Tom Harkin

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/ or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District received a 2005 Harkin grant totaling $400,000 to renovate two schools. The grant enabled the school district to build a new commons area and to add an elevator at the building in Shellsburg. The district also made renovations, installed air-conditioning and built additional classrooms and restrooms at Tilford Elementary School. This project was part of a comprehensive multimillion dollar plan to provide the modern, state-of-the-art facilities that befit the educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. The United 4 Kids campaign committee worked tirelessly to pass a $15.1 million bond issue to build a new high school and make improvements throughout the district. Excellent new schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize John Anderson for his involvement with the United 4 Kids committee and generously donating 35 acres for the new high school. I would also like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Brad Allyn, Patrick Lyons, Kathy Tranel, Gerald Horst, Jo Sainbury, Todd Wiley and Tim Bird as well as superintendent Randy Braden, high school principal Jay Pedersen, Shellsburg principal Shelly Petersen and Tilford principal Jim Murray. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Brooklyn- Guernsey-Malcolm Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcolm Community School District received a Harkin Grant totaling $435,824 which was used to help renovate the high school. The district also received three fire safety grants totaling $95,800 to upgrade the fire alarm system and make other improvements. The Federal grants have made it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their students. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcolm Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education-- president Beverly Rens, Bob Parker, Travis Solem, Arlene Ford, Kyle Montgomery, Ed Kline, Larry Pendarvis and former board members Gaynell Conner and LaVerne Kriegel. I would also like to recognize superintendent Brad Hohensee, former superintendent Terry McLeod and high school principal Rick Radcliffe. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcolm Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Clarksville Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Clarksville Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $139,500 which it used to help renovate classrooms in the elementary school. The district also received two fire safety grants totaling $50,000 to install smoke and heat detectors, emergency lighting, electromagnetic devices and to make other improvements throughout the district. The Federal grants have made it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their students. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Clarksville Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Kurt Wedeking, Sharon Markussen, Chris Fenneman, Joyce Freese and Chris Backer and former board members Paul Leerhoff, Dave Bolin, Pat Mennenga, Kim Bergman, Joe Wedeking and Dale Harris. I would also like to recognize superintendent Bob Longmuir, former superintendent Randall Nichols, former junior/high school principal Bob Satthoff, elementary principal Linda Johnson, board secretary Shellee Bartlett and former board secretary Diane Renning, StruXture Architecture and Prairie Construction. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Clarksville Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Central Clinton Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Central Clinton Community School District received a 2000 Harkin grant totaling $259,750 which it used to help build an addition for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs at Ekstrand Elementary. This school is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, it is the kind of school facility that every child in America deserves. Excellent new schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Central Clinton Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Dr. Kurt Rickard, Dennis Campbell, Jim Irwin, Bill Turnis and Christy Kunz and former board members Jim Hand, Lois Black, Donna Bark, and Theresa Kelly. I would also like to recognize superintendent Dan Peterson, former superintendent Dr. Dan Roe and Mary Reuter, editor of the Dewitt Observer. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Central Clinton Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Dubuque Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Dubuque Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $260,000 which it used to help install elevators at Fulton Elementary and Bryant Elementary. The district also received three fire safety grants totaling $654,089 to make fire alarm improvements at Dubuque Senior High School, Hempstead High School and Jefferson Junior High School and to make safety improvements at Washington Junior High School. The Federal grants have made it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their students. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Dubuque Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education president--Larry Loeppke, vice president Donna Bauerly, Mike Brannon, George Davis, Otto Krueger, Adam Menning and David Patton, and former board members Parker Bauer, Michelle Covey, Eldon Herrig, Steve Hodge, Jay Schiesl, Ed Zaccaro, Karen Behr, Doug Horstmann, Tonya Thul-Theis, Tom Barton, Cammie Dean and Ted Strieber. I would also like to recognize superintendent John Burgart, former superintendent Dr. Jane Petrek, former executive director of business services Joseph Link, former manager of building and grounds Robert S. White, Sr., former Jefferson Principal Duane Frick, former Washington principal Art Roling, former senior high principal Larry Mitchell, former Hempstead principal David Olson, former Bryant principal Lesley Stephens and former Fulton principal Roy Hansen. As we mark the tenth anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Dubuque Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that this Statement of Managers to S. 3406 be reprinted in the Record with its endnotes.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the South Page Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The South Page Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $298,650 which was used to help make improvements on the K-12 building. The district also received a $50,000 fire safety grant that was used to replace and repair exit lighting and smoke detectors. The Federal grants have made it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their students. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the South Page Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Ellen Nothwehr, Junior Niehart, Ron Peterman, Deb Wallin and Karl Kenagy as well as former board members--Terry Carlson, Larry Murphy and Brenda Swanson. I would also like to recognize superintendant Joy Jones and former superintendent Iner Joelson. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the South Page Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Burlington Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Burlington Community School District received a 2006 Harkin grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a new elementary school. Sunnyside Elementary is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, it is the kind of school facility that every child in America deserves. Excellent new schools like Sunnyside do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Burlington Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Thomas Greene, vice president Dennis Kuster, Gary Imthurn, Melanie Richardson, Don Harter, Linda Garwood, Scott Smith and former board members Tom Courtney, John Sandell, Joseph Abrisz, Steven Hoth, Jason Sapsin and Joseph Poisel. I would also like to recognize superintendent Leland Morrison, former superintendent Michael Book, director of maintenance and construction manager Byron Whittlesey and principal Terri Rauhaus. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Burlington Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Lamoni Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Lamoni Community School District received a 2005 Harkin grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a new high school. This school is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, it is the kind of school facility that every child in America deserves. The district also received fire safety grants totaling $100,000 to make other improvements throughout the district. Excellent new schools like Lamoni High School do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Lamoni Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education, president Bill Morain, Mike Quick, Dennis McElroy, Michele Dickey-Kotz and Dale Killpack and former board members MaryAnn Manuel, Alan Elefson, Bob Bell and Mike Ranney. I would also like to recognize superintendent Diane Fine, former superintendent Mike Harrold, high school principal Dan Day, grant writer Shirley Kessel, project manager Dan Boswell, as well as many community members who worked hard to make the dream of a new high school come true. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Lamoni Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Shenandoah Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Shenandoah Community School District received a 1999 Harkin Grant totaling $526,231 which it used to help build a new K-8 school. This school is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, it is the kind of school facility that every child in America deserves. The district also received a total of $64,189 from two fire safety grants. The federal grants have made it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their students. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration and governance in the Shenandoah Community School District. In particular I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Marty Maher, Dr. Margaret Brady, Brian Maxine, Dwight Mayer and Keith Meyer. I would also like to recognize superintendant Richard Profit as well as former board members--Ken Lee, Roger Jones and Steve Berning and former superintendent Connie Maxson. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Shenandoah Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, when I visit eastern Iowa, I often drive along the Mississippi River. And there, on any given day, one can visit this area and marvel at the sight of the mighty Mississippi River winding its way south from Lake Itaska in Minnesota toward the Gulf of Mexico--a total distance of over 2,500 miles. From this vantage point, high above the river, you see pleasure boaters and fishermen spending the day on the water. You can see river barges carrying Iowa corn and soybeans to far away markets. And most importantly, you see that this is a national treasure that needs to be protected and preserved for all generations to come. The Mississippi Parkway Commission was created in 1938 in order to develop and oversee what was at that time called the Mississippi River Parkway. The Parkway Commission is the only organization connecting all 10 States bordering the Mississippi River, with a mission devoted to promoting, preserving, and enhancing the resources of the Mississippi River Valley, and to developing the amenities of the Great River Road. This year, 10 States, including my home State of Iowa, will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission and the Great River Road. Among the many accomplishments of the commision of the past 70 years are the development of a Great River Road Interpretive Center Network, a consumer Web site, and National Scenic Byway designation for the majority of the Great River Road. In carrying out its duties, the commission has partnered with a number of Federal agencies, including the National Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency. On the occasion of its anniversary, I wish to congratulate the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, as well as the commission's new national Pilot, Patsi Ramicitti from Bettendorf, IA. I am pleased that Patsi's energy and dedication to advancing one of the region's most vital assets are being recognized. May her efforts and those of all past, present and future members of the commission continue to strengthen the knowledge of and access to the incredible natural resources offered by the mighty Mississippi.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District received a 2002 Harkin Grant totaling $142,000 which it used to help build an addition to the middle/high school building and make improvements to Deal Elementary. The district also received two fire safety grants totaling $75,000 to install fire detection systems, upgrade electrical wiring and make other repairs throughout the district. The Federal grants have made it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their students. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Alan Schroeder, Mike Oswald, Jim Schwaller, Roger Tapps, Larry Nees, Pat McAlister, and Nancy Hagan and former board members Mark Thomas, Brian Kinnick and Dr. John Clayburg. I would also like to recognize superintendent Rich Stoffers, former superintendent Dennis Wentz, business manager Gail Hopkins and high school principal Shawn Zanders. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Clear Lake Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Clear Lake Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $1 million which it used to help build an addition to the high school to provide new classrooms for science, family and consumer science and art. This school is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, it is the kind of school facility that every child in America deserves. The district also received fire safety grants totaling $127,481 to install new fire alarms and detectors in several schools in the district. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Clear Lake Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Ron Andrews, Tom Lovell, Paul Stevenson, Sandy Christ and Deborah Betz and former board members Joel Secory, Michael Baker, Lynn Scribbins and Tammy Schwichtenberg. I would also like to recognize superintendent Dwight Pierson, former superintendent Dr. Michael Tegland, former high school principal John Chalstrom, facilities director Kelly McLaughlin, high school principal Jay Mathis, business manager Lorna Leerar and facilities coordinator for AEA 267 Bill Schutz. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultra-modern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Clear Lake Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Central Decatur Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Central Decatur Community School District received two Harkin grants totaling $947,775 which it used to help build additions to two schools in Leon. The district built an addition to South Elementary which serves students in prekindergarten through third grade and also built the North Elementary addition to the high school. The school board is to be commended for thinking to the future by incorporating an energy efficient geothermal system at the North Elementary building. These schools are the modern, state-of-the-art facilities that befit the educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, they are the kind of school facilities that every child deserves. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Central Decatur Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education president Mike Frost, vice president Jack Parsons, Rose Saxton, Mike Stuck and Igor Takacs and former board members Nick Morrell, Gary Hayworth, Dave Smith, Brent Buckingham and Jim Lafleur. I would also like to recognize superintendent Tucker Lillis, former superintendent Steve Williams and key supporters of the bond referendum, Jerry Parsons, Gene Binning and Peg Erke. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Central Decatur Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Durant Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the tenth year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Durant Community School District received a 1998 Harkin grant totaling $250,000 which it used to help build an addition to the elementary school for prekindergarten programs including Head Start and for the Cracker Box Center to provide before and after school programs for students in the district. The district also received two fire safety grants totaling $50,000. The Federal grants have made it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their students. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Durant Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education, president Richard Stoltenberg, vice president Sheila Compton, Brian Fargo, Steve Ralfs and Cheryl Telsrow and former board members Jane Lichtenstein, Pam Sissel, Gary Workman and Kenneth Huesman. I would also like to recognize superintendent Duane Bark, former superintendent James Wagner and elementary principal Rebecca Stineman. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Durant Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores are among the highest in the Nation. I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Valley Community School District, and to report on their participation in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities. This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair efforts--everything from updating fire-safety systems to building new schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district. The Valley Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $812,000 which it used to help build an addition and make renovations to provide science labs and a computer lab. This school is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, it is the kind of school facility that every child in America deserves. The district also received two fire safety grants totaling $75,000 to make safety improvements throughout the district. Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Valley Community School District. In particular, I'd like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Rick Klann, Dawn Daughton, Dr. DeWayne Frazier, Mark Howard, Mick Olson and former board members Gregg Kleppe, Allen Knox, Celeste Strong, and Lois Dummermuth. I would also like to recognize superintendent Cathleen Molumby, and the many volunteers and members of the School Improvement Advisory Committee. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years. Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our young people about our priorities. We have got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Valley Community School District. There is no question that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in that community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school year.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, our national energy situation is continuing to deteriorate. Petroleum and gasoline prices have set all time records, and our oil imports are responsible for an incredibly large wealth transfer from America to global oil producers. Our most immediate and visible energy challenges are adequate supplies and record prices for fuels in our transportation sector, but natural gas and coal prices also have risen to new plateaus, and these are impacting both electricity prices and manufacturing and delivery costs across our economy and society. We have yet to tackle the problem of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the large majority of which result from the combustion of fossil fuels. The environmental impacts of energy use, especially from autos and power plants, are still a major health concern. In short, we need to initiate a major transition of our energy sector, to one that is far more efficient, is much less reliant on fossil fuels and imported oil, and is utilizing vastly more domestically produced renewable fuels and energy. Americans recognize the magnitude and the urgency of our energy challenges. They rightfully expect us to adopt policies to move this energy transition forward. In particular, we need to reduce dependence on oil in transportation, and we have broad agreement on two fundamental approaches--increasing efficiency of vehicles and increasing use of alternative fuels. However, in expanding the use of alternative fuels, we face the challenge of needing both alternative fueling stations and vehicles that can use these fuels. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 calls for a brisk expansion of the production and use of biofuels, and it promotes the expansion of the ethanol distribution and sales infrastructure. In parallel, we need to rapidly expand the number of dual fuel automobiles, including in particular autos that can be fueled with any blend of gasoline and ethanol ranging from zero to 85 percent ethanol. Today I am joined by my esteemed colleague, Senator Lugar of Indiana, in introducing the Dual fuel Automobile Act of 2008. This bill will expand the number of dual fuel automobiles at a rapid pace while not imposing undue production cost challenges or our auto manufacturers. It calls for 50 percent of all light-duty vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States to be dual fuel automobiles by 2011. It increases that to 90 percent of all light-duty vehicles manufactured for U.S. sales by 2013. These requirements are reasonable because it is known that gasoline vehicles require relatively minor changes in fuel system designs to be able to use blends of gasoline and ethanol which qualify them for dual fuel designation. This mandate will ensure that the number of dual fuel automobiles in our transportation fleet is expanding apace with the expansion of ethanol production and use in our national fuel supply over the next 15 years and beyond. Taken together, our increasing production of biofuels, our incentives for installation of alternative fuel infrastructure, light-duty vehicle requirement will provide Americans the option of choosing clean, domestically-produced fuels for their personal transportation needs in the future. This represents a critical component in the transition of our energy systems away from fossil and imported fuels toward reliance on sustainable domestic fuel sources. Today I urge my Senate colleagues to join us in taking action to boost the transition to a cleaner, more resilient, and more secure energy economy. I request support for this bill and its rapid enactment. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, our national energy situation is continuing to deteriorate. Petroleum and gasoline prices have set all time records, and our oil imports are responsible for an incredibly large wealth transfer from America to global oil producers. Our most immediate and visible energy challenges are adequate supplies and record prices for fuels in our transportation sector, but natural gas and coal prices also have risen to new plateaus, and these are impacting both electricity prices and manufacturing and delivery costs across our economy and society. We have yet to tackle the problem of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the large majority of which result from the combustion of fossil fuels. The environmental impacts of energy use, especially from autos and power plants, are still a major health concern. In short, we need to initiate a major transition of our energy sector, to one that is far more efficient, is much less reliant on fossil fuels and imported oil, and is utilizing vastly more domestically produced renewable fuels and energy. Americans recognize the magnitude and the urgency of our energy challenges. They rightfully expect us to adopt policies to move this energy transition forward. In particular, we need to reduce dependence on oil in transportation, and we have broad agreement on two fundamental approaches--increasing efficiency of vehicles and increasing use of alternative fuels. However, in expanding the use of alternative fuels, we face the challenge of needing both alternative fueling stations and vehicles that can use these fuels. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 calls for a brisk expansion of the production and use of biofuels, and it promotes the expansion of the ethanol distribution and sales infrastructure. In parallel, we need to rapidly expand the number of dual fuel automobiles, including in particular autos that can be fueled with any blend of gasoline and ethanol ranging from zero to 85 percent ethanol. Today I am joined by my esteemed colleague, Senator Lugar of Indiana, in introducing the Dual fuel Automobile Act of 2008. This bill will expand the number of dual fuel automobiles at a rapid pace while not imposing undue production cost challenges or our auto manufacturers. It calls for 50 percent of all light-duty vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States to be dual fuel automobiles by 2011. It increases that to 90 percent of all light-duty vehicles manufactured for U.S. sales by 2013. These requirements are reasonable because it is known that gasoline vehicles require relatively minor changes in fuel system designs to be able to use blends of gasoline and ethanol which qualify them for dual fuel designation. This mandate will ensure that the number of dual fuel automobiles in our transportation fleet is expanding apace with the expansion of ethanol production and use in our national fuel supply over the next 15 years and beyond. Taken together, our increasing production of biofuels, our incentives for installation of alternative fuel infrastructure, light-duty vehicle requirement will provide Americans the option of choosing clean, domestically-produced fuels for their personal transportation needs in the future. This represents a critical component in the transition of our energy systems away from fossil and imported fuels toward reliance on sustainable domestic fuel sources. Today I urge my Senate colleagues to join us in taking action to boost the transition to a cleaner, more resilient, and more secure energy economy. I request support for this bill and its rapid enactment. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. HARKIN

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

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to Calendar No. 927, S. 3406, a bill to restore the intent and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; that the bill be read three times, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, without intervening action or debate; that upon passage, Senator Hatch and I be recognized to speak for a period not to exceed 40 minutes total.

