Bob Smith

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Lieutenant Casino Clogston of New Hampshire. His heroic actions brought comfort to a family and community who endured a very tragic event. On an early April morning in 2001, Casino arrived at the scene of a burning apartment. After giving commands to the rest of his crew, he entered the burning building. Putting his own life in jeopardy, the Lieutenant searched for any signs of life. He discovered the body of a burning man. Holding the body in one arm, he was able to kick down the door of the room and escape safely. After the victim received medical attention, he was pronounced dead. However, Clogston helped to bring comfort to the man's family and friends. Firefighters, including Firefighter Clogston, work valorously everyday. Every time they respond to a call for help, they are putting their own lives on the line. In this instance, Casino truly did go above and beyond the call of duty in order to recover the body of a fellow citizen. Firefighters are some of our country's bravest heroes, and I applaud Clogston for his efforts to keep New Hampshire safe. I commend the altruistic acts of Lieutenant Casino Clogston. It takes true courage to value the lives of others above one's own. I am confident that as long as we have people like Casino, our Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such a dedicated citizen, and it is truly an honor to represent Casino Clogston in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I show my support for Henry Gerlack Jr. of Barnstead, NH. His heroic actions, along with the help of Kathleen Moore, saved the life of a man trapped inside a burning vehicle. Henry put his life on the line to preserve the life of another. In April of 2001, Henry Gerlack noticed a burning vehicle on the side of the road. He heard cries for help and raced to the burning vehicle to find a 34 year-old man wedged between the crushed steering wheel and dashboard. Henry and Kathleen pulled the man out of the car moments before it exploded. I commend the altruistic acts of Henry Gerlack, Jr. It takes true courage to put somebody else's life above one's own. I am confident that as long as we have people like Henry, our Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such a dedicated citizen and it is an honor to represent him in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Nick Poulin of Manchester. Nick, along with his two friends John Lank and Dustin Sherwood, saved the life of a distressed boater. While boating on Suncook Lake in July, the three boys noticed a boat that was moving erratically. Upon closer inspection, they realized the driver had lost control and had fallen into the water. Skillfully the three regained control of the boat and dragged the Vermont teen to safety. I commend you Nick for your selfless act of heroism. You gave of yourself to help another in need. There is no greater gift. It is an honor to represent you in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Jack Lee for his heroic efforts in pulling a semi-conscious teenager to safety. He went above and beyond the call of duty to reach out to another in need. Mr. Lee came upon a burning vehicle in Auburn, NH. Noticing a young individual was trapped inside, he began to try and free her from the burning wreck. Though not successful at his first few attempts to save the girl from the car, Mr. Lee did not give up. He finally pulled her to safety. Not only do Jack's actions serve as an exemplary commitment to human life, they also highlight a selflessness we all should strive for. I commend Jack for being a hero to his community and nation. It is an honor to represent you in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for the Hooksett Fire Department, including Chief Michael Howard, Lieutenant David Carignan, Firefighter Bill Palmer and Firefighter Steve Davis. Their heroic actions saved numerous lives, and preserved one of New Hampshire's historical landmarks. They worked without regard for their own safety to preserve a treasure to the community. On an early morning in July of 2001, the Hooksett Fire Department received a call that a historic bed and breakfast was on fire. The company worked tirelessly to save the burning building. Upon learning that guests were trapped in the residence, the firefighters successfully made several rescues. Leading six victims down their ladders, they brought them to safety. The firefighters further risked their lives to perform room-by-room searches and confirm that everybody rescued. These firefighters work valorously everyday. Each time they respond to a call for help, they are putting their own lives in jeopardy. This is just one example of the hard work and dedication of New Hampshire's firefighters. By consistently operating above and beyond the call of duty, these men and women save the lives of fellow citizens and bring comfort to the community. Firefighters are among are country's bravest heroes, and this company has served the State of New Hampshire for many years. I commend the altruistic acts of the Hooksett Fire Department. It takes courage to place somebody else's life above your own. I am confident that as long as we have firefighters such as the men of the Hooksett Fire Department, our Nation will continue to be protected. New Hampshire is proud to have such dedicated citizens. It is an honor to represent you in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Kevin Healy, a firefighter in the city of Manchester, NH. His heroic actions saved the lives of numerous residents caught inside an apartment building. On a February 2001 morning, the off-duty firefighter was driving home from work when he noticed smoke in the distance. He found a burning apartment building which he immediately entered in search of victims. He could hear people coughing and