Tim Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the community of Roscoe, SD, on reaching the 125th anniversary of its founding. Located in Edmunds County, Roscoe is a rural community infused with hospitality, beauty, and an exceptional quality of life. Having come far since Sam Basford and Charles Purchase Morgan used a tent as a hotel in April 1883, Roscoe was named after Charles Morgan's good friend Roscoe Conkling. The combination of Basford, Morgan, Engle, and Elliot's land toward the creation of Roscoe led to its importance as a transportation center in 1886 for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. From the boom of migration westward, Roscoe persevered and prospered through life's trials in the great frontier. Today, Roscoe is still a thriving community. There are upwards of 30 active businesses operating in Roscoe, including one of the largest honeybee farms in the Nation, two farm equipment dealerships, seed dealerships, and a post. Roscoe's school is still running, and the town boasts several churches and a public library. The people of Roscoe celebrated this momentous occasion on the weekend of July 4-6. A parade, car show, and local entertainment kick off the celebration, with picnics, art, and games in the beautiful city park. One hundred and twenty five years after its founding, Roscoe remains a vital community and a great asset to the wonderful State of South Dakota. I am proud to honor Roscoe on this historic milestone.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to point out to my colleagues what we will not be funding if this amendment fails. First and foremost, we will not be funding critical military construction projects for our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. These are emergency infrastructure requirements that our men and women in uniform have requested--projects that will contribute to their safety and security and that are crucial for them to be able to perform the mission with which they have been tasked. We will not be funding construction of critically needed VA polytrauma rehabilitation centers. These are cutting-edge centers for the treatment of Active Duty and separated Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffering from the signature injuries of those wars: traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss, amputations, fractures, burns, visual impairment, and spinal cord injury. It is hard to think of anything more important than providing the best possible care to our wounded soldiers. We will also be leaving a $787-million shortfall in the BRAC account, meaning that important construction at our bases here at home will be delayed, and the 2011 deadline for completing BRAC may become impossible to meet. We will be delaying emergency renovation and replacement of barracks for our soldiers returning from war. Many of us were appalled at the deplorable conditions at Fort Bragg, which is why this bill provides $200 million to rebuild the ``worst of the worst'' of the Army's barracks. If we fail to pass this amendment, we will be leaving our soldiers to continue to live in unacceptable conditions. We will not be funding childcare centers for our military families. Childcare is a serious quality of life issue for the families who bear the brunt of war, and this bill would accelerate funding for 31 of the highest priority child development centers--funding for which the President himself has signaled support. In short, this bill provides critical funding for some of the highest priorities of our Nation, including our military forces. All of my colleagues should be very aware of what they are voting against if they vote against this amendment. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr JOHNSON

Mr JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Don Bright, who has served as supervisor of the Nebraska National Forest since 2001. In this capacity, Don has overseen the management of nearly 1.1 million acres of public land, including the Buffalo Gap and Fort Pierre National Grasslands, in my home State of South Dakota. I have enjoyed working with Don and value his hard work and leadership. I know that Don will carry this same degree of professionalism with him to his new position at the Albuquerque Headquarters. I want to take a few minutes and explain to the Senate the role Don has played in shaping the relationship of the Forest Service and local communities. As supervisor of the Nebraska National Forest, Don guided a revision of its Land Management Plan and took the lead in addressing complicated, yet important, prairie dog management issues. By working with area ranchers to find solutions to managing local resources, Don helped foster a spirit of collaboration that benefits all involved. For the past 8 years, South Dakota has faced a devastating drought and continual threat of fire throughout its grasslands. In response to this challenge, Don has improved fire and fuels management plans and worked hand-in-hand with local volunteer fire departments to form lasting bonds of cooperation that help protect both lands and citizens. Most importantly, Don is someone that is trusted by and has worked well with the many groups interested in public lands management throughout South Dakota and Nebraska. His countless hours of hard work have undoubtedly had a positive impact for the Forest Service. In closing, I want to thank Don Bright for his professionalism, service and assistance over these many years and wish him the best of luck in his new position. I know that Don can leave knowing that future generations will be well-served by his efforts.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to speak today about the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. On June 3, 2008, the Crazy Horse Memorial will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its dedication. Gutzon Borglum, who was the sculptor behind Mount Rushmore, brought Korczak Ziolkowski to South Dakota to work on Mount Rushmore. It was during construction of Mount Rushmore when Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear contacted Korczak Ziolkowski and stated ``My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes, too.'' It is believed that this statement led Mr. Ziolkowski to construct this memorial. On June 3, 1948, this memorial was dedicated and construction has continued ever since. Mr. Ziolkowski worked on this memorial until the conclusion of his own life in 1982, when his wife, Ruth, took up the job that her husband began. The Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation was established and runs entirely on gifts and donations. No government funds have ever been used for construction of this memorial. With no way to predict when completion of this memorial will take place due to cost and weather, construction continues. When it is completed, however, it will be the largest carving on earth, measuring some 641 feet long by 563 feet high. To put that in perspective, it is said that all four heads on Mount Rushmore could fit into Crazy Horse's head. Today, I wish to honor Korczak Ziolkowski, his wife, and their family for their continued work on this monument. In addition, I would like to honor those involved with the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. Most importantly, I wish to honor the memory of the great Lakota warrior to whom this memorial is dedicated, Crazy Horse, as well as all Lakota people for their great many contributions to our history and culture in South Dakota. It is they that this memorial is to honor.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Madam President, I wish to recognize the contributions of Dr. Charles Ruch to my home State of South Dakota. I have known Dr. Ruch since he became president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 2003. During his tenure, technology, innovation, and collaboration were continually the focus, and the School of Mines and the students there are the beneficiaries of Dr. Ruch's commitment to this vision. Dr. Ruch was instrumental in bringing the School of Mines and the community together to increase opportunities for research, scholarship, and economic development in Rapid City and across the State of South Dakota. Dr. Ruch's emphasis on collaboration led to the Black Hills Development Center being located on the campus and the campus coming together to achieve the goals that were established in the Strategic Agenda of the School of Mines. I was consistently impressed by his love of the school, as well as his desire to improve programs and research opportunities for students and professors. Dr. Ruch is leaving the School of Mines just as funding commitments have been made to support the new Chemical and Biological Engineering building. The new building was one of the School of Mines' goals when Dr. Ruch arrived in 2003, and it is only fitting that the project is being realized as Dr. Ruch retires. As South Dakota established the Sanford Laboratory and we work with the National Science Foundation to establish a Deep Underground Science Laboratory, Dr. Ruch leaves the South Dakota School of Mines well-equipped to partner in these research projects. Dr. Ruch has been an exceptional partner in improving collegiate opportunities in my home State and constantly sought new innovative programs, research grants, and post-graduate opportunities for students at the School of Mines. I would like to thank Dr. Ruch for his excellent service to students, the school, and the State of South Dakota. We all congratulate him on a very successful 5 years. His vision and enthusiasm for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology will be sorely missed.