Mr. HARKIN. Madam President, I am extremely proud to be the chief sponsor of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, along with the distinguished senior Senator from Utah, Senator Orrin Hatch. This bipartisan legislation will allow us to advance and fulfill the original promise of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which was signed into law 18 years ago. I am especially grateful to Senator Hatch for his leadership and for his friendship through all these years in helping to craft and move this bill here in the Senate. Senator Hatch was one of the key players in helping get through the original ADA back in 1989 and 1990 when we passed it. And in this effort we have here today, he has become a true partner. I deeply appreciate his willingness to take on this critical role. I think it is safe to say that without the help and intense interest of Senator Hatch on this issue, and especially on the whole ADA process, the bill would not be here today. Again, I am so grateful to Senator Hatch for his friendship and his support through all of this long process. And it has been a long process. We are not here today because we just met the other day to put this together. It has been a couple of years or more in the making, and at least over a year of very intense negotiations with the business community, the disability community, and others to get to where we are today. This bill is similar to legislation that was introduced in the other body by the majority leader, Steny Hoyer, and Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin. That bill passed by a 402-to-17 margin in June, and of course the bill we have here today is going to pass unanimously. I am also grateful that from the outset these bills have been conceived and crafted in a spirit of genuine bipartisanship, with Members of both parties coming together to do the right thing for Americans with disabilities. Today, we have nearly 80 Senators cosponsoring this bill. Of course, passage of the original ADA was also a bipartisan effort. As the chief sponsor of that bill in the Senate, I worked very closely with a great number of people on both sides of the aisle, both here and in the administration--Senator Bob Dole, of course, and others on both sides of the aisle. We received invaluable support from then- President George Herbert Walker Bush and key members of his administration, including White House counsel Boyden Gray, who worked so hard to get the original bill through; and Attorney General Richard Thornburgh, who helped us craft the bill and made sure we did it in the right way. Dick Thornburgh was so instrumental in that initial passage, and ever since then, for the last 18 years, I have kept in contact with Attorney General Thornburgh periodically, talking about the ADA, what it was doing, how it was being implemented, and of course because of the recent court decisions, discussing with him how we could get to this point today and have a bill that would overturn those court decisions. Former Transportation Secretary Sam Skinner was very involved in this also. But I would be remiss if I didn't state forthrightly the one person through all these years who was the key mover of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, without whose leadership we could not have gotten it done, and who enabled this Senator to be the chairman of the Disability Policy Subcommittee and to get this bill moved through both subcommittee and committee. He was there from the very beginning to the end and has never let up in all his years on his interest in and support of legislation that would fully incorporate people with disabilities in all aspects of American life. Of course I speak of Senator Ted Kennedy, the chairman of the HELP Committee, who can't be here with us today. He is at home in Massachusetts recuperating and getting better so he can be here with us next year when we take up health care reform. But if Senator Kennedy is watching, I wish to say: Ted, this one is for you. We finally got here. We finally got the bill up. I thank Senator Kennedy for all of his help in the last 2 to 3 years in pulling everything together, and I am going to have more to say about that at the end when I thank all those wonderful staff members who helped. But Senator Kennedy has been there from the beginning, in the 1980s, when we were doing this, and all through the 1990s, to now, and I am sorry he can't be here with us today. I know he is here with us in spirit, and that spirit has been strong to get us to this point today. I also thank Senator Enzi. Prior to a couple of years ago, he was chairman of the HELP Committee and was also very interested in helping to move this legislation along. Since he has been ranking member, he has also been involved, and his staff involved, in making sure we could get this bill here today. The fact is that Americans from all walks of life take enormous pride in what we have done in the last 18 years since the passage of ADA. No one wants to go backwards. The ADA was one of the landmark civil rights statutes of the 20th century, a long overdue emancipation proclamation for Americans with disabilities. Thanks to that law, we have removed most physical barriers to movement and access for Americans with disabilities. We required employers to provide reasonable accommodations so people with disabilities could have equal opportunity in the workplace. We have greatly advanced the four goals of the ADA: equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. I think the triumph of the ADA revolution is all around us. I remember a couple of years ago attending a Washington convention of several hundred disability rights advocates, many with significant disabilities. They arrived in Washington on trains and airplanes and buses built to accommodate people with mobility impairments. They came to the hotel on Metro and on regular buses, all seamlessly accessible by wheelchair. They navigated the city streets equipped with curb cuts and ramps. The hotel where the convention took place was equipped in countless ways to accommodate all manner of people with all kinds of disabilities. There were sign language interpreters on the dais so the people with hearing disabilities could be full participants. And the list goes on and on. In other words, a kind of seamless approach to making sure that anyone could participate regardless of their disability. For many Americans, these many changes are kind of invisible. We kind of take them for granted. We take curb cuts for granted and ramps, and widened doorways for granted. The fact is, every building--think about this--every building being built in America today is fully accessible, with a universal design. A universal design. Now, these changes may be invisible to most people, but for people with disabilities, they are transforming and liberating. The provisions in the ADA outlawed discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the workplace, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations. Again, these are liberating and transforming for people with disabilities. But despite all this progress over the last 18 years, we have a problem. We have a big problem. And the problem arises because of a series of Supreme Court decisions that have greatly narrowed the scope of who is protected by the ADA. As a consequence, people with conditions that common sense would tell us are disabilities are being told by the courts that they are not in fact disabled and, therefore, not eligible for the protections of the law. For example, in a ruling last year, the 11th Circuit Court concluded that a person with an intellectual disability was not ``disabled'' under the ADA. When I try to explain to people what the Supreme Court has done, they are shocked. Impairments that the Court says are not to be considered disabilities under the law--at least in some cases--include amputation, intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, cancer, and others. In three decisions on the same day in June of 1999--what we now know as the Sutton trilogy--the Supreme Court held that corrective and mitigating measures must be considered in determining whether an individual has a disability under the ADA. This is in complete contradiction to congressional intent as we expressed in our committee reports. When we pass laws around here, we don't put every single little thing in the law; we would have huge bills. What we do is we have committee reports and findings to instruct the courts as to what our intent is. We expect the courts to follow them. In the Senate committee report, here is what we said: Whether a person has a disability should be assessed without regard to the availability of mitigating measures, such as reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids. You cannot get much clearer than that. The House report said basically the same thing. It said: For example, a person who is hard of hearing is substantially limited