Daniel Inouye

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. I am joined by Senator Stevens, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I thank him for his work on this important issue. The average American eats approximately 16 pounds of fish and shellfish each year. Given this fact, it is essential that Americans have confidence in the safety and quality of the seafood they consume. Yet just last year, Americans faced news reports of tainted seafood imports reaching their kitchen tables. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act will help prevent such contaminated seafood from ever reaching the mouths of consumers. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act would work to ensure that commercially distributed seafood in the United States is fit for human consumption by strengthening the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's, NOAA, fee-for-service seafood inspection program, SIP. Specifically, the bill would increase the number and capacity of NOAA laboratories that are involved with the SIP under the National Marine Fisheries Service. The bill would further direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work together to create an infrastructure that provides a better system for importing safe seafood. This new system would provide a means to inspect foreign facilities, and examine and test imported seafood. It would also provide technical assistance and training to foreign facilities and governments. Additionally, it would also expedite seafood imports from countries that consistently maintain high standards. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act is a strong step in protecting the safety and quality of the seafood products Americans consume. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. I am joined by Senator Stevens, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I thank him for his work on this important issue. The average American eats approximately 16 pounds of fish and shellfish each year. Given this fact, it is essential that Americans have confidence in the safety and quality of the seafood they consume. Yet just last year, Americans faced news reports of tainted seafood imports reaching their kitchen tables. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act will help prevent such contaminated seafood from ever reaching the mouths of consumers. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act would work to ensure that commercially distributed seafood in the United States is fit for human consumption by strengthening the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's, NOAA, fee-for-service seafood inspection program, SIP. Specifically, the bill would increase the number and capacity of NOAA laboratories that are involved with the SIP under the National Marine Fisheries Service. The bill would further direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work together to create an infrastructure that provides a better system for importing safe seafood. This new system would provide a means to inspect foreign facilities, and examine and test imported seafood. It would also provide technical assistance and training to foreign facilities and governments. Additionally, it would also expedite seafood imports from countries that consistently maintain high standards. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act is a strong step in protecting the safety and quality of the seafood products Americans consume. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 4; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate proceed to a period of morning business for up to 1 hour, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each and the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half; that following morning business, the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. 2663, a bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission; further, I ask that the Senate recess from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons to meet.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I am deeply moved and most grateful for the generous and warm remarks of my colleagues. I shall do my very best to live up to their praise. I thank you very much. (Applause, Senators rising.)

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, since its founding in 1775, the U.S. Army has served this country well for over 230 years and has played a decisive role in protecting and defending freedom throughout the history of the U.S., from the Colonial period to today, in wartime and in peace; and has consistently answered the call to serve the American people at home and abroad since the Revolutionary War. The sacrifice of the American soldier, of all ranks, since the earliest days of the Republic, has been immense and is deserving of the unique recognition bestowed by commemorative coinage. Today I rise to introduce the U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act, and am joined by Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma in support of the bill, as well as the U.S. Army, the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the Army Historical Foundation. The U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 100,000 five dollar gold coins, 500,000 one dollar silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar copper-nickel clad coins. These coins will be the first U.S. coins to honor the Army as an institution in its entirety. Coin designs will be emblematic of the traditions, history and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society, from the Colonial period to today. Design motifs will specifically honor the American soldier, both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace; and commemorate the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army. A surcharge will be applied to each coin, in the amount of $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar coin, and $5 for each half-dollar clad coin. Proceeds from the sales of