Ben Nelson

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. To briefly summarize, I said that the taxpayer should come first, and all the proceeds of this program be used to retire the public debt. I said there could be no free rides for these institutions--that CEO compensation must be addressed to eliminate taxpayer-subsidized golden parachutes, and that participation in the program should require an equity or debt stake so the taxpayer can share in future profits of the firms that benefit. I said there should be shared responsibility with the rest of the world, and shared benefit between the holders of securities and the borrowers struggling to stay out of foreclosure. I demanded full congressional and legal oversight of the program. These changes were included in the proposal before the Senate today. I am still not eager to support this legislation, but these essential provisions were necessary steps to protect the American taxpayer's interests. In addition, I called for, and this bill adopts, an incremental approach to the authority to purchase troubled assets. This approach is necessary so that Congress, as we conduct oversight and monitor every action the Treasury department takes with the authority granted them under this legislation, can further protect the taxpayer by cutting off the funds for this program, either if it is not working as we intended, or if the problem can be solved with fewer funds than the total authorized. When Congress passes this bill, responsibility will fall first to the Treasury Department to make it work. Wise and careful judgment must be exercised by the Treasury Department to try to earn back every taxpayer dollar extended in the effort to shore up our financial system. The burden is on them. Furthermore, when the Congress passes this bill, our work will not be finished. No, our work is just beginning because not only do we need to conduct vigorous oversight of the unprecedented authority we are granting the Treasury, we need to take a comprehensive approach to rewriting the regulations of our financial sector to insure that we never face this choice again. If we can move ahead to protect our economy, the next President must change the way Government keeps an eye on Wall Street--for consumer protection. For years, this administration gambled that ``look the other way'' regulation would lead to prosperity, and we see where that got us--mired in a global economic crisis. Having been both a regulator and someone who worked in the industry I used to regulate, I know first-hand the importance of regulation. And I know first-hand that the free market can function prosperously in an appropriately regulated environment. The next President must end the ``culture of complacency'' allowed to grow in recent years. Obviously, better regulation needs to be imposed. That may take additional legislation, but it is certainly going to mean that the regulations that are already in place are enforced, and that the Federal regulators must get off the sidelines and do a better job. The bottom line is that this financial crisis was avoidable. I hope the next President, whoever he is, will take corrective action to reform these Federal agencies so we can avoid future crises. In conclusion, I will reluctantly cast my vote for this legislation. I do not do this for Wall Street, but rather for Main Street because of the fundamental truth that the fate of our financial system and the fate of our hometown economic prosperity are inexorably linked. I will support the administration's proposal, with the improvements made by Congress. Only time will tell whether this can avert the crisis we all fear, but the risk of inaction is too great. The people of Nebraska sent me here to make difficult choices, and this is among the most difficult I have made or will make. I want them to know that I share their frustration and anger, but when the day is done, I have to do what I feel is necessary to protect and promote the prosperity of the American economy, from McCook to Madison Avenue, and back again. Exhibit 1 September 22, 2008. Hon. Christopher J. Dodd, Chairman, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Hon. Richard C. Shelby, Ranking Member, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Dear Chairman Dodd and Ranking Member Shelby: As the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs responds to the legislative proposal by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for a bailout plan, I write to voice my serious concerns, as well as those of my constituents. The American taxpayers did nothing to create this crisis, yet they will be asked to bear the heavy expense of government intervention. While my Nebraska constituents understand that the cost of inaction may well be greater than the cost of this $700 billion proposal, they rightfully demand strong protection of the taxpayers' investment, together with accountability, shared responsibility and benefit, and strong oversight. The initial proposal delivered by Treasury raises some serious questions, as it amounts to a ``blank check'' for the largest ever government intervention in the private markets. If my constituents are to be expected to finance this program, significant changes should be made to this legislation and to regulation and oversight of Wall Street, so that this chapter of history never repeats itself. On behalf of Nebraska taxpayers, I urge you to consider the following as you draft this historic legislation. First, it is the responsibility of Congress to ensure