition for educational accomplishments in closing the achievement gaps among student groups. South Adams High School continues to be one of the best performing schools in the State of Indiana. It has been named an Indiana Four Star School in 2012 and 2014. In 2014, South Adams High School improved its average standard score more than 23 points over the previous year to 73.83 points. It is the only high school in Indiana to receive the National Blue Ribbon School recognition in 2015. South Adams High School's effectiveness can be found in its holistic approach and dedication to student achievement. South Adams High staff, students, and students' families work together to teach and foster values that develop strong character including academic excellence, spiritual development, and service. South Adams High School is a stellar example of the benefits that result from dedication, motivation, collaboration, and family partnership in education. I would like to acknowledge South Adams High School principal, Trent Lehman, the entire staff, the student body, and their families. The effort, dedication, and value you put into education led not only to this prestigious recognition, but will benefit you and our communities well into the future. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate South Adams High School, and I wish the students and staff continued success in the future.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to applaud Our Lady of Mount Carmel School of Carmel, IN, for being recognized as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized over 7,500 public and nonpublic schools that have demonstrated a vision of educational excellence for all students, regardless of their social or economic background. Since its inception, this program has offered the opportunity for schools in every State to gain recognition for educational accomplishments in closing the achievement gaps among student groups. Our Lady of Mount Carmel School continues to be one of the best performing schools in the State of Indiana. It has been named an Indiana Four Star School. In 2014, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School's ISTEP+ pass rate for English/Language Arts scores increased reached 96.9 percent. Mathematics scores increased to 98.8 percent combined for third through fifth grades. Our Lady of Mount Carmel School's effectiveness can be found in its holistic approach and dedication to student achievement. Our Lady of Mount Carmel staff, students, and students' families work together to teach and instill values that develop strong character including integrity, responsibility, and service. With some of the highest English and mathematics scores in Indiana, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School is a stellar example of the benefits that result from dedication, motivation, collaboration, and family partnership in education. I would like to acknowledge Our Lady of Mount Carmel School principal, Sister Mary Emily Knapp, the entire staff, the student body, and their families. The effort, dedication, and value you put into education led not only to this prestigious recognition, but will benefit you and our communities well into the future. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, and I wish the students and staff continued success in the future.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to applaud Murdock Elementary School of Lafayette, IN, for being recognized as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized over 7,500 public and nonpublic schools that have demonstrated a vision of educational excellence for all students, regardless of their social or economic background. Since its inception, this program has offered the opportunity for schools in every State to gain recognition for educational accomplishments in closing the achievement gaps among student groups. Murdock Elementary School continues to be one of the best performing schools in the State of Indiana. It has been named an Indiana Four Star School for 4 consecutive years. In 2014, Murdock Elementary School's ISTEP+ pass rate for English/ Language Arts scores reached 97.7 percent. Mathematics scores exceeded 95 percent, and the overall score for the school hit 94.3 percent. Murdock Elementary School's effectiveness can be found in its holistic approach and dedication to student achievement. Murdock staff, students, and students' families work together to teach and instill values that develop strong character and demonstrate that every kid matters: honesty, effort, caring, respect, and teamwork. With some of the highest English and mathematics scores in Indiana, Murdock Elementary School is a stellar example of the benefits that result from dedication, motivation, collaboration, and family partnership in education. I would like to acknowledge Murdock Elementary School principal, Janell Uerkwitz, the entire staff, the student body, and their families. The effort, dedication, and value you put into education led not only to this prestigious recognition, but will benefit you and our communities well into the future. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate Murdock Elementary School, and I wish the students and staff continued success in the future.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to applaud North Elementary School of Poseyville, IN, for being recognized as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized over 7,500 public and nonpublic schools that have demonstrated a vision of educational excellence for all students, regardless of their social or economic background. Since its inception, this program has offered the opportunity for schools in every State to gain recognition for educational accomplishments in closing the achievement gaps among student groups. North Elementary School continues to be one of the best performing schools in the State of Indiana. It has been named an Indiana Four Star School several times. In 2014, North Elementary School's ISTEP+ pass rate for English/ Language Arts scores increased by over 7 percent to a 94.8 percent. Mathematics scores increased to 97.2 percent combined for third through fifth grades. North Elementary School's effectiveness can be found in its holistic approach and dedication to student achievement. North Elementary staff, students, and students' families work together to teach and instill values that develop strong character including integrity, responsibility, effort, and kindness. With some of the highest English and mathematics scores in Indiana, North Elementary School is a stellar example of the benefits that result from dedication, motivation, collaboration, and family partnership in education. I would like to recognize North Elementary School principal, Terri Waugaman, the entire staff, the student body, and their families. The effort, dedication, and value you put into education led not only to this prestigious recognition, but will benefit you and our communities well into the future. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate North Elementary School, and I wish the students and staff continued success in the future.