these coins will be directed to the Army Historical Foundation specifically to be used to help finance construction of the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, VA. The Army, the Nation's oldest and largest military service, is the only service that currently lacks a comprehensive, national museum celebrating, preserving and displaying its heritage and honoring its veterans. The Army also lacks a national memorial to serve as its national landmark here in America's capital city. The museum will eventually fill both roles. One of the ways that the museum already honors Army veterans is through its ``Registry of the American Soldier.'' The Registry potentially could contain millions of names and service histories, and can already be viewed online. It is open to all who have worn the Army's uniform, and I myself recently became the first Member of the U.S. Senate to be listed. This registry will eventually be permanently displayed at the museum after its public opening, due in 2014. In 2000, the Secretary of the Army designated the Army Historical Foundation as its primary partner in building the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and today the Foundation is actively engaged in executing a major, $200 million, capital campaign to support the Museum. These commemorative coins will do more than just honor the Army and our Army veterans. They will also help ensure that the extraordinary accomplishment and sacrifice of our soldiers will live on as a legacy for future generations. This bill authorizes surcharges that may generate over $12.2 million for the Army museum. I want to assure my colleagues that this bill will not place any burden on the American taxpayer. The profits generated by the sales of these coins will cover all costs incurred by the Department of the Treasury. Personally, I will never forget the pride I felt in wearing my uniform during the Second World War, and I know that I share this pride of service with millions of fellow veterans from all walks of life across this great country. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, which will honor the U.S. Army while helping to open an outstanding, world- class National Museum of the U.S. Army just across the river from this building. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, since its founding in 1775, the U.S. Army has served this country well for over 230 years and has played a decisive role in protecting and defending freedom throughout the history of the U.S., from the Colonial period to today, in wartime and in peace; and has consistently answered the call to serve the American people at home and abroad since the Revolutionary War. The sacrifice of the American soldier, of all ranks, since the earliest days of the Republic, has been immense and is deserving of the unique recognition bestowed by commemorative coinage. Today I rise to introduce the U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act, and am joined by Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma in support of the bill, as well as the U.S. Army, the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the Army Historical Foundation. The U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 100,000 five dollar gold coins, 500,000 one dollar silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar copper-nickel clad coins. These coins will be the first U.S. coins to honor the Army as an institution in its entirety. Coin designs will be emblematic of the traditions, history and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society, from the Colonial period to today. Design motifs will specifically honor the American soldier, both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace; and commemorate the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army. A surcharge will be applied to each coin, in the amount of $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar coin, and $5 for each half-dollar clad coin. Proceeds from the sales of these coins will be directed to the Army Historical Foundation specifically to be used to help finance construction of the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, VA. The Army, the Nation's oldest and largest military service, is the only service that currently lacks a comprehensive, national museum celebrating, preserving and displaying its heritage and honoring its veterans. The Army also lacks a national memorial to serve as its national landmark here in America's capital city. The museum will eventually fill both roles. One of the ways that the museum already honors Army veterans is through its ``Registry of the American Soldier.'' The Registry potentially could contain millions of names and service histories, and can already be viewed online. It is open to all who have worn the Army's uniform, and I myself recently became the first Member of the U.S. Senate to be listed. This registry will eventually be permanently displayed at the museum after its public opening, due in 2014. In 2000, the Secretary of the Army designated the Army Historical Foundation as its primary partner in building the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and today the Foundation is actively engaged in executing a major, $200 million, capital campaign to support the Museum. These commemorative coins will do more than just honor the Army and our Army veterans. They will also help ensure that the extraordinary accomplishment and sacrifice of our soldiers will live on as a legacy for future generations. This bill authorizes surcharges that may generate over $12.2 million for the Army museum. I want to assure my colleagues that this bill will not place any burden on the American taxpayer. The profits generated by the sales of these coins will cover all costs incurred by the Department of the Treasury. Personally, I will never forget the pride I felt in wearing my uniform during the Second World War, and I know that I share this pride of service with millions of fellow veterans from all walks of life across this great country. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, which will honor the U.S. Army while helping to open an outstanding, world- class National Museum of the U.S. Army just across the river from this building. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to recognize a great American and a true military hero who has honorably served our country for 26 years in the Army and Army Nurse Corps: COL Barbara J. Bruno has a true passion for nursing and served in a variety of clinical nursing and leadership positions at various Army medical facilities. Her tremendous leadership skills led to her selection for long-term schooling to obtain an advanced degree in nursing and subsequent selection for director of the operation room nurse course. Colonel Bruno served with distinction in a series of senior leadership positions as Army nurse corps staff officer, AMEDD personnel proponency directorate, chief nurse, 30th Medical Brigade deputy commander for nursing, chief nurse 67th Combat Support Hospital personnel management officer, and chief, perioperative nursing services. In every circumstance, Colonel Bruno was recognized for her clinical excellence and loyal, dedicated, and stellar leadership. In 2004, Colonel Bruno was appointed the deputy chief of the Army Nurse Corps. As deputy chief, Colonel Bruno developed and implemented policies and procedures that affected nearly 35,000 nursing personnel throughout the Army. She spearheaded several recruitment and retention initiatives to include the Funded Nurse Education Program, the Professional Nurse Education Program, the Registered Nurse First Assist Program, and increased capacity for the Army Enlisted Commissioning Program. Her tenacity also led to additional recruitment options and incentive pays to retain our highly qualified nurse officers. As chair of the Federal Nursing Service Council, she sponsored the development of a Federal nursing research model that focused on improved soldier readiness and patient care outcomes. Colonel Bruno's accomplishments are eloquent testimony to her talent, dedication, loyalty, and determination to see that the best possible nursing care is always available to our soldiers, their family members, and our deserving retirees. Colonel Bruno has established a legacy of superior performance to be emulated by all, and her performance reflects greatly on herself, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, and the United States of America. I extend my deepest appreciation on behalf of a grateful nation for her dedicated service. Congratulations to COL Barbara J. Bruno. I wish her Godspeed.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today, I am pleased that the Congress is sending energy legislation to the President. For too long, the United States has taken a back seat in the fight against global warming. This bill is a good first step in moving our Nation's energy policy in the right direction. Without the support of a number of Senators, this legislation, and title I in particular, would not have been possible. I wish to extend particular thanks to Senators Feinstein, Stevens, Levin, Snowe, Kerry, Dorgan, Lott, Carper, Boxer, Durbin, Alexander, Corker, and Cantwell for their work in increasing automobile fuel economy standards. In addition, the tireless efforts of groups dedicated to conservation and improving national security were vital to enacting this legislation. Of special note is the support of a nonpartisan group of business executives and retired senior military leaders concerned about global energy security, known as Securing America's Future Energy, SAFE. I am grateful for the support and hard work of its leaders, Frederick W. Smith and General P.X. Kelley, as well as Robbie Diamond, who served as their liaison. The Union of Concerned Scientists--David Friedman in particular--provided significant technical support and advocacy for the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act. The White House says that the President will sign the bill tomorrow. I thank him for taking swift action on this landmark legislation.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Record on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I have worked for many months with the Senior Senator from California and the original sponsor of this legislation, Mrs. Feinstein, to draft a sound policy to increase fuel economy standards in our country. I stated earlier today that ``all Federal regulations in this area be consistent.'' I wholly agree with that notion, in that these agencies have two different missions. The Department of Transportation has the responsibility for regulating fuel economy, and should enforce the Ten-in Ten Fuel Economy Act fully and vigorously to save oil in the automobile fleet. The Environmental Protection Agency has the responsibility to protect public health. These two missions can and should co-exist without one undermining the other. There are numerous examples in the executive branch where two or more agencies share responsibility over a particular issue. The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission both oversee telemarketing practices and the Do-Not-Call list. The FTC also shares jurisdiction over antitrust enforcement with the Department of Justice. Under the current CAFE system, the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency work together. DOT enforces the CAFE standards, and the EPA tests vehicles for compliance and fuel economy labels on cars. The President himself foresaw these agencies working together and issued an Executive Order on May 14, 2007, to coordinate the agencies on reducing automotive greenhouse gas emissions. The DOT and the EPA have separate missions that should be executed fully and responsibly. I believe it is important that we ensure that the agencies are properly managed by the executive branch, as has been done with several agencies with shared jurisdiction for decades. I plan on holding hearings next session to examine this issue fully.