that the federal government's actions reflect the taxpayers' best interests. If taxpayers are to be expected to finance this bailout effort, changes should be considered to protect that investment and to ensure that all profits of this program are returned to the taxpayer. Net proceeds of this program should accrue foremost to retirement of the public debt. Second, this cannot be a free ride for reckless financial institutions; the assistance offered to troubled firms should operate as much like a loan as possible while still achieving the necessary effect of calming the crisis. The program should require participating firms to issue ownership shares or collateral to the U.S. Treasury in exchange for assistance. Our responsibility to the taxpayer demands as much. Future generations should not bear the cost of Wall Street's failures, and the cost of this program should be shared with those who participate in it. There should be no golden parachutes for the executives who presided over these distressed firms, and any plan should include limits on executive compensation. Furthermore, the benefit of this program should not accrue solely to the holders of distressed assets. The legislation should reflect that the root cause of this crisis is rising foreclosures and dropping home values; and to the extent that assets owned or held by the government can be increased in value by assistance to homeowners, that approach should be accommodated by this legislation. In other words, we should not rescue Wall Street from itself without a strong commitment to America's Main Streets, in my home state of Nebraska and throughout our great nation. Third, there should be shared responsibility with other countries, particularly regarding foreign financial interest. The U.S. government's actions are intended to control a deepening global financial crisis, yet the cost will all be borne at home by American taxpayers. Other nations should share in this effort if their financial institutions hope to benefit from this program. Finally, Congressional and legal oversight of this asset purchase program must be strengthened. Reports to Congress should come more frequently than twice yearly, and the reporting requirement should stand for as long as any mortgage-related assets remain in the Treasury Department's possession. The Government Accountability Office should have full and unfettered access to all aspects of the program, because taxpayers demand transparency and accountability if they are to be expected to finance this program. Congress faces unattractive options for addressing this unprecedented problem. If we are to ask American taxpayers to bear this heavy burden, we must craft a responsible solution to this crisis, one worthy of the taxpayer's investment. I ask you to address the principles I outlined above to ensure that Main Street is not forgotten in any bailout of Wall Street. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to working with you and our colleagues in the Senate to address this crisis. Sincerely, E. Benjamin Nelson, U.S. Senator.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all time for morning business be yielded back.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the previous order with respect to the prohibition on a motion to proceed remain in effect during today's session.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I ask also unanimous consent that MAJ Marc Packler, my military fellow, be given the privilege of the floor during the Senate debate on the Defense authorization bill.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, as cochair of the Senate Air Force Caucus, I wish to speak about former Air Force Secretary, Michael Wynne. The Air Force has three core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. I believe Secretary Wynne has striven to live up to these values throughout his illustrious career. Upon graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1966, Wynne served in the Air Force for 7 years, concluding his uniformed career as a captain and assistant professor of astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He then joined the ranks of General Dynamics, working on revolutionary programs such as the F-16 and M1A2 Main Battle Tank. After 23 years of service with General Dynamics, rising to the rank of senior vice president, Wynne joined the U.S. Department of Defense and served as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary, then Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. In 2005, he was confirmed as the 21st Secretary of the Air Force--assuming responsibility for organizing, training, equipping, and providing for the welfare of its nearly 370,000 men and women on active duty; 180,000 members of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve; 160,000 civilians; and their families. On his first day in office, Secretary Wynne issued a new mission statement for the Air Force, declaring that the ``mission of the United States Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests--to fly and fight in Air, Space and Cyberspace.'' He then declared three priorities for the Air Force: winning today's fight; taking care of the Air Force family; and preparing for tomorrow's challenges. In terms of today's fight, Wynne oversaw the deployment of more than 25,000 airmen to the Middle East. He worked to ensure that over 3,000 Rover kits were deployed to the theater so that ground forces could receive full motion video directly from unmanned aerial systems flying orbits around the