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, which is being celebrated today around the world. Since May 1948, the Jewish state has transformed itself from a fledgling band of pioneers and immigrants to a strong, robust, and democratic state. Israel has been an indispensible friend over the years and remains our greatest ally in the Middle East. One of the world's most innovative and exemplary countries, Israel has lived up to its founding ideal of being a ``light unto the nations.'' Beset on all sides by enemies, Israel declared its independence under cover of night on the fifth day of the Jewish month of Iyar. The new country was immediately recognized by U.S. President Harry Truman, a decision which continues to make America proud. Still, the surrounding armies immediately invaded. Challenged in a war for its survival, Israel prevailed to enjoy its independence. Israel would face existential threats from larger foes several times again, prevailing each time and steadily growing stronger. And yet, for 60 years now, the State of Israel has done far more than just survive and persevere. Mr. President, it has thrived. Politically, Israel has built a sanctuary of democracy, the rule of law, and basic rights and freedoms. Religiously, Israel has built a tolerant society for the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Bahai who share the Holy Land. Economically, it is a modern marvel, home of some of the most high-level technological advances in the world. In the field of agricultural production, which is so important to my home State of South Dakota, Israel has done the so-called impossible and it has made the desert bloom. The invention of the surface drip irrigation system revolutionized farmers' ability to bring water to their crops, creating a lasting benefit for the entire world. Congratulations to Israel on 60 years of statehood. Our friendship and alliance with Israel is an extension of our interests and our values, and I look forward to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship for generations to come.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the community of Woonsocket, SD, on reaching the 125th anniversary of its founding. Woonsocket is a rural community located in Sanborn County, which is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of its courthouse. The city of Woonsocket was founded in the summer of 1883 at the junction of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and Saint Paul Railroads, and it was given its name by the Superintendent of the railroad, C.H. Prior after his home town in Rhode Island. The city grew at a tremendous rate upon dedication as 50 lots were sold in the first day. The first church service in the town was held just 3 days after the sale of the first lot. The population grew rapidly and the first business that opened was a saloon. Woonsocket was named county seat of Sanborn County by the Territorial Legislature in 1884. In October 1906 the city of Woonsocket proposed a Sanborn courthouse. The proposal was accepted and a courthouse was built for $50,000. It was dedicated May 22, 1908. Today, Woonsocket is still a thriving community, with many restaurants, local businesses and churches all nestled around scenic Lake Prior. With excellent schools, Woonsocket school district boasts a 100-percent graduation rate. The people of Woonsocket celebrate this momentous occasion on the Fourth of July and are marking the 100-year anniversary of the courthouse on May 22. One hundred and twenty-five years after its founding Woonsocket remains a vital community and a great asset to the wonderful State of South Dakota. I am proud to honor Woonsocket and Sanborn County on these historic milestones.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President. I wish to recognize a distinguished member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Harvey White Woman. Harvey passed away on Monday, March 31, 2008 following a brave battle against a rare form of cancer. Though he was only 44, he carried the wisdom and insight of many elders and worked in a positive way to educate native and nonnative people on treaty and water rights. He was often asked to give presentations to adults and schoolchildren alike about the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 as a way to educate the public, not only about the history of this region of our country but also about the promises that were made to native people. In his work as an assistant to the Oglala Sioux Tribe's Fifth Member's office, Harvey's voice could be heard reminding us as Members of Congress of our duties to uphold those treaty obligations. He also served on the board of the Lakota Fund in Kyle and most recently as the first director of the Wawokiye Business Institute. The Wawokiye Institute gives specialized assistance to entrepreneurs who are working toward realizing their goal of business success. Through his work and presentations on traditional entrepreneurship, many people around the world gained a better understanding of the business instincts of native people throughout history. Harvey also led the newly formed Oglala Lakota Cancer Survivors, Inc., on Pine Ridge, which is an effort to bring together those survivors and their families to talk about cancer and the unique circumstances that native people face. Harvey was taken from us too soon. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family and his friends in this time of great loss and encourage them to go forward with Harvey's efforts.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Madam President, today I rise to recognize April as National Autism Awareness Month. As many as 1 in 166 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders each year, yet the cause and cure remain unknown. Our commitment to finding answers and solving the puzzle of autism must continue. While the diagnosis of autism is the beginning of a challenging road, it can also be the welcome end to a frustrating process for families. Early detection is an important step towards obtaining appropriate treatment to ensure children are able to grow to reach their full potential. As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders continues to grow, we must also ensure these treatment options are available in our communities and accessible to those who need them. I also take this opportunity to recognize the parents, professionals, and advocates who work day after day to be a powerful voice for autistic individuals. They create an important network to share information, experiences and challenges, as well as to celebrate accomplishments. We must all join them in their efforts to pursue increased funding for biomedical research and public health awareness campaigns, education programs that reflect special needs, and expanded diagnosis and treatment options. I urge all citizens to support the search for the cause, cure and prevention of autism and support those individuals and families who live with this challenging disorder on a daily basis.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Madam President, today I rise to recognize April as National Alcohol Awareness Month. We must all remain aware that alcohol is a drug that can pose serious health and well-being risks if used improperly. From underage drinking to drunk driving to alcohol addiction, this substance can have catastrophic and long-reaching effects on the lives of Americans. I wish to take the opportunity in a month dedicated to alcohol awareness to promote awareness of a devastating alcohol-related condition. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, FASD, is an umbrella term describing the varied range of alcohol-related birth defects that may result from the use of alcohol during pregnancy. The effects of this disorder may be mental, behavioral, and/or involve learning disabilities. FASD is the leading known cause of preventable cognitive impairment in America. It is estimated FASD effects 1 in 100 live births each year. We must move past the stigma of this devastating disease to truly help those and their families who are affected by FASD get the health, education, counseling and support services they need and deserve. We must also address the tragedy of FASD at the source, by increasing awareness that any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can have heartbreaking, lifelong effects, and by ensuring this is understood by all women of child-bearing age and by providing treatment and counseling services for these women. Earlier this year, several of my colleagues and I reintroduced legislation to address FASD issues within families, at schools, in health care centers, in our legal system, and at its source. In addition to supporting those living with FASD and their families, this bill works to educate our health practitioners, educators and members of our judicial system to recognize the special needs of these individuals. While we increase awareness of the effects alcohol can have on individuals and their families, increasing FASD awareness must also be included to advance the fight against these damaging disorders.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to publicly commend the University of South Dakota women's basketball team for their great season, and their 2nd place finish in the 2008 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball tournament. The USD women's basketball team has worked especially hard this last year, to reach the Division II championship game. All South Dakotans are extremely proud of their wonderful efforts and achievements in going so far. They finished with a 33-2 record, won the North Central Conference with a perfect 12-0 record and won the North Central Region title for the first time in school history. They then won two out of three games in the Elite Eight Championship and finished in second place. These young women represented USD and South Dakota in an extraordinary fashion. Their hard work is representative of South Dakota values and was rewarded with a great season. I would like to give credit to the coaches, parents, supporters and organizers, and especially the hard work and dedication of these young players. I would like all of South Dakota to recognize the hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship this team has shown on their way through the tournament. I recognize Head Coach Chad Lavin, Assistant Coach Becky Flynn-Jensen for their guidance and support to help make this year's team so successful. I also congratulate all of this year's team members: Natalie Carda, Shannon Daly, Michelle Dirks, Anne Doshier, Kelli Fargen, Amber Hegge, Jeana Hoffman, Jenna Hoffman, Kara Iverson, Jasmine Mosley, Amy Robinette, Ashley Robinette, Annie Roche, Kendra Schomer, Bridget Yoerger, and Maggie Youngberg for their dedication and commitment this great season. Again, congratulations to the University South Dakota Coyotes women's basketball team on fighting their way to the championship game.