Chuck Hagel

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, how much time is remaining?

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, in addition to what my colleague from Nevada has said in response to the distinguished Senator from Montana, there is nothing new about this bill except two features. This bill, the Hagel-Ensign bill, last year received more bipartisan votes on the floor of this Senate than any other bill. There is nothing new in this bill except two features. One is the $30 billion for low- income seniors' additional coverage, and the other is the $35 billion in cost sharing for catastrophic drug costs with Medicare and Medicaid to dual eligibles. That is what is new in the bill. To say this is new and we have just sprung this on the Senate is a bit disingenuous. This bill has been around for almost 4 years in its current form. I yield the floor.

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I yield back all of my time. Amendment No. 1111

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Senator Ensign and I are teaming up on a couple of amendments. We will follow the distinguished Senator from Illinois.

Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the pending unanimous consent be modified so I be allowed to offer an amendment in the slot allocated to the Senator from Nevada, since we are cosponsor, and I ask unanimous consent I be allowed to offer two amendments.

Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be laid aside and the Senate proceed to the consideration of amendment No. 1012.

Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending amendment be laid aside and the Senate proceed to the consideration of amendment 1026.

Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Bethphage and Martin Luther Homes, which will join hands to become Mosaic on July 1, 2003. For a combined 168 years, Bethphage and Martin Luther Homes have been dedicated to helping disabled children and adults achieve their full potential. Together as Mosaic, will they serve 900 Nebraskans. By merging their resources and expertise to form Mosaic, Bethphage and Martin Luther Homes will strengthen their reach to the disabled. Mosaic will support and advocate for more than 3,700 people with disabilities in 16 States, Great Britain, and Latvia. Through participation in an international alliance called IMPACT, Mosaic will work with the disabled in emerging democracies around the world. Guided by the principle that ``every individual is a person of worth,'' Mosaic will continue the work begun by Bethphage and Martin Luther Homes by serving disabled individuals at every stage of life. Mr. President, I congratulate and thank Mosaic for its service to the disabled.

