Edward Kaufman

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Madam President, I just laid it out. I taught a course on Congress in law school for 20 years. I say this in all sincerity: Houdini could not have gotten through this process. Really and truly, when one looks at it, Houdini could not have gotten through this process with a bill. I try very hard to be bipartisan in everything I do, and I try to speak well of my colleagues because I really do like every one of my colleagues on the other side. That is not hyperbole. But when we start out with 41 Senators bound and determined to slow down, delay, stop, and block, it makes the job the Senator from Connecticut has done even more incredible. And then we have to get 60 votes on anything of substance. Then we have to go over to the House side. And God bless our friends on the House side. When I talk with them, they just look over here and cannot believe we ever get anything done. Getting this bill done, getting it through the Senate, dealing with all the stakeholders, dealing with the administration, dealing with the folks on the House side, and, with all due respect, doing it three times in one Congress, is definitely a Hall of Fame performance. I thank the Senator again.

Mr. KAUFMAN. Madam President, I totally agree with the Senator. It is oversimple. I know the Senator from Connecticut received a lot of support from the Republican side. I know how difficult it is to be the person standing in your caucus when everyone in your caucus wants to vote another way. I appreciate that. What is amazing to me is what passed was what the three of them would sign on to or others would sign on to. The idea that the Senator came with a bill--every one of my concerns I raised today, if we had gotten some help from the other side might have gone another way. But they were not going to go another way with the group we had. I could not agree with Senator Dodd more. I think it is easy to stand up in our caucus and be for this bill. I think what they did was truly courageous. But I also think that on every major issue, to have to figure out how we get 60 votes is a special, difficult problem. It is not like a swan dive. It is not, like they do in the Olympics, a double summersault. Putting all those things together is a triple summersault in the pike position. That is the point I want to make--the difficulty of getting a bill when we need to get 60 votes on every issue and there is a constant pressure on the other side for all to vote together one way.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, in the last few weeks, great turmoil has unfolded in Kyrgyzstan. According to media reports, ethnic riots in the southern cities of Osh and Jalalabad have left up to 2,000 dead--309 confirmed by the Kyrgyz Government--thousands have been injured, and approximately 400,000 Uzbeks have been displaced. I am deeply concerned about ethnic clashes and ongoing tension between the Kyrgyz and Uzbeks, especially given reports that international observers have noted they are reminiscent of the tragedies in Bosnia and Rwanda in the 1990s. Today, the situation appears to have stabilized, but we cannot discount the potential for renewed conflict after an apparent lull, which happened in both Bosnia and Rwanda. We must also not forget that what happens in Kyrgyzstan has implications for U.S. interests throughout central Asia. As the Senate noted in Resolution 566, which passed unanimously on June 25, the events of the past month could spark unrest across the Ferghana Valley, which borders Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Kyrgyzstan also plays host to a U.S. air base at Manas International Airport that serves as a critical supply line for NATO and U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan. For these reasons, I rise today to urge the provisional government and all citizens of Kyrgyzstan to move ahead with the process of reconciliation. I would also like to commend the Obama administration and others in the international community--particularly the United Nations and Russia--who have rendered fiscal and humanitarian aid to the Government of Kyrgyzstan during this difficult time. The international community must call on all parties to refrain from violence, cease persecution of minorities, and explore peaceful routes to conflict resolution. There is other news out of Kyrgyzstan worth noting--namely, the referendum held on June 27 in support of a constitution that will establish central Asia's first parliamentary democracy. This referendum was peaceful and inclusive, and I commend the provisional government for organizing this process. The referendum marked a historic opportunity to usher in a new period of democracy and stability in Kyrgyzstan, and the stakes are high. This is why I would like to highlight three areas where I hope there can be additional progress can be made. Perhaps most importantly, there must be a credible investigation into the recent violence. One of the most important actions to take is to establish an investigative team that is viewed as credible by all sides. This investigation must ensure the perpetrators of violence are held accountable for their actions and initiate a process whereby all citizens, including ethnic Uzbeks, see themselves as sufficiently represented in the country's national institutions. The interim government must also ensure a smooth transition to the new Constitution. This means that the Kyrgyz authorities should redouble efforts to prevent the escalation of violence, and observers must monitor the elections. The first transition of power is critical to the success of this democratic transition because it will set the baseline for all future elections. The people of Kyrgyzstan have shown overwhelmingly that they want democracy, and now the provisional government should do everything in its power to make those aspirations a reality. Finally, the government must promote freedom of the press. According to Freedom House, in 2010, Kyrgyzstan was ranked 159th of 192 countries. At this critical juncture, the interim government may feel tempted to muzzle criticism to avoid giving fodder to dissidents. But to do so would undermine its credibility far more than any words published in a free press. There is an undeniable connection between a population's confidence in their political system and the capacity of that system to ensure the free flow of information through an independent media. If the interim government and its successor want to identify the failures of previous governments in Kyrgyzstan, they need look no further than its abysmal record in the area of press freedom. To make the new constitution in Kyrgyzstan a success, the nation needs a truly independent media. Mr. President, we are at an important turning point in Kyrgyzstan, where there is a glimmer of hope about democracy taking root in the future. At the same time, the potential for renewed unrest, rampant corruption, and curtailed freedoms could easily jeopardize recent progress. It is incumbent on all sides to act responsibly and to ensure there is not a resurgence of violence, so that the new Government of Kyrgyzstan can set an example of successful democracy for the region.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 15, 2010, at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 15, 2010, at 9:00 a.m.