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I congratulate the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences Center for Disabilities in Vermillion, SD, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2008. Started in September of 1973 as the Developmental Disabilities Evaluation Center, the Center for Disabilities has a long and distinguished history of providing training, service, information, and research not only to South Dakota but to the entire region. My wife Barbara worked on the DDEC staff during those initial years. Thirty- five years later, the school continues to serve those needs of South Dakota through current projects, such as the Autism and Related Disorders Program, Birth to 3 Connections, Cheyenne River Reservation Rural Health Outreach Project, Deaf-Blind Program, Dietetic Internship, the Upper Midwest Public Health Training Center, and the Pine Ridge Developmental Clinic, which was established in 2008. The Center for Disabilities is also working with other States to provide service in projects such as the Four-State Consortium on Studies in the Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effect and the Upper Midwest Public Health Training Center. Over the last 35 years, the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences Center for Disabilities has provided quality services to the people of South Dakota. Their goal, to help those with disabilities live without limitations, has been demonstrated through the citizens with whom they have worked. Those ideals have also been carried out by the students who have graduated and gone on to excel in their careers. Not only has this center encouraged learning and research, but the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences Center for Disabilities also strives to bring together communities. Indeed, one of the core functions of the center is community education. The center works to provide training and assistance, not only to individuals with disabilities and their families, but also to professionals, paraprofessionals, policymakers, students, and any member of the community who chooses to get involved. I am proud to honor the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences Center for Disabilities for its 35 years of outstanding service. It is an honor for me to share with my colleagues the exemplary leadership and strong commitment to education and research the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences Center for Disabilities has provided. I strongly commend their years of hard work and dedication, and I am very pleased that their substantial efforts are being publicly honored and celebrated.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize March 8, 2008, as Suddenly Sleepy Saturday--A Day of Narcolepsy Awareness, part of National Sleep Awareness Week. Sleep is an integral part of health and overall well-being, and its importance cannot be stressed enough. Sleep disorders present a chronic health threat that can compromise normal physical, mental, and emotional functioning. There are an estimated 135,000 Americans suffering from narcolepsy, and half of that total remains undiagnosed. Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder, which causes excessive daytime sleepiness, irresistible sleep attacks, and cataplexy--a loss of muscle tone, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and disrupted nighttime sleep in women, men, and children of all ethnic backgrounds. Symptoms often begin in the teen years and increase over time. Undiagnosed narcolepsy can impair educational goals, relationships, career success, and even one's independence. Suddenly Sleepy Saturday is an effort to lead the estimated 65,000 Americans who are living with undiagnosed narcolepsy to a proper diagnosis and treatment. This day of awareness will allow for expanding knowledge of life with narcolepsy and will allow participating communities to better support people who struggle with the challenges of this chronic neurological disorder. I am pleased that many South Dakotans, including those in Aberdeen, SD, will be commemorating Suddenly Sleepy Saturday and raising awareness of narcolepsy. I urge all citizens to support the search for the cause, cure, and prevention of narcolepsy and assist those individuals and families who deal with this devastating disorder on a daily basis.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to publicly recognize School Social Work Week, which is taking place March 2-8, 2008. This important week honors school social workers, who play a vital role in the development of our young students. My wife Barbara was a school social worker for more than 18 years, so I understand the critical importance of the services they provide to children, families, and schools. Not only do school social workers provide family and student counseling, crisis intervention, family advocacy, truancy prevention, assistance with basic needs, and community referrals for long-term needs, but they also assist already overwhelmed and underfunded schools in finding ways to assist their ``at risk'' students. The presence of school social workers has helped increase attendance rates, academic performance, appropriate behavior, and parental involvement. I believe the best way we can honor school social workers is by providing them with the resources they need to accomplish their jobs and serve our students. Children often must seek help at school for problems they are experiencing personally, as well as at home. Experts note that early identification and intervention can be beneficial in helping distressed young people cope with and handle the problems in their lives. Without school social workers and the wonderful services they provide, far too many children's needs would remain unaddressed. For these reasons and countless others, proudly I stand today and applaud the wonderful work of these dedicated individuals. I am pleased that their tireless efforts are being publicly celebrated. It is with great honor that I share their impressive commitment to helping and educating our youth with my colleagues.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble, a South Dakota hero, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony this afternoon. Master Sergeant Keeble was born in Waubay, SD, and was a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. He served in the Army in both World War II and the Korean war, and was highly decorated for his service having been awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Distinguished Service Cross. The action for which Master Sergeant Keeble was awarded the Medal of Honor occurred in October 1951 near Kumsong, North Korea. The accounts of his actions that day are truly worthy of a Hollywood movie. Though wounded and having fought continually for several days in brutally cold weather, Master Sergeant Keeble single-handedly took out three machine gun emplacements which had pinned down U.S. troops. As a result, U.S. troops were able to achieve their objective. First Sergeant Joe K. Sagami described the action this way: He worked his way down about fifty yards from the ridgeline and flanked the enemy's left pillbox; attacking it with grenades and rifle fire eliminating it. He then retreated to about the point where the First Platoon was holding the unit's first line of defense and worked down about fifty yards from the ridgeline and proceeded to outflank the enemy's right pillbox with grenades eliminating it. Then without hesitation he lobbed a grenade into the back entrance of the middle pillbox and with additional fire eliminated it. He then ordered his First Platoon forward to eliminate what little resistance was left. In reading the words of those who fought with Master Sergeant Keeble, which have been collected by researcher Merry Helm, it is clear that everyone loved and respected the man they called Chief. Joseph Marston of George Company said, ``What `Chief' accomplished that day was common knowledge throughout the whole battalion. He was known for his bravery.'' When asked about Master Sergeant Keeble, Carl Fetzner, who served in Second Platoon, said: Sure I remember him. Nobody could forget him! I had barely gotten to the company when this happened. I didn't know much about what was going on, but I do know SGT Keeble was the finest, most courageous person I ever knew. When we pulled back in reserve--you know when we could go [back from] the lines to clean up, whatever, take a little rest . . . he knew what was going on. He took care of his men, he liked people, and he always did everything he could to help you, especially the new men . . .. After the Korean war, Master Sergeant Keeble came home and went to work at the Wahpeton Indian School. He enjoyed making copper sculptures and was active in his community. Like so many veterans, he was more concerned about taking care of his family than collecting medals. At the time, few even knew that the members of his own company had submitted a recommendation that he be awarded a Medal of Honor for his brave action in October 1951. Because the recommendation paperwork had been lost twice, Master Sergeant Keeble did not receive the honor his fellow soldiers knew he deserved. It all might have been forgotten if the men he served with, and later his family and friends, had not kept the issue alive for the next five decades. Master Sergeant Keeble's case was first brought to my attention in 2002 by his family and members of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. At that time, I contacted the Secretary of the Army asking that Master Sergeant Keeble's case be reconsidered based on the loss of the original recommendation paperwork. The case was bolstered by original documents and affidavits that had been saved by those who served with Master Sergeant Keeble. Though it has taken many years of work by many people, countless letters and phone calls, and even legislation passed in May 2007 authorizing the President to act, President Bush recently approved the recommendation and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant Keeble's family this afternoon. I never had the opportunity to meet Master Sergeant Keeble who died in 1982, but it has been an honor to get to know more about him by working with his family over the past 6 years. I want to thank his family and friends, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, and all the people of South Dakota who have fought to secure this much-deserved honor for Master Sergeant Keeble. I also want to say a special word about his wife Blossom, who died last year. I wish we could have gotten Master Sergeant Keeble this recognition before Blossom passed away, but thankfully she knew how close we were to getting this done. At a time when so many young men and women are deployed in dangerous places in defense of our country, it is important that we honor all of those who have served our nation in uniform. While we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid, I am proud that today we have properly thanked a South Dakota hero for his service. I know I join with my colleagues and all South Dakotans in honoring Master Sergeant Keeble for his service to our nation and congratulating his family on receiving his Medal of Honor.