Ben Nelson

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Four or 5 minutes.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, I am here to speak about amendment No. 4212. It is already at the desk, and as Senator Conrad said, he will call it up at the appropriate point. But I rise today to speak about this amendment to the budget resolution that will create jobs and make a lasting investment in our national infrastructure. I ask unanimous consent to add Senator Conrad and Senator Stabenow to the amendment as cosponsors.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I wish to honor John Roberts of Omaha, NE. John was an independent and dedicated individual who found comfort in life through helping others. He was a 2001 graduate of Omaha Westside High School and a 2005 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studying art history. His inquisitive nature toward different cultures and languages, along with his desire to help others, led him to volunteer for the Peace Corps. John was sworn in on December 8, 2005, and served as a construction and skilled trades education volunteer on the island of Erromango in the Republic of Vanuatu. John's impact in Vanuatu was tangible to the people who lived in his village. He was credited for strengthening South River's transportation, income generation, and communications capabilities. When his parents visited him in Vanuatu, they were proud to see the sense of community John brought to his village. His father, Doug, said the people loved him as though he were one of their own; one Erromango community representative regarded him ``as our son.'' His sincerity and enthusiasm to help those in need is epitomized by his Peace Corps aspiration statement: Why I have volunteered is a question that I do not fully know the answer to. Coming from a stable farming family I was always taught to help my neighbors but I also feel an internal pull to help lend a hand. Somewhere back in my short life, I made a choice to serve and have been doing so every since. Instead of a single moment defining my reasons to serve, a whole lifetime of learning is driving me to volunteer for the Peace Corps. On October 11, 2007, John passed away while working at his site, a branch that was being cut by a student inadvertently struck John and another member of the community. He is survived by his parents Doug and Rose of Omaha. Today, I join all Americans in mourning the loss of this remarkable young man. John Roberts' altruism, compassion, and exemplary service will remain an inspiration for those who wish to follow in his footsteps.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I was unable to cast my cote on Thursday, February 7, 2008. As a result, I would ask that the Record reflect the following: On vote No. 9, if present and voting, I would have voted ``yea.'' On vote No. 10, if present and voting, I would have voted ``yea.'' On vote No. 11, if present and voting, I would have voted ``no.'' On vote No. 12, if present and voting, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor PFC Christopher F. Pfeifer of Spalding, Nebraska. Private First Class Pfeifer grew up in Spalding and, during high school, played football, as well as the drums in the school band. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, and especially music and playing his drums. His music teacher said he was one of the better drum players she had ever seen. After joining the Job Corps, he earned his high school diploma, and met his future wife, Karen. They married on March 22, 2006, and 1 month later, he joined the U.S. Army, partly influenced by his brother's service as a Green Beret. His father said he loved the Army and, after completing his military commitment, wanted to use the G.I. bill to go to college. Private First Class Pfeifer was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, in Schweinfurt, Germany. On August 17, 2007, his unit came under enemy fire near Kamu, Afghanistan. Private First Class Pfeifer sustained wounds while bravely trying to pull fellow soldiers to safety. He passed away on September 25, 2007, at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. Private First Class Pfeifer was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. Private First Class Pfeifer is survived by his wife Karen and their newborn daughter Peyton; his parents Michael and Darlina Pfeifer of Spalding, NE; his brother, Aaron of Fort Bragg, NC; and his sister Nichole, of Hauppauge, NY. I offer my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Private First Class Pfeifer. He made the ultimate and most courageous sacrifice for our Nation, and his daughter will grow up knowing her father is a hero. I join all Americans in grieving the loss of this remarkable young man and know that Private First Class Pfeifer's passion for serving, his leadership, and his selflessness will remain a source of inspiration for us all.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I wish to honor 2LT Seth Pierce of Lincoln, NE. Lieutenant Pierce was a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps, whose friends remember him as a dedicated and passionate person who ``wore his heart on his sleeve.'' While attending Lincoln Southeast High School, he ran the first leg on his relay team and won the State championship in 2001. His coach described his team as ``the most overachieving boys I've ever coached. They won because they were connected to each other.'' A 2002 graduate of Lincoln Southeast High School and a 2006 graduate of Arizona State University, Lieutenant Pierce was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in December 2006. Leutenant Pierce passed away due to a car accident on October 21, 2007, in Quantico, VA, where he was stationed. Lieutenant Pierce is survived by his parents, Larry and Linda Pierce of Surprise, AZ; his brother and sister-in-law, Aaron and Crystal Pierce, of Omaha; and his grandparents, Edwin and Ruth Steffens and Luther and Esther Pierce, all of Lincoln. I offer my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Lieutenant Pierce. His noble service to the United States of America is to be respected and appreciated. The loss of this remarkable marine is felt by all Nebraskans, and his courage to follow his dreams will remain as an inspiration.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, with the Senate having reconvened after the recess, I start the new year by rising to recognize Bo Pelini, the new head coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers' football team. The University of Nebraska at Lincoln, my alma mater, has a proud and distinguished record in National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, football, including 5 National Championships, 3 Heisman Trophies, 8 Outland Trophies, 93 Academic All-Americans, and other impressive records and awards. Nebraskans statewide are united behind their Cornhuskers and will undoubtedly welcome Coach Pelini at Memorial Stadium with an NCAA- record 290th consecutive sellout for his first home game on August 30, 2008. Husker fans' optimism has been renewed with the hiring of Coach Pelini, who we hope will build our program back to its glory days, which were marked not only by athletic success on the field, but also academic success in the classroom. I joined many of my fellow Cornhusker fans on January 7, 2008, in celebrating the 38-24 victory of Louisiana State University, LSU, over Ohio State University in the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game. Our partisanship was directed more at LSU's then- defensive coordinator, Bo Pelini, than it was for the team itself. Although Coach Pelini had already been hired as Nebraska's new head coach, he honorably chose to finish his commitment at LSU. Coach Pelini and the Tigers came through as champions, further encouraging Nebraska fans everywhere that the Big Red can return to national prominence under our new leader. We look forward enthusiastically to the annual Red/White Spring Game and the start of the fall collegiate football season. On behalf of my fellow Huskers, I welcome Coach Bo Pelini with a resounding, ``Go Big Red!'' or perhaps, even more appropriately, ``Bo Big Red!''