in the major life activity of hearing, even though the loss may be corrected through the use of a hearing aid. Likewise, persons with impairments, such as epilepsy or diabetes, which substantially limit a major life activity are covered under . . . the definition of disability, even if the effects of the impairment are controlled by medication. That was in our report 18 years ago. The Supreme Court ignored that. They ignored it. In the Sutton case, Sutton v. United Airlines, the Supreme Court held that for persons taking corrective measures to mitigate a physical or mental impairment, the effect of those measures must be taken into account when judging whether a person is ``disabled''--and therefore covered under the law. That could include anything from visual aids to prostheses. In Murphy v. the United Parcel Service, the Court applied the same analysis to medication used to treat hypertension, and concluded an employee who was fired because he had high blood pressure and hypertension was not covered because he took medication to alleviate the symptoms. But, again, in our report, as we said before, that should not be taken into account. In the case of Albertsons v. Kirkingburg--we call it the Kirkingburg case--the Supreme Court went further and declared mitigating measures to be considered in the determination of whether someone is disabled included not only artificial aids such as devices and medications but also subconscious measures that an individual may use to compensate for his or her impairment. What were they talking about? Kirkingburg was an individual who was blind in one eye. Through experience and coping with it, he had been able to compensate for the fact he was blind in one eye. The Court said subconsciously he was able to compensate for that, therefore he must not be disabled. People hear this and they say how could the Supreme Court have decided that? Last, in another case, the Toyota case, the Court held there must be a ``demanding standing for qualifying as disabled.'' Again, restricted; a demanding standard. We have never said that in the ADA bill. We didn't say that at all. What has happened is that countless individuals have been excluded from ADA, even though the general rule of all civil rights laws is they should be broadly construed to achieve their remedial purposes, and the ADA is a civil rights statute. Again, what does all this mean? What this means is the Supreme Court decisions have led to a supreme absurdity, a Catch-22 situation that so many people with disabilities find themselves in today. For example, the more successful a person is at coping with a disability, the more likely it is the Court will find that they are no longer disabled and therefore no longer covered under the ADA. If they are not covered under ADA, then any request that they might make for a reasonable accommodation can be denied. If they do not get the reasonable accommodation, they cannot do their job; and they can get fired and they will not be covered by the ADA and they will not have any recourse. Let's look at it this way. If you are disabled and you take medication or use an assistive device, then you will be able to do your job, right? If you take the medication, use the assistive device, now you can do your job, but you will not be covered by the ADA. Therefore, if you ask for a reasonable accommodation, the employer will say: No, you can't do your job, you are fired and, guess what, you go to court and the court will say: You are not disabled, you use an assistive device, you take medication. On the other hand, if you do not take the medication or you do not use an assistive device, you will not be qualified to do the job. So what is a person with a disability supposed to do? If I use medication or use an assistive device, it enables me to become economically self-sufficient, become independent, become fully integrated in society. If I take medication or use my assistive device I can do that, I can get a job. But then I am no longer covered by ADA, and I can be fired or terminated. I will not get a reasonable accommodation. You can see what this has done to so many millions of people with disabilities. What am I to do? I want to get a job. But I want the coverage of ADA. But I have to give that up if I use medication or use an assistive device--an absolute absurdity. This is not what I intended. It is not what anyone intended when we passed the ADA 18 years ago. It boggles the mind that any court would say that multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or epilepsy is not a disability covered by the ADA, but that is where we are today. Think about the troops coming home from Iraq, losing limbs, getting prostheses. The Court might find they are not disabled. If they might need some reasonable accommodations to get a decent job, the Court would find they are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a result, we have to have this bill, and that is what this bill is all about. This bill is about restoring the Americans with Disabilities Act back to where we intended it to be 18 years ago and to give clear directions to the courts about how they should decide these cases. This bill will overturn the so-called Sutton trilogy and Toyota v. Williams and will give clear direction to the courts on exactly what we mean. It will restore the proper balance, it will clarify and broaden the definition of disability, it will increase eligibility for the protections of the ADA. People who are denied coverage under ADA will now be covered, and we will get rid of that Catch-22 situation that confronts so many people right now with disabilities. I tell you, this is extremely important in the employment context. According to most recent data, more than 60 percent of individuals with disabilities are not employed. That is shameful, in our society, that we have an unemployment rate among people with disabilities of 60 percent. These are people who want to work, who are capable of work. They want to go out and become fully functioning members of society and contribute to society. All they need is the opportunity. I can tell you employers find people with disabilities are sometimes the most exemplary of workers. All they need is the opportunity, a reasonable accommodation, and they can do their job. This bill before us today renews our promise to all Americans with disabilities. We basically say we keep the basic language of the original bill, but we also make sure the bill overturns the basis for the reasoning in the Supreme Court decisions--as I said, the Sutton trilogy and Toyota case that has been so problematic. We clearly state mitigating measures--such as the medication or assistive devices I talked about earlier--are not to be considered in determining whether someone is entitled to the protections of the ADA. No longer is it report language. We put this in bill language so the Supreme Court can't skirt around it again. The bill will make it easier for people with disabilities to be covered. It expands the definition of disability to include many more life activities, including a new category of major body functions. The latter point is important for people with immune disorders or cancer or kidney disease or liver disease because they no longer need to show what specific activity they are limited in, in order to meet the statutory definition of disability. The bill rejects the current EEOC regulation which says that ``substantially limits'' means ``significantly restricted'' as too high a standard. We indicate Congress's expectation that the regulation be rewritten in a less stringent way and we provide the authority in this bill to do so. The bill also revives the ``regarded as'' prong of the definition of disability. It makes it easier for those who suffer from discrimination because of a perceived disability to be able to seek relief if they have been fired or subjected to another adverse action. We also say the definition of disability is to be interpreted broadly, to the maximum extent permitted by the ADA. Again, this bill will give clear direction, of course, as to exactly what we intend: A broad definition, more people covered, and getting rid of that problem of having that Catch-22 situation. Eighteen years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, and I am proud to say we have that same level of support today in passing this unanimously. I am grateful for the bipartisan spirit with which we have considered this bill. We have an opportunity to come together to make an important difference for millions of Americans with disabilities. I might say the bill enjoys strong support in the country. I have a letter I will submit for the Record from over 250 business, faith, disability, labor, and military organizations that support this bill and urge its passage. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that letter be printed in the Record at the conclusion of the statements of both mine and Senator Hatch.