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, on February 14, 2008, I was pleased to introduce the Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act, along with my colleague Senator Snowe. This legislation is the companion bill to legislation introduced in the House by Representative Phil Hare, with a number of cosponsors. This bill will make spending for the VA health care system mandatory, rather than discretionary. Under this legislation, the base-line funding year would be 130 percent of the fiscal year 2006 VA health care budget. This amount would be adjusted annually to reflect the total number of veterans participating in the VA health care system and would account for the annual rise in the cost of providing health care services. From 1996 to 2003, the enrolled VA patient population increased 134 percent. Appropriated funding, however, only increased 44 percent. These discrepancies are intolerable. We must give the VA the funding it needs to provide our service men and women with the quality health care they deserve and were promised. As chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, I was pleased to help secure full funding for the VA for the first time in 21 years. The Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act is needed, however, to ensure that this is a regular occurrence. Our veterans deserve to know that Congress will provide for their health care needs and will not subject them to the whims of the annual appropriations process. This legislation enjoys the support of every major military and veterans association, including the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Paralyzed Veterans of American, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I commend this legislation to the attention of my colleagues and urge them to lend their support by cosponsoring this bill.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I speak today in recognition of National Drug Prevention and Education Week. One of the most serious issues facing our youth in rural America and throughout the United States is drug use and abuse. Drug abuse and addiction is a problem that never seems to go away and prevention and education are two of the most important steps that we can take to ensure the welfare of our next generation while preserving our current generation. As a nation, we cannot sit idly by and watch the trend of substance abuse grow. We, as a community, must continue fighting the challenges imposed by drugs on our communities. We have to face the fact that cocaine, marijuana, and heroin remain a constant threat. We cannot ignore the rapidly increasing use of meth or the abuse of prescription drugs in our rural communities across South Dakota and throughout the Nation. I will continue to seek funding for organizations and programs like South Dakota's Glory House Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment Center and Martin Addiction Recovery Center to help those addicted to drugs and alcohol. We cannot afford to let these and other programs disappear from lack of funding. As we all know, the devastating effects of drug addition do not just affect those who are addicted, but everyone around them. The services they provide to addicts and families of addicts are irreplaceable in communities in South Dakota. We have a responsibility to our citizens, our State, and our Nation to continue the fight against drug use, abuse and addiction. Education and prevention are the first steps in this fight against substance abuse. For that reason, the Senate passed S. Res. 434, a resolution designating this week as National Drug Prevention and Education Week. We urge local communities, schools, friends, youths and parents to carry out drug education and drug prevention activities not only throughout this designated week, but throughout the year so we can continue to beat back the horrible tide of drug use and abuse to preserve the health of our Nation for years to come.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to offer a statement about a distinguished South Dakota youth, LaBradford Eagle Deer. LaBradford, 16, of St. Francis, SD, was one of two teens who represented the United States at the United Nations' observation of the 20th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty last October. Six young people from across the world were chosen to speak at the event on a panel about what they thought needed to be done about poverty. According to the United Nations' Web site, the U.N. General Assembly declared October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and invited all States to devote the day to presenting and promoting, as appropriate in the national context, concrete activities with regard to the eradication of poverty and destitution. The resolution further invites intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations to assist States, at their request, in organizing national activities for the observance of the day, and requests the Secretary-General to take, within existing resources, the measures necessary to ensure the success of the day's observance by the United Nations. Eagle Deer exemplifies the goals of this important day. Eagle Deer lives on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation, where almost half of children younger than 17 live in poverty, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Center. Eagle Deer discussed the hopelessness that poverty creates in a person saying, ``suicide, addiction, dropout and crime rates are so high in poverty- stricken areas on our reservation, as well as other areas in the world.'' Eagle Deer has taken a leading role to improve his community. An honor student at Todd County High School, he is president of the St. Francis Youth Center He coaches flag football and is himself involved in cross country, basketball, and track. Staying true to his culture, he has organized a traditional youth-honoring powwow. A sentiment that I agree with, Eagle Deer values education as a pathway out of poverty. LaBradford is an example to other poverty stricken children, and I commend his efforts to alleviate the effects of poverty on children in South Dakota and children worldwide.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the service of Carolyn Downs. She has tirelessly worked on behalf of the poor throughout her life, including many years of outstanding service as the director of The Banquet in Sioux Falls, SD. Carolyn has been committed to providing a safe place where people may gather to receive nourishment and fellowship. Throughout her 20 years at The Banquet, Carolyn has touched the lives of innumerable needy individuals and families. Her devotion to feeding the hungry sets an example to the community of a life devoted to the betterment of people all over South Dakota. All of the guests that she has served have seen what is described as her cheerful strength. Her work at The Banquet has not only touched the lives of the hungry but has given many South Dakotans an opportunity to volunteer and become involved in their community. Carolyn's work has brought out the best in people around her and is an inspiration to all of South Dakota. Under her leadership, The Banquet turned into a vital resource center institution for the hungry and is one of the pillars of the Sioux Falls community. Her humility, grace, leadership skills, and humble service will be greatly missed when she retires. All of her work has not been for public praise or external reward but, rather, a deeply held belief in serving others. The State of South Dakota and all of its residents owe her a debt of gratitude for all that she had done to better it. Carolyn will be retiring this February. Though her day-to-day presence at The Banquet will be greatly missed, her years of hard work are appreciated by all that volunteer and use The Banquet. I applaud Carolyn Downs's service and thank her for her time and efforts.