Patty Murray

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Thank you, Senator Kohl, and thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your support on this issue. This project is critical to the long- term health and viability of dry pea and lentil producers in Washington State and all across the country. Citrus Canker Compensation

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask to be recognized for the purposes of a colloquy. Senator Kohl, the legume plant pathologist position currently working in the CRIS titled ``Improving Disease Management of Soil-borne Diseases of Edible Legumes'' is being eliminated in a reorganization proposed by USDA ARS. Root diseases are fast becoming a major problem in all of the production areas. These root diseases cause a loss of yields and quality of pulse crops. A reduction of research support by USDA ARS at this time of rapidly increasing acreages of pulses in ND, MT, SD and NE is unacceptable. Eliminating this research could substantially hurt the entire pulse crop industry. Within the fiscal year 2006 Agriculture appropriations, there is funding provided for a legume pathologist focused on root diseases. Due to the reorganization of the ARS Prosser facility, this pathologist will not be funded unless that position is moved to the ARS Pullman facility. The need for this project is clear and should be supported by ARS. In order to continue this vital research it is clear that it will need to be moved to ARS Pullman. I ask that the conference report accompanying the Agriculture bill include language directing ARS to transfer the legume pathologist position and the $250,000 from the Vegetable and Forage Legume Research Unit at Prosser, WA, to the Grain Legume Genetics and Physiology Research Unit at Pullman, WA. This requires no new funding, as it will solely involve the transfer of the legume pathologist from Prosser to Pullman. This will allow ARS to continue its research on pulse crops at no additional costs. Senator Kohl, would you support this language moving the legume pathologist position from Prosser, WA, to Pullman, WA?