Mr. INOUYE. Yes. I. I agree that it is very important that all Federal regulations in this area be consistent and that we provide clear direction to the agency that has responsibility for setting fuel economy standards, the Department of Transportation.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I yield 3 minutes to Senator Carper.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I yield myself 4 minutes. I rise today in support of the bill before us. After months of constructive negotiations, we have successfully crafted a thoughtful, bipartisan agreement, particularly in title I, otherwise known as the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act. Title I would mandate an increase in automobile fuel economy to a nationwide fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. In addition, the Department of Transportation would adopt fuel economy standards for medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles for the first time. Today's agreement marks historic progress: This is the first statutory increase in fuel economy standards since 1975. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is of vital importance to our national security, economic stability, and consumer welfare. The Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act is a major step toward achieving these goals. Title I of this bill will save approximately 1.1 million barrels of oil per day in 2020, equal to one-half of what we currently import daily from the Persian Gulf. By the year 2020, this bill will save consumers approximately $22 billion at the pump and prevent approximately 200 million metric tons of greenhouse gases from polluting our environment each year. By dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, title I would demonstrate to the world that America is a leader in fighting global warming. Legislation of this magnitude could have only been achieved through the hard work of a coalition of Members. In this case, without Senator Feinstein, Senators Stevens, Snowe, Kerry, Dorgan, Lott, Carper, Boxer, Durbin, Alexander, Corker, and Cantwell, the agreement would not have been reached. In particular, I congratulate Senator Feinstein on her efforts in developing this bill. Her dedication over the years has led to a public policy that very few thought possible. I also praise the efforts of my good friend Senator Stevens, who was instrumental in forging the compromise before us. I also thank Chairman Dingell and Senators Levin and Stabenow for their hard work and willingness to achieve an agreement that aggressively improves fuel economy while protecting domestic manufacturing and U.S. workers. The American auto worker and automaker have no better champions. Finally, I express my appreciation to all the hard-working members of the staff who worked to make this historic legislation a reality. In particular, I commend David Strickland, Alex Hoehn-Saric, Mia Petrini, and Jared Bomberg of my Commerce Committee staff for a job well done. The importance of this legislation cannot be underestimated. During the Arab oil embargo in 1973, Americans suffered the first devastating effects of our addiction to oil. Born out of this embargo, Congress put in place a fuel economy program that nearly doubled the gas mileage of cars from 1975 to 1985. Passage of this bill will ensure that our Nation's energy priorities start moving in the right direction again. Higher fuel economy standards will wean the country of its oil addiction, put billions of dollars of savings back into our domestic economy, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A diverse group of constituencies support the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act, from environmentalists to automotive workers and automakers. While it sets forth aggressive standards, the act also recognizes the challenges faced by the auto industry and ensures that those concerns will be addressed. Providing flexibility to the automotive industry, the sponsors of these fuel economy provisions have worked together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that automakers have the tools they need to meet the requirements enumerated in the act. The Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to create two fuel economy curves, one for passenger cars and one for light trucks. This change from the Senate-passed bill provides the certainty that American automakers, auto workers, and car dealers requested, but the act still requires that the combined car and light truck fleet meet a fuel economy standard of at least 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Our actions today will improve national security, create jobs, help consumers, and protect the environment. At times it is the Government's responsibility to balance conflicting interests. Today, I believe we found that balance. Mr. President, I wish to provide 30 seconds to Senator Cantwell.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I yield 3 minutes to the Senator from California, Mrs. Boxer.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I yield 3 minutes to the Senator from Washington, Ms. Cantwell.