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to speak today to recognize an outstanding lifelong resident of South Dakota, Rev. Webster Two Hawk. Recently, Reverend Two Hawk marked 50 years of service to his church and his faith. His congregation is the St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Fort Pierre, SD, where he has been a volunteer priest for the last 27 years. Reverend Two Hawk, now retired, has a long list of accomplishments throughout his lifetime. Reverend Two Hawk was born and lived near White River, SD, until going to schools in Todd County. Upon completion of high school in Mission, SD, now Todd County High School, he attended the University of South Dakota, my alma mater, where he graduated in 1952 with a degree in business administration. Upon leaving college, Two Hawk enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean war. Upon his return from service, he attended Kenyon College in Ohio where he graduated with a master's degree in divinity and was ordained at St. Peter's Church in Lake Andes on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. He served there 6 years as priest before moving to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation for another 6 years and ultimately returning home to the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. His return home led him down a different path of service he was elected chairman of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He had many accomplishments during his tenure as leader of the tribe; most notably was the opening of Sinte Gleska University in 1971. His desire to serve also led him to work for the Aberdeen Area Indian Health Service and was also appointed by former Gov Bill Janklow as the commissioner for the South Dakota Tribal Government Relations Office from 1996 until 2003. As well, he serves on the board of directors for the Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place. Currently, Reverend Two Hawk is working to rebuild the congregation in his hometown of White River, SD. I take this opportunity to commend Rev. Webster Two Hawk for his lifetime of service to his congregation and to his tribe. Both are certainly thankful for his efforts.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Viorel G. ``Vi'' Stoia, who dedicated his life to enhance the lives of the citizens of Aberdeen and the surrounding area. He will be sadly missed, but many of us will continue to benefit for decades from his legacy. Vi's leadership qualities showcased themselves early in his life. Vi graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1942 as president of his senior class. He then served honorably in the U.S. Navy in both the North and South Pacific. He returned to the United States to attend the University of Minnesota and upon graduation headed for his hometown of Aberdeen, SD. Thus began his long role of public service, which several have described as unparalleled. Vi began his career in Aberdeen as an agent and broker for Northwestern Mutual Life and continued to work tirelessly for over 50 years to improve the northeast South Dakota region. Some of the numerous projects he was instrumental in developing include Student Loan Finance Corporation, Education Assistance Corporation, Northeastern Mental Health, the Aberdeen Development Corporation, Northeast Regional Health and Fitness Center, the Northwest Highway 281 bypass, and the four-lane highway from Aberdeen to I-29. Vi was also a devoted family man, an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and committed to furthering the work of the Presentation Sisters. For his efforts over these many years, Vi was awarded the Medal of Distinguished Excellence, and the Community Volunteer, Excellence in Economic Development award. Vi was the all-around resource center for anything going on in Aberdeen. Many benefited from the newspaper clippings he sent or handed to people he thought could use them. I remember some he sent to me. Vi was a pioneer in regional development and he saw that as the future of Aberdeen. Vi is survived by his wife Donna, four children, and five grandchildren. I would like to offer my condolences to the family, friends, and fellow advocates whom Vi touched with his efforts on behalf of the people of northeast South Dakota. They have much to be proud of, and it is my hope that their memories will be rich with the many great accomplishments and the lives that Vi touched during his life. Although we will all miss him, his memory will serve as a beacon to our young people to better the lives of others and their communities through the examples he has set.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Madam President, shortly before our adjournment last December, I was joined by several of my Senate colleagues in introducing the Social Security COLA Protection Act of 2007. This legislation will provide seniors with much-needed relief from steadily increasing Medicare premiums and will ensure that their Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is available for other essential needs such as food, housing, and energy. I want to first thank Senators Boxer, Inouye, Leahy, Mikulski, Murray, Reed, Rockefeller, and Salazar for joining me in this effort. Representative Herseth Sandlin introduced the companion bill today in the House of Representatives, and I want to thank her for her leadership on this issue and other important topics to seniors in South Dakota. Sixteen percent of South Dakotans are Medicare beneficiaries. When compared to a national average of 14 percent, it is clear that Medicare policies significantly affect my home State. Many of these retirees live on modest, fixed incomes and must pay close attention to their monthly expenses. South Dakota's senior citizens worked very hard all of their lives as farmers, small business owners, teachers, and parents. In their retirement, all they are hoping for is an opportunity to enjoy a basic level of comfort and certainty. Unfortunately, as the cost of health care continues to rise at an alarming rate, it becomes more and more difficult for seniors to achieve this sense of security during retirement. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the United States spent about $2 trillion on health care in 2005, almost three times the $696 billion spent in 1990. That $2 trillion represents 16 percent of the gross domestic product. The rate at which our Nation's health care spending increases is also troubling; health care spending has exceeded economic growth in every decade since the 1970s. These increasing health care costs hit the pocketbook of every American, but our senior citizens, many of whom live on fixed incomes, have a particularly hard time making ends meet while health care costs climb. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, recently announced that the Medicare Part B premium, which covers seniors' doctor visits and other nonhospital services, would increase 3.1 percent in 2008. CMS correctly noted in its press release that this is smallest percentage increase in the Part B premium since 2001. However, CMS failed to point out that the amount seniors will pay for Part B premiums in 2008, $96.40, is more than double what they paid in 2000. Our Nation's seniors simply cannot continue to absorb these skyrocketing health care costs. This doubling of Part B premiums occurred while many Medicare beneficiaries incurred additional premium costs for the Part D prescription drug program. CMS estimates that premium costs for Part D will average $25 per month. However, a recent analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation concludes that seniors enrolled in stand-alone prescription programs will experience a 17-percent increase in their premiums next year. Both Part D and Part B premiums generally are deducted from a senior's Social Security check. While seniors can expect a modest cost-of-living increase in their Social Security benefits every year, this increase has not kept up with the pace of increased health care costs and specifically Medicare premium costs. The Social Security Administration, SSA, announced that all Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, SSI, beneficiaries would receive a 2.3-percent cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, beginning in January 2008. Each year, Social Security benefits are updated based on the overall rate of inflation as calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. COLAs are not intended to provide anybody with a ``raise'' but are instead intended to ensure that a beneficiary's monthly payment has the same buying power that it had the year before. A 2.3-percent increase isn't much but should help retirees and individuals with disabilities living on a fixed income survive as the prices of food, housing, clothing, and other goods continue to increase. I know that Social Security beneficiaries need every penny of their COLA, and it is important that rising Medicare costs not completely consume the Social Security COLA. In 1986, a hold-harmless provision took effect to ensure that no beneficiary's Medicare Part B premium increase could exceed his or her Social Security COLA in any given year. This ensured that no senior would receive a reduced Social Security check due to a Part B premium increase. However, this hold- harmless provision does not apply to Part D premiums, and the increasing cost of both programs is quickly consuming any small increase beneficiaries see in their Social Security checks. This policy is subjecting the incomes of retirees and individuals with disabilities to a tight squeeze. Without a legislative change, millions of retirees will likely see much or all of their COLA wiped out by increases in Medicare premiums over the next several years. We owe it to America's seniors to protect the COLA from being completely consumed by Medicare premium increases. This is why I have introduced the Social Security COLA Protection Act of 2007, which will protect retirees by ensuring that no more than 25 percent of a senior's COLA is absorbed by the increase in Medicare premiums. This important legislation will protect the financial security of many retirees in my home State and across the country. I thank all of the Members who have introduced this bill with me and urge the rest of my colleagues to join us in our effort.