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a dear friend and fellow Midwesterner who is close to each of us, South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson. After suffering a rare brain hemorrhage last year, Senator Johnson had a tall mountain to climb in his recovery. He worked hard and followed a rigorous rehabilitation regimen. The results are obvious. He has had an outstanding recovery--due in large part to his intense determination to get better, the support of his family and friends, and the quality rehabilitation care that he received--and continues to receive. Senator Johnson was able to return to the Senate earlier this year. It is a great honor to serve with Senator Johnson, and we are all grateful to have him back. As many know, we recognized Senator Johnson's outstanding recovery by renaming S. 543, legislation aimed at preserving access to rehabilitation hospitals the ``Tim Johnson Inpatient Rehabilitation Preservation Act of 2007.'' This legislation aimed to block implementation of a bureaucratic rule change that severely limits seniors' access to rehabilitation hospitals. Senator Johnson's recovery through rehabilitation treatment is an inspiration to many who have suffered from similar conditions and other brain injuries. The care that he received from his team at the National Rehabilitation Hospital was outstanding and their service was critical to his return to the Senate. I believe that it is crucial that we preserve access to similar rehabilitative care for many of America's senior citizens. Four years ago, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services promulgated a new rule that would severely limit the types of rehabilitation treatments available to Medicare patients. The rule known as the ``75 percent rule'' would require rehab hospitals to ensure a certain percentage of patients fall into one of 13 specific diagnoses. That percentage was set to increase to 75 percent--forcing rehab hospitals to turn away patients and limit rehab services in their community. I know firsthand how harmful this can be, as my own mother faced inadequate care before finally receiving the rehabilitation services she desperately needed. The 75 percent rule was set to close the doors of rehabilitation hospitals and push seniors away from the care they desperately needed. As many of you know, I have been working with a number of my colleagues on an inpatient rehabilitation Medicare fix for the last several Congresses. Yesterday, the Senate passed the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, which included our provision to freeze the 75 percent rule compliance threshold permanently at 60 percent, ensuring rehabilitation hospitals have the flexibility to serve a variety of patients who desperately need quality rehabilitation treatment to restore their physical function and return home to their families and daily lives. Without our Nation's rehabilitation capacity, other Americans may not have access to the same kind of care that brought my close friend back to the Senate. I want to offer special thanks to Senator Johnson for lending his name to our efforts and putting a familiar face on the importance of rehabilitation care. I also want to thank Senators Baucus and Grassley, chairman and ranking member of the Finance Committee, as well as Senators Bunning, Stabenow, Snowe, Kerry, Schumer, and each of the 60 cosponsors of the Tim Johnson Inpatient Rehabilitation Preservation Act of 2007. Their support was critical in pushing for a permanent fix to the 75 percent rule and provided those Americans who need rehabilitation treatment with a gift this holiday season--access to quality treatment and the hope for recovery.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to speak in support of the consolidated appropriations bill before the Senate and to discuss one small part of the bill that is an important component to our many efforts to advance the biofuels industry and to wean our nation off of its reliance on oil. In the Energy and Water Appropriations bill, the Senate Appropriations Committee provided $2 million to the Department of Energy for ``E-85 infrastructure deployment.'' I want to highlight the importance of this funding and stress the need for DOE to utilize this money in the most cost efficient and effective manner possible. E85 is an alternative form of transportation fuel that consists of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. It has been developed, in part, to address American's air quality issues and its dangerous dependence on foreign oil. Currently, there are over 6 million E85 capable vehicles on the Nation's highways, and the use of E85 in these vehicles has the potential to significantly reduce the Nation's dependence on foreign oil, add billions to total farm income, help improve rural and the American economies, and help reduce levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Recognizing the importance of E85, President Bush and Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters participated with the CEOs of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler in an event on March of 2007, where they announced the growth in the production of flexible-fuel vehicles, FFVs, that can run on E85. The automakers pledged to double their existing production of flexible fuel vehicles by 2010. They also pledged that by 2012 fully 50 percent of all vehicle production would be FFVs. This pledge, however, was predicated on the fact that adequate fueling infrastructure would be available by that time to fuel the millions of additional E85-compatible vehicles. It is the responsibility of Congress to provide adequate funding to help advance the deployment of E85 fueling infrastructure. I was encouraged then that the Senate elected to set aside $2 million for this purpose in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Once finalized, it will become the Department of Energy's responsibility to allocate this funding to the entity that can provide the most effective and cost-efficient service. As Governor of Nebraska I helped create the Governors' Ethanol Coalition. In 1997, this coalition, along with the National Corn Growers Association, domestic automakers, and others, established a group named the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, NEVC, to be the Nation's primary advocate for the use of E85 ethanol as an alternative to oil-based transportation fuel. Working with its many partners, NEVC maintains the primary national database on E85 fueling locations, E85 fuel providers, and comprehensive data on the technical requirements necessary to install E85 fueling systems. NEVC also provides the marketing and promotional materials used by all E85 