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be dispensed with.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Maryland for organizing the AskRoberts.com in which we are all participating to allow people across this country to be a part of this very important process that is occurring in the Senate today. Today, our country faces many challenges. We look at the suffering along the gulf coast, we face ongoing military operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and we face the solemn and significant task of not only filling two Court vacancies but confirming a new Chief Justice. While the confirmation of a new Justice may not be the topic of dinner table conversations across the country tonight, the actions of the next Supreme Court Justice will impact the lives of every American family for generations to come. Last week, this Chamber mourned the passing of Chief Justice Rehnquist who served on our Nation's highest Court for over three decades. The great range of issues on which the Supreme Court ruled during Justice Rehnquist's tenure--from Roe v. Wade to capital punishment to Miranda rights to the conclusion of a Presidential election--shows the American public just how closely the Court touches each of our daily lives. My home State of Washington is 3,000 miles away from the Nation's Capital, but the issues the Supreme Court takes up, whether it be title IX or eminent domain or a woman's right to choose, hits home for them as well. Back in 1991, when I was a State Senator and a former school board member and a mother, I watched the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings that came before the Senate Judiciary Committee. For days and days, I sat in frustration at home. I simply could not believe that this nominee was not asked about the issues about which I cared. I did not believe the Senators in that room were representing me or asking the questions I wanted answered. So I did something about it: I ran for the U.S. Senate. Now, thankfully, I am here and I can get my questions answered. But I remain very concerned for the women and the men in my State and around the country. Certainly they have issues that are important to them that will come before the Supreme Court. Certainly they have questions they want answered. Not everyone is going to be able to run for the Senate, but everyone should be able to have their voice heard. This is a process in which the American public deserves to be involved. Judge Roberts is being considered for a lifetime appointment, and the American people deserve to know where he stands on a number of issues that affect our Nation's future. That desire to give Americans around the country a voice in this process is what inspired me and my colleagues from California and Maryland to set up a Web site: AskRoberts.com. Through our Web site, we have collected tens of thousands of questions over the past several months that have now been delivered to the Senate Judiciary Committee in hopes that they will be asked of Judge Roberts during his confirmation hearing. This is not an inside-the-beltway debate. Judge Roberts has been nominated to a lifetime appointment on the highest Court in the land, and he will influence our path on issues ranging across the spectrum. Many Americans must be wondering what this all means to them, how it will affect them. Let me make it clear: This debate we are now having is about whether we want to protect essential rights and liberties, including the right to privacy about which the Senator from California talked. This debate is about whether we want free and open government. This debate is about whether we want a clean, healthy environment and the ability to enforce laws to protect it fairly. And this debate is about preserving equal protection under the law. Judge Roberts has an obligation--not to the Senate but to the American people--to make his views known on these basic values. Only then can we make a reasoned judgment on his nomination. That is why I have joined with a number of my colleagues in calling on the Attorney General to fulfill the request that was made by our colleagues on the Judiciary Committee for documents related to 16 key cases on which Judge Roberts played a leadership role during his service as Solicitor General. Not only is there precedent for the disclosure of those documents--similar information was provided to the Senate when it considered the nomination of Justice Rehnquist--but there is also clear imperative. If we are going to fulfill our constitutional duty to provide meaningful advice and consent on this nomination, that consent must be informed and this process must be opened, not only to the Members of this body but to the American people. With the questions and concerns of Americans from coast to coast in mind, I will work with my colleagues to ensure that the President's nominee to fill this position will be fair and impartial, evenhanded in administering justice, and will protect the rights and liberties of all Americans. Mr. President, I yield back my remaining time.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to join my colleagues in offering my support and sympathy and certainly everything we can do from my home State of Washington to so many of our fellow Americans who are suffering so tragically from the outfall of Hurricane Katrina. I want them to know we will do everything we can to make sure we are there for them. I have to say that over the past week, citizens from this end of the country to my end of the country on the west coast have been glued to their television screens and really overwhelmed by the tremendous devastation and the unfathomable suffering of so many of our fellow Americans. The images have become almost too much to bear, watching families without food and water, people who have been trapped on their roofs, people searching for their loved ones. People have come up to me everywhere when I have gone through my State over the last week. My office has been inundated by calls from my fellow citizens in Washington State who are really horrified at the conditions they have seen on TV. They are asking, rightfully, what can we do to help and how can we be there for our citizens? They are reaching into their own pockets and doing everything they can, and that truly has been heartwarming to see. They are also asking, How could this have happened? I have to say that people in my home State are upset and, really, with good reason. Our Government failed in its initial response. We now have to see that we succeed in this ongoing recovery. That certainly is my focus right now. There is going to be a lot of time for hard