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I wish to acknowledge my colleague, the distinguished Republican assistant majority leader, for his remarks. I see Senator Kennedy in the Chamber. Senator Kennedy, thank you for your leadership. I have a statement, and my understanding is that we will then rotate statements on both sides for the rest of the afternoon. Over the next 2 weeks, the Senate will begin a historic effort to reform and strengthen Medicare. What we do here over the coming weeks will affect every American and future generations. Health care is a defining issue for our Nation. We must take the long view and recognize that if we do it right, the changes we make in health care, in the delivery of that care, will result in improved access to quality care and lower costs for Americans well into the future. This must be our objective. The Senate Finance Committee bill represents a good solid beginning. The Senate Finance Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Grassley and Ranking Minority Member Baucus, deserves great credit for its hard work and efforts in bringing the bill to the floor of the Senate. Over the next 2 weeks, the Senate will work with members to improve upon their bill. Medicare is one of the two largest programs in the Federal Government. Today, Medicare covers over 40 million Americans, including 35 million over the age of 65 and nearly 6 million younger adults with permanent disabilities. Medicare serves all eligible beneficiaries without regard to income or medical history. It is projected to pay out $269 billion in both Part A and Part B benefits this year. This accounts for 13 percent of the Federal budget and $1 out of every $5 spent in America on health care. In 1965, when Medicare was created, only about half of America's seniors had health insurance and fewer than 25 percent had adequate hospitalization insurance. Now, because of Medicare, nearly all seniors have coverage. Medicare has been good for seniors and has become a dominant part of the U.S. health care system. But Medicare does more for seniors than protect their health. Medicare improves their quality of life. Since Medicare was enacted, people are living longer and living better. Life in America has changed dramatically over the last 40 years, especially health care. Medicine today addresses all conditions and diseases, with a special emphasis on preventive medicine and management of chronic conditions. This includes an emphasis on prescription drugs, diet, exercise, and lifestyle--health dynamics that were not given much consideration when Medicare was enacted in 1965. Medical technology has exploded, and we have experienced a revolution in the development of new and effective pharmaceuticals. Outpatient treatment and prescription drugs have become mainstays of medical care, but the Medicare Program does not reflect these changes in health care. Like medicine itself, the Medicare Program must adjust and reform to address these new realities in health care delivery, consumer demand, and costs. Medicare is a 1960s model trying to operate in a 21st century world. Our goal in this debate is to bring this valuable program in line with today's health care needs in a responsible and sustainable program and prepare for the future. As we look forward, we should also heed the lessons learned when Medicare was created. When Medicare was enacted in 1965, the Federal Government's lead actuary at the time projected that the hospital program, Medicare Part A, would grow to $9 billion by 1990. But the program actually ended up costing more than $66 billion by 1990. Even after adjusting for inflation and other factors, the cost of Medicare Part A in constant dollars was 165 percent higher than the official Government estimate according to the actuary who produced those numbers. In unadjusted dollars, actual costs were 639 percent above estimates. A 1968 Tax Foundation study found that public spending on medical care had nearly doubled in just the first 3 years of Medicare. A recent example of these accelerating costs is that since 1999, drug prices have risen about 20 percent. The average cost of these lifesaving pharmaceuticals will likely continue to increase, placing further pressure on seniors with fixed incomes. In addition to the internal problem of the changing realities of health care, Medicare is facing a looming external program. The largest generation in American history, the baby boomers, is aging. These Americans--over 75 million--will be added to the Medicare rolls over the next few years. The baby boom generation has changed and shaped every market in which it has ever participated. Medicare health care will be no exception. We have a responsibility to address this demographic pressure now or risk the system collapsing under its own weight in the future. The task before us is immense but so is the opportunity. Although Congress has been working with health care professionals, we must continue to listen carefully to those who know most about health care. We need to assure the American people that the promises made to them will be kept and that seniors on Medicare today will not be forced to change or lose their benefits, but for the future enhancement and viability of Medicare, changes will be required. The American people must have confidence in the medical reform process, the process we use to reform Medicare. This is important because as we move forward, all Americans, especially seniors, must then have confidence in the results. Facing these challenges will require difficult decisions. There will be no perfect solutions. There will always be imperfect solutions at the end of the day. At the same time, we must be responsible with our efforts. We are adding a costly new benefit to America's largest health entitlement program. In making decisions, we must not discount or minimize what we know has worked and what has not worked. Much of the debate over the next 2 weeks will focus on prescription drugs. Medicare does not currently cover outpatient prescription drugs. Adding a responsible, sustainable, and meaningful drug benefit is a top priority for most in the Senate. Seniors are expecting to spend nearly $1.9 trillion on drugs over the next 10 years. Clearly, the Federal Government simply cannot take on all of that expense. But seniors need help. They need help now. More than one-third of Medicare beneficiaries have no prescription drug coverage. Mr. Joseph Antos of the American Enterprise Institute was quoted in the New York Times on Saturday as saying: These seniors are the last people in America who are paying retail. When I turn 65, I'd hate to be the only one in the pharmacy line who's not in some kind of pain. Also in Saturday's New York Times, Mr. Dana Goldman of the RAND Corporation, said: What you really want to do is insure against very high expenditures. A catastrophic plan would be a cautious approach to sticking your toe in the water. We should heed their advice as we move forward. Any Medicare drug benefit must be sustainable. The benefit must deal with the realities that people are living longer and better, and have higher health care expectations than ever before. A new drug benefit should strengthen public/private partnerships that work. Any new drug benefit must pay particular attention to those in greatest need who have no options today, but this should not be at the exclusion of other seniors. We must take care that we do not inadvertently stifle innovation in the private pharmaceutical, medical research, and healthcare sectors. We know advances in research and medicine have been the critical factors in our increased lifespans, better health, and improved quality of life. The public/private relationship in these areas has been essential to that success. The United States leads the world in medical innovation. Our actions over the next 2 weeks must not jeopardize that continued innovation but, rather strengthen it for the future. The special healthcare needs of rural areas are of great importance to me and many of my colleagues. What we do in this body over the next 2 weeks should enhance rural healthcare as well as urban healthcare. Tough choices and difficult decisions will have to be made. Not everyone will agree with the choices we make, but we owe it to the American people to face these challenges and produce a reformed Medicare program that will take America's seniors well into the 21st Century. That is doable, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in this important effort. I yield the floor.