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to honor one of the most dedicated advocates for health care treaty rights for American Indian tribes in my State and throughout the United States, Carole Anne Heart. Carole Anne was the executive director for the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board. The Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board operates several programs for native people in a 4-State region that represents 18 tribes including the 9 treaty tribes in my home State of South Dakota. During her tenure with the Chairmen's Health Board, programs such as Healthy Start, Tobacco Prevention, and Asthma Prevention expanded to serve hundreds of Native men, women, and children. With her assistance, the Northern Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center opened and serves the tribal nations through its many projects and partnerships with the Indian Health Service and other Federal agencies. A Sicangu Lakota and Ihanktonwan Dakota, Carole Anne grew up with the Lakota culture all around her; as a young child, she spent much time with her grandmother and great-grandmother, learning the Lakota values. She went to boarding school in Marty, SD, and then on to high school at Saint Francis Indian School on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Her life's work included water rights and women's rights, and, most recently, health care advocacy. As the executive director to the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board, she worked to incorporate traditional customs into the contemporary programming so the language and the culture would continue. She led many conferences and workshops around the United States on tribal health care issues. Carole Anne was well known for her humor--she would light up a room with her jokes and laughter. Oftentimes her sense of humor interjected itself as she led some of the most serious discussions on health care disparities. Her use of the phrase ``Don't get sick after June'' was in reference to the lack of funding the Indian Health Service has at that time of the fiscal year which meant that services were unavailable to many tribal members. While this is a very serious issue, Carole Anne was able to make light of the situation and remained focused on bettering health care for native peoples throughout Indian Country. Her Lakota name was Waste Wayankapi Win, meaning ``When People See You, They See Something Good.'' How fitting a name for someone who would spread ``good'' throughout Indian Country. On Friday, January 25, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer, Carole Anne Heart made her journey to the spirit world. I extend my sympathy to her family and those close to her. She will be missed greatly by everyone she touched on her journey through this world.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Madam President, I am here to speak in favor of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. To the nine treaty tribes in my State, and hundreds of others around the country, this bill is truly a matter of life and death. It is a sad fact that the six counties in America with the lowest life expectancy are tribal counties in South Dakota. Poor health care affects not only life expectancy but also the quality of life for American Indians; it is also preventable. My office gets hundreds of calls from constituents needing help with even the most basic needs that ought to be met by the Indian Health Service. For example, Butch Artichoker from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe told my office he did not want to have a cancer test because he would not be able to get contract health treatment from IHS if the test was positive. His situation is not unique. Another man from Pine Ridge contacted my office after receiving the results of a cancer test that showed his PSA levels were ten times above normal. He could not get a referral for a treatment MRI because, according to IHS, his cancer was not a priority one--threat to life or limb. I am a cancer survivor myself thanks to early screening and detection, which are paramount for effective treatment. This is also true for mental health problems and many other treatable disorders. Passing this bill will not fix every health problem facing Indian Country, but it is a major step that we need to take. I returned from my own health challenges with a better appreciation of what individuals and families go through when they face the hardship of catastrophic health issues. Providing better health care through IHS will serve not just American Indians but protect the overall public health network for my State and the rest of the country. IHS is a vital part of the patchwork of providers that serve our State and when one of these providers improves, the entire system benefits. This is not just a tribal issue or an Indian bill, but a moral issue for individuals and families as well as the integrity of my State and our country. I thank Senator Dorgan for his leadership and persistence. I ask that my colleagues quickly pass this bill, as these improvements to Indian health care are long overdue. I yield the floor.

Mr. JOHNSON

Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish today to state my support of the Senate farm bill and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this measure. While this bill is not perfect, I believe that it contains strong agriculture policy that will advance a number of initiatives important to Great Plains production agriculture and to farmers and ranchers across America. I would like to first thank my good friend from Iowa, Tom Harkin, who, as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, shepherded this fine bill through the committee consideration process. Chairman Harkin has been considerate to the contribution of the Great Plains region to our nation's agriculture economy and national food security, and this product reflects that recognition. I am also pleased that this bill reflects many of the priorities that were shared with me not only in roundtable discussions in South Dakota with interested stakeholders, but also through letters, e-mails and phone calls from people in my home State. I would like to take this time to speak to some of the provisions contained in this legislation, and why these provisions will be good for South Dakota agriculture. To begin with title I, this measure offers strong commodity safety nets, which is arguably the anchor of the omnibus Federal Farm Bill that Congress reauthorizes every 5 years. Under this legislation, our commodity payment structure is retained, with modest, albeit important, increases made to the loan rates and target prices for many commodities. Among those commodities seeing improvements under this bill are sorghum--target price increase to $2.63/bu.--barley--loan rate increase to $1.95/bu. as well as a target price increase to $2.63/bu.--oats--increase in loan rate to $1.39/bu. and increase in target price to $1.83/bu.--wheat--loan rate increase to $2.94/bu. and target price increase to $4.20/bu.--soybeans--target price increase to $6.00/bu.--oilseeds--loan rate increase to $10.09/ cwt. and target price increase to $12.74/cwt.--and wool and honey-- established loan rates are $1.20/lb. and $.72/lb., respectively--in addition to desirable target prices and loan rates for dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Producers will also have a choice for participation in the Average Crop Revenue, ACR, program, under which payments will be made when the State revenue for a covered commodity is less than the average guarantee for that particular commodity. I do retain concerns for the implementation of this particular program because of the drastic disparity in county-based revenue in my home State of South Dakota. I am, however, pleased that the basic farm safety net from the 2002 measure remains intact, and that the ACR program was delinked from crop insurance during committee consideration. Under this package, our farmers and ranchers across the nation will also benefit from a structured response to emergency agriculture disaster. This structured response program also will not, I am very pleased to say, function as a disincentive for investing in coverage under the Federal Crop Insurance Act, FCIA, and the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, NAP. The United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, and White House have been less than friendly toward our efforts to secure meaningful disaster assistance, going so far as to issue multiple veto threats against emergency spending initiatives because they contained meaningful relief for farmers and ranchers. The White House claimed that farmers and ranchers across America were generating remarkable revenue and enjoying tremendous profits, which clearly demonstrates this administration's disconnect with agricultural communities throughout the United States. Agriculture disaster is like any other natural disaster, and I am very proud to have pushed with my Senate colleagues for the proposal included in this bill. As the author of the COOL provision included in the 2002 farm bill, I am pleased to see that this bill contains a very critically important compromise on mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, COOL, that will allow for streamlined, commonsense implementation, which is something that the USDA has been unable to accomplish in the 5-plus years since the enactment of the 2002 farm bill. The USDA has mercilessly botched the rulemaking process on this consumer right-to-know and producer marketing program, promulgating unworkable regulations that would burden farmers and ranchers as well as retailers. The COOL compromise language included in the committee version of the farm bill, which was passed unanimously by that body, allows, for example, for the use of records for origin verification which are part of daily business, in addition to allowing State, region or locality of the United States information as being sufficient to identify the United States as the point of origin. These implementation guidelines are important to ensure that producers or retailers are not saddled with unnecessary costs or recordkeeping burdens that the USDA would have preferred, and that we can deliver a program that in excess of 91 percent of American consumers want. The Senate version of the farm bill also contains another measure which I have championed for years, pertaining to the livestock sector. I am pleased that the ban on packer ownership of livestock was included in the en bloc amendments during committee consideration of the bill, which speaks to the significant support this measure retains within the Senate. The livestock industry is faced with ever-increasing horizontal concentration and vertical integration, and our independent farmers and ranchers are confronted with