questions and accountability, but I think today we need to focus on meeting the tremendous needs that rescue workers and our guard and police forces are meeting on the ground. We also need to recognize that the recovery area is now no longer just limited to the gulf coast. As Americans have opened their hearts and their homes and they have opened up their communities and their stadiums and their hospitals and their homes in towns and cities from coast to coast, that need has spread across the country. Shortly, in my home State of Washington, we are expecting to welcome 2,000 evacuees. Nearly 200 of them are going to arrive by this Thursday, and we need to make sure we are doing everything and being prepared to meet their needs as they come to our States. Right now we have to ensure that the evacuees have the bare essentials, that they have food, clothing, and shelter. We also have to make sure we are preparing for the long term. For most children in this country, as we all know, this week marks a very exciting time, the beginning of the school year, a time that they head off to meet their new teachers and reconnect with old friends and make new ones. For all of the children who have been displaced from their homes and their school districts by the effects of Hurricane Katrina, the beginning of the school year is really the least of their worries. But we will need to come together as a country to help these schools across the Nation that are taking in these students from the gulf coast. I just heard on the television before I came here that there will be probably 200,000 or more of these young students, and we have to do everything we can to absorb the costs and help the transition for these children and families, to make it as smooth as possible. We also need to make sure we pay special attention to funding for support for homeless and foster children and ensure that the most vulnerable among us have the support they need to succeed and to build brighter futures again. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many different sectors of our transportation system have also stepped up to the plate to deliver critical service, and because this region's infrastructure is so devastated we need to immediately explore alternatives to moving people and freight throughout the region. I think we all know it is going to take time to get our transportation infrastructure back to where it was, but we need to start concentrating on that and getting systems put in place now as well. Rest assured, I will be asking very hard questions in the days to come about what went wrong and what we need to do to ensure that Americans never endure such preventable suffering again. All of those questions will be explored in detail, but right now I am going to continue to make sure that we are providing the immediate support that our families and our communities again need. Once again, I just want to say my thoughts and my prayers go out to everyone who has been touched by this disaster. I see my colleague from Illinois who has been down in the region is on the floor with us. I look forward to hearing about his firsthand experience as well.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I rise in opposition to H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005. I do so because this bill fails to move us beyond the status quo of today's energy situation. Congress rarely steps forward to address our Nation's energy policy, and I believe when we do so we should provide real direction that addresses real problems. Unfortunately, that is not the case here. I voted for the bill as reported by the Senate, but only narrowly. A few provisions in the Senate bill attempted to address our need to promote renewable energy resources and decrease our consumption of foreign oil. Those few forward-looking provisions have been dropped from this final bill, leaving me with little choice but to vote no for our failure to truly provide some new direction to our Nation's energy policy. Crafting comprehensive energy policy should offer the opportunity to address the most difficult issues facing our country. The bulk of this bill sidesteps those tough issues and in place of solutions it offers bandaids. Moving toward independence from foreign oil should be a top priority, but it is not addressed meaningfully. Climate change is a serious issue that Congress simply refuses to address. While some voluntary measures are included, these are simply not enough. We must have meaningful action if we are to protect our health, environment, and economy of our country. Gone from this bill is the renewable portfolio standard promoted by the Senate. The Senate's provision would have increased the penetration of alternative energy sources. This bill also fails to take adequate steps to develop conservation and efficiency technologies, and yet it offers substantial subsidies to the fossil fuels industry. This is not the bill I would have written, and this is no longer a bill I can support. There are sections of the bill that are positive. For example, I am pleased that the conference bill contains provisions protecting the Pacific Northwest's electricity system from unwarranted interference by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, and protects Washington ratepayers from excessively high electricity rates. I am also pleased that the current bill contains a fair and balanced hydroelectric relicensing process and sets new grid reliability standards. I commend my colleague, Senator Cantwell, who championed Washington State interests. This bill in particular supports cutting edge research and development at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Washington State universities in the areas of smart energy, advanced scientific computing, and systems biology. I am equally pleased to see that the bill does not provide MTBE liability protections. As the world's leading energy consumer, the United States should lead by example and innovation. However, this bill stops short of taking commonsense measures that would truly reduce foreign oil dependence and mitigate the looming threat of climate change. To diversify energy sources in America, fossil fuel use must be offset by conservation, energy efficiency, and clean and renewable fuels. Yet proposals to set ambitious, yet achievable, targets for reduced oil imports, tighter fuel economies for cars and trucks were defeated. Instead, oil and gas companies will be allowed to scour our fragile coastlines for more oil and gas reserves. Furthermore, this bill awards multimillion dollar tax breaks to those same companies, which are reaping windfalls from record-high oil prices at the expense of Washington consumers, to continue us down the path of fossil fuels, which are a key contributor to climate change. This bill also rolls back significant clean water laws that keep our water safe to drink. Despite ample protections for Washington ratepayers, it is hard to ignore that this bill, this national energy blueprint, does absolutely nothing to improve energy security or reduce dependence on foreign oil. We need a national energy policy but one that acknowledges the needs for the future, sets a plan, and moves us forward, not a bill that delivers the status quo.