Mark Kirk

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I wanted to reassure the Senate and thank Chairman Alexander for making sure that this legislation has $285 million in it for advanced computing. It also includes the Kirk language to ensure that the United States is home to the No. 1 supercomputer in the world. Today, China has the fastest computer in the world. It is called the Tianhe-2. It is clocked at 33.8 petaflops per second. Computers in the U.S. National Labs should soon topple China. It is a priority issue that I share with Chairman Alexander. The Titan computer, which is now at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, is ranked at No. 2 in the world. At Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, we are working on a computer to be upgraded which will soon be No. 1 in the world. It will clock in at 180 petaflops per second. That is 18 times faster than the current computer that is at Argonne called Mira and three times faster than China's top computer today. With that, supercomputing is essential for American competitiveness in the future. I think it is essential that we pass this legislation to make sure that we are all No. 1 in supercomputing. I yield the floor.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, on March 15, we commemorated the 25th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between the United States and the Republic of Albania. Over 25 years ago, Albania emerged from nearly five decades of isolation and Communist rule to establish a multiparty democracy and forge closer ties with the free world. A quarter century later, Albania has made significant progress. Albania's economy grew and its people participated in elections judged as largely free and fair. Albanians enjoy freedom of religion, movement, unrestricted Internet access, and academic freedom. Today Albania is a NATO ally and a candidate for accession into the European Union, EU. Since its emergence from isolation, Albania has been an active and contributing member of the international community. Over the course of two decades, Albania deployed more than 6,500 military personnel in support of operations lead by NATO, the EU, and the United Nations. In 2003, Albanian troops deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Between 2002 and 2014, Albania deployed over 3,000 personnel to support U.S. and NATO operations in Afghanistan. Albanian personnel continue to serve in Afghanistan. Despite a quarter century of notable strides, pervasive corruption, high unemployment, organized crime, and underrepresentation of women in business and politics, among other issues, prevent Albania from realizing its full potential. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, I have consistently voted to support assistance to Albania to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, promote sustainable economic growth, and assist with its regional and international integration. As co-chair of the Senate Albania Caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues on to strengthen the U.S.-Albania relationship and support Albania's ongoing efforts to become a prosperous, democratic state and pillar of stability in the Balkans.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, today I wish to honor March 2016 as National Eye Donor Month, an event first celebrated by President Reagan in 1983 and one I am proud to commemorate now. For over 50 years, corneal transplants have restored the vision of those with corneal diseases. Today these procedures are overwhelmingly safe and successful and help reduce the impact of eye disorders on our economy. As a result of higher medical expenses and reduced workforce productivity, eye disorders are the fifth costliest disease type in the United States. In total, over 70,000 people receive corneal transplants each year. The largest eye bank in the United States, Eversight, operates two locations in Illinois. These institutions, one in Chicago and one in Bloomington, facilitated over 3,000 transplants in 2015 and provided nearly 1,500 corneas for research and training purposes. Thanks to the 2,700 eye donors in Illinois in 2014 and the thousands of other donors across the country each year, scientists are closer to finding treatments and cures for corneal blindness and many patients no longer suffer from impairment or loss of vision. On this special occasion, I commend the Eye Bank Association of America and the eye banks across this country for their great work, encourage my colleagues to promote eye donation, and urge all Americans to register to become eye donors.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate Rosecrance Health Network for providing 100 years of high-quality care for Illinois residents. As the Senate considers legislation to address the heroin and opioid epidemic, including S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which I was proud to introduce with Senators Whitehouse, Portman, Klobuchar, Ayotte, and Coons, we should consider successful organizations like Rosecrance who have been treating individuals with addiction for decades. Rosecrance Memorial Home for Children was established in 1916 to care for neglected and dependent children in New Milford, IL. In 1982, after moving to Rockford, IL, in the 1970s, they recognized growing substance abuse rates among teenagers and created a first-of-its-kind chemical dependency treatment program in northern Illinois specifically for this population. In 1992, this program expanded to serve adults as well. Five years ago, they recognized the importance of integrating addiction and mental health treatment and merged with the Janet Wattles Center in Rockford. This has enabled them to treat individuals with co- occurring disorders that require behavioral health and addiction treatment more effectively. They now provide critical services for over 22,000 children, adolescents, adults, and families at over 40 locations in Illinois and Wisconsin annually. I congratulate Rosecrance Health Network on a century of success and look forward to working with them to address substance abuse in my State.