a shrinking number of opportunities for price discovery and product promotion. The packer ban would rectify this very negative and troubling transition in the livestock industry. The packer ban adopted by the committee would ensure that packers cannot own livestock more than 14 days prior to slaughter. There are a number of reasonable exceptions to this prohibition, including packers that own only one slaughtering facility, packers that are not required to participate in the Mandatory Price Reporting, MPR, program, and for cooperatives. The packer ban would ensure that farmers and ranchers are materially engaged with the management of their livestock. I offered the packer ban during consideration of the 2002 farm bill on the Senate floor, and it was adopted by the body of the Senate. It was, unfortunately, stripped out of the final bill during conference consideration, as was the ``competition title'' included in the Senate version of the bill. Our livestock producers have waited long enough for these provisions, and I will continue to work with the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee to see the packer ban passed into law. It is good policy. In that same vein, I am pleased to see several other competition provisions that are included in this bill. This farm bill would ensure that contracts are fairer for growers, in that producers must agree and consent to arbitration before it may be used for dispute settlement. The bill also allows for the creation of a Special Counsel for Agricultural Competition within USDA. Both prosecutions and investigations will be combined within one office, and the counsel will oversee enforcement activities in coordinating with the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission. It is my hope that this counsel will serve to offer a greater level of transparency and that we may, in fact, see justice served with respect to egregious misdeeds in our livestock sector. I am, however, greatly disappointed about the exclusion of Dorgan- Grassley amendment No. 3695, of which I cosponsored, to enact commonsense, meaningful farm program payment limitations. The current farm program payment structure has, quite simply, failed rural America. Approximately 71 percent of our farm benefits are absorbed by only 10 percent of the farming community. Our omnibus farm bill is intended to promote programs that function as a safety net for farmers, in contrast to the cash cow they have become for a few producers. I do not favor eliminating our farm program benefits, but rather prefer that they are targeted to small and medium sized producers instead of large agribusiness. The farm bill also includes a forward-looking energy title to grow dedicated energy crops and capture the ingenuity of agriculture producers to use biomass for energy production. The title invests in the applied agriculture research already occurring at State universities and land-grant colleges. Importantly, the bill also balances the increasing demand to use working lands for energy production with safeguards for protecting air, land, and water quality. The bill establishes a loan guarantee and competitive grant program to jump-start the construction of biorefineries producing renewable fuels from dedicated energy crops. To meet the ambitious goal of producing 36 billion gallons of renewable biofuels in 2022, the farm bill establishes a program to provide access to capital for the construction of pilot and demonstration-scale biorefineries to produce advanced biofuels. Up to 80 percent of the costs of eligible projects could be covered through a loan guarantee. Also, the programs intent is clear that eligible projects include the conversion of existing fossil- fuel biorefineries powered by natural gas for loan guarantees and competitive grants to repower these facilities using renewable energy resources. South Dakota is a leader in producing ethanol from grains, but there is the long-term promise of using biomass and dedicated energy crops for producing advanced biofuels at a fraction of the energy input requirement. I am glad that the program will include a focus on biorefineries converting fuel generation sources for producing advanced biofuels. This section in the bill is essential toward our ability to significantly expand renewable fuel production. The farm bill also builds on the 2002 act by providing $345 million in mandatory funding to enable biorefineries to make greater purchase of renewable biomass for advanced biofuel. These payments will increase the purchase of feedstocks for next generation biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol. I am glad that the bill harnesses the expertise of land grant Institutions by reauthorizing the Sun grant initiative and providing a modest amount of dedicated funding for carrying out program goals. Since 2005, the Sun grant Initiative has enhanced coordination between the Department of Energy and the United States Department of Agriculture to assess and improve resource availability and feedstock economics. The research and applications pursued through Sun grant is crucial toward the eventual commercialization of dedicated energy crops. Assessing the potential availability of energy feedstocks within geographic regions can target which energy crops are optimal for biofuel production. In the Midwest and Great Plains that might mean cultivation of switchgrass while in the Southeast, poplar trees or other fast-growing biomass may be optimal. Ultimately the research conducted by the regional Sun grant centers will go a long way in answering these regional questions and determining how best over the long-term to produce fuel from non-grain biomass. The conservation title included in this bill will encourage sound land stewardship and land management practices. I requested, for example, that the Senate version of the farm bill extend the Conservation Reserve Program, CRP, and this program was extended with a 39.2 million acre cap through 2012. The Grasslands Reserve Program was also included in the chairman's mark and extended at a $240 million authorized level. I supported the payment limitations cap that would have increased the authorization for this program, and while it is unfortunate that this program wasn't expanded, I will continue to work with my colleagues to push for adequate funding. The Wetlands Reserve Program was reauthorized in the bill at 250,000 through 2012, and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program was extended out with baseline funding. The program would provide for 75 percent cost-share, with the exception that beginning and young farmers or socially disadvantaged farmers would receive 90 percent cost-share or 15 percent above prevailing rates. In several of my farm bill meetings, it was expressed to me that USDA local work groups should be exempted from the Federal Advisory Committee Act, FACA, by folding them into the State Technical Committees. USDA local work groups coordinate USDA programs with other Federal, State and tribal programs. FACA prohibits nongovernment individuals, including farmers, from the USDA working group formal decisionmaking process, whereas the State Technical Committee is exempted from FACA. The farm bill includes this change, allowing for farmers to be an integral and important part of the formal decisionmaking process. The Senate version of the farm bill contains a Sodsaver program, to ensure that our nation's native grasslands remain intact. The program would prohibit crop insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program payments on broken, native sod indefinitely, allowing for exceptions with plots under 5 acres and discretionary exemption by the Secretary of Agriculture for parcels between 5 and 20 acres. When we talk about the farm bill, we naturally tend to focus on the provisions that affect our Nation's agricultural producers. I am pleased to note that we have crafted a farm bill that will also greatly improve Federal policy in the area of rural development, whose purpose is to improve the quality of life for citizens of rural areas who are not directly engaged in traditional agricultural production. With a bill that benefits our producers and as well as those who make a living off the farm, I believe citizens in the rural portions of our great Nation can look forward to many brighter days ahead. Last year, I announced my Hometown Prosperity Plan, which is an economic development agenda that lays out my priorities for advancing South Dakota's economy from the Federal level. The strategies in my plan provided a framework for my priorities in the rural development title of the 2007 farm bill. These priorities include: (1) ``Promoting Partnerships,'' or encouraging greater regional economic cooperation to enhance competitiveness; (2) ``Emphasizing Entrepreneurship,'' or placing more emphasis on cultivating the creation of new businesses, as a supplement to the traditional strategy of luring existing businesses from elsewhere; (3) ``Investing in the Public Good'' by directing Federal funds to projects that yield a positive return in the form of higher standards of living, more jobs, and more prosperity; and (4) ``Protecting Pocketbooks'' by combating trends that sap economic strength, such as rising health care costs, rising fuel prices, and stagnant wages. In the spring of this year, as Chairman Harkin was assembling his proposals for the rural development portion of the farm bill, I wrote to him to outline my rural development priorities. I was pleased to find a great deal of common ground in our respective priorities, which is not surprising, since our two States share a border and many common characteristics. Senator Harkin, the Agriculture Committee, and ultimately the full Senate, have produced a farm bill that would enact many of the proposals in my Hometown Prosperity Plan, and I would like to highlight a few of those. One of the ways I proposed to act on the strategy of ``promoting partnerships'' was to relaunch the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority, which was created in the 2002 farm bill. The authority is a voluntary organization modeled after the successful Appalachian