fueling stations in the nation. NEVC accomplishes all of these actions in a cost effective, timely, and prudent manner. In addition to having assisted with the opening of 1,413 existing stations, NEVC has provided assistance to station operators for securing reasonably priced supplies of ethanol. NEVC has also provided assistance regarding State and Federal tax credits and the materials needed for proper marketing and promotion by these stations. NEVC has an extensive background, high level of technical competence, and vast experience in establishing and maintaining E85 fueling facilities, and they have proven themselves capable of effectively delivering assistance in a cost-efficient manner. I note that there is broad consensus that additional alternative fueling infrastructure is needed in this country, and I stress the need for DOE to wisely use the limited funds we have made available. As such, Mr. President, I strongly urge the Department of Energy to work closely with NEVC and give them all due consideration when it is expending the funding Congress has provided to meet the needs and goals for E85 fueling stations.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, I want to take the opportunity to applaud the leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee for their efforts on the Defense authorization conference report. Chairman Levin and the ranking member, Senator McCain, have done a Herculean job of working through the hundreds of conference issues in this bill with the House companion bill. The work and effort of all parties involved is one of the shining examples of the Congress working together in a bipartisan, bicameral effort to support our men and women in uniform. As a signatory to the conference report, I support this bill. There is much to like in this bill. We provide necessary benefits to keep our recruiting and retention on the right track. This bill includes a 3.5-percent pay increase for uniformed service personnel, establishes a Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, prohibits the increase in TRICARE fees for retirees and reservists, increases the grade of the Chief of the Guard Bureau from lieutenant general to general. The bill also includes an increase in Active Army and Marine Corps end-strength, increases funding for Mine Resistance Ambush Protected vehicles, increases funding for cooperative threat reduction program efforts, and provides authorizations for critical military construction projects. In addition, as a response to the problems from the Walter Reed incidents reported earlier this year, we provide a comprehensive Wounded Warriors Act as part of the authorization bill. The Wounded Warrior provisions would require the Department of Defense, DOD, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, to jointly develop a comprehensive policy on improvements to care, management, and transition of recovering servicemembers, require DOD to develop a comprehensive plan to treat traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder and authorize respite care and other extended care benefits for seriously injured servicemembers. While I support this conference report, I want to point out one provision in particular that I have concerns with. This particular issue, as I have expressed to the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, is a section of the bill that would require that prescriptions dispensed through the TRICARE retail pharmacy program be procured at or below Federal ceiling prices. As I understand it, it is the intent of the language and the intent of the conferees not to modify the current master agreements. I hope that this clarification is appropriate, and I wanted to briefly point this out. Again, I thank my colleagues for their hard work on this report. We as a Senate can be proud of this bill. Mr. President, I believe that this is good legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to adopt this Defense authorization conference report.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor and remember the victims of yesterday's tragic shooting in Omaha, NE. I know every one of my colleagues joins me in extending our prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims and the entire Omaha community. On Wednesday, December 5, 2007, the worst mass slaying in Nebraska history occurred at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, claiming the lives of eight victims. The names of those victims are: shoppers Gary Sharf of Lincoln, NE, and John McDonald of Council Bluffs, IA; and store employees Angie Schuster, Maggie Webb, Janet Jorgensen, Diane Trent, Gary Joy, and Beverly Flynn, all of Omaha. We must never forget these individuals or the horrible tragedy which took them from us. In addition, five people were wounded. Nebraska stands with each of them on their road to recovery. I concur with the words of Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, who said, ``We are a community who will grieve this loss. Omaha is a good city with wonderful people.'' At Westroads Mall, this time of year is especially lovely with holiday decorations and music. That peace and tranquility were forever shattered by this senseless act of violence. Today, many Nebraskans are asking, ``Why?'' but there are no answers. We are shocked, grief-stricken and in complete disbelief. Things like this should not happen anywhere, but headlines like these are unexpected in places such as Omaha. Our community has been altered forever--a sentiment reflected in today's headline in the state's largest newspaper, which declared: ``It Happened To Us.'' So, now as we are celebrating what should be the most joyous season of the year, Nebraskans are preparing to bury our dead. And we are praying. We ask the nation to continue to pray with us; and on behalf of my fellow Nebraskans, I thank you for all the prayers and expressions of sympathy we have received.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, I wish to pay tribute to a historic church celebrating its 120th anniversary on November 10 to 11, 2007. Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Omaha, NE, was founded in 1887 and continues to thrive as it serves a vast congregation within the minority community living in Nebraska's largest city. This anniversary is a significant achievement, especially for an institution born during a time of racial bigotry and hatred in America. The church's founding required the strength, courage, and faith of early African-American leaders, who recognized the importance of their mission to create a church which has now succeeded in delivering the Word of God to generations in three different centuries. Mount Moriah Baptist Church has an interesting history. It was first organized in 1867, but due to the lack of a Black presence, membership declined. Then in 1887, the Reverend Amos Johnson organized a new baptist church with just seven members. A name was not immediately selected for the newly organized body. Finally, in 1888, the parishioners settled on Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. However, in 1897, the Enterprise newspaper reported the resignation of the Reverend R. January, who asked some of the church members to form a new congregation. The remaining members reorganized their congregation as the Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. Mount Moriah, whose name means ``prepared for God,'' has had to survive numerous challenges, including several changes in location and a fire which caused significant damage during the mid-1920s. In 1956, during the administration of Reverend St. Clair, who served for 20 years, the church underwent extensive renovations. Today, 12 decades after it was formed, Mount Moriah Baptist Church remains a focal point in Omaha, NE, just as its namesake, Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, has always been a focal point in biblical history. I wish to commend Rev. Ralph B. Lassiter, Sr., and the congregation of Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Omaha, NE, for continuing the long and glorious tradition of teaching the Bible and its meaning and training the faithful how to live its message. Your service is truly admirable.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend and great Nebraskan, former U.S. Representative Peter Hoagland, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 66. Peter was a very special friend to all who knew him. His tenure in Congress coincided with my first 4 years serving as Governor of the State of Nebraska, and I will always remember Peter's thoughtful advice and advocacy on issues important to our mutual constituents. Peter worked to do what he believed was right for his district and our state. An Omaha native and alumnus of Omaha Central High School, Peter represented the good people of Nebraska's largest metropolitan area in one capacity or another for 14 years through two terms in the Nebraska Legislature and three representing Nebraska's Second District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected to the Nebraska Unicameral in 1978, Peter later assumed a leadership role as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. This role suited him well, as he was a Yale-educated attorney, having completed his law degree in 1968 after serving our country as a U.S. Army intelligence officer. Peter was active on important topics such as ground water protection, and he spearheaded the passage of landmark drunk-driving legislation. Peter was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1988, where he served three terms. He focused his efforts on the inner workings of his committees. Peter was a workhorse, not a show horse; and he made his presence felt on many issues, particularly those pertaining to banking and the environment. Peter Hoagland was a true leader; and while he may have left public service, he never left public life. As a tribute to his immense legacy, Nebraska Democrats honored Peter with the Hall of Fame Award at the Morrison-Exon Dinner earlier this year. I am grateful we had that opportunity to let Peter know how much he meant to all of us. I offer my most sincere condolences to Peter's wife Barbara and their family. Peter's passion for service, his dynamic leadership, and his unwavering dedication will remain a source of inspiration to all who knew him.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to try to bring the focus of the debate about Iraq back to Iraq, specifically the Iraqi Government's continuing failures to meet benchmarks for progress on political, military, and security matters. For the past several weeks, the news out of Iraq has been consumed by coverage of the Blackwater security transgressions. To be sure, the allegations against Blackwater are serious and need to be addressed. Oversight needs to be tightened, actions should be taken to ensure that security needs are being met, and force is used only when necessary. By no means do I believe we should do anything but hold Blackwater and its Government overseers responsible for their actions. But what is happening is the Iraqi Government has successfully shifted the focus of the debate from their failures in meeting benchmarks for progress to the Blackwater security matter. We need to refocus. Everyone here remembers, and the American people remember, this past spring, during the debate on the supplemental, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, that during the deliberations on that debate, Congress codified into law 18 benchmarks that were identified by the Iraqi Government and the Bush administration. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I pushed to include benchmarks in this bill. Since returning from Iraq, having spent Thanksgiving there with the troops in 2004, my second visit to our troops in Iraq, I began to call for the Iraqi Government and U.S. military leaders to establish a method of measuring progress on the stated goals of standing up the military and security forces and establish a functioning government. During my third visit to our troops in Iraq, in April of this year, I delivered a strong message to Iraqi leaders that they needed to show progress on an oil agreement, quelling sectarian violence, and building a functioning government very quickly or the United States would continue to lose patience with the war. This supplemental presented an opportunity to send that message and codify it into law. It was the hope of the Senate to provide measurable benchmarks that could provide an outline on progress in Iraq. As part of the benchmarks requirement, Congress asked the White House to provide an assessment in July and September. Congress also directed the GAO to provide its own assessment on the Iraqi benchmarks. In July, Congress received an assessment from the White House on the status of the 18 benchmarks. At that time the White House indicated that satisfactory progress on eight of the benchmarks had been made. On the remaining 10 benchmarks, the White House indicated that the Iraqi Government had failed to make satisfactory progress. In September, the GAO review indicated that 3 benchmarks had been met, 4 had been partially met, and 11 had not been met at all. In September, the White House provided its final assessment of the 18 benchmarks. Of the benchmarks, satisfactory progress had been made on 10, 2 more than in July, and 8 benchmarks still received an unsatisfactory rating, 2 less than July. Everyone remembers that