clock. He also realized the critical importance of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Wynne doubled the number of Predator orbits in Iraq and Afghanistan in less than a year, while simultaneously exceeding the Department of Defense requirements for Predator orbits, by 2 years and four orbits. Secretary Wynne can also take great pride in the support he provided for those who sacrifice so much on the front lines. He was instrumental in facilitating the aero-medical evacuation program, which led to a vastly improved survival rate for wounded troops who were able to reach aid stations over previous wars. Additionally, Wynne also supported an initiative to create a seamless transfer of medical records from theater to stateside and then to the Veterans Administration. Lastly, he understood the need to look after the entire Air Force family-- active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian--through instilling a culture of empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement. In terms of America's future, Secretary Wynne worked hard to fulfill his tremendous responsibility to ensure that the U.S. Air Force would be well postured to address future potential threats. I would like to thank Secretary Michael Wynne for his service to our country and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, as cochair of the Senate Air Force Caucus, I have been afforded a unique opportunity to get to know GEN T. Michael Moseley, former Air Force Chief of Staff. I believe he is best defined by three distinct traits: a commitment to excellence, compassion for those with whom he serves, and a deep appreciation for history. Whether reviewing his time in the cockpit, eventually commanding the prestigious F-15 division of the Air Force's Fighter Weapons School; his service as a professor at the illustrious National War College; his command of distinguished units, such as the 33rd Operations Group and 57th Wing; his pivotal role in executing the air wars over Afghanistan and Iraq as head of the 9th Air Force; or his service as Air Force Chief of Staff, it is obvious that General Moseley has applied himself with incredible dedication and commitment. He truly understands the capabilities afforded through air, space, and cyberspace and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Air Force excels in these critical domains. In addition, General Moseley is deeply aware that it takes a team to launch a jet in the air and that every pilot needs a wingman; and he has, therefore, consistently sought to support the Air Force family. Most recently, these efforts have manifested themselves through ensuring predictable deployment schedules for Air Force personnel and their families, strengthening family wellness programs, upgrading family housing, increasing educational opportunities, and reaching out directly to Airmen through a variety of mediums to help promote an exchange of ideas. It is also important to recognize that throughout his nearly four decades of service, General Moseley has displayed a deep appreciation for history and lessons learned from past events. This historical insight and perspective is critical as the U.S. Air Force looks to succeed in today's missions while simultaneously cultivating a force which will excel in the future. General Moseley worked to ensure that this informed approach will continue to flourish in the Service through the creation of the Analysis, Assessment, and Lessons-Learned Directorate on the Air Staff. These achievements represent just a fraction of General Moseley's accomplishments; but one thing is clear--he has shown a tremendous commitment to his country. I would like to thank GEN T. Michael ``Buzz'' Moseley for his dedication to duty over these past 36 years, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to express my heartfelt sympathies for the families of four young Boy Scouts who lost their lives, and 48 other who were injured, in a terrible storm and tornado which struck last night just across the border from Nebraska in my neighboring state of Iowa. Josh Fennen, 13; Sam Thomsen, 13; and Ben Petrzilka, 14--all of Omaha, Nebraska--and Aaron Eilerts, 14, of Eagle Grove, IA, were on what should have been a fun-filled camping trip with their Boy Scouts of America troop in a beautiful and rugged area not far from Omaha when this terrible weather hit their campsite. At this somber time, I would like to recognize the heroism of the Scouts who came to the aid of those injured yesterday. You have the admiration of our entire State; your heroism and courage are in the finest tradition of Scouting. As an Eagle Scout, my thoughts go out to the entire Boy Scouts of America organization--nowhere is the sense of brotherhood so deep as with this wonderful group. While it is a dark hour for the Scouts, the character, strength, and sense of duty of these brave young men will help carry them through this tragedy. Midwesterners are accustomed to violent weather, but we will never be accustomed to the tragic loss of life it sometimes brings. My thoughts and prayers are with these young victims and their families.