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Energy Independence and Security Act. In particular, title I, otherwise known as the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act, would mandate an increase in automobile fuel economy to a nationwide fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This is the first statutory increase in fuel economy standards for cars since 1975. In addition, the Department of Transportation would adopt fuel economy standards for medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles for the first time. With the cost of oil at approximately $90 per barrel, reducing our dependence on oil is of vital importance to our national security, economic stability, and consumer welfare. The Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act is a major step forward toward achieving these goals. In addition, the act would dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and demonstrate to the world that America is a leader in fighting global warming. Legislation of this magnitude could have only been achieved through the hard work of a coalition of Members. In this case, without Senators Feinstein, Stevens, Snowe, Kerry, Dorgan, Lott, Carper, Boxer, Durbin, Alexander, Corker, and Cantwell, the agreement would not have been reached. In particular, I wish to congratulate Senator Feinstein on her efforts in developing this bill. Her dedication over the years has led us to an agreement that very few thought possible. I would also like to praise the efforts of my good friend Senator Stevens, who was instrumental in forging the compromise before us. His work in the Commerce Committee, on the Senate floor, and in negotiations with the House reflects his commitment to working in a bipartisan fashion. Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid recognized the importance of the issue and have made fuel economy a major focus of the Energy bill. I thank them for their support and dedication. I would also like to thank Chairman Dingell and Senators Levin and Stabenow for their hard work and willingness to achieve an agreement that aggressively improves fuel economy while protecting the domestic automobile manufacturing base and U.S. workers. Their leadership, honesty, and technical expertise have been invaluable. The American automaker and autoworker have no better advocates. Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to all the hard- working members of the staff who worked to make this historical legislation a reality. In particular, I would like to commend David Strickland, Alex Hoehn-Saric, Mia Petrini, and Jared Bomberg of my Commerce Committee staff for a job well done. The importance of this legislation cannot be underestimated. During the Arab oil embargo in 1973, Americans suffered the first devastating effects of our addiction to oil. Our vulnerability to curtailments in supply became apparent. While waiting in long lines at gas stations, we felt the immediate need for conservation, alternative energy sources, and more efficient use of energy, especially in the transportation sector. Born out of this embargo, Congress put in place a fuel economy program that nearly doubled the gas mileage of cars from 1975 to 1985. Today's agreement marks historic progress. It is the first of its kind since 1975 and is a major step toward addressing our Nation's energy needs. Title I of the bill will save approximately 1.1 million barrels of oil per day in 2020--equal to one-half of what we currently import daily from the Persian Gulf. By the year 2020, the legislation will save consumers approximately $22 billion at the pump and prevent approximately 200 million metric tons of greenhouse gases from polluting our environment each year. A diverse group of constituencies support the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act, from environmentalists to automotive workers and automakers. While it sets forth aggressive standards, the act also recognizes the challenges faced by the auto industry and ensures that those concerns will be addressed. For one, it provides flexibility to the automotive industry. The sponsors of these fuel economy provisions have worked together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that automakers have the tools they need to meet the requirements enumerated in the act. The Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to create two fuel economy curves, one for passenger cars and one for light trucks. This change from the Senate--passed bill provides the certainty that American automakers, auto workers, and car dealers requested, but the act still requires that the combined car and light truck fleet meet a fuel economy standard of at least 35 miles per gallon by 2020. The act also provides automakers with the option of earning flexible fuel credits at a tapering rate set to expire in 2019. These credits will incentivize the production of millions of flexible fuel capable vehicles while assisting automakers in achieving the target of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Passage of this bill will ensure that our Nation's energy priorities start moving in the right direction. Higher fuel economy standards will wean the country of its oil addiction, put billions of dollars of savings back into our domestic economy and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our actions today will improve national security, create jobs, help consumers, and protect the environment. At times, it is the Government's responsibility to balance conflicting interests. Today, I believe we found that balance.