this is an important issue because of the importance of making positive gains by the Iraqi Government. I visited Iraq for a fourth time in September, just after General Petraeus testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee but before the benchmark reports were issued. Little had changed. Iraq's political leaders were still entrenched. There was still very little hope for progress on the benchmarks. I delivered the message that time was running out on the blank check policy the administration seems to have implemented in Iraq. At this critical juncture of U.S. policy toward Iraq, the Iraqi policy toward the United States seems disjointed, disconnected, and disassociated. The level of progress on the benchmarks is debatable, but what is undeniable is the fact that progress is needed on some of the most urgent issues to bring peace and stability in Iraq. The Iraqi Government has failed to enact a debaathification law, a law on equitable distribution of hydrocarbon resources and revenues-- that is essentially the oil and the revenues they have collected--and to provide three trained and ready brigades to support Baghdad operations and the disarmament of the militias. The level of progress is undebatable. The Iraqi Government has failed to deliver on these three important benchmarks. These are fundamental failures by a government that continues to expect the United States to invest in Iraq with our soldiers and our dollars, and these failures are unacceptable. We cannot continue on this path and cycle of Iraqi dependence on the United States. As we prepare to deal with another supplemental, bringing the total off-budget additional war spending this year to just under $200 billion, making total off-budget spending on the war in Iraq nearly $500 billion--off-budget spending in Iraq of nearly half a trillion dollars--we need to refocus on what is happening in Iraq. We need to reexamine these benchmarks and others. Those who called for another 6 months to allow more progress got what they wanted. The question is, when will we get what we want? When will Iraq step up and take over? When will we be able to bring most of our troops home? When will the cycle of dependence end? The answers to these questions lie in the benchmarks we established. Progress on the benchmarks can give us a timeframe for the future. Lack of progress on the benchmarks could only extend our commitment indefinitely, if we allow it to continue. Finally, we do need to focus on the Iraqi Government's progress on the benchmarks and the lack thereof. If they had made more rapid progress, we would not need private security outfits protecting American assets and personnel. If they continue to fail to make progress and meet the benchmarks, we will need to fundamentally reassess what our future role might be in Iraq. We can't sustain this pace forever. Our soldiers deserve better. Our taxpayers deserve better. The Iraqi people deserve better from their own Government than the failed leadership they have been shown to date. I yield the floor.

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

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to one of America's finest military leaders, Air Force MG Roger P. Lempke, on the occasion of his retirement as adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard. The National Guard has been tested by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan more than any period since World War II. Nationally, it has been a true test of the Guard to maintain strength at home and abroad during a time of lengthy deployments, mounting casualties, declining recruitment, and a shortage of equipment. Yet, in Nebraska during this period, under the competent leadership of General Lempke, the Nebraska National Guard has continued to thrive, pulling in record numbers of recruits, increasing retention, and establishing an active family support program. General Lempke instills confidence, not only in the troops he commands and their families but in the elected officials he serves. Since the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, and during the time of war that has followed, we are fortunate to have had his very capable leadership as he oversaw the National Guard's changing role into an active duty combat force. The American people have seen vividly that the National Guard is no longer a supplemental force; it serves in seamless fashion with the active duty. As past president of the National Association of State Adjutants General, General Lempke has been a vocal advocate for the National Guard, working with the Pentagon to help shape policies on issues ranging from base closures to troop strength. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, this even-tempered Nebraska farm boy and devoted husband and father rose through the ranks to become a respected military leader, not only in Nebraska but among his peers nationally. He and I have worked closely together on many projects which benefited not only Nebraska but helped our Nation's military as a whole. I will miss that close association with the general as our professional relationship comes to a close, but on a personal level, I will always be proud to call Roger P. Lempke a trusted and respected friend.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Army CPT Scott Shimp of Bayard, NE. Captain Shimp's love for the military was obvious to his mother, who said ``even when he was little, he wanted to be a soldier, running around in his camouflage.'' He graduated from Bayard High School in 1998 as the salutatorian of his class. He was also quite active in many activities: football, wrestling, 21st Century Singers, choir, and the National Honor Society. In addition, Captain Shimp received his Eagle Scout Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America, in 1998. Upon his graduation from high school, he pursued his dream of becoming a pilot by enrolling in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2002. Following his commission as a second lieutenant, Captain Shimp served two tours of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I and III. After graduating from the Aviation Captain's Career Course at Fort Rucker, AL, he reported to Company C, 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, KY, to serve as company commander. A highly decorated soldier, Captain Shimp's leadership qualities were unmistakable. He was a rare example in the 101st Airborne Division, as evidenced by taking over a command soon after graduating from the Aviation Captain's Career Course, thereby demonstrating the respect and trust afforded him by his superiors. On September 11, 2007, Captain Shimp, along with two crew members, passed away when the Black Hawk helicopter he was piloting during a training exercise crashed due to fog near the town of Skyline, AL. He was 28 years old. Captain Scott Shimp is survived by his parents Curtis and Teri Shimp of Bayard, NE; his older brother Chad and his younger sister Misty. I offer my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Captain Shimp. He made the ultimate and most courageous sacrifice for our Nation. I join all Americans in grieving the loss of this remarkable young man and know that Captain Shimp's passion for serving, his leadership, and his selflessness will remain a source of inspiration for us all.