Mr. HAGEL

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

Mr. HAGEL

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

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I rise today to wish the United States Army ``happy birthday.'' It was 228 years ago tomorrow, June 14, 1775, that the Continental Army of the United States was formed. The United States Army has had a monumental impact on our country. Millions of men and women over the past 228 years have served in the senior most branch of our military forces. The Army is woven in the culture of America. For 228 years, the Army has protected the American values of liberty, freedom and democracy. Many people around the globe enjoy these freedoms because of the U.S. Army. The principles of ``Duty, Honor, Country'' are the foundation of the U.S. Army. It is America. Every generation of Americans who have served in the U.S. Army--from the Continental army to today's fighting men and women--have been shaped by these principles. It has molded lives in ways that are hard to explain, just as the Army has touched our national life and history and made the world more secure, prosperous, and a better place for all mankind. On this 228th birthday of the U.S. Army, as a proud U.S. Army veteran, I say happy birthday to the Army veterans of our country. We recognize and thank those who have sacrificed and served and those whose examples inspired those of us who have had the opportunity to serve in the U.S. Army. On this, the 228th birthday of the Army, I say ``Happy Birthday'' and, in the great rich tradition of the U.S. Army, I proclaim my annual Senate floor . . . ``HOOAH''

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Hagel pertaining to the introduction of S. 1076 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center Bill. I am joined by my colleagues and fellow Vietnam veterans, Senators McCain and Kerry, in sponsoring this bill that would authorize the construction of an Education Center near the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Twenty-one years ago, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built as a permanent testament to the sacrifice of over 58,000 veterans who died during the Vietnam War. It is a place of remembrance for Vietnam veterans and their families. As the Vietnam War draws further into America's past, it is important for future generations to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in Vietnam, and to understand the lessons learned in Vietnam. Most visitors to the Wall today were not alive during the Vietnam War. The Education Center would serve as an access point for the next generation. By collecting historic documents, artifacts and the testimony of Vietnam veterans, the Education Center would provide visitors with a better understanding of the Memorial. The Memorial was designed to accommodate expansion. Over the last two decades, the Wall's reach has extended; names of fallen soldiers have been added to the black granite. Building the Education Center underground would expand the memorial in a new direction--one that does not distract from the natural beauty of the Mall. The names on the Wall must never become simple, empty etchings. Their individual and collective power must remain connected to the real human sacrifices of war. The Education Center would help preserve this bond. It would affirm the meaning of the Wall, not just as an acknowledgment of a war or a date to be remembered, but as a living memorial with lessons to offer those who come to learn. Many educators, veterans, lawmakers and organizations have voiced strong support for the proposed Education Center. Like the Wall, the Center would be funded entirely by private donations--evidence of its broad-based public support. There would be no tax payer money involved in building the Center. Building an Education Center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial would affirm the belief that we can inspire peace by educating our young people about the consequences of war. For there is no stronger advocate for peace than one who knows war. I am proud to sponsor this bill authorizing the construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center. I ask my colleagues to join me and Senators Kerry and McCain in support of this effort.