used their sounds to locate burning victims. He successfully brought two people to safety and returned to the burning building to check for trapped victims. During the rescue Kevin suffered burns and respiratory injuries. Firefighters, like Kevin, work valorously everyday. Each time they respond to a call for help, they are risking their own lives. Kevin went above and beyond the call of duty in order to save fellow citizens and bring comfort to his community. Firefighters are some of our country's bravest heroes, and I applaud Kevin's efforts to keep the citizens of New Hampshire safe. I commend Kevin Healy's bravery and applaud his dedication to public service. It exemplifies true courage and honor to put other's lives above your own. I am confident that as long as we have people like Kevin, our State and Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such exemplary citizens and it is an honor to represent you in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Jeffrey Morse of New Hampshire. His heroic actions, combined with help from Paul Gagne, saved a woman and numerous animals. He put his life on the line to rescue others from a house. In September of 2001, the two telephone technicians were working on a cable problem when they noticed smoke coming from a nearby house. They raced to the scene of the fire. Paul hurried to call the emergency rescue services, while Jeffrey used a garden hose to prevent the flames from spreading. Jeffrey then noticed a sign indicating that live animals were living in the house, so he kicked down the door to the building and retrieved a cat. After the animal was brought to safety, the two men heard screams. Paul and Jeffrey entered the burning building and worked their way through the thick smoke to find a choking woman. The two men picked her up and carried her to safety. They returned for a final trip to ensure they had rescued everyone. I commend the selfless acts of Jeffrey Morse. It takes true courage to put somebody else's life above one's own. I am confident that as long as we have people like Jeffrey, our Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such a dedicated citizen. It is an honor to represent Jeffrey Morse in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support to Andrew Emanuel for his heroic efforts at the McIntyre Ski Area. He, along with Shawn Page, Alex Marion and Adam Anderson, helped to save the life of a fellow skier. Last winter, while enjoying a day of recreation at the ski slope, he noticed a child hanging from the seat of a chairlift. The skiers formed a human net to catch the dangling boy. When the boy fell, they saved his life and prevented him from sustaining any serious injuries. I commend this heroic act of Andrew Emanuel. He helped to save the life of a fellow citizen and brought comfort to a worried family. I feel that as long as we have such dedicated citizens, our Nation will continue to be strong. Andrew exemplifies the ideals of a Granite Stater and I am honored to represent him in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Paul Gagne of New Hampshire. His heroic actions, combined with help from Jeffrey Morse, saved a woman and numerous animals. He put his life on the line to rescue others from a burning house. In September of 2001, the two telephone technicians were working on a cable problem when they noticed smoke coming from a nearby house. They raced to the scene of the fire. Paul hurried to call the emergency rescue services, while Jeffrey used a garden hose to prevent the flames from spreading. Jeffrey then noticed a sign indicating that live animals were living in the house, so he kicked down the door to the building and retrieved a cat. After the animal was brought to safety, the two men heard screams. Paul and Jeffrey entered the burning building and worked their way through the thick smoke to find a choking woman. The two men picked her up and carried her to safety. They returned for a final trip to ensure everyone had been rescued. I commend the acts of Paul Gagne. It takes true courage and honor to put somebody else's life above one's own. I am confident that as long as we have people like Paul, our Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such a dedicated citizen. It is an honor to represent Paul Gagne in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Ray Summers of Manchester, NH. His heroic actions and dedication to his country saved two fellow citizens and helped to discover numerous bodies that were buried beneath the rubble at Ground Zero. He put his own life on the line to bring comfort to a Nation. Ray was interning at Shea Stadium when the World Trade Center Buildings collapsed on September 11, 2001, one of the most catastrophic days in our Nation's history. As a trained EMT, Ray answered a call from the New York City emergency authorities who desperately needed his support at Ground Zero. He was escorted to the scene, given rescue equipment, and immediately began to search for victims. Ray searched for survivors and cleaned up rubble for about 72 hours, taking little time to rest or eat. He encountered several near death experiences, including nearly being crushed by the collapsing Liberty Plaza Building. He and another rescuer found two Port Authority officers still alive. They uncovered the two officers and carried them to safety. I commend the selfless acts of Ray Summers. It takes true courage and honor to put somebody else's life and their country above one's own life. I am confident that as long as we have people like Ray Summers, our Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such a dedicated citizen. It is an honor to represent him in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support to Adam Anderson for his heroic efforts at the McIntyre Ski Area. He, along with Shawn Page, Alex Marion, and Andrew