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 15, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 15, 2010, at 10 a.m., in room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Choosing to Work During Retirement and the Impact on Social Security.''

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 15, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing entitled ``The New START Treaty: Maintaining a Safe, Secure and Effective Nuclear Arsenal.''

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 15, 2010, at 4 p.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Nominations.''

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 15, 2010, at 2 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 15, 2010, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Preventing and Recovering Government Payment Errors.''

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on July 15, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``The Federal Government's Role in Empowering Americans to Make Informed Financial Decisions.''

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I rise in support of the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Last month, the Judiciary Committee held 4 days of hearings on General Kagan's nomination, including 2 very full days of testimony from the nominee herself. I came away from the hearings deeply impressed with General Kagan's intellect, thoughtfulness, demeanor, and integrity. These characteristics, already plainly evident in her lifetime of accomplishment, were on full display during her testimony. Last year, when Justice Souter announced his retirement, and again when Justice Stevens announced his retirement this April, I suggested that the Court would benefit from a broader range of experience among its members. My concern was not just the relative lack of women or racial or ethnic minorities on our Federal courts, though that deficit remains glaring. I was noting the fact that the current Justices all share very similar professional backgrounds. Every one of them served as a Federal circuit court judge before being appointed to the Supreme Court. Not one of them has ever run for political office, like Sandra Day O'Connor or Earl Warren or Hugo Black. I am heartened by what this nominee would bring to the Court based on her experience working in and with all three branches of government, the skills she developed running a complex institution like Harvard Law School, and yes, the prospect of her being the fourth woman to serve on our Nation's highest court. Some pundits, and some Senators, have suggested her lack of judicial experience is somehow a liability. I could not disagree more. While prior judicial experience can be valuable, the Court should have a broader range of perspectives than can be gleaned from the appellate bench. In the history of the U.S. Supreme Court, more than one-third of the Justices have had no prior judicial experience before being nominated. And a nominee's lack of judicial experience has certainly been no barrier to success. When Woodrow Wilson nominated Louis Brandeis in 1916, many objected on the ground that he had never served on the bench. Over his 23-year career, however, Justice Brandeis proved to be one of the Court's greatest members. His opinions exemplify judicial restraint and his approach still resonates in our judicial thinking more than 70 years after his retirement. Felix Frankfurter, William Douglas, Robert Jackson, Byron White, Lewis Powell, Harlan Fiske Stone, Earl Warren and William Rehnquist all became Justices without having previously been judges. They certainly all had distinguished careers on the Supreme Court. As Justice Frankfurter wrote about judicial experience in 1957: One is entitled to say without qualification that the correlation between prior judicial experience and fitness for the functions of the Supreme Court is zero. We have all now had the opportunity to review General Kagan's extensive record as a lawyer, a policy adviser, and administrator, and to listen to her thoughtful and candid answers to a wide range of probing questions. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated the all-too- rare combination of a first-rate intellect and an intensely pragmatic approach to identifying and solving problems. Last summer, during then-Judge Sotomayor's confirmation hearing, and again during General Kagan's hearing, I focused on the current Court's handling of business cases. I am convinced, by education, experience, and inclination, that the integrity of our capital markets, along with our democratic traditions, is what makes America great. Today, however, while we have a real need for significant financial regulatory reform, we also face a Supreme Court too prone to disregard congressional policy choices. My concern is that a Court resistant to Federal Government involvement in and regulation of markets could undermine those efforts. I am not suggesting that we face a return to ``a New-Deal-era Court--a Court determined to strike down regulatory reform as beyond the authority of Congress. But a Court predisposed against government regulation might chip away at the edges of reform, materially reducing its effectiveness. That is why my questioning of Solicitor General Kagan focused on business cases and on her philosophy concerning deference to congressional judgment. During the hearing, she emphasized the importance of ``judicial deference to the legislative process.'' She also acknowledged Congress's ``broad authority'' under the commerce clause to regulate the financial markets. Finally, she stated emphatically her views on results-oriented judging. I really liked what she said on this point, so I'm going to quote it in full: I think results-oriented judging is pretty much the worst kind of judging there is. I mean the worst thing that you can say about a judge is that he or she is results-oriented. It suggests that a judge is kind of picking sides irrespective of what the law requires, and that's the absolute antithesis of what a judge should be doing, that the judge should be trying to figure out as best she can what the law does require, and not going in and saying, ``You know, I don't really care about the law, you know, this side should win.'' So to be a results-oriented judge is the worst kind of judge you can be. Based on General Kagan's ability to communicate her thoughts and ideas during the committee hearings last month, I am confident that other Justices and, by extension, the entire Court, will benefit by the addition of her voice to their deliberations. One of the aspirations of the American judicial system is that it render justice equally to ordinary citizens and to the most powerful. We need Justices on the Supreme Court who not only understand that aspiration but also are committed to making it a reality. I believe Elena Kagan, through her truly impressive record of accomplishment, and through the entire confirmation process, has demonstrated that commitment. In short, this nominee has all the qualities necessary to serve well all Americans, and the rule of law, on our Nation's highest court. I urge my colleagues to confirm her without delay. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. KAUFMAN