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center Bill. I am joined by my colleagues and fellow Vietnam veterans, Senators McCain and Kerry, in sponsoring this bill that would authorize the construction of an Education Center near the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Twenty-one years ago, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built as a permanent testament to the sacrifice of over 58,000 veterans who died during the Vietnam War. It is a place of remembrance for Vietnam veterans and their families. As the Vietnam War draws further into America's past, it is important for future generations to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in Vietnam, and to understand the lessons learned in Vietnam. Most visitors to the Wall today were not alive during the Vietnam War. The Education Center would serve as an access point for the next generation. By collecting historic documents, artifacts and the testimony of Vietnam veterans, the Education Center would provide visitors with a better understanding of the Memorial. The Memorial was designed to accommodate expansion. Over the last two decades, the Wall's reach has extended; names of fallen soldiers have been added to the black granite. Building the Education Center underground would expand the memorial in a new direction--one that does not distract from the natural beauty of the Mall. The names on the Wall must never become simple, empty etchings. Their individual and collective power must remain connected to the real human sacrifices of war. The Education Center would help preserve this bond. It would affirm the meaning of the Wall, not just as an acknowledgment of a war or a date to be remembered, but as a living memorial with lessons to offer those who come to learn. Many educators, veterans, lawmakers and organizations have voiced strong support for the proposed Education Center. Like the Wall, the Center would be funded entirely by private donations--evidence of its broad-based public support. There would be no tax payer money involved in building the Center. Building an Education Center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial would affirm the belief that we can inspire peace by educating our young people about the consequences of war. For there is no stronger advocate for peace than one who knows war. I am proud to sponsor this bill authorizing the construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center. I ask my colleagues to join me and Senators Kerry and McCain in support of this effort.

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I first want to recognize the comments of the distinguished chairman of the Energy Committee. He is far too generous, but that is usually his nature. And I appreciate very much his thoughtful words. I appreciate the comments of my friend from Missouri. I think they cut to the essence of what this issue is about, as well as the comments of our dear friend, the senior Senator from Missouri. (Mr. DOMENICI assumed the chair.)