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Record on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar, that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the service of a great public servant, outstanding Army officer, and dedicated academic leader. In his latest stint of public service, BG William T. Bester, U.S. Army retired, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, as acting dean from 10 July 2006 to 30 December 2007. During this period, the outstanding leadership and ceaseless efforts of General Bester resulted in major contributions to the Graduate School of Nursing, GSN, and to the Uniformed Services University, USU. He assumed his duties during a period of significant change and growth in the history of the GSN and the USU. He lead efforts in dealing with substantial change in the GSN: planning for a new psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner master's option, facilitating the merger of the GSN and Navy nurse anesthesia master's option, fostering renewed collaboration with the Federal nursing service chiefs, FNSCs, assisting the USU with the search for a new brigade commander and GSN dean, and dealing with base closure and realignment strategy and requirements. He focused on every issue with unwavering directness, a spirit of community participation, collegial respect, enthusiasm, and a wonderful sense of humor and fair play. His leadership brought about a change in GSN character and personality that is visible at every level of USU. His tenure has been marked by strong, supportive relationships with senior USU leaders, an increase in FNSC collaboration and trust resulting in additional senior scholars assigned to the Nursing Science Doctoral Program and new educational program opportunities and increased student involvement in and enthusiasm for the school and the university. Working closely with my office, he was instrumental in solidifying DOD core budgeting for the GSN. He negotiated an expansion of faculty research support with the School of Medicine and the USU vice president for research. He established a sense of calm and collaborative team building by fostering a common vision, always listening to the faculty and staff issues, and addressing their concerns. As a genuine and dedicated ambassador of the university, General Bester often represented the USU president at external senior level meetings. His career interdisciplinary leadership experiences and the respect he maintains within the Department of Defense always provided credibility as spokesperson when he represented the university and its president. These same qualities allowed him to be an essential advisor to President Rice during a time of significant change within USU, on the Bethesda campus, and in emerging military and Federal health cooperative concerns. Brigadier General Bester's total dedication to service in all aspects of his leadership of the Graduate School of Nursing and his exceptional leadership contributions to USU reflect an unsurpassed commitment to maintaining the highest standards for military and Federal health nurse education at the Uniformed Services University. The distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General Bester reflect great credit upon himself, the Department of Defense, and the Uniformed Services University. The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences continues to fulfill our vision as a key part of the Nation's academic health education enterprise because of the dedication of its faculty and administrative leadership. General Bester exemplifies the best of the best. We owe a debt of gratitude for his years of public service, and I wish to take this opportunity to thank him along with his family: his wife Cheryl, his son Jason, daughter Jodi, and grandsons Will and Jake. We wish General Bester Godspeed as he returns to his family and Texas where his children and grandchildren now live.

Mr. INOUYE

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

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the conference report on H.R. 3222, an act making appropriations for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2008. The conference report approves funding of $459.3 billion in new discretionary budget authority which is equal to the subcommittee's 302b allocation. This amount is $3.5 billion less than the funding requested by the administration, not including supplemental spending for the cost of war. And, it is the same level as recommended by the House. The conference recommendations represent a good faith compromise between the House and the Senate. I say to my colleagues this is a good bill, one that is critical for our Nation's defense. The bill fully funds a 3.5 percent military pay raise, a half percent more than requested. It recommends adding $918 million for the Defense Health Program to ensure that the health of our military families is protected. This includes $379 million more than requested to support our military hospitals which suffer from significant shortfalls and are stressed by our wounded heroes returning from war. The conference report includes $980 million to purchase equipment for our National Guard and Reserves recognizing the serious shortfalls that exist in our reserve components. It provides robust funding for the Army's highest priority, the Future Combat System. It supports the purchase of 20 F-22s and 12 joint strike fighters as requested. The bill includes $588 million to support a multiyear purchase of the Virginia Class submarine, and provides advance procurement for four more ships than requested by the administration. On the subject of earmarks, this measure includes nearly $3.4 billion less for earmarks than provided in fiscal year 2006. While many of the items that we call earmarks may not meet the strict definition under the new rules, we have included them in a list in the back of the Statement of the Managers along with the names of the Members of the Congress who requested them in the interest of providing greater transparency. Today is November 8. Our Defense Department is operating on scaled back funding under a short-term continuing resolution. Each day that the Defense Department operates under a CR adds to cost and inefficiency. It is critical that we expedite the consideration of this measure to allow for better financial management, and more importantly, to ensure that our men and women in uniform and their families have the funding they need for their pay, their hospitals, their housing, and their schools. We can best show our support to the military by completing action on this bill as quickly as possible and sending it to the President. Our men and women in uniform deserve no less.