Regional Commission. Its mission is to enhance economic development by promoting greater interstate economic cooperation and collaboration across North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. The organization was created by Congress with the blessing of the President, and is authorized to receive $30 million each year for 5 years to boost the competitiveness of our region. Unfortunately, the President inexplicably changed his mind about the organization, and has blocked its operation and most of its funding. The 2007 farm bill would modify the organization's governance structure to allow the organization to begin operating even without active support from the President. In addition to promoting economic partnerships between states, we can also improve our economic performance through greater cooperation between rural communities within our respective states. The new farm bill would stimulate this kind of cooperation through the new Rural Collaborative Investment Program, RCIP. Under this program, communities within a region could receive Federal funds to leverage matching private contributions in support of regional economic planning and projects. My strategy of ``investing in the public good'' means providing Federal investments in activities the pay themselves back with increased rural prosperity and quality of life. This farm bill would increase the volume and quality of our investments in the public good by extending, refining, and expanding several existing grant and loan programs operated by USDA rural development. These include community facilities grants and loans, water and wastewater infrastructure grants and loans, the rural business enterprise grants, rural business opportunity grants, value added agriculture development grants, intermediary relending, distance learning and telemedicine grants and loans, and the broadband access program, among others. These programs have proven their effectiveness in improving the quality of life for rural citizens across South Dakota, and they would have an even great impact if we enact the farm bill approved by the Senate. A great deal of research now demonstrates that my strategy of ``emphasizing entrepreneurship'' is one of the most effective ways we can generate new private-sector job growth in our rural communities. One of the ways I proposed to act on this strategy was by providing incentives for greater private-sector equity investment in rural business through the Rural Business Investment Program, RBIP. Unfortunately, venture capital and other forms of equity are relatively scarce in rural States, and the RBIP was created in the 2002 Farm Bill to address this scarcity. It was modeled on a similar program operated successfully by SBA. Unfortunately, overly complicated implementation rules have prevented this program from achieving its potential of luring more private investment to fast- growing companies in rural America. By modifying and streamlining the program, the new farm bill will catalyze more private investment and more rapid private-sector job creation in rural communities. Another way to emphasize entrepreneurship is by stimulating more business startups through microlending. Many would-be entrepreneurs in local areas cannot get access to the small quantities of capital needed to implement sound concepts for new businesses. The delivery of ``microloans'' to these individuals is a proven way of creating more small businesses. Because microloan programs require small quantities of capital, and the loans are repaid, the programs are also highly cost-effective. The farm bill's new Rural Microenterprise Assistance Program would help to reverse the loss of rural population that results from inadequate economic opportunities. Among other things, my strategy of ``protecting pocket books'' means taking action to address economic trends that sap our economic strength, such as exploding health care costs. One way we will do that in this farm bill is by providing federal funds for conversion to electronic records at rural hospitals. Keeping these hospitals viable helps rural citizens avoid lengthy trips to health care facilities in far-away cities. And computerizing medical records at those hospitals should increase their efficiency and reduce costs to consumers. Between this initiative, and our extension of the Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant and loan program, I believe we can help to reverse the rising healthcare costs that are especially hard on the pocketbooks of rural citizens. In any piece of legislation as comprehensive and far-reaching as a farm bill, there are always components whose final form leaves room for improvement. Unfortunately, that maxim holds true in the case of the farm bill approved by my Senate colleagues and me. Nevertheless, on the whole I am pleased with this bill in general and its rural development components in particular. By enacting many proposals from my Hometown Prosperity Plan, this bill would improve the economy and quality of life in the rural communities that South Dakotans call home. I appreciate my Senate colleagues' support for these initiatives, and am hopeful that we can realize their promise by enacting this bill into law. We live in a country of great abundance, yet millions of Americans go to bed hungry each night. With more than 39 million people in the United States participating in federally supported nutrition programs each year, it is crucial that the farm bill contains a nutrition title that not only feeds the hungry, but also works toward ending hunger, preventing obesity and improving diets. Given the budgetary constraints that our Senate Agriculture Committee faced in crafting this farm bill, I applaud them for writing a strong nutrition title, which will well serve America's nutrition needs for years to come. I was extremely pleased that the Food Stamp Program has been modernized to meet the many needs that low-income families face every day. Roughly 58,000 South Dakotans currently receiving food stamp benefits each month will now be able to buy more food with their benefits and will be able to better afford child care. Families will also be able to save for their futures, while still remaining eligible for the program by exempting tax-preferred education and retirement accounts from counting against the asset limit. As many of America's low-income seniors are being forced to choose between much-needed prescription drugs and paying their bills, sadly, many are left unable to afford an adequate and nutritious diet. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program, CSFP, helps to fill in the nutrition gaps in participants' diets by providing nutritious items that they might not otherwise be able to afford. I worked closely with members of the Senate Agriculture Committee to ensure that more seniors will be eligible to participate in this important program by changing the eligibility guidelines from 130 percent to 185 percent to reflect the poverty guidelines of all other Federal nutrition programs. Once the five new states that have applied to participate in CSFP receive funding, then all States can apply to go up to 185 percent Federal poverty level, FPL, if they so choose. In addition, the preference requirement for women, infants and children in the application process was eliminated, allowing senior citizens equal access to the program. The Emergency Food Assistance Program, TEFAP, is another vital program in our Nation's fight against hunger. With food banks across the country experiencing critical food shortages and an increasing number of Americans in need of emergency food assistance, the increase in funding from $140 million to $250 million is especially crucial. We must do all that we can to ensure our children grow up healthy, regardless of their family's income and I believe that expanding the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, FFVP, in all 50 States works toward that goal. Since 2004, students on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota have received fresh fruits and vegetables through the FFVP pilot program. I am pleased that these students and others across the nation will now have regular access to fresh fruits and vegetables. I was disappointed to see that the elimination of reduced price, ERP, category was not included in the nutrition title of the Farm Bill. The President's budget decisions have forced the Senate majority leadership to concentrate nutrition funding on existing programs, leaving little or no funding for new initiatives, such as eliminating the reduced price category from the school lunch program. This farm bill also strengthens the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, FDPIR, program by ensuring that tribes will be able to obtain traditional foods, such as bison, in their food packages. I have long fought for more traditional food options for our tribes and I am pleased that Chairman Harkin included my request in the chairman's mark. This farm bill is a strong proposal for South Dakota, for the Great Plains region and for the American agricultural community. While reauthorization is a critically important prong of our farm bill policy, our Federal farm programs are only as strong as the dollars put behind them. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and more specifically, the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I am well positioned to fight for South Dakota priorities and to deliver promised farm bill programs into our rural communities. The dollars I work to obtain in this bill are vitally important, for example, to continuing agriculture research within my home State and at South Dakota State University, my home State's land grant university. As we work our way through the budgetary constraints with which Congress is faced, I will continue to promote our nation's farming and ranching agenda. Mr. President, farmers and ranchers have been anxiously awaiting a new farm bill so they can make important management decisions in this coming year, and I am hopeful that the Senate and House can meet quickly in this next congressional session to iron out the differences between the two measures.