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I am privileged to be part of this effort because I do not believe there is anything more important for the future of this country than to establish an energy policy that we can build upon; that does, in fact, move right to the core of our national security, our economic growth, and all of the elements that are interconnected for the future of this country. So I come to the floor this morning to address briefly some of the elements of this amendment that will be offered and to, once again, register my strong support of the renewable fuels standard amendment to the energy bill. I, like my colleagues who have spoken prior to me, wish to recognize and thank the leadership of Majority Leader Frist and Minority Leader Daschle for getting this amendment to the floor, and, of course, the distinguished chairman of the Energy Committee, Senator Domenici, for allowing us to have what many of us believe is a very important amendment to be the first amendment up on the energy bill, of which I am a strong proponent and supporter. This amendment, as we have heard, would enhance air and water quality, reduce supply and distribution challenges in the gasoline market, and increase energy security by expanding the use of clean, domestically produced renewable fuels. Specifically, this amendment follows the advice of the EPA's Blue Ribbon Panel on Oxygenates by repealing the Federal oxygenate mandate and phasing out the use of MTBE nationwide. It also contains a reasonable renewable fuels standard, which would gradually increase the Nation's use of renewable fuel to 5 billion gallons a year by 2012--all of this while protecting the environmental gains already made by the reformulated gasoline program. This legislation mirrors the bipartisan fuels agreement in last year's Senate energy bill, of which it has been stated here this morning gained the votes of 69 Senators. This year, we have worked to build an even broader bipartisan coalition of cosponsors. Much has happened since the Senate passed its energy bill last year. The renewable fuels industry has expanded considerably to meet growing demand. The ethanol industry opened 12 new plants last year, with 10 additional plants now under construction. Sixteen of these new plants are farmer owned--farmer owned--individually owned cooperatives. By the end of 2003, annual ethanol production capacity is expected to exceed 3 billion gallons. In December, the ethanol industry wrapped up a record year--2.13 billion gallons in 2002, up by more than 20 percent over 2001. Also, Chevron Texaco announced earlier this year it will switch from blending MTBE to blending ethanol in the southern California market, making Chevron the last of the large California refiners to make the switch to ethanol. This means that this year approximately 80 percent of California's federally reformulated gasoline will be blended with ethanol. We should not forget that biodiesel, made primarily from soybeans, and still a developing fuel technology, has grown enough that it is now used in more than 200 State and Federal automobile fleets, using a 20- percent blend or higher. Today, 16 States have already banned or are in the process of banning MTBE. With State MTBE bans will come increased challenges to fuel distribution and supply. The national phase-down of MTBE proposed in this bill will help us meet these challenges. And a national renewable fuels standard with a credit and trading program--that makes sense, which is relevant, which has common sense--will ensure that renewable fuels are used where they make the most sense--not a mandate, where they make the most sense. In fact, according to a recent analysis by the Department of Energy, enacting this fuels bill would even reduce refiner costs at least by .2 percent per gallon compared to current law. The standard in this amendment is a fair and workable compromise we crafted over a year ago. My friend from Missouri, Senator Talent, referenced the compromise, referenced the organizations that came together over a long period of time to fashion a very workable alternative, built upon the good work of many you have heard referenced this morning: Senator Daschle, Senator Lugar, so many who have worked so hard for so many years, Senator Dole. It has not just come from corn and soybean-producing States. It has come from the leadership of individual Senators with a wider lens of understanding of national security issues, environmental issues, and economic issues, because they are all interconnected. This effort was bolted together by many people who deserve much credit: The American Petroleum Institute, National Farm Bureau, the environmental community, Northeast air directors, agriculture groups from all over the country, DOE, EPA, and many others. Senator Daschle and I helped facilitate those talks last year, as well as a number of our colleagues who are here today and will most likely speak today. Contrary to the opponents of this amendment, this is not a per-gallon mandate. It will not force a specific level of compliance in places where compliance may be difficult. In fact, the credit trading provision in this amendment will give flexibility to refiners who utilize ethanol or biodiesel where it is most economically attractive. Our Nation needs a broader, deeper, and more diverse energy portfolio. Today less than 1 percent of America's transportation fuel comes from renewable sources. Under this amendment, renewable fuel would increase to approximately 3 percent of our total transportation fuel supply, tripling the amount of renewable fuel we now use. Today America imports nearly 60 percent of the crude oil it consumes. The Senator from Missouri defined in some detail the numbers. We continue to hold our economy, our national security, hostage to foreign oil. This country consumes more than 300 billion gallons of crude oil a year. Of that, 165 billion gallons is refined into gasoline and diesel. This amendment says that by 2012, not less than 5 billion gallons of that 165 billion gallons shall come from renewable sources. By enacting this legislation, we would replace 66 billion gallons of foreign crude oil by 2012, reduce foreign oil purchases by $34 billion, create more than 250,000 jobs nationwide, and boost U.S. farm income by more than $6 billion a year. I join my other colleagues who have spoken this morning--and others who will speak today--to enthusiastically encourage all our colleagues to pay attention to the amendment, to be aware of its consequences, have some sense of why this is just not another renewable fuels amendment. It has dramatic implications for the future of the economy, for our national security, and our independence. It also helps America address the additional and important environmental challenges that lie ahead. This is an amendment about America's future. I thank the Chair and yield the floor.