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Statement of Managers to Accompany S. 3406, the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, be printed in the Record.

Mr. HARKIN. The bill is supported by all the national disability organizations as well the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the Human Resources Policy Association. The genesis of the legislation is a result of direct conversations between the disability and business communities that should serve as a model for other legislative efforts. I wish to say, there were a lot of negotiations that went on between disability groups, the Chamber of Commerce, the Human Resource Policy Association, National Association of Manufacturers, other business groups. They were long. They were involved. They were tough negotiations. There was a lot of give and take. I think that is the way we have to do things. To those who say we cannot get anything done around here, I point to this bill. We can get things done around here as long as people of good will are willing to work together. It may take a little time. Sometimes good things take a little time. It takes a lot of negotiations, reaching across the aisle, reaching across to one another, and we can reach these kind of agreements. We can move this country forward, and we can make American society more fair and just and accommodating for all. I have two last things. I wish to take a moment to recognize our veterans with disabilities. This bill we have before us renews our commitment to ensure that all Americans with disabilities, including a new generation of disabled veterans who are just beginning to grapple with the challenges of living to their full potential, despite any limitations imposed by the disabilities, are able to participate to the fullest possible extent in all facets of society, including the workplace. They deserve equality, access, and opportunity. I would like to submit for the Record a letter from 23 veterans groups supporting this legislation. I ask unanimous consent it be printed in the Record.

Mr. HARKIN. I last would like to thank those who helped us get to this day, including those who are no longer with us. My friend, Justin Dart, who was so instrumental in helping us get the ADA passed. We are fortunate that his wife Yoshiko continues to carry on his legacy, day after day, week after week, year after year. Ed Roberts, the father of the Independent Living movement, whose work and vision live on. And all the disability advocates and people with disabilities who have been so dedicated to the goals of the ADA, without whose hard work and dedicated efforts today would not have been possible--people such as Jim Ward and his family, who dedicated almost 2 years of their lives traveling on a bus around the country to every State, showing people about the importance of restoring the protections of ADA. Bob Kafka of ADAPT, who was so instrumental in passage of the ADA, and who has dedicated his life to fulfilling the goals of the ADA. I wish to say a special thank-you to Jennifer Mathis of the Bazelon Center for her practical and practiced advice; Sandy Finucane of the Epilepsy Foundation; of course to Andy Imparato of the American Association of People With Disabilities for always being there in that leadership position--for his level-headed leadership, for bringing different groups together, and sometimes that is like herding cats to get all of us together. Andy did a great job in making sure we were always there and making sure we had our conferences and negotiations and keeping us all headed in the same direction. So to Andy Imparato I give my highest thanks and my deepest thanks for all of his helpfulness. Thanks to Nanzy Zirkin of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; and to Professor Chai Feldblum of the Georgetown Law Center for creative and innovative thinking, for always being willing to testify before our committee. Thanks to Randy Johnson and Mike Eastman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; to Mike Peterson of the H.R. Policy Association; to Jeri Gillespie of the National Association of Manufacturers; and to Mike Aitken of the Society of Human Resource Management. Thanks to our key staff members: Tom Jipping and Chris Campbell of Senator Hatch's staff--great to work with--and Lee Perselay, Beth Stein, and Pam Smith of my own staff. Again, they have worked tirelessly on this day after day. I wish to thank the House committee staff, Sharon Lewis and Heather Sawyer, and Leader Hoyer's staff, Keith Abouchar and Michelle Stockwell, as well as a wish for them to make quick work of passing this bill when it gets over to the House. Of course, I also thank the staff of the HELP Committee, the chairman's staff, Michael Myers, Connie Garner, and Charlotte Burrows, and Brian Hayes with Ranking Member Enzi. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have supported this bill in overwhelming numbers and made it possible to pass the bill and hopefully get it signed into law and advance the original intent of the original Americans with Disabilities Act. You know, there may not be a lot of people here on the floor of the Senate today, but I can tell you, though, throughout the country there are millions of Americans with disabilities who know what we are doing here. They have been told. They know what we have done over the last couple or 3 years to overturn those Supreme Court decisions. They are waiting anxiously for this bill to be passed, for the House to pass it, and for President Bush to sign it into law so that once again they can go out with full knowledge that they are covered by this civil rights bill, that they can go out and seek employment, that they can travel, that they can seek the accommodations that will make them fully functioning members of our society and knowing that they are covered by the law. So there are millions of Americans with disabilities and their families all over this country today who I know are expressing thanks to all the people who have been involved in getting this done. Again, so many are not here with us today. They know what we are doing, and they are anxiously waiting for this to pass and to get it to the President, and hopefully we will get that done--hopefully by next week. The last thing was--I thanked a lot of people, but I would be remiss if I did not thank the one person who more than any other set my feet on this course many years ago, who taught me a lot about being disabled, and who taught me a lot about discrimination against people with disabilities. And, of course, I speak of my brother, Frank. He was here when we passed the original ADA, but he has since passed on. But it was my brother who first said to me many years ago when he was sent to the Iowa School for the Deaf--they called it the Iowa School for the Deaf and Dumb--he said, ``I may be deaf, but I am not dumb.'' It was also my brother who one time said to me that the only thing deaf people cannot do is hear. He wanted to do a lot of things in his life, but because of prejudices, because of discrimination, he was held back and discriminated against. I saw it time after time after time. He was able to persevere and carve out a life of independence and dignity for himself, but I often thought, why did he have to do that? I mean, why did it require an extraordinary effort on his part just to be a contributing member of our society, just to enjoy a lot of things we take for granted? So I thought so much about that. I thought, you know, if I ever got in a position to do anything about it, I was going to do something. Well, as fortune would have it, I was elected to the House and then later elected to the Senate and found myself as chairman of the Disability Policy Subcommittee under the tutelage of Senator Kennedy. We were able to get the first ADA act