Emanuel, helped to save the life of a fellow skier. While enjoying a day of recreation at a ski slope, Adam noticed a child hanging from the seat of a chairlift. The skiers formed a human net to catch the boy. When the boy fell, Adam and his friends were able to save his life and prevent him from sustaining any serious injuries. I commend this heroic act of Adam Anderson. He helped to save the life of a fellow citizen and brought comfort to a worried family. I feel that as long as we have such dedicated citizens our Nation will continue to be strong. Adam exemplifies the ideals of a Granite Stater and I am honored to represent him in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Captain Tom Buinicky of the Claremont Fire Department. His heroic actions, along with the efforts of Firefighter Amos Chamberlain, helped to save the lives of several families caught inside a burning apartment building. Amos puts his life on the line everyday for the sake of others. In January of 2001, the two men responded to what seemed to be a routine call. They were two of the first firefighters on the scene and they discovered a three-alarm fire. Witnesses told them of an infant trapped on the third floor of the building, so the men searched for the baby. The baby had already been brought to safety, but the men continued to make sure that the entire building had been vacated. Firefighters Buinicky and Chamberlain work valorously everyday. Each time they respond to a call for help, they are putting their own lives in jeopardy. This is just one example of how they went above and beyond the call of duty in order to save the lives of fellow citizens and bring comfort to the community. Firefighters are among some of this Nation's bravest heroes, and I applaud them for their work to keep New Hampshire safe. I commend the altruistic acts of Captain Buinicky. It takes true courage to put other's lives above one's own. I am confident that as long as we have people like Tom our Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such a dedicated citizen and it is truly an honor to represent Captain Tom Buinicky in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Timothy Dillon of Hampton Falls, NH. His heroic actions, along with those of Christopher Smith, saved the life of a woman trapped in a burning vehicle. He put his own life on the line to rescue a fellow citizen. In October of 2001, Timothy noticed a burning car that had fallen down an embankment. Timothy and Christopher raced to the scene of the accident and discovered an elderly woman trapped in the burning vehicle. She was pinned in the vehicle by the deployed air bag and the crushed dashboard. Christopher attempted to break the driver's side window, while Timothy broke through the back of the car. Christopher smashed the window using a tire iron and he entered through the front of the car. Putting their own lives in jeopardy, the two men were able to pull the woman to safety. I commend the selfless act of Timothy Dillon. It takes true courage to put somebody else's life above one's own. I am confident that as long as we have people like Timothy, our Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such a dedicated citizen. It is truly an honor and privilege to represent Timothy Dillon in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Russ Lauriat of Goffstown. Russ, with the assistance of his friends Arthur Moreau and Russ VanderHorst, rescued the life of 28- year-old Scott Derendal. The three friends came upon a wrecked, burning vehicle while driving through Wear last July. Feeling a civic duty to aid a fellow person in need, Arthur, Russ and Russ raced to rescue the individual trapped in the car. They managed to save the life of Scott. I commend you Russ for the selfless act of kindness you imparted on an unknown individual. You gave of yourself without a second thought as to how it might affect your life. It is an honor to represent you in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Fred and Joyce Corser of Concord, NH, for their heroic act of rescuing two young passengers from a vehicle on the verge of exploding. In August of 2001, an automobile accident occurred outside of the Corser's home. Fred immediately rushed to assist the two passengers trapped inside the vehicle, while Joyce contacted rescue personnel and then joined her husband. Together, they risked their lives to remove the backseat passenger from the vehicle, who had sustained a compound leg fracture during the accident. Moments before the vehicle exploded, Fred and Joyce put their lives in jeopardy once again and pulled out the second passenger. As they were carrying him to safety, the car burst into flames. Fred Corser quickly found a piece of plywood and used it to shield the victim from the explosion. I commend Fred and Joyce Corser for their altruistic acts. Their selfless deeds saved the lives of two fellow citizens. I feel confident that as long as there are Americans like Fred and Joyce Corser, who are willing to put the well-being of others before themselves, our Nation will continue to be strong. It is truly an honor and a privilege to represent them in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, today I show my support for Derek Vitale of Chester, NH. His heroic actions saved the lives of numerous Farmington, NH residents, including the life of a helpless baby. He put his own life on the line to rescue others from a burning building. In August of 2001, Derek was on his way to a fishing trip with his friend Anthony Tripari, when they noticed smoke from a burning apartment building. It was about three o'clock in the morning, so Derek honked the horn of his car in an attempt to wake up all the residents in the building and alert them to the fire. As the residents vacated, it was reported that a baby was trapped on the second