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today, during National Foster Care Month, to speak for the more than a half million children living in foster care across the United States who are waiting for a loving family to adopt them. I encourage potential parents throughout our country to open their hearts, their lives and their homes to these vulnerable children and provide them with the safe, permanent families that all children deserve. As an adoptive parent myself, I know first-hand the joy and fulfillment adoption can bring to a family, and I cannot think of a more perfect gift to give a child than the love, nurturing, and protection they need to grow. A sense of stability is critical to the development of children. Yet, young children in foster care never know how long they will stay in one place or where they will be sent off to next, resulting in a frightening lack of consistency and security. I recently had the chance to meet with Aaron Weaver, a young man from Nebraska, who shared with me some of his experiences in the foster care system: ``Growing up in foster care, a tattered yellow vinyl suitcase always accompanied me, as I switched families, rules and routines,'' he said. I hated that suitcase. It was a constant reminder of how unstable my life was, and how every day was uncertain. Fortunately, after 6 years in Nebraska's foster care system, Aaron was finally adopted. Adoption for him meant a family who gave him unconditional love. Adoption meant the end of packing his suitcase, wondering where he would be placed next. Adoption gave him, for the first time, the freedom and confidence to think about his future not in terms of where he would be sleeping next month, but in terms of what his goals were and where he wanted to go in life. In 2005, just 10 percent of Nebraska's foster care children were lucky enough to be adopted into new families like Aaron's, leaving nearly a thousand more waiting eagerly for adoptive homes. Unfortunately, any chance of these children being placed with adoptive parents becomes worse the longer they remain in foster care. In fact, when a child reaches the 8- to 9-year age range, the probability that child will continue to wait in foster care exceeds the probability that he or she will be adopted; and the number of children in this older age group is growing. The Adoption Incentive Program, a Federal program first enacted into law as part of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, is up for reauthorization this year. This important program encourages State governments to find permanent homes for foster children through adoption by rewarding those States which have increased their number of placements. Additionally, the program provides special incentives to focus on finding homes for older foster children and those with special needs. I am proud to report that, through this program, my home State of Nebraska was awarded $1,392,000 between 2000 and 2006 for finding adoptive families for 2,483 children, money which will be reinvested to make this number even greater. I believe we have a responsibility to help foster children in Nebraska and across the Nation join loving, permanent adoptive families such as Aaron's. I hope all of you agree and will join me in my commitment to improving America's foster care system.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I honor veterans from my home State who are taking part in the first Nebraska Heartland Honor Flight to visit the National World War II Memorial. The National World War II Memorial is a fitting tribute to those remarkable Americans who served in the deadliest conflict in human history. From the beaches of Normandy to the shores of Iwo Jima, these veterans served with courage, honor, and selflessness. In addition to their service, these same veterans returned home to reinvigorate the United States, producing what is still the largest and most vibrant economy in the world. Soon after President Clinton authorized the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a World War II memorial, a comprehensive national fundraising campaign began under the leadership of former Senator Bob Dole, the national chairman and a World War II veteran from Kansas. During this time, as Governor of the State of Nebraska, I realized it was imperative to secure funding as soon as possible so that a memorial could be built in time for our veterans to view it. Therefore, on June 1, 1998, I presented a check to Senator Bob Dole in the amount of $52,900 for every Nebraskan who served in World War II. Subsequently, every State that donated money followed our guideline. There are now close to 14,000 World War II veterans living in the State of Nebraska. Unfortunately, nearly 2,100 of these brave servicemembers pass away each year. Many of these veterans have not been able to visit the memorial, which was dedicated by President George W. Bush on May 29, 2004, as they confront increasing difficulties with traveling due to their age. However, the Honor Flight Program has proven to be a reliable and capable partner in helping alleviate any obstacles veterans may face in traveling to Washington, DC. The Honor Flight Program, started in 2005 by retired Air Force captain and physician's assistant Earl Morse, now has 69 ``hubs'' in 30 States and has established a goal of transporting 12,000 World War II veterans to view the memorial in 2008. Today, I am proud to say that the Heartland Honor Flight, Nebraska's own program, will conduct its inaugural flight, transporting more than 100 Nebraska World War II veterans to our Nation's Capital to visit the National World War II Memorial. I am greatly appreciative to the businesses and individuals who have contributed to this cause and am especially grateful to Dan and Cara Whitney, who provided nearly all the funding required for the cost of this initial flight. This will be an emotional and reflective occasion for these veterans who look upon their service with deserved pride and remember those who died making the ultimate sacrifice for our country in the name of freedom. This memorial was long overdue for those who served our Nation in World War II, and I am confident it will become an enduring symbol in remembering the determination and sacrifice of our country's ``greatest generation.''