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate a radio legend in my home State of Nebraska. Paul Wice, who has been a talk show host, news reporter, and news director at KGFW Radio in Kearney, NE, for nearly 40 years, is retiring and will broadcast his final show on September 28, 2007. Paul got his start in radio working part time, while earning a bachelor's degree in 1966 in speech and music from what was then known as Kearney State College. His first full-time radio job was at KWBE in Beatrice, NE, where he served as news director. In 1967 Paul returned to Kearney as the afternoon announcer and news director at KGFW. Deciding to try something other than radio, he left the station just a year later to join the Kearney Hub newspaper. He quickly found that his heart was in radio and returned to KGFW as its news director in 1969. Paul has been there ever since and is now in his 38th consecutive year of broadcasting on KGFW to the people of central Nebraska. While working full time, Paul went on to earn a master's degree in speech communication in 1988 and has served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Nebraska-Kearney since then. He is responsible for KGFW receiving the coveted Mark Twain Award from the Nebraska Associated Press five times, including three consecutive years from 1997 to 1999. A past president of Nebraska Associated Press Broadcasters, Paul was also the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nebraska AP. He currently serves on the Freedom of Information Committee of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association. He has covered it all for KGFW, including riding on the Robert F. Kennedy train in 1968, just months before the Presidential contender was assassinated. On the other end of the political spectrum, Paul attended a White House Radio- Television News Directors Association luncheon with then-President Ronald Reagan. He also served as the Nebraska Broadcasters Association's official witness to the first execution in Nebraska in decades. Paul made his mark serving the people of Kearney and central Nebraska, not only as a successful broadcaster but as a dependable source of news year after year. It is highly unusual in this day and age for someone to be able to say they have worked for the same employer for nearly four decades, especially in the highly competitive field of broadcasting. At every turn in my own political career, from my days as State insurance director to my terms as Governor to my present role as a U.S. Senator, Paul has been there to cover the news, and I will miss interviewing with him in the future. Paul Wice has definitely been ``The Talk of the Town,'' as his radio program is called. His absence from the airways will leave a void that will be tough to fill, but I am sure I join all Nebraskans in wishing him well in retirement as he signs off the air for the very last time.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the 70th anniversary of historic Summit Road, a significant highway which remains in use to this day as a popular tourist attraction and historic site within the State of Nebraska. It was Sunday, September 19, 1937, that the Summit Road leading to the top of Scotts Bluff National Monument in the Nebraska Panhandle was completed. The Summit Road is believed to be the oldest existing concrete road in the State of Nebraska. The road allows visitors to drive to the top of the bluff through three tunnels for a spectacular view of the valley 800 feet below. Summit Road was built entirely by the Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC, at a time when dry winds and dust storms were blowing across the western High Plains. The CCC was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when the entire country was in the grip of the Great Depression to employ jobless men who were struggling to earn enough money to buy food for their families. Scotts Bluff National Monument is named for a fur trapper by the name of Hiram Scott, who was wounded and deserted by his companions in 1828. He gained immortality by making his way to a magnificent formation of bluffs along the North Platte River before succumbing to his wounds. It was for Hiram Scott that Scotts Bluff National Monument, Scotts Bluff County, and the city of Scottsbluff have been named. Scotts Bluff National Monument, which rises 4,649 feet above sea level, was an imposing landmark, guiding wagon trains along the Oregon, Mormon, California, and Pony Express Trails. Native Americans originally called this natural formation Ma-a-pa-te, which translates into ``hill that is hard to go around.'' Today, Scotts Bluff National Monument is home to an excellent museum providing information about the historic pioneer trails, together with an impressive collection of art from William Henry Jackson, a photographer and painter, best known as the first person to photograph the wonders of Yellowstone National Park. It was reported that 550 cars drove to the top of Scotts Bluff National Monument when the Summit Road was opened 70 years ago. Since then, thousands of vehicles have made the trip and are still able to do so today, thanks to the efforts of the CCC which built it and the National Park Service which now maintains the road.