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President. I would like to briefly explain the scope of the Transit New Start project listed as ``Seattle Monorail Project Post-Green Line Extensions.'' The project authorization does not authorize any Federal funding for the 14-mile Green Line approved by Seattle voters in November 2002. The 14-mile Green Line was approved by voters using entirely local funds. The authorization in this bill is for a possible second monorail line or an extension of the Green Line following construction of the 14-mile line.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I thank the Senator, the ranking member, and chairman of the Interior appropriations bill for their accommodation on this. The Senate has done the right thing now for American veterans. I stand in support of this bill because it does represent a step in the right direction for our veterans. Today when we pass the Interior appropriations bill, it will include my amendment to fix the VA's funding shortfall by providing $1.5 billion for fiscal year 2005. This victory is long overdue and I thank Senator Craig, Senator Hutchison, Senator Akaka, Senator Feinstein, Senator Burns, and Senator Dorgan for their work on this critical issue within this bill. I want to make sure, however, that the VA uses this money in the way Congress intended. As the author of this amendment, I can tell you these dollars have to go to helping our veterans. They cannot be used for budget shell games to make the VA look solvent and they should not be used for red tape or accounting tricks and they should not be used as a rainy day fund. The money we have put in this bill is there to help veterans get the medical care they need. It should be used to end the hiring freeze, to provide mental health services for our veterans, and expand the VA's outpatient clinic initiative. I want my colleagues to know I am going to be watching to make sure this money is used in the way we have all voted for it to be used. Now that we have taken care of the shortfall for fiscal year 2005, we have to turn our attention to fiscal year 2006. I want to make sure we do not make the same mistakes that left our veterans so vulnerable this year. I have to say I am very troubled by what I hear coming out of the administration so far. With all of our new veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan every day, this problem is only going to get more severe. Veterans funding has not kept up with medical costs. When adjusted for inflation, the VA is spending 25 percent less per patient than it did in fiscal 2000. That is having a huge impact on our patients and on VA health care personnel. In my home State of Washington, at the VA's American Lake facility, you can only get an appointment now if you are 50 percent or more service-connected disabled. In Puget Sound, as of January there was an $11 million deficit, forcing our VA hospital to leave positions vacant. The VA has dedicated, highly professional employees and they work very hard every day to help our veterans. We have to make sure the VA system helps them do that and not get in their way. Now as we look toward fiscal year 2006, I want to be clear that veterans need real funding, not budget games. Congress cannot accept gimmicks such as forcing higher fees and copayments on our veterans and calling that new revenue. Any plan that increases the burden on our veterans is a nonstarter in my book. What is needed now is for us to step up and meet our responsibility to our men and women in uniform and that requires an infusion of cash to stop the bleeding at the VA, and a real investment toward assisting our veterans. Now is the time we have to come together and provide the needed dollars so our veterans have the quality accessible care they need and they deserve. The security and integrity of our Nation depends on our willingness to keep our promise to our veterans. We have all heard of the military reports that recruiting is not meeting its goal, and each day we limit veterans' access to care, we are sending the wrong message to the troops of tomorrow. As I have done before, I want to quote President George Washington, who knew that helping veterans helps America's security when he said: The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country. I call on my colleagues to support this bill and work with me to keep the full $1.977 billion in emergency supplemental funding for the Veterans' Administration for fiscal year 2006. We have to do everything to assist the VA with this funding now so we do not face future shortfalls. I hope everyone will continue to support that funding in the coming year as well. I yield the floor.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I want to take time to comment on the resolution I am introducing today which designates the month of November 2005 as the ``Month of Global Health.'' Today we live in a global community where all nations both benefit from those countries that prosper, and suffer with those that do not. The Month of Global Health is a great opportunity to increase awareness of the pressing global health crisis that threatens our own public health and that of all nations around the world. I believe this resolution is important and draws attention to the needs of a growing population of children in the developing world that are living without proper health care and the essential nutrients they need to survive. The resolution also highlights the necessary steps that must be taken to increase child survival rates in developing countries. Child survival is one of the key elements to addressing global health. As a nation, there is much more we can do to assist developing nations in their effort to increase child survival rates. We must work on a global scale to avert the millions of unnecessary deaths among children caused each year from preventable diseases. This resolution reaffirms our commitment to the children of the world and sends a message that child survival is a fundamental component in our efforts to improve global health.