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

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Madam President, I rise once again to recognize one of our Nation's great Federal employees. Here are all the employees we have recognized to date. Madam President, we in Washington are in the midst of a summer heat wave. I know it is the same for millions of Americans across the country. This comes on the heels of a harsh winter where the Capital City endured heavy snowfall that shut down businesses and even certain government offices. The powerful forces of nature continue to challenge us. Many Americans only notice weather in its extremes. The hard-working men and women of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, spend their careers making it easier for us to address nature's challenges. This year is NOAA's 40th anniversary. It was created in 1970 from three former agencies, and since that time NOAA employees have been at the forefront of weather prediction, oceanography, and fishery management. Whenever anyone turns on the television and sees an alert from the National Weather Service, that is NOAA at work. If you go to the Pacific coast and enjoy the beaches, you can feel safe knowing that NOAA's tsunami warning system stands at the ready. NOAA personnel are also leading the way to ensure the long-term sustainability of our coastal fisheries so those who make their living from the sea can continue to do so for generations to come. The great Federal employee I am recognizing today won the 2008 Service to America Medal for Homeland Security for his work at NOAA helping to detect and warn against destructive tsunamis. Dr. Eddie Bernard has served as Director of NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle, WA, since 1982. One of the leading experts on tsunamis, he has published over 80 scientific articles and edited books on the phenomenon. For 3 years Eddie directed the National Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii, and he was the founding chairman of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee, a joint Federal-State effort. In addition to his work on tsunamis, as Director of the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Eddie oversees a number of important oceanographic research programs such as El Nino forecasts and studies of underwater volcanoes. Eddie received his bachelor's degree in physics from Lamar University, and he holds master's and doctoral degrees in physical oceanography from Texas A&M. In order to protect our coastlines against damage from Pacific tsunamis such as the one that devastated the coasts of South Asia in 2004, Eddie led the development of the innovative DART system. As a tsunami wave moves under the ocean, DART--which stands for deep ocean assessment of tsunamis--uses buoys to report data back to the Tsunami Warning Centers. It took years to perfect, and Eddie and his team had hoped to get close to a 60-percent accuracy rate in predicting the scope and intensity of incoming tsunamis. As it turns out, they were able to achieve over 90 percent accuracy with DART. Their system became the basis for the Tsunami Warning and Education Act, which passed the Congress in 2006. Eddie was instrumental in helping to draft that legislation which strengthened tsunami detection, warning, and mitigation programs to ensure that we are prepared for even the worst- case scenarios. The work of NOAA employees is often not glamorous, but it saves lives, protects property, and helps to prepare our coastal communities to meet the challenges of nature. My home State of Delaware is filled with coastal communities, and the work NOAA performs in a range of areas to help coastal States such as Delaware in so many ways. I hope my colleagues will join me in thanking Dr. Eddie Bernard and all those at NOAA who continue to monitor the seas and skies on our behalf. They are all truly great Federal employees. I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, today, I wish to express my appreciation to two members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, whose terms have come to an end. During their 8 years of exceptional service on the BBG, Jeff Hirschberg and Joaquin Blaya have contributed to ensuring the relevance and timeliness of international broadcasting. Both Jeff and Joaquin have served the nation's international broadcasting mission with great honor and commitment. Their unique contributions have resulted in a robust enhancement of U.S. international broadcasting in critical regions at crucial times. Jeffrey Hirschberg, who served on the board since 2002, brought his deep experience in government and the private sector to bear during his tenure on the board. Previously, he served in the U.S. Attorney General's Office as special counsel and assistant U.S. attorney, and later, as an attorney in private practice. While on the BBG, he applied his vast knowledge and understanding of the Soviet Union and Russia he acquired during his tenure as Director of the U.S.-Russian Investment Fund, a member of the U.S.