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Army SPC Eric M. Holke, of Riverside, CA. Specialist Holke's father describes him as an avid outdoorsman, a committed student of history, and someone with a keen eye for the arts. From a young age, Specialist Holke pursued his hobbies with zeal. His passion for the outdoors was matched only by his passion for film, which he discovered after he took a class on sports photography at Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead, CA, where he was a graduate. After high school, he continued his studies in film and photography, and also worked at radio and television stations at San Bernadino Valley College. Ready for a new challenge, Specialist Holke left San Bernadino Valley College to join the California Conservation Corps, where he spent the next 2 years backpacking through the wilderness of California. When he returned from this service, he became active in Renaissance fairs, where his specialty was demonstrating how the German military lived in the 1400s through 1600s, according to Pat Long, a cousin and producer of Renaissance fairs. Those who watched his performances remembered them for his passion and his enthusiasm. Specialist Holke enlisted in the Army in 2000 in order to learn new skills as well as to save money to return to school. He served with the 82nd Airborne, like one of his grandfathers, a much-decorated World War II veteran. He went to Afghanistan, then to Iraq before being honorably discharged from the Army in 2005. He returned to Riverside, CA, where he became active again with the San Bernadino Valley College, performing re-enactments as well as studying film and business there. He also enlisted in the California National Guard at this time. Specialist Holke and his wife Cassidhe were married in January of 2007. He was eager to earn his degree in business so he could start a new life in the film industry with his wife and their 16-year-old son, Steven. In June of 2007, Specialist Holke began serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was serving with the 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry, California Army National Guard stationed in Kuwait. On July 15, 2007, Specialist Holke passed away in a noncombat-related incident in Talil. At his funeral, he was posthumously awarded five medals, including the Bronze Star. He was 31 years old. In addition to his wife Cassidhe and son Steven, both of Riverside, CA, he is survived by his mother Monika Holke of Lincoln, NE, and father Jack Holke, of Las Vegas, NV. Today, I join all Americans in mourning the loss of a talented soldier, an active outdoorsman, and a loving husband, father, and son. He made the ultimate sacrifice through his service to our country. He will be remembered for his hunger for adventure. His memory will be honored by future generations of soldiers and civilians alike. Explosive Ordinance Disposalman 1st Class Jeffrey Chaney Mr. President, I also rise today to honor Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposalman First Class Jeffrey Chaney of Omaha. Petty Officer Chaney was a 1990 graduate from Bellevue West High School. In 1993, he joined the Navy. His first ambition was to be a Navy SEAL; however, due to eyesight problems, he worked instead as a recruiter for the Navy. His success as a recruiter was a direct result of his enthusiasm and his dedication to his work, evidenced also by his brother Jim, whom he helped recruit. His sister April describes commitment to his work: ``[He] loved the Navy; he just loved everything about his job. He was always talking about it,'' she said. Before his tour in Iraq, Chaney served in the Secret Service, where he had the opportunity to meet President George H.W. Bush, as well as Mikhail Gorbachev while he was on security detail at the President's 80th birthday party. His sister recalls that while that was a momentous occasion in his life, his proudest moment was the birth of his daughter Brianna, now 14. Chaney was assigned to Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit 11, stationed in Whidbey Island, WA. On July 17, 2007, after serving in Iraq for about 2 months, ED01 Chaney passed away during combat operations in Salahuddin Province. He was 35 years old. In addition to his brother and sister, he is survived by his daughter Brianna Chaney, 14, of Omaha; his mother Connie Chaney also of Omaha, his father Jim Eckert of Oakland, IA and another brother Jim Eckert, also of Oakland. Today, I join all Americans in mourning the loss of a truly great sailor, proud father, and loving son. His service and his sacrifice will be remembered for generations to come. Sergeant Jacob Schmuecker Mr. President, I rise today to honor Nebraska Army National Guard Sergeant Jacob Schmuecker of Atkinson, NE. Sergeant Schmuecker was a 1999 graduate of West Holt High School in Atkinson, NE, and attended Northeast Community College in Norfolk. He joined the Nebraska Army National Guard in 2001, after serving the city of Atkinson as a police officer. He and his wife Lisa were married for more than 4 years, and lived in Norfolk with their three children; Dylan, 4, Kierstan, 3, and Bryce, 19 months. Lisa describes her husband as someone who was deeply committed to his service, and someone who volunteered for a mission to make the world a safer place for his children. She knows her children will remember their father for being a loving husband to her, a dedicated father, and an outstanding soldier. A member of the 755th chemical company based out of O'Neill, NE, Sergeant Schmuecker had proudly served in the Army National Guard for 6 years. Having previously served in Afghanistan, he was 10 months into his first tour in Iraq when he passed away in Balad, after an improvised explosive device detonated near his armored vehicle. He was 27 years old. In addition to his wife, Sergeant Schmuecker is survived by his parents Rodney and Patricia of Atkinson, and his brother Chris Shepperd of Norfolk. Today, I mourn the loss of a true American patriot, a devoted husband, and a loving father of three. He and his family have made the ultimate sacrifice to make our country a safer place to live. Corporal Ryan A. Woodward

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about a critical issue regarding Iraq and Afghanistan veterans' health care needs. America's Armed Forces are sustaining attacks by rocket- propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices, and land mines almost daily in Iraq and Afghanistan. These injured soldiers require specialized care from providers experienced in treating their unique health challenges. These blast injuries result from the complex pressure waves generated by an explosion. Air-filled organs such as the ear, lung, and other organs surrounded by fluid-filled cavities such as the brain and spinal cord are especially susceptible. Earlier this year, I visited with a soldier named Mack Richards who sustained blast wounds to his wrist and ankle in Iraq, as well as traumatic brain injury, or TBI. This soldier recounted to me his difficulty and frustration in receiving treatment for his brain injury. He was left at an army base far from home for months before he was sent back to his family and finally received therapy from our local rehabilitation facility. Congress has been assured that veterans with brain and other complex injuries are able to access the specialized treatment they need. However, Mack's story is not unique, and I think the time has come to question what role the underutilized capacity in civilian rehab can play. That is not to devalue VA efforts and the great facilities