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a young Nebraskan who recently became a member of the New York Jets, after completing a remarkable 4-year run into the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, record books as the all-time leading rusher at any level of college football. Danny Woodhead, a senior tailback for Chadron State College in Nebraska, completed his college football career with 7,962 yards rushing to top the previous all-division record by more than 600 yards. It is not the only NCAA record set by this native son from North Platte, NE. During the 2006 season, Danny set the single-season record for rushing for all NCAA divisions as he rushed for 2,756 yards on 344 carries. He became the first player in NCAA history to ever rush for more than 2,700 yards in a season. Danny Woodhead also ranks second in the Nation in career all-purpose yardage, with 9,479 yards. His 109 career touchdowns tie the NCAA record, and his 654 career points rank him second. For his outstanding football achievements, Danny Woodhead was awarded the Harlon Hill Trophy for the second year in a row. Similar to the Heisman, the Harlon Hill Trophy is given annually to the college football player of the year in NCAA Division II. The State of Nebraska has a storied college football tradition; but no one has ever witnessed a running back compile the prodigious statistics that Danny Woodhead, a math education major, did during his career with the Eagles. Although he played for a small college in a rural state, his abilities caught the attention of the sporting world. The people of Nebraska are proud of Danny Woodhead and his remarkable achievements, and we look forward to watching him pursue his dreams in football and beyond.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the Omaha Star, the largest and oldest African-American newspaper in my home State of Nebraska. The Star is celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year. The Omaha Star is currently distributed in 48 States, as the paper has become legendary for its civil rights work. Since its beginning, the Star has been a champion in the struggle for equal rights. The Omaha Star was founded in 1938 by the late Mildred Brown, a remarkable person in her own right, who was also the aunt of the current publisher and editor, Dr. Marguerita L. Washington. Mrs. Brown's foresight and pioneering spirit in establishing the Star required not only a dedicated amount of time and effort, but also courage and vigilance. Her efforts paid off, as the paper continues to educate and advocate; and Mrs. Brown was posthumously inducted into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame this past year. In addition, the building housing the Omaha Star was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in January. Mrs. Brown allowed the Star to provide a home for the De Porres Club, an active civil rights organization within the North Omaha community. The Star also kept its readership apprised of the civil rights movement's successes and failures across the country by researching the issues and urging involvement. The Omaha Star's mission states that it is ``dedicated to the service of the people that no good cause shall lack a champion and that evil shall not go unopposed.'' My fellow Nebraskans and I take great pride in knowing that the Star has faithfully abided by this mission throughout its 70 years of existence, and we will continue to follow the Omaha Star on its spirited journey to provide a voice for civil rights and equality for all.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, I rise today to honor Nebraska Army National Guard Sergeant Heather Springer, in recognition of receiving the Army Veterans' Association Medic of the Year award and the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. Sergeant Springer is a native of Lincoln, NE, and currently attends the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing. She joined the Nebraska Army National Guard on April, 8, 2004, and served with the 313th Ground Ambulance and 110th Medical Battalion. On March 1, 2006, Sergeant Springer transferred to Charlie Company 2-135 General Support Aviation Battalion, 36th Combat Brigade, to become a flight medic. Soon after, she was deployed to Iraq in Diyala Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On July 15, 2007, Sergeant Springer was transported to a landing zone where several U.S. soldiers had been struck by a roadside bomb. While conducting treatment for a critically injured soldier, her team suddenly came under enemy fire. She immediately secured the wounded soldier she was attending to and then moved 10 meters to a second wounded soldier, willingly exposing herself to open fire. During this hostile situation, Sergeant Springer remained composed and demonstrated assertive judgment by concluding that the wounds sustained by the first soldier were more critical. She determinedly led part of her team through 60 meters of open road, completely susceptible to enemy fire, to secure the soldier inside a Black Hawk helicopter. Once inside the helicopter, Sergeant Springer noticed that the second wounded soldier she had attended to was