-Russia Center for Entrepreneurship, and Director of the U.S.-Russia Business Council, to greatly improve programming in Russia and former Soviet states. Joaquin Blaya, who also joined the board in 2002, brought to the BBG his vast experience in broadcasting as former chairman of Radio Unica, as CEO of Telemundo, and as president of Univision. In fact, Joaquin founded Radio Unica and oversaw its operations as it became the first 24-hour Spanish language radio network, reaching approximately 80 percent of the Spanish-speaking population in the United States. His vision and conviction as a member of the BBG resulted in improved programming on Radio Marti, and a ground-breaking television programming in the Middle East via Al Hurrah, which is the most widely viewed channel in Iraq today. As U.S. international broadcasting begins this new chapter in its history, I want to convey my utmost respect and appreciation to Jeff Hirschberg and Joaquin Blaya for their honorable service and vision as members of the BBG.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that after I speak, Senator Feinstein be permitted to speak.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I spoke about Senator Byrd yesterday. One of the ways you measure anyone is by their friends. The manner in which Senator Harkin just spoke about Senator Byrd shows what a great man Senator Byrd was, to have a friend as thoughtful and as caring as Senator Harkin. They are both a credit to the Senate. As we continue another school year, I wanted to take an opportunity to commend the excellent science instruction taking place in my State of Delaware. The science educators and leaders in the State have been working for 15 years to create a world-class science program encompassing standards and curriculum, professional development, and science material kits. I am honored to say that I believe world class is exactly the way to describe the science instruction Delaware students receive. This is not something that happened overnight. It is a process that began in 1995, when a statewide survey was sent out to gather data on the status of science teaching and learning in Delaware. The results, unfortunately, showed that not much science was taught or being learned in Delaware schools. Consequently, several school districts banded together to form the Delaware Science Coalition. The coalition received extraordinary support from the DuPont Company in the form of time, money, and volunteer services. The group wrote and received a National Science Foundation grant, which allowed the districts to have an out- of-classroom science specialist provide science professional development for all teachers, assemble science materials, develop assessments, and meet as a group. Within 3 years, all school districts except one had joined the Delaware Science Coalition. Today, the science coalition has come a long way. They have a statewide kindergarten through grade 11 science curriculum in place and have plans for a grade 12 curriculum. They have professional development for all science teachers in grades K through 11. They have cost-effective, kit-based science materials. They have assessments that are modeled after international science tests. They also have a systematic and comprehensive approach to reform that includes leadership from the State, district, and classroom, as well as corporate, community, and university-based partners. Beyond all these coordinated measures, perhaps the most impressive example of how far the coalition has come is seen in the warehouse at the John W. Collette Education Resource Center in Dover. It is truly impressive. To get an idea of what it looks like, you have to think about what it is like to be inside a Home Depot or a Lowes--a warehouse with rows and rows of supplies and forklifts running about. This is what the science materials center looks like at the Collette Center, except the industrial shelving and forklifts are transporting boxes filled with science materials to use in classrooms across the State. Science curricula and materials kits for grades K through 8 include resources developed by the National Science Resource Center, University of California-Berkeley, and homegrown and hybrid units developed with the aid of Delaware's very own teachers. These units are coordinated to introduce life, physical, and Earth science concepts each year and gradually increase in complexity from one level to the next. All districts share materials, and kits rotate through two or three teachers per year. In order to obtain the materials, a teacher must attend professional development coordinated by the Collette Center. Then the warehouse sends out the kit, teachers and students use it, it is picked up weeks later, it is refurbished, and then sent out to another teacher. By sharing materials, costs are kept to an absolute minimum. The Collette Center is a remarkable resource for the teachers and students in Delaware. It is unique in that it is the only science program in the country that provides a curriculum aligned to standards, an intensive professional development effort, and a materials support service for public school districts and charter schools throughout the entire State. To create this all-encompassing system, the Science Coalition has at times worked closely with the National Science Resource Center or NSRC. The NSRC is a joint operation of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academies. I think Sally Goetz Shuler, the executive director of the NSRC, summed up Delaware's accomplishments best when she said: During the past decade, the NSRC has showcased Delaware as a model to dozens of other U.S. States, countries, and national organizations, including the National Governors Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers, and the James B. Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy. Hundreds of leaders have visited the John W. Collette Education Resource Center in Dover, as well as many of [Delaware's] classrooms. While small, your State has been and will continue to be instrumental in catalyzing other states and countries to transform their science programs. That is from Sally Goetz Shuler, the executive director of the NSRC. That is a powerful statement, and one with which I wholeheartedly agree. By the way, my colleague, Senator Carper, who has just come on the floor, has also visited the Collette Resource Center in Dover. Delaware's science program is very impressive and the work is paying off for Delaware's students. When the new science standards and assessments were first implemented in 2001, only 42 percent of eighth grade students met or exceeded the standards. By 2009, 60 percent of the eighth graders met or exceeded the standards. Similar achievement gains have been illustrated at the fourth, sixth, and eleventh grades as well. This is an incredible achievement and I am confident Delaware's science teachers and leaders will continue to build on this accomplishment. Congratulations to Delaware for continuing to lead the way in science education. Mr. President, I yield the floor to the Senator from California.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, it has been an honor to watch the arts blossom in the State of Delaware. One of the organizations leading this movement is the First State Ballet Theatre, which is celebrating 10 years of dedication and excellence in the art of dance. The late choreographer Martha Graham once said: We look at the dance to impart the sensation of living in an affirmation of life, to energize the spectator into keener awareness of the vigor, the mystery, the humor, the variety, and the wonder of life. This is the function of the American dance. Since the founding of the First State Ballet Theatre in 1999 by Pasha and Kristina Kambalov, it has been devoted to exposing Delawareans to dance. Through providing dance training and conducting education outreach, its audiences have learned much about the history and relevance of the art of dance. The company's impressive 10-year run has brought a host of classical ballets, including favorite classics such as ``The Nutcracker'' and ``Swan Lake.'' The theatre has also been involved in vibrant productions such as ``Carmen,'' showing the depth and amazing talent present within the troupe. The theatre hosts a cast of talented dancers, who come long distances to perform throughout our State. The ballet company currently has a troupe of 15 talented resident dancers who star in a variety of productions. The theatre has also attracted an outstanding group of master choreographers, who have created a diverse range of shows. They are led by artistic director Pasha Kambalov, school director Kristina Kambalov, and assistant artistic director Lev Assaouliak. Between them, these three have many years of experience in the art of dance and countless achievements, including performing in many impressive repertoires, and they were trained professionally in renowned schools of ballet. In 2006, the Kambalovs were honored with the Wilmington and Wilmingtonian Awards for their outstanding work improving the quality of life in the community. As Delaware's only professional dance company, the First State Ballet Theatre has strived to help the arts flourish, and by doing so it has drawn both in-State and out-of-State audiences to its performances. By offering enticing productions that appeal to various sections of the population at affordable prices, the First State Ballet Theatre has inspired a whole new generation to become a part of the theatre's family. The theatre has also taught over 7,000 children about dance with the help of its talented and caring staff. For 10 years, the First State Ballet Theatre has stood for excellence in the arts, and has treated its audiences to breathtaking and vibrant productions that have inspired the people of Delaware. The First State Ballet Theatre has been a great asset to my home State, and its accomplishments will inevitably continue to bring it success for years to come. Once again, I would like to congratulate the theatre on reaching this 10-year milestone.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business.