passed. I have to tell you a story here, just talking about discrimination. I was sworn into the Senate in January of 1985. I had my brother, Frank; he along with my whole family was here sitting up there in the gallery right back here. I had provided for an interpreter to interpret for my brother as he was watching the proceedings here on the floor of the Senate. Well, then a policeman came out. Actually, one of my brothers said: The policemen are up there and asked the interpreter to leave because she could not be there. I went up to the gallery. I am about to get sworn into the Senate. I went up to find out what was going on. The officer said: We cannot let people up in the gallery stand up and do this interpreting. I said: Why not? He said: It is against the rules. What rules? Well, it is against the rules. Well, I was furious. So I came down on the floor, and in 1985, you might remember the Senate majority leader was Senator Bob Dole. So I went right to Dole and I said: Senator Dole, here is my problem. I got my brother up there, and they won't let an interpreter interpret. He said: Really? Well, I will take care of that. And he took care of it. He took care of it. So we got an interpreter. Of course, now we have closed captioning and all kinds of things now for Senate activities. But, again, it is just that attitude people have. This was in 1985. That would not happen today. Of course, we have access for people who have mobility disabilities to come in, and we have made the Capitol accessible for people with all kinds of disabilities. But I relate that story as a way of again thanking my brother, Frank, for setting my feet on this path so many years ago. For me, it has been a labor of love, not without its frustrations, not without saying--one day at the Supreme Court, with Bob Dole by my side, listening to the Supreme Court hand down one of these decisions, I said: What could they possibly be thinking? We went out and talked to the press after, Senator Dole and I did. So it has had its frustrations. We are not to the promised land yet with 60 percent unemployment among people with disabilities. We have a long way to go. But this, the Americans with Disabilities Act, is the civil rights statute that says to people: You cannot discriminate. Just as we passed the civil rights bills that said: You cannot discriminate on the basis of race or sex or national origin or religion, now you cannot discriminate on the basis of disability either, plus you have to take some other steps; we have to have reasonable accommodations. So this is the civil rights statute that emancipates and frees people with disabilities so they can be fully contributing members of our society. I close my remarks by thanking the President for her indulgence, the indulgence of other Senators for permitting me to speak for so long. As I said, this, for me, for all of my adult life, is a cause to which I have committed myself, much of my staff, much of our time and effort. I am grateful to the leadership of the Senate, both on the Republican and Democratic side, and again to my great friend and partner Senator Hatch for making it possible for us to bring up this bill today and get it passed unanimously. Unanimously. That is even better than what we did with the ADA. We only had six votes against it in 1990. This is unanimous. I think it sends a clear signal that whether you are Republican or Democratic, it does not make any difference--it does not make any difference, we are going to stand behind people with disabilities. We are going to make sure the ADA takes its rightful place once again as the umbrella civil rights statute for all Americans with disabilities. I thank all of my colleagues. I look forward to the passage of this bill in the House. I look forward to the President hopefully signing it as early as next week. August 21, 2008 Exhibit 1 Re: The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 Hon. Tom Harkin, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Senator Harkin: The undersigned groups, representing a broad range of interests, write in support of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (S. 3406). This bill introduced on July 31, 2008, had 64 cosponsors as of August 1, with 55 of those joining as original cosponsors. S. 3406, the ADA Amendments Act, would revise the ADA, in a manner designed to work for both people with disabilities and for entities governed under the law. The bill is a result of sustained efforts between Senators from both sides of the aisle and intensive and thoughtful talks between representatives of the disability community and entities governed by the law. For that reason, we believe that S. 3406 strikes a delicate balance between the needs of individuals with disabilities and the realities experienced by entities including employers and public accommodations, which are covered under the law. We urge your support in making enactment of S. 3406, the ADA Amendments Act, a reality as soon as Congress returns to work in September. We stand ready to work with you towards that end. Sincerely, ABC Business Services, Illinois; Abilities in Motion, Pennsylvania; ADA Watch/National Coalition for Disability Rights; ADA Help, Inc., Florida; Air Force Association; Air Force Sergeants Association; Air Force Women Officers; Associated Alliance of Disability Advocates Center for Independent Living, North Carolina; Alpha-1 Association; Alpha-1 Foundation; ALS Association; Alzheimer's Association; American Association for Affirmative Action; American Association for Respiratory Care; American Academy of Nursing; American Association of Diabetes Educators; American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); American Association of University Women; American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association; American Bakers Association; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); American Composites Manufacturers Association; American Council of the Blind; American Diabetes Association; American Federation of Government Employees--Veterans Council. American Federation of Labor--Congress of Industrial Unions (AFL-CIO); I American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME); American Federation of Teachers (AFT); American Foundation for the Blind; American Foundry Society; American GI Forum; American Islamic Congress; American Jewish Committee; American Kidney Fund; American Liver Foundation; American Lung Association; American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association; American Mental Health Counselors Association; American Physical Therapy Association; American Psychological Association; American Society of Employers; AMVETS; ANCOR; Anixter Center, Illinois; Anti- Defamation League; APEERS (Alternative Peer Edu/Enrichment Recovery Society), West Virginia; APSE: The Network on Employment; Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; The Arc of Tucson, Arizona; The Arc of the United States. The Arc of Utah; Arthritis Foundation; ARISE, New York; Asian American Justice Center; Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.; Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies; Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL); Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD); Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; Autism Society of America; The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network; AZ Bridge to Independent Living; Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; BH Electronics, Inc.; Bimba Manufacturing; B'nai B'rith International; Brain Injury Association of America; Breast Cancer Network of Strength; Business and Institutional Furniture; Manufacturers Association; Capital Associated Industries, Inc.; Care4Dystonia, Inc.; Central Conference of American Rabbis; Center for Women Policy Studies; Children