being moved towards the helicopter, and instantly moved to help safely transport the soldier aboard the aircraft. Sergeant Springer displayed remarkable courage and selflessness while placing her own life at risk. These two wounded warriors are alive today as a direct result of her steadfastness and superb medical skills. The DUSTOFF--Dedicated Unhesitating Service to Our Fighting Forces--Association recently awarded her the DUSTOFF Medic of the Year award. The DUSTOFF Association is a nonprofit organization for the Army Medical Department's enlisted and officer personnel, aviation crew members, and others who have actively supported Army aeromedical evacuation programs in war or in peacetime. Sergeant Heather Springer's admirable performance in Iraq led her to become the second woman in Nebraska National Guard history to receive the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. I wish Sergeant Springer all the best as she pursues her education in nursing school, and join all Nebraskans in honoring the heroism of this exceptional soldier.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the courage and selflessness of the men and women serving so bravely in America's military and, in particular, to acknowledge those from my home State of Nebraska. Last week, the testimony of GEN David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker before the Senate on the situation in Iraq reminded everyone of the personal sacrifices of the men and women and their families who are serving their country in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The United States is engaged in a protracted war for the first time since the end of the military draft 35 years ago. The strains of this prolonged engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan are underscored by the burdens placed on our service members and their families. The voluntary nature of our military accentuates these burdens, being borne by a relative few. This present situation is unique compared to America's past military engagements. World Wars I and II and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam relied on conscription; consequently, the effects of these wars were felt by a broad number of ordinary Americans. Today, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have placed our soldiers and military families in an extraordinary situation. I have visited Iraq four times and Afghanistan twice since the commencement of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and have met with countless soldiers and their families. Each of these visits and meetings has further elevated my personal gratitude and appreciation of these men and women, and consequently, these soldiers and their families are constantly at the forefront of my thoughts. Last week, a news story described the battle of Sadr City, a district in Baghdad, Iraq, and featured a young man whom I had watched grow up in Nebraska. This news story evoked those same feelings of deep gratitude and immense pride. The soldier featured in the story was Army CPT Logan Veath, of Chadron, NE. I had last seen Captain Veath 5 months ago at a reunion of the Big Red Battalion, the University of Nebraska's Reserve Officers' Training Corps, ROTC, unit, of which he was a member while attending our shared alma mater. I had first met Captain Veath when he was 16 years old, and we reminisced at that reunion of our past experiences together. Captain Veath was dressed in cowboy attire--because that is exactly what he is in Nebraska. In fact, I almost didn't recognize him in the news story from Iraq, as he had a Kevlar helmet on his head instead of his usual cowboy hat. Captain Veath's entire family was also at the reunion, and they provided a brief glimpse into how a family copes with a loved one who is called upon to serve tours of duty lasting from 12 to 15 months. Captain Veath is unique in that this is his sixth tour of duty serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Less than 1 percent of Army service members have been deployed six times; this speaks to Captain Veath's remarkable dedication and selflessness. That day was a vivid reminder of our American soldiers, who must leave their loved ones in order to serve in battles nearly 7,000 miles away from their homes. Today, I offer my most sincere appreciation and gratitude to soldiers such as Army CPT Logan Veath. We must never forget these brave men and women, who have valiantly and selflessly served their country, together with their families, who provide them with immeasurable support. Their honor in service must remain a source of inspiration for us all.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, I rise today to speak on an item included in the bill before us. Before I address this particular issue, I first want to voice my strong support for some of the individual components that have been assembled in the consolidated package currently before the body. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail extension and the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and Pathfinder Modification Project authorization are measures I have been working on for some time, and I want to thank Chairman Bingaman for his efforts in bringing these measures to the point where they will shortly pass the Senate. But there is another matter in this bill that is of some importance to Nebraska and to my constituents. Included in the bill is a section expressing the sense of Congress that a museum located in Paducah, KY should be designated as ``the National Quilt Museum of the United States.'' Now, this measure is nonbinding and carries no legal authority. As far as we can tell, it confers no authority for funding or anything of that nature. However, I would be remiss if I failed to mention that I had been working to resolve some concerns that I and some of my constituents have with this section. You see, just the week before last, the International Quilt Study Center & Museum opened its doors in Lincoln, NE. This is a remarkable, 37,000 square foot facility that houses the world's largest privately held collection of quilts. Thus, back in February, I objected to a unanimous consent request to pass H. Con. Res. 209, a concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the designation of the museum. That resolution had previously passed the House of Representatives unanimously. I have been working with the distinguished minority leader, Mr. McConnell, and Congressman Whitfield of Kentucky, whose district includes Paducah, to craft a solution that would appropriately praise both museums for their individual and unique contributions to the world of quilts and quilt- making. I would like to thank them for their willingness to work with me. Unfortunately, the entirety of H. Con. Res. 209 was included in section 335 of this bill before these discussions were able to run their course. I have filed an amendment to strike this section from the bill, so that we might continue to work out a resolution that properly honors the Paducah museum while not making any exclusive designations that exclude the International Quilt Study Center, but I understand the situation is such that my amendment is prevented from consideration before the full Senate. Looking forward, I plan to honor this remarkable organization at the University of Nebraska in an appropriate manner. For purposes of balancing the record here today, I want to mention a few things about the remarkable facility in Nebraska. The International Quilt Study Center & Museum has 37,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, collections storage, collections care, a reception hall, a library, reading room and classroom space. It is housed in a beautiful, newly constructed building designed by world- renowned architecture firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects and built with $12 million in private donations. The mission of the International Quilt Study Center & Museum is to collect, preserve, study, exhibit, and promote discovery of quilts and quilt-making traditions from many cultures, countries, and time periods. The International Quilt Study Center & Museum is a dynamic center of formal and informal learning and discovery for students, teachers, scholars, artists, quilters, and others from across the Nation and around the world. The International Quilt Study Center & Museum has the largest privately held quilt collection in the world--more than 2,300 quilts from 49 States and 23 foreign countries. The International Quilt Study Center & Museum is centrally located in the heart of the United States and is open to the public year-round. I wish I could share information on the number of visitors who enjoy the museum each year, but the new facility is so new that such data is unavailable. However, we do know that individuals from all 50 States and from more than 15 foreign countries have visited the International Quilt Study Center & Museum in its previous homes. The International Quilt Study Center & Museum has an international advisory board and annual supporters from all 50 States and many foreign countries, and hundreds of supporters, volunteers, and quilt guilds have supported the International Quilt Study Center annually since its formation in 1997. The International Quilt Study Center's collections represent the entire gamut of quilt making in the United States, plus its antecedents in Europe. In addition, the International Quilt Study Center holds examples of cultural traditions from more than 23 countries. In closing, the International Quilt Study Center & Museum in Nebraska is recognized nationally and internationally for its place of prominence in its field. It has the largest publicly held collection of quilts in the world; it is the largest quilt museum in the world; it is the only academic center devoted to quilt studies; it offers the only graduate program in textile history with a quilt studies emphasis. At the appropriate time, I hope the Congress will see fit to bestow upon it an honor befitting its contributions to our Nation's art, our heritage, and our history.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, the modification is not in the body of the amendment but in the stated purpose. To make the statement of purpose acceptable to the other side, we have stricken the word ``emergency.'' That meets with the approval of the other side, so it is now as changed. As we all know, the budget resolution before us includes room in the budget in 2008 and 2009 for an additional stimulus package. The distinguished chairman included this ``insurance policy'' against further economic downturn, and I commend him for it. I also thank him and Senator Baucus and all the distinguished bipartisan cosponsors for working with me to adopt this amendment. The amendment simply allocates more of the stimulus money for ``ready to go'' infrastructure projects. The amendment moves $3.5 billion from the allowances functions to the transportation function and designates it as fiscal year 2008 discretionary funding. This existing money is already assumed in the resolution. I reiterate this point: The $3.5 billion is already assumed in the resolution. The idea behind this amendment is simple. If we are going to spend, we should invest. This amendment injects money into the economy and creates jobs, over 40,000 jobs per billion dollars of infrastructure expenditures, but it also makes a lasting investment in infrastructure that will remain long after the economy recovers. I urge adoption of the amendment.