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I wish to talk about some other great Federal employees. Many of the great achievements I have hailed from this desk concern grand challenges relating to our national security, domestic tranquility, or our economic recovery. Today, I wish to recognize a team of highly skilled, highly motivated Federal employees whose achievement has positively affected the daily lives of average Americans. In 2003, six outstanding employees of the Federal Trade Commission worked together to implement the National Do Not Call Registry. Americans used to be plagued--I can remember it always seemed to happen around dinnertime--by telemarketer solicitations, which always seemed to come just when you least wanted them. The six men and women I am honoring today brought relief to families across the country by implementing the Do Not Call Registry. Led by Eileen Harrington, the team consisted of Lois Greisman, Allen Hile, Stephen Warren, Carolyn Shanoff, and Lawrence DeMille-Wagman. They all brought to the table a strong background in a number of fields, including law, marketing, and business. The FTC's Do Not Call Registry launched 7 years ago this week quickly became a hit. Within the first 4 days, 10 million Americans registered their phone numbers. Just a year after it launched, a poll found--this is incredible--91 percent of adults had heard of the registry and--can you believe it--over half had already signed up. When Eileen and her team won the 2004 Service to America medal for citizen services, the registry had nearly 60 million numbers. That was in 2004. Today, that has risen to over 150 million. To turn a good idea into a great program, the team spent several months designing and implementing the Do Not Call Registry as part of the FTC's rulemaking process. It required the participation of many at the Consumer Protection Bureau, the Economic Bureau, and the General Counsel's Office. Information system experts and legal minds worked closely together with senior executives, and they were joined by financial analysts and congressional relations staff. Once the policy had been crafted, there was a period of public comment, which saw over 64,000 suggestions on how to improve the registry, many of which were adopted in the final program. In the 7 years since the Do Not Call Registry was launched, it has become one of the most successful government programs in terms of the number of Americans it has affected positively in such an incredibly short period of time. I am also proud to share with my colleagues that all of the members of the FTC's ``do not call'' team are still serving in the Federal Government. Eileen Harrington remained at the FTC for a few years and in 2009 was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer for the Small Business Administration. Stephen Warren served as Chief Information Officer at the FTC until 2007, when he moved over to the Department of Veterans Affairs as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information Technology. Lois Greisman leads the FTC's Division of Marketing Practices within the Consumer Protection Bureau, and her responsibilities include enforcing the rules against telemarketing fraud and online investment schemes. Also with the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection is Carolyn Shanoff, who today serves as the Associate Director for Consumer and Business Education. In this role, she has been instrumental in the fight against identity theft. Allen Hile and Lawrence DeMille-Wagman are also still at the FTC. Allen serves as Assistant Director, and Lawrence works as an attorney. We are all very fortunate that accomplished men and women such as these choose to stay in government and continue working on behalf of the American people. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the great work of the FTC ``do not call'' team and thanking them on behalf of all Americans for their important work. They are all truly great Federal employees. I yield the floor.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I wish to spend a few minutes talking about a truly great Federal employee, and that is Senator Robert C. Byrd. He personified all the things I try to talk about once a week, because Robert Byrd was a Federal employee. Robert Byrd was a creature of the U.S. Senate. Robert Byrd had his family, and he was a great family man, but the Senate was also his family, and he cared about everybody here. I remember the first time I ever had contact with Senator Byrd was in 1972. On election day in 1972, Joe Biden, a 29-year-old candidate for the U.S. Senate, was elected to the Senate running against one of the most popular officials we ever had in the State of Delaware, a wonderful public servant and Federal employee, Caleb Boggs, who had been a Congressman and Governor before he became a Senator. Just 6 weeks later, on December 18, when his wife and two sons and daughter were bringing their Christmas tree home, the car was hit by a tractor trailer and Senator Biden's wife and daughter were killed. Shortly after that, my church, St. Mary Magdalen in Wilmington, DE, had a memorial service for his wife and daughter. I will never forget, it was a dark night. It was in December. It was just an ugly night out. The church was full, and it was a very moving ceremony. After it was over, I found out that Senator Robert Byrd had driven himself to Wilmington, DE, come into the church, stood in the back of the church for the entire service, and then turned around and drove home. And there are hundreds of stories like that where Robert Byrd demonstrated his great love for the Senate and for the people of the Senate. There are traditions he instilled in the Senate and traditions he kept alive in the Senate. I remember when he was majority leader, I will tell you what, there were lots of things that just never happened because Senator Byrd was going to make sure we stuck to the traditions of the Senate. So I wish to recognize Senator Robert Byrd as a great, great Federal employee.

Mr. KAUFMAN

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 29, 2010, at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet, during the session of the Senate, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Examining the Continuing Needs of Workers and Communities Affected by 9/11'' on June 29, 2010. The hearing will commence at 2:30 p.m. in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.