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to support the resolution ratifying the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, to include Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria. NATO has been the bedrock of international security since its establishment 54 years ago. Although the military dimension of the alliance was instrumental in containing the Soviet Union, NATO was always about more than military security. America's relationship with our NATO allies has symbolized the common values, as well as the common interests, of democracies united against those international actors who represent tyranny and aggression. We live at a time of danger, unpredictability, and potential global instability. But we also live in a time of historic opportunity. Alliances are not absolved from the forces of change in world affairs. The ability to adapt to the challenges of this new era in world affairs--challenges from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction-- speak to the importance of NATO and other international institutions, including the United Nations, that have played such key roles in promoting and protecting our common interests since World War II. NATO's decision in November 2002 to expand its current membership of 19 by inviting Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria to begin accession negotiations acknowledges the imperatives of change. I strongly endorse this action. Today, member and candidate countries are expected to do what they can to modernize their forces, including development of niche capabilities and the establishment of a NATO response force. But we know that the contributions of an enlarged NATO will not be defined solely by military capabilities. Expanding NATO also encourages a process of political and economic reform in candidate states. There is a deep security dimension to an expanded NATO. The threats from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction cannot be handled by the United States or any country alone. Defeating terrorism requires unprecedented international cooperation in the diplomatic, military, law enforcement, intelligence, and economic areas. If our purpose in an expanded NATO is about defeating these threats to our common security, than bringing these seven new members into NATO is critical to our national security. Although America's military power may be unprecedented in world history, NATO will continue to play a vital role in American and global security. In Afghanistan, the German proposal for NATO to take charge of the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, represents a new and significant turn in NATO's mission. NATO may well play a role in maintaining security in postwar Iraq. At some point, when there is an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, NATO troops may be called upon to help guarantee that peace. I believe NATO's next 50 years will be just as important for world peace as its first 50 years.

Mr. HAGEL

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

Mr. HAGEL

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

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Nebraska U.S. Senator Carl T. Curtis. Curtis represented Nebraska in Congress for 40 years, longer than any other Nebraskan. He began at an early age. A well-known anecdote depicts Curtis as a young boy near Minden, NE, delivering speeches to the animals on his family's farm, in the absence of more engaging company. Not that he always found it here in Congress. Curtis's life was always about hard work, common sense, and accomplishment. He began his career by obtaining a law degree by ``reading the law'' on his own and passing the bar. In Nebraska politics, he was known as a giant-killer, defeating two incumbent Governors, one former Governor, one Governor-to-be, and two former House Members. He is the only elected official in Nebraska State history to win statewide office while losing both Omaha and Lincoln. Curtis remained determined and victorious in the Senate when, in 1975, he waged a successful battle against Senator Jacob Javits, R-NY, for the chairmanship of the Senate Republican conference. As the new chairman of the Republican conference, he changed its role to be that of a research body, providing Republican Senators with relevant information on emerging national issues. The function of the current Senate Republican conference began under Curtis's leadership. During his 16 years in the House and 24 years in the Senate, Curtis served on the Finance, Agriculture, Rules, and Space Committees. He helped establish a blueprint for flood control and irrigation along the Missouri River. He worked tirelessly to enact the energy tax bill and the Tax Reform Act of 1976. Throughout his life, Curtis was an advocate for small business, agriculture producers, and social security reform. He was a selfless public servant who respected and lived traditional American values. Outside of the Halls of Congress, Curtis actively supported his fellow Republicans. One of his political highlights came when he was asked by the late Arizona U.S. Senator, Barry Goldwater, to serve as his floor manager at the 1964 Republican National Convention in San Francisco. With Curtis's help, Goldwater won the GOP Presidential nomination that year. After Curtis finished his distinguished tenure in Congress in 1979, he went back to practicing law in Nebraska, while continuing to be an active voice in politics and an adviser to many Republican candidates and officials. He also filled his time writing his book, ``Forty Years Against the Tide,'' which highlighted his opposition to the welfare state. After Curtis retired, he spent many happy days in Nebraska with friends, family and his wife Mildred. Curtis had a full political career, but the cornerstone of his life was his family and friends. His first wife, Lois Wylie-Atwater, championed him throughout his political career, along with their two adopted children. After Lois's death, Curtis found companionship in Mildred Genier Baker. They married in 1972. Curtis's journey came to an end on January 24, 2000, but his remarkable legacy lives on. Senator Curtis was a friend and political mentor to many of us. We will always appreciate his willingness to help each of us, his courtesies, his friendship and his integrity. Naming the new Park Service building in Omaha after Senator Carl T. Curtis is an appropriate tribute to a legendary public servant and leader.