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. That is correct.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. This is part of the allocating, part of the stimulus package as it is right now for emergency spending. What it would do is it would allocate part of the $35 billion already set aside in the budget to be added to the $3.5 billion to make a total of $7 billion. It doesn't add any more to the deficit or outside of the deficit than is currently indicated in the current budget resolution. In other words, of the $35 billion right now, only $3.5 billion is allocated to infrastructure. With this amendment, $7 billion would be allocated to infrastructure.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. The $3.5 billion.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Not on top. We are reallocating, of that $35 billion, an additional $3.5 billion within the $35 billion to infrastructure, making a total of $7 billion within the $35 billion.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. It wouldn't be taking money from, it would be allocating money that has not yet been allocated. So there would be other projects that would not be funded because of this, but it wouldn't be taking any money away from anything already allocated because the balance of it is unallocated.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. It moved from function 820 over to 400.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Let me thank as well the current cosponsors of the amendment: Senator Baucus, Senator Voinovich, Senator Klobuchar, Senator Durbin, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, and Senator Schumer. I am pleased to work with my colleagues to increase our investment in infrastructure to help create jobs. I also wish to thank the National Conference of State Legislatures for supporting my amendment. I believe that as more information is developed about this amendment, others will seek to join as well. This amendment is very straightforward. It says that if we are going to do additional economic stimulus, then we should invest, not simply spend, taxpayer dollars. My amendment doubles the amount in the stimulus in the budget for ``ready-to-go'' infrastructure projects from $3.5 billion to $7 billion. It is fully paid for and does not increase the deficit compared to the underlying resolution. The budget resolution before us sets aside $35 billion over 2008 and 2009 for a second economic stimulus package, if necessary, as we continue to keep a close eye on the economy. Included in this stimulus at the present time is $3.5 billion for these ``ready-to-go'' infrastructure projects--projects that can be up and running in a matter of weeks. My amendment would increase this amount to $7 billion and is paid for by reallocating a portion of the $30 billion of stimulus resources to transportation infrastructure. If Congress decides that additional stimulus is necessary, we need to ensure that we make a real investment in the economy. Including infrastructure investment will create jobs and make a lasting investment in infrastructure that is so desperately needed. These are projects that will go wanting without the necessary financial support to have them concluded, but they won't go away. Infrastructure needs will continue, and the only way to reduce the need is by investing in them. This amendment in effect kills two birds with one stone: We get the immediate boost to the economy by investment in job creation, and when the economy recovers, the roads we pave and the infrastructure improvements we make will last for years. They are truly, in that sense, an investment. When the initial stimulus package was under consideration, the States identified nearly $18 billion in projects that would be classified as ready to go within 3 months. These are projects that are waiting for only one thing, and that is funding. This amendment does, in fact, create jobs. According to a U.S. Department of Transportation study, over 40,000 jobs are created for each $1 billion we spend on roads and infrastructure. This amendment will create jobs in Nebraska and in all 50 States and will provide an important boost to the economy at the same time. I also want to be clear what this money is intended for: projects that are ready to go, as I have said, projects that can begin nearly immediately and certainly as soon as funding is available. There are already ready-to-go projects in Nebraska and in all 50 States, as we have been able to determine. States are crying out for help in this area. The National Conference of State Legislatures supports this amendment. Our Nation's infrastructure needs are immense and are continuing to the point of being staggering. We have an opportunity to stimulate the economy, make lasting improvements to our infrastructure, and assist in more job creation. We can invest more in this area, and we should invest more in this area. So I urge the adoption of this amendment by my colleagues. I ask that their support continue as others will join in over the next day or so. I yield the floor.