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. I thank the Chair. Brian Harvey Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to honor Brian Harvey. He is a loving husband, father, grandfather, teacher, advocate, and a hero in the fight to protect Americans from deadly asbestos. Anyone who has followed the debate over asbestos in Congress will immediately remember Brian for his booming voice, for the way he could capture the attention of every person in a packed committee hearing room and for his commitment to saving lives and bringing victims the justice they deserve. This picture shows him doing what he did best: urging Congress to ban asbestos and to protect victims. Brian Harvey is my hero. Mr. President, it is my sad duty today to report to the Senate that Brian passed away on Friday, July 22. Today, I want to extend my condolences to his entire family, including his wife Sue, his daughter Valerie, his stepchildren Ethan, Anne, and Amy, and his three grandchildren. But mostly I want to share my thanks that Brian was given more time on this Earth than many asbestos victims and that he used that time to help others. I was very lucky to work with Brian over the past 3 years. We came together at an important time in both our lives and in the history of congressional action on asbestos. Back in 2002, Brian was defying the odds in fighting mesothelioma and looking for a way to share his experience and to help others. At the same time, I was 1 year into my effort in the Senate to ban asbestos. I was surprised and horrified to learn that asbestos was still being put in lots of commonly used consumer products on purpose. In my research, I learned about the deadly toll of asbestos diseases and about the lack of prevention, research, and treatment. I wrote a bill to address those critical needs. I was very proud to have Brian Harvey at my side and at the podium as I introduced that bill in June of 2002. Brian Harvey is my hero because he never hesitated to stand up and speak truth to power. Whenever we had a hearing or press conference, whenever Senators needed to understand the horror of asbestos disease, whenever my legislation needed a little boost or a powerful push, Brian Harvey was the first person on a plane from Washington State all the way here to Washington, DC. Like so many asbestos victims, Brian was exposed to asbestos through no fault of his own. Brian grew up in Shelton, WA, and like me he attended Washington State University. During his summers back in college, Brian worked at a paper products mill in Shelton, WA. That is where he was exposed to asbestos fibers, but the damage of that exposure would not be revealed until three decades later. In September of 1999, Brian experienced shortness of breath and fatigue. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and the odds were stacked against him. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma who do not receive treatment die within 8 months. Those who do receive treatment increase their life expectancy to an average of only 18 months. Overall, a person's chance of surviving 5 years is 1 in 20. Brian lived 6 years after being diagnosed. He was truly one in a million. Brian Harvey was lucky in many ways. He was diagnosed early. He got experimental treatment at the University of Washington. He had skilled doctors and medical professionals, and he had the support of his entire family and many friends. Many asbestos victims are not that lucky. Brian recognized that, and he used the time he was given to speak up for others whose lives and families have been torn apart by asbestos. Brian Harvey is my hero because he did not despair about his own personal challenges. Instead, he shared those challenges with all of us, helping us to understand the threat and to inspire change in our public policy. And he did it with an actor's presence and a deeply human personal touch. Brian used to say to me that the left side of his body was made of Gore-Tex. And it was. But that did not explain Brian's toughness or his determination. That came solely from his heart. Brian Harvey is my hero because he made a difference. He pushed Congress to treat victims fairly and to ban asbestos. While that work is still a work in progress, Brian's voice and passion echo as loudly today as they did that day 3 years ago when he stood beside me as we introduced the bill for the first time. Brian Harvey is my hero because in the face of so many challenges that could have drained his energy, he found the strength inside to fight the good fight. Every time I stood up for asbestos victims, Brian Harvey was at my side. He was there on June 28, 2002, when I first introduced my bill. He was by my side in June of 2003 when we stood together to call for fairness for asbestos victims. On March 5, 2003, Brian testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and with his passion and power he called for increased detection and fair compensation for asbestos victims. Three months later, on June 24, 2003, the Judiciary Committee included my ban in its reform bill. On March 25, 2004, at a press conference to call for passage of my bill, Brian Harvey was there as well. It is very hard for me to picture the next hearing or press conference without Brian standing by my side. But I will continue the fight. When Brian and I met 3 years ago, the odds were against both of us. The medical odds were against Brian. Every day for him was a triumph. And the legislative odds, the chance we could pass a bill, were against both of us. We have made progress, but we are not there yet. I know it will be harder without Brian's advocacy, but I also know he has done so much to bring that goal now within reach. I know eventually we will ban asbestos, we will ensure victims are treated fairly, we will find new treatments for asbestos disease, and we will protect future generations from this epidemic. When that day comes, all of us will have Brian Harvey to thank. Again, I extend my thoughts and my prayers to Brian's lovely family and his many friends. Last week, when Brian was in the hospital, I spoke to his wife Sue and his daughter Anne. Brian was not well enough for me to speak with him, but I talked to the nurse at his bedside. I asked her to tell Brian something that I have always wanted him to know: You are my hero. Brian Harvey was given extra time on this planet to help other people. That is exactly what he did. Brian Harvey will always be my hero. I yield the rest of my time to the Senator from Rhode Island.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask to speak on a nongermane topic for approximately 10 minutes.