floor. Derek sprinted into the flaming building, covering his mouth with only the collar of his shirt and found the baby. Derek carried the baby to safety and simultaneously knocked on the doors of every apartment to make sure the building was vacated. I commend the altruistic acts of Derek Vitale. It take true courage to put somebody else's life above one's own. I am confident that as long as we have people like Derek Vitale, our Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such a dedicated citizen. It is an honor to represent him in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, today I show my support for the Allenstown Fire Department, including Captain Dan Silva, Lieutenant Scott Eaton, as well as Firefighters Edward Higgins, Lee Cheney, Mark Jacobs, Ray Sevigny and Keith Lambert. Their heroic actions saved the lives of numerous hotel guests and preserved one of New Hampshire's historical landmarks. The men of the Allenstown Fire Department risked their lives, as they do everyday, to protect and serve. On an early morning in July of 2001, the Allenstown Fire Department received a call that a historic bed and breakfast was in flames. The company worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire. Upon learning that guests were trapped in the residence, the firefighters successfully made several rescues. Leading six victims down their ladders, they brought them to safety. The firefighters further risked their lives to perform room-by-room searches to confirm that everybody was out of the building safely. These firefighters work valorously everyday. Each time they respond to a call for help, they are putting their own lives in jeopardy. This is just one example of the hard work and dedication of New Hampshire's firefighters. By consistently operating above and beyond the call of duty, these men and women save the lives of fellow citizens and bring comfort to the community. Firefighters are among our country's bravest heroes, and this company has been serving the State of New Hampshire for many years. I commend the altruistic acts of the Allenstown Fire Department. It takes courage to place somebody else's life above one's own. I am confident that as long as we have firefighters like those of Allenstown our Nation will continue to remain protected. New Hampshire is proud to have such dedicated citizens, and it is an honor to represent you in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, today I pay tribute to Nathan Langlais of Nashua, NH, for risking his safety to save the life of a fellow motorist trapped in a crashed vehicle. In August of 2001, Nathan and his friend John Horan, noticed a vehicle that had plunged through the guardrail and down a hill on the side of Daniel Webster Highway. The men immediately, and without regard for personal safety, came to the aid of the car's driver. They discovered a semi-conscious driver in the smoking car. The men attempted to extract the driver from the vehicle but were unsuccessful in their first attempt. Loud noises came from the gasoline tank and the back of the car began to ignite. With little time to spare, the men rescued the driver from the passenger's side of the vehicle. I commend Nathan Langlais for his bravery and heroism. His selflessness saved the life of a fellow citizen, and set a positive example for the people of the State of New Hampshire. I am confident that as long as there are Americans like Nathan Langlais, our Nation will continue to be strong. It is truly an honor and a privilege to represent you in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, today I show my support for Firefighter Amos ``Buzz'' Chamberlain of the Claremont Fire Department. His heroic actions, along with the efforts of Captain Tom Buinicky, helped to save the lives of several families caught inside a burning apartment building. Buzz puts his life on the line each day for the sake of others. In January of 2001, the two men responded to what seemed to be a routine call. They were two of the first firefighters on the scene and discovered a three-alarm fire. Witnesses told them of an infant trapped on the third floor of the building and they searched for the baby. The baby had already been brought to safety, but the men continued to make sure that the entire building had been vacated. Firefighters Chamberlain and Buinicky work valorously everyday. Each time they respond to a call for help, they are putting their own lives in jeopardy. This is just one example of how they went above and beyond the call of duty in order to save the lives of fellow citizens and bring comfort to the community. Firefighters are among some of this Nation's bravest heroes, and I applaud them for their work to keep New Hampshire safe. I commend the altruistic acts of Amos Chamberlain. It takes true courage and honor to put others' lives above one's own. I am confident that as long as we have people like Buzz, our Nation will continue to be strong. New Hampshire is proud to have such a dedicated citizen and it is truly an honor to represent him in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, April 10 marked the 23d anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. The Taiwan Relations Act has enabled Taiwan to build successfully a democratically governed society and an economy by which the Taiwanese people prosper. However, for Taiwan to continue its economic and political development under the ominous threats posed by Communist China, the United States must remain committed to the Taiwan Relations Act. The United States must ensure Taiwan possesses a capable military deterrent until a peaceful settlement of cross-straits relations with the People's Republic of China is realized. The United States cannot allow the People's Republic of China to bully Taiwan, as it did during the 1995 Taiwan legislative elections and