the VA has to offer, but to ask how civilian providers can complement VA facilities and improve the care afforded our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The large numbers of traumatic brain injury survivors returning home from war highlights the need to leverage all of the resources available to us for the successful treatment and rehabilitation of our injured troops. Tapping into existing civilian TBI research and treatment capacity can help improve outcomes and supplement the care systems being developed at both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is an issue which I know can stir up sensitivities given the diversity of our veteran population. I want to make it clear that I am fully committed, as are many of my colleagues, to ensuring the VA has the resources and strength to offer sustainable and top quality care for every American veteran. That said, the public and civilian sectors must come together to meet the needs of our newest generation of wounded warriors. This is not unprecedented. In the past, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs have contracted with civilian clinicians and providers to make up the TBI continuum of care. The VA has shown tremendous effort in addressing the needs of our returning troops, given the enormous challenges we face. However, I believe the large volume of returning veterans with increasingly complex health care needs require an increasingly dynamic approach to better serve those who have given so much for our country. The need for timely treatment and immediate rehabilitation expertise and capacity requires additional resources and flexibility for the VA to form partnerships to ensure top notch care for our service personnel. And, if this care can be provided closer to veterans' community and family support networks, then it is a win-win as families can be kept together and servicemembers can more easily transition back into their daily routines. I have included language in this bill requesting the Department of Veterans Affairs to report to Congress on the conditions and criteria used for contracting with civilian rehabilitation providers, and outreach efforts being conducted to inform veterans and those who advocate on their behalf about such treatment options. I look forward to working with the VA and my colleagues to make sure our veterans have access to the care their sacrifices and personal injuries require.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I celebrate the life of a beautiful Nebraskan on her 80th birthday. Phyllis Schroeder Dunn was born on August 18, 1927, in Grand Island, NE. She has called Grand Island her home ever since. With some help from her late husband Joseph Dunn, she gave birth to nine children, all at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. A graduate of the St. Francis School of Nursing, her career as an emergency and operating room nurse spanned five decades. Even as Phyllis Dunn celebrates her 80th birthday, she remains very active and is heavily involved in St. Leo's Catholic Church, her weekly quilting group at St. Mary's Cathedral, and following the exploits of her 16 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Her story is typical of lifelong Nebraskans who are known for living long, healthy, happy and productive lives. Nebraska is famous for being an agriculture state that helps feed the world but it is the people of Nebraska, like Phyllis Dunn, who are its heart and soul.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today, along with my colleague from Arkansas, my friend Senator Lincoln, to speak on a separate but overlapping issue related to the challenge of providing health care coverage for the 9 million uninsured American children. Our colleagues Senators Baucus, Grassley, Rockefeller, and Hatch have forged a bold agreement to cover millions of children through the SCHIP program, the health program for our kids. However, another problem remains. These children, by definition, live in households that have not been adequately covered by the private market. In fact, of the 45 to 46 million Americans who are currently uninsured, over 80 percent are employed. These people get up every day and work hard to support their families and keep our economy moving forward but are left praying their family doesn't face a bankrupting health crisis. Fifty percent of these Americans work for small businesses with fewer than 24 employees. The small business workforce is especially important in my State, and I know it is critical for many of my colleagues from other States as well. I applaud the hard work which has gone into SCHIP, and I intend to vote for this important package. But I am also glad we have the opportunity to show our commitment toward providing market-based relief, which will afford additional coverage for the remaining uninsured Americans. This is indeed one of our country's greatest challenges. I look forward to turning our focus to solutions for small business, alongside the leaders of the Finance and HELP Committees who have joined us today. I thank the floor managers for affording us this time. I am encouraged by the progress made today.

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I honor Army CPL Dustin Lee Workman II. Upon his graduation in 2005 from Ashland-Greenwood High School in Ashland, Nebraska, Corporal Workman joined the Nebraska National Guard. His friends and family describe him as an iron-willed person, and as someone who was deeply in touch with his faith. One of his former teachers described him as a talented and creative writer. In fact, Corporal Workman, who was not yet 20 years old, composed a poem, which was set to music by one of his friends and sang at his funeral. I attended the funeral, and it was a moving rendition. The poem follows: I am from God whose Hand molded me with only his will. Conceiving my innocence As I lay dormant and still. I am from God who knew No limits nor fear. Who gave up his son Without shedding a tear. I am from God who granted Me my soul. Never to be Hell's among The others it stole. I am from God who's my Shepherd and Lord. Guiding others and myself In our herds and our hordes. I am from God whose Power and blessing is given as mine Endowed into me by his hand so divine. On June 28, 2007, Corporal Workman passed away due to combat injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device while serving in Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, based in Fort Carson, CO. Corporal Workman is survived by his father, Dustin, Sr.; mother, Valerie; and two younger siblings, Korey and Krysta. I join all Americans in grieving the loss of a patriot and a beloved friend, brother, and son. Sergeant Nathan L. Winder