Mr. KIRK

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

Mr. KIRK. Madam President, the ranking member and I have a package of amendments that have been cleared by both sides. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate resumes consideration of H.R. 2029, the following amendments be called up, reported by number, and the Senate vote on the amendments en bloc: Moran, No. 2774; Murkowski, No. 2775; Murkowski, No. 2776; Blumenthal, No. 2779; Blumenthal, No. 2781, Toomey, No. 2785; Sullivan, No. 2786; Sullivan, No. 2787; Collins, No. 2788; Cornyn, No. 2789; Bennet, No. 2795; Durbin, No. 2794; and Boxer, No. 2798.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, the ranking member and I have a small package of amendments that have been cleared by both sides. I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be called up, reported by number, and the Senate vote on the amendments en bloc: Shaheen No. 2772 and Heller No. 2766.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I come to the floor to urge support by the Senate for the 2016 MILCON-VA appropriations bill. Last year this bill's funding for our veterans was $65 billion and it is now $71.2 billion. That is a $6.2 billion increase over last year. The President requested $70.1 billion for fiscal year 2016. This bill provides $1.1 billion more than the President's request for this upcoming legislation. Last week we agreed to debate this bill by an overwhelming vote of 93 to 0. We have record-level funding to fix the disability claims backlog at the VA in this bill. There are new protections for whistleblowers, doctors, and nurses at the VA who are protected when they report patient abuse. This bill protects the protectors of our veterans. With that, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I call up my substitute amendment, a bipartisan bill for VA-MILCON.

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I call up my first-degree amendment.

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, October 11 marked the second annual International Day of the Girl. This day brings together people and advocacy groups to raise awareness about the challenges facing girls around the world. Tragically, today's regional crises are having a disproportionately destructive impact on girls. 2015 marks the year with the highest number of displaced persons since World War II. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, women and girls comprise half of any refugee or internally displaced population. Crises such as the ongoing conflict in Syria, over 1.5 million displaced in South Sudan, and the expanding migrant crisis in Europe, among others, risk leaving an entire generation of girls shaped by a lack of opportunity, gender-based violence, forced marriage, and disrupted education. Access to education is often a top priority for refugee families upon resettling in a foreign country. We know that, if empowered with the appropriate tools, girls can be facilitators of change who can transform their own lives, as well as the lives of their families, communities, and societies and serve as a bulwark against the conditions that contribute to extremism that so many terrorist groups have exploited, often at the expense of women and girls. The lack of access to education for refugee girls stifles empowerment and stands in the way of achieving a durable solution to conflict. As the United States and the international community work to cope with the current refugee crisis, it is critical that we focus not only on security but on the basic needs of refugees, such as access to education and increasing the role of women and girls in humanitarian response and civil society programs.

Mr. KIRK

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

Mr. KIRK. Madam President, I come to the floor to urge my colleagues to pass the 2016 Military Construction appropriations bill. This bill has a $4.2 billion increase over last year's level. We passed the MILCON-VA bill out of the full Appropriations Committee by a vote of 21 to 9, with Democratic Senators Leahy, Feinstein, Udall, Schatz, and Baldwin all supporting that bill and with 16 Republicans backing it. We now have record levels of funding to fix the backlog of disability claims at the VA. We took construction out of the hands of the VA and gave it to the Army Corps of Engineers so that we never have cost overruns like at the Denver hospital again. The bill also bans funding for Glenn Haggstrom, the bureaucrat responsible for spending $930 million over budget in Denver. The bill provides new protections for whistleblowers, especially for doctors and nurses not protected by the Whistleblower Protection Act. By voting no on this bill, Members will be voting against a $4.2 billion increase for our veterans. Thank you, Madam President.