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, the world has been watching images from Iraq, of the Iraqi people celebrating the end of a brutal tyranny, and of the American soldiers who have given the Iraqi people hope for a new beginning. Over the past 3 weeks, the men and women of America's Armed Forces have shown a degree of precision and professionalism unprecedented in military history. Their commitment to their country builds on the expectations, traditions and character of those who have gone before them. It builds on the traditions of over two centuries of American courage and sense of honor, built by people such as Dan Inouye, Bob Dole, Charlie Rangel, John McCain and millions of other American veterans. The end of Saddam's regime does not end our commitment in Iraq. It is only the beginning. America's soldiers will continue to face great risks in Iraq. Lives will continue to be lost. Restoring order, peace-keeping, and rebuilding in Iraq are the tasks ahead, and our men and women in uniform will be asked to risk their lives to meet these challenges, as they have in bringing an end to Saddam Hussien's tyranny. Among the many brave men and women who have sacrificed in Iraq, I would like to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of those men and women in uniform from my State of Nebraska. Thousands of Nebraskans are on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Their stories are the stories of America's courage, achievement, and sacrifice in Iraq. On Monday, Army LTC Mike Presnell phoned his mother in Grand Island, NE. He placed the call on a reporter's phone from the gold-plated bathroom in one of Saddam Hussien's Baghdad palaces, now under coalition control. Colonel Presnell told his mother about his historic experience and how proud he was of his colleagues. Nearly 60 years after the first American landed at Omaha Beach, a courageous Omahan landed the first coalition aircraft at Baghdad International Airport. Piloting an Apache helicopter disabled by enemy gunfire unable to radio for help, CWO 4 Greg Inman, Of Omaha, NEB, touched down shortly after U.S. forces staked claim to the airport. Warrant Officer Inman's landing was the standard for the courageous service that we have come to expect from our forces in Iraq. CPT Travis Ford, a 30-year-old Marine from Ogallala, NE, lost his life in service to his country. Captain Ford was killed on April 4 when his Cobra helicopter crashed during combat operations near Ali Aziziyal, Iraq. He leaves behind a wife and 2-year-old daughter. He was, in the word's of his father-in-law, a ``Marine's Marine.'' I spoke to his mother and wife yesterday. His mother, Josie Ford said, ``Senator, Travis did something very important for his country. I'm proud of him.'' Mrs. Ford, we're all proud of him. Our military men and women are the Nation's quiet heroes, for there is no glory in war. Behind headlines and beyond breaking news, there is the human struggle and the human tragedy. Lives are risked and lost. The experience of war reinforces the desire for peace. General Douglas MacArthur once said: The soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. Our sacrifices in Iraq, we pray, will make a better and more secure life for the people of America, Iraq and the world. For their service, bravery and sacrifice, in this noble cause of defending freedom and making a better world, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing--in honoring--the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. They have always been America's quiet heroes. Upon their sacrifice and courage we are inspired to build a more noble and just world.

Mr. HAGEL

Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I also rise to express Lilibet's and my sympathy over the loss of a close friend, Mary Jane Ogilvie. As the wife of Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, our Senate Chaplain, Mary Jane was a friend to many and always offered an attentive ear and an open heart to all of us in the Senate family. Her high spirit and quiet strength endeared her to all who knew her. Mary Jane was a remarkable woman. Having battled cancer, she counseled others living with cancer. She devoted countless hours to raising awareness and funding for cancer research. She raised a magnificent family . . . which is her legacy. Lilibet and I cherished our friendship with Mary Jane. We will miss her, but we will be renewed and enhanced by the time we had with Mary Jane. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lloyd and the Ogilvie family. I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. HAGEL

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