in the 1996 and 2000 Presidential elections. I am quite pleased to see the Bush administration's strong support for Taiwan. In particular, I was delighted to hear that the Bush administration would do ``whatever it takes'' to defend Taiwan. Taiwan has proven itself a worthy friend. Its dedication to democratic freedoms, processes and institutions, attention to human rights, and adherence to rule of law, as well as its words and deeds after the events of September 11, 2001, have helped it gain strong political support in the United States. We must continue to assist such a worthy friend by honoring the Taiwan Relations Act in its totality and making sure that mainland China does not misunderstand our intention of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, I rise today to show my support for the 90th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. Through the Girl Scouts, girls acquire self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, life skills and integrity. In each level of the Scouts, young girls learn skills that will assist them as they enter adulthood, including science and technology education, money management, sports training, engaging in community services, art education, and much more. The Girl Scouts encourage their members to engage in a wide variety of activities such as field trips, sports camps, and cultural exchanges. I am proud to note that members of my staff were Girl Scouts when they were younger. The mission of the Girl Scouts is to help all girls grow strong and prepare for adulthood by empowering them to develop their full potential, get along well with others, and to work together to contribute to their communities. Today, the organization boasts a membership of 3.8 million members, 2.7 million girls and over 900,000 adults. I would like to take just a moment to commend the activities that the Girl Scouts are involved with in my State of New Hampshire. I would like to specifically thank the Girl Scouts of Swift Water Council for their numerous contributions toward the development of young women in our state. For a single organization to reach over 15,000 girls in New Hampshire alone is extraordinary. There are three programs that fall under the Swift Water Council that I want to commend. The Cool Connections program at Sanders Cottage in Manchester, and the Antrim Girls Shelter both help young girls in crisis by teaching them how to make positive decisions and boosting their self-esteem. The Swift Water Council also established an activity center for young refugee girls at the International Institute in Manchester. This Institute helps refugees from wartorn nations seek asylum in the United States. These activities provide young girls with socialization, group cooperation skills, and the tools they need to acclimate successfully into the community. I am grateful for the contributions that the Girl Scouts have made in my state. In closing, I want to commend the Girl Scouts for 90 years of positive influence on the lives of young girls all across this nation. I especially want to thank the Girl Scouts of New Hampshire and the adult volunteers who support them. Keep up the good work.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to Rhona Charbonneau, of Hudson, NH. Charbonneau has been named the Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year for her outstanding devotion and positive influence to the community. I commend her active role in both the local and State governments. By serving as Town Selectman, and as Selectmen's Representative to the planning Board, Charbonneau has been able to serve her community in many capacities. Aside from these positions, she currently serves as a member of the Board for the Salvation Army as well as the Advisory Board to the Community Council. Even more eager to serve the community of Hudson, she also works as a representative on the State level, serving on the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners and the New Hampshire Finance Authority. Aside from serving in advisory capacities for numerous organizations and boards, Charbonneau has worked hard to improve the Lion's Hall. Under her request, the Department of Corrections sent a community service group to paint and do repairs, leaving the Lion's Hall with a fresh face. Because of her creative thinking, other departments came together to make considerable improvements to the facility. Rhona Charbonneau has set a positive example for not only the community of Hudson, but for the entire Granite State. By consistently working to improve her community she has shown a tremendous dedication to the community in which she and her family have lived for more than 50 years. She has brought high profile political figures to the town, whereby she allowed a forum for candidates to share their beliefs as well as bringing the spotlight to the ever growing town of Hudson. I applaud her commitment and congratulate her on being named this year's Citizen of the Year. It is truly an honor to represent her in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Joan R. Lietzel, President of the University of New Hampshire. President Lietzel has been named this year's recipient of The Charles Holmes Pettee Medal for outstanding accomplishment and distinguished service to the State of New Hampshire. The Pettee Medal was established in 1940 by the University of New Hampshire Alumni Association and the University Board of Trustees, in memory of the late Dean Pettee. This medal is awarded annually to a resident or former resident of the State of New Hampshire in recognition of outstanding accomplishment or distinguished service of any form to the State, Nation, or world. The Pettee Medal represents a rare devotion of service as was expressed by the life commitment and service of Dean Pettee. I applaud the contributions that