Mr. KIRK

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

Mr. KIRK. Madam President, as I rise, many who fear the pending Iran vote feel that it could deliver a mortal blow to the Senate's historic support for the safety of the families of Israel. Have no fear. No matter what, we will always have a capable majority of Americans who support the free and democratic tolerant society of Israel. No matter what the Iranians do, America's commitment will remain to that shining city on Jerusalem's hills, to a nation that has proved that democracy and tolerance can thrive in a place even as hostile as the Middle East and will remain strong. I represent many people who have survived the Holocaust. Their spirit is within the State of Illinois. They prevailed over the worst evil that has ever disgraced our time. That spirit unites the free and tolerant people of the United States and Israel that we will prevail no matter what. I yield the floor.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, on September 1, 2015, Lieutenant Charles Joseph Gliniewicz of the Fox Lake Police Department made the ultimate sacrifice. Lieutenant Gliniewicz, who served his community as a police officer for over 30 years, was nearing retirement when he was shot and killed while in pursuit of suspects during his morning patrol. Lieutenant Gliniewicz, known has ``G.I. Joe,'' was a pillar of his community, committed to his job, his family, and the children he trained at the Fox Lake Police Explorer Post 300. As founder of Post 300 and leader since 1987, Lieutenant Gliniewicz trained young people ages 14 to 21 for a career in law enforcement. Hundreds of these ``Explorers'' entered into law enforcement and military careers following Lieutenant Gliniewicz's training and mentorship. Prior to his career in Fox Lake, Lieutenant Gliniewicz was a member of the U.S. Army and proudly served his country from 1981 to 2007, receiving numerous service awards during that time. While Lieutenant Gliniewicz dedicated much of his time to his community, he was also a loving family man. He was married to his wife Mel for 26 years and the couple have four children. I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Lieutenant Charles Joseph Gliniewicz and the entire Fox Lake community. On behalf of the people of Illinois, I thank Lieutenant Gliniewicz for his dedication and service to his community and his country. I encourage all law enforcement personnel to honor his memory by continuing his mission to foster positive relationships between police officers and the people they serve and to inspire the next generation of law enforcement.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, today I commemorate my constituent from Carbondale, IL, Ms. Jan Thompson, for her extraordinary work on behalf of American veterans. Ms. Thompson is a professor at Southern Illinois University and the founder and president of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor--ADBC--Memorial Society. On Sunday, July 19, 2015, Ms. Thompson and ADBC had the historic responsibility of being offered the first Japanese corporate apology for forced labor by American prisoners of war--POWS--during World War II. Over 900 American civilian and military POWs were slave laborers in four mines owned by Mitsubishi Mining Company Ltd. during World War II. Ms. Thompson, whose organization represents surviving POWs, their families, descendants, and researchers working on POW history, accepted on their behalf an apology offered by Mitsubishi Mining's successor company, Mitsubishi Materials. Thompson's father, Robert E. Thompson, was a Pharmacist's Mate aboard the USS Canopus--AS-9--a submarine tender moored in Manila Bay at the outbreak of the war on December 8, 1941. The tender was the only heavy ship left to service the submarines during the defense of the Philippines. The crew scuttled her the night before Bataan was surrendered on April 9, 1942 and escaped to fight on Corregidor Island. Robert Thompson attended to the wounded during the final month of the siege of Corregidor. Surrendering on May 6, 1942 in the face of great odds, he was assigned to the Bilibid Prison Hospital in Manila and survived the three ``Hell ships'' Oryoku Maru, Enoura Maru, and Brazil Maru. On July 19th, Mr. Hikaru Kimura, a Senior Corporate Executive of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and Senior General Manager of Global Business Management at the Paint Finishing System Division of Taikisha Ltd delivered the apology at a ceremony held at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. I applaud Mitsubishi Materials' courage and good corporate citizenship. I ask unanimous consent that the statement of Jan Thompson be printed in the Record.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, today I recognize former Illinois resident and Vice President of the United States, Charles Gates Dawes, in honor of the 150th anniversary of his birth on August 27, 1865. Charles Dawes holds a special place in American history, devoting much of his life to public service, and today his memory lives on in Evanston, IL, the place where Dawes and his family called home for nearly 60 years. Serving as Vice President of the United States from 1925 to 1929 under President Calvin Coolidge, Dawes distinguished himself in the service of his country on a national and international scale. Dawes served as brigadier general in charge of the American Expeditionary Force Office of Supply during World War I, where he led the Allied Supply Board and subsequently received medals for distinguished service from each of the Allied countries. On December 10, 1926, Dawes was awarded the 1925 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the ``Dawes Plan'' that restructured German reparation repayments following World War I and temporarily helped to restore balance to Europe, easing tensions between Germany and France. In addition to his work under the Coolidge administration, Dawes served four other U.S. Presidents in various offices that included Comptroller of the Currency, First Director of the Federal Bureau of the Budget, and President of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Dawes also served as U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, a position he held until 1931. As Ambassador, Dawes successfully helped to negotiate treaties in international law and arms limitations. As the American delegate to the London Naval Conference in 1930, he specifically worked to broker an agreement between Japan, France, Italy, Great Britain, and the United States to limit the number of Navy war vessels and regulate submarine warfare. Dawes was also a dedicated humanitarian, who personally established and funded extensive networks of food and housing for the homeless and less fortunate. Charles Dawes is also remembered for his contributions and service to his local community of Evanston, IL. Dawes owned an Evanston based utility business, and he and his extended family were a part of the fabric of the community, attending local schools and participating in countless Evanston organizations. In 1942, he arranged to bequeath his home to Northwestern University and the broader Evanston community for the conservation of its cultural history. Today the Dawes home serves as the headquarters of the Evanston History Center, which will be honoring the life of Charles Dawes and the 150th anniversary of his birth through its ``Year of Dawes'' celebration. I commend the Evanston History Center for its dedication to educating the public on the remarkable life of Charles Dawes and preserving the Dawes family history for future generations. I ask all my colleagues to join me in celebrating the ``Year of Dawes'' and honoring the 150th birthday anniversary of Charles Gates Dawes.