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

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I thank my colleagues for their consideration. I will come to the floor later to discuss both of these amendments, but essentially they deal with the children of our Guard and Reserve. I think all of us understand the impacts to families across our country. Our members from home have been called up for Guard and Reserve duty. The first amendment I offered will help schools handle the sudden changes in student enrollment and help schools handle base closures, deployment, and force realignments. And the second amendment will make sure our military students get the counseling and support they need. Our Guard and Reserve families are spread across our States, not necessarily close to a base, and the schools are impacted across this country. When they are impacted, our children are impacted. Both of these amendments will help all of our students in our schools make sure they reach the goals we all desire. I will be here again later to talk about both of these amendments. I thank the managers for their consideration in allowing me to call them up at this time.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to lay the pending amendment aside.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to call up amendment No. 1349 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to add Senator Kennedy as a cosponsor of that amendment.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to lay the pending amendment aside.

Mrs. MURRAY. I ask for the yeas and nays on amendment No. 1348.

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

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I come to the floor this afternoon to call up two amendments, and in the event cloture is invoked on the underlying bill, I will ask for the yeas and nays on both amendments. First, I ask unanimous consent to call up amendment No. 1348 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on amendment No. 1349.

Ms. MURRAY

Ms. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I join Senator DeWine to introduce a bill that would make the dream of a college diploma more accessible to homeless youth and kids in foster care. We all know the obstacles students' in America need to overcome in order to succeed in post-secondary education. Couple these traditional obstacles with extreme poverty, residential instability, insufficient documentation and lack of awareness of supportive educational programs and it is no wonder homeless children and children in foster care are only half as likely to go on to college as their peers. Youth in foster care are less likely to be enrolled in college preparatory classes and are more than twice as likely as non-foster care youth to drop out of high school altogether. Because The Higher Education Act supports several programs that motivate and support disadvantaged students to help increase their postsecondary educational attainment, it already has many of the tools necessary to intervene in these student lives. My bill would help programs, such as TRIO and GEAR UP, target their resources to better serve homeless and foster care populations. Early intervention is key in retaining these students and preparing them for post-secondary education. More than 70 percent of teens in foster care desire to go to college, only 27 percent of those who graduate from high school realize that dream. Although children and youth who experience the instability of homelessness or foster care represent the full range of academic talents and abilities, their situations create serious barriers to school enrollment, attendance, and success. Homeless and foster care youth do not have the traditional family network to encourage or assist them in planning for a college education. These youth need help to select a college, apply for admission and obtaining financial aid. In addition, their student aid must be used for so much more than just tuition and books. They face the daunting challenges of housing, transportation and other basic needs. By assisting these youth to become independent students we will increase their access to student aid for financial aid purposes; improve their changes for a smooth transition into, and completion of, higher learning. Our nation's economic well-being depends on our ability to provide greater access to higher education for students, regardless of their family background. By passing this bill we guarantee more students than ever will be given the tools they need to attend college and succeed. Through college we provide these vulnerable students with the best hope for escaping the cycle of poverty and homelessness. I look forward to working with HELP Committee Chairman Enzi to incorporate these provisions into the Higher Education Act reauthorization bill. And again, I thank Senator DeWine for his commitment to these often overlooked children. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Ms. MURRAY

Ms. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I join Senator DeWine to introduce a bill that would make the dream of a college diploma more accessible to homeless youth and kids in foster care. We all know the obstacles students' in America need to overcome in order to succeed in post-secondary education. Couple these traditional obstacles with extreme poverty, residential instability, insufficient documentation and lack of awareness of supportive educational programs and it is no wonder homeless children and children in foster care are only half as likely to go on to college as their peers. Youth in foster care are less likely to be enrolled in college preparatory classes and are more than twice as likely as non-foster care youth to drop out of high school altogether. Because The Higher Education Act supports several programs that motivate and support disadvantaged students to help increase their postsecondary educational attainment, it already has many of the tools necessary to intervene in these student lives. My bill would help programs, such as TRIO and GEAR UP, target their resources to better serve homeless and foster care populations. Early intervention is key in retaining these students and preparing them for post-secondary education. More than 70 percent of teens in foster care desire to go to college, only 27 percent of those who graduate from high school realize that dream. Although children and youth who experience the instability of homelessness or foster care represent the full range of academic talents and abilities, their situations create serious barriers to school enrollment, attendance, and success. Homeless and foster care youth do not have the traditional family network to encourage or assist them in planning for a college education. These youth need help to select a college, apply for admission and obtaining financial aid. In addition, their student aid must be used for so much more than just tuition and books. They face the daunting challenges of housing, transportation and other basic needs. By assisting these youth to become independent students we will increase their access to student aid for financial aid purposes; improve their changes for a smooth transition into, and completion of, higher learning. Our nation's economic well-being depends on our ability to provide greater access to higher education for students, regardless of their family background. By passing this bill we guarantee more students than ever will be given the tools they need to attend college and succeed. Through college we provide these vulnerable students with the best hope for escaping the cycle of poverty and homelessness. I look forward to working with HELP Committee Chairman Enzi to incorporate these provisions into the Higher Education Act reauthorization bill. And again, I thank Senator DeWine for his commitment to these often overlooked children. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mrs. MURRAY

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to add Senators Corzine, Dayton, Conrad, Bingaman, and Salazar to my amendment.