and Adults with AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada; CIGNA Corporation; Coastal Health District, Georgia; Coleman Global Telecommunications, LLC; Community Action Partnership; Community Health Charities of America; Community Resources for Independent Living, California; Control Technology, Inc.; COPD Foundation; Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates; Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR); Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America; Disabled American Veterans; Disability Policy Consortium, Inc.; Disability Rights Wisconsin (WI P&A); DTE Energy Company; Easter Seals; Eastman Chemical; Ellwood Group Inc.; Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States; Epilepsy Foundation; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, Minnesota; Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, North Dakota; Friends Committee on National Legislation; Friends of the National Institute of Dental, and Craniofacial Research. Georgia Voice That Count; Granite State Independent Living; Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.; Hearing Loss Association of America; Hearing Loss Association of America, Manhattan Chapter; Hearing Loss Association of America, Mid Hudson Chapter; Hearing Loss Association of America, North Shore Chapter of Long Island; Hearing Loss Association of America, Queens at Lexington; Hearing Loss Association of America, Western New York Chapter; Heat Transfer Equipment Company; Higher Education Consortium for Special Education; Hindu American Foundation; HR Policy Association; Human Rights Campaign; Huntington's Disease Society of America; Hydrocephalus Association; Idaho State Independent Living Council; Illinois Manufacturers' Association; International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies; International Franchise Association; International Paper Company; Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America; Islamic Society of North America; Japanese American Citizens League; Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; J.T. Fennell Co.; Koller-Craft Plastic Products; Lakeside Equipment Corporation; The LAM Foundation; Lambda Legal; Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR); Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA); The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Life, Inc., Georgia; Liz Thurber Slipcovers; Lupus Foundation of America; The Management Association of Illinois; Manufacturer & Business Association (Erie, PA); March of Dimes; Mental Health America; Michigan Alliance of State Employees with Disabilities (Michigan ASED); Michigan Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans; Michigan Rehabilitation Association; Military Officers Association of America; Molded Fiber Glass Companies; Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc.; Motorola; Mullinix Packages, Inc. Muslim Public Affairs Council; Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America; NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.; National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepard; National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); National Alopecia Areata Foundation; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). National Association for Black Veterans; National Association for Employment of People who are Blind (NAEPB); National Association for Uniformed Services; National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities; National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors; National Association of Governors' Committees on People with Disabilities (NAGC); National Association of Human Rights Workers; National Association of Manufacturers; National Association of the Physically Handicapped (Manistee County Chapter); National Association of Social Workers; National Association of State Directors of Special Education; National Association of State Head Injury Administrators; National Association of the Deaf; National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD); National Congress of Black Women, Inc.; National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare; National Council of Churches in the USA. National Council of Jewish Women; National Council of La Raza (NCLR); National Council on Independent Living (NCIL); National Disability Rights Network (NDRN); National Down Syndrome Congress; National Down Syndrome Society; National Education Association (NEA); National Employment Lawyers Association; National Fair Housing Alliance; National Family Caregivers Association; National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA); The National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias; National Health Council; National Health Law Program; National Industries for the Blind (NIB); National Kidney Foundation; National Legal Aid and Defender Association; National Marfan Foundation; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; National MS Society, Hawaii Chapter; National Organization for Women; National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS); National Psoriasis Foundation; National Women's Law Center; Naval Reserve Association; NCEP Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, Nevada. NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby; Nevadans for Equal Access, Inc.; New Jersey Protection and Advocacy; NISH; Non-Commissioned Officers Association; Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association; Northwestern Mutual; Ohio Disability Action Coalition; Oregon Family Support Network; Organization of Chinese Americans; Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation; Our Children Left Behind; The Paget Foundation; Paralyzed Veterans of America; Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy; People Escaping Poverty Project, Minnesota; People First of Nevada; Portland General Electric; PPG Industries; Precision Metalforming Association; Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office; Prevent Blindness America; Reserve Enlisted Association; RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. RTC Paratransit Evaluation Services, Nevada; Roaring Spring Blank Book Co.; Ryder System, Inc.; SEIU-- Service Employees International Union; Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc.; Services for Independent Living, Missouri; Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF); Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation; Society for Human Resource Management; Southeast Kansas Independent Living Resource Center, Inc. (SKIL); Southern Champion Tray LP; Spina Bifida Association; State of Nevada TBI Advisory Council; Stuller, Inc.; The Taylor-Winfield Corporation; Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children; Texas Association of the Deaf; Textile Rental Services Association of America; Ultra Tech Machinery Inc.; United Cerebral Palsy; United Cerebral Palsy of Central Ohio; United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries; United Food and Commercial Workers International Union; United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society. Union for Reform Judaism; Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations; United Jewish Communities; United Spinal Association; Uniweld Products Inc.; U.S. Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; U.S. Psychiatric Association; U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association; US TOO International; Vanamatic Company; Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Veterans of Modern Warfare; Vietnam Veterans of America; West Suburban Access News Association; Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce; Women of Reform Judaism; The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring; World Institute on Disability.

Mr. HARKIN. I suggest the absence of a quorum.