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, today I wish to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, as well as Timothy Nugent, who has spent the past 70 years as a relentless innovator and tireless advocate for disabled people across the country. Together with Congressman Rodney Davis, I have introduced a bill that would award Mr. Nugent with the Congressional Gold Medal. Mr. Nugent and the ADA have helped millions of Americans live better, more productive lives, improving the United States overall, and making us an example for the world to follow. Timothy Nugent saw a need for services and accommodations for disabled servicemen when they came home from the battlefields of World War II. Mr. Nugent founded the first higher educational program for wounded and disabled soldiers in the world, and he confronted the bias of the general public by bringing students with disabilities into the mainstream of college campuses and societies. Because of Mr. Nugent's leadership and commitment, the University of Illinois built accommodations for the disabled veteran and created a hospitable environment for our Nation's greatest heroes, providing them the same educational opportunities as others. He also disproved many in the medical community who believed that either rehabilitation and sporting activities were harmful to individuals with severe disabilities or that education was not necessary because of the beliefs at the time was that the lifespan of persons with spinal cord injuries would be too short for them to benefit from college degrees. Many of the architectural accessibility standards and laws of the United States, including the welcoming Americans with Disabilities Act, trace back directly to innovations created by Nugent. I know firsthand how important this law and Mr. Nugent's actions are to the University of Illinois and the community of 50 million Americans living with a disabilities. Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act allow all Americans to live life on their own terms, and Mr. Nugent's work on behalf of these individuals is well-deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, today I wish to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, as well as Timothy Nugent, who has spent the past 70 years as a relentless innovator and tireless advocate for disabled people across the country. Together with Congressman Rodney Davis, I have introduced a bill that would award Mr. Nugent with the Congressional Gold Medal. Mr. Nugent and the ADA have helped millions of Americans live better, more productive lives, improving the United States overall, and making us an example for the world to follow. Timothy Nugent saw a need for services and accommodations for disabled servicemen when they came home from the battlefields of World War II. Mr. Nugent founded the first higher educational program for wounded and disabled soldiers in the world, and he confronted the bias of the general public by bringing students with disabilities into the mainstream of college campuses and societies. Because of Mr. Nugent's leadership and commitment, the University of Illinois built accommodations for the disabled veteran and created a hospitable environment for our Nation's greatest heroes, providing them the same educational opportunities as others. He also disproved many in the medical community who believed that either rehabilitation and sporting activities were harmful to individuals with severe disabilities or that education was not necessary because of the beliefs at the time was that the lifespan of persons with spinal cord injuries would be too short for them to benefit from college degrees. Many of the architectural accessibility standards and laws of the United States, including the welcoming Americans with Disabilities Act, trace back directly to innovations created by Nugent. I know firsthand how important this law and Mr. Nugent's actions are to the University of Illinois and the community of 50 million Americans living with a disabilities. Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act allow all Americans to live life on their own terms, and Mr. Nugent's work on behalf of these individuals is well-deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize the National Roofing Contractors Association, NRCA, headquartered in Rosemont, IL, and support its efforts to designate the week of July 5-11, 2015 as National Roofing Week. As the first line of defense against natural elements, such as rain, snow or wind, the roof is one of the most critical features of any home or business. Yet, despite its importance, it is often taken for granted until it falls into disrepair. National Roofing Week is a valuable reminder of the significance that quality roofing has on our communities and honors the thousands of contractors in the roofing industry across the United States. NRCA's 3,800 members, located across all 50 States, play a significant role in the installation and maintenance of roofing systems. With a vast network of roofing contractors and industry- related members, NRCA handles a majority of new construction and replacement roof systems on commercial and residential structures in America. However, the organization's activities extend beyond its construction duties. National Roofing Week provides an opportunity to recognize the thousands of NRCA members and their commitment to supporting their local communities. As part of its outreach efforts last year, NRCA members worked together to raise funds and repair the roof for a local nonprofit organization that provides health services and housing options for mistreated and abused children in Chicago. I commend the NRCA and the vital role the organization and its members play in every community and I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging their contributions during National Roofing Week.

Mr. KIRK

Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I seek to speak on my amendment on behalf of the Export-Import Bank. I would like to say the Export-Import Bank is set to expire this year on June 30. It allows thousands of American companies to advance their technology overseas. Without these loans, many American jobs would be ceded to China or Europe. Now, 200,000 American workers depend on Ex-Im, plus 46,000 in my home State of Illinois. They work for these companies that depend on Ex-Im's backing to make exports happen. Some people are interested in killing this agency because it may be a government handout agency. It is not. It actually makes the taxpayer $1 billion a year. In the last 3 years, it has earned the U.S. Treasury over $3 billion. I will be offering the Kirk-Heitkamp amendment to keep this Bank alive. I want to thank Senators Blunt, Cantwell, and Manchin for defending these American jobs. I yield the floor.