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, for the past 30 years, I have been privileged to serve on the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee with my illustrious partner, the senior Senator from Alaska. We have always done this in a bipartisan fashion. It has been so bipartisan that, notwithstanding the controversies involved in the bill, as the Senate knows very well, we passed the bill in the subcommittee in less than half an hour and the full committee in less than an hour and a half. We should also keep in mind that 4 days from now, we will be saying thank you to the veterans of World War I, II, and the others. This is a must bill. I think we should take the words of the senior Senator from Alaska, his words of wisdom, with seriousness because it deserves serious consideration. Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, we are a country at war and yet it is business as usual in the Halls of the Congress. This conference report is chocked full of unrequested and unauthorized funding provisions while actually underfunding the budget requested by the President for the Department of Defense by $3.5 billion. That is correct, Mr. President. We are underfunding one of the most critical agencies to the safety and security of the American public in order to spend extraordinary amounts on unnecessary, wasteful earmarks and run of the mill porkbarrel projects. There are over 2,000 earmarks in this year's Defense Appropriations conference report and its accompanying Statement of Managers, with 24 earmarks added outside the scope of conference. Today, we are engaged in a struggle against Islamic fascism and yet it seems that many on both sides of the aisle are placing special interest and pet projects before the urgent funding needs of our troops and providing what they need to succeed in their mission. While this bill has $3 billion of Katrina relief for Louisiana homeowners, it does not have one dime allotted for bridge funds for the global war on terror. I support doing what we can do to aid in the Katrina recovery. But we must be equally committed to our brave men and women in uniform. Allow me to highlight some of the earmarks that are taking real money away from our fighting men and women: $25,000,000 for the Hawaii Federal Health Care Network; $23,000,000 for the National Drug Intelligence Center, NDIC; $20,000,000 for historically Black colleges and universities; $5,000,000 for the United States Olympic Committee, USOC Paralympic Military Program; $4,800,000 for the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area; $3,000,000 for ``The First Tee,'' a golf foundation in St. Augustine, FL; $2,400,000 for the Vertical Lift Center of Excellence-Institute of Maintenance, Science and Technology; $2,000,000 for brown tree snake eradication; $1,600,000 for the New York Structural Biology Center; $1,200,000 for the National Bureau for Asian Research; $800,000 for extended shelf life produce for remotely deployed forces; and $500,000 for the Maine Institute for Human Genetics. I am not questioning the merits of some of these programs and initiatives but they do not belong on a Defense appropriations bill. It is our responsibility to be faithful stewards of the taxpayers' hard- earned dollars. Whatever position you have on the war in Iraq, the global war on terror or this administration, as long as our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are in harm's way, it is our responsibility to provide them with whatever is necessary for them to succeed in their missions around the world and come home safely. We can do better than this for our troops and for the American taxpayer.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, as a veteran of World War II, I know I speak for other veterans in thanking my colleague, the senior Senator from West Virginia, for his most profound remarks, and I thank him for his words. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I fully support S. 294, a bill that will finally reauthorize Amtrak and make important changes to secure a prosperous future for intercity passenger rail in the United States. In a year when Amtrak faces yet another crisis, in part due to the administration's proposal to severely reduce Amtrak funding in an effort to restructure the railroad through bankruptcy, this bill is all the more necessary. Additionally, congestion delays at our airports and on our roads are making more and more travelers dependent on passenger rail. We need to ensure that our national passenger rail system is adequately prepared to accommodate this increased ridership. I congratulate Senator Lautenberg and Senator Lott for crafting this important bill, of which I am a cosponsor. This bill encourages the development of new rail corridors, provides incentives for Amtrak to operate more efficiently, and strengthens the relationship between Amtrak and the States in which it operates. This bill will also provide more transparency into Amtrak's operations and help Amtrak better control its costs. I believe that it will further fortify Amtrak as an important, necessary, and viable option in the United States' transportation landscape.