Dr. Lietzel has made to the University of New Hampshire since her appointment in 1996 as the President of the university. Since her arrival, Lietzel has worked tirelessly to raise the level of excellence in academic programs as well as the day to day operation of the university. During her tenure, Lietzel has successfully run the most aggressive capital campaign in the history of the university, as well as implementing new financial and fiscal management policies. Her vision and commitment have taken the university's academic standard to a higher level, as well as successfully increasing the amount of research funding the university receives. Previous to her stay at UNH, Dr. Lietzel served as the Senior Vice- Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she was an accomplished educator and worked to improve the program and budget planning. Dr. Lietzel also served as a professor at Ohio State University, in the Department of Mathematics. On behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire, I would like to thank Dr. Joan Lietzel for her endless dedication to academic excellence. She has set a positive example for educators across the Granite State, as well as the Nation. My congratulations to Dr. Lietzel as she accepts this year's Pettee Medal for her distinguished service in the State of New Hampshire. It is truly an honor to represent her in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a bill that will exempt our Nation's military vehicles and equipment from being subject to paying tolls on America's roads, bridges and ferries. As the Ranking Member of Environment & Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over our highway system, and as a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, I believe that this an appropriate action long overdue. In this time of war and heightened threat to America's shores, the thought of all units in an Army troop convoy digging into their pockets to drop quarters into the nets at tollbooths on the Jersey turnpike is absurd. When we created the interstate highway system in the 1950's under the strong leadership of President Eisenhower, a primary motivation of the former General of the Army was to facilitate the movement of men and material in times of crisis. Yet in the intervening years, as toll roads have been established, no one at the Federal level has thought to exempt the armed forces form being slowed down to pay these levies. While the Federal Government has not acted, many States, most notably my State of New Hampshire, has seen fit to exempt those who are protecting us from paying these tolls. America's armed forces deserve all the help we can give them. The shortsighted among us might say that all we need to do is to provide some expedited form of payment, so that the tolls can be collected faster. I say that our troops deserve better. There is just no reason to subject our military to paying tolls in order to use America's roads when their only reason for being on those roads is to protect America. Therefore, my bill provides for a complete exemption from tolls, and not just half-way measures to simplify the payment. But my bill goes even further. In the same vein, I believe that it is essential, should a crisis arise, or God forbid, should America again be attacked, to speed our troops through the toll facilities. Accordingly, I have written the bill a provision to require a toll facility, in times of an emergency declared by the President, to reserve a dedicated support for America's military by voting for this important bill. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire

Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a bill that will exempt our Nation's military vehicles and equipment from being subject to paying tolls on America's roads, bridges and ferries. As the Ranking Member of Environment & Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over our highway system, and as a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, I believe that this an appropriate action long overdue. In this time of war and heightened threat to America's shores, the thought of all units in an Army troop convoy digging into their pockets to drop quarters into the nets at tollbooths on the Jersey turnpike is absurd. When we created the interstate highway system in the 1950's under the strong leadership of President Eisenhower, a primary motivation of the former General of the Army was to facilitate the movement of men and material in times of crisis. Yet in the intervening years, as toll roads have been established, no one at the Federal level has thought to exempt the armed forces form being slowed down to pay these levies. While the Federal Government has not acted, many States, most notably my State of New Hampshire, has seen fit to exempt those who are protecting us from paying these tolls. America's armed forces deserve all the help we can give them. The shortsighted among us might say that all we need to do is to provide some expedited form of payment, so that the tolls can be collected faster. I say that our troops deserve better. There is just no reason to subject our military to paying tolls in order to use America's roads when their only reason for being on those roads is to protect America. Therefore, my bill provides for a complete exemption from tolls, and not just half-way measures to simplify the payment. But my bill goes even further. In the same vein, I believe that it is essential, should a crisis arise, or God forbid, should America again be attacked, to speed our troops through the toll facilities. Accordingly, I have written the bill a provision to require a toll facility, in times of an emergency declared by the President, to reserve a dedicated support for America's military by voting for this important bill. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.